The celebrated Michigan singer-songwriter’s return to Calvin College in Grand Rapids on Tuesday focused on his latest album and spotlighted his incisive writing. Read the review by Local Spins writer Tricia Woolfenden and check out the photo gallery by Anna Sink.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
Springtime music celebrations get the warm-weather festival ball rolling in West Michigan, with Heaters, The Accidentals and more heating up the Local First bash and northern Kent County’s Bona-Who expanding to two days. Check out the lineups.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements
The rootsy August festival returns to Shagbark Farm in southern Kent County with more than a dozen acts and a ‘Stampede Mud Run,’ too. Check out the Michigan band lineup and details.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
First-time Meijer Gardens acts Gary Clark Jr., The New Pornographers, Patty Griffin are on tap with returnees Steve Miller, Indigo Girls, O.A.R., Bela Fleck and The Doobie Brothers in the mix. Member tickets go on sale April 25. See the entire lineup here.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
The June 20 street party also features Elephant Revival, Gringo Star, Billy Strings & Don Julin, Devin & The Dead Frets, Organissimo and FBC All-Stars. Advance tickets go on sale April 17. Check out the details for one of Grand Rapids’ biggest summer street fests.
Artist Spotlights · Features · Upcoming shows
Update: The internationally acclaimed experimental post-hardcore band from Grand Rapids plays a sold-out show at The Pyramid Scheme on Tuesday night. Read the remarkable story about rock ‘n’ rollers with a mission.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Fun music aplenty. This weekend’s roundup of live music images ranges from The Lacs’ country rap to the Mummies’ funk to Jesse Ray & The Carolina Catfish’s rockabilly to The Go Rounds’ rootsy-but-danceable vibe to Kathy Lamar’s jazz and more. Scan the complete photo gallery.
Midwest Skies, Valentiger, The Legal Immigrants, SoundIsRed, Maybe Next Time, American Wifi and dozens more play the West Ottawa High School weekend festival which showcases the region’s emerging, diverse talent. See — and save — the full schedule.
The early March edition of Local Spins reviews probes regional albums with a pop sheen along with a few that boast truly inventive folk textures. Check out this month’s lineup, along with links for listening to the featured albums.
Playing in front of a capacity crowd at The Pyramid Scheme, New York’s legendary post-punkers led by Michael Gira delivered intense, lengthy and improvisational musical pieces. Read the review by Brian J. Bowe, with photos by Anthony Norkus.
Another weekend of riveting live music photos at Local Spins. This one took the bitter chill off with some big names and hot shows by the likes of Mike Mains & The Branches, Brad Fritcher + trois, Kevin Devine, Flint Eastwood, hi-ker and more.
Unleashing music that’s ‘not exactly typical pop pablum,’ the cutting-edge New York post-punk band with a Detroit connection plays Grand Rapids for the first time on Monday. Read the Local Spins interview by Brian J. Bowe.
Artist Spotlights · Podcasts · Videos
With an intriguing blend of influences, from The Talking Heads to Animal Collective, the emerging West Michigan band whose debut EP was a Jammie Award finalist for best album by a new artist plays The Pyramid Scheme on Friday and is eyeing a follow-up album in 2015. (Video, podcast)
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
An under-the-radar vintage country act drew an unusual, mammoth crowd in Grand Rapids, but the week also boasted other gems: Elliott Brood, Lady Ace Boogie, The Main Squeeze, AGO, Big Dudee Roo, Dan Rickabus, The Moonrays and more. Check out all the photos and mini-reviews at Local Spins.
January’s first batch of Local Spins reviews rounds up riveting releases from the past few months, including CDs by Mat Churchill, Downie, Madcat Midnight Blues Journey and Max Lockwood.
Rousing performances in familiar and not-so-familiar locales from Holland to GR were the rule, including sets by Hank Mowery & The Hawktones, Eric Engblade, Billy Strings & Don Julin, Jonny Caroll, Roosevelt Diggs and more.
Features · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Show No. 21 of Local Spins on WYCE features in-studio performances by Thirsty Perch Blues Band, a conversation with Hot Capicola Records co-owner Luke Schmidt, and song debuts from Lady Ace Boogie, THEO and more.
Commentary · Features · Upcoming shows
On the heels of dizzybird records’ launch late last year, Hot Capicola Records also seeks to pump up the profile of local artists. The label hosts Lady Ace Boogie’s LP-release party at The Pyramid Scheme on Saturday.
Breaking music news · Commentary · Features · Photos
Local Spins’ final look back at the year that was, reliving the excitement, controversy, emotions and pageantry that West Michigan’s music scene sparked in 2014
Breaking music news · Features · Videos
The ethereal Grand Rapids rock band’s latest album tabbed as best regional album of the year, with the acclaimed group eyeing another recording project for 2015.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Despite chilly temps, thousands crowded Calder Plaza for HOT FM’s annual party, with hundreds more celebrating at SpeakEZ Lounge, Founders, Tip Top Deluxe and Wealthy Theatre. (Photos, review)
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The post-Christmas celebration in the Grand Rapids area boasted musical revelry at The Intersection, Founders, Billy’s Lounge and more, plus The Hard Lessons final concert ever and some intimate acoustic shows, too, captured in Local Spins images.
With fellow ’90s stars Domestic Problems sharing the bill, Saturday night’s annual holiday show delivered nostalgia and just plain fun for a near-capacity audience. (Review, photo gallery)
Saturday’s spectacle at The Intersection reunites two of West Michigan’s most popular rock bands from the ’90s for a fresh, post-Christmas affair that has both groups pumped up.
Another eclectic week and weekend, from Channing & Quinn to Jackyl to Elephant Wrecking Ball to the B-Side Growlers and some bittersweet goodbyes, captured in photos by Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Podcasts · Videos
This week’s Local Spins Artist Spotlight shines on a harmony-driven, young and happily ‘weird’ Grand Rapids band releasing its second EP at The Pyramid Scheme on Friday.
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
The Grand Rapids jam band’s final Michigan show before a long hiatus takes place Friday at The Intersection with three full sets and special guests. And might the break spawn an Electric Light Orchestra tribute band?
Sunday’s feel-good anniversary show raised thousands for food and anti-poverty programs with lively, goofy rock sets by The FuzzRites, Domestic Problems and The Honeytones. (Photo gallery, video)
Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Winter roared in a month early, but that didn’t stop some popular local acts from roaring on stage at CD-release shows and elsewhere, including the International Wine, Beer & Food Festival at DeVos Place. All captured in images at Local Spins.
Fans came out in droves for some hip-hop legends and a rock-fueled CD-release show, with plenty more on the docket across West Michigan, including concerts by An Dro, Heaters and more, all captured in images at Local Spins.
Musician and Local Spins columnist Brian J. Bowe immerses himself in the recent Lamp Light Music Festival in Eastown homes and becomes part of a new community of music. Here’s his commentary.
Michigan’s Shara Worden mixes primal musical energy, punk, classical training, and even marching bands, into cerebral, visceral whole note. She’s touring behind her new album, “This Is My Hand.”
This year’s weekend festival takes place in six Eastown neighborhood homes with a dizzying blend of acts playing living rooms and basements, from Lindsay Lou & The Flatbellys to Ghost Heart to AOK.
The wild and woolly week started with hip-pop’s Aaron Carter, continued with the Acoustic Cafe Folk Series debut, some jazz and ended with true rock ‘n’ roll mania. All captured in images at Local Spins.
With a new album dropping Tuesday, the L.A.-by-way-of-Chicago rock band made a tour stop at Calvin College on Saturday and turned the Fine Arts Center into a confetti-drenched party pit. Sort of.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
It started with Girls With Guitars and Tweedy and, despite the rain, just kept rolling with some early October festivals and Gunnar at the ‘Section, captured in images at Local Spins.
Commentary · Concert reviews · Summer Concerts
On summer’s final day, Local Spins looks back at the rollercoaster ride of perhaps the busiest concert season West Michigan has ever seen, with exhilarating ups and stomach-churning downs.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
A bit o’ rain and an unseasonable chill didn’t deter revelers from Allegan to Grand Rapids this weekend, with Guided by Voices and Wavves heating things up indoors.
Touring behind their latest album, “Turn Blue,” Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney deliver a brilliantly constructed chronicle of their career during their Grand Rapids tour stop.
Fresh off a tour with Arcade Fire, the violinist and singer-songwriter’s solo jaunt behind his “In Conflict” album made a stop Wednesday in the recital hall of Calvin College’s Covenant Fine Arts Center.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The holiday weekend launched with a big Thursday of shows and boasted local acts such as An Dro, Scott Pellegrom Trio, David Molinari, Mail Order Monsters and Hannah Rose.
Unlike the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday night, these bands plus the Plain White T’s know how to clear the bases and leave fans happy. (Review, photo gallery)
Rock the Rapids is on hiatus for 2014, but this three-concert series aims to fill the Comstock Park venue with national acts as well as the local flavor of Fled Five.
The widely admired Grand Rapids ensemble this week unleashed its much-buzzed-about new album and took time for an exclusive in-studio performance on Local Spins Live. (Video, podcast)
Friday’s sold-out show at Meijer Gardens unfolded as a triumphant, eye-popping return for the rock trio which first played the amphitheater in 2013. (Review, photo gallery)
Whilst short of a sellout, Thursday night’s Meijer Gardens concert boasted an enthusiastic young crowd, passionate performances and double-duty for Dawes as opening act and backing band.
With a new album and a uniquely dreamy sound, the band with Grand Rapids and Lansing connections is poised to grow its audience one venue at a time. (Story, podcast, video)
HOT-FM’s Party in the Park on Wednesday drew thousands of teens and 20-somethings (and a passel of parents) to Fifth Third Ballpark for Hot Chelle Rae, Kongos, My Crazy Girlfriend, Outasight and GR’s own The Outer Vibe.
The band of brothers will play Grand Rapids for the first time on Wednesday, with pop-rock’s Hot Chelle Rae headlining the Fifth Third Ballpark affair.
With fellow alt-rock/pop outfit Toad the Wet Sprocket opening the show, the California band played a host of its hits, some of them with an endearing twist.
