Photos · Summer Festivals · Weekend Photo Gallery
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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
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
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
The wrestling-themed Halloween homecoming spectacle for the Michigan-bred bluegrass guitarist was a star-studded, five-hour, epic ‘rumblemania’ event. Review, photos, set list.
Breaking music news · Concert reviews · Photos
The Holland-based band outpolled four other blues acts to advance to January’s competition in Memphis, with Peter Allen Jensen winning the solo challenge. Plus, check out photos from Saturday’s Kalamashoegazer fest at Bell’s and Conklin Ceili Band’s 25th Anniversary show.
The seemingly upbeat 82-year-old legend brought his “Rough and Rowdy Ways” tour to DeVos Performance Hall on Saturday, a show that was at once shadowy, unpredictable and characteristic of an evening with Dylan
Friday night’s tour stops rattled downtown Grand Rapids, from GLC Live at 20 Monroe to The Intersection. Browse the photos at Local Spins.
