In what was also a homecoming for West Michigan native and bassist Johnny Bradley, Clark electrified an appreciative crowd with his bluesy rock attack at 20 Monroe Live on Tuesday night. See what critic Ricky Olmos had to say in the Local Spins review, with photos by Anthony Norkus.
Commentary · Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
The 44th annual celebration of folk and roots music outside Remus last weekend was another camaraderie-filled, upbeat festival for the ages. Soak up the recap and photo gallery — only at Local Spins.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
For the 11th year, this mid-Michigan music festival will unfurl on a working organic vegetable farm with weekend sets by Breathe Owl Breathe, The Whiskey Charmers, Appleseed Collective and many more regional acts. Learn more about how this charming festival has grown and download the full weekend schedule on your smartphone.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
With more than 30 performances over the weekend, Sparta’s Rogers Park in northern Kent County will immerse festivalgoers in all things Celtic in what shapes up as the biggest festival yet. See the full schedule.
The innovative singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist’s return to Meijer Gardens on a picturesque night was enhanced by an opening set from phenom Esperanza Spalding. Bird also had to overcome “a little commotion” in the crowd, with fans yelling at others to sit down. Get a recap via the Local Spins review and photo gallery.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows · Videos
The fifth annual, two-day MoPop music festival held along the Detroit River kicks off Saturday with a mix of national and regional stars. Check out the full schedule and see what Michigan acts have in store for fans.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
After a sold-out Weekend 1 with 40,000 attendees, crowds at Weekend 2 of Electric Forest in Rothbury proved to be considerably thinner but every bit as enthusiastic with a host of memorable musical highlights. Read the Local Spins recap, check out the photo gallery.
Led by singer Anthony Kiedis, who grew up in the Grand Rapids area, the Chili Peppers uncorked a night to remember Sunday at Van Andel Arena. Read the review and browse the photo gallery from the band’s West Michigan tour stop.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows · Videos
Joe Hertler, The Accidentals, Vox Vidorra and Flint Eastwood are ready to join the wondrous party that is Electric Forest. It unfurls over two weekends in West Michigan led by String Cheese Incident, My Morning Jacket and Bassnectar to create an un-Earthly musical vibe. Check out the schedule for Michigan’s contingent, only at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
The sold-out street party drew thousands to downtown Grand Rapids Saturday with regional and national stars playing a super-sized stage. Get the recap, browse the photo gallery and watch video highlights of Founders Fest at Local Spins.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
With May Erlewine, Oh Brother Big Sister, Olivia Mainville, Watching for Foxes, The Change, Seth Bernard Trio, workshops and much more on tap, the festival east of Gaylord has expanded for 2017. See the band lineup for this unique August event.
The Alabama indie-soul ensemble uncorked a “Sea of Noise” — and energetic, horn-fueled funk — for an approving audience on a stellar Friday evening. Read the review and browse the photo gallery.
The jazz pianist’s return to Grand Rapids’ outdoor amphitheater proved to be a display of elegance, grooving rhythms and fan favorites. Read the Local Spins review, browse the photo gallery from Wednesday night’s show.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
Lindsay Lou & The Flatbellys’ upbeat Dobro-meister from Grand Rapids, aka “Huggy Bear,” releases a new solo recording this weekend and mounts a mini-tour with his Bluegrass Bonanza. Read the story behind Mark Lavengood’s latest project, listen to a song from the new album and check out his upcoming performance schedule.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Hailing from the small northern Michigan hamlet of Gladwin, Nate Feuerstein is selling out shows on his current U.S. tour while bringing an “edge” to Christian hip hop. Read the back story about NF’s remarkable rise to fame and watch videos from his latest album.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The attention-getting rocker raised in Alpena and making waves in Detroit talks with Local Spins about the ’emotional mess’ of songs from her new album and the struggles of touring. She plays The Pyramid Scheme on Saturday. Read about this emerging Michigan artist, listen to her music and watch one of her videos.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Like a basket full of multi-colored eggs, the week leading up to Easter mixed things up impressively on West Michigan’s music scene from Kishi Bashi’s wild display to STS9’s psychedelic electronica to rock’s Crystal Garden led by Boyd Tinsley of the Dave Matthews Band. Plus, Marc Cohn, Sweet Water Warblers, Parachute. Check out all the images at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Music on Campus · Photos
Concerts, workshops and speeches at the weekend event in Grand Rapids focused on “valuing unconventional expression and promoting community dialogue.” Check out the concert recap and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Features · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows · Videos
Get ready to “Moondance.” Grand Rapids singer Mark VandenBerge will unleash his most ambitious tribute to the legendary Van Morrison on Friday at 20 Monroe Live. Check out a video and get a preview in the Local Spins on WYCE podcast.
Hoping to capitalize on the talent and ‘untapped market’ of West Michigan music, the historic record label’s return could put Sparta back on the map as a creative hub, operators of Fenton Records insist. Read the Local Spins story and browse the photo gallery.
The first Venue Spotlight of 2017 focuses on The Intersection — a venerable Grand Rapids nightclub with a goal of showcasing ‘every genre of music’ and to ‘do a little bit of everything.’ As the general manager puts it: ‘The crowd sets the tone of the room and we never want to lose that appeal.’ Read the story, take the video tour and browse the photo gallery.
Saturday’s 12-hour musical marathon at The Intersection in Grand Rapids boasts sets by K. Jones & The Benzie Playboys, Drew Nelson, Fauxgrass, Stella, Madcat Midnight Blues Journey and other regional roots music stars. See the full lineup.
Artist Spotlights · Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
Break out the sweatpants, a jam-band attitude and shed a tear: After more than 50 shows, Grand Rapids’ Desmond Jones will play its final Monday night residency gig at the West Side’s Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill this week. Read the back story, including the wacky things that have happened on Monday nights in this Grand Rapids watering hole.
Led by frontman Ben Bridwell, the Seattle-bred rock band brought the tour behind its latest album, “Why Are You OK,” to the Orbit Room on Wednesday. Check out the review and photo gallery, only at Local Spins.
The uber-popular fall house show fest returns this weekend to “enrich” Eastown in Grand Rapids, but only in living rooms and an attic (not basements). Get the story, artist lineup and the full schedule of intimate shows at Local Spins.
Halloween falling on a Monday just gives folks an excuse to extend the weekend and party like zombies four nights in a row. Local Spins has your guide to West Michigan’s haunting musical maelstrom of fun. Make your plans by checking out this mega-roster of Halloween bashes.
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
Forced to move from Hart earlier this week due to a miscommunication regarding use of the property, the organizer has shifted the first-time festival to eight acres of rural land outside Fremont. Check out details of this free event and a full schedule at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
This week’s live music hoopla ranged from a tribute to blues icon William Clarke to support the Killer Blues Headstone Project — featuring Nick Moss, Dennis Gruenling and Hank Mowery — to musical magic from AJJ, Brother Adams, Frank Turner and Nashon Holloway. Check out all the images in the Local Spins Weekend Photo Galleries.
Weather conditions weren’t ideal for the debut of this two-day festival on a downtown pedestrian bridge, but those ArtPrize visitors who braved the elements were rewarded. Check out the recap and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
The Michigan indie-rocker has tasted some success while experiencing the joy — and grueling trials — of his trade. His house show tour makes a Grand Rapids stop this week as he eyes returning to a Detroit studio to record a new album. Read the back story behind this engaging songwriter and musician.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
The granddaddy of Michigan music festivals unfurled outside Remus over the weekend, dodged a little rain and fired up fans with help from The Go Rounds, Molly Bouswma Schultz, Mike + Ruthy, drum circles and more. Check out the Local Spins recap and photo gallery.
The California pop-punk icons’ Van Andel Arena show wasn’t about vocal perfection but about raucously re-living songs that served as anthems for a generation of fans. Read the review and browse the photo gallery from Wednesday’s rousing concert.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
More than five dozen regional acts played over three days at this mid-Michigan festival held on an organic vegetable farm. Check out images from last weekend’s Holler Fest 10.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
This three-day festival unfolding this weekend on Frog Holler Farm in southern Jackson County is an out-of-the-way affair featuring bands from across the state, including West Michigan acts Vox Vidorra, Watching for Foxes and Olivia Mainville. Check out the full schedule for the 10th anniversary of this rootsy festival.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
Rain and some delays but didn’t faze fans or acts Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers, The Turnips, Mark Lavengood and more who turned Shagbark Farm into a rootsy festival destination. Check out the recap of the opening day down on the farm and ogle the photo gallery and video. Day 2 gets rolling at lunchtime Saturday.
Fighting through some technical glitches on a sweltering night, War powered up its ’70s hits, while the sibling trio of Los Lonely Boys delivered “Texican blues” for a smaller-than-usual Meijer Gardens crowd. Check out the Local Spins review and photo gallery.
Each with its own character, a few West Side establishments have started showcasing live music, offering West Michigan acts and Grand Rapids music lovers new settings and experiences. Sample them in this feature story by Local Spins writer Ricky Olmos.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts
On what frontman John Rzeznik called “a perfect summer night,” the happy “bunch of bums” from Buffalo rollicked through a lively 90-minute set on Wednesday that was heavy on the hits. Read the review by Ricky Olmos and browse the photo gallery by Anna Sink.
Artist Spotlights · Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
Traverse City singer-songwriter Joshua Davis talks with Local Spins about staying and writing in Michigan, his thirst for knowledge and the hopeful “soul-soaked” songs on his new album and upcoming big shows this weekend in Williamsburg and Kalamazoo. Read the update, only at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
The Detroit riverfront festival’s second day saw diverse, intense sets by M83, Matt and Kim, Father John Misty, Shakey Graves and The Head and the Heart to close things out in triumphant fashion. Read the review and browse the photo galleries from the most successful Mo Pop yet.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
The music festival sets up this weekend in the Motor City’s West Riverfront Park with acts ranging from Seattle’s The Head and Heart to Michigan’s own Borns and Tunde Olaniran. See the full schedule and save it on your smartphone for the weekend.
In this Musicians’ Soundboard column, musician and Local Spins writer Ricky Olmos relates the true tale of two stolen guitars – and bemoans the all-too-common problem of instrument thievery for touring, hard-gigging bands.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts
Shifting between a Hammond B3 organ and guitar, the Southern rock legend brought his familiar voice and songs to Meijer Gardens to entertain a sold-out crowd on a picture-perfect Wednesday evening. Peruse the review and flip through the images in the Local Spins photo gallery.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
As this year’s Electric Forest enters its third day in the woods and fields of Rothbury, Local Spins takes a look at the cycle of festival hoopla — from morning yoga and lounging in the sunshine to grooving in Sherwood Forest at midnight. Check out the day-and-night video and photo gallery by Ricky Olmos.
Features · Local Spins Exclusives · Upcoming shows
An abundance of West Michigan open mics throughout the week offer performers a chance to ‘find their voice’ — from folk to hip hop to poetry — at dozens of venues which open their stages to fledgling as well as veteran performers. Get a glimpse into the vibrant world of open mics in this feature story by Ricky Olmos and browse the photos of performers.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts
Even an unhinged trombone and steamy weather couldn’t stop Derek Trucks, Susan Tedeschi and crew at Meijer Gardens on Friday night, with the 12-member band unleashing an audience-pleasing spectacle. Check out the Local Spins review and photo gallery from a hot night at the amphitheater.
A sold-out Meijer Gardens crowd cheered the upbeat, summery display by the singer who melded joyful originals with some Bob Marley classics. Read the review of Wednesday’s amphitheater concert and browse the photo gallery.
Artist Spotlights · Features · Upcoming shows
In an interview with Local Spins, guitarist-singer Susan Tedeschi talks about touring, musical chemistry and the band’s tendency to ‘mix it up’ on stage. The band returns to Meijer Gardens for a sold-out show on Friday.
The surprisingly loud and lush nine-piece indie-folk/pop ensemble from Iceland lit up Meijer Gardens on a gray, overcast evening, with much of the capacity crowd on its feet the entire night. Read the review and browse the striking photo gallery from a special night at the outdoor amphitheater.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts
The first concert of the summer series was full of slapstick humor and familiar pop hits — plus some new gems — that satiated a sold-out, baby-boomer crowd on a sumptuous June evening. Read the review and ogle the photo gallery.
