‘No Bad News’: Patty Griffin ends weekend with poignant St. Cecilia sellout show
The award-winning singer-songwriter performed as part of a trio on Sunday night, with Parker Millsap getting the evening started. The review and photos at Local Spins.
Tagged: concert reviews
Concert reviews · Photos · Top 12 Stories Countdown
Top Stories of 2022 (No. 2): Elvis Costello launches tour in GR with fan-pleasing aplomb
The first stop on the legendary British rock artist’s U.S. tour got plenty of attention from fans across the globe in August, making it the No. 2 most-read story of the year at Local Spins. Revisit that special opening night, view a photo gallery and browse the set list.
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Concert reviews · Local Spins Rewind · Photos · Top 12 Stories Countdown
Top Stories of 2022 (No. 3): Fervent Grand Rapids fans revel in Journey’s ‘big’ arena show
The No. 3 story of the year at Local Spins was our review of a much-delayed, much-anticipated concert: Journey’s return to Van Andel Arena in early May. Revisit it today.
Puscifer probes depths of vaudevillian, sci-fi, electro-rock, multimedia spectacles in GR show
Led by one-time Grand Rapidian Maynard James Keenan, the rock band brought its theatrical schtick to DeVos Performance Hall on Tuesday. The Local Spins review and photo gallery.
‘Beloved’: A moving Grand Rapids Symphony swan song; Paula Cole impresses Forest Hills FAC
GR Symphony opened its season with passion, a premiere and one of the final concerts for a beloved percussionist, on the same night that iconic songwriters held court for a new series in Forest Hills. The concert reviews and photo galleries at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Summer Concerts · Top 10 Lists
Local Spins’ Top 10 Summer Concerts of 2022: From Elvis Costello to Japanese Breakfast
Based purely on reader traffic for our concert reviews, Local Spins presents a fun Top 10 of this summer’s most memorable shows. Plus check out our editor’s Top 3 picks of the summer and fan comments on other favorite shows of the season.
Fitz & The Tantrums, St. Paul & The Broken Bones bring jovial vigor to Meijer Gardens
The double-header of energetic bands energized a sold-out crowd at the outdoor amphitheater on Sunday. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Rain, misery, shame, ejection and a Phil Collins hoax: Concerts our hero wishes he could forget
The series revealing the oddest, most miserable or embarrassing concert experiences in our music critics’ past brings us to Troy Reimink’s recollections of Pearl Jam, Built To Spill, Phil Collins and a band he still knows absolutely nothing about.
Breaking music news · Commentary
After a year of darkness and gloom, optimism surges about possible concerts in 2021
In March 2020, COVID shut down live music across Michigan. A year later, there’s hope for a slow return with more than 100 venues finally set to receive state aid within the next 30 days and industry experts saying some summer amphitheater concerts are possible.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Five Strand Fusion, Bri Baron Band rock the lot in area’s first drive-in concert
It may have ranked as one of “the weirdest concerts ever,” but in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Saturday’s first foray into drive-in performances got high marks from those who attended the Grand Haven show. Get the recap, photos and video at Local Spins.
American Authors, Magic Giant play Plinko, uncork exhilarating life’s soundtrack in GR
The pop-hued rock bands’ West Michigan tour stop on Sunday was a true “Band of Brothers” affair with musicians from each group joining each other on stage to pump up an exuberant Elevation crowd. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
The Black Keys pound out arena-styled garage rock gems in return to Grand Rapids
After a five-year hiatus, the blues-rock duo from Akron charmed an enthused Van Andel Arena crowd on Tuesday in a triumphant return to West Michigan, with Modest Mouse and Jessy Wilson opening the show. Read the review, peruse the photo gallery at Local Spins.
New Kids on the Block unleash nostalgic ‘Mixtape’ of songs, stars at Van Andel Arena
The boy band brought its hits and a stage spectacle to Grand Rapids Thursday along with plenty of nostalgia for devoted fans, plus appearances by Salt-N-Pepa, Tiffany, Debbie Gibson and Naughty by Nature. Get the show recap and a photo gallery at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Kalamazoo · Photos
Steppin’ Into Summer: Michigan favorites open two Kalamazoo beer gardens in style
Steppin’ In It with friends and May Erlewine & The Motivations moved a Bell’s Brewery crowd while Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers funked up Old Dog Tavern in outdoor shows. Check out the recap of both summer-opening spectacles by Ryan Boldrey, with photo galleries by Derek Ketchum.
Twenty One Pilots live up to ‘The Hype,’ fire up fervent devotees in Grand Rapids
With many fans lining up for days just to see them, the Ohio band played its first U.S. show of 2019 at Van Andel Arena on Friday. Check out the review, set list and a photo gallery from the “The Bandito Tour” stop at Local Spins.
Hozier makes moving ‘Sweet Music’ to captivate capacity Grand Rapids crowd
The Irish singer-songwriter brought his “Wasteland, Baby!” tour to a sold-out 20 Monroe Live on Wednesday night, with New York’s Bailen getting things started. The review, photos at Local Spins.
KISS spews flames, blood, nostalgia in (final) Grand Rapids arena-rock spectacle
Forty-five years after the band’s first West Michigan show, KISS brought its “End of the Road” tour to Van Andel Arena on Saturday, bidding a bombastic farewell to fans — many of whom dressed and spent accordingly for the occasion. The Local Spins review by John Serba with dazzling photos by Anthony Norkus.
Bob Seger bids fond, energetic farewell to thankful West Michigan fans … yet again
Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band kicked off their “final tour” at Grand Rapids’ Van Andel Arena on Wednesday, once again regaling fans with his classic tunes on Thanksgiving Eve. And they’ll be back in January for what’s billed as a final, final Grand Rapids show. Michigan’s own The War and Treaty opened Wednesday’s concert. The review and photo gallery, exclusively at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Kalamazoo · Photos
‘Good News for People Who Like Bad News’: Dear Modest Mouse, I’ve heard better.
This show “Missed the Boat” and it shouldn’t be blamed on “The Dance Hall.” Sound issues made songs unrecognizable, some fans left early and one reviewer wished he’d run “Out of Gas.” But the light show was groovy. Get the lowdown and a photo gallery from Tuesday’s Wings Stadium concert at Local Spins.
Gary Clark Jr. makes triumphant return to 20 Monroe Live with guitar wizardry
Gary Clark Jr.’s musical conversation proved to be a powerful, dynamic dialogue of groaning blues, searing rock ’n’ roll and riveting soul Monday night at 20 Monroe Live.
Melvins rock Grand Rapids in mighty, tight, head-scratchingly brilliant fashion
The iconic rock band’s return to The Pyramid Scheme on Thursday unleashed noise-ridden, Black Sabbath-meets-Capt. Beefheart charm with Spencer’s own brand of minimalist rock opening the show. The Local Spins review by John Serba, with photos by Katy Batdorff and Derek Ketchum.
Dispatch, Nahko bring rain, harmony to Meijer Gardens; Frank Turner breaks the rules in Kalamazoo
Manic Music Monday across West Michigan featured a wet-but-uplifting concert at Meijer Gardens, with British songwriter Frank Turner lighting up Bell’s Brewery. The reviews, photos exclusively at Local Spins.
L7 gets lean, loud, vicious and unapologetically raucous in Grand Rapids tour stop
Local Spins music critic John Serba absorbed the brutish, beautifully ‘apelike rock’ of the iconic L.A. punk/metal/grunge band that rattled The Pyramid Scheme on Monday. Read his take on the rock ‘n’ roll assault along with photos by Katy Batdorff — only at Local Spins.
Wildman Andrew W.K. brings outsized persona, nuclear zeal and party mayhem to The Pyramid Scheme
The debut of Local Spins music critic John Serba has him tackling the ‘really, really high on life’ bravado of ‘the craziest person in the room’: Andrew W.K. whose ‘You’re Not Alone’ tour stopped in Grand Rapids on Thursday. Relive the evening in this rollicking review, browse the photo gallery from the sold-out show.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Weird Al stays weird — in a different sort of way — at sold-out Grand Rapids show
The seated show at 20 Monroe Live on Saturday unfurled without the usual stage props, video screens or costumes but still displayed the goofy personality that belongs uniquely to Weird Al Yankovic. Read the Local Spins review, ogle the photo gallery.
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.
Concert reviews · Top 10 Lists
Local Spins Top 10 Rewind: Bob Dylan sends up daring, frustrating, brilliant, unexpected, bizarre Grand Rapids show
The Local Spins Top 10 Rewind series of top 2017 stories continues with something a little different: With the media deterred from covering the legendary Bob Dylan’s concert at Van Andel Arena in October, Local Spins asked fans to offer up their own takes on the 76-year-old icon’s tour stop. The results were entertaining, intriguing and, often, poles apart.
Lights, synths, action: Alt-J rolls out ‘awesome wave’ of haunting sights, sounds in Grand Rapids show
Promoting its latest album, “Relaxer,” the English rock band’s tour stop Tuesday at 20 Monroe Live got a boost from an impressive light show and an opening set by indie-pop singer Bishop Briggs. Read the Local Spins review, browse the photo gallery, scan the set list.
Pixies ‘Gouge Away’ in stirring, magical fashion at long-awaited Grand Rapids show
Led by Black Francis, the Pixies’ tour stop at 20 Monroe Live on Saturday night was an epic, rapid-fire affair that didn’t disappoint exuberant devotees. The Local Spins review and photo gallery.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Greta Van Fleet proves in Grand Rapids show that the future of rock ‘n’ roll is in good hands
The hard rock band from Frankenmuth — Michigan’s hottest new rock export these days — fired up a sold-out Stache inside The Intersection on Thursday. Read the review, browse the photos, watch the videos.
Primus doesn’t suck, regales Grand Rapids fans with career-spanning, ‘truly original’ alt-rock
Selling out 20 Monroe Live on its current U.S. tour, Primus trotted out its trippy lyrics, psychedelic guitars and even some jam-band vibes for an approving crowd. Read Troy Reimink’s review and browse the photo gallery by Anthony Norkus.
Aretha Franklin cruises soulful ‘Freeway of Love’ for nostalgic, passionate fans in long-awaited Grand Rapids concert
At 75, the Detroit legend proved Thursday she’s still “The Queen of Soul” in a DeVos Performance Hall show that featured some of her biggest hits, including “Respect,” “Chain of Fools” and “Baby I Love You.” Read the Local Spins review, browse the photo gallery.
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah flexes indie-rock muscles for modest crowd in Grand Rapids tour stop
Touring behind its latest album, “The Tourist,” the Alec Ounsworth-led Clap Your Hands Say Yeah made folks wonder why they’ve “slept on this band for the past four albums.” At least, that’s the take of Local Spins reviewer Troy Reimink. Check out the review and photo gallery from Thursday night’s concert at The Pyramid Scheme.
The Lumineers lead night of indie-folk glory in Grand Rapids tour stop: Photo Gallery
With much-respected artists Andrew Bird and Margaret Glaspy getting things started, The Lumineers brought their “Cleopatra” world tour to Van Andel Arena on Thursday. Browse the photo gallery at Local Spins.
Paul McCartney lives up to hype, unleashes epic career retrospective in Grand Rapids debut
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.
Boyz II Men makes it ‘So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday’ in nostalgic Picnic Pops finale
The legendary Philly vocal group delivered some hot hits on a hot night with some help from the Grand Rapids Symphony. Check out the Local Spins review and photo gallery from Thursday’s show.
Journey, Doobie Brothers reward Grand Rapids fans with treasure-trove of hits (Photos)
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 · Summer Concerts
America shows off its timeless hits, first-rate harmonies at Meijer Gardens (Review, photos)
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.
Garth Brooks rewards Michigan country fans with high-energy spectacle at Van Andel Arena
Along with Trisha Yearwood, the country superstar delivered hit after hit in the first of six straight Grand Rapids shows. West Michigan country singer Kari Lynch offers up her take on the much-anticipated concert by one of her biggest influences. Read the review, check out the photo gallery from this historic show.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
Channing & Quinn embrace Michigan as duo’s new home on ‘Up North’ album, revel in audience-pleasing, multi-instrumental shows
With their new album, Channing Lee and Quinn Mathews have added a Great Lakes State perspective to their unique indie-folk — crowd-pleasing material that comes to life next week in concert at SpeakEZ Lounge in Grand Rapids. Read about this couple’s new studio project.
Elton John fires up his ‘Rocket Man’ engines for a piano-jam-laden Grand Rapids show
Two days before his 69th birthday, the iconic rock star pumped out hits, new songs and deep tracks during a 2-1/2-hour show at a sold-out Van Andel Arena. Check out the review and photo gallery.
Fall Out Boy unleashes ‘extra large’ rock spectacle for exuberant Grand Rapids fans
The Midwest pop-punk band brought its signature hits, an uplifting message and indoor snow to Van Andel Arena to pump up fans as it prepares to take a hiatus from the road. Read the review and check out the Local Spins photo gallery.
Blue Man Group: Weird, loud, messy, immersive, celebratory, creative and bizarre show invades Grand Rapids
The avant garde rock spectacle on Tuesday played the first of two nights at DeVos Performance Hall in Grand Rapids with ardent fans ‘moving, laughing and reacting’ to the Blue Man Group’s colorful hijinks. Read the review, check out the photos.
Wilco roars with ‘Star Wars,’ band favorites in Kalamazoo; Lord Huron enchants capacity Grand Rapids crowd with cinematic indie-folk
Two much-admired, inventive rock bands brought their respective, polished spectacles to West Michigan on Wednesday night. And Local Spins was there to document the impressive performances for packed houses. Read the reviews and scan the photo galleries from these mid-week concert gems.
Robert Plant, Jimmie Stagger, The Go Rounds and the Art of Reinvention (Commentary)
Inspired by last week’s extraordinary Detroit-area performance by former Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant, a Local Spins columnist finds enlightenment and virtuosity in not standing still — and sees some shining examples right here in West Michigan.
Pop Evil rocks the lot for fist-pumping hometown crowd; Vince Gill brings country twang and humor to Meijer Gardens
Friday night delivered two Grand Rapids concerts that couldn’t have been more different, but were every bit as satisfying for their respective throngs of fans. Check out the review and photo gallery from shows featuring Pop Evil and Vince Gill.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts
Umphrey’s McGee takes Meijer Gardens, fans to wondrous new places with intensity, face-ripping riffs and The Groove
Sunday showcased a rare alignment of planets: One of Meijer Gardens’ best shows yet with one of Umphrey’s McGee’s best Grand Rapids shows ever, dazzling even newbies with mind-blowing chops and groovy lighting. Read the review and check out the photo gallery from a concert that drew perhaps the wildest crowd in the amphitheater’s history.
Sweet Emotion: Aerosmith delivers seasoned rock ‘n’ roll punch for Grand Rapids fans
The iconic Boston rock band brought 45 years of stage savvy and classic hits to Van Andel Arena with Living Colour. Local Spins reviewer Troy Reimink waxes poetic — in[…]
Diana Krall takes some risks, rewards Grand Rapids audience with eclectic repertoire
The celebrated jazz singer and pianist led a razor-tight band through everything from Irving Berlin to Bob Dylan to Tom Waits at a sold-out, sun-drenched Meijer Gardens amphitheater on Monday. Read Local Spins guest reviewer Lazaro Vega’s take on the show and check out the photo gallery by Tori Thomas.
Brandi Carlile returns to Meijer Gardens for fan-rousing, euphoric set of the new and classic
Playing for a sold-out amphitheater, the singer-songwriter and opener Anderson East charmed fans with their own compelling original material and some delectable covers. Read the review and view the photo gallery.
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