Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Separated by nine miles, Tuesday’s two outdoor concerts in the Grand Rapids area boasted different vibes but the same enthusiastic crowd support. And T-Pain’s hip hop lit up The Intersection. (Photo gallery)
The iconic, symphonic prog-rock band made sure its Meijer Gardens debut was everything its devoted, longtime fans wanted it to be: a cavalcade of familiar favorites.
From the swing of Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra with Edye Evans Hyde to the “incredible” pop-hued trumpet playing of Rick Braun, the third GRandJazzFest lit up Rosa Parks Circle with an eclectic mix of jazz on Saturday.
After an impressive first day, the Woodstock-like Hoxeyville in the Manistee National Forest continued with aplomb Saturday and Sunday as it trotted out a top-notch regional lineup. (Story, video, photos)
The acoustic guitar duo’s debut at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park was nothing short of masterful, electrifying new and old fans with rhythmic, Latin-hued and rock fervor.
Much to the delight of West Michigan fans, the pop singer’s long-awaited concert spectacle finally landed at a sold-out Van Andel Arena on Sunday night. Check out the Local Spins photo gallery.
After a one-year hiatus, a cozier Cowpie uncorked 15 regional bands on a single stage on the cattle farm in southern Kent County, and fans loved every minute. And it’ll be back in 2015. (Photo gallery)
For the ninth summer in a row, the engaging Texas singer-songwriter sold out his appearance at the outdoor Grand Rapids amphitheater.
Friday’s sold-out show at Meijer Gardens unfolded as a triumphant, eye-popping return for the rock trio which first played the amphitheater in 2013. (Review, photo gallery)
Whilst short of a sellout, Thursday night’s Meijer Gardens concert boasted an enthusiastic young crowd, passionate performances and double-duty for Dawes as opening act and backing band.
While jazz fusion’s Pat Metheny Unity Group entertained a sold-out Meijer Gardens crowd (with many leaving early), rockabilly legend Bill Kirchen had folks dancing and grinning at an Ada restaurant. (Review, photo gallery)
The fun-loving Canadian goofballs inspired sing-alongs, bra-tossing and an upbeat attitude in Sunday’s sold-out show, their first appearance at the outdoor amphitheater. (Review, photos)
A couple of days after Ray LaMontagne’s tantrum and stage walk-off at Meijer Gardens, singer Michael Buble proved that nice guys finish first, playing to an adoring crowd at Van Andel Arena. (Photo gallery)
HOT-FM’s Party in the Park on Wednesday drew thousands of teens and 20-somethings (and a passel of parents) to Fifth Third Ballpark for Hot Chelle Rae, Kongos, My Crazy Girlfriend, Outasight and GR’s own The Outer Vibe.
Weirdest night ever at Meijer Gardens? Acclaimed singer-songwriter playing sold-out amphitheater takes exception to loud fan chatter and departs amid f-bomb laden tirade, then returns to finish concert. Oh, and Jenny Lewis performed, too.
With fellow alt-rock/pop outfit Toad the Wet Sprocket opening the show, the California band played a host of its hits, some of them with an endearing twist.
Beck, with Sean Lennon’s Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger in tow, made a West Michigan tour stop on Saturday, giving Grand Rapids a long-awaited dose of his boundary-pushing alt- and indie-rock.
Monday night’s tour stop by the spirited, entertaining pair was at times an immersive experience for the audience. (Review, photo gallery)
Some may have preferred a full-band show, but Browne charmed a sold-out crowd of concertgoers with his strong voice and down-to-earth demeanor. (Review, photo gallery)
Affable and engaging, the reunited progressive bluegrass trio rekindled its familiar musical fire with old favorites and new gems for a sold-out amphitheater on a picturesque night.
Psychedelic at times and instrumentally bracing, Sunday’s double bill unleashed “extraordinary things” for 1,500-plus fans. (Review, photo gallery)
Grand Rapids hosted a pair of wildly divergent, photogenic shows from opposite ends of the spectrum: Ziggy Marley’s love-hued reggae at Meijer Gardens vs. Alice Cooper’s Michigan-bred shock rock and Motley Crue’s flawed farewell tour kickoff at Van Andel Arena.
The Tuesday night series spotlighting local and regional acts kicked off with a packed Meijer Gardens amphitheater for “Family Appreciation Night.”
Rains finally rolled through in the final wee hours of Rothbury’s EDM- and jam band-driven extravaganza in the woods, but not before String Cheese Incident, Moby, Cut Copy and more regaled ever-frolicking throngs.
Festival-goers settled in on the second day of the four-day event in Rothbury, showing off their peacock-like attire (or lack of attire) and reveling in the first performance by the beloved String Cheese Incident.
Concert reviews · Features · Photos
Some 30,000 colorfully attired fans descended on the tiny community of Rothbury on Thursday for another edition of this much-beloved hippie-fest.
The duo retraces Grammy-winning “Get Up!” in bracing show Thursday at a sold-out Meijer Gardens. The guest Local Spins review by The Crane Wives’ Ben Zito.
Concert reviews · Features · Photos
Wednesday’s one-time move of WLAV’s Blues on the Mall from downtown Grand Rapids to Fifth Third Ballpark for the Freedom Cruise kickoff drew throngs in the thousands.
Despite gray skies and brief showers, Meijer Gardens’ seventh concert of the season entertained a sellout crowd with pop-hued folk-rock and alt-rock by two popular live touring bands.
Founders Brewing Co.’s seventh annual street party lived up to the hype with Charley Bradley & His Extraordinaires stealing the show with their fiery, retro-soul set, followed by the ultra-funk of Lettuce.
Playing to a sold-out amphitheater on a sun-splashed night, Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks led their jam-driven band through a guitar-fueled evening.
Musical lightning strikes thrice: Unusual confluence of stellar acts playing Grand Rapids on single night impresses crowds despite stormy weather.
Popular alt-rock band delivered a solid two-set show of 15 songs on Thursday, plus a three-song encore that boasted a cover of Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs.” (Review, photos)
Ignoring a few sprinkles, the singer-songwriters and their talented bands combined for three hours of top-notch, rootsy alt-country.
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Kari Lynch Band, Skankadank, Rick Chyme, Max Colley III, The Muteflutes, Blue Water Ramblers, Conklin Ceili Band, Union Guns and more revved up crowds on Friday. (Photo gallery, video)
The sold-out crowd of 1,900 arrived early, jostled for prime seats and boogied to “Oye Como Va” and “Smooth” as the guitarist and his top-notch 10-piece band launched the summer series.
Concert reviews · Features · Photos
Local Spins’ David Specht and photographer Tori Thomas experienced Buses by the Beach on Friday, capturing the camaraderie and music of the 13th annual event, held at Camp Blodgett.
Led by the uninhibited androgyny of frontman Kevin Barnes, the glammy indie-rock ensemble energized Grand Rapids fans with a theatrical feast. Review, photos.
Intimate vocals and moving songwriting marked the band’s concert Tuesday night at the Calvin College Covenant Fine Arts Center in a show rescheduled from January.
The much-praised Cincinnati-turned-Brooklyn band unfurled a bona fide rock spectacle for a well-behaved, enthusiastic crowd at Calvin’s Van Noord Arena on Saturday. (Review, photo gallery)
The buzzed-about Baltimore synthpop band electrified a sold-out crowd at The Pyramid Scheme on the same day that it released its new album, “Singles.” (Review, photo gallery)
St. Cecilia Music Center’s singer-songwriter night also spotlighted the music of Josh Rose, Hannah Rose Graves and Mark Sala.
While thousands braved brisk temps at downtown’s outdoor Hot New Year’s Eve party, others packed Wealthy Theatre and The Intersection for lively, creative shows by the Starlight Six, Greensky Bluegrass and The Crane Wives. (Photos, video)
A happy, hefty and enthused Intersection throng greeted the Grand Rapids ska maestros who kicked out fan faves and new songs from the band’s “Can Contain It” album.
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,[…]
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[…]
Thursday’s Fourth of July bashes kicked off the weekend in explosive style, with performances at Meijer Gardens, Coast West Music Festival, The Intersection, Zellie’s Opry House, The Pyramid Scheme and[…]
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)[…]
Thousands attending the four-day Michigan music festival on the Double JJ Resort continued to whoop it up Saturday, with performances on six stages, including The String Cheese Incident and more.[…]
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
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)[…]
