The gracious, operatic pop singer unfurled a wide-ranging set of music for fans at a near-capacity Van Andel Arena on Tuesday. Check out the Local Spins review and photo gallery.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts · Summer Festivals
Live music in Michigan’s great outdoors got rolling this past week with the first Rogue River Blues Series and LAV Summertime Blues shows, Rockford Start of Summer and Buttermilk Jamboree. Revisit them via photos and a video at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
Dodging some rain, Saturday’s festival on Calder Plaza boasted live music from MAX, Sizzy Rocket, Mya and local musicians, drag displays and food, with an inspirational vibe for the LGBTQ community. Recap and photos at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Kalamazoo · Photos
The rains lifted just in time for the second of two Duluth, Minn., bands to rock the sold-out beer garden. Offering up a perfectly balanced, nearly all-original setlist, TBT performed its share of classic cuts, new numbers and a rousing Pixies’ cover to close it out. Photos, videos and review at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
Amid Friday’s pleasant weather, Buttermilk Jamboree boasted one of the best opening days for a Michigan music festival in recent memory. Get the recap, photos and video highlights at Local Spins.
The boy band brought its hits and a stage spectacle to Grand Rapids Thursday along with plenty of nostalgia for devoted fans, plus appearances by Salt-N-Pepa, Tiffany, Debbie Gibson and Naughty by Nature. Get the show recap and a photo gallery at Local Spins.
The Wednesday night tour stop dodged rain and served up a tantalizing combo of acts for a sold-out Meijer Gardens amphitheater. Get the review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
Last weekend’s second-year festival hosted by Greensky Bluegrass in the Manistee National Forest gave 2,100-plus attendees from all over the country memories to treasure. Relive some of the highlights in this recap by writer Ryan Boldrey with a colorful photo gallery by Anna Sink.
The Monday concert paired one of music’s most influential bluesman, Buddy Guy, with a blues-rock virtuoso, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, for a night of guitar-driven joy. The review and photos at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts
A weekend of impeccable weather came to an end with rain Sunday, but it didn’t deter the phenoms or their fans from reveling in dazzling, acoustic guitar-driven rock. And they even gave an unusual local musician some stage time. Check out the review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
The three-day celebration of the arts in downtown Grand Rapids couldn’t have ordered better weather or offered more diverse music on Friday. And it continues today and Sunday. Check out the Day 1 recap and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Thursday’s official opening to the 2019 national concert series in the refurbished amphitheater offered a celebratory vibe amid nearly perfect weather thanks to Nahko Bear and Medicine for the People. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
The influential California band regaled a big Intersection crowd Wednesday with a cutting-edge show that was ‘soul-demolishing’ and ‘like being swallowed by a baleen whale,’ says critic John Serba. The Local Spins review, with photos by Anthony Norkus.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts · Videos
The special Tuesday Evening Music Club ‘dress rehearsal’ show in the renovated amphitheater attracted a huge crowd, stellar music and some surprisingly long concession lines. Get the recap at Local Spins, with a photo gallery and video highlights.
Concert reviews · Kalamazoo · Photos
Steppin’ In It with friends and May Erlewine & The Motivations moved a Bell’s Brewery crowd while Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers funked up Old Dog Tavern in outdoor shows. Check out the recap of both summer-opening spectacles by Ryan Boldrey, with photo galleries by Derek Ketchum.
With many fans lining up for days just to see them, the Ohio band played its first U.S. show of 2019 at Van Andel Arena on Friday. Check out the review, set list and a photo gallery from the “The Bandito Tour” stop at Local Spins.
The Irish singer-songwriter brought his “Wasteland, Baby!” tour to a sold-out 20 Monroe Live on Wednesday night, with New York’s Bailen getting things started. The review, photos at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
Some of Michigan’s favorite roots music and rock bands on stage, beach and campsite jams, and scads of VW buses made the Memorial Day weekend’s Buses by the Beach-hosted festival one to remember. The images exclusively at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
Setting up again on Memorial Day weekend at Camp Blodgett south of Grand Haven, the festival and VW bus gathering opened with sets by Political Lizard and Nicholas Thomasma & The Bandwagon — and campsite jams. Get the first-day recap and photo gallery, only at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Festivals · Kalamazoo · Photos · Summer Festivals
When all the votes were tallied after Saturday’s semifinal play-in competition, judges and fans at Arcadia Brewing Co. settled on sending Kalamazoo’s Utopian Party on their collective way down the ‘Pathway to the Pasture.’ The foursome netted a close win over Grand Rapids’ Drew Phoria and Bay City’s Barbarossa Brothers and is one step away from earning a slot at this August’s festival in Caledonia.
Concert reviews · Festivals · Photos · Summer Festivals
Thousands flocked to St. Joe for the 7th Annual BBQ, Blues & Bluegrass Fest as Nora Jane Struthers, Che Apalache, JD McPherson and more delivered an afternoon of music at Whirlpool Centennial Park. Photos and review at Local Spins.
The ACM’s Entertainer of the Year proved his mettle on Friday night with a lengthy, 24-song set that showed off his tell-it-like-it-is attitude and a fan-pleasing stage presence. Get the review, photos and set list, only at Local Spins
Backed by an orchestra featuring members of the Grand Rapids Symphony and other musicians, the iconic British band led by Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey rocked a career-spanning set at Van Andel Arena on Tuesday. Read the review and browse the photo gallery at Local Spins.
Celebrating a new live album and fresh songs, members of the Traverse City trio on Thursday proved to fans at Kalamazoo’s Bell’s Brewery just why they’re a dynamic live act with a national following. Check out the exclusive Local Spins review by Ryan Boldrey, with photos by Derek Ketchum.
Check out a recap, photos and video of Saturday’s upbeat Record Store Day celebration at indie shops which hosted live music, DJs and more — including a robust parade down Bridge Street in Grand Rapids.
A fixture on West Michigan’s music scene, Nicole LaRae has brought an impressive roster of national stars to Grand Rapids while bolstering local acts on stage and on radio. With The Pyramid Scheme celebrating its eighth anniversary this month, Local Spins profiles this champion of the musical arts.
Proclaiming that “music brings people together,” the country star played a crowd-pleasing, hit-filled, sold-out show Saturday at Van Andel Arena and will do it all again in Grand Rapids on Sunday night. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Photos · Venue Spotlight · Videos
Today, get the Local Spins construction update on Meijer Gardens’ amphitheater project. Lots of changes will greet concertgoers in 2019, including faster entry and concessions sales, new restrooms and merchandise area and improved sound. Take a photo and video tour.
Photos · Upcoming shows · Venue Spotlight
The intimate venue and craft brewery has become a key part of the Southwest Michigan city’s growing arts community, while shining a spotlight on regional stars and homegrown talent. And it hosts its first Firkin Fest later this spring. Learn more about the hot spot in this Local Spins Venue Spotlight as well as the new Earthwork Music concert series.
The two giants of the rock world brought their joint tour to Van Andel Arena on Wednesday night, and they gave fans plenty of reasons to leave happy. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Local Spins at SXSW · Photos · Top 10 Lists
With the mammoth South by Southwest festival wrapping up in Texas over the weekend, Local Spins writer Ricky Olmos looks back at event highlights — some with a Michigan flair.
Concert reviews · Kalamazoo · Photos
Saturday’s stripped-down concert by the Southern rock/country band at Kalamazoo State Theatre gave fans an intimate, memorable display of Blackberry Smoke’s endearing songs. The review and photo gallery, exclusively at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
St. Patrick’s Day falling on a Sunday gave folks an excuse to celebrate all things Irish all weekend long in Grand Rapids, with Saturday’s revelry filling downtown streets and several watering holes. Check out the photos and video at Local Spins.
The Detroit singer reveling in a breakout year on the pop scene brought his “From Tour With Love” to 20 Monroe Live in Grand Rapids, beguiling enthused fans with “Straightjacket,” “Sad Still” and other hits. Check out the review and photo gallery, exclusively at Local Spins.
Wednesday’s return of the iconic heavy metal band to Van Andel Arena offered up extraordinary visuals and thundering renditions of classics such as “Master of Puppets,” “One” and “Sandman.” The review, photo gallery and set list at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Local Spins at SXSW · Photos · Videos
Brother Elsey, Jordan Hamilton, Jack Droppers, Michigander, Stef Chura, Steppes and more closed out the Michigan House run in Texas with a diverse showcase Monday at an Austin nightclub. Get the recap, photo gallery and video highlights at Local Spins.
Features · Local Spins at SXSW · Photos
Local Spins’ intrepid SXSW correspondent Ricky Olmos recaps the opening salvo of Michigan bands at South by Southwest as 10 acts prepare for a big Michigan House showcase. Check out today’s recap and photos.
Forty-five years after the band’s first West Michigan show, KISS brought its “End of the Road” tour to Van Andel Arena on Saturday, bidding a bombastic farewell to fans — many of whom dressed and spent accordingly for the occasion. The Local Spins review by John Serba with dazzling photos by Anthony Norkus.
Festivals · Kalamazoo · Photos · Videos
Saturday’s day-long event at Kalamazoo Valley Museum unfurled everything from folk to hip hop to blues courtesy of Red Tail Ring, Jordan Hamilton, Chris Canas and more. Read the event wrap-up, check out photos and a video at Local Spins.
Saturday’s tour stop for an enthused 20 Monroe Live crowd showcased a high-energy set in which singer Jon Foreman cut his finger, something which didn’t slow him — or the band — down. Review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
The California indie-folk duo — backed by a three-piece band — regaled a near-capacity crowd with harmony-driven magic and their trademark sense of humor on Thursday in Grand Rapids. The review and photos at Local Spins.
The Sunday night appearance in Grand Rapids boasted a tight five-piece band, uplifting songs and Michael and Tanya Trotter’s infectious, rootsy stage-stomping power. Check out the Local Spins review and photo gallery.
The South Carolina alt-rock and Christian rock heroes brought their “Acoustic Live” tour to Grand Rapids on Saturday, delivering fan-pleasing renditions of songs new and old. Relive the evening in this Local Spins review and photo gallery.
The Country Music Hall of Fame singer delivered some of his biggest hits — and some touching moments — at Van Andel Arena on Saturday night. Check out the review, photo gallery and set list at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
“It was crazy.” That was one description of Friday night’s 20th annual Jammie Awards show hosted by WYCE-FM at The Intersection which drew 1,600 people for show-stopping sets by Tunde Olaniran, The War and Treaty, Heavy Color, The Hacky Turtles and more. Check out the highlights in words, photos and video at Local Spins
Dedicated fans trekked through hazardous weather conditions to join the party thrown by Panic! At the Disco on Tuesday night in Grand Rapids. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Featuring Sublime with Rome, Melophobix, Walk the Moon and more, dive into another photo and video recap of several concerts across West Michigan, from pop to electronic music to rock and more — from The Intersection to 20 Monroe Live to Bell’s Brewery to The Pyramid Scheme to Old Dog Tavern.
In what proved to be the perfect venue for the ‘dark and peaceful sadness’ of his music, Isakov and his fans reveled in the beauty of the Grand Rapids church on Saturday night. Read the Local Spins review, browse the photos.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Thousands braved Saturday’s chill to run and rock at the third annual outdoor winter festival in Comstock Park with sets by The Go Rounds, The Legal Immigrants, The Turnips and more. Check out the photo gallery and video highlights at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Festivals · Photos · Videos
The 10th annual mini-festival in Grand Rapids on Saturday convened veterans and newcomers for a celebration of bluegrass, folk, country and roots music. Relive the day-long event in this Local Spins exclusive, with three photo galleries and video highlights.
