Fan fervor took many forms over the past week at concerts across West Michigan, from fist-pumping glee to pin-drop quiet intensity. Revisit the concerts in vibrant images at Local Spins.
Fan Passion: Some of the attendees at Saturday night’s Bass Country. (Photo/Eric Stoike)
SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTO GALLERIES, VIDEO
Support our coverage of
West Michigan's music scene
There’s nothing quite like experiencing artists at the top of their game on stage.
West Michigan fans hungry for that live music experience found plenty of it this past week at concerts from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo.
Clutch: Saturday night at GLC Live. (Photo/Jamie Geysbeek_
They found it in the guitar prowess of the legendary Steve Hackett (formerly of Genesis), in the haunting harmonies of the Sweet Water Warblers super-group (May Erlewine, Rachael Davis and Lindsay Lou), in the poignant music of singer-songwriter Carrie McFerrin (releasing “Postpartum,” her first album in 10 years with an impressive ensemble of musicians and singers).
There was more, too, including a tour stop by the hard-rocking Clutch, a long-delayed Gilmore Keyboard Festival performance by the Bill Cessna Trio and the electronic music spectacle of Bass Country at The Intersection, with a host of acts pumping up zealous fans on Saturday night. The same could be said for The Pyramid Scheme’s 11th anniversary spectacle on Saturday starring ska’s Mustard Plug.
Browse the photo galleries from all of the shows below, along with a recap of Hackett’s tour stop. Plus, check out separate Local Spins reviews and photo galleries from Journey/Toto and Sting/Joe Sumner at Van Andel Arena and bluesman Larry McCray at Listening Room.
STEVE HACKETT AT GLC LIVE AT 20 MONROE
“Now I’m back again,” goes the refrain from “Supper’s Ready.” And so Steve Hackett was, giving his all to the crowd at GLC Live at 20 Monroe on Wednesday.
After a brief solo set, he delved into that epic tune and a host of other tracks from what many consider the classic period of Genesis. Throughout the show, Hackett and his band demonstrated musical muscle and finesse.
Steve Hackett (Photo/Ross Boissoneau)
The show kicked off to a chorus of ticking sounds as the band entered and dove into “Clocks – The Angel of Mons” from “Spectral Mornings.” Throughout the concert, the nonpareil guitarist tapped, shredded, strummed and demonstrated the gifts he’s developed over a 50-year career.
There was also what most of the audience was there for: a complete set of Genesis, circa 1977. Hackett revived the band’s live oeuvre with a set derived from “Seconds Out.” That album – and this show – detailed his former band’s growth: from its first halting steps with Hackett, courtesy the closing section of “The Musical Box” from 1972’s “Nursery Cryme,” through what became the band’s traditional closer, the thunderous “Los Endos.”
The set opened with “Squonk,” from “A Trick of the Tail,” the first album after Peter Gabriel left the band. On Wednesday, singer Nad Sylvan took complete ownership of the songs, whether it was Phil Collins or Gabriel that originated them.
Drummer Craig Blundell also provided a thunderous presence, and with versatile bassist Jonas Reingold – who switched from bass to guitar to double-neck throughout the show – it made for a formidable rhythm section.
A steadying presence for years, keyboardist Roger King’s quiet demeanor onstage belied his prowess, from piano runs on “The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway” to solo spots during “Firth of Fifth” and “The Cinema Show.” And Rob Townsend provided multi-instrumental enhancements, tambourine to tenor sax to keyboard to soprano sax and flute to backing vocals.
And of course, Hackett shined all night long. He remains one of rock’s premier guitarists, constantly inventive and demonstrating his gifts. Whether caressing the strings or wringing otherworldly sounds from them, he brought the music to life. – By Ross Boissoneau
PHOTO GALLERY: Steve Hackett at GLC Live at 20 Monroe (Wednesday)
Photos by Ross Boissoneau
PHOTO GALLERY: Sweet Water Warblers at Listening Room (Thursday)
Photos by Anna Sink
PHOTO GALLERY: Carrie McFerrin, Jordan Hamilton at Bell’s Eccentric Cafe (Friday)
Photos by Derek Ketchum
