Hot town, summer in the city. Is the back of your neck dirty and gritty? You can definitely cool off with a roster of top flight talent making its way to West Michigan in July.
Saddle Creek’s Big Thief (7/1) brings its indie rock sensibilities and mythological beauty to Bell’s. By way of Memphis and dripping in the legendary Stax Records sound, Booker T Jones (7/7) needs no introduction. Let me go on. You can sing Blister in the Sun at the top of your lungs with Violent Femmes (7/7). Many of us still remember the band’s impact on our 1980s college radio alternative lives.
Ray Wylie Hubbard (7/7) has been playing a string of sold-out shows across the country and his set at Tip Top Deluxe is no exception. You’ll probably have to catch him at Blissfest (7/7 and 7/8) along with Michael Franti, Los Lobos and Chubby Carrier & The Bayou Swamp Boys.
Mike Dillon (7/8) and his vibes are coming to Founders. With not-so-subtle flavors of punk rock, funk, ska and hip-hop grooves, this will go down smooth with a nice cold one. Aaaah!
The Dustbowl Revival (7/11) delivers pre-war blues and roots music with a Venice Beach vibe. Speaking of the blues, Eric Gales (7/12) plays Blues on the Mall for a free show. Sheryl Crow returned to her roots with her new album, Be Myself, and she’ll return to Frederik Meijer Gardens with opener Aaron Lee Tasjan (7/12).
Junior Brown (7/15) has been slinging his “guit-steel” double neck guitar for more than 30 years and we are all the better for it. Diana Krall performed in June at Meijer Gardens, but her husband Declan MacManus (Elvis Costello) gets his turn on July 17.
Nite Jewel (7/20) is sure to set the dance floor on fire with her electronic-infused chillwave bliss, followed a few days later by the psychedelic sounds of Foxygen (7/23). Well played, Pyramid Scheme. Well played.
We’ve seen Andrew Bird and Esperanza Spalding (7/24) come to town before, but never have the two shared the same bill. Philadelphia’s Low Cut Connie (7/27) has a reputation of delivering a live show that will melt your face. Closing out the month are the shiny pop hooks of The Shins and Tennis (7/27) and Michigan based NOMO (7/29), who are sure to bring their Afro-beat, jazz and funk A-game as always.
