LIVE RADAR: Laith Al-Saadi grateful to celebrate birthday with return of live show tradition
A look at shows to check out across the Mitten State this weekend.
For Laith Al-Saadi, Saturday’s return of a small Ann Arbor tradition will feel like a delayed return to normal.
Restarting the tradition that became an annual big ticket attraction prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Al-Saadi said he’s grateful for the little things like being able to once again play in front of the hometown fans as he rings in his 47th birthday, acknowledging the numerous challenges he and other musicians faced during that time and since to make a living.
“The reason why the event has not been happening (in recent years) is because of the devastation to the music industry,” Al-Saadi said. “We at least need to be grateful for the fact that things are to the point where we're giving this a shot.”
The show, which takes place at 8 p.m. on Oct. 5 at The Ark in Ann Arbor, will be a more scaled down affair than the The Voice finalist’s previous birthday shows that featured members of Bob Seger’s backing band as part of a nine-piece ensemble in front of a Michigan Theater audience.
That’s reflective of the challenges the blues and rock guitarist said are present at every turn for musicians to break even post-COVID, from taking risks in self-releasing their own music, to ensuring they’re getting paid for their work, to touring in a way that is economically feasible, which can include paring down your arrangements and playing solo.
As his birthday show approaches, Al-Saadi said he’s grateful for venues like The Ark that remain dedicated to providing a place for artists to get their work out to a larger audience.
“People that were doing much bigger shows before COVID have not been able to return to even being able to pay their bills,” Al-Saadi said. “I've never once played at The Ark and not felt the love in the room. It's always a good audience in there, and it's a great listening room, and we're lucky to have it.”
Tickets to Al-Saadi’s birthday celebration show can be purchased for $30.
If you’re unable to make it to Ann Arbor to check out Al-Saadi’s show, here are some other shows you can check out throughout the state this weekend:
Friday, Oct. 4
Billy Strings (Pine Knob, Clarkston): Ascending picker and bluegrass revivalist Billy Strings will play two shows on Oct. 4 and 5 at Pine Knob in support of his sprawling new album, Highway Prayers. Tickets start at $57 each, while two-day passes are going for $112 each before fees.
Saturday, Oct. 5
Anderson .Paak and The Free Nationals (Michigan Lottery Ampitheatre, Sterling Heights): Versatile singer, rapper and drummer Anderson .Paak, will perform as NxWorries after releasing his second album, Why Lawd?, under the moniker with Knxwledge, Why Lawd? Tickets for Paak’s performance with The Free Nationals start at $59 before fees.
His Name is Alive (El Club, Detroit): The ever-evolving and expansive catalogue of His Name is Alive’s Warren Defever will be on display during Defever’s performance at El Club in Detroit. Tickets are $36.03.
Sunday, Oct. 6
Dilla Fest 2024 (Russell Industrial Center, Detroit): Celebrate the legacy Detroit legend J Dilla, headlined by a performance from DJ Lo Down Loretta Brown aka Erykah Badu. Other DJ performances are expected from Moodymann, Dez Andrés and DJ Killa $quid. Tickets are $43.78 each.
The Get Up Kids (Saint Andrew’s Hall, Detroit): Touring is support of the 25th anniversary of their influential album Something to Write Home About, The Get Up Kids will perform at Saint Andrew’s Hall in Detroit. Tickets start at $41.25.