The Music of John Williams
The Detroit Symphony Orchestra will perform fan-favorite selections from some of the most iconic blockbusters of the last 50 years, including Jaws, Superman, Star Wars, E.T., Indiana Jones, Jurassic Park, Harry Potter, and more. July 6. $39.05+. Meadow Brook Amphitheatre, 378 Meadow Brook Rd., Rochester Hills; dso.org.
PJ Morton
Audiences may recognize this New Orleans-based singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist as the keyboardist for Maroon 5, the wildly successful pop band fronted by vocalist Adam Levine. Morton earned two Grammy Award nominations and widespread critical acclaim for his 2017 solo album Gumbo which fused elements of R&B, funk, soul, and jazz. July 9. $26.75+. Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre, 2600 Atwater St., Detroit; ticketmaster.com
Blues Traveler and Gin Blossoms
Relive the best of the ’90s when the bands behind summer anthems like “Run-Around” and “Hey Jealousy” share the Meadow Brook Amphitheatre stage. Fellow ’90s hitmakers Spin Doctors (“Two Princes,” “Little Miss Can’t Be Wrong”) will kick off the show. July 11. $46.70+. Meadow Brook Amphitheatre, 378 Meadow Brook Rd., Rochester Hills; 313presents.com
Art in the Park
More than 400 artists from around the country will display paintings, ceramics, jewelry, sculptures, folk art, and more against the charming backdrop of downtown Plymouth. Expect live music, colorful sidewalk murals, children’s activities, and even interactive theater performance by My Adventure Theater. July 11-13. No cost. Downtown Plymouth; artinthepark.com
Sam Barber
The country singer and songwriter got his first taste of fame on TikTok, where his cover of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Simple Man” racked up big views. After launching a string of original singles — including “Straight and Narrow,” which boasts 300 million streams on Spotify — Barber dropped his debut album, Restless Mind, late last year. July 12. $48+. Masonic Temple Theatre, 500 Temple St., Detroit; axs.com
Ann Arbor Art Fair
Featuring nearly 1,000 artists and spanning 30 city blocks, this summer tradition in downtown Ann Arbor is made up of three separate events: the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, the Original; The Guild’s Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair; and Ann Arbor State Street District Art Fair. As the largest juried art fair in the U.S., it draws artists from around the country and artwork in a variety of mediums, including paint, clay, glass, jewelry, and sculpture. July 17-19. No cost. Downtown Ann Arbor; theannarborartfair.com
Pete Holmes
As the creator and star of the HBO comedy series Crashing, Holmes mined his real experiences as a newly divorced comedian to hilarious effect. He also hosts the popular interview podcast You Made It Weird, which invites celebrity guests to share their strangest secrets, and is a frequent guest writer and voice actor on The Simpsons. July 17-19. $40. Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle, 310 S. Troy St., Royal Oak; comedycastle.com
Kesha and Scissor Sisters
The party anthem queen will celebrate the drop of her latest album, Period, with a co-headlining tour this summer. Recently reunited glam-poppers Scissor Sisters — best known for ’00s hits like “Take Your Mama” and “I don’t Feel Like Dancing” — will share the headline spot. Fans will also hear from up-and-coming English singer-songwriter Rose Gray. July 19. $43.65+. Pine Knob Music Theatre, 33 Bob Seger Drive, Clarkston; 313presents.com
Buddy Guy
The blues icon will extend his historic farewell tour to include a stop at Meadow Brook Amphitheatre this summer, about a week prior to his 89th birthday. Boasting eight Grammy Awards, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, the National Medal of Arts, and Kennedy Center Honors, Guy enjoys a legendary status among guitar players and influenced many of music’s best — including Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, and Keith Richards. July 19. $48.75+. Meadow Brook Amphitheatre, 3554 Walton Blvd., Rochester Hills; 313presents.com
Postmodern Jukebox
This sprawling musical collective puts a classic spin on the biggest pop hits of today. Led by pianist and YouTube star Scott Bradlee, the troupe features some of the world’s most talented up-and-coming singers, dancers, and instrumentalists. July 22. $56+. Fisher Theatre, 3011 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit; broadwayindetroit.com
Shakespeare Royal Oak
Join metro Detroit’s best professional and emerging actors for Shakespeare’s classic Macbeth in Royal Oak’s Starr Jaycee Park. This isn’t your grandma’s Macbeth — director Jeffrey Michael Nahan’s unique rendition gives the classic tale of spells and revenge a unique steampunk test. July 24-27 and July 31-Aug. 3. Cost TBA. Starr Jaycee Park, 1321 W. 13 Mile Road, Royal Oak; shakespeareroyaloak.com
Orchard Lake Fine Art Show
This two-day juried fair has brought more than 100 talented local and national artists to the hear of West Bloomfield almost every summer since 2003. Browse paintings, sculptures, jewelry, photography, woodwork, and glasswork as well as enjoy food vendors and a youth art competition. July 26-27. $5. 6925 Daly Road, West Bloomfield; hotworks.org
AJR
Musically talented brothers Adam, Jack, and Ryan Met grew up busking together on the streets of New York City. After their debut single, “I’m Ready,” went viral on Twitter in 2013, the trio landed a recording contract and went on to release hits like “Bang!,” “Weak,” and “Sober Up,” a collaboration with Weezer vocalist Rivers Cuomo. July 29. $53.85+. Pine Knob Music Theatre, 33 Bob Seger Drive, Clarkston; 313presents.com
This story originally appeared in the July 2025 issue of Hour Detroit magazine. To read more, pick up a copy of Hour Detroit at a local retail outlet. Click here to get our digital edition.
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