Albums that Changed the World · Podcasts
This week’s special edition of the radio show focuses on Michigan music with a twist: We play tracks from albums that a dozen local and regional artists say have influenced them the most, from Kanye West to The Beatles. Get the back story and listen to the full radio show podcast.
Led by Dewey Bunnell and Gerry Beckley, the band bathed a sold-out Meijer Gardens crowd in nostalgia on Wednesday with a bevy of familiar hits. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss could be considered an uber-fan of music, often seen at area concerts and festivals. So, Local Spins asked her Honor to reveal her list of faves, including some local legends. Listen to the tracks and get the back story.
Concert reviews · Summer Festivals · Weekend Photo Gallery
Michigan’s music weekend ramped up with 40,000-plus country revelers at Faster Horses in Brooklyn, a capacity crowd at Bell’s Beer Garden, the debut of White Lake’s Walk the Beat, an outdoor Elton and Buble tribute in GR and the debut of the unique ‘Whatzit Hour’ in Kalamazoo. View the action-packed photo galleries at Local Spins.
Wednesday’s tour stop at Meijer Gardens with a hefty assist from the Grand Rapids Symphony proved Rick Springfield still has rock-star power as he rolled out his cavalcade of hits. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
Dominated by a packed heavy metal spectacle in Grand Rapids, the West Michigan weekend also boasted shows by Chloe Kimes, The Insiders, The Verve Pipe, Chuck Mead and more. The photo galleries and recaps at Local Spins.
The legendary rock band brought its 50th anniversary tour (at long last) to Van Andel Arena on Sunday night. The Local Spins review, photo gallery and set list.
Although not without minor glitches, ‘that little ol’ band from Texas’ rolled out thunderous classics with its revamped lineup, keeping much of the Meijer Gardens crowd on its feet all night. The Local Spins review, photo gallery and set list from Thursday’s concert.
Sunday night’s tour stop at Meijer Gardens was Sheryl Crow’s second Michigan show in as many days and she delivered a bevy of her most popular songs for a packed amphitheater with Allison Russell opening. The Local Spins review, photo gallery and set list.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
With Buttermilk Jamboree set to fire up Circle Pine Center for the first time since 2019, Local Spins asked the festival’s director to reveal the recordings that have influenced her life the most. View her picks, listen to the music.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
The weekend was full of surprises, including a giant turnout for City Built Brewing’s Bridge Blast on the 6th Street Bridge with performances by J.Rob, Biomassive and more, plus a Start of Summer tribute to David Bowie, the return of Brie Stoner and eclectic shows in Kalamazoo. Browse the photo galleries, watch the videos at Local Spins.
West Michigan’s weekend kicked off with a musical bang, thanks to a much-anticipated Chvrches tour stop, not to mention Trixy Tang, Desmond Jones, Bronk Bros. & Roosevelt Diggs revving up Rockford and a Listening Lawn tribute to Tom Petty.
Local Spins brought That Beatles Thing, a professional video team and mountains of gear atop a downtown building to replicate that classic ‘Get Back’ performance from 1969. Get the back story and watch the video.
Breaking music news · Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
Eleven years after a Grand Rapids lip dub video of the Don McLean classic set a world record and created a sensation, he’ll revisit the city to kick off a Black Pigeon Studios venture to put the area back on Hollywood’s radar. Get the lowdown and watch the 2010 lip-dub video at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
A weekend of milestones: the first Bell’s Beer Garden show, the finals of B93’s Battle to the Bash, the State on the Street opener, Judy Collins at St. Cecilia Music Center’s final folk concert and a rare Rush tribute show. Browse the photo galleries at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Thursday’s installment of Local Spins’ week-long anniversary bash boasted an unprecedented Beatles tribute on a rooftop in downtown Grand Rapids and a three-act hip-hop affair at The Pyramid Scheme. The recaps, photo galleries and a video at Local Spins.
Features · Local Spins Rewind · Top 10 Lists
As Local Spins prepares to celebrate its 10th anniversary this week, we revisit the top stories every year since the website launched in 2012. Check out the roster of memories as we get ready to unleash seven concert events in six days.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Fan fervor took many forms over the past week at concerts across West Michigan, from fist-pumping glee to pin-drop-quiet intensity. Revisit the concerts in vibrant images at Local Spins.
From ‘Don’t Stop Believin” to ‘Any Way You Want It,’ Journey on Wednesday gave West Michigan fans at Van Andel Arena a two-hour dose of classics, with Toto offering up a ‘crisp’ opening set. The Local Spins review and photos, with set lists for both bands.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The iconic guitarist returns to GLC Live at 20 Monroe on Wednesday, happy to be back on the road with his band after pandemic delays. The Steve Hackett interview at Local Spins with details about this week’s tour stop and a recent concert video.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts · Videos
Slated to run June through August, the weeknight series will feature Molly, Melophobix, Jordan Hamilton, The Accidentals, Myron Elkins, Ralston Bowles, Elijah Russ and more. View the full schedule at Local Spins.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
With the Grand Rapids rock band set to play Local Spins’ 10th anniversary celebration in May, Legal Immigrants frontman Joe Bockheim today reveals the albums that most influenced him. Listen to tracks from all of his picks, plus a couple of tracks from The Legal Immigrants.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
Michigan harmonica legend Peter ‘Madcat’ Ruth has long graced stages with his instrumental prowess. Today, he reveals the albums that forever altered his life. Listen to tracks from all of the recordings at Local Spins.
Albums that Changed the World · Playlists · Videos
Today, the leader of Hank Mowery & The Hawktones reveals the albums that have shaped his own music and his love of top-drawer songwriting, along with a current favorite legend who has him mesmerized. Listen to tracks from all of the recordings.
Concert Listings · Summer Concerts
The striking, terraced venue behind Ridge Point Community Church east of Holland returns this summer with The Soul Syndicate, Jonathan Traylor, Brena, Tony Bakker & more. Check out the lineup, with links to summer series at other Michigan venues.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
In a Local Spins interview, Elton’s bassist and Detroit-area native Matt Bissonette opens up about his career, his love of the Lions and the ‘crazy’ fun on stage with a rock icon. Elton’s farewell tour stops at Grand Rapids’ Van Andel Arena on Tuesday. Learn more about Bissonette and watch videos of recent performances by the Elton John Band.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
After releasing its full-length debut album late last year, the Traverse City band with a ‘Midwest rock sound’ has a busy year of performances ahead. Learn more about Stonehengz and listen to their music.
Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
Get ready for summer: Grand Haven’s Friday waterfront series boasts the likes of Albert Lee and Kim Richey; Lowell, Sparta & Kentwood will host acts ranging from The Accidentals to The Soul Syndicate. View those schedules & more.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Frankenmuth’s favorite sons in Greta Van Fleet continued their Michigan homecoming assault at DeltaPlex on Saturday, plus browse photos from a diverse set of shows in Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids, including Lady Ace Boogie, Jordan Hamilton, Cabildo, Djangophonique, Dee Dee Bridgewater and Between the Buried and Me.
With the Frankenmuth-bred stars playing five Michigan shows in a single week, the homecoming run began with a pyrotechnic flourish at Wings Event Center Thursday. Concert recap, photos and set list at Local Spins.
Today, Local Spins takes a deep dive into six recent, varied releases by artists from across West Michigan — Kalamazoo to Grand Rapids to Traverse City to Albion. Listen to tracks from all of the recordings.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Saturday’s concert at Fountain Street Church highlighted a robust weekend of live music and events from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo to Hudsonville: Caroline Jones, Beach House, Marc E. Bassy, Mungion, 1964 The Tribute & more in Local Spins photos and recaps.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
Meijer Gardens also plans to expand its Tuesday Evening Music Club Series, according to today’s teaser announcement. Get more details at Local Spins.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
The Local Spins series highlighting music that most influenced Michigan musicians continues with Michigander frontman Jason Singer revealing his picks — plus a couple of current faves he “can’t stop” playing and a pair of Michigander tracks.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
The northern Michigan venue and arts academy today revealed the first two of its summer 2022 shows, with more in the offing. Details at Local Spins.
Albums that Changed the World · Playlists
The Local Spins series continues today with a focus on recordings that most influenced the frontman for Grand Rapids indie-rock’s Major Murphy, from the Beatles to Breathe Owl Breathe to Here We Go Magic. Sample all of the albums, plus tracks from Major Murphy’s latest release.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
This weekend’s photo roundup of West Michigan concerts zeroes in on a Grammy-nominated star, an emerging country artist, tributes to ABBA and The Beatles, and three compelling female singer-songwriters. Browse the photo galleries at Local Spins.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
Today’s installment of this popular Local Spins series features albums that influenced and shaped mid-Michigan producer and musician Jake Rye, who’s spun the dials on some impressive projects. Listen to tracks from all of his picks.
Features · Top 12 Stories Countdown
No. 9 on our list of top Local Spins stories of 2021 is our revealing interview with Rolling Stones keyboardist Chuck Leavell, who talked about the iconic band’s U.S. tour which revved up Detroit in November. Revisit the feature, with links to Local Spins’ review of that Ford Field show.
Friday’s tour stop at Van Andel Arena delivered a career-spanning trove of familiar hits by a pair of acclaimed singer-songwriters who still wield spellbinding appeal for longtime fans. The evening also included a tribute to Michigan native and longtime James Taylor backing singer David Lasley, who passed away earlier this week. Check out the review, photos and set lists.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
Recordings by The Rolling Stones, Gillian Welch and Sonic Youth had a big impact on studio owner Ian Gorman, who also revealed his penchant for the latest album by West Michigan’s own Patty PerShayla. Check out his album picks, plus listen to a couple of tracks from the band in which he’s been a member for 15 years.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
The Local Spins series focusing on records that most influenced Michigan musicians continues with Desmond Jones drummer/multi-instrumentalist John Nowak, who explores a diverse roster of artists. Get the back story, listen to the music — plus a couple of tracks from Desmond Jones, which plays a Thanksgiving Eve show in Grand Rapids..
The venerable, iconic rock band’s much-ballyhooed Michigan tour stop proved remarkable due to Mick Jagger’s boundless energy and the band’s endearing love for Detroit fans. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
In a revealing Local Spins interview, long-standing Stones keyboardist Chuck Leavell talks about the thrill of playing with the iconic band, moving forward without Charlie Watts and the upcoming 60th anniversary. Plus, watch a video snippet from a recent tour stop.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The first weekend of October unfurled a bevy of musical milestones with live music from Kalamazoo to Grand Rapids to Cedar Springs. Revisit the action in six Local Spins photo galleries.
The final week of summer and arrival of Grand Rapids’ ArtPrize brought a blitz of concerts to West Michigan, including Pat Benatar, Andy Shauf, May Erlewine, Alex G, The Deep Stare, Lady Ace Boogie and more. Here are Local Spins recaps and photo galleries.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
August’s final weekend featured a flurry of live music from Grand Rapids’ Breakaway festival and The Pyramid Scheme to the 28th Street Metro Cruise to Kalamazoo’s State Theatre. Revisit the action in images at Local Spins.
The ’80s rock band’s first-ever show at the amphitheater felt like a race to reviewer Lorilee Craker, but the capacity crowd did get to hear some fan favorites. The Local Spins review and photo gallery.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The first full week of August was full of live music in a host of West Michigan locations, indoors and out, from the return of Domestic Problems to the electric energy of Jax Anderson, JRob and Lipstick Jodi. Revisit the shows in images at Local Spins.
The two veteran acts played vastly different Grand Rapids venues on Friday night with vastly different approaches. Get the recaps and photo galleries at Local Spins.
