The sold-out “Farewell Yellow Brick Road” concert at Van Andel Arena on Monday delivered what the piano-pounding rocker does best: dazzling keyboard work, terrific production and enduring songs. The review, photo gallery and set list from this historic show at Local Spins
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
With a Grand Rapids tour stop at Wealthy Theatre tonight, the guitarist performed in-studio on this week’s radio show, which also debuted new tracks by several Michigan artists, including The Blueflowers, Lexi Schaub, Charlie Walmsley, Carrie McFerrin and more.
The October edition of Local Spins on Michigan Radio’s ‘Stateside’ showcased new music from a diverse set of Grand Rapids artists: Big Dudee Roo, Steven Malcolm and Ford Turrell. Listen to their music, read their back story.
Kendall College of Art & Design student D. Cavinder won a contest to create a striking new lavish costume for the Rocket Man, who brings his “Farewell Yellow Brick Road” tour to Van Andel Arena on Oct. 15. Check out all of the entries produced by 10 student designers.
Concert reviews · Festivals · Photos
Day 2 of Kalamazoo’s Audiotree Music Festival drew even bigger crowds who cheered the likes of Grand Rapids’ Major Murphy plus Chicano Batman, Real Estate, Slow Mass, Blitzen Trapper, REZN, Lume and headliner Father John Misty. Read the Local Spins review, ogle the photo galleries from Sunday’s finale.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
SYML kicks things off at Calvin College in a week that also boasts concerts by Joshua Powell, Amanda Brown, Aaron Neville, The Ragbirds, Lil’ Smokies and Bullet for My Valentine. Check out all of this week’s live music picks at Local Spins.
The MC5 anniversary tour stop at Grand Rapids’ 20 Monroe Live drew a curiously, half-full house Saturday but the powerhouse band led by Wayne Kramer still proved its influential, rock ‘n’ roll mettle. Check out the exclusive review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Based in Saranac, the alt-rock/pop band is working on its first full-length album while rocking venues like Mulligan’s Pub. Get the back story on this emerging West Michigan group.
After extensive construction, the world-class Grand Haven recording studio is impressing those who bring projects through its doors. Get the back story on Third Coast Recording, browse a Local Spins photo gallery and take a video tour of the facility operated by Chrysler and Joe Sturgill.
Gary Clark Jr.’s musical conversation proved to be a powerful, dynamic dialogue of groaning blues, searing rock ’n’ roll and riveting soul Monday night at 20 Monroe Live.
The Albion duo of Michael and Tanya Trotter — The War and Treaty — has impressed critics with its new album, which led the way on a chart that also featured four more new entries, including Peace to Mateo and Joshua Davis. Listen to tracks from all five releases.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Labor Day stars the West Michigan Labor Fest, Johnnyswim and LIVE, with plenty to follow the rest of the week: Perrin’s Backyard Bash, Fareed Haque, SALES, Kyle Cook, JMM Jazz, a Grateful Dead tribute and much more. Check out all the featured shows and Under-the-Radar Picks.
This annual Local Spins Labor Day column spotlights the financial quandary of working musicians, many of whom work long hours, often for little pay. And it’s spiced up with new comments from many of them. Be part of the discussion.
Playlists · Upcoming shows · Videos
With piano rock legend Elton John kicking off a farewell tour that includes an October stop in Grand Rapids — and SpeakEZ hosting an Elton John tribute show — Local Spins picks 20 underplayed EJ gems. Listen to the playlist, watch the videos from a robust career.
Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
The West Michigan week in live music ended Sunday with another sold-out O.A.R. show at Meijer Gardens, but there were local showcases, a Doors tribute and more, from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo. Browse the images at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
We Banjo 3, Cole Swindell, Shoreline Jazz Fest, Holler Fest, Pink Sky, Benjaman James, The Rockit King, The Accidentals, Hop Along, Insane Theatre, Earth Radio and more fill out the week. Get the complete concert lowdown at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
It was another lively week of concerts across West Michigan, with country courtesy of Kip Moore and others, hard and soft rock, electro-pop and the music of tomorrow’s stars just part of the story. Ogle the photo galleries at Local Spins.
The iconic rock band’s return to The Pyramid Scheme on Thursday unleashed noise-ridden, Black Sabbath-meets-Capt. Beefheart charm with Spencer’s own brand of minimalist rock opening the show. The Local Spins review by John Serba, with photos by Katy Batdorff and Derek Ketchum.
Live at River City · Photos · Videos
The latest live-streamed performance at River City oozed artful, original blues-edged music from the Grand Rapids band which is getting ready to release its next studio album later this year. Watch the video of Conrad Shock + The Noise’s in-studio session and check out the photos at Local Spins.
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.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
The 38th annual Blissfest captivated capacity crowds in northern Michigan over the weekend. Local Spins was there to capture the action in words and photos. Relive highlights from the festival, courtesy of writer Devin Anderson and photographer Anna Sink.
There’s nothing like it anywhere. The Beaver Island Music Festival is a musical experience and escape unlike any other this summer. Get the lowdown — and a festival soundtrack — at Local Spins. Listen to the playlist of festival acts, get background on this unique Michigan celebration.
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.
The electronic music duo capitalizes on the buzz about its upcoming new release with impressive airplay on WYCE, with Brad Fritcher’s MOODS making its chart debut, too. Fritcher plays a farewell show at SpeakEZ Lounge on Wednesday night. Check out the Hot Top 5 and listen to songs from each of the featured artists.
Album reviews · Audio · Videos
Local Spins’ first batch of July releases covers a broad range of Michigan artists, from prog-pop to jazz to jamgrass to rock ‘n’ roll. Read the reviews, listen to samples of the music, find out where these bands are playing.
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.
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.
The rock-oriented, summertime “Ryne Shyne” LowellArts series assembled by young Lowell entrepreneur Ryne Clarke boasts a special atmosphere with shows captured on video and broadcast on radio. Read more about the series and check out a photo gallery of recent performer Bet on Rats.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows · Videos
This weekend’s family-friendly festival at Circle Pines Center boasts more than three dozen mostly regional acts, including The Accidentals, Mustard Plug and Joshua Davis. Check out the schedule and save it on your smartphone; read more about Donna the Buffalo and Luke Winslow King; watch videos of some featured bands.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The week after Memorial Day brought a slew of summer musical marvels to West Michigan, including the kickoff to outdoor concert series in Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo and tour stops by national touring acts. Browse 10 photo galleries — from Kalamazoo’s HippieFest to Grand Rapids’ Festival of the Arts — at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
‘A great place to share peace and love and spread music’: An apropos theme for the opening day of a revamped Festival of the Arts 2018 in downtown Grand Rapids. Check out the Local Spins story, photo gallery and some video highlights from the first day’s performances.
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.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
This week’s packed lineup also features Andrew McMahon, Gladys Knight, Phillip Phillips, The Menzingers, BoDeans and more, plus win tickets to see the Gin Blossoms and Valentiger. Get the complete lowdown in this week’s Big List, plus some riveting Under-the-Radar Picks.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Relive Memorial Day weekend’s musical marvels in photos and videos, from Bell’s Brewery and State Theatre in Kalamazoo to 20 Monroe Live and Founders Brewing in Grand Rapids to the Local Spins Summer Kickoff. Check out the photo galleries at Local Spins, along with video highlights from Sunday’s Local Spins Summer Kickoff outside HopCat.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
This week’s episode of the Local Spins radio show showcased Suzies in-studio, plus new tracks by I Believe in Julio, Upstage Crew, Political Lizard, Winnow, Tony Bakker, Baker Brothers and more. Listen to the podcast.
Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
Temperatures are heating up and so are outdoor concerts in communities across West Michigan. Here’s the latest Local Spins roundup of schedules for several free series starring regional acts from the lakeshore to Lansing.
Artist Spotlights · Kalamazoo · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Marcus King Band plays Kalamazoo’s State Theatre on Thursday, part of the group’s ceaseless touring as it builds its audience and impresses critics with its frontman’s eye-popping musicianship. Read the Local Spins interview with this guitar sensation and check out videos of his performances.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The week leading up to Memorial Day is jam-packed with music and fun in the sun, from Evidence Jazz to Earth Radio to I Believe in Julio to Michigan Rattlers to the Local Spins Summer Kickoff outside HopCat in Grand Rapids. Get the scoop on all of this week’s live music highlights, plus some stellar Under-the-Radar Picks at Local Spins.
Live at River City · Photos · Videos
The Southern rock-fueled Grand Rapids band fired up the latest edition of the studio series. Watch this week’s performance, listen to the interview, browse the photo gallery at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The week kicks off with Big Sandy and closes out with Steve Martin & Martin Short’s Grand Rapids tour stop, with plenty of musical action in between, including special SpeakEZ shows, Hip Hop Appreciation Week, the Bona-Who? festival, Thunder Chicken, The Extra Texture and Stryper. Plus, see how you can win tickets to see Granger Smith.
This Local Spins photo roundup of the past week’s concerts across West Michigan also includes a rootsy tribute to John Prine, The Legal Immigrants, Spaceface, Blue Veins, Secretary of Space and more at venues from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo. Browse all 10 photo galleries, only at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The much-admired band from the ’70s and ’80s plays Grand Rapids’ 20 Monroe Live on Tuesday (May 15). Read the Local Spins interview with drummer John “Willie” Wilcox and get the lowdown on this classic band fronted by Todd Rundgren.
The debut of Local Spins music critic John Serba has him tackling the ‘really, really high on life’ bravado of ‘the craziest person in the room’: Andrew W.K. whose ‘You’re Not Alone’ tour stopped in Grand Rapids on Thursday. Relive the evening in this rollicking review, browse the photo gallery from the sold-out show.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The three-day Skitchin’ Fest of punk fury, Bimini Brothers’ 35th anniversary spectacle, tour stops by Lindsay Lou and Michigander, and the wild Bass Country electronic music show powered up a weekend of live music in Grand Rapids, captured in images at Local Spins.
With the world’s only Liverpool-born Beatles tribute band playing Kalamazoo on Saturday, Local Spins asked The JetBeats’ frontman and major Beatles aficionado Morgan Moallemian to quiz the group about its roots, its performances and its own love of the Fab Four.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Lots of local heroes — young and old — grace this week’s Big List, from teen artists to The Hacky Turtles to Michigander to Cosmic Knot. And see how you can win tickets to see Lindsay Lou.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
Local Spins has rounded up another batch of free community concert series being staged across West Michigan this summer, including the return of the West Michigan Jazz Society’s Monday concerts in Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids. Check out the lineups for a half-dozen summer series, only at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Regional acts rule the roost, too, with Cameron Blake, The Legal Immigrants, Indika Reggae Band, Exposure Therapy, The Zannies and more, plus a three-band Feedback benefit Sunday at Founders Brewing, which also hosts shows earlier in the week by Big Dudee Roo and Valentiger. Get the lowdown on all of this week’s live music events via The Big List.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The weekend show recap and photo galleries round up big celebrations at The Pyramid Scheme in Grand Rapids and a bevy of eclectic concerts in Kalamazoo, plus Phoebe Bridgers at Ladies Literary Club. Check out all the weekend photo galleries at Local Spins.
