It’s Labor Day: Do you know how little your favorite local musician or band is probably being paid? Pipe in with your own experiences, comments. On Labor Day 2013,[…]
Reverend Horton Heat, La Famiglia, Don Campbell, The Muteflutes: The Weekend Photo Gallery
Things rockabilly’d their way into the Labor Day holiday weekend, with a rollicking show at The Pyramid Scheme, not to mention blasts of folk-rock, indie-rock, hip-hop and, yes, Dan Fogelberg.[…]
Rootsy Grand Rapids singer-songwriter John Sanger: The Local Spins Artist Spotlight
Whether fronting The Sanger Brothers Band or flying solo, the Holland native plays with confident passion. He’s currently at work on a new studio album; get a sneak peek here[…]
Smokey Robinson delivers nostalgic slice of Motown at Meijer Gardens
After a crowd-pleasing opening set by Grand Rapids’ own Serita’s Black Rose, the legendary soul singer and his nine-piece band retraced some of Motown’s greatest hits. (Review, photo gallery) […]
Tuesday Evening Music Club’s upbeat 2013 finale: Ralston Bowles and a cast of characters
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park’s last local and regional spotlight concert of the summer had Grand Rapids’ iconic singer-songwriter reveling musically with help from a bevy of his pals.[…]
Brad Fritcher + trois shake up ‘living art form’ and push the jazz envelope
The emerging band featuring students from Grand Valley State University and Grand Rapids Community College already has released an impressive modern jazz debut album, with some high-profile performances ahead. […]
Polish Harvest Fest, Backyard Bourbon & BBQ, ZZ Top, Kelsey Rottiers, Lyle Lovett: Local Spins Weekend Photo Gallery
Reveling in the final vestiges of summer, West Michigan concertgoers had plenty of live music to wallow in — from Rock the Rapids at Fifth Third Ballpark to polka parties[…]
Lyle Lovett does it again: Eighth straight sellout Meijer Gardens show charms fans (Review, photos)
Lyle Lovett and His Large Band delivered Large Musical Fun on Saturday as Meijer Gardens’ de facto “house band” returned to the amphitheater to enchant a West Michigan audience on[…]
ZZ Top brings Texas blues-rock sizzle, flair and, yes, those beards, to ignite Rock the Rapids throng
The little ol’ band from Texas, joined by Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Grand Rapids’ own Junior Valentine, closed out the three-day festival at Fifth Third Ballpark with a truckload of[…]
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
ArtPrize Musicians’ Showcase returns for 2013 to boost third annual song competition
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. […]
Grand Haven singer and guitarist Vincent Hayes: The Local Spins Artist Spotlight (Podcast, video, photos)
With a muscular new album, “The Grind,” being released this week, the award-winning West Michigan singer-songwriter talks about his evolving musical approach and being true to his vision. Vincent[…]
Daughtry at Rock the Rapids, Michael McDonald at Meijer Gardens: The Local Spins Photo Gallery
A splendid mid-week summer evening offered up two completely different musical vibes — with vastly different audiences — at separate outdoor shows in the Grand Rapids area. Call it[…]
Thompson Square puts spurs to Rock the Rapids on opening night for cowboy boot-sporting crowd
A hot August night at Fifth Third Ballpark greeted Thompson Square, Drake White and Brett Eldredge as Rock the Rapids launched its three-day festival. On tap Wednesday: Daughtry. Thursday: ZZ[…]
Harmonica blowout: Grand Rapids Harmonica Summit at Wealthy Theatre showcases blues harp stars
Dennis Gruenling, Joe Filisko, Jim Liban, Nick Moss, Doug Deming and Hank Mowery blow in for Thursday’s show that pays tribute to Little Walter and benefits Blue Star Connection. See[…]
GRandJazzFest, Jackyl, Wayland, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Michigan Mafia String Band: The Local Spins Weekend Photo Gallery
GRandJazzFest with regional and national acts took over downtown Grand Rapids, but there was plenty more live music to embrace, too. (Photos, video) Q: How does a jazz musician[…]
Rock the Rapids gives boost to local stars while trumpeting ZZ Top, Daughtry, Thompson Square
West Michigan’s Jessica Price Band and Junior Valentine will share the Fifth Third Ballpark stage with national headliners as part of the three-day music festival that kicks off Tuesday. […]
Grand Rapids jazz pianist Steve Talaga: The Local Spins Artist Spotlight (podcast, video)
The award-winning keyboard player, composer and co-leader of the Mind’s Eye modern jazz quartet has become an in-demand musician amid West Michigan’s lively jazz scene, which includes this weekend’s GRandJazzFest.[…]
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy really do that swing voodoo that they do so well in Meijer Gardens show
The zoot-suited California swing-meisters returned to the outdoor amphitheater with impressive opener Andy Frasco for a sold-out show that had many tripping the light fantastic. (Review, photo gallery) If[…]
West Michigan guitarist and singer Jack Leaver: The Local Spins Artist Spotlight
With re-emergence of the alt-country band, The Dushanes, Leaver is juggling a robust performance schedule while eyeing new band and solo recording projects. (Podcast, video) He’s one of music’s[…]
Expanded GRandJazzFest to spotlight seasoned stars and up-and-coming young jazz musicians
In its second year, the downtown festival adds another day of music, touts headliners Nick Colionne and Phil Denny, and gives a boost to West Michigan jazz stars of the[…]
Owl City perches at sold-out Meijer Gardens and proves young fans do give a hoot (and lots of squeals)
Touring behind a new EP, the synthpop outfit led by Minnesota singer-songwriter Adam Young attracted a large, young and exuberant crowd in its Meijer Gardens debut. (Review, photo gallery) […]
Sparta Celtic Festival, Lo Mobb, Randy Newman, 13th Hour: The Local Spins Weekend Photo Gallery
If August Michigan weather gets any better than this, Local Spins hasn’t seen it. Bracing musical performances just added to the picturesque glory as evidenced by the Weekend Photo Gallery.[…]
Road warriors Nathan Kalish, The Deadstring Brothers: The long and winding rock ‘n’ roll road
Grand Rapids’ Nathan Kalish, drummer for the Michigan-bred Deadstring Brothers, has averaged five shows a week in 2013, crisscrossing the U.S. and Europe. And that hard work may be paying[…]
Randy Newman’s piano-powered social satire delights mellow but appreciative Meijer Gardens crowd
The Grammy- and Academy Award-winning songwriter made his Meijer Gardens debut on Thursday, playfully skewering politicians, Hollywood, himself and well, music, at a Steinway grand piano. (Review, photo gallery) […]
Grand Rapids folk trio Bennett: The Local Spins Artist Spotlight
With sibling-like harmonies, Bennett’s “natural, real” approach has caught fire in West Michigan, with the band releasing a new single later this month and a new EP this fall. (Podcast,[…]
The B.O.B. launches weekly ‘country night’ in downtown Grand Rapids
Citing the need to “switch things up” on the entertainment front, country bands have been booked for Fridays inside Crush through the end of the year. Saddle up: The[…]
The Koh Kohs say Aloha; Grand Rapids’ Phil Stancil and Midnight Faces get some national love
Grand Rapids music news for early August sees the relocation of a popular indie-folk band’s founders to Hawaii and a promising pop debut for a former Potato Moon-ite who’s also[…]
John Butler Trio, Grizzly Bear, The Soil & The Sun, GR Soul Club: The Local Spins Weekend Photo Gallery
Unseasonably cool for early August, conditions were nearly perfect to soak up live music outdoors — and even indoors — in the Grand Rapids area, ending with WLAV-FM’s big 40th[…]
Grizzly Bear roars in prog-folk fashion for small-but-enthused Meijer Gardens audience
The New York indie-rockers flashed alluring three-part harmonies and top-drawer instrumental virtuosity for the concert series’ smallest crowd of the summer. (Review, photo gallery) There were moments Saturday night[…]
John Butler Trio turns up the musical heat to fire up Meijer Gardens crowd
On a cool August night, things got so hot at the Grand Rapids amphitheater that fans were leaping on stage and getting escorted off by security guards. Talk about rocking[…]
The Weekend Bucket List: 10 West Michigan shows worth catching
August’s opening salvo of live music in the Grand Rapids area heats up with Orquesta Tradicion, John Butler Trio, Grizzly Bear, Fly Moon Royalty, Loverboy, Mark Farner and an unusual[…]
Beach Boys ‘Do It Again’ at Meijer Gardens, covering a half-century of summer strains
The temperature wasn’t exactly California hot, but the sun was out and Mike Love yet again led this New Millennium version of The Beach Boys through a passel of surfin’[…]
Grand Rapids indie-folk band Antrim Dells: The Local Spins Artist Spotlight
With recent release of their hauntingly beautiful debut album, members of West Michigan’s Antrim Dells put vocals at the forefront of their engaging, poetic music. (Podcast, video) Antrim Dells[…]
Steve Martin, Steep Canyon Rangers, Edie Brickell get funny, picky and jaw-dropping at Meijer Gardens
On a cool July night, Martin’s second sold-out show at the outdoor Grand Rapids amphitheater in two years had the crowd chortling and mesmerized with help from Brickell and a[…]
Steve Martin knows it’s no laughing matter: The banjo is now for hipsters
With Grammy-winning banjo star/comedian Steve Martin playing a sold-out show at Meijer Gardens, this Local Spins Sunday feature takes a look at why young folk, pop and jam-band musicians are[…]
‘Total Shock’: DAAC forced to close, but plans huge final July 30 blowout show with Frontier Ruckus, others
The Division Avenue Arts Collective is suddenly being evicted, but other venues may step in to host some shows. The volunteer-run group seeks community support and advice to continue its[…]
Chris Isaak, Kelsey Rottiers charm the house at Meijer Gardens: The Local Spins Photo Gallery
Chris Isaak and his band once again brought their entertaining retro-brand of rock ‘n’ roll to Meijer Gardens on Thursday, with Grand Rapids singer-songwriter Kelsey Rottiers opening the show. (Review,[…]
The Bangups’ two-man rock ‘n’ roll assault: The Local Spins Artist Spotlight (video, podcast)
With its sophomore “Hellcat!” album, the Grand Rapids duo has honed its sound with designs on taking the world by the throat, starting with Saturday’s hometown CD-release show at The[…]
Todd Wolfe’s blues-rock journey, from Sheryl Crow to solo triumphs, travails: The Local Spins interview
With a new studio album set for release next month, The Todd Wolfe Band brings its rigorous national tour to Grand Rapids’ Tip Top Deluxe on Friday. More than[…]
The Intersection’s first-ever “Rock the Lot” outdoor concerts kick off this weekend
Country’s Chase Rice, Union Guns and Shelagh Brown play the parking lot next to the nightclub on Friday, with the Mega ’80s moving in for Saturday’s affair. It’s been[…]
Grace Potter & the Nocturnals turn Meijer Gardens into an inspiring, rock ‘n’ roll revival show
The singer and multi-instrumentalist’s second show at the outdoor amphitheater proved to be as triumphant as her first appearance there in 2012. (Review, photo gallery) I’ve often endeavored to[…]
City Lights, The Crane Wives, Peter Bradley Adams, Rick Chyme, AOK: The Local Spins Weekend Photo Gallery
Steaming hot music added to the steamy hot weather at City Lights Music Festival, Taste of Grand Rapids and Meijer Gardens, with a few hot indoor shows such as GRAM[…]
Grand Rapids singer-songwriter Nidal: The Local Spins Artist Spotlight
With three albums under his belt the past two years, the prolific artist has emerged as a solo artist to watch in West Michigan. (Podcast, video) Grand Rapids singer-songwriter[…]
Steve Miller Band, Lucas Wilson bring rock luster to Meijer Gardens amphitheater
Steve Miller’s return to Meijer Gardens found a receptive, sold-out crowd for his big hits and gave a Grand Rapids singer-songwriter some welcome exposure. (Photo gallery) Perennial sellouts at[…]
Grand Rapids’ Stolen Horses: The Local Spins Artist Spotlight
The hard-gigging West Michigan country band gets inspiration from the likes of Waylon Jennings and Don Williams, but ups the ante with its own revved-up musical style. (Video, podcast) […]
Harry Connick Jr. turns up the jazz heat at steamy Meijer Gardens concert
With help from a 13-piece band, the jazz singer and pianist brought boatloads of New Orleans sunshine, charm and musical virtuosity for his first-ever show at the outdoor Grand Rapids[…]
City Lights Music Festival aims to pump up EDM fans in downtown Grand Rapids
Bright Lights, Big City: The electronic dance music festival returns this weekend to Calder Plaza with the likes of Dinka, Krafty Kuts, DJ Kalendr and SuperDre. By Mary Mattingly[…]
Cowpie Music Festival pulls the plug for 2013; eyes return next summer
After booking more than a dozen bands for the Aug. 9-10 event, Shagbark Farm owner John Crissman says organizers “just couldn’t climb the mountain” to proceed with this year’s festival.[…]
Moxie Strings, Mastodon, Old Crow Medicine Show, Joe Hertler: The Local Spins Weekend Photo Gallery
This weekend’s Local Spins Weekend Photo Gallery covers the gamut of live music from Lansing to Grand Rapids to the lakeshore. The summer string thing can take many forms:[…]
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