The Big List (Jan. 2-7): Luke Winslow King, The Howlers and Shane Tripp, Jocelyn and Chris Arndt, Tyler Hilton, plus tributes to Elvis Presley, Tom Petty, GNR

It’s a triumphant start to 2018: Local acts rule The Big List, with The Hacky Turtles, Hey Marco!, Dave Palmer, Bruce Matthews and more, plus the Winter Jam and a Boy Band revue. And see how you can win tickets to an Elvis tribute and Harper & Midwest Kind.

 

THE BIG LIST: Jan. 2-7

For an expanded list of upcoming shows West Michigan venues, check out The REALLY Big List at Local Spins. Have concert listings you think deserve to be spotlighted? Have the line-up ready for your music festival or summer outdoor concert series? Email date, time, ticket prices, location and details to liz@localspins.com.

LOCAL SPINS WEDNESDAY:
DAVE PALMER & HIS ONLY FRIENDS
VANMASON
When: 8 p.m. Wednesday
Admission: Free
Where: SpeakEZ Lounge, Grand Rapids

Start the year off right with a feel-good show. This one features Grand Haven musician and Walk the Beat founder Dave Palmer and his band, playing blues-, rock-, country- and folk-fueled music. But the most important thing about this show is the cause: Palmer is raising money to purchase musical instruments to deliver to a school in Haiti, part of his mission to provide musical gear and training to those in need. He’ll donate his performance money to the cause and we encourage all those who attend to pitch in as well. Local Spins will donate a portion of 2018 calendar and T-shirt sales to this “Play for a Purpose” tour that will hit several more venues in coming months. VanMason, a duo featuring Dustin Mason and Bleu VanDyke, will open the show.

Dave Palmer & His Only Friends also play Fricano’s Pizza on Alpine Avenue NW in Comstock Park on Thursday evening to kick off Fricano’s Winter Music Series.

Local Spins Wednesdays are presented by SpeakEZ Lounge, Local Spins, Perrin Brewing Company and WYCE. As always, there are Michigan beer specials on tap, free parking in the lot kitty-corner from SpeakEZ on Monroe Avenue NW and Local Spins 2018 Calendars for sale (with a free local CD given away with every order), plus new Local Spins T-shirts.

TOM PETTY TRIBUTE
When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday
Admission: Free
Where: Rockford Brewing Co., Rockford

For the second week in a row, a super-group of West Michigan musicians are paying tribute to the music of the late Tom Petty. Last Saturday, it was an outfit led by Max Lockwood. This week at Rockford Brewing, it’s a band featuring singer-guitarist Jack Leaver and members of the Grand Rapids bands Hazy Past, Melophobix, Desmond Jones, Devin & the Dead Frets, The Insane Theatre and Nicholas James & the Bandwagon.

Expect to hear a robust roster of some of Petty’s biggest hits and most beloved songs. But arrive early because Rockford Brewing has never experienced this much advance interest for a show. Details online here.

LUKE WINSLOW KING
When: 8:30 p.m. Thursday
Tickets: $10 advance, $12 day of show
Where: Bell’s Brewery Eccentric Café, Kalamazoo

Bell’s Brewery Eccentric Café kicks off three straight nights of West Michigan musical stars with this show featuring Michigan-bred Luke Winslow King, who spent several years in New Orleans honing an eclectic style that spans blues, folk, New Orleans-fueled jazz and more. Now, he’s back in Michigan, continuing to tour behind his acclaimed 2017 album, “I’m Glad Trouble Don’t Last Always.”

Bell’s follows this at 8:30 p.m. Thursday with an appearance by honky-tonk/rockabilly queen Delilah DeWylde ($5 advance, $8 day of show) and at 8:30 p.m. Saturday by jazz organ trio Organissimo with blues guitarist-singer Greg Nagy ($10 advance, $12 day of show). Get details on all of the shows online at bellsbeer.com.

(Luke Winslow King also plays the intimate Salt of the Earth in Fennville on Sunday; details in “Under-the-Radar Picks” below.)

JOCELYN & CHRIS ARNDT
When: 9:30 p.m. Thursday
Admission: Free
Where: Founders Brewing Co., Grand Rapids

New York siblings Jocelyn and Chris Arndt fashion “blues-inspired rock” with fiery vocals supplied by Jocelyn and sizzling guitar work courtesy of Chris. The band has released two studio albums, 2016’s “Edges” and 2017’s “Go,” with the latter featuring guests such as Danny Louis of Gov’t Mule and earning chart buzz on Billboard and Relix.

Founders follows this on Saturday with a tribute to Guns N’ Roses. Get details about that in the “Under-the-Radar Picks” below. More online at foundersbrewing.com.

FRETBOARD FESTIVAL PLAY-IN CONTEST
When: 5 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Friday
Admission: Free
Where: Kalamazoo Valley Museum, 230 N. Rose St., Kalamazoo

Every year, the Kalamazoo Fretboard Festival stages a play-in contest for regional acts interested in performing at the festival, with several selected for the competition in an initial round of judging. On Friday, these bands will perform in front of a panel of judges, and the winners in separate acoustic and electric categories will be added to the bill for the Kalamazoo Fretboard Festival which takes place at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum and Anna Whitten Hall March 2-3. (The March festival boasts performances on several stages, as well as vendor booths featuring instruments and other music-related attractions.)

Performing on Friday will be Luxury Flux, Cosmic Knot, On the Line Band, Borr+McFerrin, Sarah Lynn Band and Allie Garland with Awesome Sauce. The performances and competition are open to the public; admission is free. Get details online here.

TYLER HILTON & KATE VOEGELE
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Tickets: $30-$40 (VIP also available)
Where: Seven Steps Up, Spring Lake

Singer-songwriter and actor Tyler Hilton has gotten attention from the likes of Rolling Stone magazine for his music and movie/TV fans for his acting in things like “One Tree Hill” and the “Walk the Line” Johnny Cash biopic. The 34-year-old Californian is about to release a new album, “Live in the Garden,” and he’s touring with acclaimed Cleveland pop/rock artist Kate Voegele, who has new single, “Shoot This Arrow,” plus an upcoming new album. Also on the bill: Leslie DiNicola (who just released a new album).

Get tickets and details online at pindropconcerts.com.

ELVIS PRESLEY BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE
When: 9 p.m. Friday
Tickets: $5
Where: Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill, Grand Rapids

LOCAL SPINS TICKET GIVEAWAY: Congratulations to reader Sarah Spohn. She was the first person to email john@localspins.com with “ELVIS” in the message field and won a pair of tickets to Friday’s tribute show. And Lauren DeLuca won tikcets to see Harper and Midwest Kind on Saturday night at Tip Top. Check The Big List every week for your chance to win concert tickets.

Anyone who knows Tip Top Deluxe co-owner Ted Smith knows that he’s a devilishly devoted Elvis Presley fan. So, it’s no surprise that the Tip Top will celebrate what would have been Elvis’ 83rd birthday a few days early with performances by The Devil Elvis Show (paying homage to The King) and Dangerville.

This shapes up as a night of “Burning Love” for “Jailhouse Rock” and more. Get details and tickets online here. The Tip Top follows this on Saturday with Harper and Midwest Kind. Details in “Under-the-Radar Picks” below.

BRUCE MATTHEWS CD-RELEASE SHOW
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
Tickets: $10 advance, $12 day of show
Where: LowellArts, 223 W. Main St., Lowell

Lowell singer-songwriter Bruce Matthews celebrates release of his new CD, “Roll Your Windows Down,” which he characterizes as “front porch music in the Americana tradition.” Matthews (acoustic guitar, vocals) will perform on Saturday as part of the LowellArts House Concerts Series with Esther Klompmaker (vocals), David Pomper (keys, accordion), Tony Muka (mandolin, vocals), Alison Myers (vocals, flute/whistle) and Rick Stone (percussion). The show is also a benefit for LowellArts.

Get tickets online here.

SHANE TRIPP, THE HOWLERS
ALBUM-RELEASE SHOW
When: 9 p.m. Saturday
Tickets: $8 advance, $10 day of show
Where: The Pyramid Scheme

Talk about a double-dip of psychedelically groovy new local music: Grand Rapids’ Shane Tripp (alt-indie-folk-rock) has a new recording, and so do The Howlers (psych-rock/shoegaze), led by guitarist and Amber Lit Audio studio owner Matt Ten Clay. They’ll celebrate all that new material at The Pyramid Scheme along with AM Stations and Lost System.

Doors open at 8 p.m. and as one Facebook poster put it: “You’re going to be there because you always talk about how you love music and how you support the local music scene.” Get more info/tickets online at pyramidschemebar.com.

HEY MARCO: THE MUSIC OF STEELY DAN
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Tickets: $8 advance, $13 day of show
Where: Park Theatre, 248 S. River Ave.

This elaborate, well-crafted tribute to the jazz-fueled rock of Steely Dan comes courtesy of Grand Rapids’ Hey Marco!, led by singer and keyboard player Mark Jackson. The band has become a soul/pop/rock favorite with tight harmonies, flavorful horns and an entertaining mix of covers and original material. When they pay homage to Steely Dan, a big influence on Jackson, they’re in their happy zone.

Doors open at 7 p.m. Get tickets and details online at parktheatreholland.org.

THE HACKY TURTLES
When: 4 p.m. Sunday
Admission: Free
Where: Creston Brewery, 1504 Plainfield Ave. NE, Grand Rapids

Born and bred in Traverse City, The Hacky Turtles actually first formed as a band and performed in Chicago before moving to Grand Rapids in 2017. The band describes its music as “funk rock with essence of folk,” but anyone who’s seen these guys live know that they generate a real party vibe with an audience-engaging approach and plenty of energy.

Lead singer Marc Kanitz, guitarist Alex Rushlow, guitarist/banjoist Austin Spencer and percussionist Erik Krueger aim “to spread their message of positivity, emotion and joy through music to new ears.” Some of those ears undoubtedly will be there Sunday at Creston Brewery, which creates an unusual, groovy venue for music.

WINTER JAM 2018
When: 6 p.m. Sunday
Admission: $15 at the door
Where: Van Andel Arena, 130 W. Fulton St., Grand Rapids

Winter Jam is back.

Grammy-nominated, platinum-selling rock band Skillet headlines this rendition of this 46-city Christian music tour, with Kari Jobe (featuring Cody Carnes), Building 429, John Crist, KB, NewSong, Jordan Feliz and evangelist Nick Hall also on the docked.

There’s also a pre-Jam party with worship artist Dan Bremnes and Curb Records singer-songwriter Mallary Hope, along with Westover. Doors for the pre-Jam party open at 5 p.m. Details online here.

UNDER-THE-RADAR PICKS

Jason Wheeler & Friends playing Cedar Springs Brewing in Cedar Springs, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, free – Fauxgrass mandolinist Jason Wheeler takes up shop at Cedar Springs Brewing with some special guest musicians.

Lighting Matches playing One Trick Pony in Grand Rapids, 8 p.m. Thursday, free – Grand Rapids singer-songwriters Rachel White and Matt Plessner perform as the duo Lighting Matches, igniting pretty impressive musical sparks. Call 235-7669 for reservations. (Singer-songwriter Abigail Stauffer plays One Trick on Saturday night.)

Christopher C. Cordle, Sandra Effert and Emma Guzman playing Mulligan’s Pub in Grand Rapids, 9 p.m. Thursday, free – Muskegon singer-songwriter Christopher C. Cordle released a terrific new album in 2017 and he’s joined for this show by the soulful Sandra Effert and Mount Clemens singer-songwriter Emma Guzman. Mulligan’s follows this with SXX, 19tilDawn and BlackFront Ink on Friday, and Ars Nova, Skyking and Secret Forte on Saturday.

The Preservers Reunion Show and Album Exchange Jamboree at LowellArts, 223 W. Main St. in Lowell, 6:30 p.m. Friday, $5 advance, $7 day of show – Lowell rock band The Preservers were formed when members were in high school, playing everything from folk to punk to psychedelic jams. With a couple of the members home from college on winter break, this serves as a band reunion. As part of the event, there’s a “White Elephant Album Gift Exchange,” in which attendees can bring a wrapped record album to exchange at the event during intermission.

Boy Band Review at 20 Monroe Live in Grand Rapids, 9 p.m. Friday, $12-$25 – Now, here’s a different sort of tribute: This is billed as “the greatest boy band tribute show in America.” From ‘N Sync to New Kids on the Block, these guys get boy-band nostalgic for a night of shriek-worthy pop. Details/tickets here.

Red Legs, The Autumnatic and Telegraf playing The Stache inside The Intersection in Grand Rapids, 8 p.m. Saturday, $10 advance, $12 day of show – The Intersection’s sole show of the week (before unleashing a VERY busy winter of concerts) boasts local faves Red Legs and The Autumnatic, plus Telegraf.

Harper and Midwest Kind playing Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill in Grand Rapids, 9 p.m. Saturday, $10 – Blues harp and didgeridoo whiz Harper, aka Peter D. Harper, an Australian musician who’s now based in Detroit, delivers “an amalgamation of blues, soul and world music” that’s earned him awards and plenty of attention wherever he plays. Get tickets/details online here. Congratulations to Local Spins reader Lauren DeLuca. She was the first person to email john@localspins.com with “HARPER” in the message field and won two tickets to Saturday’s show. Check The Big List every week to win concert tickets.

Grand Rapids Symphony’s Pokemon: Symphonic Evolutions performed at DeVos Performance Hall in Grand Rapids, 8 p.m. Saturday, $52-$67 – This concert features a full orchestra performing new arrangements and carefully timed visuals from recent and classic Pokémon video games. Tickets, details online at grsymphony.org.

Appetite for Destruction tribute to GNR playing Founders Brewing Co., 9:30 p.m. Saturday, $5 – So Founders Brewing boasts a staff full of musicians, and a bunch of them are getting together to pay tribute to Guns N’ Roses with a couple of other bands on this bill, too: Detroit stoner rock band Overdrive Orchestra and GR psych-rock group Brain Transplants. (Both of those bands have a Founders connection, too.)

“Music by Women Composers” at the Grand Rapids Art Museum in Grand Rapids, 2 p.m. Sunday, $10 adults (regular admission to museum) – This special edition of the “Sunday Classical Concert Series” features Ava Ordman on trombone and Derek Polischuk on piano performing “Music By Women Composers.” Details online here.

Luke Winslow King playing Salt of the Earth at 114 E. Main St. in Fennville, 6 p.m. Sunday, $15 – Michigan-bred Luke Winslow King wraps up a week of shows with this cozy affair. He spent years in New Orleans, honing an eclectic style steeped in blues, folk and New Orleans-fueled jazz. He moved back to Michigan last year, about the time he released his latest album, “I’m Glad Trouble Don’t Last Always.”

ON THE HORIZON

Monday, Jan. 8
John Shea, Rockwell Republic
Brad Fritcher’s Moods, Jazz & Gin Mondays, Long Road Distillers
BassBin: D-Wrex/Stratz/DJaxxx/Chetty Machete, Billy’s Lounge
Jazz Jam, What Not Inn, Fennville
Everett Domeier, Gun Lake Casino, Wayland
Dan Willenberg Trio, The Union Cabaret & Grille, Kalamazoo

Tuesday, Jan. 9
Take Three Jazz Ensemble, The Grand, Grand Haven
Tony Reynolds, Gun Lake Casino, Wayland
Cheap Dates, The Union Cabaret & Grille, Kalamazoo

Wednesday, Jan. 10
Peat In The Creel, Local Spins Wednesday @ SpeakEZ Lounge
Black Label Society/Corrosion Of Conformity, 20 Monroe Live
Tom Hagen Trio Featuring Rick Reuther, Noto’s, Cascade
Coty Boutchard, Cedar Springs Brewing Company, Cedar Springs
Jeff Plankenhorn, Seven Steps Up, Spring Lake
Sean Copenhaver, Gun Lake Casino, Wayland
WMU Jazz Jams, The Union Cabaret & Grille, Kalamazoo

Thursday, Jan. 11
Ratboys/The Deep Dark Woods/Nnamdi Ogbonnaya, Founders Brewing Co.
Aaron Watson/Adam Doleac, The Intersection
The Zannies/Talk Radio, Rocky’s Bar & Grill
Conrad Shock + The Noise, Harmony Hall
Clownvis Presley/Delilah DeWylde, Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill
Robin Connell/Tim Froncek/Chris Kjorness, One Trick Pony
Brett Dame, 7 Monks Taproom
John Andrews, Fricano’s Pizza, Comstock Park
Chris & Andy, Grand Armory Brewing, Grand Haven
My Thin Place, Sandy Point Beach House, West Olive
Jim Shaneberger Band/Refurbished, Gun Lake Casino, Wayland
Rebirth Brass Band, Bell’s Eccentric Cafe, Kalamazoo
WMU Jazz Faculty, The Union Cabaret & Grille, Kalamazoo

Friday, Jan. 12
Beer City Music Festival, The DeltaPlex (Jan. 12-13)
Grand Rapids Symphony, All-Tchaikovsky, DeVos Performance Hall (Jan. 12-13)
G-Bread/Super Future/Oshea Davaun/Sandose/Dreezestring/CHOFF/Hizen/Kar Pow: Samsara Showcase, The Stache inside The Intersection
Far Shores/Lipstick Jodi/Vandalay/Drew Penfield, The Pyramid Scheme
Cheap Dates, Grand Woods Lounge
Lake Effect/Amoura/Foxfollow/No Justice, Mulligan’s Pub
Carl Webb Band, Billy’s Lounge
Left Lane Cruiser/Black Jake & The Carnies/Slumlord Radio, Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill
The Moonrays, Rocky’s Bar & Grill
Feel Good, H.O.M.E. At The B.O.B.
John Shea, JW Marriott
Kathy Lamar/Bob Van Stee/Kevin Jones, Noto’s, Cascade
Mary Rademacher Reed, Rendezvous @ Amway Grand Plaza
Trilogy, Bier Distillery, Comstock Park
Trixy Tang, River City Saloon
JGJ, Woody’s Press Box, Wyoming
Mary Fahl (formerly of The October Project), Seven Steps Up, Spring Lake
Drop 35, Jack’s Waterfront Bistro & Bar, Spring Lake
Germanic Classics, West Shore Symphony, Frauenthal Theater, Muskegon
Vince Hayes, The Alley Door Club, Frauenthal Center, Muskegon
Brad Fritcher’s MOODS, 18th Amendment Spirits Co., Muskegon
Trifocal/Decalactones, Unruly Brewing Co., Muskegon
Tom Pancy Funk Trio With Brandon Rose and Ahmad Johnson, Grand Armory Brewing, Grand Haven
Delilah DeWylde, New Holland Brewing Pub On 8th, Holland
Matt Gabriel, Our Brewing, Holland
All In, McDuff’s Bar & Grille, Wayland
Gabrial James/The Rock Show, Gun Lake Casino, Wayland
Flobots, Bell’s Eccentric Cafe, Kalamazoo
Megan Dooley/Katy Needs A Life/Ghost Bunnies/Zoo Wave (David Bowie tribute), Rupert’s Brewhouse, Kalamazoo
DC-90, The Union Cabaret & Grille, Kalamazoo
May Erlewine, Mendel Center, Lake Michigan College, St. Joseph
Jonny Lang, Silver Creek Event Center, Four Winds Casino, New Buffalo

Saturday, Jan. 13
Winter Wheat Music Festival, The Intersection
Trippin’ Billies (Dave Matthews tribute), 20 Monroe Live
Beer City Music Festival, The DeltaPlex (Jan. 12-13)
Black Jake And The Carnies, Founders Brewing Company
Grand Rapids Symphony, All-Tchaikovsky, DeVos Performance Hall
Thirsty Perch Blues Band, One Trick Pony
Tunde Olaniran/BevLove/Alexander Lynch, The Pyramid Scheme
Scott Veenstra Trio, JW Marriott
Mary Rademacher Reed, Rendezvous @ Amway Grand Plaza Hotel
Jesse Ray & the Carolina Catfish, Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill
The Weezil Malone Band/James Reeser & the Backseat Drivers (fund-raiser to send International Blues Competition local winner Weezil Malone to compete in Memphis), Billy’s Lounge
DJ Joe Moon/DJ Silvahalo, Industrial Benefit for Latinas Welding Guild, Mexicains Sans Frontieres
Djembe Spectacular, Creston Brewery
Pop Cult, H.O.M.E. At The B.O.B.
Union Guns, River City Saloon
Push Box Polka Party, Harmony Hall
John Shea, Noto’s, Cascade
Alistair Beerens, Thornapple Brewing Co., Cascade
The Hacky Turtles, Rockford Brewing Co., Rockford
DC-90, Rogue River Tavern, Rockford
Band 131, Woody’s Press Box, Wyoming
The Left Paul Trio, Hennessy’s Pub, Muskegon
Cloudlight/Moses/Whittier, Unruly Brewing Co., Muskegon
Drop 35, Jack’s Waterfront Bistro & Bar, Spring Lake
Julia And The Greensides, Grand Armory Brewing, Grand Haven
JGJ, Kirby Grill, Grand Haven
J Berends/Steeple Hill Band, The Pipeline Smokehouse & Grill, West Olive
Dave & Connie D, Great Legs Winery Brewery Distillery, Holland
Sumkali, Gopherwood Concerts, Elks Club, Cadillac
Starfarm, Shakespeare’s Pub, Kalamazoo
The Werks, Bell’s Eccentric Cafe, Kalamazoo
Jeremy Porter & The Tucos/Mousewolf/Brenden Mann & the Reprimand, Louie’s Trophy Grill, Kalamazoo
WMU School Of Music, The Union Cabaret & Grille, Kalamazoo
Super Bob, The Music Factory, Battle Creek
Mary Fahl (of October Project), Acorn Theater, Three Oaks
The Moxie Strings, Franke Center For The Arts, Marshall
Saxsquatch & The Bridge Band, The Livery, Benton Harbor

Sunday, Jan. 14
Avenged Sevenfold/Breaking Benjamin/Bullet For My Valentine, Van Andel Arena
Greg Miller, Sunday Brunch Series, JW Marriott
River North Jazz Brunch, The Old Goat
Hugye Bevan Schock Jazz Band, Harmony Hall
Robin Connell/Jeff Haas/Jack Dryden, Fountain Street Church
Tribal Seeds/The Original Wailers/The Expanders, The Stache inside The Intersection
The Budos Band, Founders Brewing Company
Shoebox/Rent Strike/Thomas Gun, Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill
Randy Marsh & Friends, SpeakEZ Lounge
The Red Sea Pedestrians, KDL Sunday Afternoon Live, Cascade Township Library
Peat In The Creel, Creston Brewery
Ralph Votapek, piano, “Schubert, Faure & Gershwin,” Sunday Classical Concert Series, Grand Rapids Art Museum
Jack Leaver, Cedar Springs Brewing Company, Cedar Springs
Jen Sygit, C3 Spiritual Connection, Community Center, Grand Haven
Red Tail Ring, Salt Of The Earth, Fennville
Megan Dooley, Hilliard’s Corner Lounge, Wayland

Copyright 2017, Spins on Music LLC