Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Top-shelf songwriting from Brett Dennen, Luke Winslow-King and others — along with stellar musicianship — took the spotlight at several concerts across West Michigan over the weekend. Plus, check out videos and photos from the jam-packed ‘Laurel Canyon II’ tribute night.
Artist Spotlights · Emerging Artists to Watch · Upcoming shows
Howard City’s Tyler Gitchel already has opened for several national artists and released several singles in 2025. Get his back story and listen to one of his original songs at Local Spins
Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
One of Michigan’s longest-running music festivals embraced everything from traditional music to rock, funk and more on several stages and amid the woods in Remus last weekend. The Local Spins recap, photos and video.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
The alt-rock/folk band’s sold-out, headlining show at Meijer Gardens on Thursday night was a milestone event for the beloved group with a devoted fan base. The review, photos and a video at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
The special five-act romp for Tuesday Evening Music Club came the same night that Rotary Rocks benefit in Rockford boasted sets by Roosevelt Diggs and Nicholas James & The Bandwagon. Recaps, photos at Local Spins.
Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
The hard-driving Upheaval Festival returned to Belknap Park on Friday amid sunny skies that drew throngs of hyper-energetic metal fans who cheered bands on three stages. The recap, photos and video.
The multi-platinum-selling West Michigan alt-rock band returned to Meijer Gardens on Monday this time with a symphonic twist. The review and photos at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Sunny, sultry weather greeted fans of vibrant music on Tuesday: The Music That Raised Us at Meijer Gardens, Jake Kershaw in Rockford and Watchhouse in Kalamazoo. Revisit the musical action in images at Local Spins.
It rained throughout Sunday’s concert at Meijer Gardens, but those who stuck around were treated to the trio’s fetching covers and original gems. The review and photos.
The sold-out kickoff to the Meijer Gardens summer concert series even impressed the ban, which called it “a surreal place to play music.” The review, photos and set list from Friday’s show.
The highly acclaimed, Grammy Award-winning folk artist returned to St. Cecilia Music Center on Tuesday for yet another crowd-enchanting performance that included a shout-out to a local guitar company. The review and photos.
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The Grand Rapids indie-folk band topped three other finalists to take home top honors at Saturday’s finals in the fourth annual event. The recap and photo gallery at Local Spins.
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Grand Rapids singer Melissa Dylan plays a songwriters’ night at SpeakEZ Lounge on Friday with Ralston Bowles and Dan Terry. Local Spins digs into more about this tunesmith who just started a new band.
Concert reviews · Photos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Enchanting a sold-out crowd at St. Cecilia Music Center, The Lone Bellow’s Saturday tour stop was just part of a bracing concert week that also featured Jimkata, Ten Peso Version, Super Future & more. Get the recaps, photos and a video at Local Spins.
The 19-year-old singer made the most of her second shot in the NBC singing competition, moving on to the Battle Rounds earlier this month. Learn more about Herrera in this Local Spins interview.
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The first-ever musical benefit for Grand Rapids’ Guiding Light rolled out as a compelling and touching showcase of songwriting and performing by a who’s who roster of Michigan artists. The review, photos and video at Local Spins.
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Preparing to play SpeakEZ Lounge on Friday with two other Michigan artists, Spencer LaJoye opens up about songwriting, performing and the region’s welcoming music community.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
‘Crazy’ as it feels to her, Tuesday’s Van Andel Arena tour stop puts the Rockford native in the spotlight on the big stage ahead of country star Kelsea Ballerini. The Local Spins Q&A with MaRynn Taylor.
The nonprofit Michigan program that’s performed for 80,000-plus students over the years is back in “a discovery phase,” seeking schools eager to get their kids excited about live music.
Concert reviews · Photos · Top Stories of the Year Countdown
November’s packed concert at Van Andel Arena surprised many with what rolled out as one of rock fans’ favorite shows of the year. Revisit the Local Spins review, photo gallery and set lists as our December countdown of the year’s top music stories continues.
Tuesday night’s packed concert at Van Andel Arena pumped up fans with familiar hits and uplifting sentiments. The Local Spins review, photo gallery and set lists from the show.
Friday’s Grand Rapids lineup boasted two sold-out shows: Indie-folk/bluegrass/jazz artist Sierra Ferrell made her Meijer Gardens debut while Michigan’s Crave Wives lit up The Intersection. The recaps and photos exclusively at Local Spins.
The Los Angeles indie-pop band returned to a sold-out Meijer Gardens on Thursday, the same night that Michigan’s songbird embraced a big crowd at downtown’s Studio Park, Get the recaps and photo galleries at Local Spins.
Summer Festivals · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
The electronic music fest at Grand Rapids Belknap Park drew an even bigger crowd for Day 2 on Saturday, with other shows across West Michigan also attracting lively fans. The photo recaps at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Festivals · Photos
Saturday’s second annual festival celebrated the KDL Vibes regional music streaming service with sets by more than a dozen acts, including Phabies, Earth Radio, Ralston Bowles and more. Revisit the event in words and photos at Local Spins.
The award-winning ’90s vocal group mixed hits with popular covers during their Meijer Gardens debut on Sunday night. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins, along with images from another vocal group sensation at Meijer Gardens: Il Divo.
Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
Festivalgoers basked in Saturday’s sunny weather as the second-year event delivered impassioned sets from seven acts, including Hannah Wicklund, who created a real buzz with her performance. Check out Local Spins’ review of the festival, along with photos and video highlights.
Summer Festivals · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Virginia’s Bad Omens closed out this year’s Upheaval Festival with effusive flash and the biggest crowd yet, wrapping up a sundry and resplendent live music week across West Michigan. Browse the photo galleries and more.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
Friday’s opening day of Upheaval at Grand Rapids’ Belknap Park unleased thunderous sets from Godsmack, Killswitch Engage, Of Mice and Men and more. The recap, highlights and photos at Local Spins.
After buying beer for fans at a St. Cecilia concert earlier this year, a fan returned the favor by supplying the singer-songwriter a drink Wednesday at Meijer Gardens. Just part of an inviting Grand Rapids show. The review and photos at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
The festival’s opening day at Circle Pines Center south of Grand Rapids was a classic Buttermilk feast of live music and frolicking kids. The recap with photos at Local Spins.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
This mid-June festival kicks off south of Grand Rapids on Friday, with dozens of Michigan acts on the three-day bills. Get the details, ticket links, daily schedules and performer picks at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
From one end of Michigan to the other, the weekend kicked off with a celebratory flair, featuring a star-studded christening of an iconic building and the return of a GR institution. Get the recaps, photo galleries and a video at Local Spins.
Grand Rapids’ Par-Llo Connection and Avalon Cutts-Jones kicked off the 2024 edition of the Tuesday Evening Music Club series. The recap and photos at Local Spins.
The progressive rock band topped The Cosmoknights, who took second, along with fellow competitors Farewell Come April and Quilter on Saturday night in another sold-out show as part of the month-long contest. The recap and photos at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Emerging Artists to Watch · Videos
As MaRynn Taylor climbs the country music charts and accomplishes career milestones, she holds onto the wonder of her younger self while following in the footsteps of the country stars she grew up admiring. The Local Spins interview, along with Taylor’s latest music videos.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Sunday’s rescheduled Winter Wheat and the return of jazz to SpeakEZ Lounge capped off a fascinating week of live music across West Michigan. The photo galleries, videos and more from seven shows at Local Spins, including Jackson Dean, LowDown Brass Band. Spencer LaJoye and Randissimo’s Sunday Night Jazz.
The mesmerizing violinist uncorked her holiday ‘Snow Waltz’ show for fans in Grand Rapids on Tuesday amid impressive dance routines and more. Read the review and browse the photo gallery at Local Spins.
The trio of brothers brought their tour Tuesday to a jam-packed Van Andel Arena, creating a nearly three-hour career retrospective. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Last weekend’s performance-packed 50th anniversary celebration of Wheatland offered attendees national and regional acts, camaraderie, great weather and more. The recap in words and photos at Local Spins. Plus, browse photos from other September concerts in West Michigan.
An impressive cast of regional musicians joined the singer-songwriter for the next-to-last Tuesday Evening Music Club show of 2023. The recap and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Thursday night brought two much-respected international touring acts to Grand Rapids — The Chicks at Van Andel Arena and Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova of The Swell Season to Meijer Gardens. The reviews and photo galleries at Local Spins.
Singer Pat Monahan and Train pumped out a cavalcade of pop/rock hits for a capacity crowd at Meijer Gardens, the same night that Soccer Mommy closed out downtown Grand Rapids’ Listening Lawn series. The recaps and photo galleries.
Two iconic bands played to separate, engaged Grand Rapids audiences just a block away from each other on Wednesday. The recaps and photos at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
The Kalamazoo progressive bluegrass powerhouse Greensky Bluegrass brought its summer U.S. tour to a familiar venue, enchanting a sold-crowd Wednesday at the Meijer Gardens amphitheater. The review, photo gallery and video at Local Spins.
The three-day Festival of the Arts launched Friday amid sunny, 90-degree weather with more than two dozen performances on five stages. Browse the recap with photos and view the Saturday-Sunday schedule.
One fan called it the ‘best place to be on a Tuesday night.’ Singer Sarena Rae and Motherland Cultural Connections proved that with crowd-pleasing sets on a sunny, warm night. Read the recap, browse the photo gallery at Local Spins.
Rolling out big hits such as “Iris,” “Slide” and “Black Balloon,” the New York rockers fired up a capacity crowd Thursday in the next-to-last Meijer Gardens concert of 2022. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Emerging Artists to Watch · Upcoming shows
With an eclectic sound, DIY roots and a new album on the way after signing with a Detroit record label, the Grand Rapids indie emo-punk band plays Wealthy Annex on Saturday. Learn more about this emerging outfit and watch one of their videos.
Concert reviews · Photos · Weekend Photo Gallery
The Irish singer-songwriter with a new album set for release next month played a rescheduled Sunday night affair at GLC Live at 20 Monroe. The review and photos, plus galleries from three other weekend West Michigan concerts, including Fake Baseball, Ballyhoo, Incantations and more.
