Next stage for 'Backstage'

If you've ever faced the disappointment of finding out your favorite band´s “Backstage Pass” taping was already filled up, that may not be a problem in the future.

At a Wednesday press conference, WKAR executive producer Timothy Zeko laid out a few major changes for the music series´ fourth season.

Zeko announced the series will be taping its first four episodes June 26 and 27 at the Albert White Performing Arts Theater in the Hannah Community Center instead of WKAR-TV’s Studio A of the Michigan State University’s Communication Arts and Sciences building.

“We’re thrilled to be able to increase our seating four-fold,” Zeko said. “(In Studio A), we are limited to about 100; here, we can seat over 400.”

The lineup for the inaugural “Pass” shows in the new location features Home Again (a duo made up of Andy Holtgreive and Billy Kenny of Domestic Problems), Domestic Problems (the Grand Rapids-based band that’s celebrating its 20th anniversary), the blues-funk of Howling Diablos and Silent Lapse, a four-man group from Westphalia that Zeko noted will be “our first metal band” on “Backstage Pass.”

Zeko said the fourth season will also be shot in high-definition, something he said he´s been pushing for for years.

“Now, the best news,” Zeko said. “All the shows are free. That´s an important resource to have because we like to have our audiences as large as we can.”

Next month, Zeko should get his wish.

‘Backstage Pass’ taping schedule

Shows tape at the Albert White Performing Arts Theater inside the Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbot Road, in East Lansing. Admission is free, but tickets must be requested in advance at www.wkar.org. Each performance is ticketed separately.

June 26

7 p.m.  — Home Again (acoustic folk from Billy Kenny and Andy Holtgreive of Domestic Problems; hear songs from the “Forgotten Years” CD at www.reverbnation.com/homeagainmusic)

8:30 p.m. — Domestic Problems (rock)

June 27

7 p.m. — Howling Diablos (funk/blues/rock)

8:30 p.m. — Silent Lapse (four-piece metal band from Westphalia)