Concert reviews · Photos · Top 12 Stories Countdown
The first stop on the legendary British rock artist’s U.S. tour got plenty of attention from fans across the globe in August, making it the No. 2 most-read story of the year at Local Spins. Revisit that special opening night, view a photo gallery and browse the set list.
Local Spins Rewind · Top 12 Stories Countdown
At No. 7 in our countdown of Local Spins’ most-read stories of the year is our coverage of first-day sales for the ever-popular Meijer Gardens concert series for 2022. Revisit that April day, plus get a link to Local Spins reviews and photo galleries from the summer concerts that followed.
Features · Local Spins Rewind · Summer Festivals · Top 10 Lists
As we dive into October, it’s time to look back at the Local Spins stories and reviews which got the most attention from readers over the summer.
Playing amid mild temperatures and regaling a sold-out crowd, classic rock’s Foreigner delivered the outdoor amphitheater’s final punch of summer. The review, photo gallery and set list at Local Spins.
Rolling out big hits such as “Iris,” “Slide” and “Black Balloon,” the New York rockers fired up a capacity crowd Thursday in the next-to-last Meijer Gardens concert of 2022. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Summer Concerts · Top 10 Lists
Based purely on reader traffic for our concert reviews, Local Spins presents a fun Top 10 of this summer’s most memorable shows. Plus check out our editor’s Top 3 picks of the summer and fan comments on other favorite shows of the season.
Legendary country and Americana singer Emmylou Harris returned to Grand Rapids on Thursday with renowned singer-songwriter Mary Chapin Carpenter opening the show. Browse the photo gallery at Local Spins.
The South Bend-bred prog-fusion band that got its start playing small West Michigan venues proved its fan-fueled, instrumental mettle in a sold-out show at Meijer Gardens on Wednesday. Revisit the evening via the Local Spins review, photo gallery and set list.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
The next-to-last Tuesday Evening Music Club show of the summer featured Grand Rapids singer-songwriter Ralston Bowles and an all-star lineup performing amid splendid weather. The recap, video highlights and photos at Local Spins.
From enduring hits such as “Lido Shuffle” and “JoJo,” Boz Scaggs made the most of his amphitheater debut, with guitarist-singer Robert Cray and singer-songwriter Jeff LeBlanc also on board. The Local Spins review and photo gallery.
The return of The Decemberists ignited a sold-out crowd at the Grand Rapids amphitheater with the indie/alt-rock band unleashing songs old and new on Wednesday. Local Spins asked a member of The Crane Wives — who were inspired, in part, by The Decemberists — to offer her take on the show. The review, photos and set list.
Led by octogenarians Mike Love and Bruce Johnston, The Beach Boys made a familiar summer tour stop in Grand Rapids Monday, revving up familiar hits for fans intimately familiar with the legendary band’s catalog. The Local Spins review and photo gallery.
Along with opener Meshell Ndegeocello, the virtuosos sharing the bill on the delayed ‘Outside Problems’ tour enchanted a sold-out crowd on Friday. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
The legendary rocker and his band, The Imposters, unleashed music from Costello’s latest album along with some choice gems from his hefty catalog. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Led by Dewey Bunnell and Gerry Beckley, the band bathed a sold-out Meijer Gardens crowd in nostalgia on Wednesday with a bevy of familiar hits. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Thursday’s passing storm that caused temporary evacuation of the Meijer Gardens amphitheater didn’t prevent either seasoned artist from regaling fans with career-spanning selections. The review, photos at Local Spins.
Wednesday’s tour stop at Meijer Gardens with a hefty assist from the Grand Rapids Symphony proved Rick Springfield still has rock-star power as he rolled out his cavalcade of hits. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
The acclaimed pianist and singer celebrated the 20th anniversary of “Come Away With Me” and more at the Grand Rapids amphitheater on Sunday night. The review and photos at Local Spins, with bonus coverage and images from the sold-out Japanese Breakfast show on Sunday in Kalamazoo.
Reggae/rock/pop/fusion singer Franti & Spearhead delivered an uplifting, introspective 135-minute set to a packed Meijer Gardens. Review, photos from Thursday’s amphitheater concert, plus view images from Spin Doctors & Sister Hazel in Grand Haven.
The ‘Listening Lawn’ show in downtown Grand Rapids on an exquisite night displayed Earle and band at their best. Check out our in-concert conversation between two Earle buffs, plus a recap — with photo gallery — of Five for Fighting’s sold-out show with Grand Rapids Symphony at Meijer Gardens.
Although not without minor glitches, ‘that little ol’ band from Texas’ rolled out thunderous classics with its revamped lineup, keeping much of the Meijer Gardens crowd on its feet all night. The Local Spins review, photo gallery and set list from Thursday’s concert.
It was a sweet Michigan homecoming on Wednesday for The War and Treaty who got right into the crowd amid perfect weather that carved out an ideal evening for 1,200 summer concert series attendees. The Local Spins review and photo gallery.
Sunday night’s tour stop at Meijer Gardens was Sheryl Crow’s second Michigan show in as many days and she delivered a bevy of her most popular songs for a packed amphitheater with Allison Russell opening. The Local Spins review, photo gallery and set list.
Closing out a jam-packed string of sold-out amphitheater shows, the banjoist — along with Jerry Douglas and Sam Bush — brought his ‘Bluegrass Happening’ to Grand Rapids on Monday. Check out the review, photos and set list at Local Spins.
Sunday night’s return of the legendary Motown group to Meijer Gardens proved to be full of soulful nostalgia and classic, enduring songs. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Meijer Gardens’ amphitheater hosted a Big Easy-themed party on Friday with New Orleans acts spanning the ages and getting fans involved (and on stage). The review and photos at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Uncategorized
An appreciative Meijer Gardens audience soaked up Southern charm from the always-enthusiastic, twangy, bluegrass, country & Americana act in its return to Grand Rapids on Thursday. The review and photo gallery.
The double-header of energetic bands energized a sold-out crowd at the outdoor amphitheater on Sunday. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
On a picture-perfect Friday evening, a sold-out crowd packed the outdoor amphitheater for entertaining sets by both touring artists. The review and photos at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts
Legendary Southern gospel act enjoyed a warm welcome, perfect weather at the popular outdoor amphitheater, while show opener Marc Cohn charmed the crowd with rich vocals, effusive humor. The review and photos at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts
The first concert in Meijer Gardens’ largest ever Tuesday Evening Music Club series unfurled under cloudless skies for a big crowd on Tuesday. The recap and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Playlists · Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
The biggest Tuesday Evening Music Club series in Meijer Gardens history kicks off tonight with Jordan Hamilton and Elijah Russ. Today, Local Spins spotlights tracks by Michigan artists playing the 13-week series.
Breaking music news · Summer Concerts
After the first weekend of sales to the general public, 60 percent of the summer shows have sold out. Get the update at Local Spins. See what shows have sold out and which remaining concerts are close to that point.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts · Videos
Slated to run June through August, the weeknight series will feature Molly, Melophobix, Jordan Hamilton, The Accidentals, Myron Elkins, Ralston Bowles, Elijah Russ and more. View the full schedule at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Summer Concerts
Robust ticket pre-sales on Saturday for Meijer Gardens members led to sellouts of one-third of shows scheduled for summer 2022 and by Sunday, three more concerts had sold out. See which concerts have sold out thus far.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
Meijer Gardens also plans to expand its Tuesday Evening Music Club Series, according to today’s teaser announcement. Get more details at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Top 12 Stories Countdown
The final night of the legendary acts’ joint touring run on Aug. 8 delighted a sold-out crowd at Meijer Gardens. The review was No. 4 in Local Spins countdown of top 2021. Revisit the recap and photos from the memorable concert.
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 New Orleans band made the most of its unexpected headlining status, closing out the 2021 concert series with an upbeat exclamation point. The Local Spins review and photo gallery from the final Meijer Gardens show of the season.
The ’90s pop-rockers energized the Meijer Gardens crowd Wednesday, delivering hits and helping close out the final week of an abbreviated but busy concert series at the amphitheater. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Monday proved to be an enchanting evening for devoted fans of two established, much-beloved artists whose tours made stops at different Grand Rapids venues. The recaps and photos at Local Spins.
A nearly 90-minute storm delay and venue evacuation didn’t entirely put a damper on the acts’ sunny outlooks, with Black Violin’s soaring strings and hip hop closing out an unpredictable evening, The Local Spins review and photo gallery.
The engaging singer-songwriter deftly managed an unexpected fan on stage during his set and a balance of new and old songs during Wednesday’s Meijer Gardens concert. The review, photos and set list at Local Spins.
New Orleans-born-and-bred multi-instrumentalist Troy Andrews and the effervescent Orleans Avenue band enraptured a sold-out Meijer Gardens on Wednesday with virtuosic musicianship and Big Easy spirit. The Local Spins review and photo gallery.
The ever-engaging Americana/bluegrass/country Nashville-based, Virginia-bred band enthralled a sold-out Meijer Gardens audience in its welcomed return to Grand Rapids on Sunday. The review, photo gallery and set list at Local Spins.
The band’s sold-out show Friday at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park was filled with soul and charisma on a muggy August night. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
The former Men at Work frontman dipped into ’80s pop hits, extensive solo catalog and classic covers for an energetic, well-received evening of entertainment. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Local Spins asked The Crane Wives’ Kate Pillsbury to provide her take on the much-respected singer-songwriter’s Monday concert at Meijer Gardens. Here is her review, with a photo gallery by Kendra Petersen-Kamp.
The band that made a splash as part of the ‘second British invasion’ in the 1980s delivered its best-known hits and more during its Grand Rapids tour stop, with Jeffrey Gaines opening. The review, photos and set list at Local Spins.
