The buzz over ArtPrize’s finale week couldn’t overshadow stellar shows by Laura Rain & The Caesars, OK Go, Brothers Osborne and plenty more, captured in images at Local Spins.
With a new album dropping Tuesday, the L.A.-by-way-of-Chicago rock band made a tour stop at Calvin College on Saturday and turned the Fine Arts Center into a confetti-drenched party pit. Sort of.
Lend an ear to some brand new music – and unusual projects – from some of West Michigan’s most compelling artists, exclusively at Local Spins.
As Grand Rapids’ ArtPrize builds toward its finale, Local Spins asked a performer in this week’s ArtPrize/WOOD TV8/Talsma Concert Series to offer up her playlist of favorites, from Patsy Cline to Coldplay. Check out the YouTube videos and Spotify playlist.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
It started with Girls With Guitars and Tweedy and, despite the rain, just kept rolling with some early October festivals and Gunnar at the ‘Section, captured in images at Local Spins.
As Grand Rapids’ ArtPrize kicks into full gear, Local Spins asked the guy who came up with the idea of songs as ArtPrize entries to submit his playlist of current favorites, from the classic to fresh-out-of-the-box.
The opening weekend of ArtPrize and the closing weekend of baseball’s regular season may have gotten most of the attention, but there was plenty of live music amid glorious weather to inspire audiences.
With Grand Rapids’ ArtPrize officially launching today, Local Spins asked a chief architect of the drive to include music entries in the competition to offer her playlist of current favorites. Can you say “eclectic”?
Commentary · Concert reviews · Summer Concerts
On summer’s final day, Local Spins looks back at the rollercoaster ride of perhaps the busiest concert season West Michigan has ever seen, with exhilarating ups and stomach-churning downs.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
From the rootsiness of farm-fed music fests boasting some of Michigan’s best bands to dance-fueled electro-pop at Grand Rapids’ biggest taproom and metal at the DeltaPlex, summer said goodbye in style.
Dec. 8 marks the last show currently booked at the venue; Smith takes over band booking for HopCat in the Motor City and will continue to oversee Grand Rapids’ Tip Top Deluxe.
Mid-September’s music news roundup at Local Spins covers the gamut, including northern Michigan’s Lexi Schaub getting a chance to make a splash at Comerica Park and Greensky Bluegrass hitting the CMT spotlight.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
A bit o’ rain and an unseasonable chill didn’t deter revelers from Allegan to Grand Rapids this weekend, with Guided by Voices and Wavves heating things up indoors.
The Brooklyn indie-rockers delivered their raucous, bar-band magic in a career-spanning Pyramid Scheme show on Wednesday; Malian guitarist and singer Toure fired up a small crowd at Wealthy Theatre on Monday.
Playing to a packed house at The Pyramid Scheme in Grand Rapids Monday night, X (the band) plowed through a 24-song set drawn almost entirely from the group’s first three nearly flawless LPs — 1980’s “Los Angeles,” 1981’s “Wild Gift” and 1982’s “Under the Big Black Sun.”
The Eagles reminisce, croon, rock and ban cellphones during Monday’s enjoyable ‘History’ tour stop at Van Andel Arena, and credit a West Michigan DJ for helping put them on the road to stardom.
Touring behind their latest album, “Turn Blue,” Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney deliver a brilliantly constructed chronicle of their career during their Grand Rapids tour stop.
Crow’s return to the outdoor amphitheater for the second year in a row impresses a sold-out crowd and proves she’s now a darling of the popular, record-setting series.
Led by Mike Love, the iconic band kept the years at bay and fired up a sold-out crowd. West Michigan musician Ben Zito provides the Local Spins guest review.
The unseen time and labor behind a band’s typical road gig: working 10-12 hours for $10 to $15 a day. And most bands will do it happily time and again. But is that fair? A commentary on Labor Day.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The holiday weekend launched with a big Thursday of shows and boasted local acts such as An Dro, Scott Pellegrom Trio, David Molinari, Mail Order Monsters and Hannah Rose.
Hard-touring Grand Rapids jam band to call it quits for awhile in hopes of re-energizing shows and music; up-and-coming teen duo gets boost from big names Marshall Crenshaw and Stewart Lerman in New York.
After a spirited opening set by Lowdown Brass Band, Lake Street Dive delivered one of the true musical highlights of the summer. (Review, photo gallery)
Unlike the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday night, these bands plus the Plain White T’s know how to clear the bases and leave fans happy. (Review, photo gallery)
Rock the Rapids is on hiatus for 2014, but this three-concert series aims to fill the Comstock Park venue with national acts as well as the local flavor of Fled Five.
The seventh annual festival boasts a diverse lineup of music and beer, and Grand Rapids-area fans can take advantage of special daily bus trip to the event.
After an impressive first day, the Woodstock-like Hoxeyville in the Manistee National Forest continued with aplomb Saturday and Sunday as it trotted out a top-notch regional lineup. (Story, video, photos)
Some of the state’s most highly touted roots acts will share the spotlight in this festival set in the Manistee National Forest. Save the full schedule on your smartphone.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements
Fountain Street’s “Jazz in the Sanctuary” series kicks off with Robin Connell and Bill Huyge playing “magnificent” grand pianos; Intersection ramps up employment for hectic concert season.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The musical weekend started early with shows at Meijer Gardens and The Intersection, and featured a mix of national acts and stellar local bands hosting CD-release shows. (Aug. 7-10)
After a one-year hiatus, a cozier Cowpie uncorked 15 regional bands on a single stage on the cattle farm in southern Kent County, and fans loved every minute. And it’ll be back in 2015. (Photo gallery)
At long last, those in-demand Local Spins T-shirts are now available online. Make a fashion statement while spreading the word about the site that spotlights West Michigan’s music scene.
Concert reviews · 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.
Friday’s sold-out show at Meijer Gardens unfolded as a triumphant, eye-popping return for the rock trio which first played the amphitheater in 2013. (Review, photo gallery)
Commentary · Concert reviews · Guest Column
Local Spins contributor Brian J. Bowe was startled to read how some critics and bloggers misinterpreted a triumphant Detroit homecoming show by Jack White earlier this week. Here’s his Musicians’ Soundboard take.
Concert reviews · Features · Upcoming shows
Hometown boys Jack White and bandmate Dominic John Davis return to Detroit for two sold-out shows next week after setting Chicago ablaze with buzzed-about concerts. (Review, photos)
With fellow alt-rock/pop outfit Toad the Wet Sprocket opening the show, the California band played a host of its hits, some of them with an endearing twist.
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.
After eight years at the helm of the community radio station, the avid supporter of Grand Rapids’ music scene and ‘Barry Sanders of station managers’ is going back to the land. (Video)
The first batch of mid-July Local Spins CD reviews covers a dizzying range of Michigan artists and musical styles, from pop to funk to folk. And there’s plenty more to come.
Some may have preferred a full-band show, but Browne charmed a sold-out crowd of concertgoers with his strong voice and down-to-earth demeanor. (Review, photo gallery)
The 34th annual Blissfest north of Harbor Springs fires up this weekend with more than 50 acts, from New York’s Donna the Buffalo to Michigan’s Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
Local Spins’ July news update features the Cowpie 2014 band lineup, the scoop on this year’s GRAM on the Green and GR Brewing’s decision to discontinue weekend shows.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Musical liberty was the theme for Independence Day weekend in West Michigan, with multiple bands playing free events in Grand Rapids and Comstock Park, even a show on the beach in Grand Haven.
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.
The first Guest Playlist of July comes courtesy of an iconic West Michigan guitarist with a brand new album and an ear toward a perfectly retro soundtrack for summer.
Festival-goers settled in on the second day of the four-day event in Rothbury, showing off their peacock-like attire (or lack of attire) and reveling in the first performance by the beloved String Cheese Incident.
Concert reviews · Features · Photos
Some 30,000 colorfully attired fans descended on the tiny community of Rothbury on Thursday for another edition of this much-beloved hippie-fest.
The five-day Freedom Cruise kicks off tonight with Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials at Fifth Third Ballpark, but big shows also on tap this weekend at The DeltaPlex.
Despite gray skies and brief showers, Meijer Gardens’ seventh concert of the season entertained a sellout crowd with pop-hued folk-rock and alt-rock by two popular live touring bands.
