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.
With a politically conscious new record releasing in four weeks, the North Carolina folk/rock band was ready to connect with a modest-but-enthused audience. Check out the review of Friday night’s show at Local Spins. along with a photo gallery.
The rock-reggae musician and peace activist infused his trademark optimism and compassion into extra-long set Friday at the outdoor amphitheater. Concert review and photos at Local Spins.
The sardonic California alt-rock band charmed a capacity Meijer Gardens crowd on Wednesday with quirky instrumentation, trademark dry wit and a mix of old and somewhat-new songs. Check out the review and photos, exclusively at Local Spins.
Touring behind his latest album, the whistling, winsome singer and violinist brought his genre-spanning music to Meijer Gardens on a sultry but breezy night. The Local Spins review and photos from Thursday night’s concert.
The talented multi-instrumentalist packed the amphitheater for the third year in a row, inspiring the big crowd to move to an energetic mix of jazz, funk and rock. Get the review and peruse the photo gallery at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts
The country/bluegrass Nashville-based, Virginia-bred band enthralled a sold-out Meijer Gardens audience on Friday in its triumphant return to the Grand Rapids venue. Check out the Local Spins review and photo gallery.
The five-piece jazz/pop/rock band, led by vocal powerhouse and birthday girl Rachael Price, returned to the amphitheater on Thursday to the delight of an engaged and entertained sold-out crowd. The Local Spins review and photo gallery.
The lengthy New Orleans jazz and funk showcase at Meijer Gardens on Wednesday boasted an impressive roster of Big Easy faves: Trombone Shorty, Galactic, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, New Breed Brass Band and special guests. Check out the review of what was described as the most fun night ever at Meijer Gardens, plus a robust photo gallery.
Reggae/rock/fusion singer Michael Franti and his band Spearhead delivered a scorching 110-minute set for a sold-out Meijer Gardens crowd Sunday amid high temps and even higher spirits. Relive the upbeat show, browse the photo gallery at Local Spins.
Pop culture icon Debbie Harry and band shared new songs and relied on the classics in a lively performance that focused on the fun, but also subtly delved into the subversive. Relive the evening — minus the heat — via the Local Spins review and photo gallery.
Perfect temperatures and a receptive, sold-out crowd at Meijer Gardens set the stage for an evening of emotional but uplifting folk rock. Check out the Local Spins review by Tricia Woolfenden and photo gallery from Kendra Kamp.
The Portland folk-rock heroes enthusiastically powered through an engaging set of old hits and new at Meijer Gardens on Monday, in spite of frontman’s recent vocal strain. Read the review and ogle the photo gallery at Local Spins.
Chock full of eye candy and pop hooks, Pink brought her “Beautiful Trauma” to Grand Rapids for a capacity, over-the-top spectacle that was also about empowerment. Local Spins reviewer Tricia Woolfenden went in with few expectations and was blown away. Check out her review, with photos by Anthony Norkus.
Janet Jackson’s return to Grand Rapids on Wednesday showcased her trademark dance moves, gracious charm and badass power poses, proving the singer is still in command. The Local Spins review and photo gallery.
Michael Franti & Spearhead once again inspired a sold-out Meijer Gardens crowd to dance and sing for the duration of a steamy two-hour set of reggae/rock/rap infusion on Wednesday. Check out the review and photos at Local Spins.
The four-piece band’s return to Meijer Gardens with a guest keyboardist boasted a mix of captivating indie-pop, jazz and soul for another sold-out show. Read the Local Spins review of Friday night’s concert by Tricia Woolfenden and browse the photo gallery by Tony Norkus.
The longtime indie-rock idols heated up Meijer Gardens on Thursday with a bouncy mix of old and new material in a show that included an opening set by Grand Rapids’ own MERTLE. The review — via a “texting” conversation between the reviewers — and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Trombone Shorty and his crew brought their summery version of Mardi Gras to Grand Rapids on Thursday and raindrops couldn’t slow them — or concertgoers — down. Read the review, browse the photo gallery from the sold-out show.
The rescheduled show — and final Meijer Gardens volley of 2016 — started just as raindrops fell, but the capacity crowd stayed “Head Over Heels” and on its feet for the entire concert. Read Tricia Woolfenden’s review of this long-awaited concert and browse the photos by Anthony Norkus.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts
The crush-worthy Boston band’s return to Meijer Gardens was nothing short of an energetic, crowd-pleasing spectacle — amid perfect weather after the threat of storms in a packed amphitheater. Read the review, peruse the photo gallery from another sold-out show.
The first tribute show to ever play the outdoor amphitheater eventually got plenty of “Dancing Queens” on their feet and ready to “Take a Chance” on cheering this impersonation of the Swedish superstar band. Read the recap and browse the photo gallery from Wednesday’s show.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts
The engaging singer-guitarist brought his band The Innocent Criminals with him in his return to the Meijer Gardens amphitheater. The sold-out audience embraced them and opener Molly and Scott from Grand Rapids’ Vox Vidorra. Get the scoop in this Local Spins review and photo gallery.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts
The Portland band’s first appearance at the Grand Rapids amphitheater came amid 90-degree weather that didn’t slow the Colin Meloy-led bunch down as they churned out sometimes nostalgic, audience-pleasing songs spanning the group’s career. Peruse the review and photo gallery from Monday’s night red-hot concert.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts
The engaging singer and guitarist’s return to Grand Rapids with his band had him climbing into the crowd and bringing fans on stage for a memorable evening at the outdoor amphitheater. Check out the Local Spins review and photo gallery.
Longtime Local Spins contributor, reviewer and WYCE ‘New Standards’ co-host Tricia Woolfenden offers up Joy Formidable, INXS, Santigold, Youth Lagoon, Tunde Olaniran and more to heat up the spring. Check out this eclectic roster and videos, along with a Spotify version of the playlist.
Folk music of different stripes in different places ruled Grand Rapids Thursday, with The Mountain Goats unfurling musical tales at Calvin College and Kottke regaling a sold-out St. Cecilia Music Center. Read the Local Spins reviews by Tricia Woolfenden and Charley Honey.
The avant garde rock spectacle on Tuesday played the first of two nights at DeVos Performance Hall in Grand Rapids with ardent fans ‘moving, laughing and reacting’ to the Blue Man Group’s colorful hijinks. Read the review, check out the photos.
The second half of Broadway Grand Rapids’ 2015-16 season kicks off with the ever-rousing Blue Man Group, with more big shows to come. Check out the season preview by Local Spins writer Tricia Woolfenden.
Two much-admired, inventive rock bands brought their respective, polished spectacles to West Michigan on Wednesday night. And Local Spins was there to document the impressive performances for packed houses. Read the reviews and scan the photo galleries from these mid-week concert gems.
Playing for a sold-out amphitheater, the singer-songwriter and opener Anderson East charmed fans with their own compelling original material and some delectable covers. Read the review and view the photo gallery.
Banjos-and-bluegrass night at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park on Monday had some legendary, veteran players sharing the bill for a night of jamming and story-telling. Read the Local Spins review and check out the photo gallery.
Franti and his band, Spearhead, brought their love-infused reggae fusion to an adoring sold-out crowd Thursday night at the outdoor
amphitheater, even serenading fans in the parking lot before the show. Read the review and check out the photo gallery.
The duo brought a boatload of catchy ’70s and ’80s pop hits to stoke the embers of a Saturday night dance party for an audience of about 7,500 at Van Andel Arena. Read Local Spins review by Tricia Woolfenden and view the photo gallery by Anthony Norkus.
May’s batch of Local Spins album reviews covers the gamut from soul to folk, a round-up that also includes new releases from Plain Jane Glory, Watching for Foxes and Complicated Animals. Check out the reviews, with links to audio samples and upcoming gig schedules for the featured bands.
The celebrated Michigan singer-songwriter’s return to Calvin College in Grand Rapids on Tuesday focused on his latest album and spotlighted his incisive writing. Read the review by Local Spins writer Tricia Woolfenden and check out the photo gallery by Anna Sink.
Crow’s return to the outdoor amphitheater for the second year in a row impresses a sold-out crowd and proves she’s now a darling of the popular, record-setting series.
After a spirited opening set by Lowdown Brass Band, Lake Street Dive delivered one of the true musical highlights of the summer. (Review, photo gallery)
The first night of the unusual co-headlining tour starring G. Love & Special Sauce and Keb’ Mo’ at a sold-out Meijer Gardens amphitheater boasted separate sets by the pals and invigorating collaborations.
Whilst short of a sellout, Thursday night’s Meijer Gardens concert boasted an enthusiastic young crowd, passionate performances and double-duty for Dawes as opening act and backing band.
The much-ballyhooed Ray LaMontagne tantrum at Meijer Gardens has sparked a mega-debate over the do’s and don’ts of concertgoers and performers. Local Spins columnist Tricia Woolfenden offers her take. What’s yours?
Weirdest night ever at Meijer Gardens? Acclaimed singer-songwriter playing sold-out amphitheater takes exception to loud fan chatter and departs amid f-bomb laden tirade, then returns to finish concert. Oh, and Jenny Lewis performed, too.
Affable and engaging, the reunited progressive bluegrass trio rekindled its familiar musical fire with old favorites and new gems for a sold-out amphitheater on a picturesque night.
The Brooklyn-based R&B singer delivered a heartfelt performance on Sunday with The Extraordinaires, igniting a sold-out Grand Rapids crowd.
