Michigan’s Shara Worden mixes primal musical energy, punk, classical training, and even marching bands, into cerebral, visceral whole note. She’s touring behind her new album, “This Is My Hand.”
Also in this week’s images of West Michigan concerts: The Campanellis, Mac McAnally, Jonathan Edwards, Whitechapel, Sacred Strays, Mat Churchill, The Go Rounds, Lady Ace Boogie and a host of others.
Baby Iris recovering “like a champion” at home near Traverse City; May takes time off from the stage, with couple “inspired” by those helping out financially.
This year’s weekend festival takes place in six Eastown neighborhood homes with a dizzying blend of acts playing living rooms and basements, from Lindsay Lou & The Flatbellys to Ghost Heart to AOK.
The wild and woolly week started with hip-pop’s Aaron Carter, continued with the Acoustic Cafe Folk Series debut, some jazz and ended with true rock ‘n’ roll mania. All captured in images at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Taped for national broadcast, the evening of music lined up by Ralston Bowles boasted up-and-coming Michigan artists as well as national touring acts. (Review, photo gallery, video)
This year’s ArtPrize song contest winners officially got their rewards Tuesday, so Local Spins wanted to reward readers with a special playlist, from Edye Evans Hyde to Nick Drake.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Starting with Joan Osborne at Wealthy Theatre, the weekend also boasted Gringo Star and Heaters heating up a record label launch at The Pyramid Scheme, with a legend playing the Civic Theatre.
Breaking music news · Features
This week’s music news round-up at Local Spins revisits a well-known West Michigan performer who’s back from a Western stint and updates the status of a pair of recording projects.
The acclaimed singer plays Grand Rapids Thursday for the first time in years, performing as a duo while touring behind her new album, “Love and Hate.” And check out what[…]
The buzz over ArtPrize’s finale week couldn’t overshadow stellar shows by Laura Rain & The Caesars, OK Go, Brothers Osborne and plenty more, captured in images at Local Spins.
With a new album dropping Tuesday, the L.A.-by-way-of-Chicago rock band made a tour stop at Calvin College on Saturday and turned the Fine Arts Center into a confetti-drenched party pit. Sort of.
Pop’s American Wi-Fi, classical composer Matthew Fisher and folk’s Channing and Quinn also snag $2,000 awards as determined by ArtPrize 2014 voters. Listen to the winning songs here.
The singer-songwriter and Grand Haven native released a much-buzzed-about single this week, two years after leaving West Michigan for New York, then settling in a ‘treetop sanctuary’ outside L.A.
Artist Spotlights · Podcasts · Videos
The award-winning Grand Rapids band recently added singer and instrumentalist Olivia Mainville to its lineup. The group plays The Pyramid Scheme Friday, opening for Larry & His Flask.
Lend an ear to some brand new music – and unusual projects – from some of West Michigan’s most compelling artists, exclusively at Local Spins.
As Grand Rapids’ ArtPrize builds toward its finale, Local Spins asked a performer in this week’s ArtPrize/WOOD TV8/Talsma Concert Series to offer up her playlist of favorites, from Patsy Cline to Coldplay. Check out the YouTube videos and Spotify playlist.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
It started with Girls With Guitars and Tweedy and, despite the rain, just kept rolling with some early October festivals and Gunnar at the ‘Section, captured in images at Local Spins.
Not just an ordinary side project, Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy and his drummer son, Spencer, gave Grand Rapids fans a powerful and intimate dose of their new album, “Sukierae,” plus some Wilco faves. (Review, photo gallery)
As Grand Rapids’ ArtPrize kicks into full gear, Local Spins asked the guy who came up with the idea of songs as ArtPrize entries to submit his playlist of current favorites, from the classic to fresh-out-of-the-box.
Commentary · Concert reviews · Summer Concerts
On summer’s final day, Local Spins looks back at the rollercoaster ride of perhaps the busiest concert season West Michigan has ever seen, with exhilarating ups and stomach-churning downs.
Concert reviews · Features · Photos · Videos
Laughing off occasional showers, festival-goers reveled in weekend sets by 100-plus bands on four stages on the site northeast of Lake City. (Story, photo gallery, video)
The award-winning northern Michigan singer-songwriter has ridden the highs and lows of the business to build an avid fan base. He plays Grand Rapids’ Elk Brewing Thursday. (Story, video, podcast)
Mid-September’s music news roundup at Local Spins covers the gamut, including northern Michigan’s Lexi Schaub getting a chance to make a splash at Comerica Park and Greensky Bluegrass hitting the CMT spotlight.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
A bit o’ rain and an unseasonable chill didn’t deter revelers from Allegan to Grand Rapids this weekend, with Guided by Voices and Wavves heating things up indoors.
The Brooklyn indie-rockers delivered their raucous, bar-band magic in a career-spanning Pyramid Scheme show on Wednesday; Malian guitarist and singer Toure fired up a small crowd at Wealthy Theatre on Monday.
Fresh off a tour with Arcade Fire, the violinist and singer-songwriter’s solo jaunt behind his “In Conflict” album made a stop Wednesday in the recital hall of Calvin College’s Covenant Fine Arts Center.
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.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The holiday weekend launched with a big Thursday of shows and boasted local acts such as An Dro, Scott Pellegrom Trio, David Molinari, Mail Order Monsters and Hannah Rose.
Hard-touring Grand Rapids jam band to call it quits for awhile in hopes of re-energizing shows and music; up-and-coming teen duo gets boost from big names Marshall Crenshaw and Stewart Lerman in New York.
Artist Spotlights · Podcasts · Videos
This week’s Local Spins Artist Spotlight shines on an 18-year-old, up-and-coming West Michigan artist with a new album and a tour under her belt. (Story, video, podcast)
The weekend started early with a long-awaited Meijer Gardens show, a rap battle and a CD listening party, and kept right on rolling from Grand Rapids to Traverse City.
The August batch of Local Spins reviews spotlights some much-anticipated recording projects from acclaimed bands (with sneak audio peeks), plus releases from The Northern Soul, Junior Valentine & Jason Wheeler, The Carboys, Bruce Matthews and Jake Vroon.
The widely admired Grand Rapids ensemble this week unleashed its much-buzzed-about new album and took time for an exclusive in-studio performance on Local Spins Live. (Video, podcast)
The first night of the unusual co-headlining tour starring G. Love & Special Sauce and Keb’ Mo’ at a sold-out Meijer Gardens amphitheater boasted separate sets by the pals and invigorating collaborations.
The seventh annual festival boasts a diverse lineup of music and beer, and Grand Rapids-area fans can take advantage of special daily bus trip to the event.
Outdoors and indoors, West Michigan’s concert docket was as lively as any weekend of the summer, from Berlin Raceway to Hoxeyville to the streets of Grand Haven, all captured in Local Spins images.
After an impressive first day, the Woodstock-like Hoxeyville in the Manistee National Forest continued with aplomb Saturday and Sunday as it trotted out a top-notch regional lineup. (Story, video, photos)
Up-and-coming indie-rock bandleader Ben Daniels says his actor-singer dad “burned the blues into my mind.” The Michigan band will back Jeff Daniels on stage.
Features · Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
The summer’s weirdest live music event? Or a brilliant way to spotlight lakeshore bands and businesses? Saturday’s unusual, free event unfolds Saturday in Grand Haven, Spring Lake and Ferrysburg.
Some of the state’s most highly touted roots acts will share the spotlight in this festival set in the Manistee National Forest. Save the full schedule on your smartphone.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The musical weekend started early with shows at Meijer Gardens and The Intersection, and featured a mix of national acts and stellar local bands hosting CD-release shows. (Aug. 7-10)
Friday’s sold-out show at Meijer Gardens unfolded as a triumphant, eye-popping return for the rock trio which first played the amphitheater in 2013. (Review, photo gallery)
Whilst short of a sellout, Thursday night’s Meijer Gardens concert boasted an enthusiastic young crowd, passionate performances and double-duty for Dawes as opening act and backing band.
The fun-loving Canadian goofballs inspired sing-alongs, bra-tossing and an upbeat attitude in Sunday’s sold-out show, their first appearance at the outdoor amphitheater. (Review, photos)
In the wake of the “Meijer Gardens Meltdown” courtesy of Ray LaMontagne, there were compelling, less-controversial concerts and tour stops to behold this weekend, captured in images at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Features · Upcoming shows
Hometown boys Jack White and bandmate Dominic John Davis return to Detroit for two sold-out shows next week after setting Chicago ablaze with buzzed-about concerts. (Review, photos)
With a new album and a uniquely dreamy sound, the band with Grand Rapids and Lansing connections is poised to grow its audience one venue at a time. (Story, podcast, video)
Weirdest night ever at Meijer Gardens? Acclaimed singer-songwriter playing sold-out amphitheater takes exception to loud fan chatter and departs amid f-bomb laden tirade, then returns to finish concert. Oh, and Jenny Lewis performed, too.
The band of brothers will play Grand Rapids for the first time on Wednesday, with pop-rock’s Hot Chelle Rae headlining the Fifth Third Ballpark affair.
