Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band kicked off their “final tour” at Grand Rapids’ Van Andel Arena on Wednesday, once again regaling fans with his classic tunes on Thanksgiving Eve. And they’ll be back in January for what’s billed as a final, final Grand Rapids show. Michigan’s own The War and Treaty opened Wednesday’s concert. The review and photo gallery, exclusively at Local Spins.
The Grammy-winning British rocker returned to Grand Rapids Saturday for a show at 20 Monroe Live that was heavy on songs from the first and latter part of his career. Check out the review, photo gallery and set list, exclusively at Local Spins. And browse photo galleries from other West Michigan tour stops by The Tallest Man on Earth and Danity Kane, plus Pillar to Post and a Folklife Organization benefit in Kalamazoo.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
This week’s West Michigan photo roundup covered the gamut, from national tour stops by acts such as Turkuaz and Andy Frasco to rousing local shows featuring Roosevelt Diggs, Lower Leisure Class and much more.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Blues, rock, folk, Americana, funk, pop, ‘crabgrass’ and more: Local Spins’ week-in-review photo galleries cover the gamut of live music from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo to Spring Lake. And you’ll only find these images at Local Spins.
Moving this year from living rooms in Eastown homes to Wealthy Theatre and other venues, Lamp Light 7 has charged up stages with an eclectic blend of regional and national artists. Check out the recap, photo gallery from the first two days of this Grand Rapids festival.
Two nights before Halloween, the 70-year-old shock-rock pioneer brought his ever-entertaining, creepy rock show to DeVos Performance Hall. Check out the review by Troy Reimink and photo gallery by Anthony Norkus of Monday’s musical mayhem, along with a set list from the show.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Young the Giant, Ashley McBryde, Conrad Shock and Ashley Daneman kicked off a jam-packed weekend of fan-rousing concerts and creepy Halloween parties, all captured in Local Spins images.
Concert reviews · Local Spins Rewind · Photos
In late December 2017, three downtown venues hosted capacity crowds for a Saturday night of fan-pleasing spectacles, each with its own story line and passionate vibe. In the first of a series recapping the biggest Local Spins stories of 2018, relive the evening in words, photos and videos at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
The country superstar’s crowd-pleasing show at Van Andel Arena was part of a music week that also featured the likes of Clutch, Dave Bruzza, Insiders, Big Something and much more. The images and recaps at Local Spins.
The sold-out “Farewell Yellow Brick Road” concert at Van Andel Arena on Monday delivered what the piano-pounding rocker does best: dazzling keyboard work, terrific production and enduring songs. The review, photo gallery and set list from this historic show at Local Spins
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Social Distortion’s weekend tour stop at Grand Rapids’ 20 Monroe Live was just part of a music week that also featured appearances by Arturo Sandoval, Collective Soul, Blockhead, Kind Country and more. Browse the photo galleries at Local Spins.
The superstar classic rock band flaunted its new lineup in an intriguing, early-tour show at Van Andel Arena. Read the review and check out the set list from Monday night’s concert at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
The weekend brought country, rock, blues, hip hop, alt-rock, electronic music and more to West Michigan, captured as usual in Local Spins photo galleries and videos.
Portland quintet goes heavy on recent releases, speaks up on long-pressing issues and captivates crowd during second trip to venue in as many years.
Concert reviews · Kalamazoo · Photos
This show “Missed the Boat” and it shouldn’t be blamed on “The Dance Hall.” Sound issues made songs unrecognizable, some fans left early and one reviewer wished he’d run “Out of Gas.” But the light show was groovy. Get the lowdown and a photo gallery from Tuesday’s Wings Stadium concert at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
Big Dudee Roo, May Erlewine, Chris Dorman, Jordan Hamilton and more were among highlights cited by musicians and attendees for one of the final, treasured festival blasts of the season. Relive the weekend in words and photos at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Festivals · Photos
Day 2 of Kalamazoo’s Audiotree Music Festival drew even bigger crowds who cheered the likes of Grand Rapids’ Major Murphy plus Chicano Batman, Real Estate, Slow Mass, Blitzen Trapper, REZN, Lume and headliner Father John Misty. Read the Local Spins review, ogle the photo galleries from Sunday’s finale.
This Local Spins week-in-review set of photo galleries features one of our photographers’ favorite bands to shoot ever, and tons of other rocking concerts across West Michigan. On Tuesday,[…]
Concert reviews · Festivals · Photos
The indie-rock-oriented, two-day festival in downtown Kalamazoo boasted 15 performances on Saturday, with plenty more to come for Day 2. Check out a photo gallery and highlights at Local Spins.
The MC5 anniversary tour stop at Grand Rapids’ 20 Monroe Live drew a curiously, half-full house Saturday but the powerhouse band led by Wayne Kramer still proved its influential, rock ‘n’ roll mettle. Check out the exclusive review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Gary Clark Jr.’s musical conversation proved to be a powerful, dynamic dialogue of groaning blues, searing rock ’n’ roll and riveting soul Monday night at 20 Monroe Live.
Concert reviews · Festivals · Photos
Attendees to the 45th Wheatland Music Festival filled the site outside Remus and found warmth amidst chilly temps as they celebrated one of Michigan’s finest festival traditions.
Just ahead of a big homecoming show in Chicago, Fall Out Boy delivered fan faves and more at Van Andel Arena on Thursday with child-like vigor, pyrotechnics and dizzying lights. Check out the review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
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.
Friday’s sold-out Meijer Gardens concert proved the instrumental and vocal mettle of the beloved prog-pop band. The show review and photos, exclusively at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
The first day of the second-year music festival brought bigger crowds and bigger names to Grand Rapids’ Belknap Park, with another robust lineup unfurling Saturday. Check out the review, photos and video highlights at Local Spins.
Thursday was a night for fan-pleasing country music in Grand Rapids, with iconic veterans playing Meijer Gardens and a recent “new artist” winner revving up a big crowd outside The Intersection. Check out the show recaps and photos at Local Spins.
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.
The Michigan alt-rock heroes and California kids brought nostalgic ’90s magic and more to Meijer Gardens for a fan-pleasing, sold-out show on Sunday. The review and photo gallery, exclusively at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
It was another lively week of concerts across West Michigan, with country courtesy of Kip Moore and others, hard and soft rock, electro-pop and the music of tomorrow’s stars just part of the story. Ogle the photo galleries at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
One of GRandJazzFest’s biggest crowds ever pumped up Rosa Parks Circle on Saturday for a diverse assortment of regional and national stars. Check out photos and a video.
At 75, the Detroit legend proved in spring 2017 that she was still “The Queen of Soul” with renditions of “Respect,” “Chain of Fools” and “Baby I Love You.” In tribute to this Michican icon, here’s the review from her last Grand Rapids appearance.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
Local Spins asked Desmond Jones drummer John Nowak to reflect on highlights of last weekend’s action- and camaraderie-packed Cowpie Music Festival. Here’s his take on the beloved affair, with photo galleries by Anna Sink and Nathan Purchase.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Sugarland is back, unfurling its return to the stage for Grand Rapids fans with help from Michigan’s Frankie Ballard. But there was plenty more on the musical docket across West Michigan this week, and all highlighted in Local Spins images. Plus check out a video of That Beatles Thing.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
A solid first-day crowd at the music festival in southern Kent County reveled in impressive sets by May Erlewine, Hyryder, Mungion, Olivia & the Aquatic Troupe and more while reveling in a groovy new second stage. Check out the story, photos and video in this Local Spins exclusive.
Touring behind his latest album, “American Utopia,” the ever-fetching David Byrne brought a just-as-fetching cast of musicians to DeVos Performance Hall on Wednesday for a theatrical, one-of-a-kind evening. Check out the epic review by Troy Reimink with photos by Anthony Norkus.
An epic evening of thrash savagery at Van Andel Arena as part of Slayer’s final world tour also uncorked ear-splitting sets from Lamb of God, Anthrax, Testament and Napalm Death — igniting an exuberant response from 9,000-plus headbangers on hand. The review by John Serba and photos by Anthony Norkus at Local Spins. And check out the video of Anthrax’s Joey Belladonna singing Journey songs afterward at the Founders Brewing Open-Mic Night.
Monday’s sold-out Meijer Gardens concert featured the return of the affable, award-winning singer and guitarist, who charmed the capacity crowd in a variety of ways. Revisit the special evening via the Local Spins review and photo gallery.
West Michigan poured out another full-bodied flask of live music to get August rolling and Local Spins was there to capture some of the action in photos. Check out all of the photo galleries and show recaps at Local Spins.
The power pop pianist and former Schuss Mountain “Schussy Cat” was joined by the Grand Rapids Symphony and conductor Jacomo Bairos for “Rock this Bitch,” “Effington” and more, regaling 2,500 strong on a gorgeous summer night at the ski area. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
The iconic rock band’s return to The Pyramid Scheme on Thursday unleashed noise-ridden, Black Sabbath-meets-Capt. Beefheart charm with Spencer’s own brand of minimalist rock opening the show. The Local Spins review by John Serba, with photos by Katy Batdorff and Derek Ketchum.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
An odd, abrupt finish by Matt Berninger and The National wrapped up the spirited, eclectic Detroit festival in “an iconic place.” Check out Local Spins’ review and photo gallery of a second day that featured St. Vincent, Daniel Caesar, Portugal. The Man and Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers.
Concert reviews · Photos · Weekend Photo Gallery
The hip hop legend brought N.W.A., Ice-T, Tha Dogg Pound and more to Van Andel Arena during a busy week of tour stops and local shows in front of enthused West Michigan audiences. Concerts included Rayland Baxter, Erasure, The Beach Boys and Jake Kershaw & Melophobix in a special Walk the Beat event. The Ice Cube review and five photo galleries exclusively at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
The first day of the music festival in Detroit’s West Riverfront Park boasted summer sun, thousands of attendees and a diverse mix of acts, closing with the enigmatic and powerful Bon Iver. Check out the Day 1 recap, photos and video at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
The 16th annual festival on this island in northern Lake Michigan boasted regional stars, from Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band to The Legal Immigrants. Check out the recap and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Local Spins music critic John Serba absorbed the brutish, beautifully ‘apelike rock’ of the iconic L.A. punk/metal/grunge band that rattled The Pyramid Scheme on Monday. Read his take on the rock ‘n’ roll assault along with photos by Katy Batdorff — only at Local Spins.
Another potent week of live music brought Michigan fans some iconic hip hop, country, heavy metal, indie-rock and regional stars Seth Bernard and May Erlewine. Check out the recaps in vibrant images by Local Spins photographers.
On a night when the rain held off at Meijer Gardens, the iconic rock/pop artist uncorked familiar faves and new classics for an approving audience. Get the Joe Jackson review and photo gallery, exclusively at Local Spins. And browse a set list from Friday night’s concert, too.
Country-pop superstar Shania Twain made a grand entrance at Van Andel Arena, then unleashed a spectacle that was flamboyant as well as fan-interactive. The concert review, photo gallery and set list from Wednesday night’s show at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
The 38th annual Blissfest captivated capacity crowds in northern Michigan over the weekend. Local Spins was there to capture the action in words and photos. Relive highlights from the festival, courtesy of writer Devin Anderson and photographer Anna Sink.
