Alan Jackson, Guided by Voices and more (photo roundup)

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Fittingly, country star Alan Jackson opened his tour stop on Saturday at the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids with his classic “Gone Country.”

In fact, cowboy hats and boots were everywhere – on stage and in the audience – at Saturday’s concert, which also featured opening acts Lee Ann Womack and James Carothers.

Jackson also delivered fitting renditions of “Summertime Blues,” “Chasin’ That Neon Rainbow,” “Country Boy,” “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere,” and “Good Time” that reflected the mood of the season and the feelings of the fans.

Of course, “good time” could also describe the spirit of other live music events in the region, from Jackson’s punk and metal-focused Havoc Fest To Yonder Mountain String Bands Bluegrass attack at Paw Paw’s Warner Vineyards to Indie Rock’s Guided by voices’ Fan-friendly appearance at Bell’s Brewery Beer Garden in Kalamazoo.

The setting: YMSB at Warner Vineyards. (Photo/Derek Ketchum)

The first day of Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. took place in Grand Rapids. Return to the River Festival took place under sunny skies at Sixth Street Bridge Park and other locations along the Grand River at the north end of downtown, featuring numerous bands and artists including Banda El Bajio, Brie Stoner, The Hacky Turtles and more. The festival runs until 8 p.m. today (Sunday). Watch the video below and get the schedule online at Local Spins.

This week also saw a benefit for May tornado victims hosted by Sounds of the Zoo at Bell’s Brewery Eccentric Cafe on Thursday, raising money for the Community Urgent Relief Fund. Writer Cassandra Kipp summed up the event as follows:

Two-dollar billsa Strokes cover band organized by the Kalamazoo Academy of Rock, had the ’90s aesthetic down pat: weird instruments, dingy hair and flannel shirts, and a nerdy sensibility. They channeled the Strokes’ optimistic sadness with skill and depth, delighting the crowd and holding their attention with captivating favorite songs.

The Nathan Moore affair offered everything from stadium rock to feel-good pop rock and sexy R&B to aching but still sexy R&B, with a crisp, earthy, grounded sound. POTUS and the Cabinet ended the evening with cover versions from the 70s to the 2010s, which exuded a playful, understated style.

Overall, the benefit show showed the community’s willingness to support one another and learn more about themselves. You can donate to the relief fund online here. The third annual Sounds of the Zoo festival will be held in Kalamazoo in late September. Learn more here.

Browse photos from all the shows below.

PHOTO GALLERY: Alan Jackson at Van Andel Arena
Photos by Eric Stoike