15 Under-the-Radar Concerts

You won’t want to miss these Up North shows

By Ross Boissoneau | July 5, 2025

With concerts at nearly every park, bandshell, casino, winery, and other venue throughout the summer, it’s inevitable that some will slip between the cracks. So we want to provide some direction on a few of these that might not be on your must-see list…but should be.

1. The second annual Traverse City Jamboree at the City Opera House July 10 will celebrate early 20th century American music, including ragtime, blues, and patriotic music. Pianist and vocalist Peter Bergin and his colleagues from the National Ragtime circuit, Jeff and Anne Barnhart, will also lead a tribute to veterans, which Bergin calls an honor. Photos of veterans can be submitted and will be displayed prior to the 7pm show. Tickets are $30 at cityoperahouse.org.

2. Next up at the Traverse City Civic Center’s Saturdays in the Park is the Metro Soul Band from Detroit on July 12. Now, maybe it’s not fair to call Saturdays in the Park under the radar, as it’s the second year for the free concerts at the Civic Center. But people still may not realize they can catch local, regional, and national acts such as Sears & Sears, Steepwater Band, and the Greg Nagy Band. The eight remaining shows on the slate all begin at 7pm.

4. The forecast is “Mostly Sunny” for the July performances of the Benzie Community Chorus at the Mills Community House in Benzonia. The 40-strong singing group performs songs celebrating rainy days, and Mondays too. Nearly 30 tunes encompass the vagaries of living in the mitten state, where “You Are My Sunshine,” “Ain’t No Sunshine,” and “Singing In The Rain” may appear the same day. Just wait 15 minutes—maybe you’ll get “Stormy Weather.” Tickets for the 7pm shows July 12-14 are $20 at benziechorus.org.

4. The Bay View Association presents Ragtime July 11 and 12 at 8pm Hall Auditorium. A 50-member cast from across the country joins community members to tell the tale of Black pianist Coalhouse Walker, Jr. and his beloved Sarah; Jewish immigrant Tateh and his little girl; and a wealthy white family led by matriarch Mother in 1903. Bay View Artistic Director Chris Ludwa says the show is supported by an incredible orchestra and is packed with memorable tunes. For tickets ($19-$36), go to bayviewassociation.org.

5. The Appleseed Collective (pictured) is a progressive string band from Ann Arbor. This acoustic quartet blends the sound of guitar, bass, violin, mandolin, and washboard into a zesty, earthy, and utterly original sound. Catch the band July 18 at Michigan’s largest lavender farm. Lavender Hill Farm is home to 30 varieties of lavender, Italian honeybees, and a restored century-old barn that hosts live music performances. For tickets ($33.50-$38.50) to the 7:30pm show, go to lavenderhillfarm.com.

6. From July 24 to Aug. 2, it may be hard to escape the sound of music—after all, there aren’t that many places to go on an island. Baroque on Beaver started with a single concert in 2002, and has grown to a 10-day showcase of classical and more, complete with an in-house (or on-island) orchestra and chorus. They’re joined by special guests from across the classical landscape. Go to baroqueonbeaver.org for more information.

7. Bourbon & Brass Company started life as a chamber music ensemble at the University of Louisville. They soon realized they wanted more, and transitioned into a performing group that incorporates choreography, interaction with the audience, and personalized performances. You might find them performing at a brewery, a theater, a church, a wedding—and on July 31 at the Old Art Building in Leland. The 7pm show is part of the free “Music in the Air” series.

8. Dags und Timmah! (don’t forget the exclamation point!) perform everything from alternative rock, pre- and post-punk, classic and modern country, to current popular music, all “curated in their own personal artistic vision.” Percussionist Jim Dagwell and guitarist/keyboardist Timothy Galante have entertained audiences around the region for 13 years, veering from Johnny Cash to T. Rex to Taylor Swift to Soundgarden. Catch them at the Gazebo at Veterans Park in Boyne City Aug. 6 at 6pm. As they say, “Extraordinary Rhythm & Groove!”

9. If you’re longing for the sound of a classic big band, check out the 15-piece Foghorn Jazz Band. The group performs at 7pm Aug. 6 as part of Ellsworth’s Concerts on the Square. The band revives the timeless classics of jazz from the 20s, 30s and 40s alongside the likes of tunes by Chicago, Earth, Wind & Fire, and contemporary artists. The Charlevoix area band’s show, like the rest of the series, is free of charge.

10. Fasten your seatbelts, northern Michigan: Elsie Binx is in the house—the historic Cheboygan Opera House. On Aug. 9, The Detroit-area band headlines the first Goth Ball for a cause. A portion of proceeds will benefit the Michigan Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and you can bring a canned or dry good for local food pantries. Tickets are $25, while donations to the 7:30pm event are voluntary, as is dressing the part (but that always makes it more fun). theoperahouse.org

11. The swinging sound of the Count Basie Orchestra is as strong as ever. It returns to Interlochen Aug. 14 with David Benoit at the piano. Benoit is famed not only for his contemporary own take on jazz, but for taking over the music for the Peanuts television shows. His interpretations of Vince Guaraldi’s classic themes have kept the spirit of Linus, Lucy, and Charlie Brown alive for the next generation. Go to interlochen.org for tickets ($55-$83) for the 7:30pm show.

12. East meets West when Will Marsh and The Integration Ensemble perform at Oliver Art Center in Frankfort at 5pm Aug. 17. Local natives Marsh on sitar and Josh Mellinger on tabla and percussionist are joined by cellist Crispin Campbell and saxophonist Patrick Booth. Marsh and Mellinger both now reside in California, while Booth teaches at Northern Michigan University. Tickets for the show start at $36; go to tickettailor.com/events/oliverart.

13. Imagine you and me, and a whole lot of friends who remember the Turtles, Jay and the Americans, Little Anthony, Gary Puckett & The Union Gap, The Vogues, and The Cowsills. The annual Happy Together tour brings them to the stage at Little River Casino at 8pm Aug. 16 for more than 60 classics by the original hitmakers from the ’60s and ’70s. It had to be. So happy together.

14. Who said hair metal is dead? The sound of crunching guitars, machine gun drums and keening vocals will fill the air at the Venue Event Center in Cadillac Sept. 3 with LA Guns. While the sound of contemporaries was more melodic and poppy than traditional heavy metal, with catchy hooks and singalong choruses, LA Guns blends the hooks and hard rock with a gritty, edgy feel, with elements of punk. For tickets ($20) to the 7pm show, go to thevenueeccadillac.com.

15. The Thursday night Music on the Mountain series at The Homestead concludes Sept. 18 with the smooth sounds of East Bay Drive. Keyboardist David Chown, guitarist Rick Kiehle, drummer Alex Wyant, and bassist John Paul will be joined by saxophonist Ryan Critchfield and Chown’s longtime musical partner, special guest Miriam Pico. Music of and inspired by Fourplay, Steely Dan, and other crossover artists will fill the air at the top of Bay Mountain at 7pm. Call The Homestead at (231) 334-5000 for ticket information.

 

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story had the wrong location for the Dags Und Timmah! show.