Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
On a near-perfect July night, Asamu Johnson & The Associates of the Blues and Hannah Rose Graves regaled a happy crowd for a rare display of live music outside Grand Rapids’ Studio Park. Get the recap, photos and video highlights from Thursday’s show at Local Spins.
COVID-19 silenced live music downtown until Thursday when the first “Listening Lawn” show regaled a sold-out crowd outdoors on the piazza at Studio Park. Check out the review and photo gallery exclusively at Local Spins.
With 2020’s festival canceled due to COVID-19, Local Spins looks back at a 2019 country music celebration in Jackson County that drew more than 40,000 fans for sets by Keith Urban, Toby Keith, Zac Brown and more. Check out the photo galleries and recaps of last year’s performances.
West Michigan’s second-ever drive-in concert during the pandemic was a sellout on Saturday, with Nashville-based Beatles tribute band The English Rain playing amid bright sunshine. Get the recap and browse a photo gallery at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
It may have ranked as one of “the weirdest concerts ever,” but in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Saturday’s first foray into drive-in performances got high marks from those who attended the Grand Haven show. Get the recap, photos and video at Local Spins.
Local Spins Rewind · Photos · Summer Festivals
A tradition over Memorial Day weekend, the Bus Benefit south of Grand Haven always signaled the start of Michigan’s festival season. COVID-19 wiped out the 2020 event, so Local Spins decided to revisit last year’s celebration in words, photos and some video highlights. Amid the current pandemic, they’re magical, bittersweet memories.
Features · Weekend Photo Gallery
Today’s entry in our series spotlighting Local Spins photographers focuses on Nathan Purchase, with his favorite concert photos of artists such as Umphrey’s McGee, Tame Impala, Billy Strings, My Morning Jacket, Greensky Bluegrass and, of course, Desmond Jones. View the photos and get the stories behind his classic shots.
Features · Weekend Photo Gallery
Starting her concert photo career with Local Spins several years ago, photographer Anna Sink shares some of her favorite images — her unique take on bands, fans and festivals, and the stories behind those shots. And check out a photo gallery with more images of festivals, Michigan stars and more.
Features · Weekend Photo Gallery
Local Spins continues its “concert photo rewind” series spotlighting the stellar work of its photographers, this time focusing on our Kalamazoo live music honcho: Derek Ketchum. Here are his favorite photos and the stories behind these colorful, action-packed shots.
Over the past eight years, Local Spins has published some spectacular concert photography. And some of the best photos have been taken by Tony Norkus, who today shares some of his favorites, along with stories about each image — from ebullient Bassnectar fans to singer Charles Bradley’s passionate Grand Rapids debut.
Concert reviews · Features · Photos
The Crane Wives’ Emilee Petersmark hosted a “Stay in Your House Show” with a handful of W. Michigan acts on Friday — all streaming sets from home. Local Spins was there to capture the vibe of the ‘new normal’ when it comes to the live music that we’ve got these days. Browse a photo gallery from the live-stream setup.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
A coronavirus-shortened week of live shows still gave some West Michigan fans a mix of magical music: blues, metalcore, neo-psychedelia, Celtic music, contemporary Christian pop, country and South African vocal glory. View all of the images at Local Spins.
In the first of two nights at Grand Rapids’ Listening Room, the much-heralded South African male vocal group delivered engaging vocals and a stage presence to match. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
The 15th annual edition of the Fretboard Festival brought a couple thousand people to Kalamazoo Valley Museum on Saturday for performances by 19 regional artists, plus workshops and instrument vendors. The recap, photo gallery and video highlights, exclusively at Local Spins.
The Los Angeles band touring behind its latest album closed out the weekend at 20 Monroe Live with a high-energy display and an audience-involving vibe. The review, photo gallery and set list at Local Spins.
Chris Thile’s sold-out show Tuesday at St. Cecilia Music Center was an uplifting, mutual love affair between the performer and his fans. “Your town is crushing it,” Thile raved at one point. The review and photo gallery, exclusively at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Making its debut at Listening Room for the Local Spins Michigan Mondays series, the Kalamazoo psych-pop/rock band fired up new tunes and old classics for an attentive, enthused crowd. The recap, photo gallery and video of The Go Rounds performing a new tune, only at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
West Michigan concerts by regional stars That Beatles Thing, Moto, Cousin Avery, Delilah DeWylde, Isaac Ryder and more were also part of the mix spotlighted in photos at Local Spins. Ogle all of the galleries from shows in Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo.
Accompanied by her husband, John Leventhal, the iconic singer-songwriter unfurled classics new and old during the sold-out Acoustic Cafe Folk Series show at St. Cecilia Music Center on Wednesday. The concert review and photos at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Thousands filled The Intersection on Friday to celebrate the best regional music of the year with impressive performances on three stages. Browse highlights from the big night in words, photos and a star-studded video.
Breaking music news · Concert reviews · Videos
West Michigan’s biggest night of music packed The Intersection with performers and fans on Friday night, with awards presented to the best releases of 2019. View the full winners’ list at Local Spins along with a photo gallery from the big event.
Touring behind their latest album, “III,” the folk-rock heroes heated up a mid-February night in Grand Rapids with help from Mt. Joy and J.S. Ondara. The review, photo gallery at Local Spins.<
Features · Photos · Upcoming shows
Formed by Tim Perry and Jeff Oxford more than 15 years ago, the GRSA is back for monthly meetings at Schuler Books & Music, where budding songwriters test their material for other tunesmiths. Get the back story and view photos from a recent GRSA session.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
National tour stops by Trippie Redd, the Allman Betts Band, Dirty Honey, Grace Potter and others were complemented by bracing local shows starring Darcy Wilkin, Trifocal and a Crooked Tree Creative Showcase in Grand Haven. The images at Local Spins.
The Grammy-winning band lit up St. Cecilia’s sold-out Royce Auditorium in Grand Rapids on Thursday night with impressive instrumentals and vocal harmonies during the Acoustic Cafe Folk Series show. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
The Vermont native and her band, The Daylighters, romped for several hundred gathered at The Intersection on Wednesday night with help from soulful opener Devon Gilfillian. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
The hard-rocking bands brought their co-headlining tour to Grand Rapids’ Van Andel Arena on Thursday. Browse the images, a concert recap and set lists at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Features · On Campus · Photos
Douglas R. Gilbert’s historic photos of a young Dylan and many other artists from the 1960s now belong to the Grand Valley Art Gallery. The back story — with some of those classic images — at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
In a bid to drive away the winter blahs, West Michigan audiences embraced a dynamic mix of touring and local artists. And once again, Local Spins captured it in photo and video form.
Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Beyond the lavish parties ushering in the New Year, there were some intimate shows starring beloved regional artists to get the first weekend of 2020 started on the right foot. Browse the photos and videos at Local Spins.
West Michigan ushered in 2020 with the bluegrass brilliance of Billy Strings, an outdoor Pop Evil party, Manic Focus, 20 Monroe Live’s Resolution Ball, Kalamazoo’s New Year’s Fest and more captured in photos and videos at Local Spins, with a full review of Billy Strings’ homecoming show.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The final weekend of 2019 boasted radiant, jubilant concerts with regional stars playing venues from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo — captured in images and video at Local Spins. Revisit the musical action.
Local Spins Rewind · Photos · Videos
Even country star Brantley Gilbert calls her a ‘badass’ singer. Local Spins’ spotlight on the mid-Michigan favorite with a bright future proved to be among the most-read stories of the year. Revisit the story, photo galleries and videos at Local Spins.
Local Spins Rewind · Photos · Videos
Local Spins’ countdown of the year’s top music stories continues with a behind-the-scenes look into The Who’s elaborate Van Andel Arena show in May, thanks to lighting designer and creative director Tom Kenny who also expressed love for “the local orchestra.” Get insights into the show in this Local Spins Rewind feature, with a link to the full review of the GR concert.
The Local Spins review of Lynne’s Electric Light Orchestra spectacle of nostalgic hits at Van Andel Arena in July was one of the website’s most-read stories of the year. Revisit the review, the photo gallery and set list at Local Spins as we continue our countdown of the top music stories of 2019.
Local Spins Rewind · Photos · Videos
Today, Local Spins starts its year-end countdown of the Top 10 most-read stories of the year, starting with a tribute to a Grand Rapids rock icon who passed away in late 2018. The story, photos and video for the No. 10 entry of the year.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
A week that launched with The Gasoline Gypsies’ first-ever acoustic show also featured Sum 41, Sullivan King, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Whitey Morgan, the “Christmas at Critter’s” benefit, May Erlewine & The Motivations and more. Relive the action in photos and videos at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
West Michigan skated into mid-December with holiday fare, rock ‘n’ roll and more — from Turkuaz to Wayland to Sons of F.U.N.K. to The Bootstrap Boys — captured in images and videos (as usual) at Local Spins. Browse the photo galleries, videos and show recaps.
West Michigan’s live music week included The Bad Plus, Louis the Child, Blanco Brown, SunSquabi, Laith Al-Saadi, Gunnar & The Grizzly Boys, Sadie Bass, Left Lane Cruiser and more reflected in dazzling photos (and a couple of videos) at Local Spins.
Calvin University’s ‘house band’ returned to Grand Rapids on Friday for a moving show that was all about honoring Heffner, who’s retiring as student activities director and Calvin’s concert honcho. The review and photos at Local Spins.
For two nights in a row, Grand Rapids audiences got an earful and an eyeful thanks to Steel Panther and Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Browse the colorful images at Local Spins.
The two-night Thanksgiving weekend stand at State Theatre unleashed epic sets and memorable riffs. Enjoy the review and photo gallery at Local Spins, along with Friday’s set list.
As one of the busiest bar nights of the year, Wednesday’s pre-Thanksgiving celebration lit up stages with live music gems from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo. The photo roundup at Local Spins, including Tuesday’s wild Ski Mask the Slump God tour stop at 20 Monroe Live.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Sav and Katie of The Accidentals, Megan Slankard and Stephie James delivered a moving, personal and intimate “Time Out” showcase of their music on a night that also featured the official release of a new Michigan-focused double-album for a good cause. Relive the evening in this Local Spins review, with photos and video.
Sold-out, jam-packed shows — national and local — filled venues across West Michigan in mid-November, including the International Wine, Beer and Food Festival at DeVos Place. Ogle all of the the action-filled images at Local Spins.
Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
From mid-week shows featuring Blues Traveler, Lettuce, Kittel & Co. and Free Hat to Saturday night reveling by Yelawolf, Donna the Buffalo and Cameron Blake, it was a jam-packed, November blast of music. Browse the images at Local Spins, including The Legal Immigrants’ ‘bon voyage’ show at The Pyramid Scheme and Subtronics’ sold-out dance party at The Intersection.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
The Grammy-nominated band of virtuosos made a tour stop Wednesday at Grand Rapids’ Listening Room, impressing a small but approving crowd. They play Petoskey, Interlochen and Ann Arbor next. Peruse the review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
It was a big concert week with plenty of big shows — at venues big and small — across West Michigan. Browse the images in nine colorful, action-packed photo galleries at Local Spins.
Local Spins writer Ricky Olmos attended David Bazan’s weekend concerts at Listening Room and he spent time with the noted singer-songwriter. This is his report, with photos by Kendra Petersen-Kamp.
The ‘Mexo-Americana’ group and singer-songwriter Heather Maloney earned a warm welcome from fans who braved early season snow to attend Wednesday night’s concert at the downtown venue. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
