Live music in Ann Arbor, MI

Chinese Football brings its Occupy The Absence Tour to the stage with a performance open to fans of all ages.

This event at Ann Arbor Farmers Market features an introductory Rueda de Casino class followed by Cuban music and social dancing. Donations are appreciated to support continued growth.

Cousin Curtiss delivers gritty Americana rock steeped in soul, now supercharged by the electric guitar firepower of Harrison B. Together they craft a huge, full-tilt sound with just two players, racing through bluesy passages at bluegrass clip, unleashing whirlwind acoustic guitar, searing harmonica, and high-energy solos, all locked to a driving kick drum pulse. Presented as part of The Ark’s Artist Spotlight Series with support from Ford Philanthropy, this performance is available in person and also via livestream on The Ark’s Facebook and YouTube channels. Admission is free, and nonperishable food donations are welcomed in support of Food Gatherers.

Devon Gilfillian brings the Time Will Tell tour, named for his third studio album shaped by life’s peaks and valleys. Recorded at Nashville’s RCA Studio A, the album was tracked live to tape with varispeed and mostly single-take vocals. He wrote and produced it with drummer Jonathan Smalt, with Neal H Pogue as executive producer, threading soul through a blend of rock, funk, and country while speaking openly about mistakes, vulnerability, perseverance, and gratitude. Jon Muq opens the show. Born in Uganda and now based in Austin, he blends African and western traditions, crafting songs as small gifts that invite reflection and resilience and connect with listeners in personal ways. His perspective spans early years marked by scarcity and a life in America, shaping music that seeks common ground for people in many circumstances. His debut album was made with producer Dan Auerbach, and he has toured with Billy Joel, Norah Jones, Mavis Staples, Amythyst Kiah, Corinne Bailey Rae, and others.

Pianist Barron Ryan presents a piano show that invites smiles, movement, and fresh discoveries all at once. Classic Meets Cool blends classical, jazz, and pop with brand new pieces shaped by country, soul, and funk, offering an easy entry point for listeners of every background, from kids and grandparents to the musically skeptical. The program moves from I Want You Back by the Jackson 5 arranged by B. C. P. Ryan and Nursery Rhymes arranged by B. C. P. Ryan to Suite Thing, Op. 2 by B. C. P. Ryan with its movements Out for Delivery, Purdie Please, If I Don’t See You Again, and Flash in the Pan, along with Happy by Pharrell Williams. After intermission, the spotlight turns to Suite Bergamesque, L. 75 by Claude Debussy featuring Clair de lune, followed by The Holberg Suite, Op. 40 by Edvard Grieg opening with Praeludium, James P. Johnson’s Snowy Morning Blues, My One and Only Love by Guy Wood arranged by D. Ryan, and Oscar Peterson’s Blues Etude. The aim is simple and joyful, revealing just how thrilling a single piano can be.

Paula Cole brings THIS FIRE: 30 to the stage, a special anniversary tour honoring three decades of her album This Fire. The Grammy-winning singer-songwriter, known for bold, genre-blending work that pairs personal storytelling with wide-reaching appeal, revisits the songs that connected with listeners around the world. At this concert she performs the album in full, adding fresh nuance and energy while respecting the spirit that first drew fans to the music. Expect an intimate and emotionally charged evening that reflects how her artistry has continued to evolve over time. THIS FIRE: 30 marks one of her most extensive tours in years, reaching more than fifty stops across the US, the UK, and Europe and celebrating the lasting connection this music forged with audiences. Presented with support from ann arbor's 107one. A limited VIP package is available. It includes one general admission ticket and an invitation to the pre-show soundcheck featuring a brief piano set of two to three songs and a Q&A. Guests also receive the official THIS FIRE: 30 zine, a commemorative laminate and lanyard, early entry to the venue, and the chance to shop merchandise before the doors open to the public. A formal meet and greet or posed photo is not included, though photos may be taken from the audience.

Elsa brings a live rendition of Let It Go to MilkShake Factory (Ann Arbor), followed by a dance lesson, games that get everyone moving, and storytime. Young fans will have the chance to meet and take photos with the Frozen queen, and costumes are welcome. Presented in partnership with Starbright Entertainment LLC and Milkshake Factory Ann Arbor.

Jervis Campbell performs at The Blind Pig with special guest Nathan Colberg. This all-ages show welcomes fans of every generation. Tickets will go on sale.

Two singular voices in Americana share the stage for an evening centered on storytelling and songcraft. Joe Pug brings raw, unvarnished narratives, a run of acclaimed releases beginning in 2008, and years of extensive touring across the United States and overseas. His writing has drawn comparisons to iconic artists and earned wide critical notice. Willie Watson traces his roots to the folk tradition, from formative teenage revelations in upstate New York to starting Old Crow Medicine Show with friends and collaborating over the years with David Rawlings and Gillian Welch. After two Folk Singer collections devoted to traditional repertoire, his new self-titled album presents original songs shaped by hard-won experience, alongside reverent takes on time honored pieces like Mole in the Ground and Stan Rogers’ Harris and the Mare. Together they offer a night of modern American roots music that honors tradition while pushing forward, delivered with grit, clarity, and heart.

An (Un-)Plugged benefit music open mic raising funds for UNICEF. Every donation collected supports UNICEF. CiaoDiPao welcomes newcomers with a first drink. An optional plug-in setup will be available using The Can street amp and several panels, so performers can play unplugged or plug in if they prefer. Musicians can sign up before the music begins.

The Dan Tyminski Band delivers a dynamic showcase of contemporary bluegrass led by a 14-time Grammy recipient and four-time International Bluegrass Music Association Male Vocalist of the Year. Dan Tyminski’s connection to live performance took root in childhood at New England fiddle contests, square dances, and festivals, and that early spark continues to fuel his stage presence. His voice is known worldwide as the singer behind George Clooney’s on-screen rendition of the Stanley Brothers classic I Am A Man of Constant Sorrow in the film O Brother, Where Art Thou, and as the vocalist on Avicii’s Hey Brother, which has surpassed a billion streams. In addition to those milestones, his solo work and years with Alison Krauss and Union Station have produced a wide range of award-winning music. A prolific songwriter, he has collaborated with Monty Criswell, Phillip Lammonds, Kristian Bush, Ashley Monroe, Chris Stapleton, and others. Recent performances with the Dan Tyminski Band have earned a strong following among bluegrass fans and appeal to listeners across genres, offering a high-energy set from a leading figure in modern bluegrass.