La Dispute hits home in Grand Rapids during final stop on headlining tour
A look at La Dispute’s triumphant return to Grand Rapids over the weekend. Read the concert review and see photos from the memorable night at Local Spins.
Category: Photos
Joan Osborne unleashes ‘whole different animal’ of Dylan classics in GR tour stop
The singer and her bandmates regaled a rapt St. Cecilia Music Center audience on Thursday with ‘Dylanology’ as well as her own memorable songs. Concert review, photos.
Breaking music news · Photos · Venue Spotlight · Videos
Grand Rapids’ Acrisure Amphitheater to host private ‘pre-show’ for project contractors
The invite-only Contractor Appreciation Music Fest with 9 regional acts will unfold the weekend before the official May 15 opening. Today, take a new video and photo tour of the amphitheater, which one worker and rock musician called ‘the coolest thing that’s ever been built’ in Grand Rapids.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Billy Strings goes next level with bluegrass hero Sam Bush in surprise St. Cecilia show
Mandolinist Sam Bush brought unannounced special guest Billy Strings on stage Thursday at the intimate, historic auditorium to the delight of stunned Grand Rapids fans, with the superstar guitarist joining Bush’s band for several songs. The review, photos and video.
Grand Rapids hip-hop stars shine ahead of Riff Raff in packed house with metalcore next door
The California rapper’s tour stop at The Intersection’s Stache on Wednesday gave a host of regional hip-hop acts a chance to strut their stuff for an enthused crowd. And in the main showroom, metalcore’s ERRA and Currents rattled the house. Review and photo galleries at Local Spins.
Grocery as Venue: Horrocks Market’s unique mix of one-stop shopping, live music and beer
The Kentwood grocery store Horrocks Market has become a go-to music venue on weekends, with shoppers able to enjoy a beer or cider while listening to regional favorites. Horrocks opens a beer garden in late May. The back story and photos.
Concert reviews · Festivals · Photos · Videos
Kalamazoo Fretboard Festival strums up folk, surf, rock, drone music & more to greet spring
Saturday’s day-long festival at Kalamazoo Valley Museum boasted sets by more than a dozen acts (with some unusual twists), a bevy of instrument vendors and several workshops. Check out the recap, photos and video highlights.
Sunday Spree: Winter Jam, Our Lady Peace, The Verve Pipe, Shawn Colvin (Concert Recaps)
Within a radius of several blocks in downtown Grand Rapids, Sunday night boasted tour stops by a flock of national artists at Van Andel Arena, GLC Live at 20 Monroe and St. Cecilia Music Center. Get the concert recaps and browse the photos at Local Spins.
Three Days Grace, I Prevail come ‘Home’ to rock Grand Rapids with career-spanning romps
Veteran Canadian rock band Three Days Grace pumped up Van Andel Arena on Tuesday with a boost from Michigan-bred I Prevail and Georgia’s The Funeral Portrait. The review, photos, set lists at Local Spins.
awards · Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Joyful ‘micro-dosing’ of Michigan Music: Jammie Awards deliver kaleidoscope of treats
With throngs of fans on board, Friday’s 2026 WYCE Jammie Awards celebration at The Intersection boasted plenty of highlights from 20 acts on three stages. The recap, photos and video at Local Spins.
awards · Breaking music news · Concert reviews · Photos
Phabies, May Erlewine, Westside, Low Phase, Chloe Kimes snag big wins at Jammie Awards
Established and emerging Michigan artists took home hardware for the best Michigan music of 2025 at Friday night’s Jammie Awards, held at a jam-packed Intersection in Grand Rapids. View the full winners’ list and photos.
Bootstrap Boys, Cabildo, EPCYA, Jeff Schroeder rock inspirational sets at Fountain St. Church
Amid a historic setting, four West Michigan bands created a buzz Sunday and raised thousands at ‘Melt the ICE’ for immigrant families through three organizations. Later, Riot Punch electrified The Pyramid Scheme. View the images and a video at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Photos · Venue Spotlight · Videos
Acrisure Amphitheater rising along the Grand River downtown: Take the Local Spins Tour
About three months from opening day, we offer an in-depth look at the 12,000-plus-capacity concert venue and construction progress. Plus, hear from the Michigan acts who’ll be the first to grace its stage and take a video tour.
Concert reviews · Festivals · Photos
Ann Arbor Folk Festival gets rootsy, rocking, relevant with Crane Wives, Amos Lee, Dawes
The second day of the 49th festival at Ann Arbor’s Hill Auditorium melded Michigan charm with national esprit after Greensky Bluegrass kicked things off the night before. The review and photos at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Festivals · Photos
Greensky Bluegrass takes Ann Arbor by (winter) storm with electrifying festival debut
The beloved Kalamazoo bluegrass powerhouse kicked off the Ann Arbor Folk Festival on Friday with a fan-inspiring set that followed an opening salvo by guitar icon Junior Brown. The review and photos at Local Spins. The festival continues today with Amos Lee, Dawes and The Crane Wives.
Breaking music news · Concert Recaps · Photos
Michael Sobie, Aiden Wells, Nora Lamb snag top honors in Rockford’s Got Talent show
Friday night’s fifth annual Rockford’s Got Talent Competition packed the high school’s Fine Arts Auditorium, with several performers sharing nearly $7,000 in prize money. The recap, with photos and a video.
Festivals · Local Spins on WYCE · Photos · Podcasts
Michigan artists, fans toast New Year’s with electronica, jazz, rock, Latin music and more
Today, Local Spins not only recaps New Year’s Eve celebrations across West Michigan in words and photos, but spotlights a memorable Michigan Music Showcase podcast filled with tracks by regional artists.
Concert reviews · Photos · Top Stories of the Year Countdown · Videos
Billy Strings fervor hits West Michigan with epic concerts, pre-parties: No. 1 story of 2025
Michigan’s bluegrass hero returned to Grand Rapids in late May for two jam-packed, epic nights at Van Andel Arena, sparking pre-parties, a marketplace and more. Revisit the hubbub in words and images.
Grand Rapids hip-hop acts pull off musical slam dunk during Grand Rapids Gold halftime show
Several Grand Rapids hip hop artists performed for fans Saturday at Van Andel Arena, an exuberant, milestone halftime show that included a new Grand Rapids Gold anthem. The back story at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Top Stories of the Year Countdown
Top Stories of 2025 (No. 5): Dwight Yoakam, Mavericks turn things loose in Kalamazoo show
It proved to be The Mavericks’ final Michigan show. Country icon Dwight Yoakam headlined the late March concert at Wings Event Center. Revisit the review and photo gallery as part of our year-end countdown.
Concert reviews · Photos · Top Stories of the Year Countdown
Jack White unleashes spirited rock spectacle in Grand Rapids: Top 10 Stories of 2025 (No. 6)
The Detroit-bred guitarist blazed a loud, shapeshifting trail through his career catalog in mid-April for 2,600 rabid fans at GLC Live at 20 Monroe. We revisit the Local Spins review, with photos, as part of our countdown of the Top 10 stories of the year.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
The Accidentals give holidays fresh home-style boost with help from Kaboom Studio Orchestra
The Traverse City-bred alt-folk trio The Accidentals brought the Michigan tour behind its new Christmas album to Grand Rapids’ Big Room on Friday, impressing fans with enhancement from an ensemble of young Ohio musicians. Review, photos.
Photos · Summer Festivals · Top Stories of the Year Countdown
Billy Strings creates Charlotte Bluegrass Festival buzz: Top Stories of 2025 (No. 8)
The guitar phenom in June headlined Day 1 of the Charlotte Bluegrass Festival, the first festival he ever attended as a boy. Later that night, sadly, his mother died. The recap in our top stories countdown.
Announcements · Festivals · Photos · Special Offers
Local Spins 2026 Calendars: Toasting Michigan musicians in vibrant photos, plus festival dates
They’re back and for 2026, they’re more resplendent than ever. The Local Spins 2026 Calendars are photo-laden Michigan-centric keepsakes that make stellar holiday gifts. Order yours today because supplies are limited.
All Time Low uncorks high-energy caper of joy & nostalgia; Josh Ritter shows off ‘Wild Ways’
Sunday’s tour stops by artists with new albums featured pop-punk’s All Time Low at GLC Live at 20 Monroe and singer-songwriter Josh Ritter at St. Cecilia. The recaps and photos at Local Spins.
‘The Boys are Back’: Greensky Bluegrass romps in first of two hometown birthday spectacles
Dressed appropriately for their silver anniversary, Greensky Bluegrass revved up Kalamazoo fans at Wings Event Center on Friday with two sets featuring guests Sam Bush and Lindsay Lou. The Local Spins recap and photos.
‘Magical’ Mandolinist Chris Thile plays praises to Bach, autumn and ghost stories
The award-winning musician returned to St. Cecilia Music Center on Thursday for a special evening that combined the somber with the upbeat. The review and photos at Local Spins.
Cage the Elephant gets ‘a little closer’ to Grand Rapids with exuberant Sunday tour stop
A sold-out GLC Live at 20 Monroe was ‘on fire’ when Cage the Elephant returned to the venue to produce what it called one of the best shows of its tour. The Local Spins review and photos.
Don Was and Detroit cohorts blow the roof off during tour-opening Traverse City show
Touting their debut studio album, Don Was & The Pan-Detroit Ensemble revved up the intimate confines of The Alluvion listening room with two sold-out shows on Wednesday. The review and photos exclusively at Local Spins.
Announcements · Contests · Photos · Summer Festivals
Vincent Brady: Winner of Local Spins’ first-ever Michigan Festival Photo Contest
In early June, we asked music fans attending summer festivals across Michigan to submit their favorite photos from their musical jaunts. Today, we crown the winner. Plus, browse photos of all of the contest entries and select galleries from Local Spins photographers from the 2025 summer festival season.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
Kalamazoo wraps up Sounds of the Zoo 2025 with summery, light-festooned revelry
Reflecting the milieu of the entire seven-day music festival, Sunday’s closing salvo at Bronson Park boasted a wide swath of styles amid stellar weather. The recap and photos at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Lainey Wilson touts Michigan flair, plus Sierra Hull, Joe Hertler, Dee Sutton, Sounds of the Zoo
West Michigan’s live music weekend boasted no shortage of stars — national and regional, from a fast-rising country singer with a multi-talented Michigander in tow to summer’s final blast at Bell’s Beer Garden and more. View the photos and videos, exclusively at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Local Spins on WYCE · Photos · Podcasts · Summer Festivals
Sounds of the Zoo charms Kalamazoo with hot hip hop, eclectic jazz, bracing rock & soul
The first four days of Kalamazoo’s week-long musical celebration have covered a lot of bases. Get the recap, photos and listen to this week’s radio show podcast featuring tracks by more than a dozen Michigan artists.
Announcements · Breaking music news · Photos
Wuzee, Affy, Sonny Ski, Huntchino, Gwopped Up Speedy rack up wins at GR Hip-Hop Awards
Last weekend’s Grand Rapids Hip-Hop Awards hosted by Victor Williams, Jonathan Jelks, Willie the Kid and TEKH TOGO also honored Ruben Martinez, Lady Ace Boogie, Push the City Cypher, Alfie Da Great and many more. The recap and full winners’ list at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
Sounds of the Zoo 2025 launches with eclectic musical mix, forum for artistic expression
Monday’s opening showcase at The Clover Room in Kalamazoo was the kickoff to seven days of live music at a host of venues. Get the recap, photos and festival schedule for Tuesday through Sunday.
Jon Pardi’s honky-tonk, Young the Giant’s acoustic romp, Front Bottoms’ rock: Photos
Thursday brought three national tours to Grand Rapids at three different venues — pumping up fans for far different live music experiences. Browse the photo galleries at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts
Rilo Kiley closes Meijer Gardens’ biggest season with nostalgic faves, salty-but-sweet sound
Perfect weather and a sold-out crowd with ‘arms outstretched’ greeted the reunited aughts indie darlings, wrapping up the amphitheater’s summer series. The review, photos and set list at Local Spins.
Vance Joy conveys ‘Divine Feelings,’ heart and harmony in fan-immersive GR tour stop
The picture-perfect evening at Meijer Gardens provided an ideal setting Thursday for the Australian folk-pop singer-songwriter’s impressive, sold-out performance. Review, photos.
Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
Wheatland unfurls another ‘beautiful,’ uplifting weekend of eclectic roots music
One of Michigan’s longest-running music festivals embraced everything from traditional music to rock, funk and more on several stages and amid the woods in Remus last weekend. The Local Spins recap, photos and video.
Alison Krauss & Union Station, Jerry Douglas enchant Meijer Gardens fans amid brisk temps
The shining, award-winning bluegrass star captivated fans on Friday. Check out the Local Spins review by West Michigan fiddler Keala Venema, who performs with the area bands Whorled, Candid Antics and others. Check out the review and browse the photos at Local Spins.
Labor Day’s ‘government mule’ quandary: Musicians seek fair return on songs, live shows
Welcome to our annual examination of the plight of musicians’ seeking a living wage and better working conditions. This year, we take a closer look at the negligible revenue from streaming services. Plus, browse a photo gallery from Sunday’s Gov’t Mule tour stop in Paw Paw.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
The Crane Wives soar to new heights in emotional Grand Rapids homecoming
The alt-rock/folk band’s sold-out, headlining show at Meijer Gardens on Thursday night was a milestone event for the beloved group with a devoted fan base. The review, photos and a video at Local Spins.
‘Ten Dollar Cowboy’: Charley Crockett gives fans more than their money’s worth in GR
The Texas-born, neo-traditional country singer rode into Meijer Gardens on Monday night to deliver more than two dozen songs from his robust catalog. The Local Spins review and photos.
Concert reviews · Photos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Jam-Happy Fun: Umphrey’s McGee, Greensky Bluegrass pump up Michigan fans
Umphrey’s McGree returned to Meijer Gardens for a weekend-ending, jam-filled, prog-rock-infused spectacle, the day after Greensky Bluegrass finished a bluegrass stint at Interlochen. Plus, shoegaze bands revved up a new Kalamazoo venue. Photos.
Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
Grand Rapids frolics at late August festivals: Return to the River, Small Foreign Festival
Two festivals in different parts of the city attracted fans for a wide variety of music unleashed by Michigan bands amid splendid summer weather. Photos, videos and recaps at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
The War and Treaty takes it to the streets for magical, rain-interrupted Albion homecoming
The soulful Americana stars didn’t let rain and a power outage prevent them from delighting fans Saturday with an acoustic performance following the city’s 20-band Walk the Beat fest — with Lowell’s The Nuance winning this year’s competition. Recap, photos, video
Greensky Bluegrass heats up home-state love with two nights of jamming at Interlochen
The Kalamazoo-bred, progressive bluegrass dynamo unleashed the first of two straight northern Michigan shows at Interlochen on Friday, after revving up fans in Detroit on Thursday. Photos, recap at Local Spins.
Jeff Daniels yuks it up with musical Michigan tales, anecdotes for Grand Rapids crowd
The Michigan-based singer-songwriter, actor and humorist regaled a sold-out crowd at St. Cecilia Music Center on Wednesday with all manner of laugh-inducing musical ditties, many of them involving the Mitten State. The review, photos at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
The Accidentals lead unprecedented 3½-hour, female-driven spectacle in Tuesday romp
The special five-act romp for Tuesday Evening Music Club came the same night that Rotary Rocks benefit in Rockford boasted sets by Roosevelt Diggs and Nicholas James & The Bandwagon. Recaps, photos at Local Spins.
Meijer Gardens fans brave rain for uplifting night of ‘Magic’ from Andy Grammer
Music won out over weather Monday when the multi-platinum-selling pop singer-songwriter from California returned to Grand Rapids. The review and photos at Local Spins.
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