The high cost of show tickets and concessions has become a major obstacle for concertgoers in 2026. See what it costs to attend a typical show and view reader comments on their experiences.
Dave Matthews Band breaks free on Night 1; Father John Misty cleans up (Reviews, photos)
Tuesday saw the first of two Dave Matthews Band shows at Acrisure Amphitheater with Father John Misty playing GLC Live at 20 Monroe. The reviews, photos and set lists at Local Spins.
Blissfest ’26 poised for ‘quintessential Michigan summer experience’ with packed weekend
Galactic, Original Wailers, Infamous Stringdusters, Theo Katzman, Larry McCray, Joe Hertler and more will heat up the northern Michigan festival starting Friday. The preview and schedule at Local Spins.
Concert Recaps · Festivals · Photos · Videos
Sunday Soirees: A Latvian dance extravaganza and Jack Johnson does it ‘Better Together’
The holiday weekend ended with an impressive Latvian Song & Dance Festival finale at Van Andel Arena and Jack Johnson’s tour stop at Acrisure Amphitheater. Get the recaps, videos, photos at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Latvian jubilees, Weird Al’s parodies vitalize the holiday weekend: Recaps, photos
Fourth of July fireworks weren’t limited to the skies over Michigan: Plenty of dazzling salvos took place on stages, too, covered in words, photos and videos at Local Spins — including Sister Hazel, Black Country, New Road and more.
Freedom at 250: The Ultimate ‘Freedom Rocks’ Independence Day Playlist
America’s 250th birthday today means this country has embraced — and protected — its freedom for a very long time. So feel “free” to pump up the volume on this “Freedom Rocks” playlist, from Damian Marley and Billy Strings to Pitbull and Beyonce.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Summer Festivals
Resurrection Blues Band rejuvenates blues in singular, eclectic, spirited vein
Local Spins spotlights the SW Michigan band playing the Kalamazoo Blues Fest, plus debuts tracks by Billy Strings, Sosohifi, Funderbird, Grace Theisen, Chirp, Lee Fayssoux and more. And view the blues festival schedule, along with ticket details.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
Latvian song festival’s stirring GR kickoff; Matteo Bocelli’s powerful pop balladry
One of the hottest days of the year couldn’t keep thousands from celebrating the Latvian Song & Dance Festival downtown or the popular singer’s Meijer Gardens debut on Thursday. The recaps and photos at Local Spins.
Hot Night: Guess Who rolls out the hits; St. Paul & The Broken Bones deliver blistering set
Grand Rapids boasted a twin bill of high-profile concerts on a high-temperature night with The Guess Who at Acrisure Amphitheater and St. Paul & The Broken Bones at Meijer Gardens. Check out the reviews, browse the photos.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Surfer, philanthropist, acoustic rocker Jack Johnson bringing ‘Surfilmusic’ tour to GR
After releasing a new documentary about his life and pursuits earlier this year, Jack Johnson’s U.S. tour stops Sunday at Acrisure Amphitheater. The Local Spins interview by Bill Forman.
Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
Electric Forest Highlights: Deep-woods grooves, headliner heat and a storm-paused finale
Although the final day brought tragic and rainy notes, Electric Forest 2026 delivered plenty of outstanding performances and memory-making gems. The recap, photos and video highlights.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Latvian Song & Dance Festival set to take over Grand Rapids with ‘rich culture and traditions’
The mammoth festival unfurling this week in West Michigan for the first time boasts dozens of concerts and events at multiple venues. Local Spins has the preview and schedule.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Little Feat steps out in GR for final time, plus Smiling Acres, Charley Crockett, more (Recaps)
Our weekend roundup of concerts/festivals starts with the iconic Little Feat’s musical feats of strength at Meijer Gardens, followed by a host of fan-pleasing shows, including Charley Crockett, Pepper & The Movement, The Expendables and more from Smiling Acres Music Festival. Browse the photos.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Canadian hitmakers The Guess Who feeling ‘surreal,’ takin’ it back on concert circuit
Singer Burton Cummings and guitarist Randy Bachman have reunited for the tour that stops at Grand Rapids’ Acrisure Amphitheater on Wednesday. The Local Spins interview with Bachman.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
Billy Strings shreds in Charlotte, Smiling Acres gets happy, Darius does downtown: Recaps
Local Spins has the scoop on weekend music festival action with coverage of the opening day of Smiling Acres Music Festival in Trufant and a guest appearance by Billy Strings at the Charlotte Bluegrass Festival, with a photo gallery from Darius Rucker’s Acrisure Amphitheater debut. More concert recaps to come on Sunday.
Local Spins on WYCE · Photos · Podcasts
Radio’s Festival Frolic: From GRiZ & Caitlin Cusack to On the Lash & 496 West
Local Spins’ latest Michigan Music Showcase features stars playing late June festivals as well as new music from Katie Greene, Lost at Ease, The Monkbirds, Adrian Jay Mitchell, a live track from Grupo Aye and more.
Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
Electric Forest 2026 Opening Day: Sunshine, thunderous music & ‘getting lost in the magical’
The opening salvo of another Electric Forest at Double JJ Resort in Rothbury was chock full of the usual electronic music mayhem while oozing that singular Forest camaraderie. Recap, photos, video.
Larkin Poe, The Record Company uncork ‘beautiful day for rock ‘n’ roll’ in GR
The bands made their Meijer Gardens debut amid cloudy skies on Wednesday, delivering guitar-heavy strains to the amphitheater. The review and photos.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Charlotte Bluegrass Festival buzzing with stars young and old, Del McCoury to Gavin Conley
After Billy Strings pumped up the 2025 event, one of the state’s longest-running music festivals returns this week with more gems, including Dan Tyminski, Full Cord and more. Get the lowdown on this hoedown.
Artist Spotlights · Festivals · Upcoming shows · Videos
High Energy: Bermudu Divstūris, Apvedceļš eager to amp up GR’s Latvian Song Festival
The wildly popular Latvian bands will play the United States for the first time at GLC Live at 20 Monroe as part of the early July song, dance and cultural festival. The lowdown at Local Spins, along with ticket links and music videos.
Looking for the Perfect Beat · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows · Videos
Electric Forest set to sizzle with GRiZ, Kaskade, Shpongle, Claude VonStroke: The Year 14 Guide
Local Spins’ Looking for the Perfect Beat columnist Todd Ernst once again outlines his must-see picks for the Rothbury festival along with tips on how to make Electric Forest a top-shelf experience.
Incandescent, internationally flavored Pink Martini toasts perfect evening
The globe-trotting “little orchestra” enchanted an upbeat Meijer Gardens crowd with impeccable instrumentation and vocalists who included renowned radio journalist Ari Shapiro. Review, photos.
Concert Recaps · Photos · Summer Festivals
Buttermilk Jamboree revels in stunning weather, powerful sets: Recap, photos
Days 2 and 3 of the music festival that unfolded last weekend at Circle Pines Center south of Grand Rapids had plenty of highlights. Get the recap and photos at Local Spins.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows · Videos
Smiling Acres set to overflow ‘with confidence, love, affirmation’ and robust 2026 lineup
The annual music festival rife with Michigan acts rolls out again Friday through Sunday in Trufant, 36 miles northeast of Grand Rapids. Get the preview and details at Local Spins.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows · Videos
Historic Idlewild to host weekend festival rife with soul, jazz and a cappella mastery
The “Live at Idlewild” festival unfurling June 27-28 in Idlewild will star Kindred the Family Soul, Take 6, Stanley Jordan, Alexander Zonjic, Angela Davis, Larry Lee, 496 West and more. The scoop at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Tash Sultana paints masterpiece at the Gardens, plus GR Pride Fest, Spafford & more
This weekend roundup covers a lot of territory: Tash Sultana, GR Pride Festival, Spafford, Hank Mowery, Rachel Brooke — all captured in images at Local Spins.
Festivals · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
Buttermilk Jamboree 2026 Day 1 fuels musical traditions that span generations
Summer Festivals like Buttermilk Jamboree have become annual traditions for families, friend groups and more over the years by creating a strong sense of community through music, workshops and collaborative jam sessions. Opening day, photos, video and review at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows
Full Cord calls on ‘ripper’ Billy Strings for new singles with hectic summer touring ahead
The veteran West Michigan bluegrass band reunited with pal Billy Strings in the studio for a special session. Listen to the first single and fresh tracks from other Michigan artists, including Jack Droppers, Mac Saturn, Greg Nagy, Checkered Lilies, Pablo Eskobear and more.
Artist Spotlights · Summer Festivals · Videos
From Red Rocks to Electric Forest: String Cheese Incident still revels in fan-inciting jams
Electric Forest fires up in Rothbury on Thursday (June 25) and once again, The String Cheese Incident will serve as the festival’s unofficial ‘house band.’ The interview at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts · Videos
Billy Strings joins Trey Anastasio at Meijer Gardens; ‘Starman’ MGK soars at Acrisure
Wednesday’s Grand Rapids double-header of high-profile shows featured a powerhouse rapper at a new amphitheater and a jam-band hero with a bluegrass superstar at Meijer Gardens. The recaps of both shows with photos at Local Spins.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
With top-notch lineup, Buttermilk Jamboree poised for ‘really special, beautiful’ weekend
The 2026 music festival rolls out Friday through Sunday at Delton’s Circle Pines Center with a who’s who roster of Michigan stars. Get the lowdown and schedule at Local Spins.
Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue regale Michigan fans with NOLA jazz, funk
The multi-instrumentalist and Meijer Gardens mainstay delivered familiar favorites and a few surprises Monday to an appreciative amphitheater of fans, with Tank & The Bangas getting things started. The review and photos at Local Spins.
Santana, Doobie Brothers rock nostalgia in impressive fashion at Acrisure Amphitheater
The stars were out Monday in Grand Rapids, with Santana and The Doobie Brothers heating up a gorgeous night at Acrisure Amphitheater for a near-capacity crowd. The review and photos at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Tank & The Bangas set to uncork New Orleans vibe, poetry, ‘good time’ in Grand Rapids
Touring behind a brand new album, “The Last Balloon,” Tank & The Bangas open tonight for Trombone Shorty at Meijer Gardens. The Local Spins Q&A with this electrifying band.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
GridLife Festival, Pattie Gonia, N. Miss. All Stars and More: Concert Photo Roundup
An incredibly hectic week of live music continued through the weekend, from South Haven to Kalamazoo to Grand Rapids. Browse all of the images at Local Spins.
Wilco flourishes in Meijer Gardens debut while unfurling career-spanning set
The three-hour show on Friday night came amid ideal, sunny weather, with the diverse Chicago band playing more than 30 songs over two sets — from 1995’s “Box Full of Letters” to 2024’s
Annihilation.”. The review and photos at Local Spins.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Summer Concerts
Michigan stars finding all-ages jubilation at free outdoor summer concerts
Today’s Local Spins Michigan Music Showcase radio podcast explores fresh tracks by local and regional artists playing outdoor shows across the state this summer. Check out music by Rachel Brooke, Jabo Bihlman, Kyle Brown, Luke Winslow-King, Rebekah Jon, Just Magnetic, Ben Daniels Band and more.
The Beths ‘Take’ GR by storm, plus Devon Allman, Arcadian Wild, PHABIES & more
The New Zealand indie-rockers made a tour stop Wednesday at The Big Room, part of an early week flurry of concerts from Paw Paw to Kalamazoo to Rockford. Browse the photo galleries.
Artist Spotlights · Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows · Videos
Santana set to bring legendary music, sound to Grand Rapids with ‘the best cats’ on stage
In a Local Spins interview, lead singer and trombonist Ray Greene takes about his thrilling gig with Santana, which plays Acrisure Amphitheater on Monday with The Doobie Brothers.
Sierra Ferrell inspires ‘American Dreaming’ in floral-bedecked, genre-spanning tour stop
The Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter enchanted a sold-out crowd at Meijer Gardens on Monday. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Summer Concerts
The Wallflowers pay robust homage to ‘Bringing Down the Horse’ & a Tom Petty classic
Sunday’s concert amid gorgeous weather at Meijer Gardens unfurled as a two-album night, with Jakob Dylan and crew performing two iconic LPs straight through. And we had an artist there capture the images.
Concert reviews · Photos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Parker McCollum uncorks ‘best time of the year,’ plus the week’s concert roundup
The country star revved up Grand Rapids’ Acrisure Amphitheater on Saturday. We also sport photos from shows by Dan Rickabus, The Mekons, Kalamazoo Pride Festival and more.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins Rewind
Magical Musicians Revisited: Local Spins’ Top 10 Artist Spotlight Interviews
As we wrap up our 14th anniversary celebration at Local Spins, we highlight a memorable Top 10 list: Our most popular features on regional and national artists, based on readership.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows · Videos
Metro Detroit’s Jill Jack ‘coloring outside the lines’ for diverse new album project
Local Spins spotlights the award-winning singer-songwriter who plays next week’s Nor-East’r festival. We debuts tracks from other Michigan acts, including Lee Emi, Michigander, J. King Crayne and New Troy. Check out this week’s robust radio show podcast and view the schedule for the June 12-14 Nor-East’r Music & Art Festival.
Michigan’s Top Concerts and Festivals for June 2026: The Local Spins List
Scrambling to find definitive lists of upcoming concerts and festivals? Well, Local Spins has your guide to live music in June. And there’s plenty to choose from. Michigan’s top concerts for the month cover a lot of territory musically and geographically.
Tuesday Evening Music Club embraces Motown classics on opening night at Meijer Gardens
The long-running Tuesday series that spotlights local and regional acts attracted a capacity crowd under sunny skies. The recap and photos at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Parker McCollum revels in country music acclaim, latest self-titled album
The award-winning country singer plays Grand Rapids’ Acrisure Amphitheater this weekend. In an interview, writer L. Kent Wolgamott digs into what makes McCollum tick. SCROLL DOWN FOR MUSIC VIDEO[…]
Weezil Malone Band wins regional blues competition at Billy’s Lounge
The band led by veteran blues guitarist and singer Weezil Malone was a late addition to Sunday’s contest, but will now advance to the national competition in Memphis.
Concert Recaps · Weekend Photo Gallery
Russell Dickerson, Redferrin, Cody Johnson, Joe Hertler, Emo Fest & more: Concert Photos
With summer-like weather settling in, national tour stops and regional stars heated up West Michigan venues to close out the month — including Jon Hayes, Saturdays at Your Place and more. Browse all of the photos at Local Spins.
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