Blind Pig (venue)

2026年10月3日

The Blind Pig: A Hub for Music in Ann Arbor

The Blind Pig is a renowned music venue located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States. Established in 1971, the venue initially served as a haven for blues musicians. Over the years, it has evolved to predominantly feature indie rock acts and local bands, making it a staple in the Ann Arbor music scene.

The venue was the brainchild of Tom Isaia and Jerry DelGiudice, who envisioned it as a European-style café. It offered a diverse menu that included espresso, cappuccino, homemade soups, Italian biscotti, and crostini, along with a comprehensive wine and beer list. The Blind Pig was named after the slang term for illegal after-hours gathering spots, also known as speakeasies. The founders renovated an old building in downtown Ann Arbor to create this unique café/club hybrid.

In 1975, DelGiudice launched Blind Pig Records, a label that continues to operate today, to showcase the music of many bands that regularly performed at the venue. In 1979, Isaia and DelGiudice sold the Blind Pig to Dave Whitmore, who later sold it to Roy and Betty Goffett three years later. The Goffetts expanded the venue by renovating the rear of the building, doubling its space. They opened the 8-Ball Saloon on the lower level and relocated the stage to the more spacious main floor. This expansion made the venue more suitable for crowd-heavy rock shows.

Over the years, the Blind Pig has hosted an impressive array of acts, including Tally Hall, Joan Baez, Bo Diddley, George Thorogood, 10,000 Maniacs, Sonic Youth, Soul Asylum, Bob Mould, Soundgarden, The Smashing Pumpkins, The Velvet Beat, Pearl Jam, Nirvana, No Doubt, Dave Matthews Band, Tool, Jewel, Godsmack, Papa Roach, and John Mayer. The venue has become known for its ability to attract up-and-coming artists, hosting shows nearly every night throughout the year.

One of the most notable events in the Blind Pig’s history occurred in 1989 when a then little-known band, Nirvana, performed a sold-out show. This opportunity arose largely due to a recommendation from Soundgarden, who had performed a sold-out show at the venue a week prior. In a later MTV interview, Nirvana cited the Blind Pig as their all-time favorite venue to play. A tribute to the band, created by the Goffetts, adorns a wall near the club’s entrance.

The Blind Pig’s cultural significance was highlighted in 2003 when Rolling Stone Magazine listed Ann Arbor as the #7 “Campus Scene That Rocks,” citing the venue as a primary reason. Additionally, the Blind Pig was featured in a Biden for President commercial in October 2020, which criticized President Donald Trump’s lack of response to assist music venues like the Blind Pig that had been shuttered since March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.