This time of year is no doubt the slowest for touring acts. So, the boys and girls at Fusion Shows are helping to curb the appetites of music fans in Grand Rapids.
On Friday at the Pyramid Scheme in Grand Rapids, the independent concert promotion company will hold a local music showcase dubbed "Welcome To Grand Rapids: Volume 2". As the name indicates, it's the second installment of this hyper local show that puts some of the most promising acts on display — sans a national headliner (GASP!).
That didn't seem to hurt the event's success, though.
"The 'Welcome to Grand Rapids' series of shows was something we came up with last year, to not only give us something extra to be excited about in the slowest time of year for touring acts, but to continue to build our relationships with locals bands in the Grand Rapids area," said Nate Dorough, owner and talent buyer for Fusion Shows.
Fusion Shows has gained a sterling reputation with many local bands, giving them a shot at sharing the stage with big-named national acts and even providing them a promotional boost for special shows like album release parties.
"Welcome to Grand Rapids: Volume 2" features a stable of bands that Fusion has worked closely with lately, which includes Midwest Skies, Jake Down, The Legal Immigrants, Good Day Good Sir and Red Legs.
Doors to the show open at 6:30 p.m. and it is an all ages event.
"Often, (local bands) are first of whatever on a touring package and the focus isn't really on them," Dorough said. "But, it's exciting to take a show like this and make it about what is happening here. This show had over 300 people at it last year, and we're hoping this year's is similar."
The shows runs the gamut as far as musical genre, from pop rock (Midwest Skies) and folk rock (Jake Down) to some good ol' rock 'n' roll (The Legal Immigrants and Red Legs).
Tickets are available at fusionshows.com. They cost eight bones in advance.
