With a repertoire of acoustic standards from the 1890s to the 1950s, the Grand Rapids quintet oozes a vintage feel in every performance. Next week, the band plays the Tuesday[…]
West Michigan’s Jazz Musician of the Year Randy Marsh: The Local Spins Artist Spotlight
The hard-gigging Grand Rapids jazz drummer/harmonica player earned the thrill of a lifetime when he was honored earlier this month, the culmination of a journey that began with a brush[…]
Rick Chyme @ The Musicians’ Soundboard: Patience and persistence the lifeblood of true art
Grand Rapids hip-hop artist Rick Chyme knows the importance of patience: He spent three years crafting his new studio album and he cautions fellow musicians that laziness isn’t an option.[…]
David Byrne and St. Vincent blossom in luminous Meijer Gardens concert
The two New York artists with rare musical flair treated the crowd of 1,700 on a muggy night at the amphitheater to a singular show. (Review, photo gallery) “Oh[…]
Montgomery Gentry, Buddy Guy, Vincent Hayes, Wilson, July 4th: The Local Spins Weekend Photo Gallery
Thursday’s Fourth of July bashes kicked off the weekend in explosive style, with performances at Meijer Gardens, Coast West Music Festival, The Intersection, Zellie’s Opry House, The Pyramid Scheme and[…]
Grand Rapids’ Fourth of July spectacle impresses with UV Hippo, Blue Molly, fireworks and more
A throng of 20,000-plus at Ah-Nab-Awen Park, including 80 new U.S. citizens, got an eyeful and earful in a vibrant pre-fireworks show by four bands and the Daredevil Circus. (Video,[…]
West Michigan’s Joey Hyde thrilled to share stage with Montgomery Gentry at Meijer Gardens
Raised in Kentwood, the Nashville-based singer-guitarist returns home for a special show Friday as he prepares to record his first album this summer. EDITOR’S NOTE: Check out photos of[…]
Top 10 Fourth of July rock songs: It’s all about freedom
Local Spins provides a video playlist of rock songs to make you feel free on Independence Day. (Videos) Feeling free. For some that means sitting on the back deck[…]
Umphrey’s McGee celebrates musical independence for exuberant fans in Meijer Gardens show
The virtuosic jam band’s second-ever appearance at the outdoor amphitheater drew a sell-out crowd of mostly 20-somethings who jammed the lower bowl with red, white and blue garb. (Review, photo[…]
UV Hippo’s diverse musical fireworks: The Local Spins Artist Spotlight (video, podcast)
With a new album coming soon, Grand Rapids’ own Ultraviolet Hippopotamus will light up Ah-Nab-Awen Park on the Grand River in downtown Grand Rapids Thursday, just before the Amway Fourth[…]
Pop Evil soars to No.1, Robin Connell launches first jazz night at Lumber Baron Bar, WLAV turns 40 with Loverboy/Mark Farner concert
This week’s Local Spins music news roundup for West Michigan covers the gamut, from chart-topping active hard rock to piano-powered jazz to milestone classic rock. ROBIN CONNELL’S JAZZ AT[…]
Lucas Wilson, Kelsey Rottiers kick off 2013 Tuesday Evening Music Club at Meijer Gardens on Tuesday
Spotlighting regional/local musical talent, the weekly series lights up the amphitheater with genre-spanning bands — another thing that makes Grand Rapids “a cool place to live.” See the full 2013[…]
Electric Forest on Day 4: Greensky Bluegrass does Michigan proud
By kicking up a wildly entertaining bluegrass dust cloud, West Michigan’s own Greensky Bluegrass launched the final day of Electric Forest in Rothbury on an energetic, smile-inducing note. (Photo gallery)[…]
Electric Forest Day 3: More jams, waiting for the bass to drop and, of course, ‘Where’s Carl?’
Thousands attending the four-day Michigan music festival on the Double JJ Resort continued to whoop it up Saturday, with performances on six stages, including The String Cheese Incident and more.[…]
Coast West takes aim at building national music festival on Michigan’s west coast
This week’s upcoming Coast West Music Festival in Muskegon boasts headliners such as O.A.R., Cheap Trick, Chicago, Josh Turner, Buddy Guy, Gregg Allmann and Kris Allen, plus some popular regional[…]
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Electric Forest’s magnetic appeal, String Cheese Incident draw fans from across the land
Day 2 of Electric Forest in Rothbury, Michigan, unleashed headlining homeboys The String Cheese Incident, plenty of EDM glory, and of course, the psychedelically artsy Sherwood Forest. (Photo gallery, videos)[…]
Electric Forest 2013 opens with dirty feet, sweat, dreads, hoops and rain: Day 1 Photo Gallery
At night, the rains came to Rothbury for the opening salvo of Electric Forest, but not before thousands of fans enjoyed bands such as A Tribe Called Red and that[…]
Brandi Carlile, The Lone Bellow turn Meijer Gardens into a musical love-fest (review, photo gallery)
An exuberant, near-capacity crowd of 1,800-plus cheered Carlile and her band’s third appearance at the outdoor amphitheater, with The Lone Bellow winning over fans with an invigorating opening set of[…]
Grand Rapids indie-folk band Chain of Lakes: The Local Spins Artist Spotlight
Chain of Lakes frontman Kyle Rasche creates lush, harmony-driven contemporary folk songs that have earned deserved attention. (Video, podcast) Any number of things can explain why Kyle Rasche immersed[…]
Electric Forest powers escapist weekend with hippies, jams, late-night parties, electronic music and Greensky Bluegrass
Upwards of 20,000 or more concertgoers — along with West Michigan’s own Greensky Bluegrass — will descend on Double JJ Resort in tiny Rothbury for another edition of this singular[…]
Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros light up Kalamazoo’s State Theatre
A capacity West Michigan crowd on Monday cheered the California psychedelic pop/rock ensemble and opener The Giving Tree Band. (Photo gallery) With a new album on the way in[…]
Pink Martini at Meijer Gardens: The Local Spins Photo Gallery and review
Pink Martini’s second appearance at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park on Monday night musically spanned the globe and delighted fans. By Mary Mattingly LocalSpins.com Better late than never.[…]
Thompson Square to headline first day of Rock the Rapids festival
Rock the Rapids announced the last piece of its three-day lineup of headliners: Country duo Thompson Square will play Fifth Third Ballpark in Aug. 20, followed by Daughtry and ZZ[…]
Founders Fest, Los Lobos, Los Lonely Boys, Wynton Marsalis, Hank Mowery, Gunnar & the Grizzly Boys: The Local Spins Weekend Photo Gallery
Things got steamy this weekend as summer kicked into gear with bracing shows at Meijer Gardens, the giant Founders Fest street party and more. (Photos, videos) Not sure what[…]
Alejandro Escovedo, Los Lobos and Los Lonely Boys triple the rock fun at Meijer Gardens (review, photos)
Starting with Alejandro Escovedo’s bracing rock ‘n’ roll show, Los Lonely Boys and Los Lobos had folks dancing into the evening at Meijer Gardens on Friday: The Local Spins review[…]
Wynton Marsalis and orchestra’s tight ‘bubblegum’ jazz at Meijer Gardens vs. Michael Malis Trio’s challenging ‘whiskey’ strut
A gorgeous Thursday for jazz, as the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra regaled a big crowd at Meijer Gardens and Detroit’s Michael Malis Trio a tiny audience at The DAAC.[…]
Grand Rapids bluesman Hank Mowery: The Local Spins Artist Spotlight
Harmonica player and singer Hank Mowery’s new album is a riveting tribute to the late Gary Primich. On Friday at The Stache, he’ll reintroduce the beloved icon’s music to the[…]
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
UV Hippo, Blue Molly, Kris Hitchcock, Three’s a Crowd to fire up Grand Rapids’ Fourth of July celebration
Ultraviolet Hippopotamus’ eclectic and impressive instrumental display part of the free downtown show that will also feature West Michigan-driven blues, country and Top 40/classic rock. With Ultraviolet Hippopotamus, Blue[…]
Breaking music news · Concert announcements
Daughtry, Lifehouse to play Rock the Rapids at Fifth Third Ballpark
Tickets for the Aug. 21 show go on sale Monday. The bands join ZZ Top and Kenny Wayne Shepherd previously announced for the three-day festival. Rock’s Daughtry and Lifehouse[…]
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[…]
Lord Huron, Escondido get groove on with Michigan-bred indie-folk at The Pyramid Scheme
Los Angeles’ Lord Huron and Nashville’s Escondido rocked a loving bunch of Michigan fans on Monday. Despite sound glitches, Local Spins reviewer Tricia Woolfenden found the sold-out Grand Rapids homecoming[…]
Peter Frampton’s Grand Rapids guitar party: Steve Cropper adds star power to Meijer Gardens show
Frampton’s Guitar Circus brought a Big Top of high-profile musicians — Peter Frampton, Steve Cropper, Robert Cray — to the outdoor amphitheater Monday for a tasteful show cut short by[…]
Sheryl Crow soaks up the sun, embraces rock and country vibe at Meijer Gardens show
Sheryl Crow’s first-ever appearance at the outdoor amphitheater featured a wide-ranging set of hits and new country material, plus a pre-show confab with guitarist Peter Frampton. (Review, photo gallery) […]
Buttermilk Jamboree, Gov’t Mule, Rockford Start of Summer Celebration: The Local Spins Weekend Photo Gallery
Summer pumped up this sizzling West Michigan weekend with a cornucopia of bands playing from Grand Rapids to Rockford to the nether reaches of Barry County. (Photos, video) Favorite[…]
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[…]
Gov’t Mule romps in Grand Rapids, unfurls diverse set at Meijer Gardens
For the second year in a row, the Warren Haynes-led Mule fired up devotees with blues-infused favorites and singular covers. (Photo gallery, video) Pandora’s online version of “Gov’t Mule[…]
West Michigan’s Roosevelt Diggs: The Local Spins Artist Spotlight
The Americana quartet that sings about folklore heroes and meshes folk, country, bluegrass, rockabilly and swing will play the Buttermilk Jamboree on Friday. And check out how they got their[…]
The return of Willamena: The Local Spins Artist Spotlight
The West Michigan rock band celebrates its first studio album in nine years and its first concerts in 10 months with a series of Michigan CD-release shows, including Friday at[…]
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[…]
Closed for the summer: Orbit Room goes dark until September
The Grand Rapids nightclub isn’t shutting down, just taking a three-month break amid the flurry of outdoor festivals and summer live music options. For those worried that The Orbit[…]
The Outer Vibe’s Lisa Kacos @ The Musicians’ Soundboard: Fans count so don’t act like spoiled rock stars
After hundreds of successful rock ‘n’ roll gigs, the Grand Rapids trumpet and keyboard player offers some words of advice to local bands: Work hard, and respect your fans and[…]
ZZ Top to headline August’s Rock the Rapids festival at Fifth Third Ballpark
Kenny Wayne Shepherd is also on the Aug. 22 bill. It’s the first show announced for the festival’s return to Comstock Park after two years in downtown Grand Rapids. […]
Grand Rapids’ Festival 2013: The Local Spins Weekend Photo Gallery
As usual, Festival showcased the marvelously eclectic range of Michigan’s musical talent, bringing out huge throngs amid stellar weather. Check out the photos and “A Day in the Life” video[…]
Grand Rapids’ The Bangups go national with wild new music video for ‘Ego Wrecking Ball’
Filmed by Grand Rapids’ Gorilla Pictures at Mulligan’s Pub and a Southwest Side warehouse, the Vans Warped Tour debuts the rock duo’s video today, just ahead of June 25 release[…]
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’ Latin-infused Cabildo: The Local Spins Artist Spotlight
Inspiring dance-happy fans wherever it plays, the eight-piece ensemble will fire up its “cumbia machine” this summer, starting with a Festival performance on Saturday. (Video, podcast) As an international[…]
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[…]
Brandon Muske @ The Musicians’ Soundboard: A love letter to Grand Rapids … and a plea for fans
The support of fellow musicians helps drive Grand Rapids’ music scene. But in this Local Spins guest column, The Wallace Collective’s Muske wonders why audiences for compelling, original live music[…]
B.B. King brings legendary guitar — and lovable personality — to Meijer Gardens for opening night
With West Michigan’s own Vincent Hayes Project getting the party started, the iconic bluesman launched the 2013 concert series amid sunny skies with a veteran band and plenty of audience[…]
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