From The Stache to Van Andel Arena: Muscadine Bloodline’s Grand Rapids Glow-Up

Sometimes, dreams really do come full circle. For Alabama country duo Muscadine Bloodline, that moment arrived on Saturday, September 27, when they stepped onto the stage at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, opening for Lainey Wilson.

The last time the duo played in town, the crowd was a little different. They told fans during their set that just a few years back, they performed at The Stache (one of the smallest rooms at The Intersection, which is a rite of passage for many artists to play.) They said at the time, they sold about 50 tickets.

They went on to say while walking through downtown that day, they passed Van Andel Arena and said out loud what felt like a faraway dream: “One day, we’ll play there.”

Flash forward to 2025, and not only did they play it: they brought the entire sold-out arena to its feet.

Their set was filled with energy, swagger, and the kind of storytelling that’s built their reputation. But it was their surprise cover of Jimmy Eat World’s “The Middle” that had the crowd singing along at the top of their lungs.

While we aren’t home to many of the acts that play here, Grand Rapids really is a little special piece of a lot of musician’s history. Muscadine Bloodline may be far from Alabama when they’re here, but after this performance, it’s safe to say West Michigan might feel like home now, too.

Here’s hoping the next time we see them, it’s not just as an opener, but headlining their own show at the main room of The Intersection or maybe even back at Van Andel Arena.