Every year, Revue has the pleasure to pore through West Michigan’s overflowing musical landscape to find the artists poised to take the next stage. Our 2026 Bands to Watch list shines a spotlight on 10 acts turning heads, sharpening their sound, and putting in the work from basement practice spaces to packed local venues.
Across genres, cities, and generations, these are artists with something to prove – and plenty to say. Listen up and listen close so you don’t miss out on what’s to come.
The Temperances
Hometown: Grand Rapids | Genre: Indie-folk/indie-pop
Recommended If You Like: The Staves, Boygenius
There’s an almost spellbinding alchemy to The Temperances, a Grand Rapids local super-group where Audrey Pearson, Marley Kaye, and Olivia Vargas blend their distinct songwriting voices into something they describe as “angelic emo.” Each an established solo artist in her own right, the three find common ground in ethereal textures and moody melodies that feel equal parts angelic and melancholic. Like the tarot card inspiring their name, The Temperances are striking a compelling balance between darkness, beauty, and harmony.
CALV
Hometown: Grand Rapids | Genre: Bass House, Experimental Pop
Recommended If You Like: AC Slater, Malaa
Grand Rapids electronic artist CALV aka Calvin Paige has taken his high-energy sound well to Grand Rapids Pride Festival and Foodie Fest at Calder Plaza before hitting Breakaway Festival, official Lollapalooza afterparties, and The Forum in Columbus, and out on the road with his Jet Set Tour. Beyond performing, his Wubz Shop organization has helped grow an inclusive electronic scene, creating opportunities, connecting artists and fans, and raising money for local LGBTQ+ organizations.
Mar In Color
Hometown: Grand Rapids | Genre: Alternative, Indie-pop
Recommended If You Like: Florence + the Machine, Weyes Blood
Grand Rapids singer/songwriter Mar In Color (Marissa Postler) brings a kaleidoscopic pop palette to the city’s ever-growing music scene. Her debut album, Jesus Issues, paired piano-driven pop with lush choral harmonies, soaring strings, triumphant brass and unconventional percussion, creating an expansive sound that feels both intimate and grand. This fall, Mar In Color will showcase that vibrant vision with her live band at Big Fam Festival on Sept. 25, followed by the Wealthy Street Block Party on Sept. 26
Clawfoot
Hometown: Grand Rapids | Genre: Goth-wave, synth-rock
Recommended If You Like: Boy Harsher, Crystal Castles
With a self-described “witchy dark wave” sound built on driving bass, hypnotic drums, eerie synths, and unexpected sound design, the trio of Angie Mattson (from In The Valley Below), Claire Golder, and Em Hogan spins tales of medieval torture, WWII fascist killers, and, occasionally, love. After debuting at T-Rex Fest 2025, Clawfoot earned a 2026 WYCE Jammie nomination for Critics Choice Artist of the Year. Their debut EP is currently in the works, with a release date TBA. The trio will open for Deerhoof at The Pyramid Scheme Oct. 11.
Izzy Joy
Hometown: Mt. Pleasant/West Michigan / Genre: Indie-soul, Singer/songwriter
Recommended If You Like: Lizzy McAlpine, Maggie Rogers
After making her debut at the Michigan State Fair, Izzy Joy was named the 2025 State Fair Superstar. She has gone on to earn a Tennessee Songwriters Week showcase and performed at Nashville’s Bluebird Café and LA’s Hotel Cafe. Back home, she won last year’s Walk The Beat competition in Grand Haven, opened for Joe Hertler, Goldpine, Jaime Drake, and others, and just released her latest single, “Living For the Song,” this summer.
Potionseller
Hometown: Grand Rapids | Genre: Midwest Emo, pop-punk
Recommended If You Like: Wednesday, Pinegrove
Crafting the unlikeliest of concoctions, Grand Rapids’ Potionseller has coined the term “yeeyeemo,” to describe their rowdy blend of bluegrass roots, pop-punk hooks, Midwest emo and Michigan nostalgia. Frontman Austen Reno draws from his family’s bluegrass legacy, channeling two decades of genre study into the five-piece’s debut LP, BUZZARD, released in May. Following its July release show at The Pyramid Scheme, Potionseller is proving that banjos, big choruses and sudsy wistfulness can make surprisingly perfect bedfellows.
Payton & Annabelle
Hometown: Kalamazoo | Genre: Folk-rock, singer-songwriter
Recommended If You Like: Taylor Swift, Simon & Garfunkel
Meeting through the Kalamazoo Academy of Rock in 2021, folk duo Payton & Annabelle (Payton Carter and Annabelle Fuerst) have since logged 150-plus performances, opened for Grammy winner Sarah Jarosz and sold out Bell’s Beer Garden. Their song “projection” won Michigan’s inaugural New Moon Song Competition, and they’ve also won the State Theatre Battle of the Bands. They just released their debut album, Harps and Sashes, in August, however they’ll be on a performance hiatus for nine months as Fuerst tours with the musical “Waitress.”
Andy Arcade
Hometown: Grand Rapids/Detroit | Genre: Deep House, Tech House
Recommended If You Like: Disclosure, Cloonee
Grand Rapids’ Andy Arcade (Andrew Haan) is turning deep house and minimal tech into a dance-floor science. A West Michigan native now based in Detroit, he has already brought his melodic, immersive sets to Electric Forest and Movement-adjacent events, as well as The Intersection, where he launched his Deep In Bloom party. With recent releases “How I Like” and “Vente Pa’ Ca” he’s added producer to his résumé and is primed for an even bigger 2027.
Smile, Darling
Hometown: Grand Rapids | Genre: Alt-pop, Pop-punk
Recommended If You Like: Stand Atlantic, Meet Me @ The Altar
Heartfelt songwriting with a punch, the music of Grand Rapids five-piece Smile, Darling starts with the honest lyrics of singer/guitarist Melissa Dylan, before amping up the energy, mixing in musical elements that draw from all five members unique backgrounds. With their debut five-song EP in the works, the group is carving out its own genre-bending lane. Catch this fall at Murder House in Grand Rapids Nov. 14.
Supo
Hometown: Grand Rapids | Genre: Alt-pop, new grunge
Recommended If You Like: Tegan & Sara, beabadoobee
Grand Rapids indie artist Supo (Supriya Gupta) released her debut album, crushed!, at the beginning of the year and it’s a dreamy cinematic listen, overflowing with crunchy guitars and catchy choruses, drenched in shoegaze haze. Intimately personal, Gupta has expanded the sense of community around her music with live performances alongside her band at benefits supporting causes GR Rapid Response to ICE and GR Trans Foundation. Look for her new single, “Ribbons,” dropping sometime this winter.
