Line-up

Venue

Pyramid Scheme

68 Commerce Ave. SW, 49503, Grand Rapids, MI, US

pyramidschemebar.com/

Capacity: 420

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Additional details

Doors open: 20:00

Concert in your area for Indie & Alt, Folk & Blues, and Pop.

Find out more about Pop.

Tune-Yards biography

tUnE-yArDs is a music project by musician and singer Merrill Garbus. She was born and raised on the east coast of the US. Her music is categorized as world beat, experimental, indie pop, and folk.

While living briefly in Vermont, Garbus was a puppeteer for a theater. Her musical background includes playing ukulele for a band in Montreal called Sister Suvi. Garbus moved to Oakland, CA, US to focus more seriously on her music career and in June 2009 she released an exclusive vinyl and cassette recorded album called “Bird Brains” through Portland-based company Marriage Records.

tUnE-yArDs caught the eye of British independent label 4AD and was officially signed to them in July 2009. By fall of that year “Bird Brains” was re-released internationally with extra songs “Want Me To” and “Real Life Flesh.” The album was recorded entirely by Garbus via handheld digital tape recorder and incorporated ukulele, drums, and her own vocals.

The follow-up album “w h o k i l l” released in 2011 was co-written by Garbus’s partner and bass player Nate Brenner. The live album was recorded in Oakland, CA, US by New, Improved Studios. The singles “Bizness and “Gangsta” were considered some of the top songs of 2011 by magazines like Time Magazine, Rolling Stone, and the New York Times. tUnE-yArDs music expanded to the advertising world when the hit “Fiya” was used for a Blackberry Torch commercial in 2010.

Garbus considers Michael Jackson, Debbie Gibson, and Cyndi Lauper as major influences in her music. tUnE-yArDs music videos contain many colorful elements, with surreal scenes and characters that match the crazy drum beats and global vibe of Garbus’s work. The videos have over a million views on YouTube.

Live reviews

Gosh, where to start? The concert was SO dope I just don't even know what to say!
I want to first say that it seems so surreal to have actually witnessed such finesse in person. Both tUnE-yArDs and James Tillman are uniquely talented and it was an honor to be able to make the concert.
I guess I'll begin at the beginning of the show; James Tillman was the PERFECT opening act for the tUnE-yArDs. His mellow vibes with their upbeat flavor really worked in a sort of symbiotic nature. He is truly a gifted musician and I hope he makes it to a much more widespread audience because he definitely has a lot of talent to share with the world. Now for the big dogs: tUnE-yArDs was undeniably awesome! They played some of their old stuff and some new stuff and the energy was live the ENTIRE time. There wasn't a moment I didn't feel engaged. Meryl is SO personable that you feel like she's speaking to directly to you. My favorite part was when she thanked us for being there--it was a genuine appreciation. Hell, the audience was appreciated so much tUnE-yArDs came back and performed an encore. THAT is love and respect for your fans.
Also, can I add how perfect the venue was? It was at Playhouse Variety in Little Five. There was romantic seating at round tables, there were traditional theater seats, and there was space at the front of the stage for people to stand if they wanted. Plus the staff was super friendly and helpful. I definitely want to go to more concerts at this venue. So, the question isn't whether or not I'm going to see James Tillman or tUnE-yArDs perform again; it's when?!

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