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.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
Veterans Day is Wednesday, so this week’s playlist at Local Spins unfurls some classic tracks that commemorate those in the military and the sacrifices they’ve made in spite of the politics involved. Watch the videos, listen to the Top 10 on Spotify.
Our mid-July roundup of new West Michigan releases covers fresh entries in rock, jazz, pop, folk and Western swing. Check out the reviews; listen to tracks from each artist.
With folks self-quarantining and social-distancing — and virtually all live music entertainment shut down — Local Spins asked writer Troy Reimink to supply a stay-at-home soundtrack for the viral apocalypse. Watch the videos and listen to the Spotify playlist.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
A coronavirus-shortened week of live shows still gave some West Michigan fans a mix of magical music: blues, metalcore, neo-psychedelia, Celtic music, contemporary Christian pop, country and South African vocal glory. View all of the images at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
St. Patrick’s Day revelry begins early, plus there’s Howard Jones, Of Montreal, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Fit for a King, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, Robert Cray, Leigh Nash, Ajax Stacks and more. See all of this week’s live music picks, along with this week’s concert ticket giveaways.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
March roars in like a lion music-wise with Gaelic Storm, Cowboy Junkies, Shiba San, Scotty McCreery, Will Sexton, The Accidentals, Distant Stars and more on the docket. Plus, Local Spins’ Big List has ticket giveaways for three different concerts this week.
Album reviews · Audio · Upcoming shows
From Kalamazoo to Grand Rapids to northern Michigan, this round-up of new releases by Michigan artists delves into pop, jazz, folk, hard rock and even classical music. Soak up the reviews along with tracks from all of the featured artists.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
February continues to heat up West Michigan stages with Cheryl Wheeler, Pop Evil, Lindsay Beaver, Christopher Paul Stelling, Diego Rivera, tribute bands, local stars and much more on tap. And check out this week’s ticket giveaways.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
A week spotlighted by the Jammie Awards also boasted a varied set of tour stops: country, metal, pop, hip hop, Americana, singer-songwriter and more. Browse The images at Local Spins, including SupeDre’s Sunday launch party for Fourtifeye that features a host of special performances.
The hard-rocking bands brought their co-headlining tour to Grand Rapids’ Van Andel Arena on Thursday. Browse the images, a concert recap and set lists at Local Spins.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
The two-day hard rock and metal festival will make its Grand Rapids debut in mid-July, with Michigan acts such as Heartsick and Legal Immigrants also in the lineup. Get details and ticket links at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The Gasoline Gypsies kick off a holiday-hued week that also features Pink Sky, Tammi Savoy, Full Cord, Roosevelt Diggs, American Hotel System, Sullivan King, Earth Radio and more. See this week’s featured concerts, plus the Under-the-Radar Picks.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Mid-December also heats up with May Erlewine, Dalmatian Stone, Wayland, Mary Gauthier, Brother Elsey, A Winter’s Tune, Tuba Christmas and more. Peruse this week’s featured concerts, check out the Under-the-Radar Picks, and win tickets to shows at The Pyramid Scheme.
For two nights in a row, Grand Rapids audiences got an earful and an eyeful thanks to Steel Panther and Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Browse the colorful images at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Rings of Saturn gets Halloween week started, with Nobuntu, Blue Water Ramblers, Michigan-I-O, The Crane Wives, Andreas Kapsalis and some horrifically good Under-the-Radar Picks on tap, too. Check out all of this week’s live music selections at Local Spins.
After playing a Detroit-area show last weekend, the rockers had “everything” — instruments, sound equipment and merchandise — stolen from a hotel parking lot. A GoFundMe campaign is helping them replace the gear. Read more about the incident at Local Spins. Some gear eventually was recovered at a Detroit pawn shop.
Ghost gets things started in a week that also boasts the first shows at the Listening Room in downtown Grand Rapids, Jinjer, Tyrone Wells, Faren Strnad, Fred Hersch and much more. Plus, see how you can win tickets and a special prize package to an upcoming TAUK concert in Kalamazoo.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The week starts with the roar of GWAR, but there are also big shows starring JRob, The Accidentals, Pink Sky, Earth Radio, Delbert McClinton and way more firing up stages in West Michigan. Get the complete concert lowdown at Local Spins along with this week’s Under-the-Radar Picks.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The week starts with the West Michigan Labor Fest and also features a special Courtyard Concerts show with Leftover Salmon, plus The Real Ingredients, AB, Skinny Limbs, Winnow, Trixy Tang and more. And see how you can win tickets to see Leftover Salmon at the Courtyard Concerts and Earth’s Edge 25th anniversary show.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Why Don’t We kicks off the week leading to Labor Day weekend, with Wilson, The Quirk, Wuzee, Birdie Country, Unruly Brewing’s anniversary, an Amy Winehouse tribute and much more also on tap. See the full list and this week’s Under-the-Radar Picks.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
From dream pop to piano-driven rock to prog-pop to metalcore mania to chart-topping classic rock, it was another rousing week of live music in the Grand Rapids area. Local Spins was there to recap the action in words, photos and video.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Johnnyswim starts a week that also boasts the GR Symphony Picnic Pops, Muskegon’s birthday bash, Winnow, GRAM on the Green, Gringo Star, Between the Buried and Me, Tuesday Evening Music Club and more. Plus, win tickets to the upcoming Poco/Nightfall/Pure Prairie League concert in Grand Haven.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Buddy Guy and Kenny Wayne Shepherd start a week that also features big community concerts, the Ronnie James Dio hologram tour, Grand Rapids Pride Festival, Trampled by Turtles, Rockford’s Start Of Summer, LAV’s Summertime Blues and more. And see how you can win tickets to Thank You Scientist or Synth Night.
The influential California band regaled a big Intersection crowd Wednesday with a cutting-edge show that was ‘soul-demolishing’ and ‘like being swallowed by a baleen whale,’ says critic John Serba. The Local Spins review, with photos by Anthony Norkus.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Summer festivals and the first blast of Meijer Gardens concerts (launched by May Erlewine) dominate the landscape, but there’s plenty more live music to embrace, too, from David Murray to The Accidentals. And see how you can win tickets to see Sleep or Flux Pavilion.
Major arena tour stops by Jason Aldean and The Who dominated the week, but other artists also made the West Michigan roundup of concerts, from hip hop’s Tech N9ne and synthwave’s Perturbator in GR to metal’s Drink Their Blood in Kalamazoo. Browse the photo galleries at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
West Michigan’s jam-packed week of live music also features Hatebreed, Nora Jane Struthers, Perturbator, Frances Luke Accord, Phyre Fest and a Bob Dylan tribute. Peruse all of this week’s spotlighted concerts and the robust Under-the-Radar Picks. And see how you can win tickets to the Phyre Fest at 20 Monroe Live.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The incredible Buckethead launches a week that also features Adventure Club, Mike Morgan, Steel Wheels, Camp Lo, Griffin House, Anna Nalick, Nicholas James Thomasma, Whiskey Dick and much more. And win tickets to the final “Jazz in the Sanctuary” concert of the season.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Todd Snider, Neyla Pekarek, Foxing, Jai Wolf, Eric Anderson, The Livery’s Funk Fest, Mary Rademacher and a bevy of bold local shows pump up The Big List of concerts. And scrutinize this week’s fascinating Under-the-Radar Picks and shows On the Horizon.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
We Came As Romans, Red Elvises, Sweet Water Warblers, Da Baby, Brit Floyd, Record Store Day and much more fire up the second week of April. And browse this week’s Under-the-Radar Picks.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The last week in March also boasts shows by From Ashes to New, Novo Amor, Jose Gonzalez, Thou, Jack & The Bear, Lushh, Dalmatian Stone and more. And win tickets to see Carrie Nation & The Speakeasy at the Tip Top Deluxe.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Mid-March also brings us In the Valley Below, LadyFest GR, Pink Sky, Lady Ace Boogie, Dan Rickabus, Desmond Jones, Trevor Hall and much more. And see how you can win concert tickets to two different shows at The Pyramid Scheme this week.
Wednesday’s return of the iconic heavy metal band to Van Andel Arena offered up extraordinary visuals and thundering renditions of classics such as “Master of Puppets,” “One” and “Sandman.” The review, photo gallery and set list at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
St. Patrick’s Day revelry is everywhere, but the week also sizzles with Tab Benoit, Kyle Hollingsworth, Blackberry Smoke, The Flesh Eaters, Vienna Boys Choir, Amy Lavere, Mustard Plug, The Outer Vibe, Domestic Problems and more. See how you can win tickets to the giant Irish on Ionia party and peruse our riveting Under-the-Radar Picks.
With Metallica returning to Grand Rapids’ Van Andel Arena on Wednesday, Local Spins asked resident metal correspondent John Serba to create a career-spanning playlist “in the spirit of giddy, nostalgic anticipation” and to warm up fans for the big sold-out show. Enjoy.
Local Spins music writer, movie critic and metalhead John Serba delves into the movie depicting the true and controversial story of the band Mayhem, billed as “the darkest, most evil band ever.” The film currently is showing at the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The concert week also features Moneybagg Yo, The Crystal Method, Brother Elsey & Jack Droppers in a pre-SXSW preview show, Gibbz, Runa and much, much more. Plus, see how you can win tickets to see Local H, with Valentiger and Slumlord Radio.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Gungor kicks off the week in Holland, with Laith Al-Saadi, Michigander, Max Lockwood, That Beatles Thing, Mark Lavender, The Holy Warheads and more also featured on The Big List.
Seven acts — from Roxy Music to Stevie Nicks to The Zombies — will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame next year. Here’s a recap of the inductees and some videos of the Class of 2019.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
It’s a busy holiday stretch with a host of rock icons playing West Michigan this week, plus lively appearances by Desmond Jones, Hannah Rose Graves, The Soul Syndicate, The North 41 and much more. And see how you can win tickets to see Billy Strings.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Coheed & Cambria and Rising Appalachia get things started in a week that also features The Tallest Man on Earth, Lara Hope, Coldville, Lady Ace Boogie, Brotha James, Yonder Mountain String Band and much more. Plus, see how you can win tickets to the big Wine Beer & Food Festival at DeVos Place.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Alice Cooper gets Halloween week started on a scary foot but there’s more: Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers, MewithoutYou, Kenny Barron, Sister Sparrow, Nobody’s Girl, Black Jake and much more. And see how you can win tickets to see Kenny Barron at St. Cecilia Music Center.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The Goo Goo Dolls have canceled their Grand Rapids show, but the week leading up to Halloween hoopla also boasts the Folk Alliance Region Midwest conference & showcases, plus Ashley McBryde, Conrad Shock, Earth Radio, The Drifters, Julien Labro and more. Check out all of Local Spins’ spotlighted shows, plus the Under-the-Radar Picks and see how you can win tickets to see Ashley McBryde.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
The country superstar’s crowd-pleasing show at Van Andel Arena was part of a music week that also featured the likes of Clutch, Dave Bruzza, Insiders, Big Something and much more. The images and recaps at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The week of live music kicks off with the return to West Michigan of Fleetwood Mac, but also boasts Royal Wood, Earth Radio, Elizabeth Landry, Wayland, Golf Clap, Anne Heaton, Jen Sygit, Founders’ Harvest Party and more. Make your entertainment plans with help from The Big List Concert Guide at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Lyle Lovett returns yet again to Meijer Gardens to start a week that also boasts an Elton John tribute, Jeremy Garrett, Matt Woods, Steve’n’Seagulls, Noisia, Johnnyswim, a Lady Ace Boogie hip hop showcase, The Crane Wives in Rockford, and the final Tuesday Evening Music Club concert of the summer.
An epic evening of thrash savagery at Van Andel Arena as part of Slayer’s final world tour also uncorked ear-splitting sets from Lamb of God, Anthrax, Testament and Napalm Death — igniting an exuberant response from 9,000-plus headbangers on hand. The review by John Serba and photos by Anthony Norkus at Local Spins. And check out the video of Anthrax’s Joey Belladonna singing Journey songs afterward at the Founders Brewing Open-Mic Night.
The celebrated Grand Rapids film and music critic gets fans ready for Slayer’s farewell fusillade at Van Andel Arena on Tuesday with a scary-good soundtrack of metal mayhem, in vintage Serba fashion. Watch the videos, listen to the playlist on Spotify.
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.
