Live Music in Northern Michigan Part 1

In 2015 I made the decision to move back to northern Michigan after living in Grand Rapids for most of my adult life. Though I was excited to be back in the area, there were a few things that I worried about moving from a large, bustling community to what I remembered to be a small, sometimes boring town. One of those things was the music scene. I had grown accustomed to being able to attend live performances and concerts pretty much whenever I wanted to. Live music was available to me virtually 7 days a week without driving very far. What options, if any, would I have to enjoy live music? 

Well, let me say, that I have been recently and pleasantly surprised by my findings. Until I actually started putting the venues and shows and performances down on paper, I didn’t realize just how extensive the music scene in northern Michigan truly is. Originally, I thought that I would highlight not only venues, but also local bands, but I quickly realized that would make for one very lengthy blog. So, for this blog I am going to focus on outdoor venues, concerts, and performances. Stay tuned in future blogs for more on northern Michigan’s impressive musical scene. 

Here is a list in no particular order of outdoor concerts and live music venues available in and around Petoskey. This is by no means a definitive list. Check the resources at the bottom of this blog if you are looking for an outdoor or indoor live music experience this summer and all year round. 

1. The Blissfest Music Festival has become a premier destination for anyone looking for a fun, family-friendly, eclectic, hippy-vibed festival experience. What started as a small gathering under a tree with a few performers, has grown into a three-day festival of over 125 unique acts across 11 programming areas at a 200-acre farm that draws over 5,000 people each year. In addition to the festival goers, there are over 75 food, craft, and healing arts vendors from all over the U.S. and Canada. This year’s festival takes place July 10-12 and boasts (as always) an incredible lineup of performers.  

2. Each summer Lavender Hill Farm has an amazing summer lineup that is referred to as The Series. In addition to nationally and sometimes internationally known groups, they also have local acts that perform. Performances take place in the farm’s 1920s events barn with spillover seating on the lawn. You can bring a picnic and a bottle of wine to enjoy a meal prior to the show.   

3. For June, July, and August, Pond Hill Farm has concerts and live performances Tuesday through Sunday. Performances take place in their indoor tent on their Waterwheel stage where you can also enjoy a beverage like their wine, beer, and cider. The also have some of the best homemade pizza in northern Michigan which is available for purchase during their live shows.   

4. This summer, the Blissfest Music Organization and Downtown Petoskey bring you the fourth annual Sounds of Summer concert series. This has been a great addition to the summer downtown Petoskey Friday night scene. These free concerts take place on Friday nights at 7:00 p.m. from July 17 through August 7 on a stage that is set up in Pennsylvania Park. (Be sure to stick around for a movie that is shown following the concert on a large screen on the other side of the park). 

5. Crooked Tree Arts Center in downtown Petoskey offers free concerts in the summer in Bidwell Plaza. They refer to this series as Live on the Bidwell. You can pack a lunch (or dinner depending on the time of the show) and your favorite chair and enjoy family-friendly live music. They even offer a cash bar. 

6. Charlotte Ross Lee Concerts, also brought to you by the Crooked Tree Arts Center take place each summer on Wednesdays and Fridays from noon to 1:00 p.m. on the Gazebo Stage in Pennsylvania  Park from the middle of June through the middle of August. The concert series brings a great line-up of local musicians. The city sets up park benches for these free concerts, or you can bring a lawn chair or picnic blanket. Enjoy your lunch and some free entertainment. 

Want up to date information on indoor and outdoor concerts and performances all year round? The Petoskey Area Visitor’s Bureau maintains an amazing calendar of events that can be accessed by clicking here. The Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce also has an events calendar that the community can use to promote their events. That can be accessed by clicking here. And finally, Northern Express is a weekly, free print and online publication that covers pretty much everything going on from Mackinaw City down to Traverse City, and they have a calendar of events as well as a page dedicated to live entertainment.