Looking over this year’s list of Best of the West Music finalists makes one thing perfectly clear: live music didn’t just survive the pandemic, it’s back and it’s thriving.
Even with inflation eating into everyone’s bottom line, fans have come out to shows in force, selling out concerts all throughout West Michigan, and showing their support for their favorites once again on our lists.
The toughest competition remains in the Best Music Venue category, which has had three different winners in the last three years, with each of this year’s three finalists having previously taken the top spot. This year GLC Live at 20 Monroe took the title for the first time since 2020, proving that despite the pending U.S. Justice Department lawsuit against Live Nation-Ticketmaster, the venue’s dominance and popularity in our area hasn’t diminished among fans. Not far behind, locally-owned favorites The Intersection and The Pyramid Scheme had strong showings, with both venues breaking new artists, and attendance records.
Repeat Best Music Festival winner the Electric Forest Festival had a capacity crowd for yet another year in a row earlier this summer. It faces increasing competition from fellow EDM-centered festival Breakaway, and the hard rock behemoth Upheaval – both held at Belknap Park in Grand Rapids – so its dominant run as the can’t miss live music experience in West Michigan might not last forever.
Many other categories also saw repeat winners from last year. AB once again topped the Best DJ category, with two newcomers, DJ Code and DJ Tony Banks, joining our list for the first time.
Speaking of spinning records, Vertigo Music hasn’t lost in the category of Best Vinyl Record Store even once since the start of Best of the West. Fellow longtime favorite The Corner Record Shop joins it once again, along with the brand new store, Della Soul Records, which just opened last November, and has already become a cultural and community hub in southeast Grand Rapids.
Our best original music categories featured several newcomers as well. First-time finalist Rhythm Therapy, a hard rock band from Holland, edged out two-time winners GR jam band Desmond Jones, and funk-fusion party band Simply In Time, for first place.
Similarly, first-time finalist Lauren Kelley – former vocalist for Grand Rapids cover band, and past Best of the West finalist, Funkle Jesse – took the top spot this year. She’s joined by last year’s winner, viral star Andrea Jenkins, and another new finalist, but longtime GR music icon, Christian hip-hop artist Steven Malcolm (who we first profiled in our annual Music Issue all the way back in 2019).
Speaking of coming back, multiple-year Best of the West champion Trixy Tang took the top spot in the Best Cover Band category after not reaching the Top Three last year, proving anything can happen. They’re joined by last year’s finalists Onager and Project 90, but reveal another absence from our list, multi-year, multi-category winner Brena. Will they make a comeback next year, or will your favorite finally find its spot on our lists? Make sure to vote next year and find out!
*Each category lists the winner with two finalists listed alphabetically below.
Best Cover Band
Trixy Tang
(trixytang.com)
Onager
Project 90
Best DJ
AB – Adrian Butler
(everythingab.com)
DJ Code
DJ Tony Banks
Best Music Festival
Electric Forest
(electricforestfestival.com)
Breakaway
Upheaval
Best Music Venue
GLC Live at 20 Monroe
11 Ottawa Ave. NW, Grand Rapids
The Intersection
The Pyramid Scheme
Best Original Band
Rhythm Therapy
Desmond Jones
Simply In Time
Best Solo Music Artist
Lauren Kelley
Andrea Jenkins
Steven Malcolm
Best Vinyl Record Store
Vertigo Music
129 S. Division Ave., Grand Rapids
Corner Record Shop
Della Soul Records
STAFF PICKS
Best Original Band: Major Murphy
With their 2021 masterpiece, Access, going massively underappreciated during the pandemic, Grand Rapids indie rock trio Major Murphy deserve much more recognition than they’ve gotten locally. Their brand new album, Fallout, released just last month, should change that, with the group’s timeless blend of psychedelic vibes and alternative riffs, simultaneously echoing the past and the future. The shared harmonies between husband and wife songwriter/vocalist/guitarist Jacob Bullard and bassist/vocalist Jacki Warren completely captivate the soul, so although they aren’t as active live as they once were, their music demands just as much attention as ever. — Eric Mitts
Best Music Festival: Fair Ground Festival
Now in its second year, the Fair Ground Festival in Hastings has become a beacon for what music festivals can be, for fans, for artists, and for the community. Centered on female artists and female fronted bands, the festival features unique voices in a unique space, creating a unique experience that extends beyond just another summer concert. Family friendly, yet fully engaging for frequent festival goers too, it stands as an inspiration for the next generation of artists, and re-envisions what an annual gathering in an unexpected location to celebrate live music can mean. Here’s hoping it continues to grow in years to come. — Eric Mitts
