Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts · Videos
The special Tuesday Evening Music Club ‘dress rehearsal’ show in the renovated amphitheater attracted a huge crowd, stellar music and some surprisingly long concession lines. Get the recap at Local Spins, with a photo gallery and video highlights.
Podcasts · RSVP Music Chat · Summer Concerts
With the revamped amphitheater reopening June 4 with a Tuesday Evening Music Club “dress rehearsal” starring May Erlewine, RSVP Music Chat had a revealing interview with two key managers overseeing Meijer Gardens concerts. Listen to the podcast and get updates on the upcoming season.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
The 10-show series showcasing a diverse blend of regional stars will include an “instrument petting zoo” in the revamped amphitheater. See the full schedule of who’s playing this year’s series and what’s new for 2019.
Breaking music news · Summer Concerts
Saturday’s summer concert pre-sales to Meijer Gardens members sold out seven concerts in the first 45 minutes, though the line of buyers wasn’t as long and the flurry of sellouts not as intense as past years. See which concerts have sold out thus far and check out a photo gallery from Saturday morning’s sales.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
The revamped amphitheater will also host summer shows by Foreigner, The B-52s, Mandolin Orange, Tash Sultana, Steve Miller & Marty Stuart, O.A.R., CAKE, Andrew Bird, Trombone Shorty, Lake Street Dive, JJ Grey with Jonny Lang and more. Member tickets on sale April 27. See the full concert lineup and ticket prices at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Photos · Venue Spotlight · Videos
Today, get the Local Spins construction update on Meijer Gardens’ amphitheater project. Lots of changes will greet concertgoers in 2019, including faster entry and concessions sales, new restrooms and merchandise area and improved sound. Take a photo and video tour.
Meijer Gardens today announced three summer concerts for its revamped amphitheater. Tickets go on sale to members on April 27. See details about the three bands and watch videos, including a drone video of amphitheater improvements.
Local Spins Rewind · Photos · Videos
The Local Spins countdown of 2018’s most-read stories continues with May’s inside look (in photos, words and video) at Meijer Gardens’ upgraded outdoor concert venue — and even more improvements are on tap for 2019. Revisit the project in this Local Spins Rewind feature.
The five-piece jazz/pop/rock band, led by vocal powerhouse and birthday girl Rachael Price, returned to the amphitheater on Thursday to the delight of an engaged and entertained sold-out crowd. The Local Spins review and photo gallery.
Friday’s sold-out Meijer Gardens concert proved the instrumental and vocal mettle of the beloved prog-pop band. The show review and photos, exclusively at Local Spins.
The lengthy New Orleans jazz and funk showcase at Meijer Gardens on Wednesday boasted an impressive roster of Big Easy faves: Trombone Shorty, Galactic, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, New Breed Brass Band and special guests. Check out the review of what was described as the most fun night ever at Meijer Gardens, plus a robust photo gallery.
Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
The iconic prog-rock band returns to Grand Rapids on Friday for a sold-out Meijer Gardens concert. Check out the revealing Local Spins interview with keyboardist Steve Porcaro, who promises “a show for Toto fans.”
The Michigan alt-rock heroes and California kids brought nostalgic ’90s magic and more to Meijer Gardens for a fan-pleasing, sold-out show on Sunday. The review and photo gallery, exclusively at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Mid-August also brings Girls Rock! GR, Ladyfest at the Lakeshore, The Frog King, Sleep Waker, FINKEL, The Ghost of Paul Revere, Lokella, The Go Rounds and more to West Michigan stages. Plus, see how you can win tickets to see Sleep Waker and Lokella.
Monday’s sold-out Meijer Gardens concert featured the return of the affable, award-winning singer and guitarist, who charmed the capacity crowd in a variety of ways. Revisit the special evening via the Local Spins review and photo gallery.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival makes waves on the lakeshore, Ribfest heats up Kalamazoo, Joywave washes over GR, SuperPartyWonderDay closes the week out. Check out all of this week’s West Michigan concert selections and Under-the-Radar Picks. Plus, win tickets to see Save Face or Flynt Flossy.
On a night when the rain held off at Meijer Gardens, the iconic rock/pop artist uncorked familiar faves and new classics for an approving audience. Get the Joe Jackson review and photo gallery, exclusively at Local Spins. And browse a set list from Friday night’s concert, too.
There’s no letting up when it comes to summer music in West Michigan, with celebrations and concerts from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo to Hudsonville, displayed in images at Local Spins. Check out all of the photo galleries and links to coverage.
At 74 years young, Patti LaBelle fully engaged fans during her first Grand Rapids appearance in three decades, unfurling everything from “Lady Marmalade” to “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” The review and photo gallery, exclusively at Local Spins.
Reggae/rock/fusion singer Michael Franti and his band Spearhead delivered a scorching 110-minute set for a sold-out Meijer Gardens crowd Sunday amid high temps and even higher spirits. Relive the upbeat show, browse the photo gallery at Local Spins.
Tuesday night’s sweltering heat couldn’t temper audience enthusiasm for impressive outdoor shows: Tuesday Evening Music Club’s 2018 kickoff at Meijer Gardens and the Rogue River Blues Series in Rockford. Check out the show recaps and photo galleries exclusively at Local Spins.
Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
Bringing together some of Michigan’s most talented, emerging artists, the popular Tuesday series kicks off in the amphitheater tonight with Hannah Rose & The GravesTones and Rachel Curtis. See the full series lineup.
Kaleo’s indie-rock flourish Sunday at 20 Monroe Live ended a week that boasted Grand Rapids stops by Helmet, Yes, Blondie and Herbie Hancock, plus local showcases in Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo, including Hannah Rose & The GravesTones, The Dacia Bridges Project and The Legal Immigrants. Browse all of the resplendent images at Local Spins.
Pop culture icon Debbie Harry and band shared new songs and relied on the classics in a lively performance that focused on the fun, but also subtly delved into the subversive. Relive the evening — minus the heat — via the Local Spins review and photo gallery.
On what turned out to be a nearly flawless summer evening, the legendary keyboard player unfurled a genre-bending lesson in jazz that flaunted looping, synthesizer magic, vocoder, a keytar and more. Read the Local Spins review by Ross Boissoneau and a special musician’s take on the show by Dutcher Snedeker.
Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
Blondie drummer Clem Burke chatted with Local Spins about the group’s past and great ‘live show,’ with upcoming stops this week in Grand Rapids and Interlochen. Only at Local Spins.
Giving new life to “Luck Be a Lady,” “I Put a Spell on You” and a few of his own well-known hits, the British-born performer graced the crowd at Meijer Gardens with as much class as those from the Rat Pack era. Read the show recap, browse the photo gallery from Wednesday’s show.
The sold-out amphitheater crowd basked in high heat and the gorgeous vocals and fiddle-playing of the Grammy-winning artist touring behind her latest album. Read the Local Spins review, browse the photo gallery from Sunday night’s concert as well as images from another weekend bluegrass show at Perrin Brewing starring Steep Canyon Rangers, Mark Lavengood and Seth Bernard.
Perfect temperatures and a receptive, sold-out crowd at Meijer Gardens set the stage for an evening of emotional but uplifting folk rock. Check out the Local Spins review by Tricia Woolfenden and photo gallery from Kendra Kamp.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Summer festival season is in full gear, plus there are riveting shows this week featuring Reverend Horton Heat, Trevor Hall, Davina & The Vagabonds (this week’s Local Spins ticket giveaway), some terrific local music showcases and the kickoff of several outdoor concert series. Get the lowdown on this week’s West Michigan concerts, plus some tantalizing Under-the-Radar Picks.
Browse images from Wednesday’s sold-out concert starring the iconic Jackson Browne with his band and check out a set list from the Meijer Gardens tour stop.
The Portland folk-rock heroes enthusiastically powered through an engaging set of old hits and new at Meijer Gardens on Monday, in spite of frontman’s recent vocal strain. Read the review and ogle the photo gallery at Local Spins.
The second Meijer Gardens show of the 2018 season delivered heartfelt classics from a legendary singer, with help from opener Rachel Curtis. Read the review, browse the photo gallery, check out the set list from Sunday night’s show at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
The summer’s first concert in the renovated Meijer Gardens amphitheater had to tangle with Mother Nature, but Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks and crew jammed on with a robust, fan-pleasing performance. Read the Local Spins review of the show (and the amphitheater improvements), browse a photo gallery, scan the set list.
Breaking music news · Summer Concerts · Venue Spotlight · Videos
When fans flock to Wednesday’s season-opening show starring Tedeschi Trucks Band they’ll find a dramatically different look to the venue, which also has improved band and crew access to the stage. Take a video tour of the renovated facility and browse a photo gallery at Local Spins.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
The weeknight series starring regional acts will also feature Kathy Lamar, Lipstick Jodi, Hollywood Makeout, Six-Pak, Eric Engblade, Watching for Foxes and more. See the full schedule at Local Spins and find out why bands love playing this series.
Breaking music news · Summer Concerts
Tickets for the 31-concert Meijer Gardens summer series went on sale today and eight concerts — from Styx to The Temptations — sold out in the first half-hour and six more within 45 minutes. See which shows sold the fastest.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
Plenty of familiar names grace the 30-concert bill, including Trombone Shorty, The Decemberists, Temptations, Beach Boys, B-52s, Seal and Styx. Huey Lewis’ July 8 show has been canceled and he will be replaced by Michael Franti & Spearhead. Get details and the full Meijer Gardens series schedule at Local Spins.
Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Little Big Town brought its national tour with Kacey Musgraves and Midland to Van Andel Arena, but there was way more on the docket for West Michigan music fans, including another “Local Showcase” and a couple of band battles as part of Cowpie Music Festival’s Pathway to the Pasture. Check out the photos and videos at Local Spins.
Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
As renovations to the outdoor amphitheater continue, the venue today announced the first three shows for its summer season, with more concerts to be announced in April. Get ticket details and see when these 2018 concerts take place.
Breaking music news · Features · Summer Concerts
Photos released this week show dynamic alterations to the top of the amphitheater where new permanent seats will be installed. Read more about the plans at Local Spins and see what the revamped amphitheater will look like.
The Labor Day weekend kick-starts with roaring bass and good vibes as one of West Michigan’s premier summer concert series comes to an end. Read the review and browse the photo gallery featuring UB40 and Raging Fyah.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Series host Ralston Bowles showcased a roster of Michigan stars — including Brian Oberlin, Nik Carman and Eric Engblade — for a full Meijer Gardens amphitheater to close out the summer. Check out video highlights, photos and a recap of Tuesday’s show.
The New Jersey newgrass ensemble was joined on its buoyant return to Meijer Gardens by Vermont’s Twiddle, ensuring a night of positive energy and boundless talent. Pore over the Local Spins review and photo gallery from Monday’s show.
Australian guitarist John Butler himself concedes he doesn’t know what kind of music his band plays. On a muggy August night, Butler and his bandmates wowed a sold-out Meijer Gardens crowd with genre-melding, instrumental magic. Read the review and ogle the photo gallery at Local Spins.
In their Meijer Gardens appearance on Thursday night, the Canadian twin sisters lived up to their billing as critically acclaimed pop stars and delivered a crowd-pleasing set as rain swept in. Read the Local Spins review and browse the photo gallery.
Michael Franti & Spearhead once again inspired a sold-out Meijer Gardens crowd to dance and sing for the duration of a steamy two-hour set of reggae/rock/rap infusion on Wednesday. Check out the review and photos at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Gov’t Mule and Galactic get one of the busiest weeks of the summer started, with Lil’ Ed, Ian Anderson, Tribute on the Grand and a birthday bash for Creston Brewery also in the mix. Get the lowdown on all of the big shows and under-the-radar picks.
The much-praised pairing of two progressive bluegrass and “country classical” acts turned the Meijer Gardens amphitheater on Sunday into a collaborative modern version of the Grand Ole Opry. Read the Local Spins review of The Punch Brothers and I’m With Her and ogle the photo gallery from one of the outdoor series’ most captivating shows of the summer.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Big crowds cheered The Soul Syndicate, Grasshoppah, Jake Kershaw, Jimmie Stagger, The Crane Wives, Michigander and all manner of Celtic bands in a week that embraced summer’s musical magic. Browse the images at Local Spins.
