Michigan Central Station concert to feature iconic Detroit acts; tickets available May 17

The June 6 concert celebrating the rebirth of Michigan Central Station will feature a lineup of well-known Detroit artists, organizers announced Tuesday.

Registration for access to the free concert will start May 17 at michigancentral.com for residents in nearby neighborhoods. The wider public can apply for tickets starting May 21.

The 90-minute show, part of an 11-day series of first-look events dubbed “Michigan Central OPEN,” is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. June 6 in Roosevelt Park in front of the train station. The space will accommodate 15,000 concertgoers.

Performers haven’t been announced. But names circulating in music industry circles in recent weeks have included Eminem, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Jack White and Big Sean, though music sources tell the Free Press the lineup remains in flux as producers continue locking down commitments. Acts would perform sets of 15 to 20 minutes each.

If such a lineup materializes, it would mark the biggest concentration of Detroit music royalty on one hometown stage in decades. And the show, to be livestreamed globally, could be another high-profile moment for Detroit just six weeks after the NFL draft, drawing eyes and ears from around the world.

More: Bill Ford: Michigan Central Station must be more than just a restoration

Michigan Central officials declined to confirm artist names, and a news media release Tuesday said simply that the show will feature “iconic Detroit artists,” along with short films, local leaders and culture creators.

The festivities will celebrate the return of the 110-year-old building, a prominent Detroit landmark purchased by Ford for $90 million in 2018. The 13-story train station and its surrounding area have undergone extensive restoration.

“I am truly excited to share the historic Michigan Central Station restoration with the entire Detroit community and beyond," Bill Ford, executive chair of Ford, said in a statement. “This is a milestone we can all celebrate. Michigan Central Station was once a symbol of Detroit’s decline, and now it is going to represent its renewal and bright future.

“This monumental project has taken more than 1.7 million hours of work and reflects Ford's dedication to the community, Detroit's role in shaping the future of mobility, and the opportunities that our city, state, and region continue to offer.”

The June 6 show will be followed by daily public tours of the renovated train station through June 16. Those open house events are also free, and like the concert, registration will start May 17 for residents in Corktown, North Corktown, Hubbard Richard, Hubbard Farms, southwest Detroit and Core City.

Free parking will be available at a 1,273-space garage on Bagley between 14th and Wabash streets.

Public tours will continue through August on Fridays and Saturdays.

Tuesday’s announcement followed a permit approval by Detroit City Council.

After the June reopening festivities, Michigan Central will be activated in phases as restaurants, retailers and others take occupancy.

Contact Detroit Free Press music writer Brian McCollum: 313-223-4450 or [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan Central Station concert to have Detroit acts: Ticket info