Late July’s live music scene is firing on all cylinders as Spins on Music’s West Michigan concert guide shows. And the Detroit Tigers are now fired up, too.
Edye Evans Hyde plays Jazz at the Zoo on Monday.
Edye Evans Hyde with Terry Lower Quartet
Jazz at the Zoo
6:30 p.m. Monday
Free
John Ball Zoo, Grand Rapids (off W. Fulton Street)
To guide all of you vacationers, this week’s list includes a special “Out and About” section below, highlighting concerts across the state so you can find the right soundtrack for your travels.
Support our coverage of
West Michigan's music scene
In Grand Rapids, jazz singer Edye Evans Hyde proved on her most recent studio album, “Magic in His Eyes,” that she’s a national-caliber talent.
Not only that, but when paired with the oft-underrated jazz players from this area, she really shines, as I’m sure she will Monday night when she plays West Michigan Jazz Society’s Jazz at the Zoo with the Terry Lower Quartet.
Mickey Hart
Mickey Hart Band
7 p.m. Tuesday
$25-$30 advance; $35 day of show
The Intersection, Grand Rapids
As the drummer for Grateful Dead, Mickey Hart has a long and storied legacy. But as a solo artist, the Grammy-winning Hart’s contributions may be even more impressive, and he recently released a new album, “Mysterium Tremendum.” On Tuesday, Hart brings his band to The Intersection as part of a summer tour that began just last week and includes a host of high-profile festivals. Ticket info here.
(BTW, Detroit rapper Elzhi rolls into the ‘Section at 8 p.m. Wednesday, $10.)
Mississippi Heat
LAV Budweiser Blues on the Mall
6:30 p.m. Wednesday
Free
Rosa Parks Circle, downtown Grand Rapids
Mississippi bluesman, composer, producer and publisher Vasti Jackson had a conflict and couldn’t return to Blues on the Mall after all this year. But sticking with the Mississippi theme, how about Mississippi Heat filling in as a replacement this Wednesday? (Turns out, Detroit’s own legendary bluesman Larry McCray will fill in for another switch in shows in August.)
Lyle Lovett
Lyle Lovett & His Acoustic Group
7 p.m. Wednesday
Sold out
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, Grand Rapids Township
Seven appearances at Meijer Gardens, seven sellouts. It’s no wonder the folks at the outdoor amphitheater consider this country/Americana artist the “house band.” This time around, Lovett brings his five piece acoustic band to Grand Rapids.
(By the way, Michigan’s Orpheum Bell and the Fauxgrass Quartet play the Tuesday Evening Music Club series at the amphitheater at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Not only is this show NOT sold out, but admission is free with regular entry into Meijer Gardens.)
The Northern Skies, Big Dudee Roo
9:30 p.m. Thursday
Free
Founders Brewing Co., Grand Rapids
Both of these rootsy bands have been featured as my “Local Spins Live” artists of the week, and both also have earned wide praise for their performances as part of that radio show spotlighting regional artists. (Cabildo, with its Latin folk-rock dance strains, The Red Lions and Tristen play Founders at 9:30 p.m. Saturday, $5.)
Billy Currington swings for the fences at Fifth Third Ballpark on Friday.
Billy Currington, Greg Bates, The Stolen Horses
6 p.m. Friday
$20-$39.50
Fifth Third Ballpark, Comstock Park
This concert is “how country boys roll,” as Billy Currington would put it. Since that No. 1 country single in 2009, Currington has continued to build his country audience, scoring hits with “Pretty Good at Drinkin’ Beer,” “Let Me Down Easy,” “Love Done Gone” and “Like My Dog.” He headlines this ballpark show sponsored by country radio’s B-93.
Grand Rapids’ own The Stolen Horses opens the show. More information and tickets here.
Ritsu Katsumata
GRAM on the Green
6:15 p.m. Friday
Free
Plaza in front of Grand Rapids Art Museum, downtown Grand Rapids
As far as I’m concerned, Ritsu’s electric violin playing is absolutely mesmerizing, often combined with a performance-art vibe that is scintillating and thought-provoking. On Friday, she’ll uncork her “post-modern gypsy” strains in a trio that also features Hugo Claudin and Terence Mahone in the latest installation of this outdoor series. She informs me that you can expect to hear “AC/DC and Zeppelin mashed up with Bach and Prokofiev.” So, prepare to be impressed; you can check out a video of Ritsu below.
Jukes Final Show: Ten Second March, Chugger,
Heavier Than Air Flying Machines, Charles the Osprey,
Just for Kicks, Bitters
7 p.m. Saturday
Free
Jukes Bar, Grand Rapids (Leonard Street NW)
Talk about a final kick-butt rock show. Jukes is going down with a bang this weekend, indeed, with Charles the Osprey, Heavier Than Air Flying Machines and a host of other regional rock bands doing a reverse christening of the music venue that’s been a boon for countless West Michigan musicians over the years. Raise a glass and bid the venue adieu while absorbing some wall-rattling riffs.
By the way, the next-to-last show on Friday features a pretty bracing lineup too, with the return of The Law (with it’s “beer-spillin’ country”), The Bermudas and Johnny & the Archtops.
Sons of the Never Wrong play South Haven on Friday.
OUT AND ABOUT LIST FOR THE MICHIGAN ROAD:
— If you’re headed Traverse City-way, Portland, Ore., indie folk-rock band Blind Pilot plays Interlochen’s Corson Auditorium tonight ($20), and if you missed the Preservation Hall Jazz Band with the Del McCoury Band when they hit Meijer Gardens earlier this month, they’ll play Interlochen’s Kresge Auditorium at 8 p.m. Wednesday ($30.50-$40.50). Details here.
— The Sleepy Bear Music Festival, formerly the Dunegrass Music Festival and sponsored by the same folks, takes place Friday-Sunday on a 350-acre farm in Lake Ann, Mich., with a bracing lineup of artists, including Martin Sexton, the Stooges Brass Band, Rootstand, Frontier Ruckus and plenty more, with three stages and reserved camping. Get all the details at their website.
— Those headed toward the lakeshore in the other direction can catch the always-entertaining Chicago folk trio The Sons of the Never Wrong at South Haven’s Foundry Hall ($10) at 7:30 p.m. Friday. This harmonious bunch is celebrating its 20th anniversary.
— A bit closer to Grand Rapids, Saugatuck’s Venetian Festival embarks late Friday afternoon and runs through Sunday, with the ‘80s music of StarFarm cranking things up at the kick-off celebration which takes place 5:30 p.m.-midnight Friday in Coughlin Park. There’s a boat parade and fireworks Saturday; see the schedule at the website here.
Saugatuck’s watering holes feature plenty of bracing live music as well, with Don Middlebrook playing his summery island tunes at Wick’s Park Bar & Grill on Friday night, and The Annex piano bar at Coral Gables starring Kevin Viilo on Thursday, Greg Poltrock on Friday and Saturday, and Charlie Bauman on Sunday.
— If you’re headed toward Southeast Michigan, DTE Energy Music Theatre hosts soul legends The Temptations on Friday, rapper Pitbull on Saturday and Christian music’s Michael W. Smith with Jeremy Camp on Sunday.
Email: jsinkevics@gmail.com
