As the frosty air of December bit at noses and cheeks, concertgoers lined up outside the Stache in Grand Rapids, MI, seeking refuge from the biting cold. Inside, the venue crackled with anticipation like a furnace, promising not just warmth but a night of blazing rock. On December 9th, The Band Feel brought their Into the Sun tour to town, accompanied by special guest Pearl, turning the snowy night into a fiery celebration of music.

As the snow started to fall, Pearl took to the stage to kick off the show. The Michigan-native launched into a 9-song set with her 2024 single “I Like You But.” The song builds to a rocker that got the evening’s party started. Her set featured songs that ranged from relationships to faith and everything in between, all backed by a sound equally at home in the 1970s and 1990s. Her signature raspy vocals, which blend the best elements of artists like Sheryl Crow and Janis Joplin with a little Taylor Momsen, bring the passion and energy to her music. Her show-stopping closer, “No Man,” saw the band joined by women from the audience who danced and sang through the end of the set, bringing the energy up perfectly for the evening’s headliners.

After Pearl’s rousing finale, the crowd buzzed with excitement, eagerly anticipating the night’s main act. As the stage was reset, the electrifying atmosphere grew, setting the perfect scene for The Band Feel to make their entrance. Taking the stage on their first headlining tour, The Band Feel transported the audience from Grand Rapids to the historic Haight-Ashbury neighborhood of San Francisco. With Persian rugs at their feet and the glow of vintage amps illuminating their setup, the band members, clad in bell-bottoms and sporting long, flowing hair, evoked a feeling reminiscent of the bands in Southern California’s 1970s heyday.

The Band Feel has been releasing music for several years now, but has spent the last year touring and building its fan base. In the last 12 months, they have garnered attention online with 70 million views, enough to fill Van Andel Arena 3,500 times, and 400 thousand followers on social media. They’ve sold out clubs all over the country and have worked to become a major force in rock music. Their sound draws on and incorporates the best elements of blues rock and southern rock into a fusion that feels familiar yet all their own.

The St. Louis-based band kicked off their epic set with ‘Icarus,’ the lead track off their 2025 EP Into the Sun. Their set heavily featured from this EP, including standout tracks like ‘Hands In My Pocket’ and ‘Shoal Creek’ as well as songs from their self-titled EP. Throughout their set, vocalist Garrett Barcus showcased a voice reminiscent of Patrick Simmons from the Doobie Brothers or Brent Smith of Shinedown, while delivering the poetic lyrics that define their songs. Guitarist Tyler Armstrong not only impressed with his guitar skills, carrying both rhythm and lead with ease, but his harmonizing vocals hinted at a deeper talent. He delivered beautiful acoustic melodies in one song, then shredded through a blazing blues solo the next. The battery of Kadin Rea on bass and TJ Steinwart on drums provided a hard-hitting low end, giving much of the music its raw power.

The band had an opportunity to show off their technical proficiency during an instrumental jam that absolutely wowed. The highlight of this has to go to Steinwart, who delivered a phenomenal drum solo that showcased his powerful yet poetic drumming. As his sticks flew over the drums, the room seemed to hold its breath in collective awe. The crowd’s cheers surged, creating a wave of energy that swept over the venue. Near the end of the set, the band performed a cover of Joe Cocker’s take on “With a Little Help from My Friends” with a little help from the crowd, before launching into the last two songs of the evening: ‘Goodbye, Virginia,’ and ‘In the Garden,’ which left the best for last.

These two songs showcased the talent and the ease with which this band can always take a show to the next level. ‘Goodbye Virginia,’ a heavy ballad, featured surprise vocals from guitarist Armstrong that added another layer to the song, just as his harmonizing foreshadowed. ‘In the Garden,’ the perfect closer, features a memorable guitar riff that feels at home in a Led Zeppelin or Greta Van Fleet track, driving this fantastic song to a crescendo that put an exclamation point on the evening.

You can find more information on Pearl at www.pearlofficial.com and on socials @pearlofficial.

You can find the Band Feel at the following locations. Catch them before the arenas do and become part of their journey as they rise to the top!

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