Hear Outstanding Live Music at these Unique Venues

Story by Michelle Fusco | Photos by MotorCity Casino Hotel

Naturally, Detroit’s legendary music scene comes with plenty of remarkable stages to host those epic performances.

Here’s a rundown of metro Detroit’s best indoor and outdoor concert venues.

  1. Every seat at Motor City Casino Hotel’s Sound Board theater offers incredible views of the stage. With advanced sound, lighting and video and a non-stop lineup of talent, it’s a sure bet for a great concert experience. Reserve the hotel’s “Sleep with the Band” package (show tickets and an overnight stay) so you’ll have a place to crash when the music stops.
  2. Where else but Chene Park can you enjoy an outdoor concert with the spectacular backdrop of the Detroit River? Featuring a Wednesday night summer jazz series.
  3. The Fillmore Detroit is still as elegant as when it first opened as a movie theater in 1925. Today, the nostalgic lobby boasts original chandeliers and posters of past big-name acts that have played there line the walls. It’s also the annual site of the annual Detroit Music Awards.
  4. Formerly the exclusive summer stage of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Meadow Brook Amphitheater now brings a variety of performers to the campus of Oakland University in Rochester Hills.
  5. The newly renamed Michigan Lottery Theater at Freedom Hill outdoor amphitheater in Sterling Heights re-opened in 2013 after $2 million in new technology and customer experience upgrades. The MGM Grand Detroit VIP Club is accessible to the public two hours after doors open. A great place to chill after the show.

    The Majestic Theatre
  6. There’s not a bad seat in the house at Macomb Center for the Performing Arts in Clinton Township. Macomb Center hosts shows and live events year-round and is also home to the Macomb Symphony Orchestra.When it opened more than a century ago on Woodward Avenue, The Majestic Theatre was the largest of its kind. It’s still going strong as the top concert venue of its size in the city.
  7. Summer of 2017 may be your last chance to see a show at The Palace of Auburn Hills, in light of the Detroit Piston’s move back downtown this fall. A handful of blockbuster shows are booked at the Palace through September, including The Weekend, Enrique Iglesias and Pit Bull, Bruno Mars, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill.
  8. Little Caesar’s Arena, the new home of the Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Pistons, opens this fall. The highly anticipated arena promises state-of-the-art technology, fan amenities and an outdoor plaza with a massive video wall.Naturally, a series of six concerts by Detroit’s favorite son Kid Rock will mark the grand opening, because there “ain’t no party like a Detroit party”. The powerhouse lineup for the inaugural year includes concerts by Ed Sheeran, Lady Gaga and Andrea Bocelli.
  9. Nothing screams summer in metro Detroit like a concert under the stars at DTE Energy Music Theatre. Pavilion seats provide shelter from the elements and up close views of your favorite bands. Or opt for budget-friendly lawn seats and hang with the party crowd on the hill; just remember to bring a blanket or short-legged beach chair and some bug spray. Kick off the fun with a tailgate in the parking lot before the show.
  10. The famed Saint Andrew’s Hall is Detroit’s most iconic music club. A Main Ballroom hosts the biggest acts, while The Shelter on the lower level is where Detroit rapper Eminem first started out. Check out the recently renovated Society Room, a plush, intimate lounge space on the club’s upper level.
  11. Order from a selection of more than 50 beers, then head to the back room to catch a show by local or national acts to see why Small’s in Hamtramck is consistently voted Detroit’s “Best Live Music Venue.” Open for events only.

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