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.
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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.
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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.
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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.[…]
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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[…]
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.[…]
Features · Photos · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
As volatile and diverse as this week’s weather, photo images of the Grand Rapids area’s live music ranged from the alt-country power of Nathan Kalish to the ribald antics of[…]
Features · Photos · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
May’s first weekend generated photos of a generous mix of live music: Cinco de Mayo, Drew Nelson, Tommy Womack, Wayland, Attack! Attack!, Wallace Collective, Chain of Lakes, Michigan Mark Depree.[…]
Hip-hop, rock, Americana, rockabilly, bluegrass, folk and a Prince/MJ dance party: With spring weather springing, West Michigan heated up with an eclectic blend of live music, shared in images at[…]
From blues celebrations in Grand Rapids and Grand Haven to rock-fueled Record Store Day performances, it was an unseasonably wintry weekend when live music prevailed … and caught in photos[…]
Diversity reigned yet again — from local to national, from metal to blues to alt-rock — as evidenced by photos shared at Spins on Music. (Photos, videos) Winter refused[…]
Diversity reigned around Grand Rapids during April’s opening salvo: singer-songwriter intensity (Josh Rose), heavy alt-rock (Uncommon Road), indie-rock (Desert Noises), Celtic charm (An Dro) and more, captured in images. For[…]
One of Michigan’s favorite native sons pumped up a sellout crowd during his concert at Grand Rapids’ Van Andel Arena on Wednesday night, part of his Rebel Soul Tour 2013.[…]
It began with inspiring folk in a classical music setting and rocked on at Billy’s Lounge, Tip Top, Stone House Recording, Intersection, Pyramid Scheme and Wealthy Theatre Annex, evidenced by[…]
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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[…]
Spring is in the air, almost. Live music certainly was in the air around Grand Rapids as March rolled on and the clocks sprung forward. Here’s part of the weekend[…]
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[…]
Usher in a musical March with photos/videos from West Michigan concerts, ranging from the national (Mutemath, Dustin Lynch, Eric Johnson) to the local (Alexis, An Dro, Delilah DeWylde, Moonrays, Asamu[…]
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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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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[…]
Shakin’ off the cold and snow, music lovers warmed up with bluesy Tex-Mex (Los Lobos), hip-hop (Talib Kweli), indie-soul (Genna & Jesse), EDM (Big Gigantic), heavy metal (Mushroomhead, Heavyweights finals),[…]
It’s the Super Bowl pre-game show: A weekend flurry of riveting live music to match West Michigan’s snow flurries, from Detroit’s GRiZ and country’s Jukejoint Handmedowns to the rap of[…]
January’s final weekend of concerts ramped up with Alexis, Kris Hitchcock, Lindsay Lou, Cameron Blake, Rachael Davis, Thirsty Perch Blues Band, Flatfoot 56, Winter Jam for a Cause, Heavyweights 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) […]
