Last week, I called an Uber and got picked up by “Pastor Mike” to go see a show at Saint Andrews Hall, which in many ways looks like an old church. With a quick google search I was informed that Saint Andrew’s Hall is “a Detroit music venue and concert hall/formerly the meeting place for the Saint Andrew’s Scottish Society of Detroit and never a church.” So Pastor Mike, who is not really a Pastor, took me to Saint Andrew’s Hall, which was never formerly a church.

And now that we have some context, church or not, Saint Andrew’s Hall is beautiful. Constructed in 1907, it provides three different types of stages throughout the venue. Most relevant to my prior knowledge for their basement stage, The Shelter which catered to Eminem’s early rap career in Detroit.

The tickets were free (thanks Casey)… it’s good to have friends…and Gorgon City rocked the hardwood of the center stage. I had all kinds of feels.

This coming from a rookie’s perspective I’ve been to quite a few events around the city the past few months. Events I’ve attended have ranged from:

90’s inspired monthly dance parties at the Old Miami hosted by local DJ’s “Nothing Elegant”

Rock shows at a gutted nail salon in Hamtramck

A live DJ-set at Populux, formerly the Magic Stick above the Majestic which provides 2 different music venues as well as the Garden Bowl, America’s oldest active bowling alley

And most recently an all vinyl Halloween scratch off downtown at Bert’s on Broadway

While on the surface Detroit’s music scene has a lot to offer, I’m just getting warmed up.

With tickets to see Slow Magic & Giraffage at that same venue above the bowling alley, and to a sold out Odesza show at The Masonic Theater – a marvel of sculpture and décor – their website ensures me it is the largest building of its type in the world.

Some people take a city for its bars or food, but I plan to do it through music. Whether it’s a packed house dancing on tables at Temple Bar or cruising around Cass Corridor, look for me embarrassing myself at a stoplight near you.