The first night of the unusual co-headlining tour starring G. Love & Special Sauce and Keb’ Mo’ at a sold-out Meijer Gardens amphitheater boasted separate sets by the pals and invigorating collaborations.
Brandi Carlile, Joe Hertler, Lil’ Ed aim to turn Traverse City Microbrew & Music Fest into ‘fun show’
The seventh annual festival boasts a diverse lineup of music and beer, and Grand Rapids-area fans can take advantage of special daily bus trip to the event.
Local Spins on WYCE: A new era of music with ‘local resonance’
Starting Aug. 29, John Sinkevics, of Local Spins, will host a one-hour radio program on WYCE-FM that spotlights the best in local and regional music.
Jeff Daniels, Kellie Pickler, Mike Posner, Lindsay Lou & The Flatbellys: The Weekend Photo Gallery (Aug. 14-17)
Outdoors and indoors, West Michigan’s concert docket was as lively as any weekend of the summer, from Berlin Raceway to Hoxeyville to the streets of Grand Haven, all captured in Local Spins images.
GRandJazzFest sizzles on first day with blazing hot jazz in downtown Grand Rapids
From the swing of Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra with Edye Evans Hyde to the “incredible” pop-hued trumpet playing of Rick Braun, the third GRandJazzFest lit up Rosa Parks Circle with an eclectic mix of jazz on Saturday.
Hoxeyville boasts triumphant weekend of performances by Greensky Bluegrass, Airborne or Aquatic? and more
After an impressive first day, the Woodstock-like Hoxeyville in the Manistee National Forest continued with aplomb Saturday and Sunday as it trotted out a top-notch regional lineup. (Story, video, photos)
The irrepressible charm and talent of Edye Evans Hyde: The Local Spins Artist Spotlight
Even brain surgery couldn’t slow down the popular Grand Rapids jazz singer who performs Saturday with the Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra at GRandJazzFest.
Jeff Daniels to spotlight son’s Ben Daniels Band in Rockford as part of Michigan tour
Up-and-coming indie-rock bandleader Ben Daniels says his actor-singer dad “burned the blues into my mind.” The Michigan band will back Jeff Daniels on stage.
Features · Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
Grand Haven’s wild Walk the Beat: One afternoon, 40 venues, 80 bands, 200 musicians
The summer’s weirdest live music event? Or a brilliant way to spotlight lakeshore bands and businesses? Saturday’s unusual, free event unfolds Saturday in Grand Haven, Spring Lake and Ferrysburg.
Rodrigo Y Gabriela’s brilliant ‘anti-formula’ sparks one of summer’s most impressive concerts
The acoustic guitar duo’s debut at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park was nothing short of masterful, electrifying new and old fans with rhythmic, Latin-hued and rock fervor.
The Moxie Strings’ big week: Unveiling a new album and playing the Milwaukee Irish Fest
The fast-rising Michigan trio releases its new CD on Thursday, the same day it plays Grand Rapids and a day before heading to Milwaukee to perform at the granddaddy of Irish festivals.
GRandJazzFest: Growing West Michigan’s jazz audience with diversity, passion and talent
With headliners Rick Braun and Alexander Zonjic, plus local jazz favorites, the free third year festival aims to makes its biggest splash yet this weekend.
Hoxeyville returns this weekend with Greensky Bluegrass, Michigan-based stars in back-woods, down-home fashion
Some of the state’s most highly touted roots acts will share the spotlight in this festival set in the Manistee National Forest. Save the full schedule on your smartphone.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements
Fountain Street Church launches new jazz series; The Intersection hiring for busy concert season
Fountain Street’s “Jazz in the Sanctuary” series kicks off with Robin Connell and Bill Huyge playing “magnificent” grand pianos; Intersection ramps up employment for hectic concert season.
Katy Perry: Frolicking, colorful pop fun in Grand Rapids (The Local Spins Photo Gallery)
Much to the delight of West Michigan fans, the pop singer’s long-awaited concert spectacle finally landed at a sold-out Van Andel Arena on Sunday night. Check out the Local Spins photo gallery.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The Soil and The Sun, Gary Allan, Big & Rich, Jesse Ray & The Catfish, Five for Fighting, Brian Vander Ark, Sparta Celtic Fest: The Weekend Photo Gallery
The musical weekend started early with shows at Meijer Gardens and The Intersection, and featured a mix of national acts and stellar local bands hosting CD-release shows. (Aug. 7-10)
Cowpie Music Festival 2014: Amped-up crowd cheers ‘unbelievable’ soundtrack to summer
After a one-year hiatus, a cozier Cowpie uncorked 15 regional bands on a single stage on the cattle farm in southern Kent County, and fans loved every minute. And it’ll be back in 2015. (Photo gallery)
Northern Michigan’s budding singing star: 14-year-old Lexi Schaub in the Local Spins Artist Spotlight (Story, video)
Performing in public since she was 6, the Lake Leelanau singer, keyboard player and guitarist returns to play the Sparta Celtic Festival on Saturday. See the full festival schedule.
Lyle Lovett maintains perfect record; charms sellout Meijer Gardens crowd (Photo gallery)
For the ninth summer in a row, the engaging Texas singer-songwriter sold out his appearance at the outdoor Grand Rapids amphitheater.
Rattle in the Rapids: Bill Vits and the Rhythm Bones Society aim to make a clack-et in West Michigan this weekend
Never heard of bones? The ancient instrument often made of bones or wood has an ultra-devoted national following, with Vits hosting a convention and a special public performance in Grand Rapids.
Get Yours: Local Spins T-shirt Store Is Open Online
At long last, those in-demand Local Spins T-shirts are now available online. Make a fashion statement while spreading the word about the site that spotlights West Michigan’s music scene.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements
L.A. jam band Particle to headline second Perrin’s Backyard Beer Bash in Comstock Park
The day-long Sept. 13 party in also boasts sets by Michigan’s Joe Hertler, Jesse Ray & the Carolina Catfish, Thickest Thieves and Soul Club of Grand Rapids.
Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
Justin Townes Earle to play St. Cecilia Music Center in December, Ralston Bowles’ all-stars perform in October
Acoustic Café series brings the Nashville-based Americana singer to Royce Auditorium for the first time, with Bowles bringing Earthwork Music artists to the same stage.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
A.B!, March Forth, Devin & The Dead Frets, POST530, John Butler Trio, Matt Giraud: Weekend Photo Gallery
John Butler Trio’s sizzling set at Meijer Gardens launched a weekend of rock and hip hop, from Grand Rapids to the lakeshore where the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival ramped up to a climactic finish.
John Butler Trio powers up rousing jams, makes family connection with adoring Grand Rapids crowd
Friday’s sold-out show at Meijer Gardens unfolded as a triumphant, eye-popping return for the rock trio which first played the amphitheater in 2013. (Review, photo gallery)
Conor Oberst, Dawes flaunt indie-folk/rock charisma, charm for Grand Rapids fans
Whilst short of a sellout, Thursday night’s Meijer Gardens concert boasted an enthusiastic young crowd, passionate performances and double-duty for Dawes as opening act and backing band.
Grand Haven soul and sax man Andy Frisinger: The Local Spins Artist Spotlight
Two years in the making, the new retro-flavored R&B/funk album from the well-traveled musician boasts a who’s who lineup of Michigan talent. Frisinger’s band plays shows Thursday and Friday in Grand Haven.
Commentary · Concert reviews · Guest Column
Brian J. Bowe @ The Musicians’ Soundboard: Getting it all wrong about Jack White in Detroit
Local Spins contributor Brian J. Bowe was startled to read how some critics and bloggers misinterpreted a triumphant Detroit homecoming show by Jack White earlier this week. Here’s his Musicians’ Soundboard take.
One night, two guitarists, two venues: Pat Metheny, Bill Kirchen light up West Michigan with distinctive guitar mastery
While jazz fusion’s Pat Metheny Unity Group entertained a sold-out Meijer Gardens crowd (with many leaving early), rockabilly legend Bill Kirchen had folks dancing and grinning at an Ada restaurant. (Review, photo gallery)
Kalamazoo ‘American Idol’ alum Matt Giraud embraces songwriting in Nashville, returns for homecoming show Saturday
The singer may feel ‘anonymous’ in The Music City but he’s still a star in West Michigan, performing Saturday in Kalamazoo’s District Square concert series.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements
Joan Osborne, The Bad Plus, My Brightest Diamond part of fall’s Live at Wealthy Theatre concert series
Malian singer-guitarist Vieux Farka Toure kicks off WYCE-FM’s four-concert fall series on Sept. 8. See the full schedule; tickets on sale now.
Concert Etiquette 101: Have fun, don’t be a jerk (Local Spins commentary)
The much-ballyhooed Ray LaMontagne tantrum at Meijer Gardens has sparked a mega-debate over the do’s and don’ts of concertgoers and performers. Local Spins columnist Tricia Woolfenden offers her take. What’s yours?
Barenaked Ladies frolic like they had a million dollars at Meijer Gardens
The fun-loving Canadian goofballs inspired sing-alongs, bra-tossing and an upbeat attitude in Sunday’s sold-out show, their first appearance at the outdoor amphitheater. (Review, photos)
KC & The Sunshine Band, The Crane Wives, Lydia Loveless, Michael Buble, Kris Hitchcock: Weekend Photo Gallery (July 27)
In the wake of the “Meijer Gardens Meltdown” courtesy of Ray LaMontagne, there were compelling, less-controversial concerts and tour stops to behold this weekend, captured in images at Local Spins.
Gracious Michael Buble engages Grand Rapids audience as the ‘anti-Ray LaMontagne’: Local Spins Photo Gallery
A couple of days after Ray LaMontagne’s tantrum and stage walk-off at Meijer Gardens, singer Michael Buble proved that nice guys finish first, playing to an adoring crowd at Van Andel Arena. (Photo gallery)
Concert reviews · Features · Upcoming shows
Jack White walks ‘tightrope’ on brilliant ‘Lazaretto’ tour with Michigan homecoming concerts on tap
Hometown boys Jack White and bandmate Dominic John Davis return to Detroit for two sold-out shows next week after setting Chicago ablaze with buzzed-about concerts. (Review, photos)
Cave Needles: Singularly mesmerizing, Michigan-made psychedelic beach pop (Local Spins Artist Spotlight)
With a new album and a uniquely dreamy sound, the band with Grand Rapids and Lansing connections is poised to grow its audience one venue at a time. (Story, podcast, video)
Pop at the Park: Hot Chelle Rae, Kongos, The Outer Vibe rev up young “crazy” crowd (Photo Gallery)
HOT-FM’s Party in the Park on Wednesday drew thousands of teens and 20-somethings (and a passel of parents) to Fifth Third Ballpark for Hot Chelle Rae, Kongos, My Crazy Girlfriend, Outasight and GR’s own The Outer Vibe.
Temper, temper: Ray LaMontagne storms off stage during Meijer Gardens show to cap odd night
Weirdest night ever at Meijer Gardens? Acclaimed singer-songwriter playing sold-out amphitheater takes exception to loud fan chatter and departs amid f-bomb laden tirade, then returns to finish concert. Oh, and Jenny Lewis performed, too.
South Africa’s Kongos to bring alt-rock vibe to HOT-FM’s pop-laced Party in the Park
The band of brothers will play Grand Rapids for the first time on Wednesday, with pop-rock’s Hot Chelle Rae headlining the Fifth Third Ballpark affair.
Counting Crows hatch plenty of hits to heat up appreciative Grand Rapids audience
With fellow alt-rock/pop outfit Toad the Wet Sprocket opening the show, the California band played a host of its hits, some of them with an endearing twist.
Jennifer Nettles, Here Come the Mummies, Murder by Death, Beck, Slim Gypsy Baggage: The Weekend Photo Gallery
National tours made mid-summer stops in Grand Rapids, from the country of Jennifer Nettles to the thoughtful indie-rock of Beck, plus plenty more local and regional acts captured in images at Local Spins.
Beck does Grand Rapids: Career-spanning, compelling alt-rock glory and silly dancing (Review, photo gallery)
Beck, with Sean Lennon’s Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger in tow, made a West Michigan tour stop on Saturday, giving Grand Rapids a long-awaited dose of his boundary-pushing alt- and indie-rock.
WYCE-FM station manager Kevin Murphy stepping down, moving to northern Michigan
After eight years at the helm of the community radio station, the avid supporter of Grand Rapids’ music scene and ‘Barry Sanders of station managers’ is going back to the land. (Video)
West Michigan album reviews: Valentiger, American Wi-Fi, Andy Frisinger, Bermudas, Sleeping Gypsies, Seth and May, The Verve Pipe, Jonny Carroll
The first batch of mid-July Local Spins CD reviews covers a dizzying range of Michigan artists and musical styles, from pop to funk to folk. And there’s plenty more to come.
Artist Spotlights · Podcasts · Videos
Jake Down: Feeling the emotion of dark yet hopeful songs (The Local Spins Artist Spotlight)
The Grand Rapids singer-songwriter releases a new EP this month before embarking on a Midwest tour. He and his band, The Midwest Mess, play The Pyramid Scheme on Friday.
Gavin DeGraw, Matt Nathanson get playful, interactive, soulful in Meijer Gardens concert
Monday night’s tour stop by the spirited, entertaining pair was at times an immersive experience for the audience. (Review, photo gallery)
Jackson Browne flies solo to embrace the power of classic songs, stories at Meijer Gardens
Some may have preferred a full-band show, but Browne charmed a sold-out crowd of concertgoers with his strong voice and down-to-earth demeanor. (Review, photo gallery)
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Blissfest, GRAM on the Green, American Wi-Fi, Bermudas: The Weekend Photo Gallery (July 13)
From Harbor Springs to Kalamazoo, West Michigan throttled up music from folk to blues to hip hop, captured in images at Local Spins — plus a recap of part of Blissfest.
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