March brought some incredible shows to Grand Rapids, from the Black Keys to Jane’s Addiction, LOMOBB to Life Size Ghost. As the weather pulls people out of the house and to the city, Grand Rapids venues are pulling the talent to their stages.

The Pyramid Scheme will be hosting the pop/rock group the Icicles on Sunday. This colorful five-piece describes themselves as “Cheery retro-futurist popsters.” The group may be most recognizable for their single “Sugar Sweet” was featured in a cellphone commercial. This should be a lighthearted show from a fun group that refuses to take themselves too seriously.

Also this Saturday the North American Choral Company will be spotlighting vocal jazz artist Sunny Wilkinson. Wilkinson has been involved in other NACC concerts in the past year, but this performance will be totally based around her. Patrons will be treated to a great performance within the impressive walls of the Van Andel Museum Center.

Metal fans will be deaf and tired after April. The first show the more serious metal-heads will want to catch is Mastodon and Opeth. Described as a sludge-metal band, the southern rockers in Mastodon have been one of the few hard metal bands to break the Billboard top ten. Opeth has been classified as either black-metal or death-metal. This Swedish group will share the Intersection stage with Mastodon on Saturday the 14th.

The intersection will continue the heavy music the very next day by bringing one of the more controversial bands of recent history. Cannibal Corpse has been banned from playing in multiple countries, been scorned by Bob Dole and Joe Lieberman, yet appeared in the movie “Ace Ventura.” Cannibal Corpse’ violent lyrics and imagery certainly limits their appeal, but fans wont want to miss their opportunity to catch this cult favorite.

The Founders Brewing Company will be bringing in local favorites the Macpodz to play for free on the 12th. This Ann Arbor group had played festivals such as Rothbury and Summer Camp in the past and continues to tour nationally. Their sound is a mix of jam and rock, and their stage show is as energetic as any other Michigan group.

Founders will also be giving Grand Rapids a chance to catch an international group. The Guggenheim Grotto, a folk/pop duo from Ireland, will be taking the Founders stage on the 19th. This will also be a free show.

Also performing on the 19th is the always interesting, usually controversial Californian group the Kottonmouth Kings. The Kings display a mix of rap and rock in a way that is unique to say the least. Also on the bill will be Twiztid. This rap duo from Warren Mich. describes their music as “horrorcore,” a mix of hardcore rap and imagery commonly found in horror movies. This is another show that is not for the easily offended.

90’s rock fans will want to go see the often overlooked but truly influential group Tortoise. The music is a blend of indie rock with smatterings of jazz and electronic progressing it past the mundane. This group of music veterans will be at the Pyramid Scheme on the 25th.

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