Toto powers through damp night with spot-on musicianship, treasured hits
Friday’s sold-out Meijer Gardens concert proved the instrumental and vocal mettle of the beloved prog-pop band. The show review and photos, exclusively at Local Spins.
Tagged: classic rock
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Concert Week in Review: Air Supply, Daughtry, Moosefest, FINKEL, Can’t Swim, Girls Rock GR
It was another lively week of concerts across West Michigan, with country courtesy of Kip Moore and others, hard and soft rock, electro-pop and the music of tomorrow’s stars just part of the story. Ogle the photo galleries at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Week-in-Review Concert Images: Sugarland, 1978 Tribute, Pack Sounds, Sparta Celtic Fest
Sugarland is back, unfurling its return to the stage for Grand Rapids fans with help from Michigan’s Frankie Ballard. But there was plenty more on the musical docket across West Michigan this week, and all highlighted in Local Spins images. Plus check out a video of That Beatles Thing.
Concert reviews · Photos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Ice Cube chills out in G-Rap, plus Beach Boys, Erasure, Rayland Baxter, Keep the Beat Alive
The hip hop legend brought N.W.A., Ice-T, Tha Dogg Pound and more to Van Andel Arena during a busy week of tour stops and local shows in front of enthused West Michigan audiences. Concerts included Rayland Baxter, Erasure, The Beach Boys and Jake Kershaw & Melophobix in a special Walk the Beat event. The Ice Cube review and five photo galleries exclusively at Local Spins.
For the love of Ed: Honoring Grand Rapids radio legend ‘Uncle Buck’ Buchanan (Podcast)
RSVP Music Chat sat down with radio veterans Kevin Matthews and Steve Aldrich to toast the pioneering talents of the late Ed Buchanan, the WLAV legend who passed away in June. Listen to the rollicking, fun podcast, toast Uncle Buck at Bob’s Bar on Friday and check out the written tribute by Aris Hampers.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The Big List (July 23-29): Jason Mraz, Ice Cube & N.W.A., Yanni, Beach Boys, ATTILA, Rayland Baxter, Air Supply
Dispatch, L7 and Frank Turner launch a week that boasts local faves, Farm Block Fest showcases and tour stops by Between the Buried & Me, Against Me!, Blue Oyster Cult and many more. And win tickets to this week’s Farm Block showcases.
Joe Jackson’s Grand Rapids debut sees him ‘Steppin’ Out’ with career-spanning gems
On a night when the rain held off at Meijer Gardens, the iconic rock/pop artist uncorked familiar faves and new classics for an approving audience. Get the Joe Jackson review and photo gallery, exclusively at Local Spins. And browse a set list from Friday night’s concert, too.
The Pretenders, Tunde Olaniran, Kalamazoo Blues Fest heat up West Michigan (Photos)
The featured West Michigan concerts leading up to another steamy weekend were hot in many ways, from Chrissie Hynde and The Pretenders at 20 Monroe Live to the opening night of the Kalamazoo Blues Fest to Tunde Olaniran revving up the dance party at GRAM on the Green. See all of the photos at Local Spins.
Jackson Browne enchants fans at Meijer Gardens: The Local Spins Photo Gallery
Browse images from Wednesday’s sold-out concert starring the iconic Jackson Browne with his band and check out a set list from the Meijer Gardens tour stop.
Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
From The Moonrays to Flexadecibel to Delilah DeWylde: East Grand Rapids, Celadon, Muskegon, Lansing summer concert lineups
Temperatures are heating up and so are outdoor concerts in communities across West Michigan. Here’s the latest Local Spins roundup of schedules for several free series starring regional acts from the lakeshore to Lansing.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The Big List (May 14-20): Halestorm, Steppin’ In It, Todd Rundgren’s Utopia, Granger Smith, Rhiannon Giddens, Justin Townes Earle, John Pizzarelli, Barley BBQ & Beats
The week kicks off with Big Sandy and closes out with Steve Martin & Martin Short’s Grand Rapids tour stop, with plenty of musical action in between, including special SpeakEZ shows, Hip Hop Appreciation Week, the Bona-Who? festival, Thunder Chicken, The Extra Texture and Stryper. Plus, see how you can win tickets to see Granger Smith.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
Lighting up the Lakeshore: Summer concert lineups for Grand Haven, Spring Lake, South Haven, Montague, Fennville
The free weeknight music series showcase a wide range of regional bands. See and save the schedules for several community concert series in cities along the Lake Michigan shoreline. It’s Local Spins latest round-up of summer shows.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
Meijer Gardens heats up summer 2018 with Jason Mraz, Patti LaBelle, Alabama, Joe Jackson, Alison Krauss, Dispatch
Plenty of familiar names grace the 30-concert bill, including Trombone Shorty, The Decemberists, Temptations, Beach Boys, B-52s, Seal and Styx. Huey Lewis’ July 8 show has been canceled and he will be replaced by Michael Franti & Spearhead. Get details and the full Meijer Gardens series schedule at Local Spins.
Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
Lowell, Rockford, Grand Rapids, Wyoming, Hudsonville heat up with free summer concerts
Summer is approaching and communities across West Michigan are set to host free weeknight concerts starring regional acts, from May Erlewine to The Soul Syndicate and much more. See the lineups for five of them at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The Big List (March 19-25): Little Big Town, Kacey Musgraves, Bruce Hornsby, Kurt Elling, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Joshua Davis
Styx and REO Speedwagon get the week started, but there’s plenty more: VaporPalooza, Chilly Blues & Brews, Organissimo, Flamingo Nosebleed, JOUNCE, WO-Stock, The Big Gig and another Local Showcase. Get all of this week’s live music picks on The Big List.
Eagles ‘Take it to the Limit’ with remarkable vocals; Joe Walsh’s rock revelry at Van Andel Arena
The iconic rock band’s return to Grand Rapids on Thursday was mostly about replicating classic songs with incredible precision. Relive the concert in the Local Spins review, photo gallery and set list.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Week-in-Review: Luke Combs, Marilyn Manson, The Verve Pipe, Hippo Campus, NF, Ganja White Night electrify capacity crowds
The week also saw release shows by Public Access and 78 RPM, plus crowd-pleasing appearances by Luke Winslow King, That Beatles Thing, Jesse Ray & The Carolina Catfish, Rostam, Conrad Shock and more. Ogle all the photos and videos from this February blast of concerts.
Artist Spotlights · Features · Videos
From ambulances to stages: Signal Point rocks out … when not saving lives as paramedics
The Grand Rapids rock band Signal Point boasts three paramedics and has featured various emergency responders over the years. Read the back story about this unusual band that’s often on-call after gigs.
Fighting the establishment and embracing ‘uncomfortable’ messages: Veteran GR DJs recount rock radio’s protest glory days
WLAV radio icons Tony Gates, Ed Buchanan and Steve Aldrich regaled an audience with anecdotes at the Gerald R. Ford Museum in a program linked to the Rock Hall’s “Louder Than Words: Rock, Power and Politics” exhibit. Check out a recap of the evening at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Greta Van Fleet, The Accidentals and a Tom Petty salute ignite wall-to-wall fervor in separate Grand Rapids shows
Three downtown venues hosted capacity crowds on Saturday night for fan-pleasing spectacles, each with its own story line and passionate vibe. Relive the shows by Greta Van Fleet, The Accidentals and a West Michigan super-group paying homage to Tom Petty in words, photos and videos at Local Spins.
Greta Van Fleet: Rock ‘n’ roll heroes aim to ‘change the world for the better’ after year of explosive success
In a Local Spins interview, the modern-day rock stars talk about life on the road, their classic influences and a year of sold-out shows stretching across the country. Get the back the story behind this young, international phenomenon and watch new Greta Van Fleet videos leading up to their big show at The Intersection on Saturday night.
Album reviews · Top 10 Lists · Videos
Best Music of 2017: The Critics’ Picks from Local Spins
Kendrick Lamar, Billy Strings, The National, Perfume Genius, Jaco Pastorius, The Accidentals, The Turnips, Organissimo, May Erlewine, LCD Soundsystem and more earned high marks from Local Spins writers. See who else made the grade in 2017 and listen to samples of music from dozens of releases that turned critics’ heads. Plus, see which concerts stood out this past year.
Michigan Album Reviews: Bob Seger, Moses, Cameron Blake, Blushing Monk, Venson Dix, Wicker Basket
The holidays are the perfect time to round up some of the latest releases by Michigan artists, spotlighting albums you can add to your gift lists. Check out the reviews, with audio samples of the new music.
Local Spins Top 10 Rewind: Steely Dan stays faithful to classics, keeps Walter Becker’s legacy alive
Local Spins Rewind No. 9: Longtime fans got an impressive earful of jazz-rock faves from the Donald Fagen-led ensemble during October’s concert at Van Andel Arena. As part of a Local Spins series recapping the best of 2017, check out the review, photo gallery and set list from this memorable show.
Concert announcements · Festivals
Tulip Time 2018 ramps up offerings with Beach Boys, Joshua Davis, Texas Tenors, Jake Kershaw
Tickets went on sale this morning for concerts taking place next May at the long-running Holland festival, which aims to add variety as well as ‘appeal to a younger spectrum’ of fans. Check out Tulip Time’s musical lineup at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Features · Videos
Louder Than Words: Rock ’n’ roll’s impact on American politics the focus of new Ford Museum exhibit
The special exhibit curated by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Newseum opens Tuesday night in Grand Rapids with compelling videos and rock artifacts. Take a video tour and find out more about this display at Local Spins.
Fright Nights and Haunting Holiday Hoopla with ghouls, freaks, fiends and rock ‘n’ EDM (Photo Galleries)
This weekend’s galleries are awash in early Halloween celebrations which mixed costumed craziness with DJs and bands providing the musical backdrop to haunt venues from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo. But there were also some special shows beyond that, including Dinosaur Jr. and a Domestic Problems reunion. See all the images at Local Spins.
Michigan Music News: Conrad Shock wins Albion’s Walk the Beat; Kid Rock’s ‘Senate run’ was a joke; Bob Seger recovering from surgery
The October music news roundup at Local Spins checks in with the latest Walk the Best contest winner, Kid Rock’s faux political campaign and Bob Seger’s recovery.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
Local Spins Guest Playlist: Michigan blues-guitar whiz kid Jake Kershaw’s Top 10
With Jake Kershaw hosting a Grand Rapids album-release show Thursday, Local Spins asked the 17-year-old musician to share his favorite, most influential tunes — from John Mayer to Cream to Tommy Castro. Watch the videos, listen to the Spotify playlist.
Steely Dan stays faithful to old classics, keeps Walter Becker’s legacy alive in Grand Rapids tour stop
Longtime fans got an impressive earful of jazz-rock faves from the Donald Fagen-led ensemble during Monday’s tour stop at Van Andel Arena. Check out the review, photo gallery and set list at Local Spins.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
Tom Petty: Local Spins’ Top 10 Playlists of his best, most underrated songs
In the wake of Monday’s death of rock icon Tom Petty, Local Spins asked West Michigan musician Jack Leaver — who fronts a Petty tribute band — to list his top Petty tunes, with Local Spins publisher offering up his under-the-radar picks of Petty classics you might not know but should Watch the videos, listen to the Spotify playlists.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
Emerson, Lake & Palmer drummer Carl Palmer still soldiers on, plays Holland’s Park Theatre on Saturday
The ELP and Asia drumming icon has carried on after the death of his rock bandmates, touring with a pair of virtuosic musicians and presenting the prog-rock music “in another way.” The Local Spins interview, with videos of Palmer performing live.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Audiotree Music Fest sizzles in the heat, plus Com Truise, Scott Stapp, Drowning Pool, Highly Suspect, Weyes Blood (Local Spins Photo Galleries)
Audiotree Music Festival lit up the day and night in Kalamazoo, with national tour stops by hard-rocking stars in Grand Rapids and a harvest festival in Rockford. Browse all of the colorful, action-packed images at Local Spins.
Fleetwood Mac tribute with Grand Rapids Symphony a ‘tide-me-over’ for Mac fans
The Landslide tribute show as part of the GR Pops series kicked off Friday and continues Saturday and Sunday at DeVos Performance Hall. Get the recap and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Bob Seger gets happily nostalgic, delivers loads of ‘Old Time Rock & Roll’ for grateful Grand Rapids fans
If the Detroit rocker really is ready to ‘Turn the Page’ on his career, he left West Michigan devotees on Tuesday with an upbeat, heyday-spanning memory of a lifetime. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The Big List (Sept. 18-24): Bob Seger, Scott Stapp, Steve Earle, The Birthday Massacre, Com Truise, Audiotree Music Fest, El Ten Eleven
Iconic singer Gordon Lightfoot gets the week started, with LZ Michigan/Freedom Cruise, Rockford Harvest Festival, Luke Winslow King, Jessica Hernandez, Weyes Blood, a Fleetwood Mac tribute and more on tap. Plus, see how you can win tickets to see Pegi Young at the Tip Top or Scott Stapp at 20 Monroe Live (part of the Make America Rock Again tour).
Concert reviews · Kalamazoo · Weekend Photo Gallery
Of Montreal, The Verve Pipe, The Go Rounds, Nick Moss, Mid-Life Crisis wrap up summer with a bang: Week-in-Review Photo Galleries
The last blast of summer (officially) arrived in many musical forms and in a slew of different venues across West Michigan. And Local Spins has the photos to prove it.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Bob Seger still inspires Heart’s Nancy Wilson as her new band joins the Michigan hero on tour
On the cusp of Seger’s Grand Rapids tour stop, Wilson chats with Local Spins about dancing with Seger, her excitement about Roadcase Royale’s new album and the uncertain future of Heart. The Local Spins interview.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins Live · Upcoming shows · Videos
Paradise Outlaw rustles up Michigan-bred Southern rock with broad appeal
The genre-straddling Grand Rapids band will kick off Saturday’s big anniversary party at Perrin Brewing after opening for country star Tucker Beathard the night before. Read more about the band, listen to the radio podcast and watch a video of the band playing the B93 Birthday Bash.
The Beach Boys surf back in time for more summery nostalgia at Meijer Gardens
Under overcast skies, The Beach Boys brought sunny “Good Vibrations” — and the usual recognizable hits — on Wednesday to the Grand Rapids outdoor amphitheater. The recap and photo gallery at Local Spins.
The Who ‘kids’ are still alright, deliver career-spanning, tenacious gem in Grand Rapids
The British band led by septuagenarians Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey returned to Van Andel Arena on Tuesday and proved their mettle with a night of timeless rock classics. Read the review, browse the photo gallery.
Features · Top 10 Lists · Videos
The best of The Who: West Michigan musicians pick their favorite Who tracks
With the iconic British rock band The Who returning to Grand Rapids’ Van Andel Arena on Tuesday, Local Spins asked some local rockers to pipe in with some choice Who cuts. Scour — and listen to — their picks.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The Big List (July 24-30): The Who, The Shins, 2Cellos, Andrew Bird, Melvins, Low Cut Connie, MoPop Festival
The Beach Boys, a “Women Rock” Picnic Pops tribute, Mike Mains, Farm Block Fest and The Menzingers also fire up the week. And check out the splendid Under-the-Radar Picks.
Huey Lewis & The News still too ‘Hip to be Square,’ in nostalgic, fun, dad-joke sort of way
The band’s return to Meijer Gardens also marked a return to the 1980s for a capacity crowd that believes in the “Power of Love” and the “Heart of Rock & Roll.” Read the review, check out the photo gallery from Sunday night’s show.
Sunshine, small crowd, nostalgia mark first Meijer Gardens show with Billy Ocean, Starship, Taylor Dayne
The popular summer series kicked off Sunday with plenty of elbow room for fans as “Replay America” unfurled retro hits on its Grand Rapids tour stop. Read the review of the 2017 season’s opening night and browse the photo gallery.
Summer Concerts · Summer Festivals · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Weekend Photo Galleries: Mid-Life Crisis, Mark Lavengood and more get June jamming
From Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo, live music lovers had plenty of options to heat things up. Check out the photo galleries and links to Local Spins reviews.
Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
ZZ Top continues to ‘rock on,’ conquer new musical worlds while getting set to kick off Interlochen’s summer
With nearly five decades of music under its belt, that ‘little ol’ band from Texas’ will get the Interlochen series started with a blues-rock bang. Read the Local Spins interview with ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
Interlochen Arts Festival 2017 gets ‘multi-generational’ with OK Go, Salt-N-Pepa, Trace Adkins, ZZ Top, Gavin DeGraw, Diana Ross
The summer concert series announced today by Interlochen Center for the Arts also boasts appearances by Michael McDonald, Boz Scaggs, Paul Shaffer, Amos Lee and Ian Anderson. See the full lineup and details in this Local Spins story.
Commentary · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Legal Immigrants, Conrad Shock & The Noise to rock Sunday’s Feedback 2017 for good cause
The 23rd anniversary of this benefit for Access of West Michigan aids a worthy cause by rattling the rafters at Founders Brewing with regional rock faves. It’s all about a community of caring. Are you ready to join in? Read the Local Spins commentary and get the lowdown on this weekend event.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Peter Frampton brings acoustic ‘Wind of Change’ to Grand Rapids, plus Bear Grillz, Norma Jean, Fishbone, Dragon Wagon
The classic rock guitarist brought his virtuosic talents to 20 Monroe Live on Sunday night, closing out a week that also featured a host of dynamic shows — from EDM to heavy metal — in Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo. Check out the Peter Frampton review and all the images at Local Spins.
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