Breaking music news · Commentary
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
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.
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.
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.
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’ 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.
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.
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.
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 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
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.’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.
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.
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.
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
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
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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[…]
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.
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.
A sun-splashed capacity crowd of devoted West Michigan fans cheered the stars of the “Girls Night Out, Boys Can Come Too Tour” all night long. Read the review and check out the photos by Local Spins’ Taylor Mansen.
Commentary · Concert reviews · Videos
The band’s first-ever Grand Rapids appearance on Friday night was a show unlike anything this reviewer has ever experienced. Check out the Local Spins review and video snippets from the show.
Entertaining in a less disturbing sort of way that might frighten only grandmothers and politicians, the 46-year-old shock rocker brought his Hell Not Hallelujah tour to Grand Rapids on Wednesday night. But he and his fans still make a colorful spectacle. Check out the photos by Anthony Norkus and review by Brian J. Bowe.
The duo brought a boatload of catchy ’70s and ’80s pop hits to stoke the embers of a Saturday night dance party for an audience of about 7,500 at Van Andel Arena. Read Local Spins review by Tricia Woolfenden and view the photo gallery by Anthony Norkus.
Heart and Joan Jett & The Blackhearts made their final 2015 tour stop together a mostly memorable one, cranking out driving rock hits for a gleefully nostalgic crowd at Grand Rapids’ Van Andel Arena. Read the review and check out the photo gallery.
Lambert proved to be the “Fastest Girl in Town” on Sunday night, delivering hits and more with Justin Moore, Sunny Sweeney and Jukebox Mafia also revving up the Van Andel Arena crowd. View the photo gallery and read the review.
Playing in front of a capacity crowd at The Pyramid Scheme, New York’s legendary post-punkers led by Michael Gira delivered intense, lengthy and improvisational musical pieces. Read the review by Brian J. Bowe, with photos by Anthony Norkus.
The CMA Entertainer of the Year ignited a sold-out Van Andel Arena from his fiery opening salvo to the final note of his encore, with help from fellow country singers Randy Houser and Dustin Lynch. (Review, photo gallery)
The first installation of a new occasional series at Local Spins takes a look at a landmark 1970s appearance in West Michigan by the late, great Lou Reed, who startled some fans with his graphic depiction of drug use.
