Halloween falling on a Monday just gives folks an excuse to extend the weekend and party like zombies four nights in a row. Local Spins has your guide to West Michigan’s haunting musical maelstrom of fun. Make your plans by checking out this mega-roster of Halloween bashes.
October’s autumn splendor came in the form of an eclectic blend of West Michigan concerts by touring national acts and much-beloved local stars. Check out all of the images at Local Spins.
There’s no party like a Murder Party Halloween party. And this Grand Rapids rock band’s frontman has come up with a menacingly maniacal Top 10 party soundtrack that even boasts a local flavor.
In what could be the band’s final salvo for West Michigan fans, the New York alt-rock/emo outfit offered up its own eulogy via dark, crowd-rousing songs. Read the Local Spins review and browse the photo gallery.
To get all of you ghouls and goblins in a frightening frame of mind for Halloween, West Michigan rockabilly queen Delilah DeWylde offers Local Spins a rollicking Top 10 of spine-tinglers, from Screamin’ Jay Hawkins to Los Straitjackets to The 3-D Invisibles. Give ’em a listen, if you dare.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
For this week’s concert roundup, Local Spins chose a mix of regional acts and those performing at Founders Brewing Co.’s 13th annual Harvest Party in Grand Rapids, Spring Lake’s Seven Steps Up and Bell’s Brewery in Kalamazoo. Check out the images in these photo galleries.
In recent months, some of West Michigan’s most promising bands have turned their songs into visually fetching videos. Here are nine to ogle, courtesy of Local Spins, from rock to hip hop to harmony-hued folk.
A ‘hell of a party’: Ten music entries won $1,000 each in this year’s separate ArtPrize song contest, including Robin Connell, Rachael Claire Eid-Ries and Jessey Jansen. See the full list of this year’s winners and listen to their songs.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE
The Grand Rapids guitarist for Hannah Rose & The GravesTones is at work on a riveting new solo project. He performed for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted some ArtPrize-related songs from Caffein, Four Lincolns, Brian Criner and more.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
This week’s live music hoopla ranged from a tribute to blues icon William Clarke to support the Killer Blues Headstone Project — featuring Nick Moss, Dennis Gruenling and Hank Mowery — to musical magic from AJJ, Brother Adams, Frank Turner and Nashon Holloway. Check out all the images in the Local Spins Weekend Photo Galleries.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
Room Full of Elephants has taken its roots-based rock music to the next level, with members pushing comfort levels to create “a new different sound.” The band makes its SpeakEZ Lounge debut in Grand Rapids on Wednesday. Get an inside look at this up-and-coming lakeshore act.
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.
From Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo, Middleville to Grand Haven, weekend — and mid-week — warriors were on the march musically, from rock to hip hop to folk to punk and beyond. The action, of course, was captured in images at Local Spins.
The struggles of local musicians haven’t changed much in four decades, with average gig pay even dipping. But the president of Grand Rapids’ Corporate Live says in this Local Spins guest column that there are ways to succeed with digital communication tools.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
The Michigan indie-rocker has tasted some success while experiencing the joy — and grueling trials — of his trade. His house show tour makes a Grand Rapids stop this week as he eyes returning to a Detroit studio to record a new album. Read the back story behind this engaging songwriter and musician.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The week started with legendary performers NRBQ and Los Straitjackets at a packed Tip Top and continued with a bevy of stars and festivals: Julien Baker, Of Montreal, Billy Talent, Over the Rhine, Michael Dause & Band of Bros, plus the Fallasburg Fall Festival and Arcadia Ales’ anniversary. Check out all the images and a video at Local Spins.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Several hundred Michigan musicians – among them Seth Bernard, The Accidentals, The Crane Wives, Joshua Davis and many more – will gather this weekend outside Lake City to celebrate and share their art. Check out the preview of this year’s momentous season-ending event.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
From Eastown Streetfair and Tribute on the Grand in Grand Rapids to a Courtyard Concert in Spring Lake to Crime Funk and more in Kalamazoo, it was a September weekend to remember — and revisited in photos at Local Spins.
Album reviews · Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Upcoming shows
The prolific indie-rock band releases the first of two 2016 EPs, plays Wheatland for the first time this weekend, embarks on a Western tour this fall and lays plans for another full-length album. Read the back story of The Go Rounds’ newest “psychedelia heavy” recording and check out the Local Spins review of the EP.
Announcements · Breaking music news
The Beatle’s August appearance in Grand Rapids now ranks as the highest grossing show in the arena’s 20-year history, adding to a record-setting year for the venue.
The next-to-last concert of Meijer Gardens’ summer series started early and ended somewhat abruptly, but not before DeGraw squeezed in some songs following sets by Grammer and Marc Sciblia. Peruse the photo gallery and recap of Wednesday night’s show.
Would you work 12 hours for $10 or $15? Unlikely. But many musicians toil for low wages simply to showcase their art and grow their audience. Their plight is the subject of Local Spins’ annual Labor Day column. Peruse the commentary, then check out the live music at West Michigan Labor Fest.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
Members of the Grand Rapids band made their on-air debut this week on the show that also boasted new music by The Go Rounds, Luke Winslow King, Cousin Avery, Stepladders and more. Listen to the podcast, watch the video.
The California pop-punk icons’ Van Andel Arena show wasn’t about vocal perfection but about raucously re-living songs that served as anthems for a generation of fans. Read the review and browse the photo gallery from Wednesday’s rousing concert.
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.
Summer Festivals · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
This week was all over the board for West Michigan’s music scene — from hip hop and pop at WSNX’s Party in the Park to a Prince tribute to a bevy of Saturday festivals in Grand Rapids to symphony musicians playing a free show in Kalamazoo. Check out the images and video.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The psychedelic Grand Rapids rock band pared back its sound during an in-studio visit for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted new tracks by London & Rome, Eric Engblade, The Muteflutes and other West Michigan acts. Listen to the podcast, watch the video, read the story.
Album reviews · Audio · Videos
From folk to country to metal and more, this August round-up of new releases by Michigan artists covers the gamut. Check out reviews of the recordings, audio samples and see where you can catch these performers live.
The Girls Rock! GR summer camp aimed at empowering girls through music culminated Sunday with sets by eight enthusiastic young bands making their stage debut, rocking the theater for impressed fans. Peruse the story about these fledgling musicians’ remarkable week and browse the photo gallery.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Rain, a tornado and generally fickle weather couldn’t stop the rock, jazz, EDM and more from churning out across West Michigan on Saturday and throughout the week. Overall, it was another slate of big shows indoors and out, captured in images at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
Despite early afternoon rain that wiped out some performances, dozens of regional acts played dozens of Grand Haven venues as fans strolled the streets and voted for their favorites. And a raffle raised upwards of $40,000 to support musical ventures for those in need. Check out the story, photo gallery and video highlights.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
The opening day of this weekend festival kicked out the jams impressively amid the Manistee National Forest with some big names still to come. Check out the recap, photo gallery and video.
Album reviews · Audio · Upcoming shows
This August batch of album reviews covers an eclectic mix of genres, including releases from Jeremy Ensley, Bill Ellingboe, KidsonFire and The Preservers. Check out these new releases by regional artists, with audio samples to boot.
Local Spins Live · Podcasts · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Saturday will mark the third year for this unusual benefit that showcases regional artists vying for thousands in prizes, with concertgoers getting a chance to win, too. See the roster of performers and Grand Haven venues, lists which you can save on your smartphone.
Artist Spotlights · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Along with fellow headliner Railroad Earth, Greensky Bluegrass will join more than 30 other acts at this weekend’s Hoxeyville music festival in Wellston in the Manistee National Forest. Check out the full lineup/performance schedule and listen to a new Greensky tune.
Beatle-mania descended on Van Andel Arena on Monday, with a sold-out crowd cheering McCartney’s first-ever West Michigan appearance. Read the review, ogle the photo gallery and check out the set list from his Grand Rapids tour stop.
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.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
Some jaw-dropping, lively sets marked the second day of Cowpie Music Fest, not to mention more comfortable, sunny weather that even had Shagbark Farm’s cows , quite literally, mooing their approval. Check out the photo gallery and recap of the second day of action at this rootsy festival in southern Kent County.
They’ve been doing it for more than 40 years, so the makeup-clad guys in platform heels didn’t unleash anything surprising at Van Andel Arena — just good old-fashioned, goofy, glammy, shock-rocking, pyrotechnic- and flame-enhanced fun. Check out the resplendent photo gallery and review from the band’s fifth appearance at the arena.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
Rain and some delays but didn’t faze fans or acts Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers, The Turnips, Mark Lavengood and more who turned Shagbark Farm into a rootsy festival destination. Check out the recap of the opening day down on the farm and ogle the photo gallery and video. Day 2 gets rolling at lunchtime Saturday.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
Led by Nick Stevenson, the new Grand Rapids band started recording a new EP this week and plays Cowpie Music Festival on Saturday. The band uncorked two songs for Local Spins on WYCE, which also premiered tracks by LVNMUZIQ, Antilogical, Fauxgrass, Plain Jane Glory and Jonny Carroll. Listen to the full podcast.
Announcements · Breaking music news
This mid-August music news update takes a gander at Do-It-Together Grand Rapids’ first-ever dodgeball tournament being held on Aug. 28, and the conversion of a restaurant/bar/music venue into a rental space. There will be no more Friday night jazz at The Waldron.
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.
Summer Festivals · Weekend Photo Gallery
From the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival to the Kalamazoo Ribfest to Ottawa County’s Marnia, summer festival season marched on. But there were fun indoor shows last week, too, from Dave Hardin to Desmond Jones to Delilah DeWylde to Cheap Girls. Check out all the images from the past week in Local Spins’ weekend photo galleries.
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 · Weekend Photo Gallery
A rock band’s farewell tour rolled into West Michigan, plus some bracing indoor and outdoor rock, blues and folk shows dominated the landscape in the Grand Rapids area this week. Check out the concert recaps and photo galleries.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The award-winning singer and guitarist talked about songwriting and performed on the show, which also featured song debuts by Stepladders, Tony Gebhard, David Barrett, Matt Plessner and Kari Lynch. Listen to the entire podcast and check out the video of Hardin’s in-studio performance.
Features · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Those flocking to northern Michigan for film screenings at the festival founded by Michael Moore will also find numerous live performances indoors and out by dozens of West Michigan bands. See which bands are playing and get links to schedules.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins Live · Podcasts · Videos
The Grand Rapids indie-rock project spearheaded by Bill Chesney, general manager for Earthwork Music, boasts an all-star cast of guests and ‘a beautiful balance’ of musical styles. Read the feature story about Earthwork’s “man behind the curtain,” listen to the radio podcast and watch his on-air performance of a new song with members of The Crane Wives.
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.
