WHEATUS TAKES OVER THE PYRAMID SCHEME IN GRAND RAPIDS, MI

By: Ashlee Lannon

I returned to my favorite stomping grounds, the Pyramid Scheme, on a rainy Wednesday evening for a surprisingly packed mid week show! There were only 2 bands on the bill, which is abnormal, but they really didn't need anything else for this show!

First off was Keep Flying. Watching their set felt like getting hit by a confetti cannon full of brass and caffeine. The band came out swinging from the first note... horns blasting, guitars chugging, and the whole room instantly bouncing like the floor had springs in it. The energy was absolutely unmatched, with band members jumping, grinning ear to ear, and sprinting across the stage like they’d been dared to burn through their entire daily step count before the second chorus.

What made it even better was the vibe. This was good, goofy fun. The band joked between songs, egged the crowd on, and treated the whole night like a giant inside joke everyone in the room was in on. Ska shows are typically known for lively energy, but this was a whole new level, and it honestly looked like they were trying to win a bet to see who would collapse first.

By the end of the set, the band looked like they’d just run a marathon while playing ska at double speed. You get the feeling they probably woke up this morning with serious back pain, bruised knees, and maybe a vague memory of stage diving into a horn section.

And yet they’d probably do it again tonight without hesitation. Because that’s the thing about Keep Flying: their shows aren’t just concerts; they’re chaotic little explosions of joy. Easily the most outrageously energetic ska shows I’ve ever seen!

And, despite how exhausted they undoubtedly were, they stopped to chat and get photos and give autographs to every fan who asked!

This is a band you don't want to sleep on when they come through your city! Next up was the headliner, Wheatus.

Keeping up with the silly fun energy, their set felt less like a concert and more like a gathering of old friends. From early in the set, the band was taking crowd suggestions and trolling back when the crowd trolled them! Actively bantering on stage and asking for suggestions. It honestly felt like kindergarteners had been given control of a rock concert, and I say that as a compliment! Despite the sillyness, there was a genuine warmth to the performance, closing the night out in an incredibly heartwarming moment for a young fan. For the last song, they invited a young girl from the crowd up onto the stage and sang an acoustic "Hometown" directly to her.

​ I am honestly surprised at just how much fun this show was! I fully expected to enjoy it, but I did NOT expect the level of silly, crazy fun this show was. This was the perfect way to spend a dreary hump day!

KEEP FLYING

WHEATUS