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Ann Arbor is a lively city filled with creative minds and numerous fun opportunities to hear from local musicians. Whether that is on campus from students studying at the U-M School of Music, Theatre, and Dance (SMTD), students just sharing their own passion for music, or off-campus performances at local establishments, all of these options highlight Ann Arbor's talent! There are so many ways to support our art community, many of which are low cost or even free!

Tune Into Live Music Within the University

SMTD hosts frequent performances and events showcasing what our peers have been working on. Many of these events are free of charge and a great way to not only enjoy live music but also support our fellow Wolverines. These performances include solo acts such as vocalists or violinists, as well as ensembles and orchestras. A full list of upcoming events and tickets can be found on the SMTD website’s Performances and Events page.

In addition, the University of Michigan campus is home of the Charles Baird Carillon inside of the Burton Memorial Tower on Central Campus and the Ann and Robert H. Lurie Carillon inside the Lurie Tower on North Campus. On weekdays while classes are in session, thirty minute recitals take place often done by different musicians locally. It is a fascinating experience as the carillon, composed of bronze bells played via a keyboard and pedalboard, is such a unique musical instrument that’s not found everywhere. It is completely free to attend and a great way to build a sense of community while immersing yourself in the brilliant sound.

Lastly, the University Musical Society (UMS) hosts numerous events. Many of these events are hosted at different venues, some on campus at Hill Auditorium while others are a slight commute off campus. They host a large variety of events and musical performances from different genres. An important part of the UMS is their representation of different cultures, adding so much to the Ann Arbor community. UMS prides itself on allowing artists to express themselves creatively and giving the community a place to connect and be present. Although many of these events are ticketed, they have discounted student pricing available and provide unique experiences for all.

Venture Around the City To Support Local Artists 

There are so many places in Ann Arbor that host live music and open mic nights. Some of these places include The Ark, The Blind Pig, MASH, Blue Llama Jazz Club, and more.

One of my personal favorites is the North Star Lounge located on North Fifth Avenue. The North Star Lounge hosts a combination of ticketed concerts, free concerts/happy hours, and open mic nights. The fun and vibrant lounge is open to all ages and is known for its inclusivity and welcoming atmosphere. They represent all music genres and host various tailored events such as LGBTQ nights. They regularly host happy hours with free admission to support local musicians. It is a great place to go with friends and family, the vegan bar has food and drinks available as well, making for a great activity and way to support Ann Arbor musicians.

That being said, attending a free happy hour means the musician is likely sharing their gift with you for free! It is always a good idea to show your support by tipping or purchasing merchandise from the artist. Another great aspect of the North Star Lounge is they allow you to tip the artist on your device as you order food/drinks!

Attend Ann Arbor’s Festivals

Ann Arbor is known for its various festivals and representation of all interests throughout the city. Many of these festivals are either centered around music or include musical components throughout the festival. Music specific festivals include the Ann Arbor Music Festival in May at the Blind Pig, the Ann Arbor Folk Festival at the Ark in January, the Down on Main Street Music Festival focusing on Americana/rock music or Make Music Ann Arbor in June at the Ann Arbor District Library. That being said, the Ann Arbor Summer Festival has musical performances from local artists. These events are a great way to experience a variety of music genres and become enriched in the Ann Arbor community. Plus many are free or have discounted tickets for students.

Have Fun and Be Kind!

When attending any of these wonderful events it is important to be respectful, remember how much work the artists put into their performances, and that they chose to share their talents with the community, often for free! If you are interested in learning more, the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts offers the course “Inside the Local Music Community” taught by composer, music scholar, and arts administrator, Garrett Schumann. This course dives deeper into the Ann Arbor music community and allows you to hear from local musicians themselves.