Top 7 concerts of the fall season in the Ann Arbor area
With Labor Day behind us, the fall entertainment season starts getting busy again.
This fall features a bunch of intriguing pop concerts at venues of varying sizes. Tonight alone boasts at least three noteworthy shows: Macpodz at the Blind Pig, Howard Fishman at Kerrytown Concert House, and the David Wax Museum at The Ark.
Below are my totally subjective picks for seven of the most noteworthy concerts of the coming season, in chronological order, followed by a list of some other highlights.
The list is far from comprehensive; for more information, keep watching AnnArbor.com for preview coverage and concert reviews, and check out our online events calendar for a full rundown of entertainment happenings. And leave a comment below saying which shows you're looking forward to, whether they're included here or not.
Mavis Staples - Sept. 23 at The Ark
The annual fall fund-raiser for The Ark, Ann Arbor's legendary roots music club, features a soul icon, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Mavis Staples. Not afraid to reach for something new even at this point in her career, Staples recently collaborated on a new album with Jeff Tweedy. The chance to see her in this setting will be special. | More info
Vienna Teng
There are certain touring artists that Ann Arbor just seems to fall in love with, and singer-songwriter-pianist Vienna Teng is a perfect example. With her, though, it went a step further: She's currently living here—and not performing often—while attending graduate school. Another rare opportunity. | More info
Primus - Oct. 11 at the Michigan Theater
Yes, Primus, the one-of-a-kind alt-rock band (for lack of a better description) is back, touring and even planning a new album. After a career spanning "Sailing the Seas of Cheese," "Pork Soda" and "Tales from the Punchbowl," what could come next for the creators of the "South Park" theme song? We'll find out next month. | More info
Ella Riot - Oct. 14 at the Blind Pig
This is a don't-miss date for fans of this Ann Arbor band, which has been a critical presence on the local scene for the last several years (mostly under its previous name, My Dear Disco). The recent name change hinted at big things ahead, but earlier this week the band announced on its website that it's planning an indefinite hiatus after Halloween. See them while you can, since we don't know when the next chance will be. | More info
Jayhawks - Oct. 15 at the Michigan Theater
Just four days after Primus, another noteworthy return: Gary Louris, Mark Olson and their beloved, pioneering Americana band. | More info
Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band - Nov. 2 at the EMU Convocation Center
The local boy made good comes back to Washtenaw County, something fans have been awaiting for many years. | More info
Audra McDonald - Nov. 4 at Hill Auditorium
The acclaimed singer and actress is one of the true stars of the American musical theater, and seeing her in Hill Auditorium, presented by the University Musical Society, should be an unforgettable experience. | More info
The best of the rest:
Tiesto - Sept. 16 at Eastern Michigan University | More info
Ahmad Jamal - Sept. 17 at Hill Auditorium | More info
Freddy Cole Quartet - Sept. 23 (two shows) at Kerrytown Concert House | More info
Fleet Foxes - Sept. 29 at Hill Auditorium | More info
Tom Russell - Sept. 30 at Green Wood Coffee House | More info
Ryan Montbleau Band - Oct. 1 at The Ark | More info
Pat Metheny - Oct. 2 at the Michigan Theater | More info
Jackie Greene - Oct. 8 and 9 at The Ark | More info
Nervous But Excited - Oct. 14 at The Ark | More info
Matthew Sweet - Oct. 19 at the Blind Pig | More info
Joan Baez - Nov. 1 at the Michigan Theater | More info
The Civil Wars - Nov. 2 at the Michigan Theater | More info
Meat Puppets - Nov. 9 at the Blind Pig | More info
Rebirth Brass Band: "A Night in Treme: The Musical Majesty of New Orleans" - Nov. 11 at Hill Auditorium | More info
Judy Collins - Dec. 1 at The Ark | More info
Don White - Dec. 2 at the Green Wood Coffee House | More info
Bob Needham is director of entertainment content for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at bobneedham@annarbor.com or 734-623-2541, and follow him on Twitter @bobneedham.
Comments
PersonX
Fri, Sep 9, 2011 : 7:06 p.m.
This is silly and should go down. There is no such thing as "the best concert"; this is one man's taste. This blog should aspire to a bit more. With a virtual monopoly on information, it should be balanced and provide broader coverage, not just narrow ideas about established, big name popular acts. The jazz is is hardly represented, and then only by "big names" and classical music, so strong in the area is completely absent. All of these polls are silly, but this one is particularly bad. This is not like asking "what is the best packaged cream cheese."
Bob Needham
Fri, Sep 9, 2011 : 7:12 p.m.
One man's taste -- yes, and not pretending to be anything else, just possibly a diversion on a Friday afternoon. We'll continue to do previews and reviews of the major jazz and classical events as they arrive. (Sunday, watch for previews of both the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra season opener and the Emerson String Quartet. And we'll have an interview with Ahmad Jamal posting on Monday.) If you've got specific suggestions, don't hesitate to email me at bobneedham@annarbor.com
racerx
Fri, Sep 9, 2011 : 6:18 p.m.
Bob, glad these are yours! Man, you are missing out by not including Ahmad Jamal, Pat Metheny, Judy Collins and Joan Baez. Macpodz? Really? Amateurs at best. Saw them open for Trombone Shorty and could have missed them and would not had mind. But not to include Pat Metheny is without words.
Bob Needham
Fri, Sep 9, 2011 : 6:21 p.m.
Yep, those are all definitely promising as well.
Jeff Gaynor
Fri, Sep 9, 2011 : 6:20 p.m.
Agreed.