Singer-songwriter Ben Scott-Brandt’s unusual new Ribbons of Song project, “Waterbugs,” gets previewed in some inspiring ways: in-studio on Local Spins Live and in an outdoor pre-release performance Sunday. (Podcast, video)[…]
West Michigan musician’s compelling new album released as he awaits a double lung transplant at Cleveland Clinic. Starting with the lonely drone of a violin, Pat Carroll’s journey through[…]
Veteran well-known bassist and guitarist Jim Shaneberger unveils a bluesy new band on Friday and celebrates his solo album debut in June. (Podcast, video) Jim Shaneberger will never forget[…]
Michigan music fans welcomed The Motor City Madman back to his home state Tuesday at Van Andel Arena, with REO Speedwagon and Styx in tow. The most unusual twist: Grand[…]
Features · Photos · Videos · 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[…]
Concert announcements · Features · Upcoming shows
Grand Rapids music stalwarts Conklin Ceili Band, Fauxgrass, Blue Water Ramblers, Nobody’s Darlin’, Dave Molinari, Ralston Bowles, more to play day-long showcase aiding couple from Hawk & Owls. The[…]
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
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[…]
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo a day early in downtown Grand Rapids at Michigan’s biggest celebration of its kind, plus a dual CD-release show by The Wallace Collective and Chain of[…]
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[…]
Hip-hop, rock, Americana, rockabilly, bluegrass, folk and a Prince/MJ dance party: With spring weather springing, West Michigan heated up with an eclectic blend of live music, shared in images at[…]
Artist, musician and visionary Rick Beerhorst has witnessed a multitude of changes in Grand Rapids’ music community over 30 years. And in this Spins on Music guest column, he makes[…]
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[…]
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[…]
Features · Guest Column · Upcoming shows
In a guest column, the well-known Grand Rapids singer-songwriter marvels at the generosity of West Michigan’s music community. And she’s sharing her own talents for a remarkable global project. EDITOR’S[…]
The post-St. Patrick’s Day musical lineup gets bluesy, funky and folky this week, with national acts and a bunch of West Michigan stars: The Go Rounds, Steve Hilger, Vincent Hayes[…]
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[…]
The twice-monthly, acoustic-styled concerts at downtown’s One Trick Pony have spotlighted emerging national acts since 2001. The community radio station now plans to focus on shows at the larger Wealthy[…]
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
Grand Rapids bluesman Jimmie Stagger resumes his new blues sessions on Sunday at downtown’s HopCat, but there are other under-the-radar musical events you might have overlooked this weekend. Take a[…]
Commentary · Features · Guest Column
Spins on Music guest columnist Josh Rose has made peace with the Internet as a means of spreading his musical message and getting closer to fans. As he puts it,[…]
The 14th annual Jammie Awards show hosted by WYCE-FM moves to a new night at The Intersection this year, and musicians say the celebratory spirit in spotlighting the region’s musical[…]
Check out this roster of best and worst love songs of all time, then enter the “Spins on Music is My Valentine” contest to win tickets to 12 concerts. […]
Commentary · Features · Guest Column
Singer-songwriter Ken Bierschbach has embraced the value of connecting — in small and big ways — with musicians, producers, fans, venues and more in navigating a career in music. It’s[…]
Valentine’s week boasts big names in country and rock, but also Elephant Revival, Damon Fowler and fine local shows with MacRaven, PotatoeBabies, Four Lincolns, Taste of Soul Sunday and much[…]
Shakin’ off the cold and snow, music lovers warmed up with bluesy Tex-Mex (Los Lobos), hip-hop (Talib Kweli), indie-soul (Genna & Jesse), EDM (Big Gigantic), heavy metal (Mushroomhead, Heavyweights finals),[…]
Breaking music news · Guest Column · Videos
More than two dozen musicians from across the globe submitted impressive entries to The Verve Pipe frontman’s unusual contest. View some of them here. The Winning Video: Kari Newhouse plays[…]
January’s final weekend of concerts ramped up with Alexis, Kris Hitchcock, Lindsay Lou, Cameron Blake, Rachael Davis, Thirsty Perch Blues Band, Flatfoot 56, Winter Jam for a Cause, Heavyweights and[…]
Concert announcements · Features · Upcoming shows
Familiar big names mix with emerging acts as the community radio station’s first-ever Friday night awards bonanza hosts two dozen performances on two stages at The Intersection. Some of[…]
Grand Rapids-area concert offerings are like a three-ring circus this week: country-rap, pop-punk, folk, blues, jam bands, rock and, yes, fire-eaters and a Brew Ha Ha. Colt Ford, Gunnar[…]
The Big List of West Michigan’s live music runs the gamut this week, with The Northern Skies, Joshua Davis, John Mark McMillan, heavy metal headbangers and top-notch singer-songwriters. All[…]
Album reviews · Commentary · Features
Spins on Music wraps up its year-end spotlight with a bang, targeting impressive releases by Michigan artists Willamena, The Legal Immigrants, SoundIsRed, Kari Lynch, Kris Hitchcock, Thirsty Perch Blues Band[…]
‘Twas the week of Christmas and all through West Michigan’s house, live music is still playing, from Nate Holley to Delilah DeWylde and a film featuring some fab Grand Rapids-area[…]
The week before Christmas and all through West Michigan’s house, there’s plenty stirring musically, including Paul Hoffman/Joe Sturgill, Super Happy Funtime Burlesque and Quadraphonic’s return. Grand Rapids Symphony’s Cirque[…]
Local Spins wraps up 2012 with a real bang, hailing recent CD releases from a passel of West Michigan’s most bracing and promising bands, including Simien the Whale, Kung Fu[…]
Grand Rapids’ concert lineup for December’s first full week also boasts Lamb of God, Caravan of Thieves, Melissa Ferrick, GR Symphony Holiday Pops, Decembersongs and some beloved West Michigan favorites.[…]
Grand Rapids concert standouts for the week include The Soil and the Sun, andi & i, Red Sea Pedestrians and the Karisa Wilson String Ensemble. (Videos) Go Radio, Paradise[…]
Grand Rapids’ concert lineup runs the gamut from Motion City Soundtrack and Anberlin to a Founders anniversary bash and a video game cover band. Really. Check out this week’s Big[…]
Zac Brown Band may have drawn Grand Rapids’ biggest crowd this week, but a Simon & Garfunkel tribute, Fauxgrass Quartet, Small Houses, Roger MacNaughton, Badfish and more are on the[…]
Some of the Grand Rapids area’s live music offerings fly under the radar this weekend. Here are a few worthy events – and particularly worthy female stars such as Rosie[…]
Grand Rapids’ hot concert picks of the week range from the historic partnership of Dr. John and the Blind Boys of Alabama to the indie-rock of The Mountain Goats, Pomegranates[…]
Concert announcements · Upcoming shows · Videos
West Michigan’s concert offerings for the week also include Chris Smither, Rascal Flatts, Timeflies, Vertical Bridge and more. (Videos) Zoe Muth & the Lost High Rollers Hat Trick Concert[…]
Summer roundup of West Michigan CD releases: REVUE music sampler, Karisa Wilson, Igby Iris, The Outer Vibe, Lucas Wilson, The Go Rounds, Lindsay Lou. As Peter Gabriel once sang (in[…]
Concert announcements · Upcoming shows · Videos
Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials WLAV Budweiser Blues on the Mall Series 6:30 p.m. Wednesday Free Rosa Parks Circle, downtown Grand Rapids June’s final week builds nicely to quite[…]
