Playing Your Song: Detroit Concert Venues Feature the Biggest Names in Music

Up for some music? Want to see your favorite musicto its proximity to the nearby Pine Knob ski area and
performer in action? Love the live experience of agolf course, the DTE Energy Music Theatre was
concert? Detroit's capacity for handling big crowds andrenamed in 2001 when DTE Energy purchased the
drawing the biggest names in music makes it a primearea's premiere outdoor amphitheater. Despite this
destination for concert-goers. This is Motown after all -change, many people still continue to call the venue
the city where the likes of Stevie Wonder and the"Pine Knob" or "the knob." Many of music's greatest
Supremes launched their careers. Rising stars and localstars have performed at the theater, including Chicago
bands still find an enthusiastic welcome for music of alland Eddie Money. The Detroit venue is also on some
kinds in Detroit City.of the biggest tours of the summer concert season,
Fox Theatreincluding Ozzfest, Gigantour, and Reggae Sunsplash.
The preservation of the Fox Theatre is one ofCanadian power-trio Rush have regarded the DTE as
Detroit's proudest achievements. The 5,000-seattheir favorite venue to play in the United States. The
palace of the arts, arguably the most opulent in theblockbuster Police tour makes its stop at the DTE in
nation when it opened in 1928, was designated athe summer of 2008. Tim McGraw and Gingantour
national landmark in 1989 after an $11 million renovation.with Megadeath are also scheduled to appear during
The Fox is now busy with concerts, family-orientedthe May to September concert season.
shows and a wide variety of other offerings. It's theMeadow Brook Music Festival
anchor of the Theatre District and perhaps Detroit'sLocated at Oakland University, the Meadow Brook
greatest civic treasure. In 2008, the Fox welcomesMusic Festival accommodates up to 8,000 in the
American pop band The Jonas Brothers; Grammyexpansive outdoor pavilion and lawn seating area. The
award-winning R&B, soul and jazz singer Jill Scott; andMeadow Brook Music Festival is the official summer
Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, recipients of the 2007home of the renowned Detroit Symphony Orchestra,
Grammy award for Best Pop Collaboration within addition to being one of the top concert venues in
Vocals, for the track Gone Gone Gone. AudiencesMichigan, showcasing the musical talents of James
can also catch big-name entertainers like comediansTaylor and His Band of Legends in 2008.
Chris Rock and Frank Caliendo.Palace of Auburn Hills
Joe Louis ArenaDetroit's premier auditorium-style concert venue is
Home of the 10-time Stanley Cup Champion Detroitoften referred to simply as the Palace, and is home of
Red Wings, Joe Louis Arena proudly stands along thethe Detroit Pistons and hosts numerous concerts and
banks of the Detroit River. The 20,058-seat arena isspecial events throughout the year. Some of the
Detroit City's largest indoor venue and regularly hostsvenue's past big-name entertainers include Sting, David
exciting attractions, including professional sports, collegeLee Roth, and Crosby, Stills and Nash. In early 2008,
hockey, concerts, circuses, and even Disney on Icethe Spice Girls performed at the Palace as part of
shows. The People Mover stops at its door, sotheir reunion tour The Return of the Spice Girls to a
concert goers can park elsewhere downtown andsold-out crowd. The 2008 season also includes Avril
reach the arena quickly. The Foo Fighters are set toLavigne, Creedence Clearwater Revisited, Santana,
rock Joe Louis Arena in 2008. Def Leppard with REOKanye West, Tom Petty, and Celine Dion.
Speedwagon and Styx will also make an appearanceDetroit Symphony Orchestra
here and later in the year, Rush makes a stop at JoeFounded in 1914, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra is
Louis during their extended Snakes & Arrows Worldone of the United States' most prestigious and
Tour.accessible orchestras. In 2003, it launched the Max M.
Cobo ArenaFisher Music Center, a performing arts complex, which
Situated near the Detroit River, the Cobo Arena is onehas become a popular venue for musical concerts of
of Michigan's finest event sites, entertaining national andvarious genres, including some of the most popular
international audiences for over four decades. Whilejazz concerts in town. The Max houses the famous
the Detroit Basketball Championships are held here, soOrchestra Hall, the Music Box, Atrium, and Allesee Hall.
are some of the greatest rock and roll concerts in theExcellent acoustics and state-of-the-art facilities make
world - Slipknot, Madonna and KISS, to name a few.every performance memorable. The Max also has
Contemporary bands such as Weezer, Jimmy Eatfacilities to host conferences, private concerts,
World, Bush, Oasis, Blink 182, and the Goo Goo Dolls,banquets and weddings. The Chieftans, Ireland's
as well as seasoned veterans like Bob Dylan playmusical ambassadors, make their appearance at the
here. Cobo hosts several sporting and civic events,Fisher in 2008, as well as five-time Academy
rallies, gatherings, and location shoots.award-winner John Williams, followed by New Orleans
DTE Energy Music TheatreJazz and the Mambo Kings.
Originally known as the Pine Knob Music Theatre, due