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One of my favorite things about going to school in Ann Arbor is its proximity to Detroit, a hotspot for touring bands and artists. With the D2A2 bus service, I’ve been able to get from Detroit to Ann Arbor without a car on campus for super cheap ($12 round trip!) and see artists like Charli XCX, Olivia Rodrigo, and Flo Milli. Â
Having something to look forward to at the end of the week is one of the only reasons I’ve been able to stay afloat during winter semester when the wind chill is -5 and every step I take makes me feel like the Ann Arbor ice is gonna bring me down. Whether you’re into pop, rap, alternative, or even Trisha Paytas, I’ve compiled a list of artists coming to Detroit on tour you won’t want to miss.
Foster the People (2/17)
I still vividly remember dancing around the house as an 8-year-old to Torches right after it dropped, with my parents playing it on repeat. I’m so tempted to grab pit tickets, even though I haven’t kept up with Foster the People’s recent music, because I just know it would be an incredible show — plus, I’d love to hear Pumped Up Kicks live.
Justin Timberlake (2/20)
“This is going to ruin the tour!” Apparently Justin’s still going strong despite his DUI, as I’ve seen many TikTok clips of him killing it on stage. Whether you go for a good throwback, are a fan of his new music, or just need something to do on February 20th, I don’t think this one will disappoint.
Trisha Paytas (2/21)
Yes, you read that right. Trisha Paytas is about to embark on an unforgettable musical tour. When I first heard about her coming to Detroit, I thought she would be putting on a comedy show or an in-person storytime just like her old YouTube videos, but boy was I wrong. Her setlist doesn’t look incredibly long, but thankfully she will be singing her hit I Love You Jesus and covering King Tut to pay homage to her most viral TikTok.
Finneas (2/25)
During quarantine, I listened to Finneas’s discography on repeat and realized that Billie Eilish’s brother really can sing. With a bunch of chill hits, Finneas is sure to make it feel like spring is really coming in Michigan. Also, Bad Suns, who you may recognize from their song Daft Pretty Boys, are opening, only adding to the star power on stage.
Mary J. Blige (3/19)
After celebrating St. Patty’s, you may not want the energy to die. Keep the celebration going with Mary J. Blige at Little Caesars Arena! With a huge discography, the recent Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee will perform familiar hits and introduce her new album Gratitude.
Billy Joel and Stevie Nicks (3/29)
As someone who’s obsessed with Stevie Nicks, I can’t believe I don’t have tickets to this show yet. She and Billy Joel are such an iconic duo that I never saw coming, but they’ve been touring together since 2023 and have received rave reviews. According to fans who have gone to a show, Stevie performs for the first hour and Billy comes on stage to share a duet and finish the show with an hour and a half of his best music.
Are concerts not your thing? Detroit sports are also just a bus ride away, with the Lions and Tigers being super fun to watch. This past September, I was able to see the Tigers play my hometown team, the Guardians, during the playoffs, and even though we lost, it was a great experience to see another ballpark and feel the energy of dedicated Detroit fans. The Detroit Institute of Arts is also a great destination with featured exhibitions every few months. In the past few years, they’ve had Van Gogh, Frida Kahlo, and Salvador Dali features. I think it’s so cool when local museums carry timeless pieces you thought were only found at The Louvre or The Met, because art should be accessible to as many people as possible.
Although Ann Arbor is so easy to love, sometimes it feels like I’ve eaten at every restaurant, studied at every cafe, and shopped at every appealing store. Traveling to Detroit has given me a chance to explore a new place and made my college experience so much more fun, giving me the big city feel I miss. I hope I’ve influenced you to visit at least a few times during your time as a student, because it’s truly a culture you have to see to believe.