Artist Spotlights · Local Spins Live · Upcoming shows · Videos
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.
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 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
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 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.
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.
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
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
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
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 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
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.
Legendary British guitarist Steve Hackett played 20 Monroe Live on Tuesday night, impressing longtime fans. Here are the reactions and reviews from two of them, only at Local Spins, along with a photo gallery of the Grand Rapids concert.
Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
The revered musician brings his ‘Genesis Revisited with Classic Hackett’ tour to 20 Monroe Live next week. Check out the Local Spins interview with Steve Hackett and watch his videos.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts · Videos
Today’s announcement of three amphitheater shows serves as an early teaser for concertgoers, with tickets going on sale to Meijer Gardens members in late April. Get all the details at Local Spins.
With Ann Arbor blues guitarist Laith Al-Saadi opening the evening, Lynyrd Skynyrd made the third concert at 20 Monroe Live a memorable one for classic rock devotees. Read the review and browse the photo gallery from Friday night’s show.
Features · Photos · Upcoming shows · Videos
Get a sneak peek into 20 Monroe Live by taking a video tour of the new downtown venue that unleashes its first concert Wednesday with Trombone Shorty and Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers. Then browse the photo gallery and opening-week lineup of shows.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The week was packed with national tour stops and local showcases. Check out the colorful photo gallery that also features The Sauce, Chris Andrus, Jim Lauderdale, Ramblin’ Rose’s Grateful Dead tribute, Devil Elvis, Dede Alder and more, from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo to the lakeshore.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Ann Arbor guitarist’s national exposure on NBC was ‘wonderful thing’ that boosted his profile. He plays Grand Rapids on Feb. 3, opening for Lynyrd Skynyrd at the new 20 Monroe Live venue downtown. Check out this “Local Spins Rewind” feature on a dynamic Michigan artist who’s featured in the Local Spins 2017 wall calendars.
It’s a highway soundtrack for the ages. By making a 2,500-mile journey to California — and back — in his ’73 VW bus, Grand Rapids singer-songwriter Nicholas James Thomasma had plenty of time to craft the perfect playlist for a road trip. Check out the songs, watch the videos, listen to it on Spotify.
Nicks’ “24 Karat Gold Tour” trotted out some golden oldies as well as some fresh material, not to mention spotlighting two rock ‘n’ roll icons. Read the review and browse the photo gallery from the Thanksgiving eve show.
Announcements · Upcoming shows · Videos
The concert hall next to The B.O.B. opens in February with a wide range of bookings: The Verve Pipe, Lauryn Hill, Pop Evil and more. Tickets go on sale Friday. Check out the first slate of concerts booked for the venue.
Amid the vitriol of this year’s presidential campaign, Local Spins presents an Election Day playlist for the ages. Go vote, then relieve your stress and immerse yourself in some great songs via video and Spotify. And do some balloting of your own by suggesting additions to this soundtrack.
Like Ministry (and Alice Cooper), Grand Rapids musician Brian Haik really wishes every day was Halloween, so he concocted his own roster of rock-oriented, fun Top 10 faves for the Local Spins Halloween guest playlist. Listen to the songs, check out the videos while you’re getting your monster gear and werewolf garb ready.
Concert reviews · Guest Column · Photos
Singer-songwriter Nicholas James Thomasma packed up his flawed-but-fabulous ’73 VW bus and made the 2,200-mile trek to California to see a half-dozen rock legends. This is his story in words, photos and videos — only at Local Spins.
Announcements · Breaking music news
The Beatle’s August appearance in Grand Rapids now ranks as the highest grossing show in the arena’s 20-year history, adding to a record-setting year for the venue.
Beatle-mania descended on Van Andel Arena on Monday, with a sold-out crowd cheering McCartney’s first-ever West Michigan appearance. Read the review, ogle the photo gallery and check out the set list from his Grand Rapids tour stop.
The Grammy Award-winning band had a capacity Meijer Gardens crowd of loyal fans on its feet with an impressive display of hits ranging from “Hold the Line” to “Rosanna” to new material. Read the Local Spins review and browse the photo gallery from Sunday night’s show.
They’ve been doing it for more than 40 years, so the makeup-clad guys in platform heels didn’t unleash anything surprising at Van Andel Arena — just good old-fashioned, goofy, glammy, shock-rocking, pyrotechnic- and flame-enhanced fun. Check out the resplendent photo gallery and review from the band’s fifth appearance at the arena.
Fighting through some technical glitches on a sweltering night, War powered up its ’70s hits, while the sibling trio of Los Lonely Boys delivered “Texican blues” for a smaller-than-usual Meijer Gardens crowd. Check out the Local Spins review and photo gallery.
Tuesday night’s co-headlining tour stop at Van Andel Arena by the classic rock icons uncorked dozens of audience-pleasing hits. Browse the photo gallery by Derek Ketchum and check out the set lists from the show.
Concert reviews · Photos · Upcoming shows
Unleashed by a Canadian rock band backed by the symphony and choir, the ‘We Will Rock You’ show entertained more than 3,000 fans at Cannonsburg Ski Area on Thursday, the first of two steamy nights planned for Queen’s music. Check out the photo gallery and review.
Album reviews · Audio · Local Spins on WYCE · Videos
The first batch of mid-year reviews of new local and regional recordings also spotlights Emma Loo, Glass-House, Trash Hounds and Eric Engblade. Check out the reviews and listen to samples from the new albums.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Ann Arbor guitarist concedes national exposure on the NBC show was a ‘wonderful thing’ that boosted his profile and album sales. He headlines the National Cherry Festival this weekend with more big Michigan concerts on tap. Read the Local Spins Artist Spotlight profile, listen to his music and check out his upcoming performance schedule.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts
Shifting between a Hammond B3 organ and guitar, the Southern rock legend brought his familiar voice and songs to Meijer Gardens to entertain a sold-out crowd on a picture-perfect Wednesday evening. Peruse the review and flip through the images in the Local Spins photo gallery.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts
On a sumptuous, sunny evening, the rock legend performed songs spanning his five-decade career backed for the first time at the outdoor amphitheater by a six-piece band. Read the review and browse a photo gallery from Monday’s sold-out show.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts
The second concert of the season at the outdoor amphitheater regaled a sold-out crowd with favorites from the ’70s, including “Ventura Highway,” “Sister Golden Hair” and “Don’t Cross the River.” And opener Brennin of “Nashville” fame impressed fans, too. Check out the review.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts
The first concert of the summer series was full of slapstick humor and familiar pop hits — plus some new gems — that satiated a sold-out, baby-boomer crowd on a sumptuous June evening. Read the review and ogle the photo gallery.
Features · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
A David Bowie tribute band, Cabildo and Grand Rapids Symphony musicians will light up the unusual weekend ‘marketplace extravaganza’ with The Concussions playing an opening night party. Read the story and review the schedule of events.
Announcements · Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
Series host WLAV attracted big crowds after moving the Wednesday series to Walker last summer so it has nine concerts on tap for 2016; Garage Bar resumes its Wednesday night block parties, too. Check out the lineups for both summertimes series.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins Live · Podcasts · Videos
This week’s edition of Local Spins Live featured the Grand Rapids vintage rock band performing a couple of Stones classics on the air as it prepares for a Saturday extravaganza. Listen to the podcast from the Local Spins Live radio show and watch the video of the band’s in-studio performance.
The flute-playing prog-rock frontman brought “Jethro Tull: The Rock Opera” to DeVos Performance Hall on Saturday night, with his vocals getting an assist from video accompanists. (Review, photo gallery)
With Ian Anderson bringing his “Jethro Tull” show to Grand Rapids tonight, check out this 2001 interview with the cerebral frontman and farmer who has a lot to say about his career, touring and the mistakes rock stars make. For longtime fans, it’s a fascinating look into the mind of a prog-rock icon.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
With 50-plus years on the road under his belt, the British-born Albert Lee has a U.S. band, a devoted audience from ‘way back’ and plans for another studio album. Read the Local Spins interview with this iconic musician who boasts a star-studded history.
Features · Playlists · Top 10 Lists
When influential and legendary rock star David Bowie died Sunday, musicians across the globe responded with shock and sadness. Three West Michigan musicians offered Local Spins their playlists of Top 10 favorite Bowie tunes. And listen to Local Spins’ Top 10 David Bowie Playlist on Spotify.
Concert reviews · Features · Weekend Photo Gallery
From Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo to the lakeshore, jam-packed venues ushered in 2016 with some of West Michigan’s most popular bands and DJs — The Crane Wives, Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers, Billy Strings and more — captured in colorful images at Local Spins. And The Go Rounds with Seth Bernard revved up Founders the day after New Year’s.
Features · Top 10 Lists · Videos
Led Zeppelin, The Band, Jimi Hendrix and The Velvet Underground get heartfelt thanks from Michigan bands, but there are plenty of surprises – and a bunch of local artists – on this bountiful banquet table, too, from G’itis Baggs to Lady Ace Boogie. Check out the full list, with videos of the featured bands.
For Local Spins readers, 13 is a lucky number. With the harrowing holiday falling on a weekend, we’ve picked a baker’s dozen of Halloween bashes to haunt your Saturday night. Check out the full list, then pull out your craziest costume.
Concert reviews · Features · Photos · Videos
The Detroit area’s Third Degree Burns and Grand Rapids’ Roosevelt Diggs win the grand prizes in the unusual competition and music showcase. Read the story and check out the photo gallery and video from an event described as “music’s ArtPrize.”
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Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts
The Midwest classic rock band’s Meijer Gardens debut on Thursday was an arena-styled affair for an exuberant sold-out crowd. Read the review and check out the photo gallery from a picture-perfect evening at the amphitheater.
