The Instigators Lansing Michigan
Musical adventures across multiple genres
The Instigators Lansing Michigan is a two woman band featuring Joyce Hagerman on vocals, guitar, mandolin, UBass, and kazoo, and Suzanne Levy on guitar and vocals (and kazoo). We play an eclectic mix of folk, indie, country, blues, as well as traditional music. We both write original music and play covers. Joyce has a fabulous voice that will blow you away. Suzanne plays her beloved Martin guitar in a variety of styles and can be counted on to lend her voice from song to song. We are, thus, the creative force that makes us The Instigators…because we are!
Our group first banded together after Suzanne posted a call for area musicians to jam with and serendipity played a role. Joyce answered that call and merely lived across the street. This gave rise to the original group–The Instigators. We played open mics around Lansing and East Lansing honing our skills. As it happened there was the interruption of COVID and Suzanne and Joyce went their separate ways. However in December of 2024 Suzanne made the call to Joyce and asked if it was time to resurrect The Instigators. So began our journey anew. We have a big tent and encourage others to join us in harmony.
The Instigators Summer Tour 2025
Our summer is starting early. We’ll be at the Coffeehouse at All Saints April 18. It’s an open mic but it will be good to get back in the saddle again. Joyce had shoulder replacement surgery March 4, and, thankfully, is doing well. But for the 18th no guitar for Joyce, just her fabulous voice. As for the finals of Lansing Has Talent, we finished in the top ten. Joyce was unable to play, due to the obvious, but we played with two fill in: another Joyce and Mary Sue. We did our best but could only manage to place .
So far our actual bookings for summer we will be at EagleMonk May 23, June 27, and July 25. All shows, weather permitting, will be in the beer garden. We start at 7:00 and finish up at 9:00. August is up in the air as we must, as befitting summer, have a summer vacation. But we’re leaving our options open. You’ll notice all these dates are Fridays and this is a new twist for EagleMonk. The beers will be cold and plentiful, the pizzas hot and gooey with cheese, and the music will be typical Instigators fare…originals, traditional,folk and country, shuffle in some blues. By the May show Joyce’s shoulder should be well enough to play her Taylor twelve strings, which rings like magic, perhaps adding mandolin and the UBass, and singing her best.
We will also be playing at the East Lansing Farmers’ Market on July 6, from 10:30-12:00. This will be our first time playing there and hope you’ll come and listen while you shop seasonal produce from local vendors. We will be playing covers, as well as originals. Joyce will be in fine fettle, on guitar, mandolin and the infamous UBass. Me, just guitar and some incredible vocals.