50 great concerts to check out in Michigan this winter
Buy tickets to some shows this Black Friday!
I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving - a truly joyous holiday dedicated to eating, football and napping. Not exactly a shocker that it’s so universally loved when you put it like that.
But now that you’ve had time to bask in the glow of a Detroit Lions Thanksgiving Day win and enjoy some leftovers, it’s time to look ahead.
While today is traditionally reserved for Black Friday spending madness, it can also be the perfect time to think about what shows you’ll want to attend this winter.
Although the winter months are naturally a bit slower time of year for tours, there are still a ton of great shows to check out throughout the state.
Here’s a look at 50 of them you won’t want to miss:
Nov. 29
Icewear Vezzo (Saint Andrew’s Hall, Detroit): Six mile’s Icewear Vezzo will perform for the hometown along with fellow Detroit rapper Peezy during a show at Saint Andrew’s Hall. Tickets start at $53 each before fees.
Nov. 30
Destroy Lonely (The Fillmore, Detroit): Atlanta rapper Destroy Lonely will bring his Forever tour to The Fillmore in Detroit. Tickets start at $53.50.
Dec. 1
Blood Incantation (Magic Stick, Detroit): One of death metal’s most forward thinking bands, Blood Incantation will perform at the Magic Stick in Detroit. Tickets are $25 in advance before fees.
Dec. 7
Dru Hill w/ Ginuwine, 112, Next and Playback (Fox Theatre, Detroit): ‘90s neo-soul nostalgia headlined by Dru Hill will make a stop at the Fox Theatre in an evening dubbed “ladies night out” by MIX 92.3. Tickets start at $39 each before fees.
The Jesus Lizard (Saint Andrew’s Hall, Detroit): Seething post-punk pioneers The Jesus Lizard will perform at Saint Andrew’s Hall. General admission tickets start at $48 before fees.
Michigander w/ Oliver Hazard, Trauna (The Intersection, Grand Rapids): Michigan indie rocker Michigander is on the road in support of his upcoming self-titled album, due in February. Tickets are $23 before fees in advance.
Saturdays at Your Place, Ben Quad, Summerbruise, Palette Knife (Magic Stick, Detroit): An evening of emo, post-emo and everything in between is on tap at the Magic Stick in Detroit, headlined by Kalamazoo’s Saturday’s at Your Place. Tickets are available online.
Shiner (Pyramid Scheme, Grand Rapids): Underground alternative rockers Shiner are touring with a stop at the Pyramid Scheme with support from 84 Tigers and Glassfield. Tickets are $20 in advance.
Dec. 8
Trans-Siberian Orchestra (Van Andel Arena, Grand Rapids): Trans-Siberian Orchestra wil bring their The Lost Christmas Eve tour to Van Andel Arena with two shows at 3 and 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 8. Tickets start at $69.99.
Dec. 11
Oso Oso (Pyramid Scheme, Grand Rapids): Pop punk’s finest band, Oso Oso, will make a stop at the Pyramid Scheme in Gran Rapids with support from Flycatcher. Tickets are $23 in advance.
Dec. 12
CupcakKe (Pyramid Scheme, Grand Rapids): Hilarious and charismatic rapper CupcakKe is back in Michigan with a performance at the Pyramid Scheme. Tickets are $30 in advance.
EBird and Friends Holiday Show (The Ark, Ann Arbor): Talented musicians from Michigan and the Midwest will convene to resurrect and put their own unique twist on holiday hits during the 17th Ebird and Friends Holiday Show. Four performances of the festive revue will take place from Dec. 12-14. Tickets start at $25.
Dec. 13
Mannheim Steamroller (Fox Theatre, Detroit): Chip Davis, founder and creator of Mannheim Steamroller, will celebrate over 35 Years of his annual Christmas concert tour with a visit ro the Fox Theatre. Tickets start at $25 each before fees.
Negative Approach (The Sanctuary, Hamtramck): Legendary Detroit hardcore band Negative Approach will help The Sanctuary celebrate its 10 year anniversary with additional performances from Cloud Rat, Snafu, Manic Outburst and Wounded Touch. Tickets are $20 each.
Trampled by Turtles (The Intersection, Grand Rapids): Bluegrass folk jammers Trampled by Turtles are coming to the Intersection in Grand Rapids. Tickets start at $39.50.
Dec. 14
Ice Cube, Scarface, EPMD, MC Eiht (Fox Theatre, Detroit): Rap legends will take the stage for The Grand Finale, featuring Ice Cube, Scarface, EPMD and MC Eiht at the Fox Theatre. Tickets start at $79 each.
HiTech, Barclay Crenshaw, Mistah Dill, Subtle (Building 6 at Russell Industrial Center, Detroit): Detroit ghettotech pioneer HiTech will perform in a show headlined by Barclay Crenshaw the the Russell Industrial Center. Tickets are $56.
Kash Doll (Masonic Temple, Detroit): Detroit rapper Kash Doll will take her “The Last Doll Tour”to the Masonic Temple. Tickets start at $53 each before fees.
Machine Girl (Crofoot Ballroom, Pontiac): Hardcore noisemakers Machine Girl will visit the Crofoot Ballroom in Pontiac on the heels of their latest album, MG Ultra. Tickets start at $35 before fees.
The Verve Pipe (Grewal Hall, Lansing): West Michigan alternative rock mainstays The Verve Pipe will perform a “nostalgic winter show” at Grewal Hall in Lansing. Tickets start at $30 before fees.
Dec. 17
Suki Waterhouse, Bully: Author of the shoegaze pop hit Good Looking, Suki Waterhouse will perform at Royal Oak Music Theatre with notable touring partner Bully, whose 2023 album Lucky for You rocked. Tickets start at $37.50.
Dec. 20
Carbon Decoy, Ficus, Cherry Drop (Lager House, Detroit): Some of Michigan’s best riff makers will perform at the Lager House in Detroit in a show headlined by Carbon Decoy. Tickets are $10 each.
Ho Ho Hot Mulligan (The Intersection, Grand Rapids): This holiday show tradition from Detroit punk rockers Hot Mulligan also features support from members of Tigers Jaw, Fireworks, You Blew It!, One Step Closer Riley!, Harrison Gordon, If Kansas Had Trees, Stars Hollow, Bad Luck, Tiny Voices, Potionseller and Church Bus. Tickets are $49.99 in advance before fees.
Dec. 27
Mustard Plug’s Holiday Spectacular (The Intersection, Grand Rapids): Grand Rapids ska favorites Mustard Plug will host its 22nd annual holiday show celebration with guest performances from lectric Six, Dance Contraption and Boob Sweat. Tickets are $20 each before fees.
Black Christmas (The Majestic complex, Detroit): Detroit’s annual punk Christmas spectacular returns to The Majestic and its supporting venues, featuring Bane, Throwrag, Koffin Kats, Smoke AxD, S.N.A.F.U., Dogz of War and many more. Tickets start at $34.99 before fees.
Dec. 31
Thornetta Davis w/ Mike Bonner NYE dinner (Blue Llama Jazz Club, Ann Arbor): Detroit blues queen Thornetta Davis will help ring in the new year with a guest set from comedian Mike Bonner. Early tickets start at $95 each and include dinner.
Jan. 11
Winter Wheat Festival (The Intersection, Grand Rapids): The 16th annual edition of the Winter Wheat Festival 2025 will featuring folk acts including The Gasoline Gypsies, The Schrock Bros, The Benzie Playboys, Crossbow, Wilson Thicket, Round Creek String Band, Lynn Thompson & The Moonshine Runners, Hannah Rose, August and The Bluewater Ramblers. Tickets are $30 each in advance before fees.
Jan. 14
G. Love & Special Sauce (The Ark, Ann Arbor): Garrett Dutton, aka G. Love will perform his unique blend of folk, blues and everything in between during a performance at The Ark. Tickets start at $40 each.
Jan. 18
This is Lorelei w/ Youbet (Lager House, Detroit): Water From Your Eyes’ Nate Amos takes his solo show as This is Lorelei on the road in support of his latest album Box for Buddy, Box for Star, one of the best of 2024. Tickets are $23.
Jan. 24
Ann Arbor Folk Festival featuring Waxahatchee, Josh Ritter, Toad the Wet Sprocket (Hill Auditorium, Ann Arbor): The two-night Ann Arbor Folk Fest returns for its 48th edition, with performances on Friday, Jan. 24 and Saturday, Jan. 25. A complete lineup can be found here. Tickets range from $47.50 to $80 each.
Jan. 25
OMNOM (The Magic Stick, Detroit): LA house DJ OMNOM will perform at The Magic Stick. Tickets start at $20 each.
Jan. 28
Frank Black (Saint Andrew’s Hall, Detroit): Pixies frontman Black Francis is hitting the road in support of the 30th anniversary of his hit solo album Teenager of the Year. Tickets start at 52.50 before fees.
Jan. 31
Yasmin Williams (The Ark, Ann Arbor): Critically-lauded guitar picker Yasmin Williams will put on display her unique, modern style of playing that includes alternate tunings, percussive hits and lap tapping, during a performance at The Ark in Ann Arbor. Tickets start at $25 each.
Feb. 1
David Gray (Masonic Cathedral Theatre, Detroit): David Gray is on the road in support of his new album Dear Life, which is due in January. Tickets for his show at the Masonic Cathedral Theatre start at $49.50 before fees.
Tim Heidecker w/ Neil Hamburger (Pyramid Scheme, Grand Rapids): Tim Heidecker and the Very Good Band will perform their brand of humorous hits with support from comedian Neil Hamburger. Tickets start at $39.50.
Feb. 5
Soccer Mommy, Tomberlin (Majestic Theatre, Detroit): Soccer Mommy is back on the road in support of her fourth album, Evergreen. She’ll play the Majestic Theatre with support from the excellent Tomberlin. Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 the day of the show.
Feb. 7
Babyface Ray (The Fillmore, Detroit): Detroit rap star Babyface Ray is taking his Wavy Navy University to The Fillmore in Detroit. Ray released his excellent new album The Kid That Did in September. Tickets start at $48 before fees
Gouge Away w/ Gumm (Third Man Records, Detroit): Fresh off the release of their excellent new album Deep Sage, hard rock band Gouge Away will headline a show at Third Man Records in Detroit with special guests Gumm. Tickets are $20.14.
Feb. 8
Panda Bear, Toro y Moi, Nourished by Time (Royal Oak Music Theatre): Chillwave and alternative R&B will be in abundant supply when Panda Bear headlines a performance at Royal Oak Music Theatre. Tickets start at $32.50 before fees.
Feb. 13
Goose (GLC Live at 20 Monroe, Grand Rapids): Jam band all-stars Goose have scheduled three nights of rocking at Grand Rapids’ Live at 20 Monroe, from Feb. 13 through 15. Tickets start at $59 each.
Feb. 14
Dua Saleh (Lager House, Detroit): Rising R&B artist Dua Saleh will perform at Lager House in Detroit in support of her I Should Call Them world tour. Tickets are $25 each in advance.
Feb. 17
Foster the People (The Fillmore, Detroit): Take your pumped up kicks to The Fillmore to see Foster the People. Tickets start at $53 before fees.
Feb. 18
Father John Misty, Destroyer (The Fillmore, Detroit): Indie crooner Father John Misty is joined by indie rock legend Dan Bejar and his Destroyer project for a performance at The Fillmore in Detroit. Tickets start at $60 each before fees.
Feb. 20
Justin Timberlake (Little Ceasars Arena, Detroit): The Forget Tomorrow WORLD TOUR date for pop singer Justin Timberlake has been rescheduled for Feb. 20 at Little Ceasars Arena. Tickets start at $85 each before feeds.
Molchat Doma (The Fillmore, Detroit): Belarusian post-punk band Molchat Doma will take the stage at The Fillmore on Feb. 20 as part of its Molchat Doma 2025 tour. Tickets are $48 before fees.
Feb. 27
Clint Black (Dow Event Center, Saginaw): Country music legend Clint Black will visit Saginaw’s Dow Event Center for his tour in support of the 35th anniversary of his hit album Killin’ Time. Tickets start at $34.50 each before fees.
March 1
Ted Leo & the Pharmacists (Saint Andrew’s, Detroit): Indie rock guitar hero Ted Leo is taking his show on the road in support of the 20th anniversary of the band’s album Shake the Sheets. Tickets are $38 each.
March 2
Jorja Smith (The Fillmore, Detroit): Rising R&B artist Jorja Smith will take her 2025 Falling or Flying tour to The Fillmore in Detroit. Tickets start at $60 before fees.
March 14
Darkside (Masonic Temple, Detroit): Nicolás Jaar and Dave Harrington will take their trippy project Darkside on the road with a show at the Masonic Temple. Tickets start at $42.50 each before fees.
March 19
Hovvdy (Blind Pig, Ann Arbor): Indie pop duo Hovvdy will perform at the Blind Pig in Ann Arbor to promote their excellent new self-titled album. Tickets start at $20.
March 25
Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass (Masonic Temple, Detroit): Experience the singular sound of Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass during a performance at the Masonic Cathedral Theater. Tickets start at $40 each before fees.
Thanks for the information! Will be sure to check some of these out