A passionate community of musicians, enthusiasts, and artists gathered to support the Michigan Music Alliance – yeah, that Sounds Like Michigan.
Sounds Like Michigan – A Fundraiser for Michigan Music Alliance
Since the pandemic, live music has taken a huge hit. After more than a year without shows, the music community is still picking up the pieces. Working to help musicians sort through the rubble and offering a beacon to draw together the islands of music enthusiasts across the state is the Michigan Music Alliance. Through educational and community activism, they are building a stronger collective fabric that enriches the music industry in Michigan. As the Alliance points out, it’s about collaboration and not competition.
This past weekend, we journeyed to celebrate Michigan music and our friends at the Michigan Music Alliance at their Sounds Like Michigan fundraiser. Held at the historic Wealthy Theatre on Saturday, November 23, Sounds Like Michigan gave music enthusiasts a bounty of outstanding Michigan music. On top of fabulous music, a 50/50 raffle, a silent auction, and plenty of Michigan Music Alliance merch (which makes for a damn fine holiday gift) turned a concert into an experience. By the way, the silent auctions run until December 1st, so hit the Michigan Music Alliance site to get in on some great items!
The American Hotel System
Opening the show was The American Hotel System from Grand Rapids. Because of Covid, Frontier Ruckus had to cancel their appearance tonight. The rest of the bands on the bill stepped up, adding time to their sets. In effect, we were treated to three full sets of music from a diverse musical lineup.
Up to tonight, my experience with The American Hotel System was limited to checking out their EP Can You Hear It? after reading about it on Local Spins. Digging on their powerful anthemic tunes dripping with melodies and rich storytelling, I was curious to see them live. The American Hotel System did not disappoint.
With the flip of a switch, we went from sitting still in our seats to bouncing out of them. The vibrance in the recordings of their music was amplified tenfold. About halfway into their set, lead vocalist Jacob Betts mentioned the power of words. The buoyancy of their performance gave the stories within the music powerful resonance. The American Hotel System primed the pump for an electric evening of music.
Ari B
R&B music has strong roots in Detroit. From this fertile musical soil emerges Ari B. So many words flood the mind when hearing her voice at Sounds Like Michigan: vivacious, resonant, evocative, and passionate are just a few. Ari B quickly captured the hearts of the crowd with her music. Expressing themes of love, empowerment, and self-confidence through her music, I felt she sang directly to each person in the room.
Unable to resist the potent rhythms and Ari B’s dynamic voice, the audience began to move. Dancing in front of the stage, you could feel the force of life-giving music filling the room. There is no doubt that music is the fabric that binds us together.
Cabildo
Type Cabildo into Google Translate, and you get “council.” In other words, a gathering, a meeting, a convocation. Meeting together for Sounds Like Michigan and becoming awestruck by the music of Cabildo was invigorating and mesmerizing.
Cabildo resounded the Wealthy Theatre with an amalgam of Latin, folk, and rock music. At the heart of Cabildo is the sensuous rhythms of Latin America. Arousing the senses and inviting movement, their music captivated us all. Particularly moving are the vocals. Whether solo or in harmony, they gleam bright with emotion and compel your attention.
While I enjoyed every song they played, my favorite was “Sin Fronteras,” which means “Without Borders.” Hearing this jubilant song, you could not help but feel transcendent and alive.
Pictures
More pictures of The American Hotel System, Ari B, and Cabildo are in our gallery.
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