What happens when Michigan’s vibrant music community and its talented visual artists converge? You get GIG – The Art of Michigan Music 2024, a one-of-a-kind event celebrating the artistic synergy between sound and sight.
GIG – The Art of Michigan Music 2024
Art 634 in Jackson became the epicenter of one of the most unique visual art and music experiences in Michigan. That experience is GIG – The Art of Michigan Music 2024. Combining a visual art gallery, live music, educational sessions, and a music market, GIG offered something for the music enthusiast, the graphic artist, the concert photographer, and the musician. Virtually anyone who loves music or is involved in the Michigan music community found something at this event.
You may be reading this and think, “Wait a minute, this guy can’t be objective! He helped to create this thing!” As someone deeply involved in organizing this event, I’ve witnessed firsthand how it brings together Michigan’s creative spirits. However, the magic of GIG extends far beyond my personal connection—it’s a platform for celebrating the visual artists who provide parts of the immersive experience we all crave when we encounter music.
Art Gallery or The Ultimate Music Room?
As you entered the main event space dubbed GIG Hall for the weekend and turned to your right, you found a gallery of art waiting to be explored. Hung on industrial black chain link fence sections about ten feet tall by ten feet wide was a collage of posters and concert photos. Labels provided the artist’s name, artwork title, and price (if it was for sale). The glossy program (printed by Rocket Printing in Royal Oak) provided a listing of the artists with QR codes, allowing for further exploration.
The diverse interpretations of music through visual art—be it bold colors, intricate textures, or evocative perspectives—left me and many others deeply moved. Each piece of art reflected the excitement, the depth, and the resonance of the music. You felt as if you’d entered into the ultimate music-inspired art room.
During the Friday night opening reception, many of the graphic artists and photographers who shared their artwork in the gallery were on hand. There was a communal buzz as old friends shared stories and new friends got to know each other. That feeling of community and shared passion for Michigan music and the art it inspires would make its presence known throughout the weekend.
What role does visual art play in your own experience of music? For the attendees of GIG, the answer was everywhere—on walls, in performances, and throughout the weekend.
Learning and Laughing
Saturday afternoon at GIG – The Art of Michigan Music 2024 featured a mix of learning and laughing.
Booking and Grants
I sat in on the session with talent manager and booking agent Katie Kirchner (Katie K Wrangles), who shared her wisdom and tools for helping bands book and track shows. While I’m not in a band anymore, I found this session very interesting. I learned not only some tips on Google Maps but also what makes an electronic press kit today (i.e., forget sending attachments!)
In the main event space, Cindy McSurely, a nonprofit consultant and Michigan Music Alliance board member, offered a wealth of information on grant writing, fellowships, and scholarships for artists. Brenda and I will definitely make good use of the tools and resources presented. We recently created GIG – The Art of Michigan Music Foundation, a non-profit organization with a mission to showcase Michigan visual artists in the music community. Our vision is ultimately to be able to help provide stipends to artists in the annual show, which means we need to tap into funding resources.
LLCs and Social Media
Setting up an LLC (Limited Liability Company) can seem daunting, but Chris Newberg walked several folks through the process. Chris is a Michigan business lawyer/entertainer and a Michigan Music Alliance board member. His approach made establishing your business with the state easy to understand and execute.
Sadie Quagliotto offered a fresh, lively, and very informative talk on social media and branding. Using a treasure trove of experience working as a marketing consultant and brand strategist, Sadie shared the keys to success in the often confusing and frustrating realm of social media. If you did not walk away with at least five action items from her chat, then you weren’t paying attention.
Bad Idea Social Club and Networking
After the learning sessions, it was time for some laughs. Not that the presenters earlier in the day weren’t fun, but Bad Idea Social Club’s interview with GIG poster artist Craig Horky was laugh-out-loud fun. Hosts Aaron McCall, Joe Matteson, and Amber Gray tripled teamed Craig to give us an insight not into how he got into art and design but what inspires him. We also learned sage wisdom about always carrying two pocket knives. I won’t give away the story, as you should experience it for yourself when the podcast airs.
The Saturday afternoon sessions wrapped up with some informal networking. Jennifer Westwood recounted how the Playing In the Detroit Area Tonight group started and the importance of everyone who loves music in our state to come together and lift each other up. As the saying goes, “A rising tide lifts all boats.”
Can you imagine what new skills or perspectives you could gain from sessions like these?
Celebrating with Music
Friday and Saturday nights celebrated the art of Michigan music with performances by a magnetic array of Michigan bands.
Friday Night: Time to Hit The Lights
Jon Torrence single-handedly left the crowd stunned with an emotive set that drew from pop, Americana, jazz, and folk. His music lifted everyone up and showered us with an aura of hopeful possibility.
Alt-bluegrass or bluegrass adjacent, no matter how you try to describe Wilson Thicket, it all narrows down to a single word: captivating. Rich with harmonies and the time-honored tradition of musical excellence melded into evocative story-telling, Wilson Thicket soared. Their music transported the crowd with a set filled with fleet and passionate music.
Weaving an energetic tapestry of rhythm and blues, soul, and Midwestern Americana, Jennifer Westwood and Dylan Dunbar brought me to my knees. From the eyes of others in the crowd, I gather that the music had a similar impact on them. Jennifer’s voice was dynamic, powerful, and bursting with soul as she shared stories from their latest album, Mad Man’s World. Channeling the greats such as Jimmy Ray Johnson, Steve Cropper, and Django Reinhardt, the lyrical lines and lush chords of Dylan Dunbar were superb.
Closing out Friday night’s artistic feast was Myron Elkins. The Michigan native, along with Avry Whitaker (guitar), Nate Johnson (bass), Ricky LaDuke (drums), and Caleb Stampfler (guitar), proceeded to add chapter and verse to the book written by Bruce Springsteen, The Allman Brothers, and Jason Isbell. Myron’s vibrant vocals, combined with the music, brought his blue-collar storytelling to life.
Saturday Nights Alright for Rocking
Saturday night kicked off with the gritty roots rock panache of Ladyship Warship. The duo of Kristin Lyn and EZ Myers exude a warm and magnetic aura that is amplified by their music. Songs such as “Abyss Stares Back” and “Rita’s Last Ride” burned with intensity and feline grace. Their cover of “Higgs Boson Blues” by Nick Cave was a straight shot of magic into our temporal lobes. Saturated in their sound, Ladyship Warship left us wanting more.
Cranking up the psychic vibes with a fierce groove was Carbon Decoy. This band sent shock waves of pure rock fury that induced a state of bliss. The urgent sound of Carbon Decoy radiated into everyone who stood mesmerized by their music. Jared’s bass thrummed like the pulse of a dying star, Earl’s guitar howled with feral ecstasy, and Casey became a shaman beating out the end-times —anchoring us to a cosmic chaos with his voice. Carbon Decoy wasn’t just performing; they were summoning, pulling the audience into their orbit until there was no distinction between band and spectator.
The Blueflowers‘ live performance was a velvet, slow-burning, fever dream drenched in shadow, the kind of show that pulls you in until the echo from the amplifiers drifts into memory. Kate’s shimmering vocals had a kind of spectral elegance, floating above the hypnotic rhythms. Each song felt like a vignette from an unmade film: cinematic, moody, and ripe with intensity that demanded attention. The Blueflowers painted ethereal scenes with sounds compelling us to become characters in their midnight reverie.
Sending us out on an eight-mile high was Nathan Walton and the Remedy. There seemed to be some sort of Vulcan mind meld happening on stage as the band played as one – every member riffing off the other in perfect synchronicity. Nathan Walton played vivid music cut from the cloth of legends such as Bob Seger, Grand Funk, and Joe Cocker. While the soul of Nathan’s music reverberates with the past, his set showcased contemporary jams that resonate with the music of Marcus King and Neal Francis. It was uplifting, exuberant, and delightful. I could not help but move, smile, and feel the love pouring off the stage. What a fantastic way to celebrate the visual arts at GIG – The Art of Michigan Music than with an ebullient night of music.
Sunday Music Market
The final day of GIG – The Art of Michigan Music 2024 featured a music market. GIG Hall (aka the main event space at Art 634) was outfitted with long tables, and about 25 vendors set up shop. Several of the visual artists whose work was in GIG’s gallery had photos and posters for sale, including Scott Millington, Craig Horky, Chelsea Whitaker, Jacob Rosenburg, Jon Rosenberger, Brian Durco, and Derek Ketchum.
If you were looking for drums or guitars, Virtue Drums and Lab Musical Instruments were on hand with some locally crafted instruments. Local musicians Gregory Stovetop and Jonathan Harris had booths with their art for sale. Reddiva Productions had incredible music-themed jewelry made from guitar picks and strings. Adorned Art Collective and Tattoo were on hand, showing off their beautiful art prints.
For the vinyl and collectible enthusiast, two of the best were on hand. Geoff and Jon’s Record Show headed all the way down from Marquette with several tables of vinyl, cds, and posters. Across the aisle, Rock and Rummage had vinyl, vintage rock t-shirts, posters, and collectibles. I must admit, I loved having a record show at the music market.
Let’s make the next GIG even better!
GIG – The Art of Michigan Music 2024 wasn’t just a weekend event—it was a testament to Michigan’s creative spirit. Looking toward the future, one thing is clear: the bond between music and visual art in our state is only growing stronger. Together, we’re creating something extraordinary. Let’s keep it going.
As we plan for the future, we would love to get your feedback. Take a few minutes and complete our survey. Share your thoughts, and let’s continue building this celebration of sound, sight, and connection.
Pictures
Check out more photos from GIG – The Art of Michigan Music 2024 in our gallery. Be sure to stop by Local Spins to see photos from GIG by Derek Ketchum and Chelsea Whitaker.
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