ARTICLE: SEPTEMBER 21ST, 2024

The Musical Story of Detroit: From Motown to Modern Sounds

Detroit, Michigan, often referred to as the "Motor City," is equally renowned as a vital hub of American music history. The city has played an influential role in shaping various music genres, including Motown, jazz, punk rock, and techno. This exploration of Detroit's musical journey delves into its historical context, key artists, significant movements, and the current state of its music scene.

1. Historical Context: The Roots of Detroit's Music

A. The Early Years: Jazz and Blues

B. The Birth of Motown

C. Key Motown Artists

2. The Evolution of Detroit’s Music Scene

A. The Impact of the 1960s and 1970s

B. The Rise of Rock and Punk

C. Key Artists in Rock and Punk

3. The Birth of Techno and Electronic Music

A. The Detroit Techno Scene

B. The Evolution of Techno

C. Key Artists in Techno

4. Contemporary Music Scene in Detroit

A. Revival and Resilience

B. Diversity of Genres

C. Key Contemporary Artists

5. Current Trends and the Future of Detroit Music

A. Technological Influence

B. Festivals and Events

C. Grassroots Movements

6. Conclusion: Detroit’s Enduring Musical Legacy

Detroit’s musical story is one of resilience, innovation, and cultural richness. From the soulful melodies of Motown to the pulsating beats of techno, the city has shaped not only American music but also global soundscapes. Today, as new artists emerge and genres continue to evolve, Detroit remains a vital force in the music industry.

As the city celebrates its musical heritage while embracing contemporary trends, the future looks bright for Detroit’s vibrant music scene. With a strong community spirit and a commitment to fostering talent, Detroit is poised to continue its legacy as a cornerstone of American music.


THURSDAY

November 12th

Afton Presents: Bleu Nightclub 8 PM · BLEU DETROIT

Old Main Records Artist String Collab Ft. ABI 7:30 PM · Online Event

Nashville Nights 9 PM · Tin Roof Detroit

Caravan Gypsy at London Chop House 6 PM · The London Chop House

FRIDAY

November 13th

Dead Friday 8 PM · Tangent Gallery

Henry Brooks - Open to Close at the Magic Stick 9:30 PM · Magic Stick

MYB (with opener) 8:30 PM · Cadieux Cafe

SATURDAY

November 14th

Gaby Hemlok w/ Crystal & Harkati at The Magic Stick 9:30 PM · Magic Stick

TRANSCEND 6 PM · Tangent Gallery

LADIES FLAVORZ NIGHT  10 PM · BLEU DETROIT

M!X Celebration Saturdays (Land & Sea Edition) 7 PM · MIX Bricktown

SUNDAY

November 15th

SOUL SUNDAYS: HOUSE, RnB & 90'S HIP HOP 10 PM  · BLEU DETROIT

Jazzy Sundays Jam Session Hosted By Sky Covington 8 PM · Woodbridge Pub

The KEG Band 6:30 PM - Cadieux Cafe

THURSDAY

October 29th

House Bash 8:30 PM - Magic Stick

LET THE SPOOKS BEGIN 10 PM  -BLEU DETROIT

Karaoke at at The Agitated Grape is back! 7:30 PM - Sweet Season

FRIDAY

October 30th

Dead Friday 7 PM - Tangent Gallery

Halloween(Samhain) Gathering 2020 11:11 AM - Martin Luther King Park

FREAKS COME OUT AT NIGHT 2020 10 PM - Club Dream

Devil's Night w/ Qlank, Elemnt & Klees, and Mona Black  9:30 PM - Magic Stick

Hot House Fridays: Halloween Housin' 8 8 PM - club n.e.p.

SATURDAY

October 31st

HALLOWEEN at the TANGENT 7 PM - Tangent Gallery

Halloween Night w/ Johnny Malek & Friends 8 PM - Magic Stick

Deep in the Cut Halloween 2 PM - Dequindre Cut Freight Yard

Detroit Love @ TV Lounge 8 PM - TV Lounge

SUNDAY

November 1st

House of Vogue Detroit: Halloween Edition! 10 PM - Tangent Gallery

The Blacklight Ball 8 PM - club n.e.p.

Deep in the Cut Halloween 12 AM - Dequindre Cut Freight Yard

DAY OF THE DEAD 2020 - All Souls' Celebration 10 PM - Club Dream 

THURSDAY

October 22nd

House Bash 8:30 PM - Magic Stick

First Place Lounge Weekly Open Jam & Jamaican BBQ 9 PM - First Place Lounge

Detroit Jazz Festival All-Stars: American Songbook II A Taste of Havana  7 PM - Dirty Dog Jazz Cafe


FRIDAY

October 23rd

City Air Freak or Treat at The Magic Stick 9:30 PM - Magic Stick

Beanstalk's "La Discotheque" at Tangent w/ DJBatz and Tetra! 6 PM - Tangent Gallery / Hastings Street Ballroom ·

AceMyth w/ Taylor Jordan & TekNoNo 9 PM - The Grasshopper

The Whiskey Charmers 7 PM - Detroit Shipping Company


SATURDAY

October 24th

Haunted House (Halloween Costume Party) 9 PM - Magic Stick

SAINTS & SINNERS - Halloween Party 10 PM - Trust Cocktails, Shareables, Nightlife

PURGE DETROIT: HALLOWEEN COSTUME PARTY 10 PM - BLEU DETROIT

Reggae 'N Rum: The Street Vibes 9 PM - Thomas Magee's

SUNDAY

October 25th

SOUL SUNDAYS: HOUSE, RnB & 90'S HIP HOP 10 PM - BLEU DETROIT

Halloween Party-Sada Baby Live 8 PM - The Garden Theater

#SOUNDOFFSUNDAYS Open Mic Series presents Kyle Mack 8 PM - HighlyMedicated LLC Detroit


THURSDAY

September 24th

DVD City at Tangent Gallery!  8 Pm - Tangent Gallery 

Electric Garden Thursdays 7 PM -  Woodbridge Pub

House Bash 8:30 PM - Magic Stick

Another Way To Pray 5 PM - The Congregation 

FRIDAY

September 25th

Earth Below Us / Wolfgang Chuck at the U.I.O. 4 PM - Universe Building

SHERIF - Open to Close on The Alley Deck 9:30 PM - Magic Stick

Reggae 'N Rum: The Street Vibes 8 PM - Thomas Magee's

Summer Breeze: Finale @ Bert's wsg Kelly Holmes 7 PM - Bert's Market Place

SATURDAY

September 26th

Deep in the Cut 12 PM - Dequindre Cut

E-40 + DJ Quik + Tha Dogg Pound | Concert in Detroit 8 PM - Fox Theatre

GROWTH'' Universal Celebration of Life 4 PM - The Corner Ballpark

Grooving Violation Band 7 PM - Cadieux Cafe

SUNDAY

September 27th

Andy Ford Presents: The EqualKnocks 6 PM - Tangent Gallery


THURSDAY

March 12th

Little Big Town: Nightfall Tour 8 PM · Fox Theatre

Gaelic Storm at Saint Andrew's Hall 8:30 PM · Saint Andrew's Hall

Mix Thursdays 9 PM · MIX Bricktown 

Tv Dinners: RVP, ADMN and B. Zook 9 PM · TV Lounge

Big Ray & The Motor City Kings 8 PM · Max Dugans 

FRIDAY

March 13th

Blunts & Blondes - The Hot Box Tour - Detroit, MI 7 PM · The Majestic 

TRAP Karaoke: Detroit 8 PM · The Garden Theater Detroit

The RaveG0DS Birthday Banger 10 PM · HQ Lounge

Every Time I Die w/ Guerrilla Warfare, Sanction & More 6 PM · Magic Stick

HouseParty 9 PM · Marble Bar

SATURDAY

March 14th

The 14th Annual Motor City Blues Festival 7 PM · Fox Theatre

Zac Brown Band: The Owl Tour 7 PM · Little Caesars Arena 

F2F Live at TV Lounge 9 PM · TV Lounge

Detroit Irish Fest in Corktown 12 PM · Detroit Irish Fest

Tchami at Russell Industrial - Detroit 9 PM · The Russell Industrial Center

SUNDAY

March 15th

It's Fakin Parade Day 12 PM · TV Lounge

Rockabilly Night at Mutiny! 8 PM · Mutiny Bar

Fit For A King with Chelsea Grin, Crystal Lake & Alpha Wolf 6 PM · Saint Andrew's Hall

Origin, Beneath the Massacre and Defeated Sanity at The Sanctuary 6 PM · Sanctuary Detroit

Parade Day with Black Murray 2 PM · Nancy Whiskey's Detroit

FRIDAY

February 28st

Hamtramck Music Fest 2020 8 PM

Funk Night  9 PM · Marble Bar

Mgun Live PA / DJ Pia / Gustav Brovold 10 PM · Leland City Club

HMF Night 1 The Stools/ The Hand/ Zilched/Jo Rad Silver  8 PM · Outer Limits Lounge

Havana Nights in Motown at Bakers Keyboard  8:30 PM

RISE: Buzz Goree  10 PM · Deluxx Fluxx

Suck It! w/ Prim (Live), Scott Z    10 PM · UFO FACTORY

Fur Coat  9 PM · The Tangent Gallery

Rube Goldberg: Split E.P. Debut | Paranorm // Plan Z // Module B    7 PM · Art of Armageddon 


SATURDAY

February 29th

Hamtramck Music Fest 2020 8 PM

Bernie Fundraiser  9 PM · Marble

Sturgill Simpson: A Good Look'n Tour with Tyler Childers 7:30 PM · Detroit Masonic Temple 

The Cowboys-The Beauticians-Toeheads 9 PM · UFO FACTORY

Leap Year Neosoul Explosion        8 PM · Music Hall

Dominican Independence Bash Rehab Latin Saturdays     10 PM · El Salpicon

Lion Of Cambridge Appreciation Dance  9 PM

Late Nights at Savant w/ Powdrblu 11 PM · Savant Midtown

Ryan Hurd: Platonic Tour 2020 at 7 PM · Saint Andrew's Hall 

Mija w/ HANA at The Shelter      10 PM · Saint Andrew's Hall 

THURSDAY

February 20th  

Album release party Thu 7 PM EST · The Garden Theater Detroit

The Barley Brothers at Sips and Shenanigans! Thu 5:30 PM EST · The Library at the Detroit Club

American Nightmare Anniversary Tour at the Magic Stick Thu 8 PM EST · Magic Stick

The LIVEing Room Presents: The Get Down Thu 6 PM EST · Willis Show Bar

The Vibe: A DOPE OPEN MIC XPERIENCE Thu 7 PM EST · MusicTown Detroit

FRIDAY

February 21st

A-Trak Fri 10 PM EST · Leland City Club

Carl Henry at Bert's Warehouse Fri 8 PM EST · Bert's Entertainment Complex-Detroit

The Return of Ska Night Fri 9 PM EST · Thomas Magee's

Aquarius vs Pisces Fri 9 PM EST · TV Lounge

Sean Forbes Live At Third Man Records Cass Corridor Fri 7 PM EST · Third Man Records Cass Corridor

SATURDAY

February 22nd

GLOW with BEVLOVE 2/22 at DLXX FLXX Sat 10 PM EST · Deluxx Fluxx

Mardi Gras Celebration with Louisiana Creole Gumbo Sat 7 PM EST · Detroit Vineyards

Kuniva & Swifty Mcvay of D12 "My Brothers Keeper" Album Release Sat 9 PM EST · The Grasshopper Underground 

The Detroit Cobras with Easy Action at El Club on 2/22 Sat 9 PM EST · El Club 

SUNDAY

February 23rd

Swoon for the Moon featuring Jay Brown & Artt Harris Sun 7:30 PM EST · 2126 Pierce

Sunday Revival // JKriv [Brooklyn] & Peter Croce Sun 9 PM EST · MotorCity Wine

Anna of the North at The Shelter Sun 6 PM EST · Saint Andrew's Hall

The Satin Doll Revue ft.Ella Fitzgerald Stars Chelly K Sun 6:30 PM EST · Tangent Gallery / Hastings Street Ballroom

THURSDAY

February 13th  

TYVEK DJs - Kevin and Shells 9 PM · UFO Factory

Queensryche 7 PM · Saint Andrew's Hall

Symptoms Of Love Release Party 9 PM · Marble Bar

Asukar - Downtown Celebration of Culture 8 PM · The Brakeman 

The Look: Tunnel of Love Edition with Father Dukes + Ladylike 10 PM · Deluxx Fluxx

FRIDAY

February 14th

Dom Flemons at the Detroit Institute of Arts 6 PM · Detroit Institute of Arts

Detroit Love - 12 Hour Party 9 PM · Marble Bar

Bloody Valentine’s w JOSIE PACE / Cashforgold / VAZUM 9 PM · Leland City Club

VALENTINE GLOW 10 PM · BLEU DETROIT

CUPIDS JUKEBOX 9 PM · Detroit Shipping Company

Emo Valentines with Treeskin, Tryancareagain, & Spring Training 8 PM · PJ's Lager House

Trap, Drank N' Paint Valentine's Day Edition 7 PM · AMPPD Productionz

SATURDAY

February 15th

That Was Fun Presents: Vlahnik 10 PM · The Whiskey Disco

Cupids Last Dance 5 PM · Corktown Tavern

Emo Night Brooklyn: Detroit 8 PM · Saint Andrew's Hall

Christian Martin + Worthy (Dirtybird) 10 PM · Leland City Club

The New Colossus 8 PM · Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts

SUNDAY

February 16th

Lingerie Open- Mic Dance 7 PM · House of Kuumba

Loyalty Over Money Concert 9 PM · BLEU DETROIT

The New Colossus 3 PM · Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts 

Longwave 2/16 | The Underground at DIME 7 PM · The Underground at DIME 

THURSDAY

February 6th  

The DayNites & Funkwagon + Deejay 6 PM Willis Show Bar

Bone Thugs- N-Harmony 8 PM· Sound Board

Chance The Rapper - 7 PM LCA

The Moth: Love Hurts 7 PM Marble

Traffic Light Party 10 PM  MIX Bricktown

Piano singalong, German Karneval on Friday 6:30 PM· Dakota Inn Rathskeller

The Look: LADYMONIX 10 PM· Deluxx Fluxx

Karaoke Thursdays on Shantasy Island! 9 PM · Mutiny Bar 

SATURDAY

February 8th

Tasha Lord Trio 7 PM · The London Chop House

The Verve Pipe with Domestic Problems 8 PM· Saint Andrew's

Mortal Soul, Stomp Rockets, TinoG's DumpsterMachine, The Strains 8 PM

Winter Blast 2020 Cast Iron Cornbread 7 PM· Campus Martius Park

Zen Zadravec Quintet Sat 9:30 PM Cliff Bells

Raye Williams at Winter Blast 5:30 PM

Sugar Tradition, Ounce of Love, Asphalt Flowers, Beach Daisy  8PM· PJ's Lager House

Bob Marley Bash 8 PM· Thomas Magee's

THE SECRET GARDEN 10 PM · Deluxx Fluxx

Industrial Detroit - Enduser  10 PM · Leland City Club


SUNDAY

February 9th

The Brandon Williams Band 11:30 AM · The Apparatus Room

Roddy Ricch - The Anti Social Tour 7 PM · Saint Andrew's Hall 

8th Dimension // Esshaki - King Saaidi Sun 2 AM · Downtown Detroit 

Sara Marie Barron at Winter Blast Sun 1 PM

Allee Willis Tribute Party Sun 2 PM· Eastern Market Shed 5

Lou Ramo's NIGHT OF A THOUSAND SUNGLASSES! 9 PM EST · Deluxx Fluxx 


THURSDAY

January 30th  

PROBE v4 9 PM· UFO FACTORY 

Stephanie Mills Live In Concert   8 PM · Sound Board 

Sky Covington sings Jazz at the London Chop House 6:30 PM

Dustin Lynch: Stay Country Tour 6:30 PM · The Fillmore

Sensai x JuJu / The Long Stairs / Asklepius 8 PM· PJ's Lager House 

Holly and the Johnnies, The Dapper DJ & Nate Shaw 6 PM· Willis Show Bar



FRIDAY

January 31st

R&B ONLY 8:30 PM · Saint Andrew's Hall 

Broken Arrow @ Nancy Whiskey 9:29 PM · Nancy Whiskey's 

Sonic Blizzard 2: 2020 Vizionz      7 PM · Tangent Gallery

Cadieux Presents: Barbara Payton & Kurzawa Group play Zeppelin  9 PM 

Music Hall Presents Russian National Ballet 8 PM

Andy Adamson Quintet 9:30 PM Cliff Bell's

SATURDAY

February 1st

George DeLancey at Cliff Bells 9:30 PM

Charivari Detroit 2020 PreParty 9 PM

The All New Rehab Latin 10 PM El Salpicon Detroit 

Poppy at The Majestic 7 PM

THRICE - Vheissu 15th Anniversary Tour at 6 PM EST · Saint Andrew's Hall 

Golec Uorkiestra A Unique Concert 7 PM EST · Sweetest Heart Of Mary Catholic Church

Umphrey's McGee w/The New Deal - 6 PM EST · The Fillmore 

Defiled City Club | Guest DJ Saint 10 PM EST · Leland City Club 

Marble Bar & Paxahau present: Octo Octa b2b Eris Drew  9 PM

SUNDAY

February 2nd

Positively Piano 3 PM · Detroit Symphony Orchestra

Lavender 9 PM · Deluxx Fluxx

Sessa | In Dark Trees 8 PM · Trinosophes 

Super Bowl Potluck Party 6 PM · Outer Limits Lounge

Wayne State Jazz Big Band Benefit Concert 3 PM 



FRIDAY

January 24th

Dinner Show: Barker & Broski 5:30PM  PJ's Lager House

Suck It! w/ Shells (Live) 10 PM · UFO FACTORY

The Music of Louis Armstrong     8PM · DSO

The Kelly Jean Caldwell Band / Country Westerns / Connor Dodson 8 PM · Outer Limits

Leafar Village 9 PM · MotorCity Wine

Teddy Roberts & The Mouths / Castle Black / Float Here Forever  9 PM · The Old Miami

SATURDAY

January 25th

Rabbit Ears EP Release with The Flipsters & Ladyship Warship 8 PM · PJ's Lager House

Half Moon Run, Taylor Janzen      7 PM · El Club

Frank McComb 8 PM · Aretha's Jazz Café

Anthony David, 7 PM · Tangent Gallery

Jordan Davis at 7 PM · The Majestic 

The Go Rounds / Chris Bathgate / Breathe Owl Breathe 7 PM · Magic Stick 

SUNDAY

January 26th

SNOOP DOGG - I Wanna Thank Me 7 PM · The Fillmore 

Melvin Davis at PJ's Lager House 5pm

Chaka Khan Live In Concert     7:30 PM · Sound Board 

Sunday Revival // Eddie Logix & Peter Croce 9 PM · MotorCity Wine

SATURDAY

January 18th

Paint Mingle Drink 8 PM

The Vinyl Years 8 PM DSO

Party Matrix with Pete Rock 9 PM MOCAD

The Almost - If I Believed You       6 PM · Saint Andrew's Hall

 A Winter Songwriter Night 8 PM Eastern Market Brewing Co 

Mix Bricktown Turn Up 7 PM

Danny VanZandt, Hung Up, Robert Navarre, Maggie May 8 PM Corktown Tavern

SUNDAY

January 19th

Hockeytown Winterfest 11 AM· Little Caesars Arena

WSU Jazz Jam at Cliff Bell's 4 PM

 Ashanti Live In Concert 7:30 PM Sound Board

Sound Odyssey #9: Jay Daniel 9 PM UFO FACTORY

 Tokyo Nights 9 PM · Deluxx Fluxx

Haute to Death 10 PM 

THURSDAY

December 12th  

Kissmas at the Outer Limits 8 PM

MGUN / dj venmo / mike medow  9 PM · Marble Bar 

Honky Tonks: Courtney Hurley/Mike Galbraith/Carson & Marlon  8 PM · Cadieux Cafe

Tuck & Patti  8 PM · Aretha's 

The Marcus King Band - El Dorado Tour  7 PM · Saint Andrew's Hall

SATURDAY

December 14th 

Home for the Holidays - Ugly Christmas Sweater Silent Disco    7 PM · Beacon Park Detroit 

Soulful Saturdays 8 PM · Cutz 

The Caleb Roberts Band 7 PM · Detroit Shipping Company 

Wajatta (Reggie Watts x John Tejada) at 9:30 PM · Magic Stick

Nothing Elegant 10 PM · The Old Miami

FACE 2 FACE at the Cadieux Cafe  9 PM · Cadieux Cafe 

Handel's Messiah 8 PM · Detroit Symphony Orchestra

SUNDAY

December 15th 

Trap Kitchen "Feed The World" Tour - Detroit  7 PM · Views Bar 

Madball + The Old Firm Casuals at 6:30 PM · Magic Stick 

Eminent Vibrations at 5 PM · Baker's Keyboard Lounge 

Music Hall Presents A Very Electric Christmas 4 PM

A Winter Fantasy Concert 4 PM · Michigan Opera Theatre 

Not So Silent Night 10 PM · Tangent Gallery

GRiZMAS 2019 8 PM · The Detroit Masonic Temple

THURSDAY

December 5th 

Laura Mendoza live in concert 8:30 PM · Spread Art

Bryan McPherson / Lisboa / Timmy Reynolds  7 PM · PJ's Lager

Detroit- Corey Harris and Todd Albright  7:30 PM · Third Man

Michael Malis and Common Tongue at Cliff Bell's 8 PM 

Jeff Dean and Friends 6 PM     Willis Show Bar

Dru Hill and Color Me Badd 8 PM · Sound Board 

The Look: LADYMONIX 10 PM · Deluxx Fluxx 

Honky Tonk Thursdays The Dolly Partners  8:30 PM · Cadieux Cafe 

SATURDAY

December 7th 

Detroit, the House of Techno 3 Year Anniversary: Octave One live 9 PM · Marble Bar 

Green Velvet Presents: La La Land 8 PM · The Russell Industrial Center

Late Nights w/ Jorisssen B2B Ross Regs  11 PM · Savant Midtown

Noel Nite at DSC

2nd Annual F.O.T.D.: Hot Toddies & Hot Chocolate 6 PM · Starter's Bar 

DETROIT LOVE feat. Carl Craig A2A Luciano  9:30 PM · Magic Stick 

No Limit Reunion Tour 7 PM · The Detroit Masonic Temple 

Trio Escobar 10 PM · La Casa


SATURDAY

November 23rd

Ricky Rat concert, Livia Cocchi art. 7 PM · Spread Art 

Marble Bar presents: OMAR S / John FM / Ataxia  9 PM

BLACK KNIFE with Anguish, Shroud and Body Farm 9 PM · Outer Limits Lounge

Ardalan Mr. Good Album Tour at TV Lounge  9 PM · TV Lounge

LL7 Latin Jazz at The Cube 10 PM · Fisher Music Center

GLOW with Bevlove + Black Noi$e 10 PM · Deluxx Fluxx

Detroit Mega Blues Festival 7 PM · The Detroit Masonic Temple

Mac Ayres at El Club 8 PM

Liquid Dancehall presents Ternion Sound10 PM · Menjos Complex 

THURSDAY

November 14th

Honky Tonk Thursdays John Holk  8 PM · Cadieux Cafe

Chantae Cann, Live at 7 PM · Tangent Gallery 

King Diamond: North American Tour 6 PM · The Fillmore 

90s R&Bat Willis Show Bar 6 PM

Jazz At The Lounge Is Back! 7 PM · Cutz Lounge Grooming Shop

696 Lanes (live) / Andra + Medow dj 9 PM · Marble Bar



SATURDAY

November 16th

Domo Wilson 6 PM · Saint Andrew's Hall

Thollem with projections by ACVilla | Lumino 8 PM · Trinosophes 

Barbed Magazine Fall Launch Party 8 PM · Outer Limits Lounge

Caravan Gypsy back at The Whisky Parlor ! 9 PM 

Sophiyah E. Live at DSC 7 PM

Trapeton: Rehab Latin Saturdays Fall 2019 Nov 16 - Nov 18 · El Salpicon Detroit

Motor City Soul Club: November Soul Stomp 9 PM · Marble Bar

Maybe Tonight 9 PM · MotorCity Wine