Separated by 47 miles, two highly revered rootsy acts — one leaning toward folk and soul, the other toward alt-country and Southern rock — ignited capacity crowds at outdoor West Michigan venues on Friday, amid some wet weather. Read the reviews and browse the photo galleries.
With an engaging jam-band vibe, the 62-year-old piano whiz and his Noisemakers band made the sweltering Grand Rapids stop on their national tour a memorable one. Check out the review and photos at Local Spins.
The sold-out crowd of fans at Meijer Gardens on Wednesday embraced the heat and their humor-laden Canadian heroes, who even spent time at The Pyramid Scheme after the show. Check out the concert recap and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Costello’s first appearance at Meijer Gardens since 2011 focused heavily on tracks from his 1982 classic “Imperial Bedroom,” but also trotted out some earlier hits and unearthed some rare gems. Browse the photos, read the review.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
A busy week at Meijer Gardens kicks off with Elvis Costello, but there’s plenty more on the docket: A Grand Rapids Symphony tribute to Chicago, The Piano Cottage Rocks, Riversedge Summer Series, Albert Lee, plus other gems. See all of this week’s highlighted concerts, plus the Under-the-Radar Picks and the On the Horizon calendar through July.
The singer and multi-instrumentalist rolled out familiar hits and brand new material for a sold-out amphitheater on a sticky summer night. Read the review and browse the photos from Sheryl Crow’s third appearance at Meijer Gardens.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
This week’s national tours are balanced by shows from Michigan-bred acts B-Side Growlers, Michigan Rattlers, Theatre Bizarre Orchestra, KJ & The Good Time Family Band, Comments of Aether, a Picnic Pops Abba tribute and more.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
The 2017 season of weekly regional music at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park had more than 1,500 people smiling and dancing to sets by Green on Blue and The Red Sea Pedestrians. View the video highlights.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The Independence Day holiday doesn’t mean taking time off from live music, with Tuesday Evening Music Club kicking off on the Fourth of July, followed by much more to occupy your week. See all of the live music selections for the week, plus some amazing Under-the-Radar Picks.
Trombone Shorty and his crew brought their summery version of Mardi Gras to Grand Rapids on Thursday and raindrops couldn’t slow them — or concertgoers — down. Read the review, browse the photo gallery from the sold-out show.
Icons Joan Baez, Mary Chapin Carpenter and The Indigo Girls combined forces — and voices — for a sold-out show on a sultry Monday night at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. The review and photo gallery only at Local Spins.
The Alabama indie-soul ensemble uncorked a “Sea of Noise” — and energetic, horn-fueled funk — for an approving audience on a stellar Friday evening. Read the review and browse the photo gallery.
The jazz pianist’s return to Grand Rapids’ outdoor amphitheater proved to be a display of elegance, grooving rhythms and fan favorites. Read the Local Spins review, browse the photo gallery from Wednesday night’s show.
The popular summer series kicked off Sunday with plenty of elbow room for fans as “Replay America” unfurled retro hits on its Grand Rapids tour stop. Read the review of the 2017 season’s opening night and browse the photo gallery.
Commentary · Summer Concerts · Top 10 Lists
As Meijer Gardens gets set to kick off its 15th season of summer concerts this weekend, Local Spins takes a gander at some of the best shows ever held at the amphitheater. See what made the Top 10 roster and read the original concert reviews. What are your favorites?
Breaking music news · Summer Concerts
On the first day of summer concert ticket sales to non-members, Meijer Gardens surprised some folks: A small number of tickets to several previously sold-out shows were made available to the public. But move fast, because they won’t last long, officials warn.
Breaking music news · Summer Concerts
In the opening morning of sales to Meijer Gardens members, folks lined up, went online and snapped up tickets to a bevy of shows in the 2017 summer series. And more sold out within hours. See an updated list of the sold-out shows thus far.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
Punch Brothers, Brian Setzer, Taylor Dayne and Switchfoot will play the Grand Rapids amphitheater for the first time, with Huey Lewis, Lyle Lovett, Diana Krall and Gov’t Mule among returning faves. See the full lineup and ticket prices for the 2017 Meijer Gardens series.
Breaking music news · Summer Concerts
Over the next couple of years, concertgoers to Meijer Gardens will see some big changes to the amphitheater. The outdoor venue for summer shows will be upgraded, “reshaped” and expanded slightly starting in September as part of a $115 capital improvement campaign at Meijer Gardens.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts · Videos
Today’s announcement of three amphitheater shows serves as an early teaser for concertgoers, with tickets going on sale to Meijer Gardens members in late April. Get all the details at Local Spins.
The rescheduled show — and final Meijer Gardens volley of 2016 — started just as raindrops fell, but the capacity crowd stayed “Head Over Heels” and on its feet for the entire concert. Read Tricia Woolfenden’s review of this long-awaited concert and browse the photos by Anthony Norkus.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts
The Maryland rock band brought its 20th anniversary tour to Meijer Gardens on Thursday, earning a rousing welcome from the capacity crowd of fans. Check out the Local Spins photos by Anthony Norkus.
The Grammy-winning guitarist and singer wowed a capacity crowd in her return to Grand Rapids, with another legendary guitarist, Richard Thompson, adding to the star-studded, gorgeous night. Peruse the review and the photo gallery.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts · Videos
Ralston Bowles orchestrated a rousing Grand Rapids variety show of talent for the summer-ending show, including Maurice Townsend, Channing & Quinn, Eric Engblade and more. Peruse the recap and photo gallery from Tuesday night’s show.
The English singer had one exuberant fan “over-excited” from the get-go at Meijer Gardens on Friday, with the entire sold-out crowd embracing his engaging set. Grand Rapids’ Karisa Wilson opened the show. Peruse the review and photo gallery.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts
The crush-worthy Boston band’s return to Meijer Gardens was nothing short of an energetic, crowd-pleasing spectacle — amid perfect weather after the threat of storms in a packed amphitheater. Read the review, peruse the photo gallery from another sold-out show.
The first tribute show to ever play the outdoor amphitheater eventually got plenty of “Dancing Queens” on their feet and ready to “Take a Chance” on cheering this impersonation of the Swedish superstar band. Read the recap and browse the photo gallery from Wednesday’s show.
The Grammy Award-winning band had a capacity Meijer Gardens crowd of loyal fans on its feet with an impressive display of hits ranging from “Hold the Line” to “Rosanna” to new material. Read the Local Spins review and browse the photo gallery from Sunday night’s show.
Fighting through some technical glitches on a sweltering night, War powered up its ’70s hits, while the sibling trio of Los Lonely Boys delivered “Texican blues” for a smaller-than-usual Meijer Gardens crowd. Check out the Local Spins review and photo gallery.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts
The singer and multi-instrumentalist’s return to Meijer Gardens not only showcased the pop flavors from her most recent album, but plenty of rollicking, fan-pleasing rock. Local Spins was there to document the tour stop in words and photos.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts
On what frontman John Rzeznik called “a perfect summer night,” the happy “bunch of bums” from Buffalo rollicked through a lively 90-minute set on Wednesday that was heavy on the hits. Read the review by Ricky Olmos and browse the photo gallery by Anna Sink.
Concert reviews · Summer Concerts
A sold-out amphitheater greeted the legendary soul and pop star with exuberance on Monday, and Ross returned the favor by performing a cavalcade of hits. Read the review of Monday night’s concert at Meijer Gardens.
The crowd may have been smaller than usual for a Meijer Gardens show, but the cultural experience was unparalleled as Nigerian ensembles led by Femi Kuti and Bombino dazzled fans in the heat. Read the review and browse the photo gallery from this resplendent show.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts
Led by Alex Ebert, the slightly realigned folk-rock ensemble stopped Sunday at Meijer Gardens on tour behind a new album that seems to put “Edward Sharpe” in the rear-view mirror. It was a show that writer Troy Reimink found fanciful, joyous and a bit ramshackle. Review, photo gallery.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts
The bluegrass-powered Virginia band wasted little time on Thursday pumping up the sold-out crowd in its return to Grand Rapids. Check out the review and ogle the photo gallery.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts
The engaging singer-guitarist brought his band The Innocent Criminals with him in his return to the Meijer Gardens amphitheater. The sold-out audience embraced them and opener Molly and Scott from Grand Rapids’ Vox Vidorra. Get the scoop in this Local Spins review and photo gallery.
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park for the first time ever hosted an all-star West Michigan lineup of hip hop artists for the Tuesday night music series, part of La Famiglia frontman Mike G’s mission to show off the diversity of hip hop. Read the story, browse the photo gallery, only at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts
The Portland band’s first appearance at the Grand Rapids amphitheater came amid 90-degree weather that didn’t slow the Colin Meloy-led bunch down as they churned out sometimes nostalgic, audience-pleasing songs spanning the group’s career. Peruse the review and photo gallery from Monday’s night red-hot concert.
The inventive pianist and singer un-Fold-ed an evening of career-spanning songs — including some Ben Folds Five tunes — with help from New York’s yMusic ensemble in the sold-out amphitheater. Read the review and browse the photo gallery from Sunday night’s show.
The weekly Meijer Gardens series showcasing regional music kicked off on a beautiful summer night with a resplendent “Tracing the Roots” theme. The series continues on Tuesdays through August. (Photos)
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts
Shifting between a Hammond B3 organ and guitar, the Southern rock legend brought his familiar voice and songs to Meijer Gardens to entertain a sold-out crowd on a picture-perfect Wednesday evening. Peruse the review and flip through the images in the Local Spins photo gallery.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts
On a sumptuous, sunny evening, the rock legend performed songs spanning his five-decade career backed for the first time at the outdoor amphitheater by a six-piece band. Read the review and browse a photo gallery from Monday’s sold-out show.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts
The Los Angeles band delivered familiar hits and fresh tracks from its brand new album during a Grand Rapids tour stop on Sunday night, demanding to see fans’ “dance skills.” Read the Local Spins review by Adrianna Walker and browse the photo gallery by Anthony Norkus.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts
The engaging singer and guitarist’s return to Grand Rapids with his band had him climbing into the crowd and bringing fans on stage for a memorable evening at the outdoor amphitheater. Check out the Local Spins review and photo gallery.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts
Even an unhinged trombone and steamy weather couldn’t stop Derek Trucks, Susan Tedeschi and crew at Meijer Gardens on Friday night, with the 12-member band unleashing an audience-pleasing spectacle. Check out the Local Spins review and photo gallery from a hot night at the amphitheater.
A sold-out Meijer Gardens crowd cheered the upbeat, summery display by the singer who melded joyful originals with some Bob Marley classics. Read the review of Wednesday’s amphitheater concert and browse the photo gallery.
Artist Spotlights · Features · Upcoming shows
In an interview with Local Spins, guitarist-singer Susan Tedeschi talks about touring, musical chemistry and the band’s tendency to ‘mix it up’ on stage. The band returns to Meijer Gardens for a sold-out show on Friday.
The surprisingly loud and lush nine-piece indie-folk/pop ensemble from Iceland lit up Meijer Gardens on a gray, overcast evening, with much of the capacity crowd on its feet the entire night. Read the review and browse the striking photo gallery from a special night at the outdoor amphitheater.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts
The second concert of the season at the outdoor amphitheater regaled a sold-out crowd with favorites from the ’70s, including “Ventura Highway,” “Sister Golden Hair” and “Don’t Cross the River.” And opener Brennin of “Nashville” fame impressed fans, too. Check out the review.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts
The first concert of the summer series was full of slapstick humor and familiar pop hits — plus some new gems — that satiated a sold-out, baby-boomer crowd on a sumptuous June evening. Read the review and ogle the photo gallery.
