Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
With compassion-fueled apoplexy, alt-metal’s Helmet rolls into The Pyramid Scheme on Sunday as it prepares to release a new studio album, “Left.” The Local Spins interview with frontman Page Hamilton.
The second day of Grand Rapids’ mammoth heavy metal fest was just part of a robust week of live music across West Michigan — revisited in action-packed photos at Local Spins. Browse images of Ripe, The Hacky Turtles, Roosevelt Diggs, Kanin Wren’s Taylor Swift Experience, Jake Kershaw, Tommy Prine and a fun collective known as COA.
Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
The hard-rocking Grand Rapids festival returned to Belknap Park on Friday, with more than a dozen bands — some of them local — turning up their amps to 11. The recap, photo galleries and Saturday schedule at Local Spins.
Playlists · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Bring Me the Horizon, Lamb of God, Falling in Reverse, Halestorm lead the charge at this weekend’s Upheaval Fest taking place at Grand Rapids’ Belknap Park. The preview at Local Spins, with a weather forecast, ticket links, daily schedules and a festival playlist.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
Celebrating Local Spins’ 11th birthday and the power of Michigan’s female artistry, the second annual festival drew enthused crowds Saturday for sets by six regional bands: In the Valley Below, Earth Radio, Sarena Rae, Kari Lynch Band, Lokella and Grace Theisen Band. The recap, photos and a video at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Still heavy, still touring and still professing deep faith, Stryper rolls into Elevation at the Intersection tonight. The Local Spins interview, along with the band’s latest music video.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Regional acts such as Max Lockwood, Megan Dooley, Lisa Can’t Sing and Darcy Wilkin are also part of this weekend’s concert photo roundup, which includes images from Drake White, Real Friends, The Plot in You, Wreckno and more. Plus, see who won the B93 Battle to the Bash. Browse all the galleries at Local Spins.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
The flurry of summer music festival news continues, with Michigan boasting celebrations covering everything from metal to folk to blues to jazz and more. Details at Local Spins with links to Phil Denny’s Jazz Fete, Battle Creek Caribbean Festival, Battle Creek Music Fest, Smiling Acres, Local Spins Fest and more.
Album reviews · Audio · Upcoming shows
New releases from Michigan artists Cody Robert DeWindt, Story Cafe and Adam Main are also part of this Local Spins roundup of reviews. Check out Local Spins takes and listen to tracks from all of the recordings.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
West Michigan’s mid-April blast ranged from jam-packed shows by national artists to showcases of regional favorites to the enduring pull of vinyl — all recapped in images and videos at Local Spins. Check out 10 galleries and three videos, including August Burns Red, Brie Stoner & Kate Pillsbury, B93’s Battle to the Bash, Record Store Day, The Claudettes, Flexadecibel and more.
The Grammy-winning outfit gave fans at State Theatre a visually enhanced dose of boundary-pushing charm, plus check out our photo recaps of weekend shows ranging from heavy metal to EDM to post-punk and more. The Snarky Puppy review and concert photo galleries at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The rock band hosts a special album-signing at GR’s Vertigo Music on Thursday, followed by an intimate acoustic tour kickoff show at The Intersection’s Stache. The interview with lead singer Leigh Kakaty, music videos and more at Local Spins.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
With Earth Radio’s Justin Avdek playing with three different artists at Friday’s Jammie Awards, Local Spins asked the multi-instrumentalist to reveal albums that have impacted him most. Check out his picks and listen to tracks from all of the albums.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
In the midst of winter’s chilly bluster, Michigan music festivals are whetting fan appetites by announcing lineups or adding big names to their rosters. The round-up of some recent high-profile festival rosters with links to ticket sales at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
From Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo, December rolled in with a musical wallop — from national touring acts to local stars playing a smattering of venues. View the photos at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
House and bass music stars, rousing prog-metal bands, country crooners, indie-folksters and more delivered an eclectic week of live music to remember across West Michigan. Browse the photos from eight concerts at Local Spins.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
Lansing’s Heartsick has long electrified Michigan fans with its melodic hardcore. Today, singer Alfonso Civile reveals the recordings that have impacted him the most. Get his back story and listen to tracks from all of his picks at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
From decades-old classics to music by emerging stars, the region’s week of live music boasted some intriguing tour stops beyond just the return of Michigan’s Billy Strings. Browse the weekend photo galleries at Local Spins.
Jennifer Bartlett of the haunting Grand Rapids rock band Lokella lives and breathes Halloween. So, Local Spins asked her to curate what could be the creepiest Halloween playlist ever. Really. Listen … but leave the lights on.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
The frontman for Michigan’s Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers boasts a fascinating set of musical influences and a surprising current favorite. Check out his picks and listen to the music at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
The kickoff to autumn 2022 had it all: country, folk, symphonic metal, Americana, soulful pop and German party music. Local Spins revisits the action in words and photos.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
Dominated by a packed heavy metal spectacle in Grand Rapids, the West Michigan weekend also boasted shows by Chloe Kimes, The Insiders, The Verve Pipe, Chuck Mead and more. The photo galleries and recaps at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
The opening day of the 2022 festival at Grand Rapids’ Belknap Park revved up thousands of metal and hard rock fans, with Day 2 continuing today, starting in early afternoon. Check out the Day 1 recap and photo gallery, exclusively at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows · Videos
The hard-hitting Michigan bands join metal powerhouses — Disturbed to Breaking Benjamin — at this weekend’s return of Upheaval Fest to Grand Rapids’ Belknap Park. The back story, festival schedule and videos.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The feisty Grand Rapids band playing Grand Rapids’ Festival of the Arts this weekend rocked Local Spins on WYCE, which also aired new music by The Blue Pines, The B-Sides, Cameron Blake & more. Learn more about Slumlord Radio, watch one of their videos and listen to this week’s radio show at Local Spins.
Albums that Changed the World · Playlists · Upcoming shows
Being featured Saturday as part of Local Spins Fest in downtown Grand Rapids, the leader of the Latin alt-rock band today reveals his picks for albums and artists that have most influenced him. Listen to tracks from the albums as well as music by Cabildo.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
With a disparate batch of bands and solo artists touring behind new material, West Michigan got an earful over the weekend, including a B93 battle featuring regional country acts. See who’s moving on, get the show recaps and browse eight photo galleries at Local Spins.
With a new single and video on the way, the death metal trio Rip VanRipper revels in a DIY spirit and determination to ‘learn and expand’ while unleashing its crushing music. The Local Spins Artist Spotlight, with a track from the band’s most recent EP.
Led by metal’s elder statesman, Dave Mustaine, Megadeth headlined Tuesday’s ‘Metal Tour of the Year’ stop in Grand Rapids, with Lamb of God offering up a ‘novelty’ set featuring a replacement lead singer. The Local Spins review by John Serba with photos by Anthony Norkus.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
West Michigan’s concert week also heated up with Fit for a King, Rip VanRipper, SubDocta, Jesse James Dupree, Pretoria, Lipstick Jodi and more, all captured in Local Spins images. Browse the recaps and photo galleries.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
St. Patrick’s Day celebrations may have been the focus for many, but West Michigan’s live music week also delivered country, indie-pop, metal, blues, alt-country and world music charm. Browse all of the photo galleries at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Frankenmuth’s favorite sons in Greta Van Fleet continued their Michigan homecoming assault at DeltaPlex on Saturday, plus browse photos from a diverse set of shows in Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids, including Lady Ace Boogie, Jordan Hamilton, Cabildo, Djangophonique, Dee Dee Bridgewater and Between the Buried and Me.
Led by one-time Grand Rapidian Maynard James Keenan, Tool’s Tuesday spectacle at Van Andel Arena proved to be a wildly creative mix of rock and multimedia magic. The review by John Serba with photos by Anthony Norkus.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
Led by one-time West Michigander Maynard James Keenan, Tool returns to Grand Rapids’ Van Andel Arena on Tuesday, giving Local Spins writer John Serba the perfect excuse to assemble the ideal playlist to get fans fired up.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
The Grand Rapids heavy metal festival announced its lineup this week – from Three Days Grace to Heartsick. June’s long-running Charlotte Bluegrass Festival also revealed its roster. Get details at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
The mammoth Christian music tour rolls into Grand Rapids on Friday night. The Local Spins interview with John Cooper of headliner Skillet. Plus, get more details about the Winter Jam tour.
Album reviews · Audio · Upcoming shows
This late January round-up of new releases by Michigan artists ranges from the latest by a national bluegrass powerhouse to the debut of a new Grand Rapids project to a heavy metal fusillade from Detroit. Browse the reviews and listen to tracks from all of the releases at Local Spins.
Hard to envision a more contrasting set of shows unfurling in West Michigan over the weekend: swing revival, folk, a metal-EDM hybrid, Americana, blues, you name it — all showcased in photos at Local Spins.
The “Comeback Road” series partnership between the Destination Live Music video team and Local Spins continues with a fresh look at the reopening of Skelletones, featuring interviews with the owners, young patrons and bands.
Local Spins Rewind · Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
Exactly one year ago, Local Spins compiled a Top 10 list of its readers’ favorite terrifying tracks for a spine-tingling soundtrack. As a Halloween bonus, see what acts scare them the most.
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.
The all-ages club on S. Division Avenue in Grand Rapids hosted its first show in 12 years on Friday. Local Spins was there to capture the energetic vibe in the packed house and the images from the inaugural celebration.
Grand Rapids’ renovated and much-beloved S. Division Avenue club will stage its first show in 12 years on Friday, with a lineup of hard-rocking West Michigan bands. The preview at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
One of the busiest music weeks of summer 2021 brought big crowds to venues across West Michigan, including the second day of revelry at Belknap Park and Shagbark Farm. The photo galleries, festival recaps and video highlights at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
“Rock music is back!” Despite some early rain, throngs of head-bangers cheered their hard-rocking heroes as festival performances — featuring several Michigan acts — returned to Grand Rapids. Read the review, browse the photo gallery and watch video highlights from the first day of Upheaval Festival.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
The new festival’s two-day rock ‘n’ roll assault at the Grand Rapids park shapes up as ‘surreal and unbelievably exciting.’ Get the back story and the full festival schedule at Local Spins.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
After a one-year hiatus, the two-day electronic/pop festival at Belknap Park will also feature Gryffin, Madeon, Big Wild and Chelsea Cutler. Learn more about August’s Breakaway and July’s Upheaval festival, both being held at the Grand Rapids park, with organizers hoping COVID capacity restrictions will be eased.
Concert reviews · Guest Column
The second installment in the Local Spins series recounting our critics’ most bizarre concert experiences continues with tales of outlandish musical misery, courtesy of the one and only John Serba — from a Motley Crue debacle to jam-band hell.
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows · Venue Spotlight
The legendary Division Avenue hot spot for teens which staged its last show in 2009 is under renovation by former operator Mark Leech. Learn more about this plan to fill a regional void in all-ages venues and watch some historical show footage at Local Spins.
Mid-November brings another review roundup of new releases by West Michigan artists covering a dizzying array of genres. Read the reviews, listen to tracks from each of the featured artists.
