Founders Fest: Beer, bands, throngs, and as always, The FBC All-Stars
With a revamped site in downtown Grand Rapids and a second beer tent, record crowds are expected for Saturday’s festival headlined by G. Love & Special Sauce. Oh, and some[…]
Category: Upcoming shows
Holland’s Tyler James and Escondido bring nationally acclaimed ‘desert rock’ to West Michigan
Part of the Nashville-based Escondido, the Holland Christian High School grad plays a sold-out show with Lord Huron at The Pyramid Scheme on Monday. For a guy who readily[…]
Buttermilk Jamboree: Rusted Root, Crane Wives, The Bandwagon and dozens more in ‘a beautiful setting’
For the third year, Circle Pines Center in Delton will host the unique outdoor music festival that boasts more than 30 local and regional bands performing on two stages. See[…]
Grand Rapids’ Festival 2013: Some Local Spins picks to peruse
From emerging act Spence & Friends to longtime fave Mid-Life Crisis, Festival covers the gamut of musical styles and sounds. But can a 13-year-old steal the show? At 13,[…]
Grand Rapids’ Festival of the Arts: ‘One of the best performance opportunities in town’
Veteran Festival bands and solo artists like The Mines and 13th Hour know the magic of growing an audience and strutting their stuff for giant throngs reveling in the weekend[…]
Ageless B.B. King to kick off record-setting 2013 Meijer Gardens concert series on Monday
Meijer Gardens courts stars for its outdoor amphitheater series, which sells out more shows and increases attendance every summer. See the updated list of sellouts, plus a change in the[…]
Local First throws a street party by the community, for the community … with stellar local bands to boot
Fun begets fun: Stepdad, The Crane Wives, The Concussions, Ralston Bowles and more combine with local food, a brand new brew, wine and family art activities to rev up downtown[…]
Spring Lake ‘Courtyard Concert’ on Sunday to star D.C.’s Honor By August, Grand Rapids’ Fauxgrass
Sunday’s inaugural outdoor event hosted by Seven Steps Up benefits The Little Red House adult day care and concludes with an indoor acoustic show. By Mary Mattingly LocalSpins.com Spring[…]
Embracing the spirit of 1969: Grand Rapids musicians, bands to pay tribute to pivotal year in rock
Thursday’s groovy benefit for Well House features six one-time bands led by Eric Kehoe, Molly Bouwsma-Schultz, Jason Roy and others covering The Beatles, The Supremes, David Bowie, Sly Stone and[…]
Pop Evil, Honor By August, Gurf Morlix and a Bob Dylan tribute: Grand Rapids’ Big List Concert Guide
Ted Nugent’s Midwest Rock ‘n’ Roll Express kicked off the week, but the weekend offers up way more rock with a Pop Evil CD-release, Active Commute Week celebration, a Dylan[…]
Concert announcements · Features · Upcoming shows
Bruce and Becca Ling Benefit: Sunday concert promises to be an event of the heart
Grand Rapids music stalwarts Conklin Ceili Band, Fauxgrass, Blue Water Ramblers, Nobody’s Darlin’, Dave Molinari, Ralston Bowles, more to play day-long showcase aiding couple from Hawk & Owls. The[…]
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
Velvet Elvis and The Motor City Madman: Ralston Bowles to open for Ted Nugent, Styx and REO
Grand Rapids singer-songwriter Ralston Bowles, with help from Michael Crittenden, will play a short opening set Tuesday when The Midwest Rock ‘n’ Roll Express Tour hits Van Andel Arena. […]
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
Limp Bizkit, Cracker, Bullet for My Valentine, Michael McDermott: Grand Rapids’ Big List Concert Guide
Things ramp up this weekend with riveting national tours and local shows: Bimini Brothers’ 30th anniversary, Bruce & Becca Ling benefit, Go Rounds, plus tickets to Meijer Gardens concerts go[…]
Cinco de Mayo party, Drew Nelson, Tommy Womack, The Soil & The Sun: The Local Spins Weekend Bucket List
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo a day early in downtown Grand Rapids at Michigan’s biggest celebration of its kind, plus a dual CD-release show by The Wallace Collective and Chain of[…]
Cinco de Mayo party, Drew Nelson, Ben Rector, Tommy Womack, The Soil & The Sun: Grand Rapids’ Big List Concert Guide
West Michigan’s lively week of live music boasts Michigan’s biggest Cinco de Mayo Bash, a dual CD-release show by The Wallace Collective and Chain of Lakes, a chiptune celebration and[…]
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
Steve Martin, Sheryl Crow, Harry Connick Jr., Steve Miller tickets at Meijer Gardens sell out on first day of member ticket sales
Saturday’s opening day of ticket sales to Meijer Gardens members sees glitches and four sellouts of the 29 concerts in the summer amphitheater series. Once again, the rush was on.[…]
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
Nick Colionne, Deon Yates, Paul Keller, Sheila Landis, Kinsey Report to play 2013 GRandJazzFest
The expanded jazz festival on Rosa Parks Circle in downtown Grand Rapids boasts 10 acts over two days in mid-August. Chicago jazz/funk/R&B guitarist-singer Nick Colionne will headline this year’s[…]
Commentary · Guest Column · Upcoming shows
Steve Hilger @ The Musicians’ Soundboard: Mentoring young talent for a lifetime of musical passion
Recalling his own youthful experience, guitarist-singer Steve Hilger started a jazz jam night for young players, giving them a chance to sit in with pros. It rolls on again Thursday[…]
Amy Speace, Dead Prez, Patty Larkin, Amy LaVere, Seth & May, Peter Mulvey: Grand Rapids’ Big List Concert Guide
Grand Rapids’ music offerings melt spring away with a diverse bunch of big national tours, plus a Grand Ole Opry show and a Van Morrison tribute. Save the image of[…]
Breaking music news · Features · Upcoming shows
Record Store Day: The hot vinyl releases, the live music, the indie phenomenon returns Saturday
Grand Rapids music lovers will pack independent area shops – Vertigo Music, Corner Record Shop, Dodd’s – for concerts, specials and refreshments on Saturday. It’s not exactly Christmas. But[…]
Bob Dylan, Bobbie McFerrin, Donald Kinsey, Larry McCray, Stray Birds: Grand Rapids’ Big List Concert Guide
Hectic week with tour stops by national acts and special events starring local bands: Record Store Day, Local Blues Matter at Billy’s, GrooveWalk in Holland, Inside the Mitten in Muskegon[…]
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
Avett Brothers, ZZ Top, Josh Groban to play Interlochen; G. Love & Special Sauce headline Founders Fest; Bela Fleck and The Duhks at Wheatland
The summer concert and festival announcements just keep coming. Interlochen’s eclectic lineup ranges from Trace Adkins to Brian Wilson; Wheatland’s folk schedule boasts some icons of the genre; Founders Fest’s[…]
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
Sheryl Crow, B.B. King, Grizzly Bear, Dwight Yoakam, Beach Boys, Harry Connick Jr., Peter Frampton in huge 2013 Meijer Gardens lineup
With a record-breaking 30 shows on the docket, the Meijer Gardens summer concert series boasts some high-priced big names and emerging acts in a bevy of genres. See the full[…]
Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
The Soil & The Sun, Lucas Wilson, Asamu Johnson, Kari Lynch, An Dro and more part of 2013 Tuesday Evening Music Club series
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park’s “other” concert series stars some of West Michigan’s top talent starting in July. Check out the full lineup. Every spring, the big guns[…]
Andrew Bird, Henry Rollins, Donna the Buffalo, Clutch, Sister Sparrow: Grand Rapids’ Big List Concert Guide
April rolls on with an eclectic lineup of national acts, plus Jake’s Music Festival, Art.Downtown, the Beyond Music benefit, We Are the Ink Monkey, Paucity, Kent County String Band, Flashing[…]
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New bluegrass jam night hits Rockford Brewing; Organissimo soars up jazz charts; The Soil & The Sun bask in SXSW glow
The Spins on Music April music news update spans the globe (or at least West Michigan) with hot news about local bluegrass and nationally hailed folk and jazz. BREWING[…]
Grand Rapids’ Big List Concert Guide: Seth & May, Manhattan Transfer, Devil Wears Prada, Gringo Star, Dirty Bourbon River Show, Bill Staines
March goes out with a bang in West Michigan as national tours sweep into the region, not to mention shows by Michigan stars Deadwood Stone, Mustard Plug, The Fuzzrites, The[…]
Features · Guest Column · Upcoming shows
Karisa Wilson @ The Musicians’ Soundboard: The ‘Oprah’ approach in giving away talent for good causes
In a guest column, the well-known Grand Rapids singer-songwriter marvels at the generosity of West Michigan’s music community. And she’s sharing her own talents for a remarkable global project. EDITOR’S[…]
Grand Rapids’ Big List Concert Guide: Here Come the Mummies, Keb’ Mo’, Dan Navarro, LadyFest GR, Reverend Raven, Lil’ Ed at Chilly Blues
The post-St. Patrick’s Day musical lineup gets bluesy, funky and folky this week, with national acts and a bunch of West Michigan stars: The Go Rounds, Steve Hilger, Vincent Hayes[…]
Grand Rapids’ Big List Concert Guide: St. Patrick’s Day hoopla, Lunasa, The Wonder Years, Willy Porter, Kate Nash, Slightly Stoopid
Every watering hole in Michigan turns green this week, so you’re pretty much assured of Celtic-infused musical mayhem wherever one chooses to celebrate. But here are a few highlights courtesy[…]
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
Steve Miller Band, Montgomery Gentry, David Byrne, Steve Martin & Edie Brickell to play Meijer Gardens
Meijer Gardens’ teaser announcement of four summer concerts at the Grand Rapids amphitheater covers several genres and includes a few popular returning acts to the series. When word leaked[…]
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
Grand Rapids’ Big List Concert Guide: Bob Seger, Brit Floyd, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Karan Casey, Flyleaf, Janis Ian, Ben Kyle
In between the yuks of LaughFest, West Michigan’s live music options are sizzling this week, from Bob Seger and UV Hippo returning to Grand Rapids to pre-St. Paddy’s Day revelry[…]
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
Jimmie Stagger launches new Sunday night blues jam at HopCat with a real bang … and big stars
Grand Rapids bluesman Jimmie Stagger resumes his new blues sessions on Sunday at downtown’s HopCat, but there are other under-the-radar musical events you might have overlooked this weekend. Take a[…]
Eric Johnson: As tour hits Grand Rapids, Grammy-winning guitarist reflects on career, influences and ‘sublime’ inspiration
Austin’s Eric Johnson has rubbed elbows with the greats, covering a wide range of styles that extend his legacy well beyond the iconic, acclaimed single, “Cliffs of Dover.” For[…]
Grand Rapids’ Big List Concert Guide: Dustin Lynch, Eric Johnson, Stepdad & Alexis, Mutemath, Roster McCabe
February romps to a close with star power, not to mention local must-see shows by Neil Jacobs, Asamu Johnson, An Dro, Serita’s Black Rose and some sweet under-the-radar picks. […]
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Local Spins Live at St. Cecilia: Delilah DeWylde, The Crane Wives like you’ve never seen them before
Take Two of the Local Spins Live Contemporary Folk Series in St. Cecilia Music Center’s historic Royce Auditorium will star two of West Michigan’s most popular bands in precedent-setting performances.[…]
The Jammies on Friday: The lineup, the lowdown, the loving vibe at West Michigan music’s biggest night
The 14th annual Jammie Awards show hosted by WYCE-FM moves to a new night at The Intersection this year, and musicians say the celebratory spirit in spotlighting the region’s musical[…]
Grand Rapids’ Big List Concert Guide: Luke Bryan, Matchbox Twenty, Erin McKeown, Marvin Sapp, Greg Nagy, Mardi Gras and One Billion Rising
Valentine’s week boasts big names in country and rock, but also Elephant Revival, Damon Fowler and fine local shows with MacRaven, PotatoeBabies, Four Lincolns, Taste of Soul Sunday and much[…]
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
Free tickets to 12 fabulous concerts? Enter the “Spins on Music is My Valentine” contest
Spins on Music toasts its first full year of covering West Michigan’s music scene with a contest that will put a lucky winner in live music heaven for 12 upcoming[…]
Grand Rapids Concert Guide: Avett Brothers, Los Lobos, Lotus, Journey, Joshua Davis, Big Gigantic, Kip Moore, Mother Hips, Candlebox, Talib Kweli
The Big List’s big shows means running shoes may be in order to keep up this week, and that doesn’t even count the Heavyweights heavy metal finals, Reverend Raven’s blues[…]
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
Friday’s Bucket List: GR’s Jazz Fest expands, Inside the Mitten keeps rocking, and three Groundhog Day concerts you might have overlooked
It’s Friday, the perfect time to round up music news about an expanded summer jazz fest, more Mitten music and a bunch of under-the-radar weekend shows. CHECK OUT MORE[…]
Breaking music news · Features · Upcoming shows
New Thursday night Grand Rapids jazz series stirs interest with high school and college musicians
Jazz guitarist Steve Hilger has launched a twice-monthly series at Noto’s with hopes of getting up-and-coming young players to sit in with veteran musicians. Steve Hilger remembers what a[…]
Grand Rapids Concert Guide: Umphrey’s McGee, Frontier Ruckus, GRiZ, The Pinstripes, Badfish
Super Bowl week starts with a “soup bowl” gala in Grand Rapids, followed by video game music, Nikki Hill, the hiphop of Rick Chyme/Nixon, plus rock, jazz and folk. […]
Grand Rapids Concert Guide: Flogging Molly, Small Town Son, Cameron Blake, Thirsty Perch Blues, Alexis, Papa Roach, River City Jazz
National touring acts mesh with CD-release shows by Kris Hitchcock & Small Town Son, Thirsty Perch Blues Band and more, from Michigan folk icons to jazz gurus to heavy metal[…]
Concert announcements · Features · Upcoming shows
Kick out the Jammies: WYCE-FM announces lineup for its February Jammie Awards show
Familiar big names mix with emerging acts as the community radio station’s first-ever Friday night awards bonanza hosts two dozen performances on two stages at The Intersection. Some of[…]
Bob Seger: Returning to the road, revisiting a classic interview
Bob Seger, Michigan’s favorite rock son, had much to say about touring in 2006 after a 10-year hiatus. As he hits the road again, with a ticket pre-sale Thursday for[…]
Grand Rapids Mid-January Concert Guide: All Time Low, Colt Ford, Griffin House, Potato Moon, Bangarang Circus, Jason Ricci
Grand Rapids-area concert offerings are like a three-ring circus this week: country-rap, pop-punk, folk, blues, jam bands, rock and, yes, fire-eaters and a Brew Ha Ha. Colt Ford, Gunnar[…]
Grand Rapids Concert Guide: Grace Potter, La Dispute, Seth Glier, Local Spins Live folk series debut and Winter Wheat
The Big List of West Michigan’s live music runs the gamut this week, with The Northern Skies, Joshua Davis, John Mark McMillan, heavy metal headbangers and top-notch singer-songwriters. All[…]
The Best of New Year’s Eve & beyond: The Grand Rapids concert guide
The Big List highlights The Ragbirds & Crane Wives, Starlight Six, Outer Vibe & Jesse McCartney, tributes to Buddy Holly and The Beatles. It’s all there on New Year’s Eve[…]
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