Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Electric Forest electrified fans with psychedelic fun and fireworks while country star Frankie Ballard reveled in a Grand Rapids homecoming show and Tegan & Sara made their Meijer Gardens debut.
Festival-goers settled in on the second day of the four-day event in Rothbury, showing off their peacock-like attire (or lack of attire) and reveling in the first performance by the beloved String Cheese Incident.
The Grand Rapids singer-songwriter and performer boasts a dynamic voice and a passionate drive to entertain audiences. (Podcast, video)
Concert reviews · Features · Photos
Some 30,000 colorfully attired fans descended on the tiny community of Rothbury on Thursday for another edition of this much-beloved hippie-fest.
The duo retraces Grammy-winning “Get Up!” in bracing show Thursday at a sold-out Meijer Gardens. The guest Local Spins review by The Crane Wives’ Ben Zito.
Artist Spotlights · Podcasts · Videos
One of da Silva’s songs has been licensed for use by ESPN during World Cup coverage and the singer is finishing up her third album. She plays The Pyramid Scheme on Friday. (Podcast, video)
Concert reviews · Features · Photos
Wednesday’s one-time move of WLAV’s Blues on the Mall from downtown Grand Rapids to Fifth Third Ballpark for the Freedom Cruise kickoff drew throngs in the thousands.
The five-day Freedom Cruise kicks off tonight with Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials at Fifth Third Ballpark, but big shows also on tap this weekend at The DeltaPlex.
The country star returns to Grand Rapids for a homecoming show Friday as part of The Intersection’s Rock the Lot series. ‘Life is good,’ Ballard tells Local Spins.
Despite gray skies and brief showers, Meijer Gardens’ seventh concert of the season entertained a sellout crowd with pop-hued folk-rock and alt-rock by two popular live touring bands.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Founders Fest jammed downtown streets in Grand Rapids, but compelling shows were also on tap with Needtobreathe at Meijer Gardens, May Erlewine at Wealthy Theatre and more — featured in the Local Spins photo gallery.
Founders Brewing Co.’s seventh annual street party lived up to the hype with Charley Bradley & His Extraordinaires stealing the show with their fiery, retro-soul set, followed by the ultra-funk of Lettuce.
Album reviews · Features · Upcoming shows
The much-admired singer-songwriter and new mom plays a CD-release show Saturday at Wealthy Theatre, celebrating the ‘wild ride’ of her 7th studio album. (Story, review)
Playing to a sold-out amphitheater on a sun-splashed night, Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks led their jam-driven band through a guitar-fueled evening.
This week’s Local Spins Artist Spotlight shines on a versatile multi-instrumentalist from Grand Rapids with a penchant for musical story-telling. He plays One Trick Pony tonight.
Musical lightning strikes thrice: Unusual confluence of stellar acts playing Grand Rapids on single night impresses crowds despite stormy weather.
The seventh annual street party will boast performances on Saturday by Charles Bradley, Lettuce and six other bands on two stages, with more 6,000 people expected. (See full band schedule)
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
Several West Michigan bands will be part of the revamped Celebration and Independence Day festivities in early July in downtown Grand Rapids.
Frontman and family man Brian Vander Ark talks with Local Spins about why the West Michigan band finally went back into the studio for a stunning project that eschews the ‘silly rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle’ of old. (Story, album review)
NEW FORMAT! The mid-June weekend round-up of live music ranged from the indie-rock verve of Minus the Bear and CAKE to local heroes playing outdoors, including Steppin’ In It, Kari Lynch, Junior Valentine & Jason Wheeler, Hannah Rose and many more.
Steppin’ In It, Rachael Davis & Peter Madcat Ruth, Fauxgrass, The Mainstays, DarlenYa and more delivered opening night gems, with organizers expecting up to 2,000 family-oriented festivalgoers this weekend at Circle Pines Center
Popular alt-rock band delivered a solid two-set show of 15 songs on Thursday, plus a three-song encore that boasted a cover of Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs.” (Review, photos)
The Local Spins Artist Spotlight shines on an in-demand Grand Rapids rock band, a fresh trio with two EPS under its belt and two more albums on the way. They play Founders Thursday night. (Podcast, video)
Ignoring a few sprinkles, the singer-songwriters and their talented bands combined for three hours of top-notch, rootsy alt-country.
Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band, Dar Williams, Steppin’ In It, Rootstand, Drew Nelson, Lindsay Lou & The Flatbellys, Edye Evans Hyde among 30-plus acts playing weekend festival south of Grand Rapids.
Local Spins’ first Guest Playlist for June comes courtesy of rockabilly starlet Delilah DeWylde, who offers up a roster of tasty, relatively obscure, retro-fired musical nuggets.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
June’s first weekend may have been the biggest ever for West Michigan music fans with hundreds of bands playing outdoor stages from Grand Rapids to Martin to Kalamazoo.
Concert reviews · Features · Photos
Kari Lynch Band, Skankadank, Rick Chyme, Max Colley III, The Muteflutes, Blue Water Ramblers, Conklin Ceili Band, Union Guns and more revved up crowds on Friday. (Photo gallery, video)
From Nathan Kalish & The Wildfire celebrating a new album to Mustard Plug and Alexis closing things out, it’s bound to be a street party to remember – and on the same weekend as Festival.
The Local Spins Artist Spotlight shines on an award-winning rapper with a basketball teamwork mentality who plays Festival and the Local First Street Party this weekend. (Podcast, photo gallery)
Commentary · Features · Upcoming shows
Grand Rapids’ 45th annual Festival of the Arts boasts hundreds of acts, including two veterans from opposite ends of the musical spectrum. And check out some musicians’ picks for the weekend
The sold-out crowd of 1,900 arrived early, jostled for prime seats and boogied to “Oye Como Va” and “Smooth” as the guitarist and his top-notch 10-piece band launched the summer series.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
It was a weekend for parties and CD-release celebrations, along with the usual musical mayhem from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo, captured in images at Local Spins.
Touring behind “Corazon,” the legendary guitarist’s sold-out, season-opening show promises to bring ageless passion to the outdoor amphitheater.
Artist Spotlights · Podcasts · Videos
Flying under the radar in West Michigan, the 21-year-old singer already has racked up hits on the pop charts and worked with Grammy-winning producers. She’ll debut her live show this summer. Check out the exclusive in-studio video.
Reveling in his role as a brand new father, the driving force behind Earthwork Music credits Michigan’s “awesome music community” for bolstering his latest recording.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
The 97 LAV Budweiser Blues on the Mall launches its 23rd year in Grand Rapids with blues guitar phenom Kelly Richey on June 18 and includes an early August tribute to Walter Trout.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
West Michigan welcomed summer early by turning amps to 11 with help from surf-rock’s Concussions, jazz pioneers Richard Pinhas and The Moon, metal’s Mushroomhead, blues’ Rusty Wright and a bunch of fun-loving VW bus owners, captured in images at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Features · Photos
Local Spins’ David Specht and photographer Tori Thomas experienced Buses by the Beach on Friday, capturing the camaraderie and music of the 13th annual event, held at Camp Blodgett.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
The Celadon Summer Concert Series is back, adding to a long list of free outdoor summer shows across West Michigan. And today’s the deadline for bidding on some bracing house concerts by acclaimed Michigan bands.
Artist Spotlights · Features · Upcoming shows
Nicholas James & The Bandwagon, Delilah DeWylde & The Lost Boys, The Muteflutes and more are part of the lakeshore event that began a dozen years ago with 12 VW buses. And check out the premiere of a new song, “Bus Life,” written just for the festival.
This week’s edition of the Guest Playlist comes from an erudite music maven and musician whose song roster ranges from hip hop to blues, from The Casket Girls to The Handgrenades and Heaters.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements
Tickets for the second of three straight August concerts planned for the ballpark north of Grand Rapids go on sale at 10 a.m. Thursday.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
It was a weekend of dynamic performances, some by West Michigan bands The Soul Syndicate, Murder Party, Jesse Ray & The Carolina Catfish and a dozen bands at the Bona-Who? fest. (Photos, videos)
More weekend photos: Seether, Downtown Fiesta, Manchester Orchestra, Jesse Ray & The Carolina Catfish, Murder Party and more in photos from Anthony Norkus, Tori Thomas, Eric Stoike, Anna Sink, Kristine[…]
Led by the uninhibited androgyny of frontman Kevin Barnes, the glammy indie-rock ensemble energized Grand Rapids fans with a theatrical feast. Review, photos.
The seven-piece Grand Rapids soul band with an inspiring lead singer makes its public debut at the Tip Top on Saturday. Check out the Local Spins Artist Spotlight preview and an exclusive premiere of a new Soul Syndicate song.
The inaugural Grand Rapids music festival was to unfurl Friday and Saturday in a pair of Eastown homes and promised to be a multi-genre, waffle-filled affair. But a complaint led to its cancellation.
Artist Spotlights · Features · Videos
A hidden gem along Lake Michigan’s shoreline, the guitarist with an impressive past shines these days as a vintage country music artist. (Video)
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The weekend started early with some soulful Fitz and continued with rousing celebrations: Seven Steps Up’s 100th show, GR Songwriters Alliance’s 10th anniversary and Local Spins’ rollicking second anniversary rock show.
