Kalamazoo, Michigan, has a bright and vibrant nightlife. Several colleges call the city home and occupy a large part of its landscape, so it’s no wonder that an aspiring college student once began brewing beer in his home kitchen and now runs a nationally recognized brewery: Bell’s.
Tonight, Bell’s Brewery is hosting Earth Radio and Dopapod in its backroom. Much more than a simple backroom, this 500-plus capacity venue rivals similar spaces found in larger cities. The stage has ample room, and fans have everything they need to kick back and enjoy a night of amazing music—which is exactly what’s in store for us tonight.
Earth Radio is a funky, modern, space-age, ethereal jam band driven by a respect for the Earth and its contents. David Ward’s authoritative drum lines drive the rhythm, pushing the music forward. Dutcher Snedeker is a master of the keys, making complicated, intricate passages look effortless. Justin Avdek’s slinky-smooth bass lines tie those top-tier melodies back to David’s driving pulses. Hannah Laine adds her own keyboard magic along with over-the-top vocals that are mesmerizing, giving the music an otherworldly feel.
The band begins by telling us to breathe in, and we’re taken on a voyage of imagery through the tune “Highwater.” Next comes “Hue Man,” with its undulating rhythms and concert-like piano riffs, giving us a moment to consider the dichotomy between man and human…thought with reason. Three songs in, Hannah reminds us to exhale and take in “The One We Forgot.” Feeling lighter now, I realize how well this group pairs with good friends, good food, and good times. It’s all about enjoying time well spent with the people who matter the most.
I take a moment to note how well the techs work here at Bell’s. The in-house crew is running sound and lights for Earth Radio, and you’d swear this was the band’s traveling crew. The sound is spot-on—just the right growl to remind you it’s a live performance, yet not so loud you’ll end up with a migraine in the morning. As for the lighting, it seems like the crew must have rehearsed the timing for weeks—everything is complementary and never distracting. They really help the band shine.
We return to that funky, smooth jazz feel with “Wrong Tree.” Vocals swing back and forth between Justin and Hannah before the music takes flight during an instrumental passage, Hannah’s voice soaring above it all. The lighter “Back Up” feels like Zappa-inspired, tongue-in-cheek advice, and paired with “Over Again,” they bring us to the elephant in the room: Justin’s departure.
Tonight is Justin Avdek’s last show with the group, and they refuse to let him go without a virtual hug from the fan family. Smiling through the sadness, they send us off with one last psychedelic grounding in “Panoramic Dance.”
The band will continue on without Justin, working on its future after the holidays. If you haven’t checked out their latest album, If The Earth Could Speak—featuring music crafted during a week spent living on a sustainable farm—be sure to give it a listen. Their other albums are also available on all major streaming services, Bandcamp, and Amazon.
