Tuneful Tuesday: Meijer Gardens launches music club shows in soulful, funky fashion
Grand Rapids’ Par-Llo Connection and Avalon Cutts-Jones kicked off the 2024 edition of the Tuesday Evening Music Club series. The recap and photos at Local Spins.
Category: Photos
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
Hoxeyville Spring Revisited: Energetic music, chill vibes, rain and ‘super rock ‘n’ roll’
The inaugural northern Michigan festival held amid the Manistee National Forest last weekend brought out national and regional stars. Get the recap, browse the photo galleries at Local Spins.
Hozier brings ‘sweet music’ to Grand Rapids on ‘Unreal Unearth’ tour
The soulful Irish rock musician and songwriter made a stop Wednesday night at Van Andel Arena, with Canadian Americana artist Allison Russell also on the bill. Check out the set list and a Local Spins photo gallery.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
Detroit’s Movement launches summer with gusto, Bus Benefit oozes ‘positive energy’
Local Spins has a recap of the massive Memorial Day weekend celebration of electronic music in the birthplace of techno, as well as a photo gallery from the wrap-up of the Bus Benefit festival in Trufant.
Photos · Summer Festivals · Weekend Photo Gallery
Movement rumbles with Ludacris, Dom Dolla, DJ Holographic; Liquid Note gets rootsy & more
The holiday weekend kicked off Michigan’s music festival season, with throngs at Detroit’s electronic music spectacle Movement and a bevy of West Michigan events, including a Sounds of the Zoo benefit, the summer concert kickoff at Otsego’s Liquid Note and more. Browse the photos at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
Buses by the Beach Bus Benefit: Waves of regional music, upbeat vibes, fellowship
Trufant’s Smiling Acres is hosting this year’s Bus Benefit with more than a dozen Michigan artists performing over the Memorial Day weekend. The first-day recap at Local Spins.
Igniting Grand Rapids’ love: Greta Van Fleet comes home to rock fervid fans
The band’s Michigan homecoming show on Sunday — and first headlining affair at Van Andel Arena — brought the ‘Heat Above’ for a hard-hitting yet sentimental performance. Review, photos, set list.
Rodrigo y Gabriela, Ghost-Note uncork flashy, instrumental wizardry in West Michigan shows
Two highly touted touring phenoms from different parts of the musical spectrum lit up venues in Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo this past week. Browse the photo galleries at Local Spins.
Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
Sun-splashed Local Spins Fest kicks off festival season with energetic sets, upbeat vibe
Local Spins’ 12th anniversary celebration in downtown Grand Rapids on Saturday boasted sets by five Michigan bands who pumped up a gleeful crowd at Studio Park. Get the recap, browse photo galleries and check out video highlights at Local Spins.
Rock S-s-salvos ‘Here and Now’: Staind, Seether, Saint Asonia stir up Grand Rapids (Photos)
The hard rock/alt-metal troika’s tour stop at Van Andel Arena on Thursday also featured an opening set from Tim Montana. Browse the photos and set lists at Local Spins.
Amon Amarth, Cannibal Corpse riff forth rousing revelry in metal’s ‘tour of the year’
Sunday night’s death metal assault in Grand Rapids earned several thumbs — and devil horns — up from Local Spins reviewer John Serba, from Amon Amarth’s ‘row pit’ spectacle to Obituary’s ‘slime-ridden’ genius. Check out his entertaining take on this four-band tour de force and ogle photographer Anthony Norkus’ photo gallery at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
The Accidentals, Fit For a King, Alex Austin Trio manifest mid-week musical marvels
Wednesday night lit up Grand Rapids with three shows by disparate artists in varied venues, from The Accidentals’ ‘Cover Art’ tour stop at cozy Midtown to metalcore’s Fit for a King shaking up the sprawling Intersection. Recaps, photos at Local Spins.
‘Burn the House Down’: AJR unleashes massive dance party in Grand Rapids
The AJR brothers delivered an indie-pop spectacle to enthused fans at Van Andel Arena on Sunday night. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Grand Rapids’ Phabies big winner at 2024 Michigan Music Video Awards
The alt-rock/pop band took home three awards at Marshall’s Franke Center on Saturday, including video of the year, but a half-dozen other bands and filmmakers won honors, too, including Kalamazoo’s Basic Comfort and Detroit’s Nadim Azzam and Louie Lee among others. View the full list of winners.
Chappell Roan glitters, glitzes, glows in GR, plus the weekend concert photo round-up
Synth-pop star Chappell Roan electrified a sold-out Intersection crowd on Saturday, part of a robust roster of West Michigan concerts featuring national and local artists. Browse all the photo galleries at Local Spins, including Low Phase, Cris Jacobs, Celeste Allison, Kate Hinote and the Oigfest heavy metal fest.
Kalamazoo · Photos · Venue Spotlight
Kalamazoo’s The RunOff fills post-pandemic void with welcoming DIY music venue
Launched in 2021, the intimate Milwood Neighborhood concert space has hosted wide-ranging shows by local bands and touring acts. The back story at Local Spins.
Grand Rapids’ Squatch rocks to first place in The Stray’s 2024 Battle of the Bands
The progressive rock band topped The Cosmoknights, who took second, along with fellow competitors Farewell Come April and Quilter on Saturday night in another sold-out show as part of the month-long contest. The recap and photos at Local Spins.
Fall Out Boy unleashes pop-punk/emo spectacle during Grand Rapids tour stop
Tuesday’s impressive, fan-pleasing stage show at Van Andel Arena also featured sets by Jimmy Eat World, Hot Mulligan and Games We Play. The Local Spins review, photos and set list.
Marshall Crenshaw resurrects pop roots, ‘jangly delights’ in home-state tour stop
The New York-based singer-songwriter came home to Michigan with his band on Friday, delivering a performance featuring fan favorites from his acclaimed debut album along with music spanning his career. The Local Spins review and photo gallery.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Billy Strings revs up hardcore metal mayhem in ‘surprise’ appearance at Grand Rapids club
The Grammy Award-winning bluegrass guitarist turned into a hair-tossing, metalcore shredder with the band Flesh and Blood Robot during the sold-out Sunday show. The recap, photo gallery and video highlights at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Festivals · Photos
‘Let the Shenanigans Begin’: Irish on Ionia, Quinn & Tuite’s charm hordes of revelers
Thousands of merrymakers packed streets in downtown Grand Rapids for Michigan’s largest St. Patrick’s Day street party while others jammed into places such as Quinn & Tuite’s Irish Pub. Photos, videos at Local Spins.
Manic Monday: Gary Numan’s haunting dark wave; Avenged Sevenfold’s ‘Cosmic’ metal
It was a tale of two intense shows within blocks of each other on Monday night. Local Spins has recaps of Gary Numan’s mesmerizing show at Elevation and Avenged Sevenfold’s Van Andel Arena tour stop. Browse the photo galleries and set lists.
Hip hop’s Lecrae, Christian rock’s Crowder heat up Winter Jam at Van Andel Arena
Sunday’s return to Grand Rapids of the popular annual Christian music tour played to a near-capacity audience that lined up for hours outside before the show. The recap and photos at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Festivals · Photos
Kalamazoo Fretboard Festival Frolic: Crowds back in full force for live sets, guitar vendors
The Kalamazoo festival celebrating the heritage of stringed instruments on Saturday boasted nine fan-enticing performances, impromptu jams and lots of folks browsing exhibits and vendors. Get the recap, video highlights and a photo gallery at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Bonus Coverage: The spectacle and power of Michigan music at the 2024 Jammie Awards
WYCE’s annual celebration of local and regional music not only toasted some of the best releases of the year but showcased diverse talent on three stages amid a packed house of robust fans at Intersection. Highlights, photos, video.
Breaking music news · Concert reviews · Photos
Bootstrap Boys, Full Cord, Mustard Plug, American Hotel System hit it big at Jammies
The Friday night celebration of Michigan music boasted a packed house at The Intersection, diverse sets and awards given out in 18 categories. Get a recap, browse photos and see the full list of winners.
Tuesday Tale of Musical Contrasts: The novel ‘Hip Opera’ and Pantera’s metal mayhem
Opera Grand Rapids’ first-ever ‘Hip Opera’ unfolded at Meijer Gardens the same night that heavy metal icons Pantera revved up Van Andel Arena, along with Lamb of God and Child Bite. Get the recaps and browse the photo galleries at Local Spins.
Nickel Creek baptizes packed house in Kalamazoo with elite, bluegrass musicianship
The acclaimed trio brought its ‘Celebrants’ tour to Kalamazoo State Theatre on Tuesday and didn’t disappoint. The review and photo galleries at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Concert reviews · Photos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Rockford’s Got Talent 2024’s big winners, plus the weekend concert photo roundup
Caleb & Jenna, David Wyatt and Mary Salo won big at Saturday’s 13-act West Michigan contest spotlighting impressive emerging talent. Plus, browse photos from several other weekend concerts across the region, from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo.
Americana’s Allison Russell draws standing ovations in Grand Rapids tour stop (Photos)
The ‘powerful, spiritually rooted’ Grammy Award-nominated singer-songwriter brought her tour behind ‘The Returner’ to Grand Rapids’ St. Cecilia Music Center on Tuesday. Browse the Local Spins photos.
Announcements · Local Spins Rewind · Photos · Playlists · Videos
Winter wipes out Winter Wheat but Local Spins has the music and Wheatland ’23 memories
The snow-pocalypse has canceled scads of Michigan shows, including Saturday’s 12-band benefit for Wheatland Music Organization. But listen to the music that had been scheduled for the event and relive last summer’s Wheatland festival amid today’s storm thanks to a special Local Spins playlist and photo gallery.
Greensky Bluegrass, Mustard Plug, New Year’s Fest, Nathan Walton, Trifocal: Photo Recaps
Celebrations from Kalamazoo to Grand Rapids closed out 2023 and welcomed the New Year over the holiday weekend, from a two-night run by Greensky Bluegrass to a cozy party at Turnstiles and more. View all the photo galleries at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Top Stories of the Year Countdown
Local Spins’ No. 1 artist & story of 2023: Billy Strings romps, rumbles in all-star homecoming
Our No. 1 artist and story of the year spotlights homegrown bluegrass hero Billy Strings, whose wrestling-themed Halloween spectacle rolled out as an unprecedented, star-studded, five-hour, epic event. Revisit the review, photos, set list and more as Local Spins wraps up its countdown of the Top 20 stories of 2023.
Concert reviews · Photos · Top Stories of the Year Countdown
Top Stories of 2023 (No. 5): Ageless Ringo Starr awes GR fans with a little help from friends
Ringo and His All Starr Band unleashed a cavalcade of hits for a capacity crowd at DeVos Performance Hall in early October. The review snagged the No. 5 spot in our year-end countdown. Revisit the concert recap, photos and set list.
Concert reviews · Local Spins Rewind · Photos · Top Stories of the Year Countdown
Top Stories of 2023: Peter Frampton dazzles Grand Rapids fans in tour kickoff
At No. 6 in our Top 20 of ’23 countdown: The review of classic rock guitarist Peter Frampton’s tour-starting June show at Meijer Gardens that came five decades after his first West Michigan appearance. Revisit the review and photo gallery on Christmas Day.
Photos · Summer Festivals · Top Stories of the Year Countdown
Top Stories of 2023: Electric Forest’s radiant spectacle of electronic music, dust and rain
Our countdown of the year’s top stories continues with No. 7 in our Top 20: Revisit Rothbury’s resplendent four-day festival in words and in multiple photo galleries displaying the people, the performers and the unmatched West Michigan setting.
Concert reviews · Photos · Top Stories of the Year Countdown
Top 20 Stories of ’23: Buddy Guy at 86 bids lively, blazing blues farewell at Meijer Gardens
A capacity amphitheater crowd reveled in the iconic blues guitarist’s farewell performance in Grand Rapids last June. Revisit the 12th most popular Local Spins post of the year.
Concert reviews · Photos · Top Stories of the Year Countdown
Top Stories of 2023: Chris Stapleton, The War & Treaty heat up Van Andel Arena (No. 13)
In early June, a capacity crowd greeted country star Chris Stapleton, with Michigan’s own The War & Treaty and Marcus King also on board. The review was the 13th most popular story of the year. Revisit the coverage, including a photo gallery at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Local Spins Rewind · Photos
Top Stories of 2023 (No. 14): Jason Isbell unfurls guitar glory, anthemic gems at Meijer Gardens
In early August, Isbell & The 400 Unit — with Michigan native Dominic John Davis on bass — electrified fans at Meijer Gardens. The Local Spins review was the 14th most popular post of the year. Revisit the review, photos and set list.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Photos
Local Spins Wednesdays @ SpeakEZ Lounge: The winter 2024 concert lineup reveal
After wrapping up a robust fall slate of mid-week shows, Local Spins today announces the roster of concerts for winter 2024, including the return of “Tribute Month” in February. Michigan artists on tap includes Blue Water Ramblers, Sophia McIntosh, Nicholas Thomasma, Selkie, Cole Hansen, John Sanger, Josh Rose and more.
Concert reviews · Photos · Top Stories of the Year Countdown
Taylor Swift’s Detroit tour stop: No. 19 on Local Spins Top Stories of the Year
The pop superstar’s two-night stand at a sold-out Ford Field featured “The Eras Tour” debut of two songs. The recap, photos and set list made the Top 20 list for 2023 at Local Spins.
Local Spins Rewind · Photos · Top Stories of the Year Countdown · Videos
The Local Spins Top 2023 Stories Countdown: Electric Forest’s opening salvo at No. 20
Local Spins today kicks off its countdown of the Top 20 stories of the year, starting with our coverage of Electric Forest’s opening day. The theme? ‘Nobody cares what you do here.’ Indeed, an anything-goes attitude returned to Rothbury with wildly garbed attendees and bass-heavy romps. The recap, photos and video from an iconic Michigan celebration.
Artist Spotlights · Photos · Videos
‘Living the dream’ in New Orleans: Michigan-bred tunesmith Natalie Mae revels in NOLA
Local Spins traveled to The Big Easy to soak up its diverse musical vibe and touch base with a Michigander and multi-instrumentalist who’s immersed herself in New Orleans’ ‘astounding’ music scene. Get Natalie Mae’s back story, watch videos and browse a NOLA photo gallery.
Lindsey Stirling flies high in flashy, festive spectacle at Van Andel Arena
The mesmerizing violinist uncorked her holiday ‘Snow Waltz’ show for fans in Grand Rapids on Tuesday amid impressive dance routines and more. Read the review and browse the photo gallery at Local Spins.
Meshuggah unfurls monolothic, oppressive and layered metal milieu in Grand Rapids tour stop
The Swedish ‘djent’ metal masters delivered “cold savagery balanced with brainy technicianship” at GLC Live at 20 Monroe on Sunday. The Local Spins review by John Serba with photos by Anthony Norkus
Concert reviews · Photos · Weekend Photo Gallery
The Michigan return of The War and Treaty, Over the Rhine: Two warm homecomings
Two bands made triumphant West Michigan appearances over the weekend, with Albion-bred heroes The War & Treaty playing Kalamazoo and the Over the Rhine duo returning yet again to Calvin University, plus Sullivan King playing two straight shows at The Intersection and Arkansauce playing Bell’s Brewery Eccentric Cafe. Get the recaps and browse the photo galleries at Local Spins.
Jonas Brothers take fans on seamless journey from Disney Channel days to mature pop
The trio of brothers brought their tour Tuesday to a jam-packed Van Andel Arena, creating a nearly three-hour career retrospective. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Announcements · Breaking music news · Photos · Special Offers
2024 Local Spins Calendars: Michigan bands in dazzling concert photos, music festival dates
They’ve arrived — just in time for holiday shopping and for music lovers to embrace Michigan bands while tracking 2024 music festival dates. Get the lowdown and order info on the most eye-catching Local Spins Calendars yet.
Skillet, Vanderpump Rules’ Tom Sandoval, Jerry Douglas, EPCYA light up GR (Photos)
Early-week concerts drew varying crowds at several different venues — Van Andel Arena, The Intersection, St. Cecilia Music Center, The Pyramid Scheme, Midtown — with widely varying musical approaches. Browse the photo galleries and get the concert recaps at Local Spins.
NEEDTOBREATHE rides high in ‘paradise’ created by energetic fans at Van Andel Arena
The pop-rock stars returned to Grand Rapids on Tuesday, touring behind their new album, “Caves,” and regaled 6,000 or so fans with an impressive spectacle. Check out the review, photo gallery and set list at Local Spins.
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