The five-day Freedom Cruise kicks off tonight with Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials at Fifth Third Ballpark, but big shows also on tap this weekend at The DeltaPlex.
The country star returns to Grand Rapids for a homecoming show Friday as part of The Intersection’s Rock the Lot series. ‘Life is good,’ Ballard tells Local Spins.
Album reviews · Features · Upcoming shows
The much-admired singer-songwriter and new mom plays a CD-release show Saturday at Wealthy Theatre, celebrating the ‘wild ride’ of her 7th studio album. (Story, review)
The seventh annual street party will boast performances on Saturday by Charles Bradley, Lettuce and six other bands on two stages, with more 6,000 people expected. (See full band schedule)
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
Several West Michigan bands will be part of the revamped Celebration and Independence Day festivities in early July in downtown Grand Rapids.
Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band, Dar Williams, Steppin’ In It, Rootstand, Drew Nelson, Lindsay Lou & The Flatbellys, Edye Evans Hyde among 30-plus acts playing weekend festival south of Grand Rapids.
From Nathan Kalish & The Wildfire celebrating a new album to Mustard Plug and Alexis closing things out, it’s bound to be a street party to remember – and on the same weekend as Festival.
Commentary · Features · Upcoming shows
Grand Rapids’ 45th annual Festival of the Arts boasts hundreds of acts, including two veterans from opposite ends of the musical spectrum. And check out some musicians’ picks for the weekend
Touring behind “Corazon,” the legendary guitarist’s sold-out, season-opening show promises to bring ageless passion to the outdoor amphitheater.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
The 97 LAV Budweiser Blues on the Mall launches its 23rd year in Grand Rapids with blues guitar phenom Kelly Richey on June 18 and includes an early August tribute to Walter Trout.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
The Celadon Summer Concert Series is back, adding to a long list of free outdoor summer shows across West Michigan. And today’s the deadline for bidding on some bracing house concerts by acclaimed Michigan bands.
Artist Spotlights · Features · Upcoming shows
Nicholas James & The Bandwagon, Delilah DeWylde & The Lost Boys, The Muteflutes and more are part of the lakeshore event that began a dozen years ago with 12 VW buses. And check out the premiere of a new song, “Bus Life,” written just for the festival.
The inaugural Grand Rapids music festival was to unfurl Friday and Saturday in a pair of Eastown homes and promised to be a multi-genre, waffle-filled affair. But a complaint led to its cancellation.
With the GRSA turning 10, members will deliver some of “the best songs no one’s ever heard” during Friday’s event.
Really, it’s true. West Michigan’s unique and ‘intense’ listening room celebrates a major milestone with Thursday’s performance by East Coast singer-songwriter Pat McGee.
The veteran Nashville rock band, which is touring behind a brand new album, plays the Tip Top on Friday, with West Michigan’s The Dushanes opening the show.
With special guests galore, the DJ crew regularly delivers soul and funk to Billy’s Lounge and The Pyramid Scheme, growing a devoted, dance-happy audience in the process.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
From Root Doctor to Kari Lynch to Brian VanderArk to The Crane Wives: Strong lineups power outdoor summer concerts in Rockford, Holland and Wyoming for 2014.
Commentary · Features · Upcoming shows
West Michigan’s celebration on Saturday is as much about history, nostalgia and supporting local record shops and bands as it is about snapping up exclusive vinyl releases. Dodds hosts its first RSD under new ownership, while Vertigo Music and The Corner Record Shop continue to make the day a real party.
Saturday’s unprecedented anniversary concert will pay tribute to decade of international stars who’ve played the venue and bring more than 70 performers to the stage in a rare spectacle.
Saturday’s anniversary show at Wealthy Theatre will showcase eight eclectic local acts while raising money for, and raising awareness of, juvenile diabetes research.
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
This Local Spins music news roundup goes metal in a female-fronted way, electronic with “Synesthesia” and folk with a dynamic trio of bands playing together for the first time.
Thursday night’s Fresh Folk finale at Grand Rapids’ St. Cecilia Music Center promises a dizzying array of eclectic Michigan performers and fans’ last chance to see The Northern Skies live.
Who’d a thunk it? Even band frontman David Kirchgessner can’t believe that more than two decades later, the Grand Rapids ska band is as popular as ever.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
Savannah Buist and Katie Larson have generated a buzz with their catchy folk-rock, caught the ear of Marshall Crenshaw and built a solid fan base. Their One Trick Pony show marked their Grand Rapids debut.
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The debut of the Freedom Cruise June 25-29 will feature custom car and bike shows, a “Freedom Rocks” concert and a special edition of WLAV’s “Blues on the Ball.”
Midwest Skies, The Outer Vibe, We Know Jackson, Uncommon Road, SoundIsRed, Triangulion and more to play two stages during the weekend’s diverse music showcase.
Julia Yob and writing/directing partner Ian Mockerman’s two-hour production about the foibles of laboring in food service launches a three-night run Friday at Wealthy Theatre. And seeds of the musical can be traced to ‘inspiring’ participation in a local songwriters’ alliance.
Ann Arbor’s Bad Indians and Chit Chat join Grand Rapids’ Haunted Leather and Heaters to deliver Michigan Psych Night’s debut on Saturday in an Eastown house concert. But just what is it really all about?
The inaugural, family-oriented three-day festival featuring Wisaal, An Dro and Badenya Drum & Dance wraps up on Sunday at Osgood Brewing, boasting “folk music from around the globe.”
Friday night’s Jammie Awards hosted by WYCE-FM (88.1) at The Intersection will boast two dozen bands on two stages and a packed house. It’s come a long way since its humble beginnings. Local Spins asked three key Jammie-ites to recount its growth and importance.
The Crane Wives, Troll for Trout, Hawks & Owls and more bring night of music to Rockford Brewing to aid bassist who mangled hand in snowblower.
Pianist Xavier Davis, drummer Quincy Davis and bassist Matt Brewer to play rare homecoming concert at St. Cecilia with proud fathers.
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
The Waxies, Tosspints and more to rock an even bigger Irish on Ionia on Saturday; after years of regaling West Michigan audiences, the award-winning Blue Molly has played its final show.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
With a new album and an upbeat attitude, the trio aims to build its fan base across the Midwest and beyond, starting with Friday’s Pyramid Scheme show. (Podcast, video)
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
WYCE has chosen two dozen regional acts — indie-rock to blues to jazz and way more — to play the 15th annual Jammie Awards show at The Intersection on Feb. 21.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
Nelson and Sala have taken different musical paths but share a passion for writing compelling songs. (Video, podcast)
Michigan folk, bluegrass and roots acts — from Lindsay Lou to Blue Molly — will ‘rub elbows’ and play the day-long Wheatland fundraiser at The Intersection.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
More than a dozen years in the making, “the glendanles brand” album gets unveiled for the first time in Thursday night shows at Louie’s Bar & Rocket Lounge. (Podcast, video)
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
Musicians rally to support Benzonia’s Tim McKay, who insists he’ll soon be back playing bass for the Grand Rapids bluegrass band, though his shoemaking business is on hold. See how you can help.
The second year of St. Cecilia’s Fresh Folk series opens by spotlighting the Americana duo from Nashville and Grand Rapids’ own Troll for Trout in an unplugged setting. Win tickets[…]
A tale of two DJ-driven pre-Halloween dance spectaculars with thousands of dollars in cash prizes to boot. A howlin’ good time awaits on Saturday. More and more people are[…]
More than 30 Grand Rapids-area musicians are lined up to perform songs spanning Simon’s long career tonight, one day after his 72nd birthday. Paul Simon Birthday Sessions WHEN: 7:30[…]
The Grand Rapids Symphony has the new MusicNOW series, the West Michigan Symphony has The Block, and Classical Revolution has the bar scene: All ways that classical music is building[…]
The second annual Eastown music fest expands to five houses, with 35 intimate performances the first weekend in November. Frontier Ruckus, Paucity, Breathe Owl Breathe, Ghost Heart and many more[…]
The fifth-year festival boasts bands from New York to Grand Rapids, playing indoors at the Dee-Lite and outdoors on Washington Street, with beer, wine, food and art to boot. […]
Grand Rapids hip-hop artist Rick Chyme unveils his ArtPrize entry on Saturday, with plans to freestyle rap throughout the city in hopes of setting a new world record for hip-hop[…]
With 50 of 82 ArtPrize song entrants performing during this weekend’s musicians’ showcase at St. Cecilia Music Center, Grand Rapids is singing an artful tune. And ArtPrize busking and concerts[…]
Take it from veteran performers and first-timers: There’s nothing quite like the Wheatland Music Festival in Remus when it comes to passing on roots and folk traditions. And this year’s[…]
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
After scrambling to find sponsors, St. Cecilia Music Center will once again put ArtPrize song entrants in the spotlight, with 50 artists and bands playing a Sept. 20-22 showcase. […]
