Founders Fest: Beer, bands, throngs, and as always, The FBC All-Stars
With a revamped site in downtown Grand Rapids and a second beer tent, record crowds are expected for Saturday’s festival headlined by G. Love & Special Sauce. Oh, and some[…]
Tagged: rock
Peter Frampton’s Grand Rapids guitar party: Steve Cropper adds star power to Meijer Gardens show
Frampton’s Guitar Circus brought a Big Top of high-profile musicians — Peter Frampton, Steve Cropper, Robert Cray — to the outdoor amphitheater Monday for a tasteful show cut short by[…]
Sheryl Crow soaks up the sun, embraces rock and country vibe at Meijer Gardens show
Sheryl Crow’s first-ever appearance at the outdoor amphitheater featured a wide-ranging set of hits and new country material, plus a pre-show confab with guitarist Peter Frampton. (Review, photo gallery) […]
Buttermilk Jamboree, Gov’t Mule, Rockford Start of Summer Celebration: The Local Spins Weekend Photo Gallery
Summer pumped up this sizzling West Michigan weekend with a cornucopia of bands playing from Grand Rapids to Rockford to the nether reaches of Barry County. (Photos, video) Favorite[…]
Holland’s Tyler James and Escondido bring nationally acclaimed ‘desert rock’ to West Michigan
Part of the Nashville-based Escondido, the Holland Christian High School grad plays a sold-out show with Lord Huron at The Pyramid Scheme on Monday. For a guy who readily[…]
Gov’t Mule romps in Grand Rapids, unfurls diverse set at Meijer Gardens
For the second year in a row, the Warren Haynes-led Mule fired up devotees with blues-infused favorites and singular covers. (Photo gallery, video) Pandora’s online version of “Gov’t Mule[…]
The return of Willamena: The Local Spins Artist Spotlight
The West Michigan rock band celebrates its first studio album in nine years and its first concerts in 10 months with a series of Michigan CD-release shows, including Friday at[…]
Closed for the summer: Orbit Room goes dark until September
The Grand Rapids nightclub isn’t shutting down, just taking a three-month break amid the flurry of outdoor festivals and summer live music options. For those worried that The Orbit[…]
The Outer Vibe’s Lisa Kacos @ The Musicians’ Soundboard: Fans count so don’t act like spoiled rock stars
After hundreds of successful rock ‘n’ roll gigs, the Grand Rapids trumpet and keyboard player offers some words of advice to local bands: Work hard, and respect your fans and[…]
ZZ Top to headline August’s Rock the Rapids festival at Fifth Third Ballpark
Kenny Wayne Shepherd is also on the Aug. 22 bill. It’s the first show announced for the festival’s return to Comstock Park after two years in downtown Grand Rapids. […]
Grand Rapids’ Festival 2013: The Local Spins Weekend Photo Gallery
As usual, Festival showcased the marvelously eclectic range of Michigan’s musical talent, bringing out huge throngs amid stellar weather. Check out the photos and “A Day in the Life” video[…]
Grand Rapids’ The Bangups go national with wild new music video for ‘Ego Wrecking Ball’
Filmed by Grand Rapids’ Gorilla Pictures at Mulligan’s Pub and a Southwest Side warehouse, the Vans Warped Tour debuts the rock duo’s video today, just ahead of June 25 release[…]
Grand Rapids’ Festival 2013: Some Local Spins picks to peruse
From emerging act Spence & Friends to longtime fave Mid-Life Crisis, Festival covers the gamut of musical styles and sounds. But can a 13-year-old steal the show? At 13,[…]
Grand Rapids’ Festival of the Arts: ‘One of the best performance opportunities in town’
Veteran Festival bands and solo artists like The Mines and 13th Hour know the magic of growing an audience and strutting their stuff for giant throngs reveling in the weekend[…]
Local First Street Party, Guster, Seth Bernard, Brian Vander Ark, Stephen Kellogg, Marshall Crenshaw: The Local Spins Weekend Photo Gallery
Grand Rapids rocked into June with a downtown street bash, a season-opening music fest at Jam ‘N’ Bean, rock from Guster, Jukebox the Ghost, Brian Vander Ark, Stephen Kellogg, Seth[…]
Ageless B.B. King to kick off record-setting 2013 Meijer Gardens concert series on Monday
Meijer Gardens courts stars for its outdoor amphitheater series, which sells out more shows and increases attendance every summer. See the updated list of sellouts, plus a change in the[…]
Marshall Crenshaw: Michigan-bred singer-songwriter remains an independent rock/pop force
Marshall Crenshaw brings his Midwest tour to Grand Rapids’ Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill on Sunday. Read the exclusive LocalSpins.com interview. Marshall Crenshaw wonders why we don’t see[…]
The reinvention of West Michigan singer-songwriter Brian Vander Ark: The Local Spins Artist Spotlight
The Verve Pipe frontman has covered a lot of ground, from rock stardom to a solo singer-songwriter who’s turned house concerts into an art form. He plays Grand Rapids’ Wealthy[…]
Local First throws a street party by the community, for the community … with stellar local bands to boot
Fun begets fun: Stepdad, The Crane Wives, The Concussions, Ralston Bowles and more combine with local food, a brand new brew, wine and family art activities to rev up downtown[…]
Buses by the Beach, Liz Longley, Quinn & Tuite’s 500th Open-Mic Night: Local Spins Weekend Photo Gallery
Memorial Day weekend heated up nicely in the Grand Rapids area with some uncommon concerts — outdoors at a Buses by the Beach benefit in West Olive, indoors at Quinn[…]
Grand Rapids rock band Devin & The Dead Frets: The Local Spins Live Artist Spotlight (video, podcast)
With an endearingly ragged, bluesy rock sound, The Dead Frets will celebrate release of a self-titled debut during a Founders Brewing show. But before that, they revved up Local Spins[…]
ArtPrize song competition returns with $10,000 in prizes from St. Cecilia Music Center: Register by June 6
For the second year in a row, cash prizes will be offered to song contest winners in five categories during ArtPrize; new “busking stations” will spotlight live music. Hailing[…]
Asking Alexandria, World Fiddle Day, The Mines, Jim Shaneberger, Bob Dylan and 1969 tributes: The Local Spins Weekend Photo Gallery
Grand Rapids music makers — playing the Bona-Who? fest, Active Commute Week Celebration, tribute show and World Fiddle Day — ruled the roost, with a British metalcore assault from Asking[…]
Breaking music news · Features
Michigan Stage Monitor: Limp Bizkit, The Breeders, Traverse City blues and other Mitten music news
Michigan music news this week ranges from a feature on Traverse City’s Peter, Paul & Mary Remembered to an interview with The Breeders to a limp Limp Bizkit, performing in[…]
Pop Evil, Honor By August, Gurf Morlix and a Bob Dylan tribute: Grand Rapids’ Big List Concert Guide
Ted Nugent’s Midwest Rock ‘n’ Roll Express kicked off the week, but the weekend offers up way more rock with a Pop Evil CD-release, Active Commute Week celebration, a Dylan[…]
Features · Photos · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Bimini Brothers, Hannah Rose Graves, Jamey Johnson, Deadstring Brothers, Nathan Kalish: The Local Spins Weekend Photo Gallery
As volatile and diverse as this week’s weather, photo images of the Grand Rapids area’s live music ranged from the alt-country power of Nathan Kalish to the ribald antics of[…]
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
Velvet Elvis and The Motor City Madman: Ralston Bowles to open for Ted Nugent, Styx and REO
Grand Rapids singer-songwriter Ralston Bowles, with help from Michael Crittenden, will play a short opening set Tuesday when The Midwest Rock ‘n’ Roll Express Tour hits Van Andel Arena. […]
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
Limp Bizkit, Cracker, Bullet for My Valentine, Michael McDermott: Grand Rapids’ Big List Concert Guide
Things ramp up this weekend with riveting national tours and local shows: Bimini Brothers’ 30th anniversary, Bruce & Becca Ling benefit, Go Rounds, plus tickets to Meijer Gardens concerts go[…]
Features · Photos · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Wayland, Cinco de Mayo celebration, Wallace Collective, Drew Nelson, Chain of Lakes: The Local Spins Weekend Photo Gallery
May’s first weekend generated photos of a generous mix of live music: Cinco de Mayo, Drew Nelson, Tommy Womack, Wayland, Attack! Attack!, Wallace Collective, Chain of Lakes, Michigan Mark Depree.[…]
Cinco de Mayo party, Drew Nelson, Ben Rector, Tommy Womack, The Soil & The Sun: Grand Rapids’ Big List Concert Guide
West Michigan’s lively week of live music boasts Michigan’s biggest Cinco de Mayo Bash, a dual CD-release show by The Wallace Collective and Chain of Lakes, a chiptune celebration and[…]
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
Steve Martin, Sheryl Crow, Harry Connick Jr., Steve Miller tickets at Meijer Gardens sell out on first day of member ticket sales
Saturday’s opening day of ticket sales to Meijer Gardens members sees glitches and four sellouts of the 29 concerts in the summer amphitheater series. Once again, the rush was on.[…]
Amy Speace, Dead Prez, Patty Larkin, Amy LaVere, Seth & May, Peter Mulvey: Grand Rapids’ Big List Concert Guide
Grand Rapids’ music offerings melt spring away with a diverse bunch of big national tours, plus a Grand Ole Opry show and a Van Morrison tribute. Save the image of[…]
Grand Rapids music heats up with Bernie Worrell, Bobbie McFerrin, Stray Birds, Larry McCray, Record Store Day: The Local Spins Weekend Photo Gallery (photos, videos)
From blues celebrations in Grand Rapids and Grand Haven to rock-fueled Record Store Day performances, it was an unseasonably wintry weekend when live music prevailed … and caught in photos[…]
Breaking music news · Features · Upcoming shows
Record Store Day: The hot vinyl releases, the live music, the indie phenomenon returns Saturday
Grand Rapids music lovers will pack independent area shops – Vertigo Music, Corner Record Shop, Dodd’s – for concerts, specials and refreshments on Saturday. It’s not exactly Christmas. But[…]
Bob Dylan, Bobbie McFerrin, Donald Kinsey, Larry McCray, Stray Birds: Grand Rapids’ Big List Concert Guide
Hectic week with tour stops by national acts and special events starring local bands: Record Store Day, Local Blues Matter at Billy’s, GrooveWalk in Holland, Inside the Mitten in Muskegon[…]
Clutch, Donna the Buffalo, Jake’s Music Festival, Blue Molly, Hatebreed: Weekend Photo Gallery
Diversity reigned yet again — from local to national, from metal to blues to alt-rock — as evidenced by photos shared at Spins on Music. (Photos, videos) Winter refused[…]
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
Avett Brothers, ZZ Top, Josh Groban to play Interlochen; G. Love & Special Sauce headline Founders Fest; Bela Fleck and The Duhks at Wheatland
The summer concert and festival announcements just keep coming. Interlochen’s eclectic lineup ranges from Trace Adkins to Brian Wilson; Wheatland’s folk schedule boasts some icons of the genre; Founders Fest’s[…]
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
Sheryl Crow, B.B. King, Grizzly Bear, Dwight Yoakam, Beach Boys, Harry Connick Jr., Peter Frampton in huge 2013 Meijer Gardens lineup
With a record-breaking 30 shows on the docket, the Meijer Gardens summer concert series boasts some high-priced big names and emerging acts in a bevy of genres. See the full[…]
Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
The Soil & The Sun, Lucas Wilson, Asamu Johnson, Kari Lynch, An Dro and more part of 2013 Tuesday Evening Music Club series
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park’s “other” concert series stars some of West Michigan’s top talent starting in July. Check out the full lineup. Every spring, the big guns[…]
Meijer Gardens: The 12 best concerts of the summer series’ first decade
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture park has hosted 10 seasons of summer concerts at its outdoor amphitheater; the 2013 series gets announced later this week. Here’s Spins on Music Top[…]
Andrew Bird, Henry Rollins, Donna the Buffalo, Clutch, Sister Sparrow: Grand Rapids’ Big List Concert Guide
April rolls on with an eclectic lineup of national acts, plus Jake’s Music Festival, Art.Downtown, the Beyond Music benefit, We Are the Ink Monkey, Paucity, Kent County String Band, Flashing[…]
Rocktagon Throwdown, Crane Wives, Koh Kohs, Ana Popovic: Spins on Music Weekend Photo Gallery
Diversity reigned around Grand Rapids during April’s opening salvo: singer-songwriter intensity (Josh Rose), heavy alt-rock (Uncommon Road), indie-rock (Desert Noises), Celtic charm (An Dro) and more, captured in images. For[…]
Kid Rock soars in Grand Rapids: The Spins on Music photo gallery
One of Michigan’s favorite native sons pumped up a sellout crowd during his concert at Grand Rapids’ Van Andel Arena on Wednesday night, part of his Rebel Soul Tour 2013.[…]
Deadwood Stone, Mustard Plug, Rachael & Dom, Seth & May, Veloras, Fuzzrites, Bill Staines, more: The weekend’s live music in photos
It began with inspiring folk in a classical music setting and rocked on at Billy’s Lounge, Tip Top, Stone House Recording, Intersection, Pyramid Scheme and Wealthy Theatre Annex, evidenced by[…]
Grand Rapids’ Big List Concert Guide: Seth & May, Manhattan Transfer, Devil Wears Prada, Gringo Star, Dirty Bourbon River Show, Bill Staines
March goes out with a bang in West Michigan as national tours sweep into the region, not to mention shows by Michigan stars Deadwood Stone, Mustard Plug, The Fuzzrites, The[…]
Concert reviews · Features · Photos · Videos
Irish on Ionia heats up Grand Rapids for St. Patrick’s Day, plus Quinn & Tuite’s revelry, Willy Porter, The Wonder Years: The weekend photos
West Michigan’s live music assault had a distinct St. Patrick’s Day flair in weekend photos shared at Spins on Music. (Photos/video) With the temperature in a decidedly un-March-like mid-20s, Casey[…]
Commentary · Features · Top 10 Lists
Summer Songs at Spring’s Door: The 10 best tunes to chase away your winter blahs
At long last, the ‘ice is slowly melting,’ which makes this the perfect time to dream of summer and those days of lazing around a cottage and dangling your feet[…]
Grand Rapids’ Big List Concert Guide: St. Patrick’s Day hoopla, Lunasa, The Wonder Years, Willy Porter, Kate Nash, Slightly Stoopid
Every watering hole in Michigan turns green this week, so you’re pretty much assured of Celtic-infused musical mayhem wherever one chooses to celebrate. But here are a few highlights courtesy[…]
Flyleaf, Drowning Pool, Seth Bernard, Ben Kyle, Appleseed Collective, Elisabeth Pixley-Fink, The Bloomquists: West Michigan’s concert weekend in photos
Spring is in the air, almost. Live music certainly was in the air around Grand Rapids as March rolled on and the clocks sprung forward. Here’s part of the weekend[…]
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