This Local Spins roundup of albums recorded in Michigan has a cross-state, inter-state and international flavor – and covers a lot of territory musically, too. Read the reviews, listen to music from the featured artists.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The approaching holidays heat things up on the music scene this week with Red Legs, The Crane Wives, Junior Valentine & Hank Mowery, Dalmatian Stone, Jake Kershaw, ‘The Nutcracker,’ Schubert Male Chorus, a ‘Roaring ’20s Holiday Ball’ and much more. Plus win concert tickets to see The Devil Wears Prada or Morgan Wallen via The Big List.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Ryley Walker, The Japanese House, The Moxie Strings, Nathan Walton, The Concussions, Jackyl, Kaitlin Rose, The Accidentals, a blues benefit and more pump up the first full week of December. Get the lowdown on West Michigan’s concert lineup at Local Spins.
Sunday wrapped up West Michigan’s music week with fan-engaging, song-centered concerts in Kalamazoo (David Crosby) and Grand Rapids (Beth Nielsen Chapman, May Erlewine, The Accidentals), following musical revelry that got the whole holiday weekend started. The images and recaps at Local Spins.
Album Releases · Album reviews · Audio
Local Spins’ second batch of November reviews of regional album releases covers a lot of musical territory from hip hop to hard rock to ’60s sizzle to boundary-pushing jazz. Get the lowdown on new Michigan releases and preview music from the recordings.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
It’s a busy holiday stretch with a host of rock icons playing West Michigan this week, plus lively appearances by Desmond Jones, Hannah Rose Graves, The Soul Syndicate, The North 41 and much more. And see how you can win tickets to see Billy Strings.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Coheed & Cambria and Rising Appalachia get things started in a week that also features The Tallest Man on Earth, Lara Hope, Coldville, Lady Ace Boogie, Brotha James, Yonder Mountain String Band and much more. Plus, see how you can win tickets to the big Wine Beer & Food Festival at DeVos Place.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
This week’s West Michigan photo roundup covered the gamut, from national tour stops by acts such as Turkuaz and Andy Frasco to rousing local shows featuring Roosevelt Diggs, Lower Leisure Class and much more.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Blues, rock, folk, Americana, funk, pop, ‘crabgrass’ and more: Local Spins’ week-in-review photo galleries cover the gamut of live music from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo to Spring Lake. And you’ll only find these images at Local Spins.
Album Releases · Album reviews · Videos
With Greta Van Fleet’s first full-length album soaring straight to No. 3 on the charts, Local Spins reviews — and defends — the release, plus takes a closer look at three other new regional recordings. Read the reviews, sample the new music.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Alice Cooper gets Halloween week started on a scary foot but there’s more: Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers, MewithoutYou, Kenny Barron, Sister Sparrow, Nobody’s Girl, Black Jake and much more. And see how you can win tickets to see Kenny Barron at St. Cecilia Music Center.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Young the Giant, Ashley McBryde, Conrad Shock and Ashley Daneman kicked off a jam-packed weekend of fan-rousing concerts and creepy Halloween parties, all captured in Local Spins images.
This edition of the RSVP Music Chat showcases a successful Nashville artist manager who’s attending the Folk Alliance conference in Grand Rapids. Listen to the latest podcast, with a wealth of tips from Kari Estrin.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The Goo Goo Dolls have canceled their Grand Rapids show, but the week leading up to Halloween hoopla also boasts the Folk Alliance Region Midwest conference & showcases, plus Ashley McBryde, Conrad Shock, Earth Radio, The Drifters, Julien Labro and more. Check out all of Local Spins’ spotlighted shows, plus the Under-the-Radar Picks and see how you can win tickets to see Ashley McBryde.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
The country superstar’s crowd-pleasing show at Van Andel Arena was part of a music week that also featured the likes of Clutch, Dave Bruzza, Insiders, Big Something and much more. The images and recaps at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
On his farewell tour, Elton John kicks off a week that also features AOK, The Main Squeeze, Harry Lucas, Fiesta Caribena, Jack Russel’s Great White, Indie Fest 18, Dave Bruzza, Monty Alexander and more. And check The Big List to see how you can win free tickets to one of four different Intersection shows this week or to see Alexander at Fountain Street Church.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Upcoming shows
With Elton’s farewell tour stopping at Van Andel Arena Monday, Grand Rapids artist Mic Carlson, who’s seen the piano legend 30-plus times and featured him in countless paintings, lists his top EJ songs of all time. Listen to the songs on Spotify, watch the videos, check out a photo gallery of Carlson’s artwork.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The week of live music kicks off with the return to West Michigan of Fleetwood Mac, but also boasts Royal Wood, Earth Radio, Elizabeth Landry, Wayland, Golf Clap, Anne Heaton, Jen Sygit, Founders’ Harvest Party and more. Make your entertainment plans with help from The Big List Concert Guide at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
The weekend brought country, rock, blues, hip hop, alt-rock, electronic music and more to West Michigan, captured as usual in Local Spins photo galleries and videos.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The first week in October also brings the Sacred Vibrations fest, Pulaski Days, Red Flannel Days, Bill Laurance, Public Access, Field Report’s Chris Porterfield, Gorgeous Oranges & more. And win tickets to see The Motet or Lettuce. Get the lowdown on all of this week’s live music picks at Local Spins.
Festivals · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Festival season didn’t slow down for fall as Local Spins’ weekend photo galleries prove, along with some fun indoor shows like Blue October, Butch Walker, Margaret Glaspy and Mustard Plug. Recap another active week in music. Browse the images, watch the videos exclusively at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
Big Dudee Roo, May Erlewine, Chris Dorman, Jordan Hamilton and more were among highlights cited by musicians and attendees for one of the final, treasured festival blasts of the season. Relive the weekend in words and photos at Local Spins.
Photos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Local Spins headed out to the Old Dog Saturday in Kalamazoo and the Intersection Sunday in Grand Rapids to capture a couple of the weekend’s hottest shows.
Playlists · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
With the Celtic festival unfurling this weekend in Muskegon, Diana Ladio of Michigan’s The Moxie Strings offers up the Top 5 reasons to attend plus a Top 10 playlist of songs by festival performers.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Labor Day stars the West Michigan Labor Fest, Johnnyswim and LIVE, with plenty to follow the rest of the week: Perrin’s Backyard Bash, Fareed Haque, SALES, Kyle Cook, JMM Jazz, a Grateful Dead tribute and much more. Check out all the featured shows and Under-the-Radar Picks.
Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
The week started with another sold-out Lyle Lovett concert at Meijer Gardens, with plenty of fan-pleasing shows to follow in the warm-up to Labor Day. Browse the photos, videos at Local Spins.
The second-year festival at Grand Rapids’ Belknap Park wrapped up late Saturday night with a rousing set by Khalid, following a day of electronic music and hip hop. Relive it in Local Spins photos.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Lyle Lovett returns yet again to Meijer Gardens to start a week that also boasts an Elton John tribute, Jeremy Garrett, Matt Woods, Steve’n’Seagulls, Noisia, Johnnyswim, a Lady Ace Boogie hip hop showcase, The Crane Wives in Rockford, and the final Tuesday Evening Music Club concert of the summer.
Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
The West Michigan week in live music ended Sunday with another sold-out O.A.R. show at Meijer Gardens, but there were local showcases, a Doors tribute and more, from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo. Browse the images at Local Spins.
Thursday was a night for fan-pleasing country music in Grand Rapids, with iconic veterans playing Meijer Gardens and a recent “new artist” winner revving up a big crowd outside The Intersection. Check out the show recaps and photos at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Mid-August also brings Girls Rock! GR, Ladyfest at the Lakeshore, The Frog King, Sleep Waker, FINKEL, The Ghost of Paul Revere, Lokella, The Go Rounds and more to West Michigan stages. Plus, see how you can win tickets to see Sleep Waker and Lokella.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Vince Gill and Lindsey Stirling get things started in a week that also features After Funk, I Set My Friends on Fire, Major Murphy, That Beatles Thing, The Harmaleighs and Peter Asher, plus Taj Mahal & Keb’ Mo’ and much more. Plus, check out this week’s Under-the-Radar Picks and see how you can win tickets to see I Set My Friends on Fire.
West Michigan poured out another full-bodied flask of live music to get August rolling and Local Spins was there to capture some of the action in photos. Check out all of the photo galleries and show recaps at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
It’s a week of big names and big local shows, including the Tuesday Evening Music Club, On the Line, another Local Showcase, hi-ker, Yolonda Lavender and a special GR Symphony concert. See the full roster of upcoming concerts, plus some intriguing Under-the-Radar Picks.
The featured West Michigan concerts leading up to another steamy weekend were hot in many ways, from Chrissie Hynde and The Pretenders at 20 Monroe Live to the opening night of the Kalamazoo Blues Fest to Tunde Olaniran revving up the dance party at GRAM on the Green. See all of the photos at Local Spins.
Album reviews · Audio · Videos
Local Spins’ first batch of July releases covers a broad range of Michigan artists, from prog-pop to jazz to jamgrass to rock ‘n’ roll. Read the reviews, listen to samples of the music, find out where these bands are playing.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
July continues to heat up with Flame Fest, Louie’s 100th Anniversary, Picnic Pops, The Temptations, The Red Elvises, GWAR, Brad Fritcher’s farewell show, Red Jumpsuit Apparatus and more. Browse all of this week’s live music picks, plus see how you can win tickets to Saturday’s big Flame Fest in Hudsonville.
Concert reviews · Photos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Local Spins’ weekend concert photo roundup kicks off with Janelle Monae’s crowd-pleasing tour stop at 20 Monroe Live, with throngs also flocking to Saturday’s Fourth of July bash in Grand Rapids, plus Kalamazoo fun with PHoffman and Joshua Davis at Bell’s Brewery and pianist Nat Zegree’s homecoming show at Bronson Park.
Kaleo’s indie-rock flourish Sunday at 20 Monroe Live ended a week that boasted Grand Rapids stops by Helmet, Yes, Blondie and Herbie Hancock, plus local showcases in Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo, including Hannah Rose & The GravesTones, The Dacia Bridges Project and The Legal Immigrants. Browse all of the resplendent images at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Old Crow Medicine Show and James Taylor (with Bonnie Raitt) launch the week, but there’s plenty more on the docket including the Pathway to the Pasture finals. And win tickets to the first-ever Local Spins Showcase at Old Dog Tavern.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The Charlotte Bluegrass Festival, Lanco, Shawn Mullins, Rebirth Brass Band, Priests and Tip Top Deluxe’s seventh anniversary show are all part of this week’s live music lineup. Check out all of the West Michigan concert picks, including Langhorne Slim with The Accidentals and Roosevelt Diggs at St. Cecilia Music Center.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Summer festival season is in full gear, plus there are riveting shows this week featuring Reverend Horton Heat, Trevor Hall, Davina & The Vagabonds (this week’s Local Spins ticket giveaway), some terrific local music showcases and the kickoff of several outdoor concert series. Get the lowdown on this week’s West Michigan concerts, plus some tantalizing Under-the-Radar Picks.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Local Spins’ photo recap of the week in music also features Brena at the summer’s first Garage Bar Block Party, Kalamazoo’s Pride celebration, Jack Droppers and Nathan Kalish at SpeakEZ Lounge, Brian Koenigsknecht and Mark Lavengood at Old Dog Tavern and much more. Browse 10 colorful photo galleries, only at Local Spins.
The Grand Rapids singer, guitarist and luthier bantered about the ups and downs of a long career — and the lessons he’s learned — as he prepared to make his 43rd straight appearance at Festival last weekend. Listen to the latest edition of Ralston and Sink’s Virtual Podcast.
Browse images from Wednesday’s sold-out concert starring the iconic Jackson Browne with his band and check out a set list from the Meijer Gardens tour stop.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The first full week of June also boasts Jackson Browne, The B-52s, Steeldrivers, Red Elvises Callaghan, Magic Giant, Stephen Marley & Matisyahu, Nathan Kalish, Rockford Start of Summer Celebration , Scott Pellegrom’s “Dream Hang” and much more. And win tickets to see The Record Company at Elevation inside The Intersection. Get the lowdown on all of this week’s big shows on The Big List.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The week after Memorial Day brought a slew of summer musical marvels to West Michigan, including the kickoff to outdoor concert series in Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo and tour stops by national touring acts. Browse 10 photo galleries — from Kalamazoo’s HippieFest to Grand Rapids’ Festival of the Arts — at Local Spins.
The one-day country music celebration in a new location fired up thousands on a sunny Saturday with sets by Rascal Flatts, Gary Allan, Morgan Evans and more. Browse the photo gallery at Local Spins.
This weekend’s Festival of the Arts will pack downtown Grand Rapids for regional music on a half-dozen stages. And once again, Local Spins asked musicians and writers to spotlight some must-see acts. Use the ‘Best of Fest’ picks as a starting point to guide your Festival exploration.
Tied up or out of town for Memorial Day weekend? Here’s a recap of some musical magic you may have missed, courtesy of Local Spins and media outlets elsewhere across Michigan. Check out links to coverage of Movement, Bled Fest and more.
