As summer comes to a close and we prepare for fall, Detroit still has an expansive offering of unique events. Here are some of DMM’s top picks for September.
36th Annual Detroit Jazz Festival
Friday, September 4 – Monday, September 7, 2015
Hart Plaza & Campus Martius, Downtown Detroit
This Labor Day weekend, celebrate the unofficial end of summer with the Detroit Jazz Festival. Now in its 36th year, the festival takes place over several city blocks downtown — from Hart Plaza to Campus Martius — with five stages and 100 acts over four days. This year’s Artist-in-Residence is guitar virtuoso Pat Metheny, and the lineup also includes a Homecoming Series with Detroit natives such as Dave Douglas, whose album High Risk — released earlier this year — features electronic musician Shigeto. With so much music to choose from, you can’t go wrong. Did we also mention the event is free?
For more information on the Detroit Jazz Festival, please visit the event’s official website.
Ford Arts, Beats & Eats
Friday, September 4 – Monday, September 7, 2015
Downtown Royal Oak
Also happening Labor Day weekend is the 18th Annual Ford Arts, Beats & Eats presented by Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, which takes place in Downtown Royal Oak. With over 200 acts performing on nine stages, music lovers of all kinds can get down to the sounds of their favorite performers. This year’s headliners include Puddle of Mudd, Neon Trees, Young the Giant, and Salt-N-Pepa, with nostalgic sets by Cheap Trick, Gin Blossoms, and The Guess Who included on the schedule. Local favorites such as Kaleido, Killer Flamingos, The Muggs, The Howling Diablos, and The Polish Muslims are also prominent on the roster. On Friday, admission is free before 5:00 p.m. The rest of the weekend it’s $3 to get in before 3:00 p.m. and $5 thereafter.
For more information on Arts, Beats & Eats, please visit the event’s official website.
Dally in the Alley
Saturday, September 12, 2015
11:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Cass Corridor, Detroit
On Saturday, September 12, Detroit’s Cass Corridor turns into the place to be as Dally in the Alley takes over. The city’s largest community festival, and also one of its oldest, is now in its 38th year as it continues to showcase the very best local music, food, and vendors. Headlining this year are acts such as Nigel & the Dropout, Valley Hush, Cold Men Young, James Linck, BevLove, Brinae Ali, Moonwalks, Prude Boys, Pink Lightning, Midnight Jacker, Admn, and K.Hand. You really get a lot of bang for your buck on this one, especially since it’s free.
For more information on Dally in the Alley, please visit the event’s official website.
Strange Beautiful Music 8
Saturday, September 19, 2015
4:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.
Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center, Detroit
New Music Detroit bring their eighth annual music marathon festival, Strange Beautiful Music, to The Max. The avant-garde production features experimental and far-reaching sounds ranging from contemporary chamber music and European folk to experimental electronics and noise improvisation. This year’s lineup includes composer and percussionist Andy Akiho with guests Latitude 49, Elliot Cole and Willo Collective, Grand Valley State University’s New Music Ensemble, the Donald Sinta Saxophone Quartet, an installation by Apetechnology, and NMD’s first Call for Scores winner Mohammad Hadi Ayanbod. Tickets range from $10 to $100 and can be purchased here or at the door.
For more information on Strange Beautiful Music 8, please visit New Music Detroit’s official website.
Soulection Showcase: Sango, Joe Kay, & ATU
Saturday, September 19, 2015
9:30 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.
Populux, Detroit
For another take on “The Sound of Tomorrow” look no further than Populux, who will play host to the Soulection Showcase on Saturday, September 19. The touring event takes its name from Los Angeles’ Soulection, who are one of the hottest future beat collectives in the world right now, with an impressive roster of artists and a radio show on Apple Music’s Beats 1. Heavily influenced by J Dilla, Slum Village, The Roots, and Erykah Badu, their take on left-field hip-hop and alternative R&B will leave you wanting more. The Detroit stop not only features Soulection’s co-founder Joe Kay, but also two Michigan names: Grand Rapids’ Sango and Ann Arbor’s ATU. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased here or at the door.
For more information on the showcase, please visit Soulection’s official website.
Paxahau presents: Detroit Hustles Harder 7 Year Anniversary x Murals in the Market Afterparty
Thursday, September 24, 2015
9:00 p.m. – close
TV Lounge, Detroit
Our city hustles harder than yours. Nobody knows that better than Motor City’s very own Detroit Hustles Harder. While we’ve been hustling our entire lives, “Detroit Hustles Harder” celebrates their 7th anniversary Thursday, September 24, at TV Lounge. With sets by Detroit’s very own Will Session, DJ Godfather, Count Mack, and Pontchartrain – plan on hustling all night long. The party starts at 9 p.m. and goes until late. Tickets are available at the door but limited $5 tickets are still on sale online.
DIY Street Fair
Friday, September 25 – Sunday, September 27, 2015
Downtown Ferndale
September ends with yet another free festival, as the DIY Street Fair returns to Ferndale with a full weekend of local music, food, and vendors. While the full lineup has yet to be announced, it never disappoints. Electric 6 and Mustard Plug have already been confirmed as headliners, and last year’s headlining acts included Jamaican Queens, Flint Eastwood, Passalacqua, and Gosh Pith. Alongside great Detroit music are craft beer and cocktails, gourmet food vendors, and skilled artists. The event takes place on Woodward at East Troy Street, behind WAB and The Emory.
For more information on the DIY Street Fair, please visit the event’s official website.
“Rocky and Tyler” Fall Tour: A$AP Rocky; Tyler, the Creator; Danny Brown; Vince Staples
Saturday, September 26, 2015
5:00 p.m. Doors Open; 6:30 p.m. Event Begins
DTE Energy Music Theatre, Clarkston
Rounding out our picks for September events is arguably the biggest hip-hop concert of the year. On Saturday, September 26, at DTE, hometown hero Danny Brown joins a stacked lineup that includes acclaimed New York rapper A$AP Rocky, Odd Future leader Tyler, the Creator, and rising West Coast emcee Vince Staples. The outdoor concert season is almost over, so be sure to catch this one before you spend the rest of the year wrapped up for warmth indoors. Tickets range from $25 to $75. Get them here before they sell out.
For more information on the “Rocky and Tyler” fall tour, please visit the event’s official website.