GRandJazzFest with regional and national acts took over downtown Grand Rapids, but there was plenty more live music to embrace, too. (Photos, video) Q: How does a jazz musician[…]
On a cool July night, Martin’s second sold-out show at the outdoor Grand Rapids amphitheater in two years had the crowd chortling and mesmerized with help from Brickell and a[…]
With Grammy-winning banjo star/comedian Steve Martin playing a sold-out show at Meijer Gardens, this Local Spins Sunday feature takes a look at why young folk, pop and jam-band musicians are[…]
After booking more than a dozen bands for the Aug. 9-10 event, Shagbark Farm owner John Crissman says organizers “just couldn’t climb the mountain” to proceed with this year’s festival.[…]
This weekend’s Local Spins Weekend Photo Gallery covers the gamut of live music from Lansing to Grand Rapids to the lakeshore. The summer string thing can take many forms:[…]
The Nashville string band’s first-ever concert at the outdoor amphitheater had the sell-out crowd of 1,900 kicking up its heels. (Review, photos) Old Crow Medicine Show unfurls tale after[…]
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[…]
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[…]
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)[…]
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
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)[…]
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[…]
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[…]
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[…]
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[…]
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[…]
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,[…]
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[…]
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[…]
Concert announcements · Features · Upcoming shows
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
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.[…]
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[…]
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[…]
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[…]
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
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[…]
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[…]
Breaking music news · Features · Upcoming shows
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[…]
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[…]
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
Meijer Gardens’ teaser announcement of four summer concerts at the Grand Rapids amphitheater covers several genres and includes a few popular returning acts to the series. When word leaked[…]
Concert reviews · Features · Photos · Videos
Mid-February’s concert lineup offered more than just big shows at Van Andel Arena and Miller Auditorium: West Michigan bands of every ilk were pounding it out at benefits, bars and[…]
Valentine’s week boasts big names in country and rock, but also Elephant Revival, Damon Fowler and fine local shows with MacRaven, PotatoeBabies, Four Lincolns, Taste of Soul Sunday and much[…]
The Big List’s big shows means running shoes may be in order to keep up this week, and that doesn’t even count the Heavyweights heavy metal finals, Reverend Raven’s blues[…]
National touring acts mesh with CD-release shows by Kris Hitchcock & Small Town Son, Thirsty Perch Blues Band and more, from Michigan folk icons to jazz gurus to heavy metal[…]
Things have quieted down after all the New Year’s hubbub, but the music stayed lively from Grand Rapids to Howard City, shared in photos at Spins on Music. There’s[…]
The outdoors Hot New Year’s Eve Party in downtown Grand Rapids, Founders’ three-band jam and Wealthy Theatre’s shining Starlight Six, recapped in photos, video at Spins on Music. Musically speaking,[…]
West Michigan’s holiday mood brightens with live music by Kari Lynch, The Last Vegas, Frankie Ballard, Rick Chyme, Organissimo and plenty more. A Very Merry Jingle Jam with Kari[…]
Grand Rapids’ concert lineup for December’s first full week also boasts Lamb of God, Caravan of Thieves, Melissa Ferrick, GR Symphony Holiday Pops, Decembersongs and some beloved West Michigan favorites.[…]
Grand Rapids’ concert lineup runs the gamut from Motion City Soundtrack and Anberlin to a Founders anniversary bash and a video game cover band. Really. Check out this week’s Big[…]
Feed the needy and feed your musical cravings with Spins on Music’s Big List: The best in West Michigan’s live music offerings and a worthy cause. And check out the[…]
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
New Orleans’ Dumpstaphunk headlines Hoptoberfest in downtown Grand Rapids, but there’s plenty more on the list, with Chiodos at The Intersection and Earthwork Harvest Gathering up north. I know September’s[…]
Concert reviews · Features · Videos
The first Rockford Barnstormer showcased bands Potato Moon, Hannah Rose, Nicholas James & The Bandwagon and many more, family fun and a good cause: aiding area refugees. It may[…]
Concert announcements · Upcoming shows · Videos
A bracing week of West Michigan concerts: Grand Rapids’ City Lights Music Festival, Grace Potter & the Nocturnals, Bonnie Raitt, GRandJazzFest and Hoxeyville top the Spins on Music list. Grace[…]
Concert reviews · Features · Videos
Expanded Cowpie fest on Shagbark Farm south of Grand Rapids survived rainy opening night; thrives Saturday with fine mix of Michigan bands. Video, photos From Mudpie to Cowpie … just[…]
Album reviews · Commentary · Upcoming shows
Summer roundup of West Michigan CD releases, Part II: Vertical Bridge, Potato Moon, Delilah DeWylde, Detour, Dave Hardin, Suitcase Just like today’s rain, the deluge of new regional music continues.[…]
Summer roundup of West Michigan CD releases: REVUE music sampler, Karisa Wilson, Igby Iris, The Outer Vibe, Lucas Wilson, The Go Rounds, Lindsay Lou. As Peter Gabriel once sang (in[…]
Concert announcements · Upcoming shows · Videos
Roger Waters’ “The Wall” 8 p.m. Wednesday $66.50-$214.35 Van Andel Arena, Grand Rapids Let’s hope the sun keeps smiling as it did on Festival Sunday, because outdoor summer music hoopla[…]
Concert announcements · Upcoming shows · Videos
Boasting 17 of Michigan’s most dynamic bands and performers, 2012’s edition of the Tuesday Evening Music Club series at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is sure to pack the[…]
From pop phenoms to jazz veterans to bluegrass jammers, it’s time for Part II of my quarterly Local Spins roundup of new album releases by local and regional artists. (If[…]
