Top 10 venues to explore Detroit’s vibrant music culture in 2015

5. The Magic Stick

Upstairs from The Majestic and the Garden Bowl, this rock-and-roll night club has successfully blended local bands with performers from around the world. One night you could be watching skinny-jean-indie-rockers from Wayne State that look like their diet consists of ramen, beer and coffee; other nights you may be watching an all-female Japanese punk band (Shonen) kick ass and take names. Either way, the Magic Stick has been called “Detroit’s best bet to see a live show” by numerous publications for a reason.

The Magic Stick has a capacity of 550 people, but they don’t hit you with the outrageous ticket prices that bigger venues do (The Palace, DTE Energy Center, Fox Theatre, etc.). One of The Magic Stick’s claim’s to fame is that it helped propel Detroit garage rock duo The White Stripes from dive bars to stardom in the early 2000s before their breakup. It was also the place where Detroit-born rockstar Jack White infamously assaulted The Von Bondies lead singer Jason Stollsteimer. Others who have performed here are Modest Mouse, Childish Gambino, Elliott Smith, Jack Johnson, Arcade Fire, Phoenix and Kings of Leon.

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