The Grammy- and Academy Award-winning songwriter made his Meijer Gardens debut on Thursday, playfully skewering politicians, Hollywood, himself and well, music, at a Steinway grand piano. (Review, photo gallery) […]
The New York indie-rockers flashed alluring three-part harmonies and top-drawer instrumental virtuosity for the concert series’ smallest crowd of the summer. (Review, photo gallery) There were moments Saturday night[…]
On a cool August night, things got so hot at the Grand Rapids amphitheater that fans were leaping on stage and getting escorted off by security guards. Talk about rocking[…]
The temperature wasn’t exactly California hot, but the sun was out and Mike Love yet again led this New Millennium version of The Beach Boys through a passel of surfin’[…]
On a cool July night, Martin’s second sold-out show at the outdoor Grand Rapids amphitheater in two years had the crowd chortling and mesmerized with help from Brickell and a[…]
Chris Isaak and his band once again brought their entertaining retro-brand of rock ‘n’ roll to Meijer Gardens on Thursday, with Grand Rapids singer-songwriter Kelsey Rottiers opening the show. (Review,[…]
The singer and multi-instrumentalist’s second show at the outdoor amphitheater proved to be as triumphant as her first appearance there in 2012. (Review, photo gallery) I’ve often endeavored to[…]
Steve Miller’s return to Meijer Gardens found a receptive, sold-out crowd for his big hits and gave a Grand Rapids singer-songwriter some welcome exposure. (Photo gallery) Perennial sellouts at[…]
With help from a 13-piece band, the jazz singer and pianist brought boatloads of New Orleans sunshine, charm and musical virtuosity for his first-ever show at the outdoor Grand Rapids[…]
The Nashville string band’s first-ever concert at the outdoor amphitheater had the sell-out crowd of 1,900 kicking up its heels. (Review, photos) Old Crow Medicine Show unfurls tale after[…]
The two New York artists with rare musical flair treated the crowd of 1,700 on a muggy night at the amphitheater to a singular show. (Review, photo gallery) “Oh[…]
A throng of 20,000-plus at Ah-Nab-Awen Park, including 80 new U.S. citizens, got an eyeful and earful in a vibrant pre-fireworks show by four bands and the Daredevil Circus. (Video,[…]
The virtuosic jam band’s second-ever appearance at the outdoor amphitheater drew a sell-out crowd of mostly 20-somethings who jammed the lower bowl with red, white and blue garb. (Review, photo[…]
By kicking up a wildly entertaining bluegrass dust cloud, West Michigan’s own Greensky Bluegrass launched the final day of Electric Forest in Rothbury on an energetic, smile-inducing note. (Photo gallery)[…]
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Day 2 of Electric Forest in Rothbury, Michigan, unleashed headlining homeboys The String Cheese Incident, plenty of EDM glory, and of course, the psychedelically artsy Sherwood Forest. (Photo gallery, videos)[…]
At night, the rains came to Rothbury for the opening salvo of Electric Forest, but not before thousands of fans enjoyed bands such as A Tribe Called Red and that[…]
An exuberant, near-capacity crowd of 1,800-plus cheered Carlile and her band’s third appearance at the outdoor amphitheater, with The Lone Bellow winning over fans with an invigorating opening set of[…]
A capacity West Michigan crowd on Monday cheered the California psychedelic pop/rock ensemble and opener The Giving Tree Band. (Photo gallery) With a new album on the way in[…]
Pink Martini’s second appearance at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park on Monday night musically spanned the globe and delighted fans. By Mary Mattingly LocalSpins.com Better late than never.[…]
Starting with Alejandro Escovedo’s bracing rock ‘n’ roll show, Los Lonely Boys and Los Lobos had folks dancing into the evening at Meijer Gardens on Friday: The Local Spins review[…]
A gorgeous Thursday for jazz, as the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra regaled a big crowd at Meijer Gardens and Detroit’s Michael Malis Trio a tiny audience at The DAAC.[…]
Los Angeles’ Lord Huron and Nashville’s Escondido rocked a loving bunch of Michigan fans on Monday. Despite sound glitches, Local Spins reviewer Tricia Woolfenden found the sold-out Grand Rapids homecoming[…]
Frampton’s Guitar Circus brought a Big Top of high-profile musicians — Peter Frampton, Steve Cropper, Robert Cray — to the outdoor amphitheater Monday for a tasteful show cut short by[…]
Sheryl Crow’s first-ever appearance at the outdoor amphitheater featured a wide-ranging set of hits and new country material, plus a pre-show confab with guitarist Peter Frampton. (Review, photo gallery) […]
For the second year in a row, the Warren Haynes-led Mule fired up devotees with blues-infused favorites and singular covers. (Photo gallery, video) Pandora’s online version of “Gov’t Mule[…]
With West Michigan’s own Vincent Hayes Project getting the party started, the iconic bluesman launched the 2013 concert series amid sunny skies with a veteran band and plenty of audience[…]
Michigan music fans welcomed The Motor City Madman back to his home state Tuesday at Van Andel Arena, with REO Speedwagon and Styx in tow. The most unusual twist: Grand[…]
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Starting with funk from the grave at The Intersection, spring got sprung in fine fashion with riveting blues, gypsy music, rootsy acoustic strains, energetic hip-hop, pub-styled classical music and more[…]
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West Michigan’s live music assault had a distinct St. Patrick’s Day flair in weekend photos shared at Spins on Music. (Photos/video) With the temperature in a decidedly un-March-like mid-20s, Casey[…]
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Michigan rocker Bob Seger has made Grand Rapids a regular — and early — stop on his tours with the Silver Bullet Band since 2006. Here’s what some fans had[…]
With a few new songs in their arsenal, Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band unleashed a rock ’n’ roll love-fest on Tuesday night at Van Andel Arena. Every[…]
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From the Jammies to the Winter Beer Festival and beyond, the beer was flowing and bands were rocking, including The Concussions, Michigan Mark DePree, Deborah Kay & The Bluebloods, Jimmie[…]
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WYCE-FM’s jam-packed Jammies on Friday jammed two stages with two dozen performances and doled out 19 awards to Michigan bands and artists. Rootsy artists The Soil and The Sun[…]
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As predicted, Thursday’s Local Spins Live Contemporary Folk Series show at St. Cecilia Music Center uncorked an unfettered, “unplugged” concert unlike any other by these beloved West Michigan bands. (Photos,[…]
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Mid-February’s concert lineup offered more than just big shows at Van Andel Arena and Miller Auditorium: West Michigan bands of every ilk were pounding it out at benefits, bars and[…]
January’s unconventional weather breeds some unconventional concerts, with new events at St. Cecilia Music Center and Fricano’s Pizza, and guitar-shredding competitors and roots-music crooners at The Intersection. (Photos, video) […]
Check out West Michigan’s hefty weekend of live music in Spins on Music’s Weekend Photo Galleries, with bands lighting up stages big and small. Another hyper-hectic Friday night. A[…]
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Kid Rock’s second Thanksgiving Day halftime show in three years paid tribute to Motown heroes and served as a glitzy commercial for his new album. But is the scruffy rapper-turned-rocker[…]
Bob Dylan croaked and banged away mercilessly on piano with his band through a 15-song set for a one-third-full house at Van Andel Arena, after a bracing opening set by[…]
Dr. John and the Blind Boys of Alabama played to a less-than-hefty crowd at DeVos Performance Hall on Tuesday, but still delivered “Spirituals to Funk” in often rousing, upbeat fashion.[…]
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Regina Spektor’s Monday night show at Calvin College kicked off a bracing week of live music. Check out everything from bluegrass and folk to punk and metal. Regina Spektor, Only[…]
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The Crane Wives energetically unleashed new folk-rock material from “The Fool in Her Wedding Gown” for a capacity crowd at The Intersection on Saturday. At one point on Saturday[…]
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ArtPrize Musicians’ Showcase at Grand Rapids’ St. Cecilia Music Center saw small but mindful audiences; nearly 50 acts to play indoors and out over the weekend. The crowds weren’t imposing,[…]
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Check out video highlights of Spins on Music’s picks for best concerts of the summer, with links to mini-reviews and a preview of fall’s must-see shows. Ah yes, September means[…]
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Ralston Bowles, Sweet J Band, ‘mystery guest’ Brian Vander Ark, Lux Land, Peter Mulvey create perfect musical ending to Tuesday Evening Music Club (video) GRAND RAPIDS TOWNSHIP — An[…]
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The first Rockford Barnstormer showcased bands Potato Moon, Hannah Rose, Nicholas James & The Bandwagon and many more, family fun and a good cause: aiding area refugees. It may[…]
Country star Miranda Lambert draws a huge and enthusiastic opening-night crowd for downtown Grand Rapids’ Rock the Rapids festival. On Monday, the “Fastest Girl in Town” helped make Rock[…]
Bonnie Raitt delivers a near-perfect bluesy performance on a near-perfect night at Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids. The instant Bonnie Raitt takes the stage pretty much anywhere, something magical[…]
Grace Potter & the Nocturnals deliver one of Meijer Gardens’ best concerts of the season on Thursday after rain passes through. (Photos, video) In the end, Grace Potter &[…]
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Expanded Cowpie fest on Shagbark Farm south of Grand Rapids survived rainy opening night; thrives Saturday with fine mix of Michigan bands. Video, photos From Mudpie to Cowpie … just[…]
