Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
From classic rock to bluegrass to funk to indie-rock, West Michigan venues offered plenty of variety for music fans over the past week. Browse the photo galleries, concert recaps and a video at Local Spins.
To commemorate the Detroit Tigers’ incredible late-season run, Local Spins has compiled a special playlist filled with iconic hits from the 1968 and 1984 championship seasons, along with current hits. Go Tigers!
Audio · Commentary · Playlists · Upcoming shows
Tonight at Grand Rapids’ SpeakEZ Lounge, Local Spins celebrates two major Fab Four milestones with a performance by That Beatles Thing. Get details and listen to a special playlist at Local Spins.
Labor Day weekend launched with some deliciously scary heavy music across the state, but also featured a celebrated jam band and a tribute to a late Kalamazoo musician.
Canada’s ‘Stayin’ Alive’ tribute to the Bee Gees hits Grand Rapids next Saturday. The Local Spins interview with singer Todd Sharman, along with a video of the band.
Although only one original band member was on the Meijer Gardens stage Thursday night, the prog-rock-hued favorite made the most its return to the amphitheater. The concert review and photos at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
It was a weekend of musical contrasts in West Michigan: theatrical rock, jam-heavy funk, EDM, metal, hip hop, punk and more, all showcased in dynamic Local Spins photos at venues from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo to Paw Paw.
Local Spins readers responded in droves in relating their biggest live music disappointments, ranging from sloppy performances to horrible sound to even more horrible fans. What concerts frustrated you?
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
As the legendary Stones eye two big shows in Chicago — the closest they’ll come to Michigan — their keyboardist chats with Local Spins about the tour, which will also feature Albion-bred The War & Treaty when it hits Los Angeles. Band music director Max Brown calls it ‘the pinnacle of rock ‘n’ roll.’
Photos · Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
The latest update to Local Spins’ “Free Outdoor Community Concerts Guide” boasts a wide array of regional acts playing cities across the region. Browse the show schedules and view photo galleries from recent weekday shows in Wyoming, Grand Rapids Township and Rockford.
Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
The latest update to Local Spins’ extensive “Summer Concerts @ Michigan Venues” guide boasts hot shows from Grand Rapids to Greenville. View the schedules and more at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
In many ways, it really was the “Start of Summer” as Rockford proclaimed (a few days early) what with national tour stops and local favorites. The recaps, photos, video at Local Spins.
The kickoff to the ‘Renegades and Juke Box Heroes’ tour at Van Andel Arena featured classic rock icons who didn’t hold back in unleashing their biggest hits. Check out the Local Spins review and photos, along with the night’s set lists.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
Local Spins interviews both multi-platinum-selling bands as the classic rock icons bring their co-headlining tour to Grand Rapids’ Van Andel Arena on Tuesday. See what fans can expect as Foreigner bids farewell.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Featured for this week’s Local Spins on WYCE show, get the back story on this Festival of the Arts performer and listen to new music from a host of Michigan artists, including Prior Noon, Potionseller, Pablo Eskobear, MaRynn Taylor, Jessica Wolfbird, The Wild Honey Collective and more.
West Michigan’s concert week boasted opening nights for two outdoor summer concert series, tour stops by metal, blues & EDM faves, and some regional stars, including Pocket Watch and The Marsupials. Browse the photo galleries at Local Spins.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
The Tuesday Evening Music Club series for 2024 at Meijer Gardens rolls out its most diverse lineup yet, kicking off in early June with a soul, funk and jazz romp. The schedule and more at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Beyond musical action featuring everything from a Canadian rock mainstay to The Accidentals, the weekend boasted the first Music Econ Summit and a Latvian Song & Dance Festival announcement. The scoop and photo galleries at Local Spins.
The 2024 concert calendar is chock full of outdoor concerts at diverse venues across Michigan, starring national touring powerhouses as well as regional bands. Local Spins has the schedules.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
The summer series at the popular northern Michigan venue boasts will expand with ‘a wider variety of genres’ and bands. View the schedule at Local Spins.
Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
The Great Lakes Center for the Arts south of Petoskey dubs it “A Season for Dreamers” with everything from Jo Dee Messina and LeAnn Rimes to Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Get the schedule at Local Spins.
The New York-based singer-songwriter came home to Michigan with his band on Friday, delivering a performance featuring fan favorites from his acclaimed debut album along with music spanning his career. The Local Spins review and photo gallery.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The legendary guitarist brings his “Genesis Revisited: Foxtrot at Fifty + Hackett Highlights” tour to West Michigan on Saturday. The Local Spins interview and show preview.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
West Michigan’s live music weekend boasted more than just the Jammie Awards, with a Sam Hunt tour stop, an album-release show, a benefit for music programs, the launch of a new pop-up concert series and more — all recapped in Local Spins photos and videos.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio
Tommy James, R.E.M. and Bruce Springsteen have shaped multi-instrumentalist and studio owner Greg Baxter, today’s featured artist in our popular series. Learn more about Baxter and check out his album picks at Local Spins.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
This week’s edition of “Albums That Changed the World” focuses on the artists and recordings that influenced the West Michigan frontman for Irish folk favorites the Conklin Ceili Band. Learn more about Mick Lane and listen to tracks from his favorite albums.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio
Today, Local Spins’ “Three Albums That Changed the World” series features Prof. Paul Kwant, a guitarist who runs FSU’s Music & Entertainment Business Program. Check out — and listen to — his fun, guitar-driven rock picks and learn more about Ferris’ music business education track.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio
Today, Local Spins’ popular series exploring the recordings that have impacted musicians, celebrities and various leaders spotlights the Michigan governor’s picks — and Great Lakes State artists play a starring role. Check out her picks and listen to the tracks at Local Spins.
Albums that Changed the World · Artist Spotlights · Audio
Local Spins kicks off the 2024 edition of its popular ‘Albums That Changed the World’ series with a look at the recordings that inspired the renowned Kalamazoo saxophonist. Check out his picks; listen to tracks from all of the albums.
Concert reviews · Photos · Top Stories of the Year Countdown
Ringo and His All Starr Band unleashed a cavalcade of hits for a capacity crowd at DeVos Performance Hall in early October. The review snagged the No. 5 spot in our year-end countdown. Revisit the concert recap, photos and set list.
Concert reviews · Local Spins Rewind · Photos · Top Stories of the Year Countdown
At No. 6 in our Top 20 of ’23 countdown: The review of classic rock guitarist Peter Frampton’s tour-starting June show at Meijer Gardens that came five decades after his first West Michigan appearance. Revisit the review and photo gallery on Christmas Day.
In Memoriam · Top Stories of the Year Countdown
After battling cancer, the groundbreaking radio DJ who pushed WLAV into national prominence in the 1970s died in February at age 73. Tributes poured in, making it one of the top stories of the year.
Dec. 8 marks 43 years since the world lost John Lennon of The Beatles to a brutal assassination. The world still reveres his music, still mourns his loss — with The Beatles even recently releasing one of his songs for the Fab Four’s final track. Listen to Local Spins’ Ultimate John Lennon Playlist.
In 2023, Local Spins asked readers a ‘Question of the Week’ about favorites in a lot of categories. Here are the top questions and responses. Plus, we’ve got fresh year-end queries that could score you a gift.
Ringo and His All Starr Band unleashed a cavalcade of hits for a capacity crowd at DeVos Performance Hall on Tuesday night. The Local Spins review and photo gallery.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
“I love to play.” Performing next Tuesday at Grand Rapids’ DeVos Performance Hall, the one-time Beatle and his fellow rock icons reveal the secrets to their zeal in continuing to pump out classic hits in a recent interview.
The enduringly popular 1970s band delivered a cavalcade of hits — and one new song — during their return Sunday to Meijer Gardens, led by 80-year-old Danny Hutton. The review, photo gallery and set list at Local Spins.
Tie-dyes, classic Grateful Dead jams. and a long (not-so-strange) trip. That was the order of the evening at Meijer Gardens on Thursday as Dark Star Orchestra paid tribute to the iconic rock band and more. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Albums that Changed the World · Playlists
Local Spins’ mid-summer edition of the “Albums that Changed the World” series focuses on recordings that shaped producer and multi-instrumentalist Michael Crittenden. With Troll for Trout set to play a Grand Rapids show on Friday, view his picks and listen to tracks from all of the albums at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
Ludington’s 10th — and possibly final — two-day music festival at Waterfront Park raised money for a good cause and rocked thousands along the lakeshore. Photos, video.
Local Spins Rewind · Summer Concerts · Summer Festivals
Our review of the legendary rock guitarist’s June 19 tour-opening show in Grand Rapids drew readers from across the globe. At the year’s halfway point, Local Spins revisits its Top 3 most-read stories.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Summer heated up over the past week, with energetic tour stops, a superstar tribute to female artists, the christening of a new stage, jazz in the park, a blues fest and blues on the river and more captured in images at Local Spins.
The once curly-haired, golden boy of rock ’n’ roll returned to Meijer Gardens for a sold-out, tour-starting show Monday – nearly five decades after his first West Michigan appearance. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The much-admired Pink Floyd tribute band returns to DeVos Performance Hall on Monday. The Local Spins interview with the group’s frontman and a look at why tribute bands have soared in popularity.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
From a homecoming show for alt-country’s Michelle Billingsley to a “Candlelight Concert” tribute to Taylor Swift to a school shootings vigil, West Michigan’s live music covered a lot of bases. Browse all of the photo galleries of the concert action and view a video at Local Spins.
Book Reviews · Features · Upcoming shows
Veteran Michigan music writer Gary Graff (Billboard, Oakland Press) toasts Alice Cooper’s 75th with a devastatingly entertaining recap of an illustrious career. Cooper’s U.S. tour kicks off Friday in Michigan. Check out the Local Spins review of this tantalizing biography.
Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
A hot summer indeed. Big stars and regional favorites will fire up outdoor stages throughout the state this summer. Today, Local Spins launches the first round of its annual “Outdoor Summer Concerts at Michigan Venues” listing, with more to come as show announcements filter in. Check out rosters at Pine Knob, The Deck in Muskegon and many more.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
Popular northern Michigan singer-songwriter Miriam Pico today reveals the artists and recordings that shaped her own music and career. Learn more about this Traverse City chanteuse and listen to her music picks at Local Spins, along with tracks of her own.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
Northern Michigan’s Interlochen Center for the Arts has revealed more than a dozen concerts thus far for its summer ‘Arts Festival,’ with Styx, The Temptations, Lindsey Stirling, Train, Five for Fighting, The Beach Boys and more on tap. View the lineup at Local Spins.
Saturday’s greatest hits display by the Chicago tribute band uncorked old favorites from the platinum-selling classic rock group in symphonic fashion. The concert recap and photos at Local Spins.
