Yonder Mountain String Band, Railroad Earth stoke jam-band, festival-friendly vibe at Meijer Gardens
Psychedelic at times and instrumentally bracing, Sunday’s double bill unleashed “extraordinary things” for 1,500-plus fans. (Review, photo gallery)
Tagged: jam bands
Best of Electric Forest 2014: The Local Spins Photo Gallery (June 30, 2014)
Rains finally rolled through in the final wee hours of Rothbury’s EDM- and jam band-driven extravaganza in the woods, but not before String Cheese Incident, Moby, Cut Copy and more regaled ever-frolicking throngs.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Electric Forest, Tegan & Sara, Frankie Ballard, Freedom Cruise: The Weekend Photo Gallery (June 29)
Electric Forest electrified fans with psychedelic fun and fireworks while country star Frankie Ballard reveled in a Grand Rapids homecoming show and Tegan & Sara made their Meijer Gardens debut.
Electric Forest Day 2: Funky Fashion (The Local Spins Photo Gallery)
Festival-goers settled in on the second day of the four-day event in Rothbury, showing off their peacock-like attire (or lack of attire) and reveling in the first performance by the beloved String Cheese Incident.
Concert reviews · Features · Photos
Electric Forest 2014: ‘Magical’ opening night of beat-heavy music, wild Sherwood Forest display (Photo gallery, video)
Some 30,000 colorfully attired fans descended on the tiny community of Rothbury on Thursday for another edition of this much-beloved hippie-fest.
Tedeschi Trucks Band returns to Meijer Gardens with soulful, bluesy rock stew (Review, photo gallery)
Playing to a sold-out amphitheater on a sun-splashed night, Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks led their jam-driven band through a guitar-fueled evening.
Founders Fest: Sparking a buzz for the weekend with special brews, record crowds and a red-hot soul singer
The seventh annual street party will boast performances on Saturday by Charles Bradley, Lettuce and six other bands on two stages, with more 6,000 people expected. (See full band schedule)
CANCELED: BrekFEST – House concert event with 30-plus performances and a DIY attitude
The inaugural Grand Rapids music festival was to unfurl Friday and Saturday in a pair of Eastown homes and promised to be a multi-genre, waffle-filled affair. But a complaint led to its cancellation.
Breaking music news · Concert reviews
Afro Zuma, Rick Chyme and highly touted Michigan bands shine at jam-packed Jammie Awards show
WYCE’s 15th annual affair doled out 18 Jammies to regional acts along plus some special Legacy Awards while two dozen bands rocked a full house at The Intersection on Friday night. See the full list of award winners. (Photos, video)
The Grammys? The Wammies? No, 15th annual Jammies set to honor, spotlight local musicians on Friday
Friday night’s Jammie Awards hosted by WYCE-FM (88.1) at The Intersection will boast two dozen bands on two stages and a packed house. It’s come a long way since its humble beginnings. Local Spins asked three key Jammie-ites to recount its growth and importance.
Community Jam: Friday benefit for Fauxgrass bassist Tim McKay brings out Michigan roots music stars
The Crane Wives, Troll for Trout, Hawks & Owls and more bring night of music to Rockford Brewing to aid bassist who mangled hand in snowblower.
Breaking music news · Top 10 Lists
UV Hippo’s “Translate” wins Local Spin of the Year
The hard-touring Grand Rapids’ jam band’s masterfully produced 2013 album was recorded at two different West Michigan studios. It snags the first big award of the year. And check out the Local Spins Top 10.
Greensky Bluegrass, Starlight Six rock into New Year’s in rootsy way for huge Grand Rapids crowds
While thousands braved brisk temps at downtown’s outdoor Hot New Year’s Eve party, others packed Wealthy Theatre and The Intersection for lively, creative shows by the Starlight Six, Greensky Bluegrass and The Crane Wives. (Photos, video)
West Michigan Album Reviews: Root Doctor, Mustard Plug, The Howlers, An Dro, Afro Zuma, Glen Danles, The Star Darts
Just in the St. Nick of time for 11th-hour Christmas shopping, another batch of Local Spins reviews of albums by Michigan artists.
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
Fauxgrass bassist upbeat after snowblower mangles fingers, threatens livelihood
Musicians rally to support Benzonia’s Tim McKay, who insists he’ll soon be back playing bass for the Grand Rapids bluegrass band, though his shoemaking business is on hold. See how you can help.
The debut of the acoustic-based Brothers Still: The Local Spins Artist Spotlight (Story, podcast, video)
Three members of Grand Rapids’ Glean Infusion jam band have reunited to form a rootsy trio, with a new studio album already in the works. They play Rockford Brewing Thursday.
West Michigan Album Reviews: The Local Spins Fall Roundup, Take One
CD releases by West Michigan artists Kelsey Rottiers, Karisa Wilson, UV Hippo, The Impact Band, Roger Brown, Bowery, Steve Talaga
UV Hippo, Asking Alexandria, Bowery, Barrence Whitfield: The Local Spins Weekend Photo Gallery
Sun, rain, snow, falling leaves, wind, thunder, sleet. It’s that wacky time of year, and the same sort of wildly varying live music descended on West Michigan.
UV Hippo creating giant buzz with new album, Andrew W.K. revs up West Michigan fans, Halloween on Ionia debuts EDM street party
September’s Local Spins music news roundup peeks at UV Hippo’s upcoming new masterwork, reveals DJs for the first Halloween on Ionia, says goodbye to a jazz night, and posts exclusive[…]
John Butler Trio turns up the musical heat to fire up Meijer Gardens crowd
On a cool August night, things got so hot at the Grand Rapids amphitheater that fans were leaping on stage and getting escorted off by security guards. Talk about rocking[…]
Grand Rapids’ Fourth of July spectacle impresses with UV Hippo, Blue Molly, fireworks and more
A throng of 20,000-plus at Ah-Nab-Awen Park, including 80 new U.S. citizens, got an eyeful and earful in a vibrant pre-fireworks show by four bands and the Daredevil Circus. (Video,[…]
Umphrey’s McGee celebrates musical independence for exuberant fans in Meijer Gardens show
The virtuosic jam band’s second-ever appearance at the outdoor amphitheater drew a sell-out crowd of mostly 20-somethings who jammed the lower bowl with red, white and blue garb. (Review, photo[…]
UV Hippo’s diverse musical fireworks: The Local Spins Artist Spotlight (video, podcast)
With a new album coming soon, Grand Rapids’ own Ultraviolet Hippopotamus will light up Ah-Nab-Awen Park on the Grand River in downtown Grand Rapids Thursday, just before the Amway Fourth[…]
Electric Forest on Day 4: Greensky Bluegrass does Michigan proud
By kicking up a wildly entertaining bluegrass dust cloud, West Michigan’s own Greensky Bluegrass launched the final day of Electric Forest in Rothbury on an energetic, smile-inducing note. (Photo gallery)[…]
Electric Forest Day 3: More jams, waiting for the bass to drop and, of course, ‘Where’s Carl?’
Thousands attending the four-day Michigan music festival on the Double JJ Resort continued to whoop it up Saturday, with performances on six stages, including The String Cheese Incident and more.[…]
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Electric Forest’s magnetic appeal, String Cheese Incident draw fans from across the land
Day 2 of Electric Forest in Rothbury, Michigan, unleashed headlining homeboys The String Cheese Incident, plenty of EDM glory, and of course, the psychedelically artsy Sherwood Forest. (Photo gallery, videos)[…]
Electric Forest 2013 opens with dirty feet, sweat, dreads, hoops and rain: Day 1 Photo Gallery
At night, the rains came to Rothbury for the opening salvo of Electric Forest, but not before thousands of fans enjoyed bands such as A Tribe Called Red and that[…]
Electric Forest powers escapist weekend with hippies, jams, late-night parties, electronic music and Greensky Bluegrass
Upwards of 20,000 or more concertgoers — along with West Michigan’s own Greensky Bluegrass — will descend on Double JJ Resort in tiny Rothbury for another edition of this singular[…]
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
UV Hippo, Blue Molly, Kris Hitchcock, Three’s a Crowd to fire up Grand Rapids’ Fourth of July celebration
Ultraviolet Hippopotamus’ eclectic and impressive instrumental display part of the free downtown show that will also feature West Michigan-driven blues, country and Top 40/classic rock. With Ultraviolet Hippopotamus, Blue[…]
Founders Fest: Beer, bands, throngs, and as always, The FBC All-Stars
With a revamped site in downtown Grand Rapids and a second beer tent, record crowds are expected for Saturday’s festival headlined by G. Love & Special Sauce. Oh, and some[…]
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
Sheryl Crow, B.B. King, Grizzly Bear, Dwight Yoakam, Beach Boys, Harry Connick Jr., Peter Frampton in huge 2013 Meijer Gardens lineup
With a record-breaking 30 shows on the docket, the Meijer Gardens summer concert series boasts some high-priced big names and emerging acts in a bevy of genres. See the full[…]
Andrew Bird, Henry Rollins, Donna the Buffalo, Clutch, Sister Sparrow: Grand Rapids’ Big List Concert Guide
April rolls on with an eclectic lineup of national acts, plus Jake’s Music Festival, Art.Downtown, the Beyond Music benefit, We Are the Ink Monkey, Paucity, Kent County String Band, Flashing[…]
Flyleaf, Drowning Pool, Seth Bernard, Ben Kyle, Appleseed Collective, Elisabeth Pixley-Fink, The Bloomquists: West Michigan’s concert weekend in photos
Spring is in the air, almost. Live music certainly was in the air around Grand Rapids as March rolled on and the clocks sprung forward. Here’s part of the weekend[…]
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
Grand Rapids’ Big List Concert Guide: Bob Seger, Brit Floyd, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Karan Casey, Flyleaf, Janis Ian, Ben Kyle
In between the yuks of LaughFest, West Michigan’s live music options are sizzling this week, from Bob Seger and UV Hippo returning to Grand Rapids to pre-St. Paddy’s Day revelry[…]
Concert announcements · Upcoming shows · Videos
West Michigan concert guide: Grace Potter, Bonnie Raitt, GRandJazzFest, City Lights, Hoxeyville
A bracing week of West Michigan concerts: Grand Rapids’ City Lights Music Festival, Grace Potter & the Nocturnals, Bonnie Raitt, GRandJazzFest and Hoxeyville top the Spins on Music list. Grace[…]
Electric Forest: The groovy musical weekend escape in review (videos, photos)
For four days or so, Electric Forest was an escape from the real world. More than 25,000 jam-band and electronic music fans – the more outrageously colorful and silly the[…]
Electric Forest goes wild: The music festival by day and by night (photos, videos)
Everything is different in the dark. Way different. In daylight, Electric Forest sweats with a sun-splashed milieu that sort of celebrates Michigan’s great outdoors – concertgoers gyrating and hula-hoopers hooping[…]
Breaking music news · Concert reviews · Videos
Electric Forest revisited: 2012’s adventure begins on sunny, steamy, Woodstock-like note (video)
Gary Clark Jr. made it all worthwhile. Cranking out the raw blues-rock of “Bright Lights” in the brilliant sunshine at Double JJ Resort in Rothbury with undulating, brightly bedecked Electric[…]
Commentary · Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Electric Forest music guide: Daily concert picks by Spins on Music (videos)
It doesn’t have the big-name headliners of Rothbury past – Dave Matthews Band, John Mayer, Snoop Dogg – but this weekend’s Electric Forest at Double JJ Resort some 24 miles[…]
Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
Spins on Music’s Sunday Profile: Warren Haynes of Gov’t Mule, getting ready to rock Meijer Gardens (video)
Gov’t Mule 6:30 p.m. Thursday $40 Frederik Meijer Gardens, Grand Rapids Township Gov’t Mule may have started as an Allman Brothers’ side project in the mid-1990s by guitarist Warren Haynes[…]
Founders Fest taps keg on massive summer street party with Soulive, UV Hippo, more; Frank Salamone tribute nearby (videos)
It was a celebration worthy of John’s Day. No, I didn’t see any guys strolling around with bushy oak-leaf crowns, but I saw plenty of unusual headgear at Saturday’s Founders[…]
Concert announcements · Features · Upcoming shows
Under-the-Radar Weekend Picks: Tip Top Deluxe’s One-Year Anniversary and prog-rock’s The Crimson ProjeKct
As complicated as it may have been to renovate an old, long-dormant tavern and convert it into a keen new music venue, Ted Smith concedes that adjusting and reconstructing attitudes[…]
Jimmy Cliff, Homemade Jamz, Foreigner, Steve Miller, Our Lady Peace, Pinback and more: Concert picks of the week (videos)
Vincent Hayes Project Huntington Rogue River Blues Series 7 p.m. Tuesday Free Garden Club Park, Rockford I mentioned the Carnival of Madness tour in a recent post. Well, it’s festival[…]
Red Hot Chili Peppers, Shannon Stephens, Keys N Krates, Marcia Ball and more: Live music picks of the week
Shannon Stephens 7 p.m. Friday Free Schuler Books & Music, Grand Rapids (28th Street) Seattle singer-songwriter Shannon Stephens plays a bluesy folk-rock with her “Fabulous Friends” that’s earned attention from[…]
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Upcoming shows · Videos
Al Green, Bonnie Raitt, Jimmy Cliff, Gov’t Mule, Emmylou Harris, Andrew Bird, Foreigner pump up Meijer Gardens summer series
This summer’s garden party just got a whole lot more interesting. Soul singer and hometown hero Al Green, blues legend Bonnie Raitt (with Mavis Staples), reggae icon Jimmy Cliff, jam[…]
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Upcoming shows · Videos
Soulive, Toubab Krewe, Seth & May to rev up 2012 Founders Fest; Detroit guitarist Tim Bowman to headline new GRandJazzFest
Today’s anti-summer weather might not scream shorts and hula hoops, but live music’s favorite time of year is on the doorstep as evidenced by this week’s Grand Rapids festival announcements.[…]
The Jammies and Under-the-Radar Concert Picks of the Week: Lotus, The North Mississippi Allstars Duo
WYCE-FM’s Jammies XIII 5:45 p.m. Tuesday The Intersection Free; donations of clothing, non-perishable food accepted Sure, everybody’s still talking about the Grammys, but there’s no time to look back: The[…]
Saturday night live in Grand Rapids: Motor City Josh and other shows to scout and check out
Winter’s returned to West Michigan, but no need to fret (unless you’re a guitarist). Hey, the snow’s slowed down so it’s time to warm up with live music aplenty in[…]
Rusted Root with The Crane Wives, and Nicholas Payton: Under-the-Radar Concert Picks of the Week
Rusted Root, The Crane Wives 6:30 p.m. Sunday The Intersection, Grand Rapids $15 advance, $18 day of show Singer and musician Michael Glabicki has ably led Pittsburgh’s Rusted Root for[…]
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