Lyle Lovett maintains perfect record; charms sellout Meijer Gardens crowd (Photo gallery)
For the ninth summer in a row, the engaging Texas singer-songwriter sold out his appearance at the outdoor Grand Rapids amphitheater.
Tagged: photos
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
A.B!, March Forth, Devin & The Dead Frets, POST530, John Butler Trio, Matt Giraud: Weekend Photo Gallery
John Butler Trio’s sizzling set at Meijer Gardens launched a weekend of rock and hip hop, from Grand Rapids to the lakeshore where the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival ramped up to a climactic finish.
Conor Oberst, Dawes flaunt indie-folk/rock charisma, charm for Grand Rapids fans
Whilst short of a sellout, Thursday night’s Meijer Gardens concert boasted an enthusiastic young crowd, passionate performances and double-duty for Dawes as opening act and backing band.
Barenaked Ladies frolic like they had a million dollars at Meijer Gardens
The fun-loving Canadian goofballs inspired sing-alongs, bra-tossing and an upbeat attitude in Sunday’s sold-out show, their first appearance at the outdoor amphitheater. (Review, photos)
Gracious Michael Buble engages Grand Rapids audience as the ‘anti-Ray LaMontagne’: Local Spins Photo Gallery
A couple of days after Ray LaMontagne’s tantrum and stage walk-off at Meijer Gardens, singer Michael Buble proved that nice guys finish first, playing to an adoring crowd at Van Andel Arena. (Photo gallery)
Pop at the Park: Hot Chelle Rae, Kongos, The Outer Vibe rev up young “crazy” crowd (Photo Gallery)
HOT-FM’s Party in the Park on Wednesday drew thousands of teens and 20-somethings (and a passel of parents) to Fifth Third Ballpark for Hot Chelle Rae, Kongos, My Crazy Girlfriend, Outasight and GR’s own The Outer Vibe.
Jennifer Nettles, Here Come the Mummies, Murder by Death, Beck, Slim Gypsy Baggage: The Weekend Photo Gallery
National tours made mid-summer stops in Grand Rapids, from the country of Jennifer Nettles to the thoughtful indie-rock of Beck, plus plenty more local and regional acts captured in images at Local Spins.
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)
Marley, Motley Crue and Alice: A tale of crazily contrasting concerts (Review, photo gallery)
Grand Rapids hosted a pair of wildly divergent, photogenic shows from opposite ends of the spectrum: Ziggy Marley’s love-hued reggae at Meijer Gardens vs. Alice Cooper’s Michigan-bred shock rock and Motley Crue’s flawed farewell tour kickoff at Van Andel Arena.
Afro Zuma and young musicians drum up stellar opener for Tuesday Evening Music Club (Photo gallery)
The Tuesday night series spotlighting local and regional acts kicked off with a packed Meijer Gardens amphitheater for “Family Appreciation Night.”
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.
Ben Harper, Charlie Musselwhite explore the roots of American blues in soaring fashion
The duo retraces Grammy-winning “Get Up!” in bracing show Thursday at a sold-out Meijer Gardens. The guest Local Spins review by The Crane Wives’ Ben Zito.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Needtobreathe, May Erlewine, Kanisha K, Founders Fest: The Weekend Photo Gallery (June 22)
Founders Fest jammed downtown streets in Grand Rapids, but compelling shows were also on tap with Needtobreathe at Meijer Gardens, May Erlewine at Wealthy Theatre and more — featured in the Local Spins photo gallery.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Local First Street Party, Festival, B93 Birthday Bash, Greensky Bluegrass, The Accidentals: The Weekend Photo Gallery
June’s first weekend may have been the biggest ever for West Michigan music fans with hundreds of bands playing outdoor stages from Grand Rapids to Martin to Kalamazoo.
Concert reviews · Features · Photos
Festival 2014’s opening day: Rock, jazz, folk, rap, country, blue skies and dance-happy throngs
Kari Lynch Band, Skankadank, Rick Chyme, Max Colley III, The Muteflutes, Blue Water Ramblers, Conklin Ceili Band, Union Guns and more revved up crowds on Friday. (Photo gallery, video)
Rick Chyme: Grand Rapids hip hop’s poet, storyteller and master collaborator
The Local Spins Artist Spotlight shines on an award-winning rapper with a basketball teamwork mentality who plays Festival and the Local First Street Party this weekend. (Podcast, photo gallery)
Concert reviews · Features · Photos
Buses by the Beach: A day – and night – in the life of a VW bus and music fest on Lake Michigan (Story, photos, video)
Local Spins’ David Specht and photographer Tori Thomas experienced Buses by the Beach on Friday, capturing the camaraderie and music of the 13th annual event, held at Camp Blodgett.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Reignwolf, Manchester Orchestra, Of Montreal, Seether, Downtown Fiesta, Bob Dylan Tribute: The Local Spins Weekend Photo Gallery
It was a weekend of dynamic performances, some by West Michigan bands The Soul Syndicate, Murder Party, Jesse Ray & The Carolina Catfish and a dozen bands at the Bona-Who? fest. (Photos, videos)
Weird, wonderful, psychedelic: Of Montreal overwhelms capacity Pyramid Scheme crowd
Led by the uninhibited androgyny of frontman Kevin Barnes, the glammy indie-rock ensemble energized Grand Rapids fans with a theatrical feast. Review, photos.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Truckfighters, Fitz & The Tantrums, Grand Rapids Songwriter Showcase, The Wallace Collective, The Legal Immigrants: The Weekend Photo Gallery
The weekend started early with some soulful Fitz and continued with rousing celebrations: Seven Steps Up’s 100th show, GR Songwriters Alliance’s 10th anniversary and Local Spins’ rollicking second anniversary rock show.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
KOAN Sound, Serita’s Black Rose, The Bluefields, Bimini Bros: The Local Spins Weekend Photo Gallery
From all-out rock shows to soul and funk to EDM to jazz to acoustic guitar wizardry, the weekend unfurled in eclectic fashion across West Michigan, captured in photos at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Schoolboy Q, WGVU Blues Benefit, Record Store Day, Machine Gun Kelly, Beats Antique: The Weekend Photo Gallery
The long holiday weekend teemed with music, including Mid-Life Crisis at Forest Hills Fine Arts Center’s 10th anniversary, Granger Smith, Hannah Rose Graves and Breathe Owl Breathe.
The Lone Bellow in Grand Rapids: Packing an indie-folk punch (Photo gallery)
Intimate vocals and moving songwriting marked the band’s concert Tuesday night at the Calvin College Covenant Fine Arts Center in a show rescheduled from January.
GRiZ, David Nail, Sister Sparrow, The National, Jake’s Music Fest: The Local Spins Weekend Photo Gallery
National tours of note made West Michigan stops, but there was plenty more with a big lineup of regional acts at Jake’s Music Festival plus shows by The Bangups, Seabird, Scott Pellegrom & Kevin Kozel, Nathan Kalish and Teddy Geiger.
The National dial it up a notch for 4,000 at Calvin College
The much-praised Cincinnati-turned-Brooklyn band unfurled a bona fide rock spectacle for a well-behaved, enthusiastic crowd at Calvin’s Van Noord Arena on Saturday. (Review, photo gallery)
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The Head & The Heart, Iced Earth, Ralston & Friends, Wayland: The Local Spins Weekend Photo Gallery
A weekend launched with diverse and bracing folk at Calvin College, St. Cecilia Music Center and Founders Brewing was followed by heavy metal blasts at The Intersection and more as captured in Local Spins images.
Wildly eclectic lineup sparks triumphant Fresh Folk finale at St. Cecilia Music Center (Review, photos)
Billy Strings & Don Julin, Jill Jack, Rick Chyme, Ralston Bowles and The Northern Skies turned Thursday’s Grand Rapids show into an uplifting and emotional showcase of Michigan’s diverse music.
The Muteflutes’ ‘cool creative journey’: Grand Rapids folk-rockers prepare to unleash ‘American Dream’
A Local Spins exclusive: A sneak peek into the Americana-hued five-piece band’s more electric sophomore album, to be unveiled during a Billy’s Lounge CD-release show in May
Future Islands make big waves in Grand Rapids concert
The buzzed-about Baltimore synthpop band electrified a sold-out crowd at The Pyramid Scheme on the same day that it released its new album, “Singles.” (Review, photo gallery)
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The Blow, Uncle Kracker, Lindsay Lou, The Accidentals, Michael Packer Benefit: The Weekend Photo Gallery
LadyFest GR with The Blow and more took over The Pyramid Scheme on Saturday, but the weekend also featured Uncle Kracker’s return, Lindsay Lou’s final show for three months and a Traverse City duo igniting One Trick Pony.
Breaking music news · Features
Fenian’s Irish Pub up for sale as owners, Celtic music boosters Terry and Mary Ann Reagan prepare to retire
Since 1987, the beloved pub in Conklin has brought universally acclaimed Irish performers to its stage as well as Celtic musicians from across Michigan. Fenian’s could host its final St. Patrick’s Day parade on Monday.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Paper Diamond, Winter Beer Fest, Black Joe Lewis, Winter Punk Fest, The Jammies: The Weekend Photo Gallery
Ogle rollicking winter fun indoors and out in these photos of the Winter Beer Fest, punk bands at the Tip Top, EDM mania at The Intersection, soulful rock at The Pyramid Scheme, sensitive singer-songwriters and dozens of local bands playing the Jammie Awards.
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)
Cooper’s Glen, Nick Moss, A Tribe Called Red, Graham Colton, Bowery, Equal Parts: The Weekend Photo Gallery
Ogle images and videos from a bevy of West Michigan shows: A Tribe Called Red, Nick Moss, Cooper’s Glen and MAJIC concerts, Withhold the Blood, The Trace Duo, Jim Shaneberger, Billy Strings/Don Julin, Bowery, Equal Parts, Ben Daniels Band, Nicholas James Thomasma.
Datsik, The Coup, Bangups, Nathan Kalish, Kelly Joe Phelps, Chase Rice: Weekend Photo Gallery
From the dubstep mania of Datsik to the funky, political hip hop of The Coup to the indie-rock of North Atlantic Drivt to a Tom Petty tribute, Grand Rapids boasted such a busy Thursday/Friday of music that Local Spins had to post this special batch of images.
Breaking music news · Features
Festival 2014 still seeking performers for six stages; application deadline is Monday
Hundreds of bands, dance troupes and theater acts expected to play 45th annual Festival of the Arts in Grand Rapids June 6-8. Get the application details here. A Monday[…]
Fifteen minutes of fame and far more: The Crane Wives at the Ann Arbor Folk Festival
Local Spins offers a behind-the-scenes view of the adventures of a West Michigan band as it played the prestigious festival with stars of the folk and Americana scene. (Photos, video)
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Legal Immigrants, Josh Thompson, San Fermin, Tony Lucca: Local Spins Weekend Photo Gallery
Seth Glier, Midwest Skies, White Rabbit, Tom DeVries, North Atlantic Drift and The Crane Wives also rock the latest batch of Local Spins concert images. (Photos, videos)
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Winter Wheat, Fauxgrass, The Northern Skies, Karisa Wilson: The Local Spins Weekend Photo Gallery
A bevy of folk/roots acts played the day-long Wheatland benefit at The Intersection, plus images from Fresh Folk and shows by Heavier Than Air Flying Machines, The Front Bottoms and more.
Jimmie Stagger, Drew Nelson and Jen Sygit lead song-driven night of ‘glorious’ music
St. Cecilia Music Center’s singer-songwriter night also spotlighted the music of Josh Rose, Hannah Rose Graves and Mark Sala.
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)
Mustard Plug ‘Can’t Contain’ excitement in holiday CD-release show for Grand Rapids fans
A happy, hefty and enthused Intersection throng greeted the Grand Rapids ska maestros who kicked out fan faves and new songs from the band’s “Can Contain It” album.
Pop Evil, Gunnar & The Grizzly Boys, Tyler Farr, Brian Lorente, Lazy Blue Tunas: The Local Spins Weekend Photo Gallery
‘Twas the weekend before Christmas and the house was rocking around Grand Rapids, as evidenced by the photo and video roundup at Local Spins.
Nikki Hill, Decembersongs, Impact Band, Hildegard Singers, Mr. Gnome: The Local Spins Weekend Photo Gallery
Check out images from a rocking weekend in West Michigan: From twists on Christmas music to retro strains that made folks forget about the bluster outdoors
Charles Bradley’s soulful flame burns bright at The Pyramid Scheme (Review, photo gallery)
The Brooklyn-based R&B singer delivered a heartfelt performance on Sunday with The Extraordinaires, igniting a sold-out Grand Rapids crowd.
John Mayer, Grandmaster Flash and the busiest bar night of 2013: Local Spins photos, review
The “Wednesday-before-Thanksgiving Day spirit” was evident everywhere across Grand Rapids on Wednesday night.
Sean Peay Hip-Hop Benefit, Testament, Chris Lawrence, Big Daddy Love: The Local Spins Weekend Photo Gallery
The Wine, Beer and Food Festival at DeVos Place drew thousands for taste-testing and tunes by a half-dozen West Michigan acts, but elsewhere fans also reveled in hip-hop.
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.
Living Colour, Steve Vai, Knock on Wood, Fresh Folk: The Local Spins Weekend Photo Gallery
A guitar god, a groundbreaking alt-metal band, some Michigan roots heroes, a bracing modern percussion trio, a garage rock legend and monstrous metal: All part of Local Spins’ image-laden roundup[…]
Troll for Trout, Rachael Davis, Dominic John get folky in a new way at St. Cecilia Music Center
Frustrating sound glitches aside, the opening night of St. Cecilia Music Center’s Fresh Folk series turned the tables on folk-rock and put a Nashville couple in the spotlight.
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