Karaoke at McShane’s
1460 Michigan Ave., Detroit
Jan. 12, 2025
It’s always a surprise to me the events that truly feel and look like the city of Detroit. I’ve long lauded the Detroit Jazz Festival as a great cross-section of the city because it’s free and draws a diverse crowd every Labor Day.
Now I’m learning that karaoke might be a piece of expression that brings this city together more than anything else.
It’s a lesser art, sure. But maybe its ease of access is the key.
I witnessed it at McShane’s Irish Pub the other night, where suburbanites and city residents alike found each other through a microphone and belting out pop songs.
Detroit still has this major issue of being siloed, where there’s a “Black bar” and a “white bar.” Where we mix is far and few between. Anyone who wants to argue this doesn’t go out much. And anyone who debates it isn’t being honest with themselves.
Music, however, does unite us, as it did at karaoke at McShane’s, where everyone was a potential star – and most delivered on that potential.
Lead by DJ Thornstryker, stars were born – from every part of the city. That was a big part of it – she’s a friend of everybody, supportive of whoever, and makes it easy for anyone to come up and become the next big thing. There’s a lot of talent when it comes to hosting.
Elton John’s “Tiny Dancer” was belted out by a dad. His daughter followed with Chappell Roan’s mega-hit “Pink Pony Club.” A woman sat at the bar, surrounded by friends, singing Mary J. Blige’s “Not Gon’ Cry.” Lil Wayne’s “Mrs. Officer” turned into a crowd favorite.
No one was worried about where you were from, who you were.
Everyone was focused on when their song is next, so they could the stage and entertain us all.
I didn’t expect a sense of unity to come over me -- and the rest of the city -- on a late Sunday night at an Irish pub just outside of downtown.
But don’t underestimate the power of karaoke in Detroit to breed community.
This post was published in conjunction with WDET.
