We’ve got everything from live Looney Tunes scores to 7 a.m. DJ sets this week, so be ready to brace for that falling anvil and make sure you’ve got your daily intake of coffee because it’s gonna be a wild ride.

Upcoming events (April 16 – 23)

Paradise Lost 

Hilberry Gateway

April 17 – 26

$15 – 25

Take a journey down to the Hilberry Gateway in Midtown to witness Wayne State’s biblically epic rendition of Erin Shields’ “Paradise Lost.” This performance reimagines one of history’s most tantalizing tales by challenging our general idea of what good and evil are while delving into aspects of oppression, rebellion and knowledge. There are weekday shows ranging from 2 p.m. or 7 p.m., as well as weekend shows which begin at either 3 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. 

Detroit Artists Market 

4719 Woodward Ave, Detroit, Michigan 48201

April 17 – May 16

Free

Come down to the Detroit Artists Market to see the student finalists from Cranbrook Art Academy face off for the opportunity to be awarded the John F. Korachis Scholarship. This is the 60th Annual Scholarship and Awards Exhibition put on by the academy and this year, there are 10 finalists—3 of whom will receive this esteemed scholarship—showcasing paintings as well as sculptures. This event is a month-long and is available to the public between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. each day.   

World Music Concert 

Varner Recital Hall

April 17

$7 – 10

Take a ride out to Rochester this Friday to immerse yourself in African and Caribbean culture with performances by Oakland University’s African Ensemble and Steel Band, featuring Haruna Walusimbi, royal musician of the Busoga and Buganda kingdoms in Uganda. The performance begins at 7:30 p.m. and runs until 9:30 p.m. 

Bugs Bunny at the Symphony 

Detroit Opera House

April 18 – 19

$48+

It may be a few weeks past the end of rabbit season here in Michigan, but fortunately, it’s opened up once again for this weekend only. Grab your Stormy Kromer hat, your hunter’s orange and book it down to the Detroit Opera House on the back of a roadrunner because you’re not gonna want to miss this cartoonishly nostalgic performance.

This Saturday and Sunday, 17 episodes of classic Looney Tunes will be played on the big screen while a symphony plays the iconic scores live for your enjoyment. This performance will also feature the world premiere of a new animated short celebrating Bugs Bunny’s 85th birthday. The event begins at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday. 

The Magical Music of Harry Potter 

Music Hall Center

April 16

$50+

Hop on your broom or your griffin and whisk yourself down to the Music Hall Center in downtown Detroit to be enchanted with the sorcerous sounds of the wizarding world. This Thursday, “The Magical Music of Harry Potter” is coming to spellbind you to the edge of your seat as you’re carried through an expedition of your childhood. The event begins at 4:30 p.m. 

DJANGOPHONIQUE 

Cliff Bell’s

April 16 – 18

$25

If you’re looking for something a bit smoother, well, you’ve stumbled upon silk, my friend. DJANGOPHONIQUE is an award-winning project that is nurturing the Hot Club revival right now. The sounds present transport you to another time, one where you’re a bit more centered and perhaps even Parisian. Think of it like Midnight in Detroit and you get to be Owen Wilson. Local Spins even deemed it the “Most genuine manouche jazz that can be heard in Michigan.” Showtimes are at 7:30 p.m. as well as 9:30 p.m. 

New Dawn 

Big Pink

April 18

$23

You know the deal. Lace up those Chucks and bolt over to the Eastside’s neon warehouse once again for some of the greatest Afrobeat, Afrohouse and Ampiano this city has to offer. Get ready to grab a drink and shift continents as DJs Yung D, Blakito, Marine and Getboxed spin tracks deep into the night. The event begins at 10 p.m. and ends at 2 a.m. 

fcukers 

Lincoln Factory

April 17

$29+

Hop, skip and jump over to Lincoln Factory this Friday for a legendary performance by New York-based electronic band fcukers as they combine forces with indie rock band Sex Week. This event begins at 8 p.m. and ends at 2 a.m.  

Orbit 

TBA

April 18

$22+

Get your caffeine in order and blast off to a currently undisclosed location this weekend as the co-founder of Swedish label Studio Barnhus Axel Boman is set to deliver his solo debut with a three-hour performance that’s sure to leave you floating out of your body by the end, from sleep deprivation, of course... The show will be opened by DJs clairvoyant, Mister Joshooa and Secrets. This event goes from 11 p.m. until 7 a.m., so pack a set of pajamas and a toothbrush. 

We’ve got everything from jazz vocalists to Memphis rappers this week, so be ready to put on your cufflinks, but don’t forget the Three 6 Mafia-themed pocket square

Upcoming events (April 9 – 16)

The Saunderson Brothers 

Big Pink

April 10

$23

We know that last week we let down you house heads and now we’re here to repay our debt. This weekend, electronic music is practically flooding the Eastside and we’ve got your snorkel and flippers. The Saunderson brothers are slinging out house tracks like Waffle House slapjacks in a B2B set with Slimey so lace up those non-slip shoes and get ready to step into the kitchen. This event starts at 10 p.m. and goes until 2 a.m. 

SHIFT 

Spot Lite

April 11

$23+

Urban Pulse reacquaints with Spot Lite this weekend, bringing the heart of Berlin to Detroit. Headliner Lars Huismann is delivering atmospheric German techno that’s reminiscent of the old days but continues to carve a clear path in today’s scene. He’s also joined by DJs Redax, JANSØ, Austin Buck and KHONSHU. Whether you’re sporting a pair of lederhosen or dressing like you’re ready for Berghain, embrace the sounds of the Fatherland and get grooving. This event begins at 10 p.m. and goes until 3 a.m. 

Siren: Girls on Wax 

Paris Bar

April 11

$17

Slide down Six Mile over to Hamtramck’s Paris Bar to catch Chicago native Inés spin deep–cut disco vinyl until you can’t remember whether you’re in Michigan or France. She’s also joined by an all-femme roster of DJs, including angel baskets, Savannah G and Auntie Chanel. This event goes from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. 

Golden Grizzly and Blue Grizzly Jazz Singers 

Varner Recital Hall

April 12

$7-10

Perhaps last week’s hiatus from house and techno was a breath of fresh air for some folks and don’t worry, because we’ve still got you stuck on our minds like spaghetti sauce on a Tupperware container. This Sunday, Oakland University’s Golden Grizzly and Blue Grizzly vocal groups are coming together for an energetic jazz ensemble set to leave your ears as soothed as a massage. This event begins at 7 p.m. and goes until 9 p.m. 

Northern Lights Festival 

Orchestra Hall

April 9-11

$21

Oh and we’re not done with the classics just yet. This weekend, take a rickshaw ride downtown to Orchestra Hall to hear the beauty emanate from the Northern Lights Festival. The performance will be led by Principal Guest Conductor Tabita Berglund as you dive into a Nordic soundscape. The hall will be filled with birdsongs as the violinist Johan Dalene puts his bow to the grindstone in Sibelius’s violin concerto. The event begins at 8 p.m. 

Project Pat 

Diamondback Music Hall

April 10

$38+

This weekend, the mane who’s down for his crown returns to bring that Memphis heat to Southeast Michigan. Project Pat is making a stop in Van Buren Charter Township as part two of his Redemption Tour, so get out there and bring your iced tea… but leave the nine’s and TEC’s at home. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show begins at 8 p.m. 

Visceral Soup 

22North

April 11-12

Free

If the music isn’t appealing to you this week, sneak out to Ypsilanti for a calm yet vibrant vibe supporting Michigan artists. 22North art gallery is teaming up with Eastern Michigan University to put on their 10th exhibition, “Visceral Soup.” The show will feature work from 11 of EMU’s Master of Fine Arts students exploring the world of ceramics, painting and mixed media. The gallery is open Saturday and Sunday from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. 

Microwave 

Majestic Theatre

April 10

$42+

Atlanta-based rock band Microwave is making their way to Detroit as they tour with Anthony Green, Hunny and Into It. Over It. They’ve recently released a 10th anniversary version of their 2016 album Much Love, and it’s time to show them how much love our city has to offer. The show begins at 7 p.m. If you’re not there, we’re going to assume you went to see Air Fryer instead and while we don’t entirely condemn that move, we will be judging semi-silently. 

Concrete Boys 

Saint Andrews Hall

April 11

$35

The Concrete Boys are back in Detroit this weekend for their This Is Us Vol. 2 tour at Saint Andrews Hall downtown. The group, made up of Lil Yachty, Draft Day, Camo!, Honest and more recently dropped their second album, a sequel to their first project and now it’s time to break out those hard hats and prepare for the mosh pit. The concert begins at 8 p.m. 

We’ve got everything from classical symphonies to taxidermy goats this week, so be ready to dive in and blur the lines between grace and eccentricity.

Upcoming events (April 2 – 9)

Jazz Ensemble Concert 

Varner Recital Hall

April 7

Free

Slip on your most polished set of loafers and take a trip out to Rochester to experience Oakland University’s Creative Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combos. The Ensemble will feature experimental performances, while the Combos will consist of standards from the American songbook. This event begins at 7:30 p.m. 

Detroit International Festival of Animation 

Senate Theater

April 4

$10

Hike down Michigan Ave this Saturday to immerse yourself in motion pictures at the 11th annual installation of the Detroit International Festival of Animation. 

This showing features 19 animated short films from artists across the globe, but also a few from right here in Metro-Detroit. And, if you arrive early before the event, you might just be able to catch the Wurlitzer Pipe Organ pre-show hosted by the Detroit Theater Organ Society. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and the showing begins at 8 p.m. 

Oakland Symphony Orchestra and Chorus 

Orchestra Hall

March 31

$25-30

If you’re in the mood to break out your opera glasses and cufflinks, stroll down to Orchestra Hall to witness a performance by Oakland University’s Orchestra and Chorus. This week is already building up to be a bit more in classical fashion, so you might as well embrace the decadence and start off strong. This event begins at 7:30 p.m. and goes until 9 p.m. 

Artmembers Opening Preview Party 

Cranbrook Art Museum

April 11

$20

Dive into the works of the next generation of architects, artists and designers at Cranbrook Art Museum next week as they host the 2026 Graduate Degree Exhibition. 

Perhaps this event will be a look into what the future holds as we hand off the reins to these emerging professionals entering their respective fields. The event begins at 6 p.m. and goes until 9 p.m.   

Modded Detroit Opener 

Multi-Lakes Conservation Association

April 11

$20

If you’re looking for a break from the “prim and proper” events the city has to offer, or perhaps you just feel more akin to the sound of an engine than a wind section, then we’ve got something up our sleeves for you. Drive over to Commerce Township for the Modded Detroit opening car show. Whether you’re into JDM, Mopar or supercars, it’s all on display here.

With over 2,000 cars, Modded Detroit is one of the largest car communities out there and they’re making sure it’s known. There will be raffles, as well as a foot race with a $500 cash prize. This event begins at 1 p.m. and goes until 7 p.m. 

World Oddities Expo 

Huntington Place

April 4

$20

Maybe you’re not drawn to the elegance of the violin or the roar of a 68 Charger. Perhaps you’re looking for something a little more out of the ordinary, maybe something embalmed? If that’s the case, consider yourself Daniel Day-Lewis because you’ve just struck oil. 

The World Oddities Expo is returning to Detroit this Saturday, and it’s ready to cater to all your lovingly strange needs. Pick up a teacup pig in a jar, a taxidermy antelope, silver jewelry and even walk away sporting some new ink. There will be a plethora of entertainment as well, including live music, painting, burlesque dancers and more. The event begins at 11 a.m. and goes until 7 p.m. 

Pulse and Pixels 

Pontiac Little Art Theatre

April 8

Free

Bend your understanding of how art interacts with music next week at Oakland University’s Pulse and Pixels exhibition. The performance explores the intersection between visual works and song, featuring both traditional and digital art with an electroacoustic accompaniment. The show includes pieces from both faculty members as well as students. The event begins at 7:30 p.m. and goes until 8:30 p.m. 

Pink Party: Hip Hop Night 

Big Pink

April 4

$23

At this point, I’d like to think you know the drill. Curate your fit, pre-game at the house, catch an Uber over to the Eastside and stop when you see the pink lights emanating through the darkness. Hip-Hop night returns once again with DJs FLYANA BOSS, PROBLEMATICBLACKHOTTIE and FULLBODYDURAG spinning rap’s greatest tracks until your ankles snap.

But there’s a stipulation this time around: pink means free. Whether it be a flat brim or a pair of StrangeLove dunks, a piece of pink clothing voids the fee this Saturday. Perhaps another drink is in order after all… This event goes from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. 

Half N’ Half Festival 

Lager House

April 3 – April 4

1 Day: $25 – 2 Days: $45 

But if all of this just seems like a whole lot of noise to you and you’re desperately searching for something more rock-oriented, don’t worry, we wouldn’t dream of leaving you hanging. This Friday and Saturday, Detroit is feeling the effects of mixing vibes and I’m not talking dark and light cocktails, unless that’s you’re kind of thing, of course. 

Lager House is hosting the Half n’ Half Festival this weekend, with Friday tackling the indie/ alternative side and Saturday taking on the heavy in a yin-yang of rock. The show will feature local artists such as Ethan Marc, Panda House, Heat Above and more. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the shows start at 7 p.m. 

Whether it’s gravity-defying dirt-bike stunts or Latin beats that catch your eye, we’ve got something for everyone this week in Metro Detroit.

Upcoming events (March 26- Apr. 2)

Joyce Manor 

Majestic Theatre

March 27

$33+

Joyce Manor returns to the mitten this weekend as part of their tour for their recent album I Used To Go To This Bar. The California-based pop-punk band has awarded us with their first record in 4 years and it’s time to show our appreciation with a few mosh pits. This time around, they’re also joined by emerging bands Militarie Gun, Teen Mortgage and Combat. So get out there, kiss your partner, throw a few elbows and have a beer as the rock fuels your heart, just don’t have too many, you wouldn’t want a… constant headache. The show begins at 6 p.m. 

Monster Energy Supercross Championship  

Ford Field

March 28

$33+

Take a ride over to Ford Field this weekend to bear witness to superhuman stunts in round 11 of the Monster Energy Supercross Championship. If motorsports is what you crave, this event has your name carved into it. From high-stakes jumps to whisky-throttle levels of fast-paced racing, if there’s a feat of courage to be accomplished on a bike, it’s going down here. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. 

Latin Night 

Big Pink

March 27

$23

Mexicantown may be on the Westside, but Latin music is practically pouring out of the Eastside this weekend at Big Pink. DJ IZA and SWDEJAY are spicing things up with sounds of Reggaeton, salsa, bachata and more, so kick off your chanclas and lace up those Cortez’s because this set is about to have you grooving to dembow for a week straight once it’s over. The event begins at 10 p.m. and goes until 2 a.m. 

The Back Alley 

The Loving Touch

March 26

$26+

Stroll over to Ferndale this Friday and get lost The Back Alley. Preferably the music and not that one spot off 9 Mile and Woodward, but that’s a story for another day. The Chicago indie-rock quintet is on tour and they’re enlisting local band Moravian to help them get their footing. Bring a friend, partner or buy a 12 oz aluminum companion and get set to boogie. The show begins at 7 p.m. and is $5 extra for those under 21.  

MNTRA 

TV Lounge

March 28 

$17+

Channel surf over to TV Lounge in downtown Detroit and get ready to open the Pandora’s box of electronic music. MNTRA is spinning his Detroit debut this Saturday and you’re not going to miss it. From drum & bass to house, get ready for your chest to feel the pulse with some funkadelic, genre-fluid grooves. This set will also be opened by DJs sillygirlcarmen, JMT, Britty and JUNYXX. The event begins at 9 p.m.  

Vibrations 

Spot Lite

March 27

$17

If you’re searching for DJ sets but aren’t feeling akin to the sounds of the south, we’ve still got your back. Spot Lite is hosting vinyl sets from Rick Wilhite, Delano Smith, Norm Talley and dej.y this weekend, so be sure to keep a few extra dollars in your pocket in case you see a record in their shopping section and get ready to enjoy a cocktail while the turntable whisks you away to a realm where you don’t have work on Monday. The event begins at 8 p.m. and goes until 2 a.m. 

Latin Jazz Ensemble and Band 

Varner Recital Hall

March 27

$10

The Oakland University Latin Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Band is coming together this weekend in Rochester for a performance encompassing both classic and contemporary big band works. From drums that soothe your soul to horns that ease your mind, the spirit of jazz is proving to be alive and well here in Southeast Michigan. The event will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Sponge  

Firehouse Pub

March 28

$47

Relive the 90s this weekend and get the mini touring experience with Sponge. The Detroit-based rock band is throwing three shows across Metro Detroit. Not only does one ticket get you access to all three venues, but you’ll be riding with the band from one to the next on their tour bus! They’re set to hit Kuhnhenns, Diesel Concert Lounge and Firehouse Pub. The event begins at 7 p.m. and the bus is slated to leave from the starting location at 8:30 p.m. 

Today’s show brings together indie, jazz, funk, and electronic music. We spin tracks from Bronx River Parkway, RIO KOSTA, Cousin Kula, and Parquet Courts, alongside Caroline Rose, Cola Boyy, and Smerz. 

Other highlights include John Carroll Kirby, Common & Pete Rock, Hannah Cohen, The Shacks, and a live version of “Hell Is Near” by St. Vincent with Jules Buckley. 

Check the playlist below and listen to the episode for two weeks after it airs using the player above. 

In The Groove with Ryan Patrick Hooper playlist for March 25, 2026 

• “Song for Ray” – Bronx River Parkway 

• “One with You” – RIO KOSTA 

• “Clothes Off” – Cousin Kula 

• “Gap in the Clouds” – Yellow Days 

• “Walking at a Downtown Pace” – Parquet Courts 

• “One Inch Punch” – Yin Yin 

• “Jeannie Becomes a Mom” – Caroline Rose 

• “Beige 70 (Domenique Dumont Bilingual Remix)” – Cola Boyy 

• “Easy (Astrid Sonne EDIT)” – Smerz 

• “You got time and I got money” – Smerz 

• “In a Dream” – Misha Panfilov Sound Combo 

• “Blueberry Beads” – John Carroll Kirby 

• “Summer Sweat” – Hannah Cohen 

• “Trip To Japan” – The Shacks 

• “Golden Gate” – Miranda Lee Richards 

• “Hell Is Near (Live)” – St. Vincent & Jules Buckley 

• “Mohabbat” – Arooj Aftab 

• “Home to You” – Cate Le Bon 

• “Germfree Adolescence” – X-Ray Spex 

• “Big Dreams” – Amyl and The Sniffers 

• “Punishers” – Die Spitz 

• “Dumb Guitar” – Mount Kimbie 

• “Pressha” – Jill Scott 

• “Dreamin’” – Common & Pete Rock 

• “DAYDREAMIN” – Matthewdavid 

• “Air (feat. DOOM)” – Dabrye 

• “Jasmine (Demo)” – Jai Paul 

• “DNM” – Mk.gee 

• “Play (Objekt Remix)” – james K 

• “So Sheik (Los Hermanos Remix)” – DJ 3000 

• “Cumbia No Get Enemy” – Mitchum Yacoub 

• “Sun Circles (John Beltran Project Remix)” – Gratts 

Listen to In the Groove with host Ryan Patrick Hooper weekdays from noon-3 p.m. ET on 101.9 WDET or stream on-demand at wdet.org. 

With their latest release, “Heavy Pulp,” The Technicolors add grit to the sweetness, giving their sound weight, texture, and something to hold onto.  

Electric guitars drift in and out of focus, anchored by steady rhythms and tension that keep each track from settling too comfortably. Frontman Brennan Smiley’s vocals balance restraint and release, while the production feels both polished and intentionally worn in. From start to finish, the record is full of substance beneath the surface, revealing new layers with each listen.  

Phoenix indie rock band The Technicolors joined In The Groove to talk about their latest record, their evolving creative process, and their connection to Michigan ahead of their upcoming show. 

Smiley says “Heavy Pulp” was built on collaboration and focus. “It was good to have a set amount of time where we could all be together… just get in the studio and be a band,” he said. That approach marked a shift from their previous album, which he called “a pandemic Frankenstein,” pieced together across different sessions and circumstances. 

This time around, the band leaned into being fully present. From implementing a “no phone in the studio” mindset to avoiding direct musical references during writing, their process was intentionally stripped back. “It just changes the level of presence,” Smiley explained. “You get more ideas, that’s what you’re there to do.” 

That sense of experimentation also came from looking beyond traditional influences. Instead of drawing directly from other artists, Smiley found inspiration in unexpected places. “I actually wasn’t really listening to a ton of music. I was really into Radiolab podcasts, they feel like little movies with just sound,” he said, pointing to the band’s ongoing interest in cinematic textures and atmosphere. 

Still, the foundation of The Technicolors’ sound can be traced back to classic influences. Smiley cited Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and The Beatles as formative artists, adding, “That was kind of my teenage guitar-player starter pack.” He also highlighted The Dark Side of the Moon as a lasting inspiration: “It’s still maybe my all-time favorite album; it just kept on giving.” 

With family ties to the Detroit area and a long-awaited return to Michigan, the band is especially excited to reconnect with audiences. “It’s been a minute since we’ve played in Michigan… we’re excited to come back,” Smiley said. The Technicolors will be performing at The Blind Pig in Ann Arbor on March 20. 

Listen to In The Groove with host Ryan Patrick Hooper weekdays from noon-3 p.m. ET on 101.9 WDET or stream on-demand at wdet.org.

We know you’re tired from the joyful depravity of yester-week, but strap down those light-up Velcro sketchers and get yourself prepared for another 7 days of endless art and music in the Paris of the West.  

Upcoming events (March 12-19)

313 Day at The Station

Michigan Central Station

March 13

  $15

Embrace the city you love and hold it tight, or twirl it around, as you party in a piece of history this 313 day at Michigan Central Station. World-renowned DJ, Waajeed, is turning the building into an instrument of its own as house and hip-hop resonate off the limestone and into your bones.

The set begins at 6 p.m. and ends at 10 p.m., so as long as you can keep your eyes wide, you’ll be just in time for our next events. 

LA DISCOTECA 

Tangent Gallery

March 13

$20

The ear canal isn’t just a means of hearing; it’s a portal into another place and time. This Friday, transport yourself to Bogotá at the Tangent Gallery. DJ RUIZ OSC1 is spinning deep vinyl mixes that blends Colombian salsa with entrancing electronic drumlines, and if you’re one of those people who feels the need to step away from the party for a moment, feel free to check out the artists Tangent has sprawled across the walls. The event starts at 9 p.m. and goes until 3 a.m.

Piano Party 

Big Pink

March 13

$23

If your soul doesn’t long for Latin American melodies, maybe you’re feeling more drawn to the sounds of South Africa. This Friday, get ready to immerse yourself in the warmth of Johannesburg rhythm with DJs Yung D, Blakito and Ivy as they make the turntables erupt with Afrohouse, Amapiano and Gqom. The event starts at 10 p.m. and goes until 2 a.m. 

City of Stars 

2529 Orleans St. Detroit, MI

March 13

$10

Skate over to Eastern Market for the City of Stars art exhibition to view the works of local artists Sheefy McFly, Tony Whlgn, Phil Simpson and more, while you sip a cocktail and enjoy some barbecue. Four art pieces will be raffled off at the end of the night. Tickets to enter are $5. The event starts at 6 p.m. and goes until 12 a.m. 

Street Wear Art Market 

Detroit Shipping Company 

March 13

Free

Now, if you’re looking at all these options for 313 day and thinking to yourself, “man, I want to pop out tonight, but my outfits look like they were curated by a colorblind 5-year-old,” don’t worry, we’re here to help. Support local fashion and get yourself right at Detroit Shipping Company’s street wear art market, featuring artists ZekeDidIt, Artnuttz, Crushed Velvet Collection and more. Take the opportunity to network and grab a brew while you contemplate which hat fits the night’s vibe. The event begins at 4 p.m. and goes until 9 p.m. 

Darcy Moran 

The Crofoot

March 14

$23

Take a hike out to Pontiac to see emerging metro Detroit rock band Darcy Moran with openers Fremont Pike, Times New Roman and Travesty. Call an Uber, grab a few drinks and support the musicians that help make Michigan great. The event begins at 6 p.m. 

American Aquarium  

The Sanctuary

March 18

$33

That being said, if you were looking to combine your urge for rock with a bit of country twang, we’ve got the drop on that, too. North Carolina’s own American Aquarium is performing in Hamtramck next Wednesday, so make your choice, cowboy boots or Vans and make your way down The Sanctuary for some southern revelry. The show begins at 7 p.m. 

The Sounds of Laurel Canyon 

Orchestra Hall

March 13 -15

$21

But, if you’re more of an old soul and you’re looking to escape to the sweet sounds of 60’s and 70’s California rock, be sure to take a trip over to the Detroit Symphony Orchestra this weekend. Led by conductor Jeff Tyzik, the DSO is going to be enveloped in the music that made a generation of peace and love, featuring hits from The Eagles, The Doors, Fleetwood Mac and more. The event begins at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, with a 3 p.m. show on Sunday.  

St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Michigan Ave, Corktown

March 17

Free

You didn’t think we’d really forget St. Patrick’s Day, did you? Well… maybe afterwards, but we’ll cross that four-leaf clover when we come to it. Grab your shillelaghs and keep a pint in your pocket as the city gathers to celebrate the Irish. The parade begins at 1 p.m.

Whether you’re a fan of country, EDM or hardcore, we’ve got you covered this week with some of the wildest events the city has to offer, and maybe even a place to improve your wardrobe in preparation.

Upcoming events (Mar. 5 to Mar. 12)

Michigan Sneaker Xchange 

Huntington Place 

Mar. 7 

  $30

I’d say, “run over to Huntington Place,” but we wouldn’t want you to crease your 3’s before this event even begins. The Michigan Sneaker Xchange is back once again with over 150 vendors dealing out everything from daily beaters to your lifelong grails. Buy, sell and trade your way from those dirty air forces to a pair of deadstock purple lobsters; those without a booth are allowed to bring up to 4 pairs. This event runs from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. 

The Sound of Music 

Fox Theatre 

Mar. 5 – Mar. 8

$38+

The hills are alive and romance has filled the air in Detroit this month. Time travel back to your childhood and embrace the drops of golden sun at the Fox Theatre this weekend for a performance of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s critically acclaimed The Sound of Music, directed by three-time Tony Awards winner Jack O’Brien. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show will begin at 7:30 p.m. 

Classical Roots Concert 

Orchestra Hall

Mar. 6 – Mar. 7 

$26

Swathe your ears in the silk of symphony at the 48th Annual Classic Roots Concerts hosted by the DSO. Since 1978, the DSO has held this event as a spotlight to better appreciate the works of black composers. The event is premiered by Kenneth Tomkins, commemorating the experiences of the enslaved and abolitionists upon the Underground Railroad with his spirited moving concerto. The Friday performance will be at 10:45 a.m., with Saturday night’s performance starting at 7:30 p.m. 

DCFC Kit Unveiling & Afterparty 

Big Pink

Mar. 5

$23

Grab your cleats and head over to the East Side as the Detroit City Football Club gets ready to reveal their new uniforms and make you hit your signature celebration moves on the dance floor. Earlier in the evening, there will be pickup soccer games, food vendors, drinks and more. Later, the kids are gone and the party goes on as DJs Sheefy McFly and JMT juggle the decks…just make sure not to take a dive. 

Midwest Freaks 

Tangent

Mar. 7

$35

Unleash your freak and shake off those conformist notions like a dog in a tick-riddled field this weekend with some of the most debaucherous DJs Detroit has to offer. This is the third city Midwest Freaks has taken on in its crusade to liberate the self-doubting traditionalists of the Rust Belt, although maybe it’s time you hedonists show them a thing or two about the beautiful anomaly we call our city. DJs include Rrose, BMG, Centrific and more. The event starts at 9 p.m. and goes until 6 a.m., so stay hydrated you night owls.  

Cuffing SZN 

Big Pink

Mar. 7

$23

Follow the pink neon glow over to Big Pink this Saturday and make sure to bring your partner or be prepared to find one; DJ MOCHI and Fullbodydurag are spinning R&B tracks until your heart looks like the Grinch’s post-Whoville Christmas carol. The event starts at 10 p.m. and ends at 3 a.m. 

Panda House 

The Sanctuary

Mar. 6

$22

Make sure to keep a piece of bamboo on your person this weekend because Panda House is bringing the zoo to The Sanctuary. The Detroit-based hardcore band is playing a set alongside Hail Your Highness, Brown Maple and Great Planes. The event starts at 7 p.m.  

Stephen Wilson Jr. 

The Fillmore

Mar. 11

$53+

Envelop yourself in Americana next Wednesday with a performance by emerging country/rock sensation Stephen Wilson Jr. The Indiana native is hitting our city as part of his Gary the Torch Tour and believe me, you’re not going to want to miss this baseball-capped guitarist’s rise to fame. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show begins at 8 p.m. 

The music landscape has changed a lot since the turn of the 21st century. Not just styles, but how we consume music. Nothing illustrates that better than the rise of the indie music scene.

In his new book Such Great Heights: The Complete Cultural History of the Indie Rock Explosion, Stereogum managing editor Chris DeVille looks at how changes to TV, the internet, and the record industry fueled the rise in early ’00s indie music.

DeVille talks with WDET’s Russ McNamara. Click on the link to listen or read selected excepts below. 

The following interview has been edited for length and clarity.

RM: So why write this book?

DeVille: There’s many different sort of through lines that are being traced here. One of them is technology. It’s a subject that I think is really complex and really fascinating, and it involves a lot of my favorite music ever.

This stuff that has been kind of chronicled and debated online for years in blog posts and social media posts and a lot of the documentation of it is starting to disappear, because websites just go offline, or people delete their social media accounts. And so I wanted to create a little bit more permanent record of some of these things that happened—some of the ways that these bands broke through, some of the conversations that were being had around this music.

One reviewer compared it to like a yearbook that you look back at and you get some fond memories, and you get some cringe, but yeah, it’s kind of like a history of my listening as an adult.

Russ McNamara, WDET: In the book, you mention the TV show ‘The OC’ which was a popular teen soap opera in the early ’00s. How much did that show’s soundtrack play into the rise in indie rock?

Chris DeVille, author of “Such Great Heights”: I was surprised as I was writing the book, how much it became like a shadow history of the evolution of the Internet over the last couple of decades. And you know The OC thing, it’s like they’re putting these bands in front of a much bigger audience. Like Death Cab for Cutie is like a fairly obscure band at the time, and then this character on this popular teen show is like making his whole personality that he loves Death Cab for Cutie.

It’s like giant platform, but then they lose cool points with some people, as you know, sort of a more norm-y audience discovers this band, but it’s definitely, there’s no doubt that it was a huge like funnel, bringing a bunch of bands to a much broader audience

RM: What about the added accessibility of file sharing sites like Limewire and Napster?

CD: Whatever platform you were using to pirate music I think contributed to the accessibility of stuff. Stuff could blow up, even if it didn’t fit into a particular radio format, or it wasn’t getting past the MTV gatekeepers. It didn’t have to fit into any existing niche or existing format to blow up. It could just catch fire and go viral on these file sharing servers.

I mean, the same thing was still true when iTunes came in and kind of formalized and commercialized the process. You could still have a song that people would download it like crazy.

RM: Which indie bands benefitted the most from this setup in the early 00’s?

CD: Arcade Fire was definitely the biggest. The other dimension that I talk a lot about in the book, is Pitchfork. And just like the power that Pitchfork had to make or break someone’s career. If they gave something a 10.0 people were just going to jump on it and worship it. And if they kind of talked smack about a particular band or completely panned a band, then there were instances where that basically ended someone’s commercial prospects. And so like Arcade Fire were like the perfect storm.

RM: So where is indie rock at now? Is it dead? Does the genre really mean anything anymore?

CD: Over time, indie became like more of a genre, and then the genre itself started to change. But I think what we saw happen in the 2010s is sort of like the indie goes pop thing. It was like a bubble, and it really did pop. We still have these sort of like boutique pop stars like Clairo.

We had artists that came out of the indie world become pop stars of a sort because of stuff like Tiktok. Like Mitski is a good example of that where she’s coming from, from the indie rock infrastructure, and she is making music that jumps across genres a little bit.

There’s a hunger for bands that have a little bit more of an edge to them, that are a little bit less smooth, a little bit willing to be weird or noisy. That’s what you see with a lot of the biggest indie bands today – ones that have gone against that sort of, like Spotify-friendly, passive-listening experience. There’s now a hunger for music that’s a bit more abrasive, something that will jolt people out of their stupor.

Music wants to evolve. It wants to find new audiences. And so the whole idea of like, gatekeeping and having the right audience versus the wrong audience, like, that’s something that factors into the book too.