Stars such as Mike Frost Project 2.0, Grupo Aye, Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra, Brian Simpson & Jackiem Joyner and Paul Brown & Nate Harasim heated things up in Grand Rapids on Saturday. See the full Sunday schedule here. Read the story and ogle the complete photo gallery.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts
Greensky Bluegrass, Seth Bernard weave ‘magic in the woods’ as Hoxeyville opens
The charming music festival in the Manistee National Forest kicked off the weekend with one of its biggest crowds yet, and another ‘grass-idelic’ display by faves Greensky Bluegrass. Read the round-up of opening night and check out the photo gallery in a Local Spins exclusive.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
Olivia Mainville set to release new album; forms The Aquatic Troupe to tour behind her eclectic folk music
The 50th edition of Local Spins on WYCE spotlighted the Holland singer-songwriter who’s had a fun and turbulent year. Read the story about this talented teen and listen to the radio podcast featuring her band’s in-studio performance.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts
Rockin’ the Paradise: Styx pumps out audience-pleasing Grand Rapids show in ‘magnificent place’
The Midwest classic rock band’s Meijer Gardens debut on Thursday was an arena-styled affair for an exuberant sold-out crowd. Read the review and check out the photo gallery from a picture-perfect evening at the amphitheater.
Concert reviews · Guest Column · Photos
Every Time I Die’s frenetic, crowd-bludgeoning rock: ‘Controlled chaos’ in Grand Rapids
Local Spins takes an inside look at an under-the-radar, mid-week concert that had “bodies flying every which way” thanks to a frenzied Buffalo band hitting its stride. Read the review and check out the wild photo gallery.
Features · Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
Grand Haven’s Walk the Beat to showcase ‘incredible’ regional talent, rocking 30 venues on Saturday
With 60 bands vying to win a grand prize worth $10,000-plus, the Saturday afternoon bonanza of music takes over the lakeshore town. Get details and see how the second annual event has upped the ante.
Features · Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
Hoxeyville festival turns 12; Greensky Bluegrass, Joshua Davis pump up 2015 lineup
“We love us some Hoxey!” One of Michigan musicians’ favorite summer festivals heats up Manistee National Forest this weekend on two stages for three days and 30-plus performances. Starting small all those years ago, Hoxeyville has grown up but remains a “special place” for bands such as Greensky Bluegrass. Check out the full daily lineup.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts
Now That’s What I Call ’90s Music: Eve 6, Better Than Ezra, Sugar Ray, Uncle Kracker relive glory days for Grand Rapids fans
The tour where there’s no place for encores because they play all the hits anyway hit Meijer Gardens on Monday. It was all about nostalgia and ‘flashbacks to high school’ for many. For others, it was just a fun night of sing-alongs. Check out the review and photo gallery.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts
Umphrey’s McGee takes Meijer Gardens, fans to wondrous new places with intensity, face-ripping riffs and The Groove
Sunday showcased a rare alignment of planets: One of Meijer Gardens’ best shows yet with one of Umphrey’s McGee’s best Grand Rapids shows ever, dazzling even newbies with mind-blowing chops and groovy lighting. Read the review and check out the photo gallery from a concert that drew perhaps the wildest crowd in the amphitheater’s history.
Blue Oyster Cult, Craig Morgan, Sparta Celtic Fest, Cowpie Fest, Lyle Lovett, Hannah Rose Graves, Bigfoot Buffalo, The Crane Wives: Weekend Photo Galleries
Festival mania swept across West Michigan this week, along with the usual outdoor and indoor concerts, making this one of summer’s busiest weeks. Much of the action was captured in images at Local Spins. Check out the live music roundup and four — count ’em four — photo galleries.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts
Cowpie Music Fest stampedes out of the gate with dance-sparking Afro Zuma, Mainstays, Macpodz and more regional gems
Despite overcast skies and stray sprinkles, Shagbark Farm’s celebration of regional music launched Friday with a joyful vibe and stellar music, with more to come Saturday. Read the recap of Friday’s opening volley and check out the photos from this unique festival.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Local Spins on WYCE: Linosphere, Tony & Jenny LaJoye plus new music from The Crane Wives, Bigfoot Buffalo, Benray and more
With summer festival season raging, the Aug. 7 edition featured performers from Cowpie Music Fest, plus jazz trumpeter Chris Lawrence with L.A.’s Linosphere and music from new local CDs. Listen to the full podcast and check out the video of Linosphere’s in-studio performance.
Weekend’s best bargain: Kalamazoo’s Fat Guy Fest to uncork 47 bands in four days, showcasing West Michigan punk, much more
Bars of Gold, Bong Mountain, The Reptilian and dozens more will rev up Shakespeare’s Pub for this annual rock fest that’s growing with ‘mesmerizing,’ diverse talent. Read the story about this Kalamazoo event and check out the full schedule.
Features · Live at River City · Podcasts · Videos
The power and soul of Hannah Rose & The GravesTones: Local Spins Live at River City Studios (Video, podcast)
One of West Michigan’s fastest-rising vocal talents and her band spent an electrifying hour at a Grand Rapids studio earlier this summer, playing songs new and old while revealing their special chemistry. Read the story, listen to the interview and watch the riveting video. Only at Local Spins.
Sweet Emotion: Aerosmith delivers seasoned rock ‘n’ roll punch for Grand Rapids fans
The iconic Boston rock band brought 45 years of stage savvy and classic hits to Van Andel Arena with Living Colour. Local Spins reviewer Troy Reimink waxes poetic — in[…]
Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
Fest-ive Michigan weekend awaits: Sparta Celtic Fest, Ribfest, Fat Guy Fest, Farm Fest, Ship & Shore Blues Fest
We’ve already told you about Cowpie Music Festival, but there are way more music fests on tap this weekend, from Kalamazoo to Sparta to Gaylord to New Buffalo. And they cover every genre imaginable, from blues to country to punk to folk to Celtic. Check out the lineups and downloadable schedules at Local Spins.
Diana Krall takes some risks, rewards Grand Rapids audience with eclectic repertoire
The celebrated jazz singer and pianist led a razor-tight band through everything from Irving Berlin to Bob Dylan to Tom Waits at a sold-out, sun-drenched Meijer Gardens amphitheater on Monday. Read Local Spins guest reviewer Lazaro Vega’s take on the show and check out the photo gallery by Tori Thomas.
Features · Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
Cowpie Music Festival to ‘let loose’ on Kent County ranch for two days of ‘joy and fun’
National act Bill Kirchen and local faves Luke Warm & The Not So Hots, Rochelle & The Spoilers, Tony LaJoye Trio, Macpodz, Rootstand, Legal Immigrants, Big Dudee Roo, Afro Zuma and more will light up this weekend’s farm bash. Get the full schedule and details here.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Music for Miles, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Coast Guard Festival, Bennett, Fauxgrass: Weekend Photo Gallery
Whether your tastes ran from the droll Garrison Keillor to the soul of The Temptations and The Soul Syndicate to the rap of ConvoTronics, summer’s music machine kept whirring this week — captured in images at Local Spins.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Local Spins on WYCE: Brother Adams, plus new tracks from Poor Boy Romance, Watching for Foxes, Olivia Mainville, The Crane Wives
Chock full of invigorating new material from local and regional acts, the July 31 edition of Local Spins on WYCE featured an animated in-studio performance by Holland’s Brother Adams and the debut of music from upcoming albums. Listen to the podcast and view the video of Brother Adams unfurling a new song.
The Beach Boys and The Temptations catch nostalgic wave of pop hits for sellout Grand Rapids crowd (Review, photo gallery)
The Beach Boys brought The Temptations along on their return to Meijer Gardens on Friday, with both legendary bands — each led by one original member — churning out familiar summer favorites. Read the recap of the show and check out the photo gallery from a sun-splashed night.
Concert reviews · Features · Photos
Invading The Big Apple: The Crane Wives and The Accidentals serenade Manhattan the same night at different venues
Two of Michigan’s most popular folk-driven acts crossed paths Thursday on tour, playing two New York City clubs within spitting distance of each other in a remarkable coincidence on their tours out East. Local Spins was there to capture it in photos. Check out the full gallery.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Top 10 Lists
ArtPrize and The Avett Brothers: New downtown riverfront venue to host concerts, more during ArtPrize this fall
Tickets for The Avett Brothers’ Oct. 3 concert go on sale next week; the unique, tented ‘Eddy’ venue off Monroe Avenue NW can hold 4,000 and will be part festival, part art project, part food and beer event. The ambitious 11-day affair aims to announce more acts in coming weeks. Read more about it at Local Spins.
Brandi Carlile returns to Meijer Gardens for fan-rousing, euphoric set of the new and classic
Playing for a sold-out amphitheater, the singer-songwriter and opener Anderson East charmed fans with their own compelling original material and some delectable covers. Read the review and view the photo gallery.
Breaking music news · Features
St. Cecilia adds critics’ choice awards to ArtPrize song contest prizes; Joshua Davis to play benefit concert
St. Cecilia Music Center plans to amp up its annual ArtPrize music competition with juried prizes in five categories and a benefit show featuring ‘The Voice’s’ Joshua Davis. Get the details in this Local Spins story.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Oliver Houston: Fun, emotive, indie-punk music with a rambunctious live attitude
The Grand Rapids foursome has operated under the radar for months, but by firing up the house concert and DIY scene, Oliver Houston is a name West Michigan fans are likely to soon know better. Read the story and check out a video from this up-and-coming band.
Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
West Michigan Music Video Roundup: Vox Vidorra, Fauxgrass, AOK, The Outer Vibe, SoundIsRed
Check out the latest visual treats from a diverse bunch of West Michigan bands, all of whom are firing up stages this summer from Grand Rapids to Traverse City to Los Angeles. It’s Local Spins’ version of MTV, only better.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
OneRepublic, Talib Kweli, Bryan Adams, Josh Garrels, Nick Moss: Weekend Photo Gallery
Seasoned and emerging national acts made West Michigan tour stops, but local acts basked in summer’s power, too, including Bennett, Roosevelt Diggs, The Go Rounds, Jim Shaneberger, The Sailor Kicks. Check out all the photos in this weekend’s spectacular photo gallery.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
Local Spins on WYCE: Skankadank live, plus the premiere of tracks by Jimmie Stagger, Bennett, The Sailor Kicks
Local Spins’ latest radio episode spotlighting regional music got soulfully skanky in-studio with Grand Rapids’ Skankadank and boasted a sneak peek into several new local albums. Listen to the entire podcast here.
Features · Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows · Videos
Three nights, three acts you might not know that you really should check out in West Michigan this weekend
The Ragbirds, Josh Garrels and Bill Kirchen might have escaped your notice but they shouldn’t. Local Spins takes a closer look at three shows flying below the radar this week in the Grand Rapids area, with links to their music and videos.
Artist Spotlights · Summer Concerts · Videos
Fiery Grand Rapids electronic duo AOK signs with record label, will play Broomhead Fest and Traverse City Film Festival
AOK’s signing with Hot Capicola Records opens door to a slew of projects, including music video debut for “The Life,” with a vinyl EP to be released and new album in the works. Read the story, check out the video and find out more about this weekend’s expanded Broomhead Art & Music Festival.
Colbie Caillat, Christina Perri, Rachel Platten bring upbeat pop heat to Meijer Gardens
A sun-splashed capacity crowd of devoted West Michigan fans cheered the stars of the “Girls Night Out, Boys Can Come Too Tour” all night long. Read the review and check out the photos by Local Spins’ Taylor Mansen.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Say Anything, Junior Brown, Wayland, The Crane Wives, Bigfoot Buffalo, Jukejoint Handmedowns: Weekend Photo Gallery
Summer heated up this week on the live music front, with national and local acts pumping up West Michigan audiences. And some big names rolled into Meijer Gardens, too, including Pat Benatar, The New Pornographers and Steve Miller. It’s all part of this week’s roundup in the Local Spins Weekend Photo Gallery.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
Saginaw’s Barbarossa Brothers shun sideman role in favor of own harmony-filled, Michigan-bred folk-rock (Story, podcast, video)
Boasting a host of West Michigan connections, the lively Americana-hued trio just released an EP with an album’s worth of material still to come. Check out an exclusive video of a new song performed in the WYCE radio studio and listen to Friday’s entire Local Spins on WYCE show podcast.
Steve Miller Band woos nostalgic Meijer Gardens crowd with blues roots amid threatening skies
With storm clouds gathering, Thursday’s sets by Miller and opener Drew Nelson were moved up. But “The Joker’s” show wasn’t rushed and ended just in time to beat the rain. Read the review and check out the photo gallery.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts
The New Pornographers fill Meijer Gardens with shimmering pop, anti-classic rock affair
Just more than half full, the outdoor amphitheater on Wednesday night resonated with the Canadian band’s unique, effervescent vibe. Check out the Local Spins review by Troy Reimink and photo gallery by Anna Sink.
Pat Benatar doesn’t ‘mess around,’ plays nostalgic greatest hits show (Photo Gallery)
With a sold-out amphitheater on hand, fans at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park on Monday were treated to a jam-packed set of classic rock favorites courtesy of Benatar and guitarist Neil Giraldo. Check out the photo gallery and read a roundup of the show.
Blissfest 2015: From Arlo Guthrie and Gangstagrass to Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers (Local Spins Photo Gallery)
National and regional stars graced several stages at the 35th annual festival southeast of Cross Village, attracting thousands for a weekend of music and art. Check out the Local Spins photo gallery.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Jane’s Addiction, Tyler Farr, Flaming Lips, Kalamazoo Blues Fest, Tonic, Vox Vidorra: Weekend Photo Gallery
From Kalamazoo to Lansing to Grand Rapids, live music took center stage this week with the Tuesday Evening Music Club kickoff, Billy Strings & Don Julin, Nobody’s Darlin’, the season’s first GRAM on the Green show and much more in the mix. Check out the resplendent photo gallery with links to images from concerts by Mat Kearney, Patty Griffin, Mavis Staples and Joshua Davis.
Concert reviews · Local Spins on WYCE · Photos
Joshua Davis exudes down-to-earth demeanor, mix of originals and ‘The Voice’ faves at Grand Rapids show
Joshua Davis and his all-star band of friends delivered a reserved yet poignant concert in the “gorgeous” setting of Fountain Street Church. Check out the review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts
Mavis Staples, Patty Griffin deliver uplifting, ‘sweet harmony soul’ at Meijer Gardens
Although the Grammy-winning singers never took the stage together, their inspiring sets on a gorgeous Thursday night in Grand Rapids oozed “positive vibration.” Check out the Local Spins review and photo gallery.
Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
Blissfest, Kalamazoo Blues Fest, Concert of Colors, Traverse City National Cherry Festival bolster out-state weekend music hoopla
It’s a big weekend for music festivals across Michigan. From Cross Village to Traverse City to Kalamazoo to Detroit, an eclectic blend of national and regional acts are spotlighted to bolster options for those traveling the Great Lakes State. Check out the lineups and details here, with links to schedules.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Joshua Davis ‘coming home’ to Grand Rapids, riding ‘amazing’ wave of national exposure from ‘The Voice’
Friday’s Fountain Street Church concert is one of several high-profile homecoming shows Davis and his band are playing this summer, with a new Davis recording in the offing and solo tours outside Michigan this fall. Read the Local Spins interview.
Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
Bauhaus’ David J gets inspired by Detroit’s ‘real energy’; plans intimate, slightly ‘spooky’ Grand Rapids show Friday with Planet D Nonet
The iconic, genre-defining bassist and songwriter plans to unleash an acoustic-driven, career-spanning show at the Tip Top Deluxe with an innovative Detroit jazz group. Read the intriguing Local Spins interview by Brian J. Bowe.
Features · Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
Lansing’s Common Ground fest boasts hefty Michigan lineup alongside stars Jane’s Addiction, The Band Perry, Snoop Dogg
Well-known regional acts Heartsick, Flint Eastwood, Joshua Davis, Steve Rivers, B. Sykes and more boost the six-day festival that kick off Tuesday. See who else is playing and check out the full Common Ground schedule.
Mat Kearney keeps Meijer Gardens crowd on its feet with engaging pop-rock, backyard cookout vibe
The singer-songwriter and opening act Judah & The Lion connected with the sold-out crowd all night to kick off the week amid gorgeous weather, leaving folks “Dancing in the Dark.” Check out the Local Spins review and photo gallery.
Features · Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
‘Welcoming the World’: Tuesday Evening Music Club launches 2015 series at Meijer Gardens with kinetic world music
Tuesday’s “Family Night” kickoff will feature interactive performances of music and dance by An Dro, Michigan Hiryu Daiko, Leah Ivory & the Rhym Life Collective, Igor Houwat and more. See the full series schedule for 2015.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Doobie Brothers, Pink Martini, The Legal Immigrants, Nathan Kalish & The Lastcallers: Weekend Photo Gallery (June 30-July 5)
The weather cooperated beautifully during the holiday week for shows large and small, including sets by Mid-Life Crisis, Rusty Wright Band and bands at the Fourth of July celebration downtown. Check out the full photo gallery at Local Spins.
Features · Playlists · Upcoming shows · Videos
Rolling Stones ‘feel like kids’ on current tour and have ‘never sounded better’: Keyboard player Chuck Leavell
In an interview from the road, the band’s longtime keyboardist talks to Local Spins about the current U.S. tour and playing the classics at sold-out shows, and even offers up his 11 favorite Rolling Stones songs of all time. Find out what he views as the highlights from the tour and what he considers the greatest rock song of all time.
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