My favorite pastime is going to concerts and I’m pretty sure it’s many others' favorite way to make memories as well. As of 2013, Billboard noted these to be the “best of times” for the music touring industry and it is my opinion that this notion has only increased.
Touring is still a mandatory technique for promoting albums by the major labels and now it is a critical tool for independent artists. The underground of music is an industry itself, playing by different rules. Artists can now experience extreme success without signing to a major label by releasing free music, which gains a loyal following that fills smaller venues and college scenes.
There is nothing like the love of music in the air, especially the music of an artist with a smaller fan base. It’s as if everyone is each other’s confidant, screaming secret songs to one another. What a good time to be alive, especially for us at the college age.
As previously stated, artists love coming to college towns, most likely because the population, venues and publicity aspects are already built in. I love being an Eastern Michigan student because we’re always surrounded by concerts.
Our own Convocation Center has seen legends, there is always a concert playing at the University of Michigan and we are only 30 minutes away from Detroit. It is many artists’ dream to perform in Detroit because of the city’s music history.
Not only have some of the best performances been on the stages of Fox Theater and The Fillmore Detroit, but some of yesterday’s speakeasies have been turned into music venues as well. I recommend experiencing live music in these pioneering landmarks and an artist you enjoy might be headed our way. Below are some of the acts coming to town soon:
Friday, Oct. 16
The Brian Charette Organ Trio at Cliff Bell’s, Jazz.
Midwest Skies at Putnam’s Halloween ‘15, Michigan Based Pop Punk band.
Meiko at The Pike Room, Indie Pop/Folk.
Imminent Sonic Destruction, REIGN Music, and Fates Warning at The Token Lounge, Heavy Metal/Rock.
Yowler at The Blind Pig, Alternative Indie.
Emerson Hart at Pike Rom, Alternative Rock.
Dopeadellic at Elektricity Night Club, Electronic/Dubstep/EDM Trap.
Chrisette Michele and Eric Roberson at Music Hall Center, R&B.
J Boog at Saint Andrew’s Hall, Reggae.
Raheem DeVaughn at The Garden Theater at Midtown, Soul/R&B.
Saturday, Oct. 17
Kirk Knight at Blind Pig, Rap.
Sunday, Oct. 18
Towkio and Chance the Rapper at The Fillmore Detroit, Rap.
MAX in the Pike Room at The Crofoot, Pop.
Tuesday, Oct. 20
The Marcus Elliot Quartet at Cliff Bell's, Free event, Jazz.
Kat Edmonson at The Ark, Jazz
Friday, Oct. 23
Machineheart at Saint Andrew’s Hall, Alternative Indie
Saturday, Oct. 24
Leon Bridges at The Majestic Theatre, Soul.
Run the Jewels at The Royal Oak Music Theatre, Rap.
Wednesday, Oct. 28
Jessica Care Moore’s Black Tea at Cliff Bell's, Spoken Word and Jazz.
Sunday, Nov. 1
BJ The Chicago Kid and Big K.R.I.T. at Saint Andrew’s Hall, R&B/Soul and Hip-Hop.