Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
The first-year festival outside Stanton has delivered sets by dozens of Michigan bands. Browse the Local Spins photo gallery and check out the video of the festival site.
The debut of Local Spins music critic John Serba has him tackling the ‘really, really high on life’ bravado of ‘the craziest person in the room’: Andrew W.K. whose ‘You’re Not Alone’ tour stopped in Grand Rapids on Thursday. Relive the evening in this rollicking review, browse the photo gallery from the sold-out show.
Concert reviews · Kalamazoo · Photos
Rain forced Wednesday’s concert at Bell’s Brewery inside, where the Seattle-bred rapper unleashed a storm of classics, from “Baby Got Back” to a rendition of Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Saturday’s celebration of independent record shops even drew a pair of newlyweds into the happy fray during a West Side parade, with stores from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo boasting mobs of vinyl-loving shoppers and in-store performances. Browse the photos at Local Spins and watch video highlights from Saturday’s short but exuberant procession outside Dodds Record Shop.
The Michigan-bred icon made sure his Grand Rapids debut at 20 Monroe Live on Saturday was a memorable one, brimming with spontaneity and exuberance. Check out the review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Michigan native Ben Schneider and his band created trippy soundscapes during Friday’s sold-out show at Grand Rapids’ 20 Monroe Live — a concert marred briefly by an altercation between some fans that was quickly taken care of by security. Get the recap in the Local Spins review and browse the photo gallery.
The Phish frontman and his band delivered an audience-pleasing musical barrage for a near-capacity crowd at 20 Monroe Live on Wednesday night. Read the review, browse the photo gallery, check out the set list — only at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
The 14th festival raising money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation revved up downtown’s newest venue Friday with lively sets by PototoeBabies, The Autumnatic, Valley Girl and Conrad Shock + The Noise. Browse the colorful photo gallery, watch the video and read about all of the late-night antics.
The North Carolina electro-pop duo’s return to Grand Rapids was full of catchy material that inspired the young capacity crowd to heat up the dance floor. Relive the evening of music in the Local Spins review and photo gallery.
Commentary · Local Spins at SXSW · Photos
Local Spins writer Ricky Olmos ventured into the giant South by Southwest fest for the first time this year. Here are his highlights, plus images by photographer Anna Sink of some of her favorite SXSW sets.
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.
The iconic rock band’s return to Grand Rapids on Thursday was mostly about replicating classic songs with incredible precision. Relive the concert in the Local Spins review, photo gallery and set list.
Local Spins at SXSW · Photos · Videos
Mark Lavengood, Seth Bernard, Lady Ace Boogie, Alexander Lynch, The Accidentals, Billy Strings, Major Murphy and more are embracing SXSW 2018, enamored of Austin’s rousing environment, its tacos and all the musical action. Discover their impressions of the gargantuan festival and conference, ogle the photos, watch the videos.
Breaking music news · Photos · Venue Spotlight · Videos
The first big show in the basement-level Elevation at The Intersection takes place Saturday, with plenty more concerts and events to come. Read about the new venues, check out a photo gallery and take a video tour.
Concert reviews · Local Spins at SXSW · Photos · Videos
Wrapping things up with a music showcase boasting sets by 10 Michigan artists tonight, Michigan House has once again showcased the Great Lakes State in Austin in a variety ways over the past few days. Check out the recap and images from Texas at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
The seated show at 20 Monroe Live on Saturday unfurled without the usual stage props, video screens or costumes but still displayed the goofy personality that belongs uniquely to Weird Al Yankovic. Read the Local Spins review, ogle the photo gallery.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Saturday’s day-long festival at Kalamazoo Valley Museum drew more than 1,000 people for performances by regional acts on three stages, vendors, luthiers and workshops. Get the recap, browse the photo gallery and watch a video of highlights, exclusively at Local Spins.
Live at River City · Photos · Videos
Grand Rapids’ In the Valley Below performed as a duo for the latest session, streamed live on Facebook for an online audience that raved about the band’s sound. Watch the video, browse the photo gallery.
The duo’s sold-out show Friday night as part of the Acoustic Café Folk Series was filled with virtuosic musicianship and charming banter. Check out the review and photo gallery, only at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Take a gander at Local Spins’ exclusive, expanded coverage of the WYCE Jammies with a robust photo gallery, video and reactions from winning bands recapping the 19th edition of ‘West Michigan’s biggest night for music.’
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
The rootsy Michigan artists led the pack of acts honored Friday by WYCE at The Intersection, including Billy Strings, The Accidentals, Jake Kershaw, Lipstick Jodi and Hollywood Makeout. See the full list of winners, check out photos and videos.
Touring behind its new album, “It’s Not Us,” the popular jam band revved it up impressively in old-school fashion in the first of two straight nights at this West Michigan venue. Read the review by Local Spins writer Ryan Boldrey, with a colorful photo gallery by Derek Ketchum and a complete set list from Friday’s show.
West Michigan fans gave the onetime Grand Haven resident and L.A.-based pop star a hero’s welcome during Sunday’s impressive, sold-out concert at 20 Monroe Live. Read the review and ogle the photo gallery at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Festivals · Photos · Videos
The second annual winter festival outside Perrin Brewing in Comstock Park on Saturday reveled in spring-like weather and boisterous sets by four West Michigan favorites. Check out the recap, highlights video and photos, only at Local Spins, plus separate galleries from shows by The Cadillac Three, Cabildo and GR Soul Club with Maseo.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Saturday’s ninth annual benefit for the Wheatland Music Organization boasted more than a dozen performances, including sets by Joshua Davis, K. Jones & The Benzie Playboys, Gasoline Gypsies and more. Check out video highlights and a photo gallery, only at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
The Kalamazoo country songstress and eclectic Grand Rapids jam band topped six acts competing for slots at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum’s March festival. Check out photos and a video from Friday’s event, along with details and the lineup for the March festival.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Three downtown venues hosted capacity crowds on Saturday night for fan-pleasing spectacles, each with its own story line and passionate vibe. Relive the shows by Greta Van Fleet, The Accidentals and a West Michigan super-group paying homage to Tom Petty in words, photos and videos at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Kalamazoo · Photos
The West Michigan-bred, Nashville-based country singer unfurled his ninth annual holiday show at Kalamazoo’s State Theatre on Saturday for a jolly “family” of fans. Read the Local Spins review, ogle the photo gallery
Concert reviews · Kalamazoo · Photos
Marshall teenager and blues-rock guitarist Jake Kershaw stole the show at State Theatre, while Tab Benoit did double-duty by later playing drums with Out of Favor Boys at Old Dog Tavern. Read the review, browse the photo gallery. .
Artist Spotlights · Concert reviews · Photos · Top 10 Lists · Videos
The ‘Local Spins Rewind’ series continues with another one of the most-read Local Spins stories of 2017: A look at a young band from Frankenmuth that’s become Michigan’s hottest hard rock export. Revisit the concert review, photo gallery and video from September’s sold-out Grand Rapids show, and see what national media outlets are saying about this buzz band. Greta Van Fleet plays another sold-out show at The Intersection in late December.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
From a fresh cover of Led Zeppelin to old rarities and fan favorites, the Kalamazoo-bred heroes made the opening blast of a two-night stand a special show for GSBG devotees. Read the review and ogle the photo gallery and videos, only at Local Spins.
Local Spins Rewind No. 9: Longtime fans got an impressive earful of jazz-rock faves from the Donald Fagen-led ensemble during October’s concert at Van Andel Arena. As part of a Local Spins series recapping the best of 2017, check out the review, photo gallery and set list from this memorable show.
The powerhouse bluegrass band proved its mettle on Sunday night at Bell’s Brewery with bracing covers and originals for a devoted audience that boasted fans from across the Midwest. Relive the show in this Local Spins review and photo gallery.
Concert reviews · Festivals · Photos · Videos
The sixth annual house concert festival in Grand Rapids’ Eastown neighborhood featured tightly packed performances by Mark Lavengood, Lando Chill, Glum, Mutual Benefit, Timbre, Breathe Owl Breathe, May Erlewine, Tom Hymn’s Tangerine Dream, Stef Chura and more. Check out the recap, photo gallery and video at Local Spins.
The award-winning country singer brought his “All-American Road Show” to Van Andel Arena on Saturday, with icon Marty Stuart and Brent Cobb in tow. Check out the recap, photo gallery and set list from the sold-out show at Local Spins.
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.
Suffice to say, beloved power pop piano-pounder Ben Folds soared during his concert for a capacity crowd at 20 Monroe Live on Sunday night with a career-spanning set list and lively stage banter. Read the show recap and ogle the photo gallery, only at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
After a Western tour, the band’s album-release shows in Kalamazoo and Muskegon on Thursday and Friday nights were exuberant displays featuring guests such as The Crane Wives and Rick Chyme. Read the recaps, browse the photo galleries and check out the video of a special on-stage pairing of The Crane Wives and Accidentals.
Promoting its latest album, “Relaxer,” the English rock band’s tour stop Tuesday at 20 Monroe Live got a boost from an impressive light show and an opening set by indie-pop singer Bishop Briggs. Read the Local Spins review, browse the photo gallery, scan the set list.
Thursday’s tour stop at 20 Monroe Live unleashed the band’s rousing, genre-melding attack while attracting a throng of devotees, including one Grand Rapids fan who was seeing 311 for the 67th time. Relive the show with this Local Spins review and photo gallery; browse the set list.
Longtime fans got an impressive earful of jazz-rock faves from the Donald Fagen-led ensemble during Monday’s tour stop at Van Andel Arena. Check out the review, photo gallery and set list at Local Spins.
Led by Black Francis, the Pixies’ tour stop at 20 Monroe Live on Saturday night was an epic, rapid-fire affair that didn’t disappoint exuberant devotees. The Local Spins review and photo gallery.
The groundbreaking indie-rock faves made their 20 Monroe Live debut for a sold-out crowd a memorable one, trotting out the unexpected and, eventually, their biggest hit. The Local Spins review by Troy Reimink, with a photo gallery by Anthony Norkus.
With performances by Yolonda Lavender, The Bootstrap Boys and Michigander, the second-year festival drew big throngs of ArtPrize visitors to the downtown pedestrian bridge over the Grand River. Check out the images.
In what was also a homecoming for West Michigan native and bassist Johnny Bradley, Clark electrified an appreciative crowd with his bluesy rock attack at 20 Monroe Live on Tuesday night. See what critic Ricky Olmos had to say in the Local Spins review, with photos by Anthony Norkus.
The Landslide tribute show as part of the GR Pops series kicked off Friday and continues Saturday and Sunday at DeVos Performance Hall. Get the recap and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
Many will say there’s absolutely nothing like it. Anywhere. The summer-ending festival outside Lake City last weekend drew more than 2,500 people for innovative performances, upbeat fellowship and much more. Relive some highlights at Local Spins, along with an extensive photo gallery.
If the Detroit rocker really is ready to ‘Turn the Page’ on his career, he left West Michigan devotees on Tuesday with an upbeat, heyday-spanning memory of a lifetime. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
More than 2,500 attendees reveled Friday in dozens of performances by Michigan stars on opening day of this weekend festival on Earthwork Farm. Watch the video highlights and check out the photos, only at Local Spins.
Features · Kalamazoo · Photos · Videos
The well-known Kalamazoo musician heads a fund-raising effort to expand the homey space for area and visiting musicians alike, a way to keep music and the arts alive. Explore the back story, watch a video and browse a Walnut House photo gallery.
