March Madness: SXSW & Michigan’s Top 12 concerts

Musical Month: March roars like a lion when it comes to concerts, events and celebrations. (Courtesy Photos/Local Spins)

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It’s the month that officially signals the end of winter, the start of spring, the celebration of St. Patrick’s Day and the commemoration of several anniversaries.

March took a little time to come in like a lion but the ups-and-downs of temps and precipitation the next few weeks will certainly have us crossing our fingers that it goes out like lamb by March 31.

Of course, the real March Madness — aside from college basketball hoopla — comes in Austin, Texas, where the mammoth South by Southwest Music Festival and Conference takes place March 12-18, with thousands of performers playing countless venues and industry showcases across the city, including the likes of Jack Johnson, Alanis Morissette, The All-American Rejects, Ty Dolla $ign and St. Vincent.

Michigan once again will be well represented at SXSW, with dozens of bands and solo artists performing at the global music destination. That includes an official Detroit Hip-Hop Showcase at Riveria in Austin with Neisha Neshae, B Free, Asaka the Renegade, 2Down, Demaciiio, Golden Boy Noel, Que the Boy, South North Southwest and DJ Beastie on the bill.

Of course, that’s not nearly all. Other Michigan acts in Austin will include the Detroit-area roots rock and Americana act The Gasoline Gypsies and Clawson country singer Jacki Daniels — both of whom play Lamberts on March 18, presented by Austin Rhythm Revival. Michigan’s Yoshi Vintage, Bruiser Wolf, Mark Cooper, Willy J Peso and more will perform at SXSW, too. View the full schedule and search for artists online here.

Amid all that, there are plenty of musical options for concertgoers to consider back in Michigan this month. Our “Don’t-Miss Dozen” just scratches the surface when it comes to bracing live music, so check out our complete Concert Calendar here for more shows to entice you.

SUNDAY (March 8)

Our Lady Peace, The Verve Pipe at GLC Live at 20 Monroe – One of Canada’s most successful alt-rock bands brings its 30th anniversary tour to Grand Rapids, with Michigan’s own The Verve Pipe getting the night started.
Tickets: https://www.ticketmaster.com/our-lady-peace-30th-anniversary-tour-grand-rapids-michigan-03-08-2026/event/080063847F7641B4
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BY1pPX7o7W0
Website: https://www.ourladypeace.com/

Winter Jam at Van Andel Arena – The annual wintertime Christian music tour with Matthew West, Katy Nichole, Anne Wilson, Disciple, Hulvey and more returns to Grand Rapids’ Van Andel Arena. The tour also hits Ypsilanti later this month. Admission is $15 at the door, with doors opening at 4 p.m.
Local Spins Story/Preview: https://localspins.com/blown-away-by-winter-jam-matthew-west-katy-nichole-more-set-for-michigan-tour-stops-local-spins/
Video: https://youtu.be/BquLbLcwrZU?si=ZvDYm9myzdnVtkb_

Shawn Colvin at St. Cecilia Music Center – The acclaimed, Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Shawn Colvin returns to St. Cecilia Music Center for its Acoustic Café Folk Series at 7 p.m. Sunday. (Colvin also plays The Ark in Ann Arbor tonight. Ark details/tickets here.)
Local Spins Story/Preview: https://localspins.com/shawn-colvin-honored-to-play-international-womens-day-concert-at-st-cecilia-local-spins/
Tickets: https://scmc.my.salesforce-sites.com/ticket/#/instances/a0FUL00000easKf2AI
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kMPEn7XNWU
Website: https://www.shawncolvinmusic.com/

MARCH 11

ERNEST at The Intersection in Grand Rapids – With a new single, “Boat Named After You,” the emerging country singer follows up his Grand Rapids appearance with a tour stop March 13 at The Fillmore in Detroit.
Tickets: https://sectionlive.com/event/ernest-live-from-the-south-tour/the-intersection/grand-rapids-michigan/
Website/Videos: https://ernestofficial.com/

MARCH 12

Randy Travis at Frauenthal Center in Muskegon – Multi-award-winning, country music legend Randy Travis, with opening act James Dupre, will perform at the Frauenthal Center for the Performing Arts in Muskegon. The”More Life” tour features Travis’ longtime touring band for the first time on tour since before the singer’s stroke in 2013.
Tickets: https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/73351223/randy-travismore-life-tour-muskegon-frauenthal-theater-at-frauenthal-center
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azCEpoYLxeg
Website: https://www.randytravis.com/

MARCH 14 (ST. PATRICK’S DAY CELEBRATIONS)

Irish Off Ionia at Calder Plaza and The Irish Remedy Event in Grand Rapids’ Monroe North District – The giant St. Patrick’s Day party on Calder Plaza has expanded for 2026 with sets by Motherfolk, The Go rounds, Belfast Gin, Crossbow, Ironwood, Trixy Tang, DJ Malky, Drew Alkema and more, with the event running from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Meanwhile, downtown GR’s Monroe North district hosts its own celebration of Irish music dubbed “The Irish Remedy” (SpeakEZ Lounge, Garage Bar, Chicago Beef Joint, Silva, Brickyard Tavern) with DJs and live music on the main stage, GR & District Pipe Band roaming the area, local vendors and more. Admission is free. Of course, Quinn & Tuite’s Irish Pub in Grand Rapids and watering holes across the state will celebrate heartily with live music and Irish-propelled events all weekend and through March 17.
Irish Off Ionia Tickets/Website: https://irishoffionia.com/
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UOFoCGmV2E
Irish Remedy Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1961494474403255/
Video: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ZFKOgz9qm7Q

MARCH 20-21

Lots of Frets: The Kalamazoo Fretboard Festival (Photo/Derek Ketchum)

The Kalamazoo Fretboard Festival at Kalamazoo Valley Museum – This action-packed, free-admission festival returns to Kalamazoo Valley Museum with blues-rocker Billy Davis on Friday night and sets by Gemini, Cold Mountain Child, Kalamazoo Mandolin & Guitar Orchestra and more on Saturday, with displays, jam sessions, guitar vendors and more. Local Spins will also be on hand to chat with attendees.
Website: https://kalamazoomuseum.org/events/21st-annual-kalamazoo-fretboard-festival#schedule
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQcB12xU_LM&t=29s

MARCH 22

John Jorgenson Bluegrass Band at Holland’s Park Theatre – The legendary Jorgenson (Desert Rose Band, Hellecasters) brings his super-group to West Michigan for a show at Park Theatre in Holland.
Tickets: https://parktheatreholland.ludus.com/index.php?show_id=200500913
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnMeTD4admw
Website: https://johnjorgenson.com/

MARCH 26

Sam Bush at St. Cecilia Music Center – Speaking of bluegrass, multi-award-winning mandolinist Sam Bush returns to St. Cecilia Music Center with his top-shelf band.
Tickets: https://www.scmcgr.org/concerts/sam-bush-2026
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrwXQLoufEU
Local Spins Story: https://localspins.com/mandolin-whiz-sam-bush-builds-on-bluegrass-tradition-with-modern-flair-positive-energy-local-spins/

MARCH 27

Blues Triple-Header – Blues lovers will have tough choices to make with three iconic blues artists performing the same night: The Robert Cray Band at GLC Live at 20 Monroe in Grand Rapids, Anthony Gomes at The Intersection’s Stache and harmonica player/singer John Nemeth at Park Theatre in Holland
Tickets for Robert Cray: https://www.ticketmaster.com/the-robert-cray-band-grand-rapids-michigan-03-27-2026/event/08006428B6F04DA2
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohLHxyfnWUc
Tickets/Info for Anthony Gomes: https://sectionlive.com/event/anthony-gomes-praise-the-loud-tour/the-stache/grand-rapids-michigan/
Tickets for John Nemeth: https://parktheatreholland.org/

The Honeytones 40th Anniversary Celebration at SpeakEZ Lounge — One of Grand Rapids’ longest, continuously operating rock bands marks its 40th birthday with special guests and career-spanning original music and covers.
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yh9tW273cC0
Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/2033337953901123