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[…]
Marshall Crenshaw: Michigan-bred singer-songwriter remains an independent rock/pop force
Marshall Crenshaw brings his Midwest tour to Grand Rapids’ Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill on Sunday. Read the exclusive LocalSpins.com interview. Marshall Crenshaw wonders why we don’t see[…]
Tommy Castro, Walter Trout, Kelly Richey, Nick Moss, Sena Ehrhardt part of 2013 Blues on the Mall lineup
Kicking off on June 12 with Castro, the WLAV Budweiser Blues on the Mall series returns with free Wednesday shows at Rosa Parks Circle in downtown Grand Rapids. See the[…]
The reinvention of West Michigan singer-songwriter Brian Vander Ark: The Local Spins Artist Spotlight
The Verve Pipe frontman has covered a lot of ground, from rock stardom to a solo singer-songwriter who’s turned house concerts into an art form. He plays Grand Rapids’ Wealthy[…]
Breaking music news · Concert announcements
Billy’s Lounge to kick off new jazz night; HopCat’s Sunday blues jams come to an end
Grand Rapids pianist Steve Talaga will host Tuesday jazz jams at the Eastown club starting June 4; HopCat unplugs guitarist Jimmie Stagger’s weekend blues nights; West Michigan Blues Society won’t[…]
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[…]
Free summer concerts: The Local Spins round-up of Grand Rapids’ outdoor live music options
Michigan music for free: It’s everywhere this summer, from jazz to rock to blues. Check out schedules for weekly summer series in the Grand Rapids area here at LocalSpins.com. […]
Buses by the Beach, Liz Longley, Quinn & Tuite’s 500th Open-Mic Night: Local Spins Weekend Photo Gallery
Memorial Day weekend heated up nicely in the Grand Rapids area with some uncommon concerts — outdoors at a Buses by the Beach benefit in West Olive, indoors at Quinn[…]
The inventive folk-pop of Grand Rapids’ Ribbons of Song: The Local Spins Artist Spotlight
Singer-songwriter Ben Scott-Brandt’s unusual new Ribbons of Song project, “Waterbugs,” gets previewed in some inspiring ways: in-studio on Local Spins Live and in an outdoor pre-release performance Sunday. (Podcast, video)[…]
Pat Carroll’s ‘Glow in the Dark’: Earthwork artists rally around Kalamazoo singer’s epic music
West Michigan musician’s compelling new album released as he awaits a double lung transplant at Cleveland Clinic. Starting with the lonely drone of a violin, Pat Carroll’s journey through[…]
Grand Rapids rock band Devin & The Dead Frets: The Local Spins Live Artist Spotlight (video, podcast)
With an endearingly ragged, bluesy rock sound, The Dead Frets will celebrate release of a self-titled debut during a Founders Brewing show. But before that, they revved up Local Spins[…]
Quinn & Tuite’s to celebrate 500th open-mic night in Grand Rapids with special Friday show
For a decade, the Friday night sessions have been a tradition at the Grand Rapids pub, so this week’s milestone show will feature bands such as The Willeys and Significant[…]
ArtPrize song competition returns with $10,000 in prizes from St. Cecilia Music Center: Register by June 6
For the second year in a row, cash prizes will be offered to song contest winners in five categories during ArtPrize; new “busking stations” will spotlight live music. Hailing[…]
Asking Alexandria, World Fiddle Day, The Mines, Jim Shaneberger, Bob Dylan and 1969 tributes: The Local Spins Weekend Photo Gallery
Grand Rapids music makers — playing the Bona-Who? fest, Active Commute Week Celebration, tribute show and World Fiddle Day — ruled the roost, with a British metalcore assault from Asking[…]
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[…]
Phantom Ivory among up-and-coming teen bands rocking Saturday’s Bona-Who? festival
Three emerging bands and several young solo performers will rub elbows with veterans such as Wallace Collective and Conklin Ceili Band at day-long festival and pig roast near Cedar Springs.[…]
The debut of Grand Rapids’ Jim Shaneberger Band: The Local Spins Artist Spotlight
Veteran well-known bassist and guitarist Jim Shaneberger unveils a bluesy new band on Friday and celebrates his solo album debut in June. (Podcast, video) Jim Shaneberger will never forget[…]
Ted Nugent, REO, Styx, Ralston pump up Grand Rapids fans: The Local Spins Photo Gallery
Michigan music fans welcomed The Motor City Madman back to his home state Tuesday at Van Andel Arena, with REO Speedwagon and Styx in tow. The most unusual twist: Grand[…]
Breaking music news · Features
Michigan Stage Monitor: Limp Bizkit, The Breeders, Traverse City blues and other Mitten music news
Michigan music news this week ranges from a feature on Traverse City’s Peter, Paul & Mary Remembered to an interview with The Breeders to a limp Limp Bizkit, performing in[…]
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[…]
Features · Photos · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Bimini Brothers, Hannah Rose Graves, Jamey Johnson, Deadstring Brothers, Nathan Kalish: The Local Spins Weekend Photo Gallery
As volatile and diverse as this week’s weather, photo images of the Grand Rapids area’s live music ranged from the alt-country power of Nathan Kalish to the ribald antics of[…]
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[…]
Features · Photos · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Wayland, Cinco de Mayo celebration, Wallace Collective, Drew Nelson, Chain of Lakes: The Local Spins Weekend Photo Gallery
May’s first weekend generated photos of a generous mix of live music: Cinco de Mayo, Drew Nelson, Tommy Womack, Wayland, Attack! Attack!, Wallace Collective, Chain of Lakes, Michigan Mark Depree.[…]
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[…]
Dead Prez, Amy LaVere, Van Morrison Experience, Amy Speace: The Local Spins Weekend Photo Gallery
Hip-hop, rock, Americana, rockabilly, bluegrass, folk and a Prince/MJ dance party: With spring weather springing, West Michigan heated up with an eclectic blend of live music, shared in images at[…]
Breaking music news · Concert announcements
Dwight Yoakam cancels summer concert at Meijer Gardens
The country star won’t be making his first-ever appearance at the Grand Rapids amphitheater because he’ll be filming a mini-series. Make that 29 concerts. Country artist Dwight Yoakam has[…]
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[…]
Grand Rapids music heats up with Bernie Worrell, Bobbie McFerrin, Stray Birds, Larry McCray, Record Store Day: The Local Spins Weekend Photo Gallery (photos, videos)
From blues celebrations in Grand Rapids and Grand Haven to rock-fueled Record Store Day performances, it was an unseasonably wintry weekend when live music prevailed … and caught in photos[…]
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[…]
Rick Beerhorst @ The Musicians’ Soundboard: Artists taking risks energize Grand Rapids’ music scene
Artist, musician and visionary Rick Beerhorst has witnessed a multitude of changes in Grand Rapids’ music community over 30 years. And in this Spins on Music guest column, he makes[…]
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[…]
Clutch, Donna the Buffalo, Jake’s Music Festival, Blue Molly, Hatebreed: Weekend Photo Gallery
Diversity reigned yet again — from local to national, from metal to blues to alt-rock — as evidenced by photos shared at Spins on Music. (Photos, videos) Winter refused[…]
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[…]
Meijer Gardens: The 12 best concerts of the summer series’ first decade
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture park has hosted 10 seasons of summer concerts at its outdoor amphitheater; the 2013 series gets announced later this week. Here’s Spins on Music Top[…]
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[…]
Rocktagon Throwdown, Crane Wives, Koh Kohs, Ana Popovic: Spins on Music Weekend Photo Gallery
Diversity reigned around Grand Rapids during April’s opening salvo: singer-songwriter intensity (Josh Rose), heavy alt-rock (Uncommon Road), indie-rock (Desert Noises), Celtic charm (An Dro) and more, captured in images. For[…]
Kid Rock soars in Grand Rapids: The Spins on Music photo gallery
One of Michigan’s favorite native sons pumped up a sellout crowd during his concert at Grand Rapids’ Van Andel Arena on Wednesday night, part of his Rebel Soul Tour 2013.[…]
Breaking music news · Features · Upcoming shows
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[…]
Deadwood Stone, Mustard Plug, Rachael & Dom, Seth & May, Veloras, Fuzzrites, Bill Staines, more: The weekend’s live music in photos
It began with inspiring folk in a classical music setting and rocked on at Billy’s Lounge, Tip Top, Stone House Recording, Intersection, Pyramid Scheme and Wealthy Theatre Annex, evidenced by[…]
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