West Michigan’s concert guide for July 30-Aug.5 includes the Coast Guard Festival. Elsewhere in the state, there’s Coldplay, Sugarland, Chicago, Matt Giraud.
David Thom Band
9:30 p.m. Monday
Free
The Grand, Grand Haven
9:30 p.m. Thursday
Free
Founders Brewing Co., Grand Rapids
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Thousands, of course, will be headed toward the lakeshore this week, especially Saturday, for the climactic finish to the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival.
Saturday’s lineup includes the 11:45 a.m. Meijer Grand Parade, 7 p.m. Spirit of the USO Band/A Salute to Heroes with the USO Liberty Bells concert at Waterfront Stadium and the late evening fireworks display, but there’s plenty going on earlier in the week, too: Annabelle Road playing Waterfront Stadium at 7:30 p.m. Monday, the Street Dance with Soul’d Out at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, The Company Men at Waterfront Stadium at 8 p.m. Thursday, and Don Middlebrook & Living Soul at Waterfront Stadium at 8 p.m. Friday. And this doesn’t count the beer tents around town that will be rocking as well. Get the official schedule here.
Grand Haven also happens to be a good place to start for this week’s big list, which also includes the “Out and About” roster of shows elsewhere across the state for Michigan travelers.
The David Thom Band is a California bluegrass group that’s absolutely passionate about that traditional bluegrass sound, playing with no amps but gathering around a single microphone. They’re spending some time revving up Michigan fans this week with shows in Grand Haven and Grand Rapids.
(Meanwhile, Chicago experimental art-rock band A Lull plays Founders at 9:30 p.m. Saturday, with Grand Rapids’ own inventive Ghost Heart and Chicago’s Brontosaurus opening, $5.)
The Crane Wives, Drew Nelson
7 p.m. Tuesday
Free (with $12 regular admission to Meijer Gardens)
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, Grand Rapids Township
Talk about a compelling, rootsy West Michigan combination at the Tuesday Evening Music Club series. The Crane Wives, the West Michigan folk-rock phenoms who are on the cusp of releasing their second album, put on a highly energetic, rootsy, harmony-flavored show. And Drew Nelson is still reveling in his most recent Redhouse Records release, “Tilt-A-Whirl.”
And if you’re in more of a world music mode, check out the salsa-, timba-, rumba-flavored strains of Grupo Aye at in Garden Club Park in downtown Rockford for the Huntington Rogue River Blues Series at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
GR’s Got Talent Battle of the Bands
5:30 p.m. Wednesday
$5
Ultraviolet Hippopotamus
9:30 p.m. Friday
$10
The Pyramid Scheme, Grand Rapids
Oh sure, The Pyramid Scheme has some fine rafter-shaking international acts passing through this week, like Pennyslvania punk-rockers The Menzingers on Monday ($12) and Japanese female pop-punk trio Shonen Knife on Tuesday ($10), but I’m intrigued by the GR’s Got Talent Battle of the Bands at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, an event which will determine which West Michigan acts move on to perform in the inaugural “Got Talent” finale Aug. 18 at Civic Theatre. Get details on all that here.
And speaking of local talent, An Evening with Ultraviolet Hippopotamus at the Pyramid Scheme at 9:30 p.m. Friday should be a real tail-shakin’, prog-jammin’ delight of a show featuring SP3 ($10). Ticket details for all the above here.
The Head and The Heart, Lost in the Trees
7 p.m. Thursday
$34 ($32 for Meijer Gardens members)
Gavin DeGraw, Colbie Caillat
7 p.m. Friday
Sold out
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, Grand Rapids Township
Consider this Thursday show by The Head and The Heart one of the “under-the-radar picks” of the summer concert series at Meijer Gardens. Those in the know, especially younger fans, recognize the brilliant approach of this two-year-old Seattle band which takes folk and indie-pop to harmony-laden, inspiring levels as evidence by the self-titled 2011 debut album by this six-piece band.
Rock and soul singer-songwriter Gavin DeGraw and pop singer-songwriter Colbie Caillat clearly need no introduction because they sold out their Meijer Gardens show quickly.
The Makem and Spain Brothers
8 p.m. Thursday
Sold out
Fenian’s Irish Pub, Conklin
They’re legendary: The Makem Brothers are one of Ireland’s most famous and popular traditional folk acts, and when paired up with the Spain Brothers they, well, sell out places like Fenian’s in a blink of an eye. Call Mary Ann at 616-899-2640 just in case some extra tickets become available.
Kansas, Mid-Life Crisis
7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday (gates open at 5:30 p.m.)
$10-$26
Cannonsburg Ski Area, Cannon Township
The last time I saw the venerable members of Kansas perform outdoors – several years ago at Fifth Third Ballpark – I was admittedly and surprisingly impressed by the prog-hued band’s stage prowess so many years into its run. They’re back in West Michigan, this time playing two shows with the Grand Rapids Symphony in what should be a bracing display of tunes such as “Carry on Wayward Son” and “Point of Know Return” by guitarist Rich Williams and crew, with Grand Rapids’ own Mid-Life Crisis getting things started. (Read more in Jeff Kaczmarczyk’s MLive story here.) Ticket details here.
Harvey Thompson
6 p.m. Friday
Free
Bobarinos in The B.O.B., Grand Rapids
Highly regarded jazz singer Harvey Thompson, a Detroit native, has been living in Japan but is back touring the States and will perform in an all-star lineup at the upcoming Detroit Jazz Festival on Labor Day weekend. This Friday, he’ll play a show in Bobarino’s on the second floor of The B.O.B. with pianist Terry Lower and bassist Rob Hartman.
And for more bracing jazz, check out Monday night’s Jazz at the Zoo at the John Ball Park bandshell starting at 6:30 p.m. with a couple of terrific Michigan outfits: Evidence and Orquesta Tradicion.
Lucky Tubb & The Modern Day Troubadours
The Jukejoint Handmedowns
8 p.m. Friday
$10
Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill, Grand Rapids
Talk about a honky-tonkin’, cry-in-your-beer, throwback country combo. Austin, Texas’ Lucky Tubb returns to Grand Rapids’ Tip Top Deluxe on the city’s West Side, with opening act The Jukejoint Handmedowns, recently featured as Spins on Music’s Local Spins Artist of the Week. Lots of twang and broken hearts here.
Trina Hamlin
7 p.m. Saturday
$18 ($110 for private table for four)
Seven Steps Up, Spring Lake
Minneapolis folk-rocker Trina Hamlin has established a reputation for her compelling live performances at places like the Newport Folk Festival and has appeared on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien.” She performs on Friday night at South Haven’s Foundry Hall (an intimate venue I recently had the pleasure of experiencing), then plays a special early Pin Drop Concerts show at Spring Lake’s Seven Steps Up on Saturday (ahead of those Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival fireworks).
(By the way, Grand Rapids’ The Trace returns to Seven Steps Up to perform its acoustic classic rock at 8 p.m. Friday, $7.)
Matisyahu, Moon Taxi
8 p.m. Saturday (doors open at 7 p.m.)
$25 advance, $30 day of show
The Orbit Room, Grand Rapids
With a brand new album, “Spark Seeker,” reggae/alt-rock/hip-hop artist Matisyahu brings his distinctive musical approach to Grand Rapids on Saturday.
Nashville prog-rock/jam outfit Moon Taxi is opening the concert, which I’m guessing could be a real uplifting affair. Get ticket information here.
OUT AND ABOUT ELSEWHERE ACROSS THE STATE:
Coldplay, 7 p.m. Wednesday, Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills – The British band on its Mylo Xoloto Tour makes a Michigan stop ($49.50-$99.50). Tickets/details here.
Chicago/The Doobie Brothers, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, DTE Energy Music Theatre, Clarkston – These stalwarts of classic rock continue to tour every summer, linking up for this Michigan show ($26-$56). Details here.
Matt Giraud, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dogwood Performing Arts Center, Fremont – The Kalamazoo-area pianist and singer who earned deserved kudos for his “American Idol” run continues to impress fans with his blues, soul, pop and rock ($22.50); get tickets here.
Sugarland, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, DTE Energy Music Theatre, Clarkston – The country music duo brings Lauren Alaina and Canaan Smith with them on their “In Your Hands Tour 2012” ($29-$63.50)
Details and tickets here.
Styx, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Frauenthal Center for the Performing Arts, Muskegon – Yes, prog-rock’s Styx, in an incredibly intimate environment ($36-$96). Details here.
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