March 29, 2024

Ten Concerts Worth the Roadtrip

Oct. 9, 2015

While we have a fantastic variety of music right here in northern Michigan, sometimes the act you’ve just got to see doesn’t get up this way — and that’s when you hop in the car for a roadtrip downstate. Here are 10 concerts sure to be well worth the drive.

OCT. 19: Garbage w/ Torres
Royal Oak Music Theater
TICKETS: royaloakmusictheater.com or axs.com

The Wisconsin alt-rock band with the smart Scottish singer has been off the radar since 2012, when they released Not Your Kind of People. Now they’re edging back with a new single, “The Chemicals,” featuring Silversun Pickups’ Brian Aubert, and a new album reportedly in the works. There will be plenty of energy as they’re celebrating the 20th anniversary of their first record.

OCT. 24: Run The Jewels w/ Boots
Royal Oak Music Theater
TICKETS: royaloakmusictheater.com or axs.com

Rappers El-P and Killer Mike teamed up for this collaboration that’s shaking things up in the hip-hop community due to this unlikely pairing. Rolling Stone, Spin and The New York Times have all thrown critical acclaim Run the Jewels’ way and now they’ve got a second album, RTJ2, on the way this fall, so chances are you’ll get a sneak peek of new tracks at this show.

OCT. 30: Luke Bryan, Dierks Bentley w/ Randy Houser, Dustin Lynch
Ford Field (Detroit)
TICKETS: detroitlions.com/ford-field

This one’s for the country fans out there, and they’ve hit the Nashville jackpot with Bryan and Dierks Bentley in the same show (not to mention a pair of hold-their-own opening acts) as part of Bryan’s Kick the Dust tour. This is the last stateside stop before Bryan hits Mexico, so catch him now while he’s still performing his countrified cover of Maroon 5’s “Sugar.”

OCT. 31: Bassnectar w/ G Jones, Yheti, Superdre
DeltaPlex Arena (Grand Rapids)
TICKETS: deltaplex.com

If you like an overload of breakbeat and dubstep with your Halloween festivities, throw on your costume and head to Bassnectar’s Halloween Masquerade. Be prepared for one of the most impressive DJ sets/light shows you’ll ever hear/see at one massive show — pretty impressive for a guy who was introduced to Grand Rapids years ago by DJing at The Intersection.

NOV. 7: The Weeknd w/ Travis Scott and Banks
The Palace of Auburn Hills
TICKETS: ticketmaster.com

The Weeknd is big business these days, with his smash Beauty Behind the Madness album and his Madness Fall Tour. This is the only Michigan stop scheduled for this trek, on which The Weeknd will hopefully finally be able to feel his face alongside sets from Kanye West/T.I. protégé Scott and alternative R&B singer Banks, still promoting her debut album Goddess.

NOV. 21: Stevie Wonder
Joe Louis Arena (Detroit)
TICKETS: unitedcenter.com or ticketmaster.com

In 1976, Stevie Wonder’s Songs in the Key of Life won a Grammy Award for Album of the Year. Now, Wonder’s bringing these tunes back to life with a live adaptation of the album’s iconic songs. You’ll certainly recognize “Sir Duke,” “Isn’t She Lovely” and “I Wish,” but the entire album is a knockout and this is a great chance to see a true legend in concert.

NOV. 24: The Mowgli’s w/Lights
St. Andrews Hall (Detroit)
TICKETS: saintandrewsdetroit.com or concerts. livenation.com

Get on the cutting edge of indie rock with this double show from SoCal alt-rockers The Mowgli’s and Canadian pop artist Lights, the former promoting their new Kids in Love album and the latter likely working out live versions of her Little Machines songs for a rumored acoustic EP. A live collaboration between these two will be something to hear.

DEC. 29: Trans-Siberian Orchestra
The Palace of Auburn Hills
TICKETS: ticketmaster.com

The futuristic prog-rock of the TSO is a unique and unforgettable way to bring several generations together to hear holiday music, this show being the group’s unique twist on the concept — think Pink Floyd plus Broadway and that almost explains their sound. This year’s winter tour offering is The Ghosts of Christmas Eve, sure to be festooned with plenty of lasers — yes, lasers.

JAN. 25: Vance Joy w/ Reuben and The Dark
The Colosseum at Caesar’s (Windsor)
TICKETS: caesars.com or ticketmaster.ca

Having one of his Top 40 songs (“Riptide”) covered by Taylor Swift certainly hasn’t hurt Joy’s profile, nor has his current Fire and the Flood tour, which is nicely showing off the singer-songwriter’s ease on stage and marking his status as a 5,000-seat filler. Special guests Reuben and the Dark allows the morose Canadian folk-rockers to serve as an apt foil to Joy’s more upbeat tunes.

FEB. 5: Janet Jackson
The Palace of Auburn Hills
TICKETS: ticketmaster.com

The only successful Jackson sister is back after seven years with a brand new album and attitude: She’s just here to make music because she wants to, no matter what it does chart-wise. That’s probably what makes her new tunes so interesting; they’re personal, yet carefree. Expect plenty of new material and familiar old danceable hits during her return to the Motor City.

Trending

Mysterious Michigan Reads

We can’t think of a better way to spend spring break than with a great book. Northern Express asked local bookseller... Read More >>

Heirloom Recipes With Heritage, History, and Nostalgia

Before we begin to stash our coats and put winter behind us, let us remember what years past have taught us…fake sp... Read More >>

A Floral Family Affair

In the quaint downtown of Elk Rapids sits Golden Hill Farms, a shop where the artistry of floristry meets the rustic charm... Read More >>

A Look at Originalism

O Tempora O Mores! Oh the times, oh the culture. This Latin phrase relates to both the 18th century and our current times.... Read More >>