News Summary
This past weekend, Grand Rapids was bustling with live music, featuring local artists across various venues. Notable performances included soul singer Molly’s debut and Latin rock band Cabildo at The Big Room, along with Erin Monroe & Company at Tip Top Deluxe. Despite challenges faced by the music industry, the community showed strong support for local musicians, reaffirming the city’s rich cultural spirit. Meanwhile, Kalamazoo also enjoyed a lively music scene, highlighting the resilience of live performances in the region.
Grand Rapids
This past weekend, Grand Rapids was alive with music as several venues hosted concerts featuring local artists, showcasing the city’s vibrant music scene despite ongoing challenges for the industry. The lineup included a variety of performances that attracted diverse crowds, reaffirming community support for local musicians.
The Big Room in Grand Rapids was the site of a significant event as local soul singer Molly made her debut on a special night where she released her first single in three years titled “Come 2 Me.” Molly was backed by her band, which included Scott Schultz, Mike Savina, Christian VanDuinen, Evan Follmar, along with special guests David Ward and Marcus Jordan. The debut performance generated excitement in the local music community.
Opening for Molly at The Big Room, Latin rock band Cabildo energized the audience with their performance. The Big Room officially opened on Ottawa Avenue NW in late May, adding a fresh venue to the local concert circuit.
Over at the Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill in Grand Rapids, Erin Monroe & Company put on an impressive show with special guest Vespa. The performance was a tribute to Sierra Ferrell’s upcoming album “Trail of Flowers,” with Erin Monroe reflecting on the experience as a dream come true on social media.
Kalamazoo also saw a lively night of music with an all-ages show and costume party held at Old Dog Tavern, featuring performances by Zero Sun and Sounds of the Zoo. The highlight of the evening included a special guest performance by Faux Beamage. Zero Sun captivated the audience by playing tracks from their debut album, supplemented by new material.
Abe Savas contributed to Kalamazoo’s music scene by performing at the Clover Room, where he played nearly half of his album “99 Songs (Plus One)” along with additional cover songs during the second part of his set.
Current Music Scene and Challenges
The concert scene in Grand Rapids is busier than ever, coinciding with various local events like the art fair Art Prize. However, the local music industry is grappling with significant challenges as Turnstiles, a well-known music venue in Grand Rapids, recently announced its closure due to rising operational costs and the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Other venues in the area, such as jazz spots Rockwell Republic and GR Noir, have also closed their doors since the pandemic began.
Despite these struggles, the sense of community and support for local musicians remains resilient in Grand Rapids and its surrounding areas. Concertgoers continue to flock to live music events, boosting the morale of artists and venue operators alike.
Community Spirit
The weekend concerts served as a reminder of the vibrant local culture and the deep-rooted support for musicians within the community. Local artists are being embraced and celebrated, as they adapt to the changing landscape of the music industry post-pandemic. The collective effort to support these events demonstrates the importance of live music in bolstering community spirit and creative expression.
As West Michigan venues continue to navigate these challenging times, the dedication shown by local artists and audiences is a testament to the region’s rich musical heritage and the hope for a thriving future in the arts.
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Additional Resources
- Grateful Web: Grand Rapids Music Scene
- GR Magazine: That Third Coast Sound
- Local Spins: Turnstiles Music Venue Closure
- Idobi: Pretoria Interview
- Fox 17: WYCE Jammies Awards
- Wikipedia: Music of Michigan
- Google Search: Grand Rapids music venues
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Pop Music
- Google Scholar: Grand Rapids music scene
- Google News: Grand Rapids music
Author: STAFF HERE GRANDRAPIDS WRITER
GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER The GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREGrandRapids.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Grand Rapids, Kent County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as ArtPrize, Festival of the Arts, and World of Winter. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce and Grand Rapids Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in furniture, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Steelcase, Spectrum Health, and Meijer. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HERENorthville.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
