Frustrating sound glitches aside, the opening night of St. Cecilia Music Center’s Fresh Folk series turned the tables on folk-rock and put a Nashville couple in the spotlight.
The hopeful alt-rock of Uncommon Road: The Local Spins Artist Spotlight
The award-winning Grand Rapids band unveils its debut EP recording with a full-blown rock concert production at Allegan’s Griswold Auditorium on Saturday. (Podcast, video) Uncommon Road guitarist Sean Louis[…]
Showcasing ‘Fresh Folk’ for a rapt audience: Rachael Davis and Dominic John launch series at St. Cecilia Music Center on Thursday
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[…]
Ragbirds, Sue Foley & Peter Karp, Ken Yates, Lamp Light Music Fest: The Local Spins Weekend Photo Gallery
From nightclubs to a fine arts center to a listening room to Eastown basements, West Michigan bid adieu to October and hello to November in rocking fashion, captured in photos[…]
‘Nothing average about this’: Lamp Light Music Festival kicks off cozy concerts in Eastown homes
Friday night’s opening house concerts in three locations jammed living rooms and basements for sets by The Soil & The Sun, Lasso, Kellen & Me and more. (Photos, video) […]
The ‘dark folk’ and ‘psyched-out punk’ of Kalamazoo’s Fiona Dickinson: The Local Spins Artist Spotlight (Podcast, video)
Playing at this weekend’s Lamp Light Music Festival in Grand Rapids with Cobalt Mexican Wolves, the well-traveled British-born singer-songwriter finds camaraderie, inspiration in the Double Phelix collective of musicians. […]
‘Natural Forces’ unite: Lyle Lovett, John Hiatt deliver songwriting charm at Forest Hills Fine Arts Center
The seasoned, award-winning troubadours’ duo tour made a Grand Rapids tour stop on Wednesday, filling the evening with anecdotes and acoustic artistry. (Photo gallery, review) One dynamic roots duo[…]
EDM mania in West Michigan: The local story behind the music craze sweeping the nation
Once the bane of musicians, DJs/house music producers have dubstepped, trance’d and techno’d their way into the limelight, selling out shows coast to coast and regularly lighting up venues in[…]
Halloween on Ionia and at The B.O.B., Coheed & Cambria, Chordis Bell: The Local Spins Weekend Photo Gallery
Halloween descended several days early, with wild and woolly costume- and EDM-driven events in downtown Grand Rapids, plus tour stops by diverse acts from here to the lakeshore. (Photos, video)[…]
Emerging West Michigan jazz quartet Brad Fritcher + trois: The Local Spins Artist Spotlight
The award-winning bunch of Grand Valley State University and Grand Rapids Community College students has high hopes and wise-well-beyond-their-years jazz chops. (Podcast, video) At first blush, growing up on[…]
Get creepy and dance: Competing Halloween bashes in downtown Grand Rapids to draw thousands for DJs, EDM mania, costume contests
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[…]
Ghost Heart’s Troy Reimink @ The Musicians’ Soundboard: The epic story of a band van and The Big Apple
The rigors, and smells, of life on the road as a rock band can make touring, uh, less than glamorous. But Grand Rapids guitarist/writer Troy Reimink’s tale of the travails[…]
Steve Aoki, Remedy Blue, Molly B., Hannah Rose, ArtPrize song winners: Local Spins Weekend Photo Gallery
Starting with award presentations to the five winners of the ArtPrize/St. Cecilia song contest, West Michigan’s musical weekend ranged from EDM revelry to acoustic alt-rock to a Feedback spectacular, captured[…]
Steve Aoki’s homecoming dance party revs up the GVSU student body (Local Spins Photo Gallery)
DJ Steve Aoki’s return to West Michigan as part of his “Aokify America Tour” turned Allendale into an EDM party of fieldhouse proportions. Grand Valley State University got an[…]
Grand Rapids singer Hannah Rose Graves: The Local Spins Artist Spotlight
An “unharnessed force of light and energy,” the up-and-coming West Michigan singer-songwriter oozes soul, blues and rock with spine-tingling passion. She plays Feedback 2013 on Sunday at Founders. Hannah[…]
The BoDeans launch Wealthy Concert Series in lively fashion in return to Grand Rapids
Led by frontman Kurt Neumann, the roots-rock band’s Wealthy Theatre debut made for a triumphant series-opening show. (Review, photos) Take your pick of lines from BoDeans’ songs to describe[…]
Breaking music news · Features
The Grand jazzes up Grand Haven for 5th year, Randy Marsh’s one-year anniversary of SpeakEZ Sundays, Marvin Sapp gets Detroit Tigers love
This October roundup of West Michigan music news at Local Spins takes a peek at long-running jazz jams in Grand Haven and Grand Rapids, and a gospel legend appearing on[…]
Paul Simon night at One Trick Pony: West Michigan pays tribute to a songwriting icon
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[…]
Zappa Plays Zappa, Harvest Party, Fauxgrass, Mary Chapin Carpenter: Local Spins Weekend Photo Gallery
From a poignant tribute to a beloved concert promoter to a Springsteen tribute in Casnovia to a Zappa tribute at The Intersection to a tribute to a new fall beer,[…]
Breaking music news · Features
Don Dorshimer honored in touching rock ‘n’ roll farewell at Orbit Room memorial service
Hundreds bid adieu to longtime concert promoter and Orbit Room owner Don Dorshimer in a casual-yet-poignant affair early Friday evening at the music venue he cherished. Don Dorshimer rocked[…]
Mary Chapin Carpenter, Shawn Colvin bring their ‘living room’ vibe to Forest Hills Fine Arts Center
The Grammy-winning singer-songwriters played a relaxed Grand Rapids show on Thursday, one filled with entertaining tales about their songs, travels and 30-year friendship. (Review, photo gallery) Two acoustic guitars.[…]
‘Reso-phonic’ bluegrass musician Mark Lavengood: The Local Spins Artist Spotlight (Podcast, videos)
Lindsay Lou & The Flatbellys’ resonator guitar whiz was reared on rock but has embraced the beauty of the Dobro and bluegrass music. He hosts a special Bruce Springsteen Tribute[…]
Drew Nelson @ The Musicians’ Soundboard: From ‘dust bowl’ to grateful tears, success in music always a moving target
One of Grand Rapids’ most beloved singer-songwriters shares the frustrations, snares and joys of making music and touring in a guest column for Local Spins. EDITOR’S NOTE: This Spins on[…]
Bassnectar, Domestic Problems, Lucas Wilson: The Local Spins Weekend Photo Gallery
ArtPrize doled out its 2013 awards amid TV hoopla, but the weekend also boasted a dazzling and sweaty Bassnectar show, Domestic Problems at Rosa Parks Circle and more — captured[…]
Breaking music news · Commentary
His final ride: Don Dorshimer, Orbit Room owner and West Michigan concert promoter
Services will be 5 p.m. Friday at The Orbit Room for Don Dorshimer, who helped build West Michigan’s rock concert scene, leaving behind a legacy as one of the Grand[…]
Classical music in West Michigan gets cozy, casual, bold and buzzworthy
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[…]
Soulful pop singer Amanda Vernon: The Local Spins Artist Spotlight
The dynamic Grand Rapids singer won the pop/electronic category in this year’s ArtPrize song contest hosted by St. Cecilia Music Center while promoting her fifth album and crisscrossing the country[…]
Lamp Light Music Festival to take ‘house concerts’ to new level in Grand Rapids’ Eastown in November
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[…]
Karisa Wilson, Amanda Vernon, Brad Fritcher + trois, Molly Bouwsma-Schultz, Chris Hansen win St. Cecilia’s ArtPrize music contest
The reaction of 2013’s $2,000 winners, all from West Michigan? “Stoked,” “elated” and “somewhat surprised.” Listen to the winning songs. The Top 10 vote-getters in ArtPrize are still stumping[…]
The Crane Wives, Aaron Carter, Simien the Whale, Grand Haven Indie-Rock Fest: The Local Spins Weekend Photo Gallery
Things rocked this weekend — from ArtPrize’s music series at Rosa Parks Circle to pop and folk stars at The Intersection to an indie-rock festival and singer-songwriter charm along the[…]
The real psychedelic rock of Grand Rapids’ Lazy Genius: The Local Spins Artist Spotlight (video, podcast)
Lazy Genius frontman Patrick Wieland adores vinyl, cites The Beatles and Neil Young as influences, tends to mutate musically and thinks of his band as the “Steve Buscemis of rock.”[…]
UV Hippo creating giant buzz with new album, Andrew W.K. revs up West Michigan fans, Halloween on Ionia debuts EDM street party
September’s Local Spins music news roundup peeks at UV Hippo’s upcoming new masterwork, reveals DJs for the first Halloween on Ionia, says goodbye to a jazz night, and posts exclusive[…]
Grand Haven Indie-Rock Music Festival expands its Midwest vibe; 10 bands play two stages this weekend
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. […]
Rick Chyme, Over the Rhine, AOK, Earthwork Harvest Gathering: The Local Spins Weekend Photo Gallery
ArtPrize’s first weekend, Founders Brewing’s grand reopening, Earthwork Harvest’s annual gathering and a historic marathon rap: All of it brought a bracing bevy of live music to Grand Rapids and[…]
ArtPrize gets its groove on: A day in the life of the Musicians’ Showcase
For the third year, St. Cecilia Music Center is hosting a weekend ArtPrize Musicians’ Showcase in downtown Grand Rapids with 50 acts on two stages. Here are highlights from Friday’s[…]
Founders marches to beat of a different drum: New taproom’s grand reopening lively, eclectic affair
Cabildo, Punksuhate, AOK and more contributed to a diverse musical assault amid an expanded, refurbished Founders Brewing environment that sports a new sound system and an eye-pleasing outdoor beer garden.[…]
Grand Haven’s Scott Pellegrom Trio: The Local Spins Artist Spotlight
Led by respected, globe-trotting drummer Scott Pellegrom, the fusion trio creates wondrous, no-holds-barred music. The band, nearing completion of a new studio album, plays Muskegon’s Watermark 920 Friday. (Podcast, video)[…]
ArtPrize’s 17-hour marathon rap by Rick Chyme: ‘It could be crazy’
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[…]
ArtPrize gets even more musical for 2013: ‘Absolutely, music is art’
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[…]
Founders unveils revamped taproom: improved stage and sound, beer garden, second bar (photos)
Founders Brewing Co. mug club members on Sunday got a special preview of the expanded taproom and many liked what they saw — and drank. For those who love[…]
Fallasburg Fest, Eastown Street Fair, Youth Lagoon, Drew Nelson: The Local Spins Weekend Photo Gallery
Football was in the air, but so was music across West Michigan, with performances at outdoor festivals as well as at the usual watering holes, plus the kickoff to Hope[…]
Grand Rapids singer-songwriter Gabrial James: The Local Spins Artist Spotlight (podcast, video)
After hosting an open-mic night for seven years, the acoustic roots performer has established himself as an in-demand solo act across West Michigan. He plays the 40th Eastown Street Fair[…]
Detroit Lions’ secret weapon for 2013: Miley Cyrus? Eminem? Bob Seger? Banning Nickelback?
Calvin Johnson isn’t the only key to success for the Detroit Lions this season: Having the wrong celebrity pop stars make ballyhooed appearances at Ford Field could spell doom for[…]
Wheatland 2013: Roots music stars, devotees spark ‘so much energy’ at ‘amazing festival’ in a Michigan field
Banjo virtuoso Bela Fleck’s first-ever appearance at the historic event was just the icing on the cake for the 40th Wheatland fest, drawing 10,000-plus people to rural Mecosta County for[…]
Wheatland, Gramatik, Celebration on the Grand, Indigo Girls, Big Sandy: Local Spins Weekend Photo Gallery
It started early with The Indigo Girls at Meijer Gardens and continued through the weekend, with throngs revved up by the EDM music of Gramatik at The Intersection and acoustic[…]
Jake Down and The Midwest Mess: The Local Spins Artist Spotlight
Grand Rapids indie-folk singer-songwriter Jake Down and his band are “just having fun and trying to meet people and impact people.” They release their debut EP on Saturday at The[…]
Indigo Girls preach to their choir in lively folk-rock finale to Meijer Gardens series (Review, photos)
Thursday night’s season-ending concert brought Georgia’s Indigo Girls back to one of their favorite Grand Rapids haunts, with devotees helping pack the sold-out amphitheater. In the annals of Frederik[…]
WYCE kicks off new Wealthy Theatre series with BoDeans, GR native goes viral with ‘Blue Collar’ video, MAJIC announces concert lineup
The early September Local Spins music news roundup is chock full of nuggets, from a new concert series at Wealthy Theatre to a hot music video that pays tribute to[…]
Celebration on the Grand headliner Mid-Life Crisis: The Local Spins Artist Spotlight (Podcast, video)
Blending classic rock favorites with original tunes, Grand Rapids’ Mid-Life Crisis is celebrating its 12th year of “playing music with friends.” In some ways, Mid-Life Crisis may be the[…]
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