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.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
This week’s packed lineup also features Andrew McMahon, Gladys Knight, Phillip Phillips, The Menzingers, BoDeans and more, plus win tickets to see the Gin Blossoms and Valentiger. Get the complete lowdown in this week’s Big List, plus some riveting Under-the-Radar Picks.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Relive Memorial Day weekend’s musical marvels in photos and videos, from Bell’s Brewery and State Theatre in Kalamazoo to 20 Monroe Live and Founders Brewing in Grand Rapids to the Local Spins Summer Kickoff. Check out the photo galleries at Local Spins, along with video highlights from Sunday’s Local Spins Summer Kickoff outside HopCat.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The week leading up to Memorial Day is jam-packed with music and fun in the sun, from Evidence Jazz to Earth Radio to I Believe in Julio to Michigan Rattlers to the Local Spins Summer Kickoff outside HopCat in Grand Rapids. Get the scoop on all of this week’s live music highlights, plus some stellar Under-the-Radar Picks at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Local Spins’ week-in-review photo roundup also features images from the Bona-Who? fest outside Cedar Springs, Chain of Lakes, Brian Koenigsknecht and Kate Pillsbury playing SpeakEZ Lounge, another Local Showcase at The Pyramid Scheme, the Barley BBQ & Beats event at Van Andel Arena, Bigfoot Buffalo at Tip Top Deluxe and more. Check out all the photos from a lively week of music at Local Spins.
With the world’s only Liverpool-born Beatles tribute band playing Kalamazoo on Saturday, Local Spins asked The JetBeats’ frontman and major Beatles aficionado Morgan Moallemian to quiz the group about its roots, its performances and its own love of the Fab Four.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Local Spins’ week-in-review boasts images from a rock-hued fundraiser, a bass-and-comedy spectacle, the country twang of Maddie & Tae, a “Reggaefest,” another anniversary celebration for The Pyramid Scheme and more. Check out all of the images and photos at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The weekend show recap and photo galleries round up big celebrations at The Pyramid Scheme in Grand Rapids and a bevy of eclectic concerts in Kalamazoo, plus Phoebe Bridgers at Ladies Literary Club. Check out all the weekend photo galleries at Local Spins.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
With Detroit native Jack White set for an epic sold-out Grand Rapids show Saturday at 20 Monroe Live, Local Spins asked photographer and fan Anna Sink to create a career-spanning playlist for West Michigan concertgoers. Check out the videos and the Spotify playlist of classic White tunes at Local Spins.
Album reviews · Audio · Videos
Get an earful of compelling music in this April round-up of new releases by local and regional artists, featuring a mix of genres from folk to hip hop to hard rock to bluegrass to indie-rock to R&B. And listen to tracks from the new albums along with some select videos.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Revel in benefits starring The Accidentals, Soul Syndicate and Jimmie Stagger plus shows by John Sebastian, Three Dog Night, Brian Culbertson, Willamena, Kevin Jones Quintet, Mustard Plug and a special Grand Rapids Film Festival screening. Check out this week’s live music picks, a full roster of shows on the REALLY Big List, and see how you can win tickets to see The Go Rounds.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
These week-in-review photo galleries recap West Michigan appearances by electronic music, jam band and heavy metal stars along with a boatload of regional acts performing from Grand Rapids to Lansing to Kalamazoo. Check out all of the resplendent images at Local Spins.
The March roundup of new regional releases boasts a mix of styles: rock, folk, outlaw country, funk, soul, jazz and fusion music. Read the reviews, listen to the music.
Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Little Big Town brought its national tour with Kacey Musgraves and Midland to Van Andel Arena, but there was way more on the docket for West Michigan music fans, including another “Local Showcase” and a couple of band battles as part of Cowpie Music Festival’s Pathway to the Pasture. Check out the photos and videos at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Celtic music, of course, can be found everywhere across West Michigan, but there’s also much more: Heaters, Kyle Cook, Nathan Kalish, Protomartyr, Trixy Tang, The Willeys, the christening of a new music venue and a Cowpie Music Festival band battle. Get the complete lowdown on live music via The Big List and see how you can win tickets to Irish on Ionia.
Thousands of people are in Austin this week for SXSW, aka South by Southwest, and hundreds of bands are vying for their attention. This week’s podcast assesses the value of attending these major events for networking, education and as life experiences.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Tom Petty tributes, an Earth Radio CD-release, Declan McKenna, Ray Scott, The Fleshtones, Schrock Brothers, Alice Peacock, Scythian and more also pump up this week’s list, which also served up free tickets to see Pigeons Playing Ping Pong and Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers at The Intersection. Only at Local Spins.
Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Starting with A Day to Remember, it was a week to remember for West Michigan’s concert scene from touring stars to local faves, showcased in several photo galleries at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The week also boasts CD-releases by Suzies and John Proulx, Grand Rapids Symphony’s “Symphony With Soul” and shows by Frontier Ruckus, Gregory Porter, Last Gasp Collective, Murder Party, El Brandino and Jesse Ray, plus West Michigan’s first-ever tribute to Steve Earle. And win tickets to see Galactic or PVRIS.
Features · Festivals · Upcoming shows
For those willing to hit the road, there are intriguing options this weekend boasting a unique Michigan flair. Check out two of them at Local Spins: a preview of the Microbrew & Music Festival in northern Michigan and an interview with the Michigan native fronting Speak Low If You Speak Love, which plays Detroit on Friday.
The 19th annual showcase of regional music unfurls Friday night at The Intersection. WYCE manager Quinn Mathews reflects on the daunting but inspiring ‘biggest night for West Michigan music.’ See and save the full schedule.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Christian rapper NF kicks off the week with another sold-out show at 20 Monroe Live, but there’s more, including Albert Lee, Hippo Campus, Edye Evans Hyde, Old Salt Union, Lady Ace Boogie, The Jetbeats, That Beatles Thing and more. And see how you can win tickets to The Verve Pipe.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Super Bowl weekend is about more than just a big football game: West Michigan boasted a couple of music festivals and tour stops by George Clinton, Blues Traveler, Trampa, Judy Collins, Morgan Wallen and more. Check out all of the resplendent photo galleries at Local Spins — the perfect pre-game entertainment.
Album reviews · Audio · Videos
With Børns playing a homecoming show tonight, Local Spins probes his new studio album, along with new releases by Eminem, Cabildo, The Devil’s Cut, Ttypes and Jack Droppers & The Best Intentions. Read the reviews, listen to audio samples.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The week of West Michigan concerts is heavy on local stars, too, with Cabildo, Watching for Foxes, Brian Morris, Jack Droppers, Jimmie Stagger, VAZUM and much more on the docket. See all of this week’s big shows, Under-the-Radar Picks and The Really Big List covering more than 100 venues. And see how you can win tickets to see Candlebox.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Another bustling weekend of live music across West Michigan showcased national and regional acts on various stages. Check out the images and videos at Local Spins, with everything from country to swing to house music to rock ‘n’ roll.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The week starts with a special MLK celebration and continues with McKinley James, Way Down Wanderers, The Dan Band, Kevin Olusola, Hi-Ker, Cheeze Weez, Josh Rose and much more. And see how you can win tickets to shows at 20 Monroe Live this week.
Local Spins offers a wealth of advertising opportunities for festivals, with special rates for non-profit organizations staging these events. Standard banner ads appearing at LocalSpins.com start at just $130 per[…]
In this “Local Spins Rewind” feature, re-experience the adventure-filled life of a band on the road courtesy of Traverse City’s emerging national act The Accidentals, who play Grand Rapids’ Founders Brewing Co. this weekend after a grueling year of touring. Earlier this year, they documented their West Coast tour for Local Spins in words and photos.
Features · Top 10 Lists · Videos
The critics have had their say. Now, Local Spins asks some West Michigan musicians to list their favorite 2017 releases: The War on Drugs, Rapsody, The Main Squeeze, Jonny Lang, Queens of the Stone Age, Twin Peaks, Father John Misty, Daniel Caesar and more made the grade. Check out all the picks, videos and audio samples.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Bid adieu to 2017 and usher in the new year with gargantuan shows and parties hosted by some of the Michigan music scene’s biggest stars. And there are big concerts leading up to the big night, too. See the full roster in the Big List Concert Guide.
Album reviews · Top 10 Lists · Videos
Kendrick Lamar, Billy Strings, The National, Perfume Genius, Jaco Pastorius, The Accidentals, The Turnips, Organissimo, May Erlewine, LCD Soundsystem and more earned high marks from Local Spins writers. See who else made the grade in 2017 and listen to samples of music from dozens of releases that turned critics’ heads. Plus, see which concerts stood out this past year.
Artist Spotlights · Features · Guest Column · Kalamazoo
The genre-bending Kalamazoo band recently depicted sleep and dreams artistically — from the serene to the frenetic — in a unique concert that will be available on video. Read the back story about this unusual event at Local Spins.
This pre-Christmas batch of regional releases covers a lot of ground, with some much-anticipated new albums in the mix. Read the reviews, listen to the music.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The week leading up to Christmas gets rolling with EyeCandy and Antighost, plus there are shows featuring The Bootstrap Boys, Reggie, Mary Rademacher, Great Black Night and much more. And see how you can win tickets to a Michael Jackson tribute, courtesy of Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Chevelle kicked off the week with a bang, but there’s plenty of diversity – nationally and locally – crammed into this week’s Big List Concert Guide, along with some holiday-themed shows. And see how you can win tickets to see Matisyahu.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Chevelle kicks off the week, but there’s plenty of diversity – nationally and locally – crammed into this week’s Big List Concert Guide. And see how you can win tickets to see Matisyahu.
Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
As winter sets in, West Michigan’s indoor concert season has heated up with some sizzling national and local acts. Browse all the photo galleries at Local Spins, including shows over the past week in Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Grand Haven and Spring Lake.
The Rockford multi-instrumentalist from Celtic/world music’s An Dro moved an old piano into his garden and created an amazing video montage filmed over a year, enhanced by an original composition. Watch this incredible video, along with another Spalink project where he burned instruments that were no longer playable.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
A week heavy on EDM also features Amy Grant & Michael W. Smith, Jon Pardi, Soul Patch, The Concussions, Luke Winslow King, The Secret Sisters, Juanita Stein and much more. Get the full concert lowdown, plus intriguing Under-the-Radar Picks, in The Big List Concert Guide.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Another eclectic week of live music across West Michigan: Check out reviews of Over the Rhine and UV Hippo, plus photo galleries from fan-pleasing shows by Brett Young, Tommy Emmanuel, The Outer Vibe, May Erlewine and super-groups reprising 1997 and paying tribute to Tom Waits. You’ll find this flurry of photos and videos only at Local Spins.
The holidays are the perfect time to round up some of the latest releases by Michigan artists, spotlighting albums you can add to your gift lists. Check out the reviews, with audio samples of the new music.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The week also features the Brad Mehldau Trio, Fall Flannel Folk Fest, Kris Delmhorst, the return of The Outer Vibe, Asamu Johnson & The Associates of the Blues and much more. Browse all the live music selections for the week, plus the intriguing Under-the-Radar Picks.
Concert reviews · Top 10 Lists
The Local Spins Top 10 Rewind series of top 2017 stories continues with something a little different: With the media deterred from covering the legendary Bob Dylan’s concert at Van Andel Arena in October, Local Spins asked fans to offer up their own takes on the 76-year-old icon’s tour stop. The results were entertaining, intriguing and, often, poles apart.
