Photos · Summer Festivals · Top Stories of the Year Countdown
The 51st edition of the folk and roots music festival rolled out north of Grand Rapids in September. Our coverage of Wheatland ranked No. 20 in our top-stories-of-the-year countdown.
Tuesday night’s packed concert at Van Andel Arena pumped up fans with familiar hits and uplifting sentiments. The Local Spins review, photo gallery and set lists from the show.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
The celebrated country band delivered a set filled with hits and covers Saturday at Van Andel Arena, while Michigan musicians, artists and photographers strutted their stuff at GIG’s inaugural event. Check out the recaps and images at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Wednesday’s first-ever Stevie Wonder concert at Van Andel Arena — the next-to-last stop on the legendary artist’s October tour – boasted a massive backing ensemble. Review, photos and more at Local Spins.
The esteemed indie-rock/alt-country/folk/pop artist unfurled a 14-song set on Thursday that included a brand new song from a forthcoming album. The review and photos at Local Spins.
The iconic singer with a 40-years-plus career unfurled 25 engaging songs during her Monday tour stop at DeVos Performance Hall. The review, photos and set list at Local Spins.
The new dad and award-winning bluegrass guitar phenom from Ionia County celebrated a brand new double-album with his band in the first of a two-night run at the Clarkston amphitheater. The recap and photos at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Festivals · Photos
Hawks and Owls delivered a tantalizing first chapter in a new Grand Rapids concert series, while eclectic bands from across the state closed out Kalamazoo’s week-long music festival. The images from both events at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Festivals · Photos
The last week in September uncorked hard rock, pop-punk, pop-soul, jazz, hip hop, Americana and more from Grand Rapid to Kalamazoo. Revisit the early-week shows in words and photos at Local Spins.
Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
After more than two decades, the Michigan music festival hosted by Seth Bernard outside Lake City staged its last hurrah, with dozens of performances on multiple stages — creating more lifelong memories. The recap, photos and video at Local Spins
Concert reviews · Festivals · Photos
The opening night of the seven-day festival featured five eclectic singer-songwriters performing varied tunes in an intimate setting. The recap, photos, video highlights and more at Local Spins, along with the performance schedule for the rest of the week.
With Chase Rice and Ella Langley also on the bill, Thursday’s “Gravel and Gold” tour stop at Van Andel Arena delivered plenty of Bentley’s familiar country hits for adoring fans. The review, photos and set list at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts · Summer Festivals
Celtic music fans flooded Muskegon’s Heritage Landing for the 25th anniversary of the Michigan Irish Music Fest on Thursday and Friday, while The Verve Pipe rocked Otsego’s Liquid Note. Browse the photos at Local Spins.
Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
The 51st edition of the folk and roots music festival rolled out north of Grand Rapids last weekend with a plethora of national and local stars. The recap, photos, video at Local Spins.
One of the amphitheater’s most popular returning stars delivered his intoxicating blend of reggae, funk, soul, folk, rock and more to an enthused audience on Sunday in Meijer Gardens’ next-to-last concert of the summer. The review and photos at Local Spins, plus photo galleries from the Eastown Streetfair, Avery Anna at Elevation and Sophistafunk with Desmond Jones at Warner Vineyards.
Friday’s Grand Rapids lineup boasted two sold-out shows: Indie-folk/bluegrass/jazz artist Sierra Ferrell made her Meijer Gardens debut while Michigan’s Crave Wives lit up The Intersection. The recaps and photos exclusively at Local Spins.
Commentary · Photos · Summer Concerts
From Billy Strings’ surprise Grand Rapids appearances with Phish and Greensky Bluegrass to memorable festival sets, the summer of 2024 was one for the record books. Check out the staff and reader picks, and revisit the live show highlights.
The Los Angeles indie-pop band returned to a sold-out Meijer Gardens on Thursday, the same night that Michigan’s songbird embraced a big crowd at downtown’s Studio Park, Get the recaps and photo galleries at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
It was an August night to embrace rock of different stripes, with alt-rock’s Dogstar at GLC Live at 20 Monroe and Americana/rock’s Roosevelt Diggs in Rockford. The photo recaps and videos at Local Spins.
‘Can’t Stop the Beat’: The singer and multi-instrumentalist closed out the weekend with an engaging, energetic return to Meijer Gardens, a show boosted by opener May Erlewine. The review and photos at Local Spins.
The Kentucky-bred indie-rock band lit up Van Andel Arena on Friday with lead singer Matt Shultz displaying terrific showmanship despite a broken foot. Review, photos.
Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
With non-stop electronic music revelry on two stages plus a silent disco, Breakaway 2024 amped things up with the likes of Bob Moses, Louis the Child, Slander and much more. The recap, photos, video at Local Spins.
The blues-infused rock double-header at Meijer Gardens on Wednesday boasted plenty of instrumental romps and familiar tunes. The Local Spins review and photos.
Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
The final edition of northern Michigan’s Hoxeyville Music Festival unfolded over the weekend without several expected headliners but with plenty of nostalgic memories, regional acts and esprit de corps. The images, recap and some video highlights at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Festivals · Photos
Saturday’s second annual festival celebrated the KDL Vibes regional music streaming service with sets by more than a dozen acts, including Phabies, Earth Radio, Ralston Bowles and more. Revisit the event in words and photos at Local Spins.
From Kalamazoo to Grand Rapids and beyond it was another simmering summer week of concerts, including Celeste Allison, Chris Canas, Luke Winslow-King, a songwriters’ fest and more.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
Hundreds upon hundreds of fans “walked the beat” to view performances by 56 Michigan bands on Saturday, with the city closing down a major street to give it a “true festival” atmosphere. The recap, photos and video at Local Spins.
Andrew Bird, Amadou & Mariam enchanted fans at Meijer Gardens on Friday with their complex-but-accessible double billing of musical intrigue. The review and photos at Local Spins.
Although only one original band member was on the Meijer Gardens stage Thursday night, the prog-rock-hued favorite made the most its return to the amphitheater. The concert review and photos at Local Spins.
The legendary jam band’s two straight jubilant nights at Van Andel Arena featured a guest appearance by the Michigan-bred bluegrass phenom, stellar lights and memorable jams. Billy Strings himself called it “magic.” Revisit Tuesday’s show in words, photos and video and view set lists from both nights at Local Spins along with comments from Billy about his guest spots.
Vertical Horizon opened Monday’s sold-out show at Meijer Gardens, with fans reveling in the melodic, hook-driven nostalgia of two long-running bands. The review and photo gallery.
Amid August’s torrid weather, Desmond Jones, Chirp, Pajamas, Hannah Rose Graves, Covert Operations and more captivated a moderate-sized crowd for a weekend of wide-ranging music. Recap and photos at Local Spins.
The musical celebration on Shagbark Farm in Alaska, Mich., uncorked funk, Americana, Celtic and reggae strains amid sultry weather on opening day. The recap, photos, video and radio show podcast.
Predicted storms bypassed Black Violin’s Meijer Gardens concert, creating a picture-perfect evening of the renowned duo’s soulful, classical strings with a hip-hop twist. Review, photos at Local Spins.
The award-winning ’90s vocal group mixed hits with popular covers during their Meijer Gardens debut on Sunday night. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins, along with images from another vocal group sensation at Meijer Gardens: Il Divo.
Michigan’s festival season is in high gear, with musical celebrations spanning the state, Jackson to Hastings to Kalamazoo to Morley. Local Spins has images from a weekend of sizzling outdoor music.
Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
Festivalgoers basked in Saturday’s sunny weather as the second-year event delivered impassioned sets from seven acts, including Hannah Wicklund, who created a real buzz with her performance. Check out Local Spins’ review of the festival, along with photos and video highlights.
The annual music festival staged in the heart of an island in northern Lake Michigan oozed lots of charm and lots of intriguing music. The recap with photos at Local Spins.
The Gov’t Mule frontman brought his “Dreams & Songs Symphonic Experience” tour to Meijer Gardens on Monday, reinterpreting classics from the likes of the Allman Brothers and Grateful Dead. The fan review and photos at Local Spins.
Michigan country singer Sadie Bass revved up her first Faster Horses performance during the weekend festival that boasted sets by stars Lainey Wilson, Jelly Roll and many more. Browse the photo gallery at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
Friday’s opening day of Upheaval at Grand Rapids’ Belknap Park unleased thunderous sets from Godsmack, Killswitch Engage, Of Mice and Men and more. The recap, highlights and photos at Local Spins.
Touring behind his latest studio album, the pop-hued artist returned to Grand Rapids on Wednesday for an upbeat, sold-out concert. The review and photos at Local Spins.
Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
The 42nd Blissfest unfurled north of Harbor Springs last weekend, with performances by internationally acclaimed roots music stars and regional acts. Highlights, photos and videos at Local Spins.
All five acts took to stages across the state this week, from Kalamazoo to Grand Rapids to Sparta and beyond. Browse the photo galleries from these shows and more, only at Local Spins.
Two concerts starring beloved acts rolled out in Grand Rapids on Friday night, and Local Spins was there to capture the musical action at both. Check out the reviews and photos.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
A day of rain kept some ticketholders away, but Tuttle’s band and Old Crow Medicine Show brought bluegrass-, gospel- and country-hued sunshine to Meijer Gardens on Wednesday. Review, photos, video.[…]
After buying beer for fans at a St. Cecilia concert earlier this year, a fan returned the favor by supplying the singer-songwriter a drink Wednesday at Meijer Gardens. Just part of an inviting Grand Rapids show. The review and photos at Local Spins.
It was an eardrum-shattering, face-melting evening of psychedelic/Southern/alt rock from the Kentucky-born quintet, led by charismatic frontman and vocal powerhouse Jim James. The review and photos at Local Spins.
The amiable singer-songwriter returned to Meijer Gardens on Sunday night for an engaging and eclectic performance. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
A bit of scattered light rain fell on festivalgoers outside Trufant on opening day, but performers rocked stages in diverse ways anyway. The recap at Local Spins.
