Detroit, MI

Mac Saturn, shocked but resolute after member’s arrest, summons good vibes at Fillmore Detroit

Published

3 months ago

January 27, 2024

Mac Saturn, shocked but resolute after member’s arrest, summons good vibes at Fillmore Detroit

For Mac Saturn, Friday night’s show at the Fillmore Detroit had been intended as a celebratory hometown occasion. And when all was said and done, despite a sudden unwelcome backdrop, that’s exactly what it was.

Hours before the biggest and most meaningful concert of the young rock band’s career, members learned along with the public that keyboardist Evan Mercer had been arrested by the FBI on child pornography charges. Mercer now sits in a Detroit federal jail ahead of a Monday detention hearing.

Mac Saturn acted quickly, announcing on social media that Mercer was booted from the band. The post noted he’d been a recent arrival to the group, which is helmed by the founding duo of singer Carson Macc and guitarist Nick Barone and rounded out by guitarist Mike Moody, drummer Angelo Coppola and bassist Ian Lukas.

And so Mac Saturn — now abruptly a five-piece — was off to the Fillmore for its big night marking the release of the debut album “Hard to Sell.” Buzz on the band has been positive and growing in Michigan and beyond, and Friday’s tour-launching concert was to go on undeterred.

While mutual Detroit love was the theme of the night, the show drew concertgoers from places such as Texas, Tennessee, Alabama and Pennsylvania — diehard fans the band has collected along its recent road travels. Some had queued up outside the Fillmore as early as noon, and the disturbing Mercer news that arrived midafternoon hit with a wallop.

But Friday evening inside the theater, where music was to take center stage and anticipation was humming, Mercer’s arrest was the elephant that wasn’t in the room. If anything, fans seemed duty-bound to reinforce their support for a band whose name had been unwittingly attached to a mess. This crowd wasn’t going to let this night be a downer.

One twentysomething identifying herself only as Jenna summed it up: “Right now, that’s all out there, and in here,” she said, patting her cell phone.

More: Detroit rock-meets-R&B band Mac Saturn is turning the heads of music biz heavyweights

Backstage, according to those on the scene, the mood was upbeat as band members’ family and friends swung by to deliver well-wishes.

Before the group hit the stage, vocalist Macc walked out to address the topic.

“The news of today has been shocking and horrifying,” he said. “We came here tonight to see you guys face to face and play this music we have worked so hard on for you.”

And that’s what they did: After the Four Tops’ “Reach Out I’ll Be There” boomed over the PA for a poignant hometown Motown introduction, Mac Saturn lit into a rollicking hour-plus set of glam-spiked rock with a soul pulse.

Following the frisky “Diamonds” and stylized swagger of “Persian Rugs,” nine songs from the new album lined the set, with touches of back-alley blues (“Get on the Phone”), insta-hooks (“Mr. Cadillac”), atmospheric turns (“Box Cutter”) and endearing fan faves (“Mint Julep,” “Ain’t Like You”).

Album closer “Plain Clothes Gentleman” was also Friday’s show finale, building from swampy slide-guitar wistfulness into a wiry stomp and scorching outro.

It was all delivered with energetic, tried-and-true Detroit showmanship, with Macc’s slinky, Jagger-inspired presence up front bolstered by assorted scarves, furs and leopard-pattern jackets. The rest of the band offered its own punch, with Moody serving up nimble, R&B-infused leads and backing vocals alongside Barone and Coppola.

The crowd gave as well as it got, singing along in full voice for much of the show, including the brand-new stuff.

It capped a day that was already destined to be etched in Mac Saturn’s minds. For bands on the rise, this is the career phase that happens only once, no matter how things build from here: It’s that ripe chapter when momentum is surging but the stages are still small, the crowds organic, the production sparse — like the basic “MAC SATURN” backdrop that accompanied the group Friday night.

The Mercer situation may be a tough reality Mac Saturn is saddled with for a while, a public-relations headache for a likable band that was clearly finding its groove and feeling the wind at its back.

But in the end, it may be no more than a road bump. And the group’s feel-good vibes certainly don’t hurt the cause as it embarks on a 35-city headlining tour in support of “Hard to Sell.”

“We’re going to leave tomorrow morning and play around the country,” Macc told the crowd during the show’s closing stretch. “And we’re going to make Detroit proud — I promise you that.”

Contact Detroit Free Press music writer Brian McCollum: 313-223-4450 or bmccollum@freepress.com.

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Detroit, MI

Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell to miss rookie camp for personal reasons

Published

5 hours ago

May 10, 2024

Press Room

Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell to miss rookie camp for personal reasons

Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell will miss this weekend’s rookie minicamp for personal reasons.

Campbell is expected back with the team later this month.

The Lions have three days of minicamp practice today-Sunday at their Allen Park practice facility for rookie draft picks, undrafted free agents and select first-year and tryout players.

Several Lions rookies said during the draft they connected with Campbell during their pre-draft visit to Detroit and were excited to play for him this fall.

“Just walking down the hallway, seeing all the historical figures on the wall and seeing the amazing facility, but most importantly, to me, was meeting head coach Dan Campbell and the GM,” offensive lineman Gio Manu said. “Both of them are really good guys. I relate to their work ethic and all that. And I loved my visit overall and I remember leaving, I told myself, ‘I felt at home here and I would not mind at all if these guys took a chance on me.’ And I so happen to be here now, so it was great.”

The Lions made six picks in last month’s draft. They traded up for Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold in Round 1, grabbed Missouri cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. in Round 2 and added Manu, running back Sione Vaki, defensive lineman Mekhi Wingo and offensive guard Christian Mahogany on Day 3.

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Vaki compared Campbell to his coach at Utah, Kyle Whittingham, and said both have similar standards “as far as just putting our head down and working.” And Rakestraw said his interactions with Campbell made the Lions one of his favorite pre-draft visits.

“I liked how Coach is, Coach Campbell, his philosophy and the coordinator’s philosophy about physicality,” Rakestraw said. “I feel like that’s what I bring, so I felt like it was a great fit.”

After rookie minicamp, where players attend meetings and practice without pads, the Lions have nine Organized Team Activity practices May 21-23, 29-31 and June 10-12, and a three-day mandatory minicamp June 4-6.

Vaki deal done

Vaki finalized his four-year rookie contract and is expected to sign with the Lions before Friday’s first practice.

The 132nd overall pick in the draft, Vaki deal is worth a slotted value of $4.67 million, according to Spotrac.

Historically, the Lions have signed most of their draft class to contracts before the start of rookie minicamp. All rookie deals are slotted under the current collective bargaining agreement, though some contracts take longer to finalize because of negotiations over guaranteed money.

Vaki played safety and running back in his two seasons at Utah but will start his NFL career on offense and projects as a key special teams player this fall. He had 42 carries for 317 yards and two touchdowns last season.

Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on X and Instagram at @davebirkett.

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Detroit, MI

Simba the lion leaving Detroit Zoo after more than 10 years

Published

13 hours ago

May 9, 2024

Press Room

Simba the lion leaving Detroit Zoo after more than 10 years

Ascension hospitals deal with cyberattack, Michigan tornado cleanup continues and more top stories

04:01

ROYAL OAK, Mich. (CBS DETROIT) – Simba is saying goodbye to the Detroit Zoo.

Zoo officials announced that the lion is moving to the Great Plains Zoo in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, after more than a decade in Michigan.

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums recommended the transfer “to support the sustainability of a healthy, genetically diverse and demographically varied lion population in zoos,” according to a news release.

Simba the lion leaving Detroit Zoo, moving to South Dakota — Detroit Zoological Society
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Officials say Simba fathered a cub named Binti.

“Though we will miss him dearly, we know he will receive the highest level of care in his new home and continue to be a fantastic ambassador for African lions in the wild,” the zoo said.

DeJanay Booth-Singleton

DeJanay Booth-Singleton is a digital producer at CBS Detroit. She covers various topics such as crime, business and politics.

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Detroit, MI

Downtown Detroit restaurant PAO made People magazine’s 50 most beautiful list

Published

19 hours ago

May 9, 2024

Press Room

Downtown Detroit restaurant PAO made People magazine’s 50 most beautiful list

PAO restaurant in downtown Detroit, noted for its Pan-Asian cuisine, recently received huge accolades for its interior design and space.

For People magazine’s 50th anniversary and its 2024 Beautiful Issue, the editors at OpenTable and People named “The 50 Most Beautiful Restaurants in America.” PAO landed at No. 22 on the list.

“Original details from the 1920s-era Detroit building combine with a new mezzanine and glass garage-style doors,” OpenTable said of PAO.

The collaboration sought out and chose the beautiful restaurants in each state noting them for many design aspects.

“These super-stylish stunners deliver unforgettable dining experiences,” according to People magazine.

“Located in the historic Michigan Oriental Theater, PAO Detroit has always been a special project for our team,” said Joe Barbat, chairman and CEO of Barbat Holdings, PAO’s owner. “This accolade not only highlights the restaurant’s beauty but also enhances the storied legacy of this iconic building in downtown Detroit.”

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PAO’s menu features a variety of small and large plate items such as Pao Pao shrimp, tuna carpaccio and lo mein mein noodles. More recently, PAO added a six-course rotating tasting menu that’s offered every Wednesday featuring bluefin tuna tacos, sesame chicken dumplings, tuna carpaccio and shoyu lamb chops. Two menu options are offered at $50 and $65 per person. Also on Wednesday is PAO’s “Sip & Share” with half off small plate appetizers and signature cocktails from 5-11 p.m.

Contact Detroit Free Press food and restaurant writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news and tips to: sselasky@freepress.com. Follow @SusanMariecooks on Twitter. Subscribe to the Free Press.

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