Big Grand Rapids New Year’s Eve concerts in photos and video

The Outer Vibe, Baby Bash and Jesse McCartney in the outdoor Hot New Year’s Eve bash that drew thousands downtown was just the tip of the iceberg: Founders Brewing and Wealthy Theatre welcomed the new year with bracing music, too.

Cheers: The Crane Wives’ Dan Rickabus toasts the New Year early as Lindsay Lou & The Flatbellys perform at Founders. (Photo/John Sinkevics)

Musically speaking, Grand Rapids certainly knows how to party and ring in the New Year.

From the cold-nosed thousands braving chilly, below-30 temperatures on Monroe Avenue downtown to cheer the arena-styled rock/pop of The Outer Vibe, rap of Baby Bash and pop of Jesse McCartney and Sylvia Yacoub to the packed-tight-as-sardines revelers at Founders Brewing Co. hailing Lindsay Lou & the Flatbellys, The Crane Wives and The Ragbirds to the more laid-back-yet-appreciative crowd at Wealthy Theatre awed by the elegant and soulful strains of the Starlight Six, New Year’s Eve’s musical mayhem was a sight (and sound) to behold. Check out video highlights below.

There were highlights at every turn, from the carnival atmosphere downtown with traffic snarls and thousands jamming streets (and those hearty souls lining up in short skirts without jackets to get into The B.O.B.’s big New Year’s Eve soiree), to Lindsay Lou & the Flatbellys’ resplendently cool twist on bluegrass at the Founders party, which included The Crane Wives’ drummer Dan Rickabus sitting in on a fine cover of Sam Cooke’s “Bring It On Home,” followed by TCW’s own energetic set that featured a haunting brand new tune, tentatively titled “Ghosty Song,” to the all-star cast playing Wealthy Theatre as the Starlight Six (actually eight or nine musicians depending on the song): Seth Bernard, May Erlewine, Dominic John Davis, Joshua Davis, Rachael Davis, Zak Bunce, Jason Scott, Mike Lynch and special guests.

Rapping up 2012: Baby Bash revved up thousands during Hot FM’s New Year’s Eve Party on Monroe Avenue downtown.

A party vibe: Members of The Outer Vibe celebrate after their high-energy set at the Hot New Year’s Eve show downtown.

Walking tall: Some folks rose to the occasion with their New Year’s Eve garb.

To screams from fans, pop star Jesse McCartney joined Hot FM morning show personalities Rachael Gray and Gravy in ushering Baby Bash to the stage.

Grand Rapids’ own The Outer Vibe unleashed an arena-like spectacle downtown.

Lindsay Lou & the Flatbellys got the party started at Founders on Monday night.

Out of the Blue: The Crane Wives unveiled a new song to celebrate the arrival of 2013. (Photo/Anna Sinkevics)

Flapping their wings: The Crane Wives had fans soaring after Lindsay Lou’s set.

Members of The Ragbirds and The Crane Wives gathered side stage to cheer Lindsay Lou and crew at Founders.

Soulful Americana: Joshua Davis, Rachael Davis, May Erlewine and Seth Bernard led the Starlight Six at Wealthy Theatre.

Stars of the evening: The Starlight Six gave an impeccable performance at Wealthy Theatre.

Skate On: Oblivious to the raucous New Year’s Eve stage show behind them, some just skated into 2013 at Rosa Parks Circle.

Email: jsinkevics@gmail.com