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The Michigan return of The War and Treaty, Over the Rhine: Two warm homecomings

December 3, 2023

Two bands made triumphant West Michigan appearances over the weekend, with Albion-bred heroes The War & Treaty playing Kalamazoo and the Over the Rhine duo returning yet again to Calvin University, plus Sullivan King playing two straight shows at The Intersection and Arkansauce playing Bell’s Brewery Eccentric Cafe. Get the recaps and browse the photo galleries at Local Spins.

Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery

Photo Recap: Pop Evil, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Desmond Jones, Myron Elkins, Full Cord

November 26, 2023

Beyond a flurry of football, the long Thanksgiving weekend cooked up a buffet of rock, hip hop, bluegrass, Americana and jam-band charm at venues from Grand Rapids to Holland to Kalamazoo.

Audio · Playlists

Michigan songs versus Ohio songs: The Wolverine State is the clear winner

November 25, 2023

So a certain much-ballyhooed rivalry game closes out the regular Big 10 season today in Ann Arbor. Local Spins kicks it off with a pre-show battle of songs about Michigan and Ohio. View the musical skirmish and listen to the tracks.

Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery

Carly Pearce, Founders’ KBS Anniversary, Kait Rose’s Fleetwood Mac Tribute & more: Photos

November 20, 2023

The weekend produced some fascinating performances from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo, including metal band If He Dies He Dies’ reunion show at The Pyramid Scheme and Mariachi Herencia De Mexico at Kalamazoo State Theatre. Browse all the photo galleries at Local Spins.

Album reviews · Audio

Album Reviews: Sufjan Stevens, Black Milk, Wills Piff & Samil, Free Hat and more

November 9, 2023

This November round-up features new releases by several acclaimed Michigan artists, from Feeding Grizzlies to Kitten & The Tonics, covering diverse music hatched in Detroit, Grand Rapids, Allegan and beyond. Check out the reviews and listen to tracks from all of the featured releases.

Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery

Switchfoot, Lyle Lovett, Roosevelt Diggs, Fake Baseball, Creepy Cheapy: Photo Recap

October 29, 2023

From inviting mid-week gems to Halloween-haunted weekend revelry, the final full week of October brimmed with celebratory concerts and album-release shows across the state. Browse the photo galleries exclusively at Local Spins.

Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery

Michigan Night’s ‘talent-rich’ showcase, plus Mudhoney, Owl City, Niko Moon & more

October 22, 2023

Local Spins’ week-in-review concert photo roundup also features the big Bass Country Halloween show, Ernest, Bad Religion and The Stray’s ‘Night of Ambient Music.’

Album reviews · Audio · Upcoming shows

Album Reviews: Greta Van Fleet’s ‘Starcatcher,’ plus Les Creatif, Silent Spirit, Aimcriers & more

October 19, 2023

Local Spins is back with another batch of reviews covering 2023 releases by regional artists, including Heart Dreams and After Ours. Check out the reviews, listen to selected tracks from the releases.

Concert reviews · Photos

Gruff and Enigmatic Ways: Bob Dylan’s star still shines in Grand Rapids show

October 15, 2023

The seemingly upbeat 82-year-old legend brought his “Rough and Rowdy Ways” tour to DeVos Performance Hall on Saturday, a show that was at once shadowy, unpredictable and characteristic of an evening with Dylan

Concert reviews · Photos

The Band Camino, We Came As Romans, Lanco: Grand Rapids concert photo recap

October 14, 2023

Friday night’s tour stops rattled downtown Grand Rapids, from GLC Live at 20 Monroe to The Intersection. Browse the photos at Local Spins.

Playlists · Upcoming shows · Videos

The Top 10 Best Bob Dylan Covers: The Ultimate Local Spins Playlist

October 12, 2023

The legendary Bob Dylan brings his global tour to Grand Rapids Saturday. Today, Dylan fan and Local Spins collaborator Nicholas James Thomasma offers up a compelling roster of Dylan songs covered by other artists.

Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery

Fred Armisen’s musical comedy, Headband Henny’s album-release and more: Photos

October 9, 2023

Check out Local Spins photo galleries featuring Fred Armisen’s Grand Rapids tour stop, plus weekend shows in Kalamazoo starring Headband Henny and Horseshoes & Hand Grenades.

Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery

Violent Femmes, Grace Potter, Vended rock West Michigan’s rafters in sundry ways

October 8, 2023

An unusual folk-punk collaboration with Grand Rapids Symphony, a rock-pop sensation and some metal mayhem found receptive audiences this week. Plus, check out video highlights from Pulaski Days and Saturday’s Horizen Fest. The photo galleries at Local Spins.

Concert reviews · Photos

Mid-Week Marvels: Black Veil Brides, St. Paul, Sounds of the Zoo, Lighting Matches (Photos)

September 28, 2023

It was a hump day unlike any other with fist-pumping affairs at GLC Live at 20 Monroe and Kalamazoo State Theatre, plus the launch of Local Spins Wednesdays and Sounds of the Zoo’s Day 3. Browse the photo galleries from all of the shows at Local Spins.

Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery

Fall Fun: Babymetal, Confluence, KDL Vibes, Drew Holcomb, Helmet, Joe Hertler: Photos

September 25, 2023

As summer turned to fall, live music shined in Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo and Rockford, with a first-time indoor Michigan showcase hosted by the Kent District Library. Browse the photos at Local Spins.

Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos

Earthwork Harvest Gathering Revisited: A weekend of healing music, inspiring sets

September 19, 2023

Last weekend’s festival on Earthwork Farm outside Lake City boasted more than 90 performances by Michigan artists. Local Spins has the recap, photos and a video.

Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery

Sugarhill Gang and Eastown Streetfair top huge West Michigan week of live music (Photos)

September 17, 2023

From an appearance by a legendary hip-hop act to massive crowds at Eastown Streetfair to captivating performances in Lowell, Muskegon and Kalamazoo, it was a hyper-active mid-September week. Photos, videos at Local Spins.

Concert reviews · Photos

Lauren Daigle, GRiZ, PUP and Michigan Irish Music Fest: Concert Photo Recaps

September 15, 2023

Only Local Spins boasts such a diverse round-up of early-week shows from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo to Muskegon. Browse the photo galleries from a last-summer volley of live music.

Concert reviews · Summer Festivals · Weekend Photo Gallery

Late Summer Blast: Alter Bridge, Return to the River, Polish Fest, The Beths, Full Cord (Recap)

August 27, 2023

From The Baseball Project super-group to a battle of up-and-coming bands, the post-storm weekend of wondrous weather unfurled rock, bluegrass, hip hop, soul and polkas for big West Michigan audiences. Local Spins was there to capture it in photos and video.

Features · Top 10 Lists

Michigan’s Top 10 Hottest Shows in the Summer of 2023: The Local Spins List

August 26, 2023

The busiest summer ever for live music and festivals captivated the attention of Local Spins devotees. Today, we reveal the Top 10 concerts and festivals that enthralled our readers. Revisit all of the biggest shows of the summer.

Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos

Hoxeyville 2023 Revisited: Smokin’ hot music, esprit de corps & an exploding lighter

August 22, 2023

Thousands of festivalgoers romped amid Wellston’s oasis in the Manistee National Forest, cheering Marcus King, Molly Tuttle, Full Cord, Lindsay Lou, The Crane Wives and a revamped Airborne or Aquatic. Highlights, photos and video at Local Spins.

Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos

Deadmau5 revs things up (during and after) Breakaway Fest, Porter Robinson impresses

August 20, 2023

With humidity rising, so did anticipation of festivalgoers for mega-stars Saturday at Grand Rapids’ Breakaway, with Deadmau5’s alter-ego unleashing a ‘chest-crushing’ techno set at The Intersection’s after-party. Check out highlights from the second day of Breakaway, along with two photo galleries and a video.

Weekend Photo Gallery

Kalamazoo Blues Bash, Sister Hazel, Soul Syndicate & more: Concert photo recap

August 20, 2023

As summer begins to wane, live music continues to heat up stages from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo. Revisit eight shows from the past week in images at Local Spins.

Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery

Hip Hop’s 50th, Patty PerShayla, Railroad Earth, Bill Vits Memorial: Photo & Video Recaps

August 13, 2023

The weekend commemorating hip hop’s 50th birthday also boasted the Sparta Celtic Festival, Rogue River After-the-Blues Series, plus shows by Railroad Earth, Moon Orchids, The Concussions and more, recapped in photos at Local Spins.

Guest Column · Upcoming shows

Monk Matthaeus @ The Musicians’ Soundboard: Hip hop has stood the test of time

August 9, 2023

On Saturday, Monk Matthaeus co-hosts the family-friendly One Peace Hip Hop Festival at a Grand Rapids park to mark the genre’s 50th anniversary. Today, he tells his hip-hop story, in his own words and lists the Top 6 things that inspire him about the genre. Plus, get more information about the festival and the event schedule, along with details about Sunday’s breakdance battle.

Photos · Summer Festivals

Shagbark Music & Arts Fest 2023 Revisited: Cozy crowds, relaxed vibe, fiery fun

August 7, 2023

The inaugural three-day festival in southern Kent County boasted everything from a fire-dancing rock spectacle to Americana charm to a laid-back, on-the-farm milieu. The recap in words and images.

Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery

Nathaniel Rateliff, Bass Country, Kari Lynch, Djangophonique keep the heat on: Photos

August 6, 2023

West Michigan’s week of live music featured a fan-revving tour stop by Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, an EDM flurry, a special show from the Kalamazoo Academy of Rock and outdoor shows by regional artists. Browse the photo galleries at Local Spins.

Concert reviews · Summer Festivals · Weekend Photo Gallery

Wild Thyme, Tamarack & Smoke on the Water Fests + Glitch Mob, Shakey Graves: Photos

July 30, 2023

The jam-packed weekend of live music across West Michigan also featured performances by The Cornfed Girls, Charlie Millard Band, a farewell show from Pink Sky and more. Revisit the celebrations in colorful images at Local Spins.

Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos

Revisiting Beaver Island Music Festival 2023: Reveling in ‘island music’ and communal vibes

July 26, 2023

One of the Michigan music festival scene’s most unusual settings hosted a boatload of performances by regional bands ranging from Sponge to Adrian + Meredith. The Beaver Island Music Fest recap in photos and video.

Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery

The Verve Pipe, Love Where You Live Fest, Here Come the Mummies, Maddie & Tae: Photos

July 23, 2023

The July music train kept rolling across West Michigan this week, with a new GR music festival, national tour stops and local star fervor aplenty, from Domestic Problems to Stephen Marley to Steep Canyon Rangers — all captured in photos at Local Spins.

Concert reviews · Photos

Thursday Delights: Ben Folds, The Soul Rebels, La Furia Del Ritmo perk up Grand Rapids

July 21, 2023

Grand Rapids audiences got a taste of three distinctly different concert experiences on Thursday, from symphonic pop to soulful funk to dance-inspiring Spanish language charm. The photo galleries at Local Spins.

Photos · Summer Festivals

Faster Horses 2023: A country music festival photo stampede from Local Spins

July 19, 2023

With the likes of Luke Bryan, Shania Twain, Zac Brown Band, Dustin Lynch and Dwight Yoakam, last weekend’s Faster Horses festival in Brooklyn, Mich., was a country music party unlike any other. Browse the photo gallery at Local Spins.

Weekend Photo Gallery

Upheaval Fest Day 2 + Ripe, Jake Kershaw, Roosevelt Diggs, Kanin Wren: Photo Recap

July 16, 2023

The second day of Grand Rapids’ mammoth heavy metal fest was just part of a robust week of live music across West Michigan — revisited in action-packed photos at Local Spins. Browse images of Ripe, The Hacky Turtles, Roosevelt Diggs, Kanin Wren’s Taylor Swift Experience, Jake Kershaw, Tommy Prine and a fun collective known as COA.

Local Spins Rewind · Summer Concerts · Summer Festivals

Local Spins Rewinds 2023’s Top Stories: Peter Frampton, Electric Forest, Meijer Gardens

July 8, 2023

Our review of the legendary rock guitarist’s June 19 tour-opening show in Grand Rapids drew readers from across the globe. At the year’s halfway point, Local Spins revisits its Top 3 most-read stories.

Concert reviews · Photos

Umphrey’s McGee creates psychedelic midsummer night’s dream for GR fans

July 3, 2023

The popular Midwest jam band returned to Meijer Gardens on Sunday night for an improvisation-heavy, sold-out show. The recap, photo gallery and set list at Local Spins.

Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery

Charley Crockett, Myron Elkins, Toad the Wet Sprocket, Smiling Acres: Concert Photo Recaps

July 2, 2023

Amid heat, humidity, rain and forest fire smoke, West Michigan’s musical train kept chugging as Independence Day weekend roared ahead. The photo galleries at Local Spins.

Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals

Electric Forest 2023: Unforgettable sets, radiant festivalgoers, dust and rain

June 26, 2023

Whether you were there or just wanted to be there, experience Rothbury’s resplendent four-day festival in words and in multiple Local Spins photo galleries displaying the people, the performers and the unmatched West Michigan setting.

Concert reviews · Photos

Michigander revs up Tip Top Deluxe’s 12th anniversary weekend blast of shows

June 26, 2023

The Michigan-bred anthemic pop band closed out a rousing anniversary blast for the West Side club which also hosted weekend shows by The Supersuckers and The Hi-Jivers. The photo galleries at Local Spins.

Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery

Women of Rock, Mike Gordon, Pierce the Veil, Bilmuri & more: Concert Week in Review

June 25, 2023

Summer heated up over the past week, with energetic tour stops, a superstar tribute to female artists, the christening of a new stage, jazz in the park, a blues fest and blues on the river and more captured in images at Local Spins.

Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals

Buttermilk Jamboree 2023 Revisited: Rock, rap, blues, folk, jazz, world music & fellowship

June 19, 2023

Local Spins recaps highlights from the weekend music festival at Delton’s Circle Pines Center in words and photos – from Max Lockwood to Jordan Hamilton to Selwyn Birchwood and more.

Concert reviews · Photos

Fleet Foxes unfurl intoxicating vocal glory for packed house in Grand Rapids

June 15, 2023

The second stop on the band’s U.S tour delivered lush harmonies, horn enhancements and plenty of fan favorites on Wednesday at GLC Live at 20 Monroe. The recap and photo gallery at Local Spins.

Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery

Concert Week-in-Review: From Meshell to Duke Tumatoe to O.A.R., GR to Allegan to Kalamazoo

June 12, 2023

Starting with another Tuesday Evening Music Club show at Meijer Gardens to weekend-ending tour stops and the debut of a new West Michigan concert venue, it was a week to remember. Browse all of the photo galleries at Local Spins.

Concert reviews · Photos

‘Bejeweled and Enchanted’: Taylor Swift unleashes pop spectacle at Detroit show

June 10, 2023

Friday’s opening salvo of a two-night stand at a sold-out Ford Field featured “The Eras Tour” debut of two songs. The recap, photo gallery and set list at Local Spins.

Summer Festivals · Weekend Photo Gallery

Festival Spectacles: Kalamazoo Pride, Grand Rapids Festival of the Arts jumpstart June

June 4, 2023

From Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo, West Michigan was in a festive mood this weekend, thanks to Festival of the Arts, the Kalamazoo Pride Festival and more. The images and recaps at Local Spins.

Commentary · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows

Best of Fest: Local Spins’ picks for must-see acts at Grand Rapids’ 2023 Festival of the Arts

May 31, 2023

With 130-plus performances on six stages over three days, Local Spins makes the return of Festival of the Arts to downtown Grand Rapids an easier row to hoe for attendees with our writers’ picks for sets to catch.

Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos

Buses by the Beach Bus Benefit spawned ‘super chill’ vibe for holiday weekend of music

May 30, 2023

The Memorial Day weekend festival along Lake Michigan in West Olive boasted performances by more than a dozen Michigan acts amid glorious summer-starting weather. A photo gallery and video highlights at Local Spins.

Summer Festivals · Videos

Local Spins Fest 2023 Revisited: The Video

May 28, 2023

A week after celebrating the 11th anniversary of Local Spins with a six-band festival in downtown Grand Rapids, we unveil a highlights video from an event to remember. It’s bonus coverage for Memorial Day weekend.

Album reviews · Audio · Upcoming shows

Michigan Album Reviews: Max Lockwood, Jim Alfredson, The Bootstrap Boys & more

May 23, 2023

This May roundup of new releases by Michigan artists also features a look at recordings by Signal Quartet, The JR Band and Wowza in Kalamazoo. Listen to tracks from all of the releases and find out where these artists are performing.

Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery

The Starlight Room debuts, plus Larry Fleet, Larry McCray, Desmond Jones: Photo Recaps

May 22, 2023

A unique new Muskegon venue opened its doors over the weekend, captured in photos at Local Spins along with concerts at three different Kalamazoo hot spots. Learn more about The Starlight Room and revisit its premiere in images.

Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos

Empowering, energizing, gratifying: Local Spins Fest launches summer of music

May 21, 2023

Celebrating Local Spins’ 11th birthday and the power of Michigan’s female artistry, the second annual festival drew enthused crowds Saturday for sets by six regional bands: In the Valley Below, Earth Radio, Sarena Rae, Kari Lynch Band, Lokella and Grace Theisen Band. The recap, photos and a video at Local Spins.

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Upcoming Shows Hosted by Local Spins

11am FRIDAY DEC. 1 – Local Spins on WYCE 88.1 FM: Ryne Clarke (of Vernon Potts) and Andrew Teed

7:30 pm WEDNESDAY DEC. 6 – Local Spins Wednesday at SpeakEZ Lounge: Vernon Potts, Common Molly

11am FRIDAY DEC. 8 – Local Spins on WYCE 88.1 FM: Abe Savas

7:30 pm WEDNESDAY DEC. 13 – Local Spins Wednesday at SpeakEZ Lounge: Roosevelt Diggs
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Upcoming Shows Hosted by Local Spins

11am FRIDAY DEC. 1 – Local Spins on WYCE 88.1 FM: Ryne Clarke (of Vernon Potts) and Andrew Teed

7:30 pm WEDNESDAY DEC. 6 – Local Spins Wednesday at SpeakEZ Lounge: Vernon Potts, Common Molly

11am FRIDAY DEC. 8 – Local Spins on WYCE 88.1 FM: Abe Savas

7:30 pm WEDNESDAY DEC. 13 – Local Spins Wednesday at SpeakEZ Lounge: Roosevelt Diggs

Search localspins.com

Listen to Local Spins Live

Subscribe to Local Spins on YouTube

Follow Local Spins on Twitter

Like Local Spins on Facebook

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For the latest music news join our email list