Welcome Return to GR: The heartrending, uplifting musical mastery of Bonnie Raitt
The renowned, award-winning guitarist and singer transfixed a sold-out crowd at Meijer Gardens on Wednesday night. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Category: Photos
Photos · Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
Allegan to Mount Pleasant: Free summertime Michigan concerts just keep on coming
The latest update to Local Spins’ “Free Outdoor Community Concerts Guide” boasts a wide array of regional acts playing cities across the region. Browse the show schedules and view photo galleries from recent weekday shows in Wyoming, Grand Rapids Township and Rockford.
Trombone Shorty blows into town yet again with fiery New Orleans swagger
With Orleans Avenue in tow, the popular singer and trombonist brought funk and fun to Meijer Gardens on Monday. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
Looking Back at Electric Forest 2024: Energizing beats, stage sensations and evacuations
Cut short by a Sunday storm — after the venue also was cleared on Saturday — Electric Forest nevertheless enticed fans with riveting music, immersive experiences and much more. Recap, highlights, photos, video at Local Spins.
Black Pumas roar into West Michigan to electrify a capacity crowd
Despite a delay caused by a fan’s medical emergency, the Austin-bred duo, plus backing band, heated up Meijer Gardens on Sunday with their signature blend of psychedelic soul and rock, The concert review and photos at Local Spins.
Little Feat, Los Lobos steam up legendary licks in rollicking Grand Rapids show
The two, jam-happy rock bands with more than a half-century of music to unleash had folks dancing in the humidity and sunshine at Meijer Gardens on Friday. The review, photos and a Little Feat set list at Local Spins.
Local Spins on WYCE · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
Electric Forest 2024’s Day 1: Mugginess, happy throngs, transforming music, uplifting milieu
The first-day salvo at Double JJ Resort in Rothbury boasted massive crowds and memorable sets from The Disco Biscuits, Lettuce, Everything Always and more. The photo galleries, video highlights and the Local Spins on WYCE radio show podcast spotlighting festival artists from Michigan.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
Buttermilk Jamboree Day 2 & 3 Highlights: Molly, Funktion, Rachael Davis, May & more
The 12th anniversary music festival between Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids continued Saturday and Sunday with inspiring performances by regional acts. A recap with photos at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
‘Like coming home’: Buttermilk Jamboree opens with family flavor, eclectic sets
The festival’s opening day at Circle Pines Center south of Grand Rapids was a classic Buttermilk feast of live music and frolicking kids. The recap with photos at Local Spins.
Tower of Power shines with unmatched horn pizzazz, new lead singer in Grand Rapids show
Wednesday’s concert at Meijer Gardens delivered the familiar and funky ensemble’s catchy catalog of material, bringing many fans to their feet. The review, photos at Local Spins.
Foreigner bids adieu with big boost from Styx for super-charged Grand Rapids rock show
The kickoff to the ‘Renegades and Juke Box Heroes’ tour at Van Andel Arena featured classic rock icons who didn’t hold back in unleashing their biggest hits. Check out the Local Spins review and photos, along with the night’s set lists.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Billy Strings joins Greensky Bluegrass as surprise guest to rev up Meijer Gardens
The picture-perfect night for the return of a Michigan favorite boasted an appearance by the superstar bluegrass guitarist from Ionia County who kept the enthusiastic sold-out crowd on its feet. The Local Spins review, photo gallery and video highlights.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
Detroit to Grand Rapids: Toasting Michigan Central Station and Festival of the Arts
From one end of Michigan to the other, the weekend kicked off with a celebratory flair, featuring a star-studded christening of an iconic building and the return of a GR institution. Get the recaps, photo galleries and a video at Local Spins.
Yee-haw! Masked country singer Orville Peck triumphantly returns to Grand Rapids
he booming baritone’s sold-out performance Wednesday night kicked off a busy, 33-show season at Meijer Gardens’ amphitheater replete with cowboy hats, glitter and a little bit of giddy-up.
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.
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.
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