Bonus Photo Gallery (May 11, 2014)
More weekend photos: GR Songwriters Alliance Showcase, Krafty Kuts, Pat McGee, The Legal Immigrants, Jesse Ray & The Carolina Catfish by Anthony Norkus, Eric Stoike, Kevin Reedy and Anna Sink.[…]
Author: John Sinkevics
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Features · Playlists · Top 10 Lists
The Local Spins Guest Playlist: Drummer Dan Rickabus of The Crane Wives
Welcome to the debut of the Local Spins Playlist, kicked off by Dan Rickabus, whose wildly eclectic song picks include Radiohead, Seth Bernard, The Beatles and some artists, well, you’ve probably never heard before.
‘Reckless on stage’: The Legal Immigrants’ raw rock power in the Local Spins Artist Spotlight
The Grand Rapids rock band headlines Friday night’s free Local Spins Live show at Rockford Brewing, and judging by their track record, fans can expect a scorching, high-energy affair.
Ten years, hundreds of songwriters, thousands of songs: Grand Rapids Songwriters Alliance mark anniversary with Wealthy Theatre showcase
With the GRSA turning 10, members will deliver some of “the best songs no one’s ever heard” during Friday’s event.
Shut up! Spring Lake’s Seven Steps Up to celebrate 100th concert as nationally recognized venue
Really, it’s true. West Michigan’s unique and ‘intense’ listening room celebrates a major milestone with Thursday’s performance by East Coast singer-songwriter Pat McGee.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
KOAN Sound, Serita’s Black Rose, The Bluefields, Bimini Bros: The Local Spins Weekend Photo Gallery
From all-out rock shows to soul and funk to EDM to jazz to acoustic guitar wizardry, the weekend unfurled in eclectic fashion across West Michigan, captured in photos at Local Spins.
More Local Spins Photos/Video (May 1-4)
Photos by Anthony Norkus, Eric Stoike, Anna Sink, Kevin Reedy and Katy Batdorff Email John Sinkevics at jsinkevics@gmail.com. Copyright 2014, Spins on Music
Breaking music news · Features
Despite delays, final 2014 Grand Rapids Festival of the Arts performance schedule now online
After computer issues caused some delays in notifying acts, the Grand Rapids Festival of the Arts has finalized the performance schedule for June 6-8 and it’s now online.
Artist Spotlights · Podcasts · Videos
Michigan’s Root Doctor: Born with a passion for the blues and ‘a good time’ (Story, podcast, video)
The popular, award-winning Lansing-based band in this week’s Local Spins Artist Spotlight performs regularly in West Michigan and brings its soulful charm to Grand Rapids on Saturday night.
The Bluefields: A ‘guilty pleasure’ super-group scratching its ‘Led Zeppelin itch’ in Grand Rapids
The veteran Nashville rock band, which is touring behind a brand new album, plays the Tip Top on Friday, with West Michigan’s The Dushanes opening the show.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements
Rick Braun to headline GRandJazzFest; Madison Rising, The Outer Vibe to play Freedom Cruise; Jazz at the Zoo kicks off 14th season in June
The summer of live music gets ever more jam-packed in the Grand Rapids area. Check out the lineup for GRandJazzFest, Freedom Cruise and Jazz at the Zoo.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements
Cowpie Music Festival returns to Shagbark Farm in August after hiatus; May’s Bona-Who? to spotlight a dozen bands
Two music festivals with major aspirations return this year to Kent County — one to the south, the other to the north — with Cowpie’s two-day affair aiming to feature 15 local and regional acts.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The Devil Makes Three, Rosie Flores, Pinback: The Local Spins Weekend Photo Gallery (April 27)
With a mid-week show, The Soil & The Sun’s Grand Rapids homecoming launched several days of live gems that included singular sets by Jimmie Stagger, The Outer Vibe, Chance Jones, Junior Valentine and Alice Peacock.
More Local Spins Photos (Weekend of April 23-27)
Photos by Katy Batdorff, Anthony Norkus, Kevin Reedy, John Sinkevics
Breaking music news · Concert announcements
Nine Meijer Gardens concerts sell out on first morning of ticket sales; several more sellouts follow
The June 1 Santana concert led the way in sales on a crazy first day as several hundred concertgoers lined up early to ensure they’d land spots for popular acts. Sixteen shows have now sold out.
Rock the Rapids won’t return for 2014; organizers continue to eye future options for music festival
Returning to Fifth Third Ballpark in 2013 after losing money on its downtown festival, Rock the Rapids continues to look for ways to bolster its finances and find an appropriate site.
Breaking music news · Features
Songwriters’ registration for ArtPrize and $10,000 in St. Cecilia prizes open until midnight June 5
St. Cecilia won’t host an ArtPrize musicians’ showcase this fall, but more busking stations will be added for performers.
Beer and Americana music: The Carboys in the Local Spins Artist Spotlight (Story, podcast, video)
The rootsy five-piece Grand Rapids indie-folk/country band releases its debut album at Founders on Saturday. Read the story for a chance to win a copy of the new CD.
Grand Rapids Soul Club: Bringing the funk as ‘a labor of love’ for two years and counting
With special guests galore, the DJ crew regularly delivers soul and funk to Billy’s Lounge and The Pyramid Scheme, growing a devoted, dance-happy audience in the process.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
Live music in the great outdoors: Michigan stars power GR, EGR, Holland, Rockford, Wyoming, Grand Haven, Kalamazoo summer concerts and more
From Root Doctor to Kari Lynch to Brian VanderArk to The Crane Wives: Strong lineups power outdoor summer concerts in Rockford, Holland and Wyoming for 2014.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Schoolboy Q, WGVU Blues Benefit, Record Store Day, Machine Gun Kelly, Beats Antique: The Weekend Photo Gallery
The long holiday weekend teemed with music, including Mid-Life Crisis at Forest Hills Fine Arts Center’s 10th anniversary, Granger Smith, Hannah Rose Graves and Breathe Owl Breathe.
Commentary · Features · Upcoming shows
Record Store Day: Fresh vinyl, live music, preserving history and acting ‘like kids scoring new comic books’
West Michigan’s celebration on Saturday is as much about history, nostalgia and supporting local record shops and bands as it is about snapping up exclusive vinyl releases. Dodds hosts its first RSD under new ownership, while Vertigo Music and The Corner Record Shop continue to make the day a real party.
The rhythm-happy musical ‘gumbo’ of Junior Valentine: The Local Spins Artist Spotlight
The veteran Grand Rapids guitarist, performer and instructor fronts an intriguing new trio with mandolinist Jason Wheeler and percussionist Brandan Grinwis, mining American roots gems. (Story, podcast, video)
‘School of Rock’ times 10: Forest Hills Fine Arts Center 10th anniversary to star Mid-Life Crisis, 70-plus students in unique stage spectacle
Saturday’s unprecedented anniversary concert will pay tribute to decade of international stars who’ve played the venue and bring more than 70 performers to the stage in a rare spectacle.
The Lone Bellow in Grand Rapids: Packing an indie-folk punch (Photo gallery)
Intimate vocals and moving songwriting marked the band’s concert Tuesday night at the Calvin College Covenant Fine Arts Center in a show rescheduled from January.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
Meijer Gardens’ Tuesday Evening Music Club to spotlight regional diversity with Afro Zuma, Organissimo, Mid-Life Crisis, Cabildo, AG Silver, The Mickeys, Black Jake
The two-month celebration of Michigan music starts with Afro Zuma and a kid-interactive “Family Appreciation Night” and wraps up in August with Ralston & Friends.
GRiZ, David Nail, Sister Sparrow, The National, Jake’s Music Fest: The Local Spins Weekend Photo Gallery
National tours of note made West Michigan stops, but there was plenty more with a big lineup of regional acts at Jake’s Music Festival plus shows by The Bangups, Seabird, Scott Pellegrom & Kevin Kozel, Nathan Kalish and Teddy Geiger.
Breaking music news · Features
Musicians mourn passing of beloved West Michigan keyboard player David Raffenaud
The keyboard ace for bands such as Jive at Five and Blue Molly who died Saturday of an apparent heart attack remembered as a terrific friend and versatile musician.
The National dial it up a notch for 4,000 at Calvin College
The much-praised Cincinnati-turned-Brooklyn band unfurled a bona fide rock spectacle for a well-behaved, enthusiastic crowd at Calvin’s Van Noord Arena on Saturday. (Review, photo gallery)
Deep Greens & Blues: Striking harmonies, inspiring lyrics and a nod to James Taylor
This week’s Local Spins Artist Spotlight shines on a Grand Rapids folk-rock trio which blends the voices of a seasoned singer-songwriter and a classically trained vocalist. (Podcast, video)
Breaking music news · Concert announcements
Bonnie Raitt, Bela Fleck, Willie Nelson, Steely Dan among headliners for 2014 Interlochen series; Hoxeyville lineup features Greensky Bluegrass
The unique Interlochen venue in northern Michigan hosts more than two dozen stars – from Lynyrd Skynyrd to Buddy Guy – with tickets on sale April 18. And Hoxeyville returns in mid-August to the Manistee National Forest.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements
Meijer Gardens launches 2014 summer series with Santana; 30-concert lineup stars John Legend, Barenaked Ladies, Ben Harper, Ziggy Marley, Jackson Browne, Pat Metheny
Returning will be CAKE, Lyle Lovett, The Beach Boys, O.A.R., Five for Fighting and Sheryl Crow, but most acts are new to Meijer Gardens. See the full schedule; ticket presale for members begins April 26.
Jake’s Music Festival to celebrate 10th year with The Waxies, David Molinari, diverse blend of West Michigan talent
Saturday’s anniversary show at Wealthy Theatre will showcase eight eclectic local acts while raising money for, and raising awareness of, juvenile diabetes research.
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
Aria Flame to play Metal Female Voices Fest in Europe, The Crane Wives launch ‘new look’ shows, SoundIsRed to get futuristic in Holland
This Local Spins music news roundup goes metal in a female-fronted way, electronic with “Synesthesia” and folk with a dynamic trio of bands playing together for the first time.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements
Lettuce, Charles Bradley and Break Science to headline 2014 Founders Fest on June 21
The mammoth, summer-starting street party expects to draw 6,000-plus folks for beer and sets by Lettuce, Charles Bradley, Break Science, Budos Band, The Giving Tree Band, Fauxgrass and Valentiger. Advance tickets on sale April 18.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The Head & The Heart, Iced Earth, Ralston & Friends, Wayland: The Local Spins Weekend Photo Gallery
A weekend launched with diverse and bracing folk at Calvin College, St. Cecilia Music Center and Founders Brewing was followed by heavy metal blasts at The Intersection and more as captured in Local Spins images.
Wildly eclectic lineup sparks triumphant Fresh Folk finale at St. Cecilia Music Center (Review, photos)
Billy Strings & Don Julin, Jill Jack, Rick Chyme, Ralston Bowles and The Northern Skies turned Thursday’s Grand Rapids show into an uplifting and emotional showcase of Michigan’s diverse music.
Breaking music news · Features
Max Colley III named West Michigan jazz musician of the year; Grand Haven’s Redwall North recording studio moves out, eyes Spring Lake
Local Spins’ early April news update shines a spotlight on two well-known Michigan music icons: trumpet player Max Colley III and sound expert Bill Chrysler, owner of Redwall North. […]
The seasoned blues, soul and authenticity of West Michigan’s Big Boss Blues: The Local Spins Artist Spotlight
With decades of professional musicianship in its ranks, West Michigan’s two-year-old Big Boss Blues has quickly made its mark on the region’s blues scene. (Podcast, video)
St. Cecilia’s Fresh Folk finale: Ralston Bowles, Jill Jack, Billy Strings, Rick Chyme and The Northern Skies’ farewell
Thursday night’s Fresh Folk finale at Grand Rapids’ St. Cecilia Music Center promises a dizzying array of eclectic Michigan performers and fans’ last chance to see The Northern Skies live.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Mustard Plug, Billy Strings & Don Julin, Jimmie Stagger & Weezil Malone: The Weekend Photo Gallery
Charlie Worsham, Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers, The Sam Roberts Band, Cherub, A.B! and Hawks & Owls also make an appearance in this week’s collection of live music images.
Features · Top 10 Lists · Videos
Sunshine Sounds: The Local Spins Top 10 list of summer songs
The time to warm up is now: Topped by the No. 1 hit from West Michigan’s own Frankie Ballard, the 2014 edition of best songs for cottage and lakefront relaxation spotlights summery songs of the past decade.
The Muteflutes’ ‘cool creative journey’: Grand Rapids folk-rockers prepare to unleash ‘American Dream’
A Local Spins exclusive: A sneak peek into the Americana-hued five-piece band’s more electric sophomore album, to be unveiled during a Billy’s Lounge CD-release show in May
Mustard Plug to fire up hometown show Saturday with new album, new label, same rabid fans
Who’d a thunk it? Even band frontman David Kirchgessner can’t believe that more than two decades later, the Grand Rapids ska band is as popular as ever.
Future Islands make big waves in Grand Rapids concert
The buzzed-about Baltimore synthpop band electrified a sold-out crowd at The Pyramid Scheme on the same day that it released its new album, “Singles.” (Review, photo gallery)
Road map of musical diversity: WYCE-FM posts roster of 881 most “essential” artists
As the community radio station’s spring fund drive revs up, WYCE unveils its “881 Essentials,” including about 50 local and regional bands and solo artists they play on-air.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The Blow, Uncle Kracker, Lindsay Lou, The Accidentals, Michael Packer Benefit: The Weekend Photo Gallery
LadyFest GR with The Blow and more took over The Pyramid Scheme on Saturday, but the weekend also featured Uncle Kracker’s return, Lindsay Lou’s final show for three months and a Traverse City duo igniting One Trick Pony.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
Traverse City teen string duo The Accidentals: ‘Rocking it out,’ turning heads and dropping jaws
Savannah Buist and Katie Larson have generated a buzz with their catchy folk-rock, caught the ear of Marshall Crenshaw and built a solid fan base. Their One Trick Pony show marked their Grand Rapids debut.
Going retro with the vintage tones of The Moonrays: The Local Spins Artist Spotlight
Led by renowned Grand Rapids guitarist Fitz Green, the instrumental surf rock band draws a devoted following at its regular haunts: Rocky’s, Tip Top Deluxe and Rockford Brewing.
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
West Michigan Freedom Cruise to roar into Fifth Third Ballpark, DeltaPlex with celebrities, car shows, concerts in late June
The debut of the Freedom Cruise June 25-29 will feature custom car and bike shows, a “Freedom Rocks” concert and a special edition of WLAV’s “Blues on the Ball.”
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