Features · Top 12 Stories Countdown
The No. 10 story in our countdown revisits the excitement of a summer slate of 2021 concerts following a quiet, COVID-impaired 2020 — from the return of Meijer Gardens’ amphitheater to shows across the region.
Concert reviews · Top 10 Lists
Fall has arrived, so Local Spins columnist John Sinkevics offers up his Top 10 favorites shows or live music events that he attended this summer. We also list some readers’ picks of best concerts. What are yours?
The legendary English heavy metal icons made a tour stop at Grand Rapids’ Van Andel Arena on Thursday with Sweden’s Sabaton opening. The review by Local Spins’ John Serba with photos by Anthony Norkus.
Artist Spotlights · Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Michigan band going ‘really hard’ this summer will join three other regional faves at the unique West Side venue on Friday. The Local Spins interview with frontman Joe Hertler, plus show details and ticket information about the event hosted by Fans of Valley Field.
In-Depth Report · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Growing concerns about the delta variant as Michigan enters its busiest stretch of concerts and music festivals this summer could spark vaccination mandates or mask requirements for some shows. The in-depth report at Local Spins.
Photos · Upcoming shows · Venue Spotlight
The Alpine Township farm hosts regular shows, including band performances on a stage built to deliver a unique concert experience for musicians and fans. The back story about this unusual concert venue, with photos.
Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
As summer kicks into full gear, so do outdoor concerts hosted by communities across West Michigan. Learn more about the return of these shows and get the latest update to Local Spins’ comprehensive listings of music in the great outdoors.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
On Friday night, Desmond Jones and Earth Radio kick off City Built’s new concert series in a unique new location along the river in Grand Rapids’ Monroe North district. The lowdown at Local Spins, along with information about new Sunday afternoon jam sessions with Mark Lavengood.
A happy crowd of mask-less concertgoers gathered in the courtyard of Studio Park in downtown Grand Rapids to cheer a diverse trio of Grand Rapids acts thrilled to be back on stage. The recap and photo gallery at Local Spins.
With Memorial Day weekend kicking off summer fun, Michigan will be buzzing with concert series at outdoor venues across the region. Check out lineups for more than 20 of them in today’s listings along with links for tickets and more information.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
With the relaxation of state COVID restrictions announced this week, Meijer Gardens has the green light to resume its popular concert series starting in July. Get ticket details and more info at Local Spins.
Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
More communities across West Michigan are re-entering the concert fray after a year that silenced live music due to COVID. View the schedules, from Monday night jazz at Walker’s Millennium Park Meadows to weekend rock and blues in several outdoor hot spots.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
Despite a current jump in the state’s COVID cases, some venues – indoors and out – plan to host summer tours and other shows. But capacity restrictions remain a major concern. Get the lowdown at Local Spins, along with a lineup of some summer concerts on the schedule.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
After a mostly silent 2020, communities across West Michigan will host park concerts this summer with acts ranging from The Accidentals to Soul Syndicate. The lowdown, schedules and lineups for more than a dozen series, only at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Local Spins at SXSW · Upcoming shows
‘SXSW Week’ boasts a series of online events, pop-up performances, a Michigander live-stream and an outdoor wrap-up concert on Friday at Studio Park with Brother Elsey, which releases a new single that day. Get details on this week’s Michigan House activities as well as an update on Brother Elsey.
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
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.
COVID-19 silenced live music downtown until Thursday when the first “Listening Lawn” show regaled a sold-out crowd outdoors on the piazza at Studio Park. Check out the review and photo gallery exclusively at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Innovative ideas for outdoor concerts populate this week’s concert guide as the region continues to struggle with recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. See who’s playing where this week across West Michigan.
Amid the coronavirus crisis and a turbulent music industry, a new advocacy group based in Niles aims to give roadies and their families a helping hand — from counseling to financial assistance. Get the exclusive back story in this Local Spins feature story and see how this West Michigan clinic is making a difference.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
Rockford’s popular Tuesday series initially was supposed to start with blues guitarist Jake Kershaw this week, but now won’t return until 2021 due to COVID-19. And Bell’s Brewery in Kalamazoo has announced cancellation of its Summer Garden Series. But Kentwood’s series resumes in mid-July. Find details about these free shows and other series at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Features · Videos
Kent County Administrative Health Officer Adam London cautions venues, performers and fans that the reopening of bars and restaurants comes with rigid rules and risks of spreading COVID-19, especially when it comes to live music at this critical juncture. The Local Spins interview with some advice for fans, performers and businesses.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
COVID-19 still has many communities wrestling with decisions to host free concerts this summer. Get the update at Local Spins along with the full schedule of July shows in Cutlerville.
Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
Another month amid a COVID-19 shutdown means more concerts and live music events have been canceled or postponed. Here are new dates for some shows you might be wondering about, along with a list of canceled Michigan concerts.
COVID-19 concerns are wreaking havoc with free community concerts in cities across Michigan, with some delaying shows and others canceling summer series, sometimes sparking angry reactions from residents. Get the lowdown on which series are still hoping to continue and what issues organizers are wrestling with.
Features · In-Depth Report · Venue Spotlight
Venues are rallying for federal aid and short-term prospects for live music appear bleak. See what some experts and concertgoers say about the future of the live music industry amid COVID-19, their concerns about inconsiderate fans and the impact of a possible vaccine. Plus, see how you can help venues in their struggle for survival.
Big List Concert Guide · Commentary
Normally on Mondays, Local Spins is all about giving you the lowdown on concerts for the week ahead. COVID-19 has changed all that. But we’re still determined to keep you updated on Michigan’s music scene.
Kalamazoo · Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
With Memorial Day weekend serving as the kickoff to the summer concert season, Local Spins spotlights free community concerts in the Kalamazoo area. Check out the robust lineups and complete schedules in several locations.
Local Spins presents another roundup of summer concerts taking place across West Michigan, many of them featuring an impressive lineup of regional stars. Peruse the schedules for these free shows.
Matt Johnson, one half of the popular indie-pop duo Matt and Kim, spoke recently to Local Spins about the band’s 14-year-long career, returning to the road after Kim’s onstage injury, and the ‘slow burn’ success of the song “Daylight.”
Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
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.
In the sixth episode of Ralston and Sink’s Virtual Podcast, our intrepid music commentators delve into the scary world of mass mayhem that’s rocked major public concerts and festivals, plus event security in general. Listen to the full RSVP Music Chat podcast.
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.
Announcements · Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
The shows featuring regional stars kicks off in December, with The Crane Wives, Brian Vander Ark and Channing & Quinn also set to perform in the cozy venue. Get the full story and upcoming concert schedule at Local Spins.
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.
New ArtPrize musical offerings range from The Eddy outdoor venue to Michigan House’s intimate indoor performance space, plus more than 150 busking performances in five locations around the city. Check out the robust lineup of live music offerings during ArtPrize in this Local Spins roundup.
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.
Another eclectic week and weekend, from Channing & Quinn to Jackyl to Elephant Wrecking Ball to the B-Side Growlers and some bittersweet goodbyes, captured in photos by Local Spins.
On Wednesday, the Nashville artist won CMA’s musician of the year for the seventh straight time. The ‘exclamation point’ comes Saturday when he plays a Pinnacle Center benefit for music education.
The unseen time and labor behind a band’s typical road gig: working 10-12 hours for $10 to $15 a day. And most bands will do it happily time and again. But is that fair? A commentary on Labor Day.
The singer may feel ‘anonymous’ in The Music City but he’s still a star in West Michigan, performing Saturday in Kalamazoo’s District Square concert series.
The much-ballyhooed Ray LaMontagne tantrum at Meijer Gardens has sparked a mega-debate over the do’s and don’ts of concertgoers and performers. Local Spins columnist Tricia Woolfenden offers her take. What’s yours?
Musical lightning strikes thrice: Unusual confluence of stellar acts playing Grand Rapids on single night impresses crowds despite stormy weather.
The sold-out crowd of 1,900 arrived early, jostled for prime seats and boogied to “Oye Como Va” and “Smooth” as the guitarist and his top-notch 10-piece band launched the summer series.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements
Tickets for the second of three straight August concerts planned for the ballpark north of Grand Rapids go on sale at 10 a.m. Thursday.
Commentary · Features · Upcoming shows
West Michigan’s celebration on Saturday is as much about history, nostalgia and supporting local record shops and bands as it is about snapping up exclusive vinyl releases. Dodds hosts its first RSD under new ownership, while Vertigo Music and The Corner Record Shop continue to make the day a real party.
Saturday’s unprecedented anniversary concert will pay tribute to decade of international stars who’ve played the venue and bring more than 70 performers to the stage in a rare spectacle.
The much-praised Cincinnati-turned-Brooklyn band unfurled a bona fide rock spectacle for a well-behaved, enthusiastic crowd at Calvin’s Van Noord Arena on Saturday. (Review, photo gallery)
The early September Local Spins music news roundup is chock full of nuggets, from a new concert series at Wealthy Theatre to a hot music video that pays tribute to[…]
It’s Labor Day: Do you know how little your favorite local musician or band is probably being paid? Pipe in with your own experiences, comments. On Labor Day 2013,[…]
