Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts
Perfect weather and a sold-out crowd with ‘arms outstretched’ greeted the reunited aughts indie darlings, wrapping up the amphitheater’s summer series. The review, photos and set list at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
The California rockers returned Sunday to Meijer Gardens, closing out a weekend of electronic mayhem at Breakaway, a goodbye for a GR favorite and Lettuce in Paw Paw. Check out the CAKE review and browse photos from all of the shows at Local Spins.
The Grammy-winning folk/country singer-songwriters captivated the Meijer Gardens crowd on Thursday with sincere ballads, rollicking rockers and affable stage personas. Review, photos.
Perfect weather, a rich wall of sound plus a hillside of adoring fans equaled an ideal environment for the beloved Michigan-bred act’s homecoming Friday at Meijer Gardens. Review, photos
The influential alternative trio, Dinosaur Jr., pushed the boundaries of volume possibilities to the delight of an all-ages crowd to lead a three-band charge at Meijer Gardens on Sunday. The review, photos.
The multi-instrumentalist and his Orleans Avenue band brought a jazzy Mardi Gras atmosphere to a packed Meijer Gardens venue for a high-energy Sunday of favorites. The Local Spins review and photos.
Unthwarted by a relentless heat wave, the British post-punk headliners captivated a sold-out Meijer Gardens audience for their Sunday tour stop, with a boost from openers The Chameleons. The review and photos.
The Country Music Hall of Famer captivated a Meijer Gardens audience for a buoyant evening of solo hits plus familiar favorites from her days as one half of the legendary duo, The Judds. The Local Spins review and photo gallery from Wednesday’s show.
The much-acclaimed, multi-Grammy Award-winning Americana singer/songwriter/guitarist delivered a nearly two-hour set at Meijer Gardens exploring his 30-year, genre-bending career on Monday. The Jason Isbell review, photos and set list at Local Spins.
The Grammy Award-winning blues/rock/soul/R&B guitarist headlined an evening of scorching temps and searing solos at Meijer Gardens after an Interlochen tour stop. The Local Spins review and photos.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Undeterred by multiple weather-related delays, the New Orleans-based band rewarded a dedicated audience with an effusive, exuberant performance of familiar favorites. The review and photos at Local Spins.
Thursday was filled with stars: Chris Stapleton fired up a capacity crowd on the first of two nights at Van Andel Arena while Keb’ Mo’ and Taj Mahal returned to Meijer Gardens. The recaps and photos at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Top Stories of the Year Countdown · Videos
Michigan’s top bluegrass powerhouses joined forces for a surprising and electrifying night at Meijer Gardens in June, captivating fans and readers, who made our review the No. 3 story of the year. Revisit the evening in words, photos, video and set list.
The esteemed indie-rock/alt-country/folk/pop artist unfurled a 14-song set on Thursday that included a brand new song from a forthcoming album. The review and photos at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Meijer Gardens wrapped up its final summer concert on Sunday with an esteemed Cuban ensemble, closing out a weekend that also featured Lettuce, the Kalamashoegazer Festival, a One Well block party and the Fallasburg Arts Festival. Check out the recaps and photos at Local Spins..
One of the amphitheater’s most popular returning stars delivered his intoxicating blend of reggae, funk, soul, folk, rock and more to an enthused audience on Sunday in Meijer Gardens’ next-to-last concert of the summer. The review and photos at Local Spins, plus photo galleries from the Eastown Streetfair, Avery Anna at Elevation and Sophistafunk with Desmond Jones at Warner Vineyards.
Andrew Bird, Amadou & Mariam enchanted fans at Meijer Gardens on Friday with their complex-but-accessible double billing of musical intrigue. The review and photos at Local Spins.
Predicted storms bypassed Black Violin’s Meijer Gardens concert, creating a picture-perfect evening of the renowned duo’s soulful, classical strings with a hip-hop twist. Review, photos at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
A day of rain kept some ticketholders away, but Tuttle’s band and Old Crow Medicine Show brought bluegrass-, gospel- and country-hued sunshine to Meijer Gardens on Wednesday. Review, photos, video.[…]
It was an eardrum-shattering, face-melting evening of psychedelic/Southern/alt rock from the Kentucky-born quintet, led by charismatic frontman and vocal powerhouse Jim James. The review and photos at Local Spins.
With Orleans Avenue in tow, the popular singer and trombonist brought funk and fun to Meijer Gardens on Monday. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Despite a delay caused by a fan’s medical emergency, the Austin-bred duo, plus backing band, heated up Meijer Gardens on Sunday with their signature blend of psychedelic soul and rock, The concert review and photos at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
The picture-perfect night for the return of a Michigan favorite boasted an appearance by the superstar bluegrass guitarist from Ionia County who kept the enthusiastic sold-out crowd on its feet. The Local Spins review, photo gallery and video highlights.
he booming baritone’s sold-out performance Wednesday night kicked off a busy, 33-show season at Meijer Gardens’ amphitheater replete with cowboy hats, glitter and a little bit of giddy-up.
The long-running, Boston-bred alterna-rockers closed out the amphitheater’s most successful season on Friday with an energetic set for a sold-out audience. The review, photos and setlist.
Tie-dyes, classic Grateful Dead jams. and a long (not-so-strange) trip. That was the order of the evening at Meijer Gardens on Thursday as Dark Star Orchestra paid tribute to the iconic rock band and more. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
West Michigan fans got a sold-out dose of nearly three hours of high-energy indie-soul/roots-inspired rock at Meijer Gardens on Monday. The review and photo gallery.
Wednesday’s summer squall abated in time for a captivating performance amid picture-perfect weather in Meijer Gardens’ sold-out amphitheater, The review and photos at Local Spins.
Meijer Gardens favorite and trombone/trumpet player extraordinaire Trombone Shorty kept the capacity amphitheater crowd on its feet Wednesday with an entrancing set of funk/jazz/blues. Review and photos at Local Spins.
The New York trio, plus show openers Shovels & Rope, struck the right chords at the sold-out Meijer Gardens amphitheater show on Sunday. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
The Canadian twin sisters and pop stars offered a smorgasbord of popular hits and deep cuts spanning a 20-plus-year career in their Grand Rapids tour stop Friday. The concert review and photos at Local Spins.
Michael Franti captivated a sold-out crowd at Meijer Gardens, the same evening that Alejandro Escovedo told musical tales amid an illustrious career at Midtown. The Local Spins reviews and photo galleries.
Along with opener Meshell Ndegeocello, the virtuosos sharing the bill on the delayed ‘Outside Problems’ tour enchanted a sold-out crowd on Friday. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Reggae/rock/pop/fusion singer Franti & Spearhead delivered an uplifting, introspective 135-minute set to a packed Meijer Gardens. Review, photos from Thursday’s amphitheater concert, plus view images from Spin Doctors & Sister Hazel in Grand Haven.
It was a sweet Michigan homecoming on Wednesday for The War and Treaty who got right into the crowd amid perfect weather that carved out an ideal evening for 1,200 summer concert series attendees. The Local Spins review and photo gallery.
Meijer Gardens’ amphitheater hosted a Big Easy-themed party on Friday with New Orleans acts spanning the ages and getting fans involved (and on stage). The review and photos at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Uncategorized
An appreciative Meijer Gardens audience soaked up Southern charm from the always-enthusiastic, twangy, bluegrass, country & Americana act in its return to Grand Rapids on Thursday. The review and photo gallery.
The beloved Phish frontman-composer-guitarist delivered nearly 2 hours of jam-band-informed, solo acoustic rock to an adoring crowd. The review with photos from two concerts: Trey Anastasio at Meijer Gardens, Big Head Todd, 10,000 Maniacs at Grand Haven’s waterfront stadium.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts
Legendary Southern gospel act enjoyed a warm welcome, perfect weather at the popular outdoor amphitheater, while show opener Marc Cohn charmed the crowd with rich vocals, effusive humor. The review and photos at Local Spins.
Back for the 2021 shopping season, Local Spins’ gift guide offers ideas for the music lover on your list: local products, including those supporting Michigan’s music scene along with a bevy of unique gifts bearing a tuneful vibe.
The ’90s pop-rockers energized the Meijer Gardens crowd Wednesday, delivering hits and helping close out the final week of an abbreviated but busy concert series at the amphitheater. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
A nearly 90-minute storm delay and venue evacuation didn’t entirely put a damper on the acts’ sunny outlooks, with Black Violin’s soaring strings and hip hop closing out an unpredictable evening, The Local Spins review and photo gallery.
New Orleans-born-and-bred multi-instrumentalist Troy Andrews and the effervescent Orleans Avenue band enraptured a sold-out Meijer Gardens on Wednesday with virtuosic musicianship and Big Easy spirit. The Local Spins review and photo gallery.
The ever-engaging Americana/bluegrass/country Nashville-based, Virginia-bred band enthralled a sold-out Meijer Gardens audience in its welcomed return to Grand Rapids on Sunday. The review, photo gallery and set list at Local Spins.
The former Men at Work frontman dipped into ’80s pop hits, extensive solo catalog and classic covers for an energetic, well-received evening of entertainment. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
The legendary and celebrated New Orleans act partnered with Grand Rapids Symphony on Sunday night for an upbeat mix of jazz and classical performed under clear skies and with perfect temps. The Local Spins review and photo gallery.
After a year-long pandemic that nearly eliminated all live music, Local Spins asked its most experienced reviewers to recount their strangest concert escapades. We start with Tricia Boot Woolfenden — and she has plenty of wild and wacky tales to share.
Album Releases · Audio · Periscope · Videos
Today, Local Spins writers and ‘New Standards’ hosts Troy Reimink and Tricia Boot Woolfenden spotlight fresh national/international tracks that you might have otherwise missed. View their picks, listen to the songs, watch the videos.
In the wake of nationwide protests, Local Spins columnist Tricia Boot Woolfenden reflects on the music industry’s historic “pattern of white-washing” and stealing black artists’ music — and how we can do better. A special Sunday commentary at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Concert reviews · Photos
Wednesday’s strong, late-summer storm forced the venue to cancel season’s penultimate show before the headliners could take the stage for their 40th anniversary tour appearance. Berlin and Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark did manage to play short sets before the rain hit. Recap and photos at Local Spins. And get details about Meijer Gardens’ refund policy for this show.
