September 9, 2025

Grand Rapids Celebrates a Weekend of Music and Festivals

News Summary

The first weekend of September brought a vibrant celebration of live music and regional festivals across West Michigan, particularly in Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo. The Eastown Streetfair featured multiple music acts and local vendors, while Kalamazoo hosted numerous events, including the Kalamashoegazer Festival and a lively block party at One Well Brewing. Grand Rapids also saw exciting concerts with performances from electronic and folk-punk artists. Overall, the weekend highlighted the thriving cultural scene in the area, attracting both locals and visitors.

Grand Rapids

The first weekend of September saw a vibrant celebration of live music and festivals across West Michigan, drawing crowds to various events in cities like Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo. Key highlights included the Eastown Streetfair, Kalamazoo’s numerous music events, and other regional festivities, showcasing local talent and diverse musical genres.

Eastown Streetfair Success

The Eastown Streetfair took place in Grand Rapids’ Eastown neighborhood, featuring nine regional music acts, among them the energetic band PotatoeBabies. This event not only entertained attendees with live performances but also presented a wide array of local vendors, enhancing the experience for festival-goers.

Kalamazoo’s Musical Weekend

Kalamazoo hosted several noteworthy events throughout the weekend. On Friday, Art Hop attracted many art lovers, while Brush The Block showcased the Nathan Moore Affair. Additionally, the Kalamashoegazer Festival occurred at Bell’s Brewery Eccentric Cafe, presenting over a dozen shoegaze and dream pop bands from across the country on both Friday and Saturday.

One Well Brewing celebrated the end of summer with a block party featuring last year’s Battle of the Bands winner, Yellowhouse, reggae group Zion Lion, and Ann Arbor’s Pajamas. The Lowell rock band The Nuance, having won Albion’s Walk the Beat competition, also performed at Old Dog Tavern in Kalamazoo, contributing to the lively music scene.

Grand Rapids Concerts

In Grand Rapids, electronic music artist Jauz energized attendees at The Intersection’s Elevation event. Additionally, The Big Room hosted its second significant concert on Sunday, featuring performances from Nashville folk-punk artist Sunny War and blues singer-songwriter Buffalo Nichols.

Photo Galleries and Visual Highlights

Other Notable Festivals

Alongside these musical festivities, the Michigan State Fair took place in Novi from August 28 to September 1, offering livestock competitions, a farmer’s market, and live music. The Festival of Oddities, featuring strange and paranormal activities, was held in downtown Charlotte on August 30-31. Boogie Fest ran from August 29-31 in the central Upper Peninsula, showcasing live music and camping activities.

The 46th Annual Detroit Jazz Festival showcased an array of performances from August 29 to September 1 across four stages in Detroit, further highlighting the region’s rich musical landscape. On August 30, the inaugural Holistic Healing Fest ran in downtown Alpena’s Bay View Park, bringing together a community focused on wellness and healing.

Looking Forward

As the summer’s musical celebrations wind down, plans for the Michigan Irish Music Festival are underway. Scheduled for September 11-14 at Heritage Landing in Muskegon, this event promises performances from renowned artists, with a four-day pass priced at $70.

The weekend’s variety of music and events underscores the thriving cultural scene in West Michigan, drawing both local residents and visitors eager to experience the region’s artistic offerings.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

St. Cecilia Music Center Announces Acoustic Café Folk Series
The Milk Carton Kids Perform in Michigan
Grand Rapids Symphony Launches 96th Season with Beethoven’s Ninth
Local Businesses Celebrate at The Excellence Exchange
Grand Rapids Community College Kicks Off Fall Semester
Grand Rapids Prepares for 52nd Annual Eastown Street Fair
Wayland Balloon Festival and Community Celebrations
FireKeepers Casino Hotel Earns Top Spot in USA Today Awards
Grand Rapids Welcomes Nate Bargatze’s World Tour
Grand Rapids Kicks Off Fall Festivities with Local Orchards

Additional Resources

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.

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Audience enjoying a folk music concert at St. Cecilia Music Center

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