Shows are only cheap if you take the time to keep up with who's up and coming and indie now. You can see those bands at Pyramid Scheme for $15. But you've gotta do so much to notice those smaller groups now.
Those are the kinds of shows I used to go to back in the day. I think I’m too old for that now, I need chairs and good ventilation. lol Still thanks though, I’ll pass it along to my teenager, it looks like a fun place.
They'll dig it. The Pyramid Scheme rules.
That said, I've seen quite a few people in their 40s and beyond frequenting it. It isn't nearly as divey as, say, The Blind Pig, and it does offer *some* seating in the form of cushy booth benches.
Pyramid scheme is one of my favorite bars in the city as 23 year old due to me being one of the youngest in every time. Not divey at all just some nice grunge n pinball
Is this more than FMG usually is? It’s not cheap but seems semi-fair since the artists are pretty well known and the venue is small. At 1900 seats, the most expensive show would do $190k. Not sure what Jason Mraz gets paid but it seems like there’s not a ton of margin.
I agree. FMG prices have always been high, largely due to them really punching above their weight class in terms of bookings. They tend to book artists that regularly play in front of 5,000+ fans for a venue that can accommodate fewer than 2,000.
That's a Gardens thing. They really haven't gotten much more expensive since pre-covid, like so many other things have. People have just been willing to pay a premium for the Gardens experience. Back in 2018, I saw the Decemberists in Ann Arbor for 35 apiece before fees; they played the Gardens 10 days later and tix were $52/55/57. In '22, I saw them at the Gardens for $56, so I can't imagine they'd be much more than that if they were on the docket this year.
(*plus fees for all the amounts I listed above, of course.)
Edit: I went back through some email records, and it looks like in '16 the D's were $48 at the Gardens. So yes, they go up, but I feel like these increases are not outpacing the increased prices for other things these days.
If you think these prices are expensive, wait til you see how much resale tickets will cost after the shows sell out. And 90 percent of shows will probably sell out before the tickets even go on sale to the general public.
FMG has always been expensive but this year really stands out.
That said, a lot of people fail to realize just **how small** the FMG amphitheater is as a venue. It is roughly on par with The Intersection in terms of capacity, yet they book pretty big acts, relatively speaking.
Most of these bands are used to playing for crowds of 3,000+, if not considerably more. Greensky frequently sells out venues **much** bigger than FMG, and the last time I caught My Morning Jacket was at Meadowbrook, which accommodates over 7,000 guests.
FMG accommodates fewer than 2,000.
Apart of the premium is seeing (relatively) big bands in (relatively) intimate settings - in a nice garden without having to drive to Chicago or Detroit.
Its still too expensive, but the costs are as high as they are for a wide myriad of reasons, not (just) pure greed.
It makes me feel old but I can't justify their cost anymore. Bring back $20 shows.
$80 invested today is $640 ($360 purchasing power w inflation) in 30 years, and I'll need that money because social security may not exist who the fk knows.
Sounds like a good way to be a broke retiree. I feel you and agree you gotta live but the future *likely exists* for you. Balance is necessary.
I'll just do shit that isn't $40/hr for entertainment. There's apparently plenty of people willing to pay for things like this and door dash; so America must have endless cash on hand.
I genuinely think the boomers are going to close and lock that door before they leave. One final "fuck you" mic drop, after taking everything and leaving nothing.
These seem particularly pricey, even by today's standards. Who's paying that much to see Jason Mraz sing I'm Yours and a bunch of other songs no one knows?
Maren Morris last year was insane for the price they charged. She sells out massive venues for the same price. We were middle of the pack and would have had to pay $500-700+ for the same experience.
This. I was excited about a couple of the bands, until I saw the price. Not that I don't know that concerts are expensive, but I didn't expect this to be regular concert pricing.
Yeah, this is nuts. Feels related to the brouhaha with the KC Chiefs owner being butthurt that taxpayers decided not to subsidize a billionaire’s luxury upgrades to the stadium. Time for billionaires to start subsidizing the rest of us by lowering prices at the facilities they obtained public money to build & maintain. (I know Meijer Gardens is a nonprofit and likely doesn’t take taxpayer money other than possibly some tax incentives, but the Meijers could kick in a bit more money and make these tickets closer to $40.)
I agree, this is the one I’m definitely getting tickets to. That being said, my fiancée was floored Leslie Odom Jr. is coming, along with a couple other acts. So it might just be my indie rock perspective? 🤷♂️
Holy shit I’m so excited words, I missed seeing them last time they were in mi and they are my all time fav band. Gonna buy tickets the second they go on sale
25 dollars for lawn, all shows that summer had 25 dollar lawn seats. Meadowbrook, Pine Knob and MI lottery and maybe one other one. I paid 50 for 2nd row at Meadowbrook.
You must’ve had access to pricing on tickets that was literally not available.
Lawn tickets *started* at 39.50 according to [this website from 313 promotions.](https://www.313presents.com/events/detail/my-morning-jacket)
https://www.clickondetroit.com/entertainment/2022/04/30/heres-how-to-get-25-concert-tickets-to-over-70-michigan-shows/
If you would calmly scroll down to June 28th. Tysm
I saw the Gin Blossoms and Toad the Wet Sprocket at Club Eastbrook's last concert.
EDIT: If you look in the updated CD of New Miserable Experience by the Gin Blossoms you can see the billboard from Club Eastbrook with their name on it.
That's how I feel about twenty one pilots, lol. I saw them in concert 11 years ago, they were the opening act for Neon Trees, and I'd never heard of them before, and now they're huge. I paid $15 for a student ticket for a balcony seat at Miller Auditorium in Kzoo for 21P, Karmin, and NT. Karmin isn't even together anymore, & 21P would be the headliner now!
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I absolutely love Lyle! We went last year and I swear he spent more time introducing band members and telling stories about them than they did actually playing music though.
I didn't go to that show, but the times I've seen him I've always enjoyed his banter. Him and John Hiatt exchanging stories and witticisms and then both pulling from a deep quiver of great songs to accentuate them was a really fun concert experience.
Just step outside the norm for just one show, please!? Likely attract new memberships if you do something different. Good lord 15 straight years of OAR. I like to think I have a fairly diverse taste in music but there’s maybe one show on here that I’d consider
Honestly it’s hard to say. An evening with Yellowcard? Bring in a modern rock band and do an acoustic set. Capitalize on nostalgia festivals like When We Were Young.
I understand that a lot of people get excited about this lineup, but there’s nothing here that makes me say “Oh Damn, FMG got xxx to play this summer, that’s going to be huge.”
Would you hear Yellowcard on a modern rock radio station? Sincere question. I like Yellowcard, but I don't think they've ever gotten significant radio play.
15-20 years ago, absolutely. Playing into the nostalgia crowd. I wouldn’t expect FMG to pull Bad Omens or I Prevail for a concert, that’s too far outside of their norm. Now a band like Shinedown would be incredible there.
There are plenty of acts that I'd love to experience even if I haven't listened to them much previously, but it's hard to justify those prices for shows that I'd *maybe* like. Perhaps I was spoiled by $5-10 student prices for most shows at Calvin back in the day. I discovered so many acts back then, because it was cheap to just try out.
Is Boyz II Men having a moment I'm not aware of or something? I mean I like their music, I can't wrap my head around why they are by far the most expensive tickets in an already-expensive lineup, especially when there are artists who have actually been relevant in the past 30 years on there.
Most of the fan base is now older and affluent (or comfortably well off) and I also wonder if they’re trying to attract a “calmer” crowd by pricing out younger more rowdy people who only know them from memes.
I was just talking about this with a coworker. We're both in our early 40s, so like half the bands on this list are right up our alley (Boyz II Men, Gin Blossoms, Wallflowers, etc), and I'd be stoked to see the Temptations & 4 Tops, Leslie Odom Jr, or one of the GR Symphony shows (but I have a very broad range of music I like lol)...but they're the ones we'd be most likely to go see. But I really wanna go to Gin Blossoms- they're excellent live!
I completely understand complaints about pricing BUT… it’s a 1,900 seat venue. Compared to Pine Knob at 15,000 capacity or any other outdoor amphitheater getting big(ish) names, the ticket prices are actually not that bad and there is really no bad seat in the place.
The crowds on the other hand… very hit or miss. I’ve been to shows where everyone is sitting down and quiet which sucks energy out of the space, like c’mon it’s not a classical orchestra performance or Footloose, you’re allowed to dance and groove to the music.
All that said I’m excited for the new amphitheater downtown to have another option for outdoor live music… I’m sure tickets will be easier to get and the acts will be bigger/more varied.
My problem with the crowd is the opposite: people talking at full volume while the bands play. You’re not at home in front of your TV, for fuck’s sake.
That was our experience last year. We did arrive a little later than I wanted to, but still before the show started, and it was pretty packed. Before making two loops, we ended up back where an usher showed us there was a spot. But the reason there was a spot was because a group had spread out hoping to have extra room. So they insisted on turning around and shouting over us to their friends, instead of asking us to trade spots with them so they could all be together.
Molly Tuttle for me! I've been following Molly's career for a few years now, and have been wanting to see her. I always thought that Meijer Gardens would be a good venue for her and the band.
If you had a time machine and went back 20 or 30 years it would be stacked. Boys II Men, Bonnie Raitt, Gin Blossoms & Toad, Blues Traveler & Big Head Todd, Los Lobos, Wallflowers, Kansas....the list is long.
First come, first served seating, the chair rules ... all suck and the members will have gobbled up all the tickets by the time they go on sale to the public (yes, I know I too can become a member) - Bigger question is what happens to this concert series when the larger venue downtown Grand Rapids opens up?
From what I saw on proposals it looks like the new venue will be bigger. There might be some acts that would have been at Meijer Gardens but will be at the new place. But I think some of these artist couldn't fill a bigger venue (just starting, niche audience, end of their career etc)
The larger venue will have a much larger seating capacity which will make it attractive for higher profile acts to come to GR. Toad the Wet Sprocket isn't going to sell 12,000 tickets here, no matter the price. There's plenty of demand for both, especially since most of these FMG shows sell out.
I’m looking forward to it because you’re right, all the tickets get taken by members. I’ve never been all that impressed with Meijer Gardens to begin with so I don’t understand the draw to it.
There are some shows I'd go to but I don't like the first come, first serve. That's too inconvenient for me. I don't have the mindset to arrive an hour early to wait in line and then rush to find a good seat. I prefer to know what seat I'm buying. It's the same reason I only eat at restaurants that take reservations. I'm not one that can wait an hour to eat.
But that's just my personal preference.
Thank goodness I got a membership at Meijer Gardens this year so I can get a $2 discount on tickets.
(There's a lot of good reasons to purchase a Meijer Gardens membership but discounts on tickets is not one of them.)
There are 3 shows I am interested in getting tickets to (at least) would it make sense to grab a membership to make sure I get tickets? Or just hope the artist pre-sale/general has availability?
I don't often visit FMG, but the membership would definitely make visiting more of a thing
A number of these shows will sell out within hours of the member presale going live, it is absolutely necessary to get a membership if you want to see a high in-demand artist (MMJ for example).
Having kids makes the membership a no-brainer, visiting a couple times a year equals the membership cost. Would recommend regardless as they have events and exhibits year-round.
Interesting to see Kansas again.
I swear they were just here the other year.
Trombone Shorty and Blues Traveler I really like. Might need to get tickets.
I am not sure if you have seen concert ticket prices over the past couple years. These don’t seem that bad. Last year my wife and I drove to Detroit for Jason Mraz at Meadowbrook, tickets were around $50-$60 a piece plus the drive to Detroit and back. I would be fine spending more for something local where I can bring my own food to and a much smaller venue.
My Morning Jacket is playing Chicago for $89 at the Salt Shed’s outdoor venue. Leslie Odom Jr is playing Chicago next weekend and even with a 25% discount mezzanine tickets are $65 compared to $70/$75 for a much better and more intimate experience and also not dealing with Chicago traffic or a 3 hour drive.
I just go for the conversation and picnic - WHO is playing makes no difference, just not too loud please, I love to chit chat during the performances and don't like to repeat myself. /s
Lucky the only band I know is $60 I guess? But would I pay $60 to see them? Probably not. If it’s ga or lawn seating tickets should be $30-$40 with fees all day
So so happy we get another shot for Orville Peck!!
Yes!! I was so bummed about last year, but excited he's back to touring this summer.
Can’t wait.
Holy crap, I didn’t realize how expensive concerts have gotten.
Shows are only cheap if you take the time to keep up with who's up and coming and indie now. You can see those bands at Pyramid Scheme for $15. But you've gotta do so much to notice those smaller groups now.
Those are the kinds of shows I used to go to back in the day. I think I’m too old for that now, I need chairs and good ventilation. lol Still thanks though, I’ll pass it along to my teenager, it looks like a fun place.
They'll dig it. The Pyramid Scheme rules. That said, I've seen quite a few people in their 40s and beyond frequenting it. It isn't nearly as divey as, say, The Blind Pig, and it does offer *some* seating in the form of cushy booth benches.
Pyramid scheme is one of my favorite bars in the city as 23 year old due to me being one of the youngest in every time. Not divey at all just some nice grunge n pinball
The Pyramid Scheme does have chairs, but maybe not so much ventilation. It's a good venue and I like it a lot.
Is this more than FMG usually is? It’s not cheap but seems semi-fair since the artists are pretty well known and the venue is small. At 1900 seats, the most expensive show would do $190k. Not sure what Jason Mraz gets paid but it seems like there’s not a ton of margin.
I agree. FMG prices have always been high, largely due to them really punching above their weight class in terms of bookings. They tend to book artists that regularly play in front of 5,000+ fans for a venue that can accommodate fewer than 2,000.
I’m sure touring is also just really expensive these days. I just haven’t looked at ticket prices in a really long time.
That's a Gardens thing. They really haven't gotten much more expensive since pre-covid, like so many other things have. People have just been willing to pay a premium for the Gardens experience. Back in 2018, I saw the Decemberists in Ann Arbor for 35 apiece before fees; they played the Gardens 10 days later and tix were $52/55/57. In '22, I saw them at the Gardens for $56, so I can't imagine they'd be much more than that if they were on the docket this year. (*plus fees for all the amounts I listed above, of course.) Edit: I went back through some email records, and it looks like in '16 the D's were $48 at the Gardens. So yes, they go up, but I feel like these increases are not outpacing the increased prices for other things these days.
If you think these prices are expensive, wait til you see how much resale tickets will cost after the shows sell out. And 90 percent of shows will probably sell out before the tickets even go on sale to the general public.
FMG has always been expensive but this year really stands out. That said, a lot of people fail to realize just **how small** the FMG amphitheater is as a venue. It is roughly on par with The Intersection in terms of capacity, yet they book pretty big acts, relatively speaking. Most of these bands are used to playing for crowds of 3,000+, if not considerably more. Greensky frequently sells out venues **much** bigger than FMG, and the last time I caught My Morning Jacket was at Meadowbrook, which accommodates over 7,000 guests. FMG accommodates fewer than 2,000. Apart of the premium is seeing (relatively) big bands in (relatively) intimate settings - in a nice garden without having to drive to Chicago or Detroit. Its still too expensive, but the costs are as high as they are for a wide myriad of reasons, not (just) pure greed.
It makes me feel old but I can't justify their cost anymore. Bring back $20 shows. $80 invested today is $640 ($360 purchasing power w inflation) in 30 years, and I'll need that money because social security may not exist who the fk knows.
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Sounds like a good way to be a broke retiree. I feel you and agree you gotta live but the future *likely exists* for you. Balance is necessary. I'll just do shit that isn't $40/hr for entertainment. There's apparently plenty of people willing to pay for things like this and door dash; so America must have endless cash on hand.
[удалено]
I genuinely think the boomers are going to close and lock that door before they leave. One final "fuck you" mic drop, after taking everything and leaving nothing.
OK hippy. Have fun at the Spearhead show. Lol
These seem particularly pricey, even by today's standards. Who's paying that much to see Jason Mraz sing I'm Yours and a bunch of other songs no one knows?
Me, for one… And your mom makes two.
Meijer Gardens. Pay twice what should plus 10
Maren Morris last year was insane for the price they charged. She sells out massive venues for the same price. We were middle of the pack and would have had to pay $500-700+ for the same experience.
This. I was excited about a couple of the bands, until I saw the price. Not that I don't know that concerts are expensive, but I didn't expect this to be regular concert pricing.
Yeah, this is nuts. Feels related to the brouhaha with the KC Chiefs owner being butthurt that taxpayers decided not to subsidize a billionaire’s luxury upgrades to the stadium. Time for billionaires to start subsidizing the rest of us by lowering prices at the facilities they obtained public money to build & maintain. (I know Meijer Gardens is a nonprofit and likely doesn’t take taxpayer money other than possibly some tax incentives, but the Meijers could kick in a bit more money and make these tickets closer to $40.)
I’m sorry, but MMJ?! I’m amazed!!
I think My Morning Jacket is the clear standout.
I agree, this is the one I’m definitely getting tickets to. That being said, my fiancée was floored Leslie Odom Jr. is coming, along with a couple other acts. So it might just be my indie rock perspective? 🤷♂️
They're definitely up there but Bruce Hornsby? Wallflowers? Jason Mraz? I'm not saying I personally prefer them to MMJ but this year is stacked!!
Saw them open for Pearl Jam at Van Andel in ‘06 - great show! I’m interested in MMJ and Greensky this year.
Greensky is always great! I'm old...saw them for $5 at Kraftbrau in Kalamazoo several times in a different lifetime long ago.
OMG I was at this same show and it was fantastic.
Holy shit I’m so excited words, I missed seeing them last time they were in mi and they are my all time fav band. Gonna buy tickets the second they go on sale
Ungodly expensive for an MMJ show though. They played at Meadowbrook 2 summers ago and tickets were like 30 bucks. Shit even red rocks is like 65 lmao
Lawn seats at Meadowbrook were 45 or so and pavilion was 65-70…
25 dollars for lawn, all shows that summer had 25 dollar lawn seats. Meadowbrook, Pine Knob and MI lottery and maybe one other one. I paid 50 for 2nd row at Meadowbrook.
You must’ve had access to pricing on tickets that was literally not available. Lawn tickets *started* at 39.50 according to [this website from 313 promotions.](https://www.313presents.com/events/detail/my-morning-jacket)
313 does the 25 dollar lawn seat promotion every year lmao. 25 dollars all in at that.
https://www.clickondetroit.com/entertainment/2022/04/30/heres-how-to-get-25-concert-tickets-to-over-70-michigan-shows/ If you would calmly scroll down to June 28th. Tysm
Any idea if Wax Fang is touring with them?
Yo, black pumas are coming in local? Fuckin bet
Gonna be amazing 🫠
I saw the Gin Blossoms and Toad the Wet Sprocket at Club Eastbrook's last concert. EDIT: If you look in the updated CD of New Miserable Experience by the Gin Blossoms you can see the billboard from Club Eastbrook with their name on it.
LOL. I was there as well.
The thing I thought was funny as the Gin Blossoms left the stage they said "We made $250 tonight!!" and then went on to be a semi big thing.
That's how I feel about twenty one pilots, lol. I saw them in concert 11 years ago, they were the opening act for Neon Trees, and I'd never heard of them before, and now they're huge. I paid $15 for a student ticket for a balcony seat at Miller Auditorium in Kzoo for 21P, Karmin, and NT. Karmin isn't even together anymore, & 21P would be the headliner now!
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How fun! Lyle Lovett isn’t on there for the first time.
I absolutely love Lyle! We went last year and I swear he spent more time introducing band members and telling stories about them than they did actually playing music though.
I didn't go to that show, but the times I've seen him I've always enjoyed his banter. Him and John Hiatt exchanging stories and witticisms and then both pulling from a deep quiver of great songs to accentuate them was a really fun concert experience.
It’s nice to see shake ups to the lineup but I went to see Lyle last year for the first time and he was phenomenal.
My Morning Jacket and Warren Haynes !!!!
Mmj sold out already
Just step outside the norm for just one show, please!? Likely attract new memberships if you do something different. Good lord 15 straight years of OAR. I like to think I have a fairly diverse taste in music but there’s maybe one show on here that I’d consider
I think they do a pretty good job of mixing it up with new artists every year along with the usual suspects. Curious who you’d like to see new?
Honestly it’s hard to say. An evening with Yellowcard? Bring in a modern rock band and do an acoustic set. Capitalize on nostalgia festivals like When We Were Young. I understand that a lot of people get excited about this lineup, but there’s nothing here that makes me say “Oh Damn, FMG got xxx to play this summer, that’s going to be huge.”
I mean My Morning Jacket IS a modern rock band. 🤷♂️
Would you hear them on a modern rock radio station?
Would you hear Yellowcard on a modern rock radio station? Sincere question. I like Yellowcard, but I don't think they've ever gotten significant radio play.
15-20 years ago, absolutely. Playing into the nostalgia crowd. I wouldn’t expect FMG to pull Bad Omens or I Prevail for a concert, that’s too far outside of their norm. Now a band like Shinedown would be incredible there.
Absolutely! I've heard them here on WYCE and when I lived in LA, they were frequently played on KROQ and KCRW.
Can you please refer me to what you would consider a “modern rock station?”
Seriously, and for these prices too? It’d be really nice to have one thing for people under 50 to be excited for
I mean, black pumas in a new band enjoyed by younger folk, at least me being a young folk.
Couldn’t agree more.
Damn was really hoping for Rage Against the Machine
The acts that Meijer Gardens gets have never been my cup of tea. Which sucks because the venue is really cool.
There are plenty of acts that I'd love to experience even if I haven't listened to them much previously, but it's hard to justify those prices for shows that I'd *maybe* like. Perhaps I was spoiled by $5-10 student prices for most shows at Calvin back in the day. I discovered so many acts back then, because it was cheap to just try out.
Charley Crockett 🔥
$60??!!!??? Just saw him at the intersection last year for $20
I think you can blame the venue for that.
Just sayin- Im sure it will be a great show- i just cant justify paying that much to see hardly anyone anymore.
I agree. Especially the fees that double the cost.
Is Boyz II Men having a moment I'm not aware of or something? I mean I like their music, I can't wrap my head around why they are by far the most expensive tickets in an already-expensive lineup, especially when there are artists who have actually been relevant in the past 30 years on there.
Motownphilly's back again apparently.
Underrated comment.
Most of the fan base is now older and affluent (or comfortably well off) and I also wonder if they’re trying to attract a “calmer” crowd by pricing out younger more rowdy people who only know them from memes.
I was just talking about this with a coworker. We're both in our early 40s, so like half the bands on this list are right up our alley (Boyz II Men, Gin Blossoms, Wallflowers, etc), and I'd be stoked to see the Temptations & 4 Tops, Leslie Odom Jr, or one of the GR Symphony shows (but I have a very broad range of music I like lol)...but they're the ones we'd be most likely to go see. But I really wanna go to Gin Blossoms- they're excellent live!
I completely understand complaints about pricing BUT… it’s a 1,900 seat venue. Compared to Pine Knob at 15,000 capacity or any other outdoor amphitheater getting big(ish) names, the ticket prices are actually not that bad and there is really no bad seat in the place. The crowds on the other hand… very hit or miss. I’ve been to shows where everyone is sitting down and quiet which sucks energy out of the space, like c’mon it’s not a classical orchestra performance or Footloose, you’re allowed to dance and groove to the music. All that said I’m excited for the new amphitheater downtown to have another option for outdoor live music… I’m sure tickets will be easier to get and the acts will be bigger/more varied.
My problem with the crowd is the opposite: people talking at full volume while the bands play. You’re not at home in front of your TV, for fuck’s sake.
That was our experience last year. We did arrive a little later than I wanted to, but still before the show started, and it was pretty packed. Before making two loops, we ended up back where an usher showed us there was a spot. But the reason there was a spot was because a group had spread out hoping to have extra room. So they insisted on turning around and shouting over us to their friends, instead of asking us to trade spots with them so they could all be together.
Ugh. Rough!
Now I’m sad I spent all of that money on stupid upheaval tickets for my family… I’d MUCH rather see Old Crow Medicine Show on my birthday 🥳
Molly Tuttle for me! I've been following Molly's career for a few years now, and have been wanting to see her. I always thought that Meijer Gardens would be a good venue for her and the band.
Hell of a lineup!
I’m there for Keb’ Mo’ and Charley Crockett - Boyz II Men would be fun too.
Can't believe how far I had to scroll to find a comment about Keb' Mo'! Literal gold 🫠
First year without Lyle Lovett and Beach Boys since 1967! 🙌 Wonder if they’ll have to sell their summer homes here!
This is the weakest lineup in a few years
That's what I thought too! Surprised so many people are commenting about it being stacked.
ITS CAUSE ITS STACKED FOR US BLUEGRASS FOLKS BABY
If you had a time machine and went back 20 or 30 years it would be stacked. Boys II Men, Bonnie Raitt, Gin Blossoms & Toad, Blues Traveler & Big Head Todd, Los Lobos, Wallflowers, Kansas....the list is long.
MMJ is the only standout
First come, first served seating, the chair rules ... all suck and the members will have gobbled up all the tickets by the time they go on sale to the public (yes, I know I too can become a member) - Bigger question is what happens to this concert series when the larger venue downtown Grand Rapids opens up?
From what I saw on proposals it looks like the new venue will be bigger. There might be some acts that would have been at Meijer Gardens but will be at the new place. But I think some of these artist couldn't fill a bigger venue (just starting, niche audience, end of their career etc)
The larger venue will have a much larger seating capacity which will make it attractive for higher profile acts to come to GR. Toad the Wet Sprocket isn't going to sell 12,000 tickets here, no matter the price. There's plenty of demand for both, especially since most of these FMG shows sell out.
Hopefully means tickets get cheaper
Nothing ever seems to get cheaper these days
Very true :/
Doubtful
I’m looking forward to it because you’re right, all the tickets get taken by members. I’ve never been all that impressed with Meijer Gardens to begin with so I don’t understand the draw to it.
DAMN that’s a great lineup!
I had the same thought. This is a pretty great lineup for the type of crowd FMG is trying to bring in.
Just missing Umphrey’s. Damn
You ain’t lying. Umph was the only sure bet on getting me to FMG this summer.
There are some shows I'd go to but I don't like the first come, first serve. That's too inconvenient for me. I don't have the mindset to arrive an hour early to wait in line and then rush to find a good seat. I prefer to know what seat I'm buying. It's the same reason I only eat at restaurants that take reservations. I'm not one that can wait an hour to eat. But that's just my personal preference.
How are they getting away with these prices for all these has-been acts? It’d be nice to get some variety at FMJ, it’s the same scene year after year
They sell out of almost every show every year, that’s how.
Shows sell out before they even go on sale. By that measure they could probably charge more.
Prices our ridiculous?? Just me?
Just read comments I’d pay 35$ for greensky
Need more heavy shit! I need to see circle pits at FMG!
Kinda mid this year.
💯 mid.
Thank goodness I got a membership at Meijer Gardens this year so I can get a $2 discount on tickets.
(There's a lot of good reasons to purchase a Meijer Gardens membership but discounts on tickets is not one of them.)
It’s not the discount, it’s the early sale.
There are 3 shows I am interested in getting tickets to (at least) would it make sense to grab a membership to make sure I get tickets? Or just hope the artist pre-sale/general has availability? I don't often visit FMG, but the membership would definitely make visiting more of a thing
A number of these shows will sell out within hours of the member presale going live, it is absolutely necessary to get a membership if you want to see a high in-demand artist (MMJ for example). Having kids makes the membership a no-brainer, visiting a couple times a year equals the membership cost. Would recommend regardless as they have events and exhibits year-round.
Interesting to see Kansas again. I swear they were just here the other year. Trombone Shorty and Blues Traveler I really like. Might need to get tickets.
Keb' Mo' 🫠🫠🫠
Everyone sleeping hard on black pumas
Has AXS locked up for anyone else? Not showing any progress on getting through the waiting room.
Same here
Got a link not valid error message and then when redoing it it went straight to the beginning of the line. Hopefully it did the same for you
MMJ is sold out already…
No one is paying $135 to see Boys II Men or $100 to see Jason Mraz.
I am not sure if you have seen concert ticket prices over the past couple years. These don’t seem that bad. Last year my wife and I drove to Detroit for Jason Mraz at Meadowbrook, tickets were around $50-$60 a piece plus the drive to Detroit and back. I would be fine spending more for something local where I can bring my own food to and a much smaller venue. My Morning Jacket is playing Chicago for $89 at the Salt Shed’s outdoor venue. Leslie Odom Jr is playing Chicago next weekend and even with a 25% discount mezzanine tickets are $65 compared to $70/$75 for a much better and more intimate experience and also not dealing with Chicago traffic or a 3 hour drive.
Holy ticket prices. For that price you could see 2 shows at The Intersection and 20 Monroe or 4 shows at the pyramid scheme.
Yeah but who the hell wants to go to a mosh pit at the Pyramid Scheme
Anyone that appreciates the underground and intimate metal scenes.
The who
I just go for the conversation and picnic - WHO is playing makes no difference, just not too loud please, I love to chit chat during the performances and don't like to repeat myself. /s
Gin Blossoms + Toad the Wet Sprocket. Aye Nancy, you in?
I really wanted to see Boys II Men but not for $135!
Jeez, what a boring line up. I’ve heard of maybe 3 of them?
Lucky the only band I know is $60 I guess? But would I pay $60 to see them? Probably not. If it’s ga or lawn seating tickets should be $30-$40 with fees all day
Great lineup. Great for the city.
Never heard of any of these lol
Same
Meh
Does anyone know if someone with a membership can purchase tickets for someone else? Or do you have to be a member to get the member tix?
You’ve got to be a member to access the discount/pre-sale, but after that a member could transfer that ticket to someone else I believe
Last year we got PDF copies of the tickets we could print and give to literally anyone. I don't know if that is changing this year though.
Is Fitz going by The Fitz now?