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West Michigan music scene
RunOff, a DIY music venue located on Royce Avenue in Kalamazoo's Millwood neighborhood, began with the simple recognition that the post-pandemic demise of venues left a void in the local music scene.
Many of Kalamazoo's house show venues have permanently closed due to COVID-19, leaving up-and-coming local and touring bands with limited live performance options.
“After the initial COVID-19 closures, there were a lot of DIY venues that never reopened. So we realized there was a need there,” says RunOff founder Garrett Yates. . “There were a lot of local bands and very few venues.”
Yates attended a show in the basement just before the pandemic hit, which planted the idea of starting his own venue. “I looked at the layout of the garage and thought, 'Oh, this is going to work,'” Yates recalls.
In November 2021, The Runoff opened its doors offering a functional indoor space that can accommodate approximately 100 people. The venue soon began hosting performances ranging from hip-hop to folk, but primarily focused on various subgenres of punk, metal, and hardcore. The RunOff lineup will showcase local talent as well as touring bands.
From Greet Death to Childbite, Science Man to Flail Bodies, The Runoff performs alongside Michigan-based artists such as Saturday at Your Place, Mouthful of Locust, and Disco Behemoth. We've hosted touring bands.
Ultimately, Yates and his wife, Rachel Yates, hope to open “a larger venue where we can continue to support bands and the music community to thrive,” the couple said.
To financially support their future goals, The RunOff has launched a Patreon page. “Our short-term goal is to reach our 100 pledged patron milestone,” the Yates said. Perks on The RunOff Patreon page include recordings of live performances.
Launched in response to the needs of local music venues, The RunOff has transformed into a guide on how to create open, positive, and safe DIY music spaces.
“The RunOff is not a basement show, but it's a house show, a punk rock, metal, alternative (space). Gay, transgender, everyone feels welcome here and it's a great music scene. ” insists Marty Burgess, frequent venue doorman and longtime local music lover.
More information about The RunOff and upcoming shows is available online here and you can also check out our Instagram feed here. Contact Yates at therunoffbooking@gmail.com.
Photo gallery: Runoff election
Photo credit: Casey Grooten