Michigan Music Blog

The Intersection is a great venue in Grand Rapids, and they’ve always got killer shows lined up here. The front half is a bar, which is even open on the few days where there is no music going on, but the back concert arena is a great place to catch a live show. There is a bar back here as well, and bathrooms too so you won’t have to go all the way to the front. The Intersection is located right across from the Grand Rapids bus terminal, and there are plenty of available parking spots on the street and in nearby parking lots.

The Deltaplex – it doesn’t seem like this place is real busy when it comes to concerts – in fact I can only remember going to one show here in my entire life; instead, most of the event schedule at The Deltaplex in Grand Rapids is filled up with trade shows, conventions and the like. But when they have a show you can bet it’s going to be a good one – they always bring in top quality musicians and a good crowd, as well. They’re in a great location too, and it’s real easy to get in and out of a concert here. I can’t wait to go back here again!

Cobo Hall, Cobo Arena, Cobo Conference/Exhibition Center – whatever you want to call it, the historic values of Cobo cannot be denied. Everybody who is anybody in the world of music has played here, and millions of fans have walked through the doors since the arena opened in 1960.

Despite its name, in my opinion, Cobo Hall as a venue sucks! Don’t get me wrong, the acoustics are great and the music sounded awesome – but the employees there are real jerks! Nothing but lazy, holier-than-thou meatheads…ugghhh. Parking wasn’t that bad – we managed to find a very close spot after about 10 minutes of looking.

1 Washington BLVD

Detroit, Michigan 48201

About half the size of the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Wings Stadium is still an awesome venue. Located in Kalamazoo, Wings Stadium is home to the Kalamazoo Wings ice hockey team and Kalamazoo Xplosion, part of Continental Indoor Football league.

While Wings Stadium has had some great and memorable shows in the past, I don’t think they really put on many concerts these days – please if I am wrong, someone correct me – but I’m pretty sure they spend their vast majority of their resources on the hockey team and the new indoor football team. Maybe someday they’ll start having good shows here – I for one hope they do.

3600 Vanrick Drive

Kalamazoo, Michigan 49001

Van Andel Arena hosts many different area attractions, shows and concerts. It is home to the Grand Rapids Griffins ice hockey team, and the Grand Rapids Rampage arena football team.

As a musical venue, it doesn’t get much better than this. The place is beautiful, the acoustics are great and it is plenty big enough to host nearly any musical act. The only down side is the fact that this a non-smoking venue, but again this is becoming more commonplace and I suppose for some people, this is actually a benefit. I’ve been to many shows here, and I’ll be attending many more in the future.

130 West Fulton St

Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503

Located in the GHETTO of Detroit, you better be packin heat if you wanna go to a show at Harpo’s – well, not really, but it is in a BAD part of town. Generally speaking you’ll be alright if attending a concert there, since there will be hundreds of others just like you all around. There is free parking available if you can get it, otherwise you’ll have to pay Detroit parking prices, and there never is a guarantee that your car will be there when you get back. I know, I talk a lot of trash about the place, but really I haven’t ever had any bad experiences. Overall, Harpo’s is a good venue, but what’s up with the excessively high stage?Located at I-94 and Chalmers Exit 222A

I don’t even consider this a relevant venue for real music anymore, really I just threw it in there more for a laugh than anything else. While the arena itself looks nice after the renovations, the acoustic and sounds are the worst around – ask anybody who’s ever attended a show there. They’ve had some good names over the years, there’s no doubt, but I honestly can’t remember the last time I wanted to go there and see a band. It’s not located in the best of areas, either, though it’s certainly not the worst. Overall, if they ever get any good band to play here in the future – skip it. They’re gonna sound like crap and it will ruin the show for you. I promise – so I’m not even gonna provide their contact info here.

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The Orbit Room is a great venue in the city of Grand Rapids, and very easy to find as it is in a strip mall right off from Lake Eastbrook Boulevard. All of the other buildings are closed in the strip mall by the time any shows here start, so there is plenty of parking. There is a balcony inside, but its usually not opened up to the public unless its neccessary - and there is 2 full bars, as well. Across the lot from the venue is Showgirls Lounge – a great place to relax before or after any concert you are going to at The Orbit Room. Sometime, you may even run into the musicians themselves after playing a show at The Orbit Room, as well.

2525 Lake Eastbrook BLVD SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
616-942-1328
http://www.orbitroom.com

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