Ann Arbor is an artistic city, and that includes a lively local music
scene. There are venues all over the city, featuring music of all
genres, from folk to hip hop, jazz to punk. Most showcase new
musicians, though some venues also book big name acts that you may be
able to enjoy during your trip to Ann Arbor. They may even be your
reason for visiting Ann Arbor. While you’re here, make sure to
check out some of these venues to delve into the local music scene
further. You might just find some new favorite bands while you’re
at it.
The Blind Pig
The Blind Pig is by far
Ann Arbor’s most famous music venue, with shows just about every
night. They’ve been open since the 70s, where they were not just a
nightclub but a cafe. Some of the bands that played at the Blind Pig
in their early days went on to be legends in the rock or punk world,
like Smashing Pumpkins, Nirvana, and REM. In fact, in an interview
with MTV, Nirvana cited the Blind Pig as their favorite venue, which
garnered plenty of attention to this college town nightclub. Today
they feature mostly local and startup musical acts, typically rock,
punk, or hip-hop, but they also book bigger acts that draw crowds
from all over.
Grove Studios
Located in nearby
Ypsilanti, Grove Studios is the perfect place for musicians as well
as music lovers. It is primarily a self-service rehearsal space with
24/7 access. You can practice for a big act, write new songs, or just
jam with your friends. They also allow you to store your equipment
with them, so you don’t have to worry about the laborious process
of moving equipment back and forth. They also offer workshops and
showcases and have many live events where music lovers can hear for
themselves the work that began in their studios or beyond. Check out
their Facebook
page for upcoming events.
Ann Arbor Distilling Co.
You might step in for a
brew, but what you’ll find almost as soon as you step inside this
downtown bar is the sound of jazz permeating the room. Music is a big
part of the culture at Ann Arbor Distilling Co., both jazz and indie
sounds from local bands as well as bands passing through. They have a
house band as well as a Tiny Concert Series where you can find
something new. This is a lesser known venue than the others, but
worth checking out.
Kerrytown Concert House
From the outside, this
might look like any other house. It’s painted a cheerful yellow,
with a red door, and sits at 415 N 4th Avenue fairly inconspicuously.
But Kerrytown Concert House is so much more than that. This 19th
century home was renovated in more recent years to serve as not just
a music venue but a home to theatre and even art exhibits. Most of
their shows lean classical, with some jazz and cabaret making it a
must-see for musical theatre lovers. However, they try to keep their
offerings diverse, so even if that’s not typically your style, you
might find something that suits you here.
The question then is
where should you stay when checking out all these musical acts, and
the answer is University Inn of Ann Arbor. Don’t forget, when you
book direct with us, we offer a 10% discount to parents and students
visiting the university, as well as parents of both UM and Eastern
Michigan University athletes. Contact
us today for more information.
