BackStage Pass

 

Watch Full Episodes at video.wkar.org

Saturdays at 10 p.m. on WKAR HD

A showcase of music made in Michigan and the Great Lakes region. Backstage Pass captures the sights and sounds of open-air festivals and in studio performances and shares insights from the artists that make the music.

Festival performances are produced in association with Michigan Institute for Contemporary Art and MessageMakers.

2018 BackStage Pass Concert Series! 
We're very excited to host nine bands in this year’s 2018 Backstage Pass Concert Series! RESERVE SEATS NOW  Join us for this FREE CONCERT SERIES recording new television episodes for BackStage Pass, the WKAR original series featuring music made in Michigan and the Great Lakes region.
 BackStage Pass is supported in part by
Michigan State University Federal Credit Union
Michigan Council for Arts & Cultural Affairs
National Endowment for the Arts

Ways to Connect

BackStage Pass returns June 17

By Editor • May 23, 2016
performers on stage
Rachel Tang / WKAR-MSU

BackStage Pass is on break for a few weeks, while we bring you special programming on Friday evenings May 20-June 10.

BackStage Pass returns on June 17, with jazz from Tony Monaco and Fareed Haque, featuring Randy Gelispie.

Good Cookies on BackStage Pass | Ep. 708

By Editor • May 9, 2016

Swinging, rocking, soulful blues from some of Michigan's most talented veteran players. WATCH NOW

Betty Joplin on BackStage Pass | Ep. 707

By EDITOR • May 2, 2016
WKAR

Grammy nominated and Michigan favorite Betty Joplin lends her vocal styling to some of the greatest standards ever written. WATCH NOW

Chris Canas - Encore on BackStage Pass | Ep. 706

By EDITOR • May 2, 2016
performing on stage
Stacy Hoxsey / WKAR

Detroit blues with a homestyle feel for a new generation. WATCH NOW

Chris Canas on BackStage Pass | Ep. 705

By EDITOR • May 2, 2016
performing on stage
Stacy Hoxsey / WKAR-MSU

Detroit-based Chris Canas brings the blues with a homestyle feel to a new generation. WATCH NOW

Paul Keller Orchestra - Encore on BackStage Pass | Ep. 704

By EDITOR • Apr 29, 2016
WKAR

The encore set features "Fly Me to the Moon" and more big band jazz from Ann Arbor. WATCH NOW 

Paul Keller Orchestra on BackStage Pass | Ep. 703

By EDITOR • Apr 16, 2016
performing on stage
Rachel Tang / WKAR-MSU

Big-band jazz from Ann Arbor featuring originals, classics and vocalist Sarah D'Angelo. WATCH NOW

Toronzo Cannon - Encore on BackStage Pass | Ep. 702

By editor • Apr 16, 2016
performing on stage
Stacy Hoxsey / WKAR-MSU

The contemporary bluesman from Chicago performs 'Walk It Off' and more. WATCH NOW

Toronzo Cannon on BackStage Pass | Ep. 701

By EDITOR • Apr 16, 2016
performing on stage
Stacy Hoxsey / WKAR-MSU

The contemporary bluesman from Chicago performs 'John the Conquer Root' and more. WATCH NOW

BackStage Pass at Lansing JazzFest 2015

By Editor • Aug 3, 2015
performers on stage
WKAR

Aug. 7 & 8 | Jazz comes to the streets of Old Town, surrounded by art galleries, unique retail stores and grand architecture. 

Randy Gelispie Quartet on BackStage Pass

By Editor • Jul 24, 2015
WKAR

Classic jazz from drummer Randy Gelispie and his Quartet.

Root Doctor on BackStage Pass

By Editor • Jul 23, 2015
WKAR

Classic soul, R&B, traditional blues and inspired originals from Root Doctor.

Glenn Brown & Intergalactic Spiral on BackStage Pass

By Editor • Jul 23, 2015
WKAR

Improvised cosmic-jazz from music veteran and producer Glenn Brown.

Marci Linn Band on BackStage Pass

By Editor • Jul 23, 2015
WKAR

Blue-eyed soul from veteran vocalist Marci Linn.

Kathleen and the Bridge Street Band

By Editor • Jul 23, 2015
WKAR

Captivating soulful blues from vocalist Kathleen Walters and her Bridge Street Band.

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