Led by frontman Kurt Neumann, the roots-rock band’s Wealthy Theatre debut made for a triumphant series-opening show. (Review, photos) Take your pick of lines from BoDeans’ songs to describe[…]
Lindsay Lou & The Flatbellys’ resonator guitar whiz was reared on rock but has embraced the beauty of the Dobro and bluegrass music. He hosts a special Bruce Springsteen Tribute[…]
One of Grand Rapids’ most beloved singer-songwriters shares the frustrations, snares and joys of making music and touring in a guest column for Local Spins. EDITOR’S NOTE: This Spins on[…]
The dynamic Grand Rapids singer won the pop/electronic category in this year’s ArtPrize song contest hosted by St. Cecilia Music Center while promoting her fifth album and crisscrossing the country[…]
The second annual Eastown music fest expands to five houses, with 35 intimate performances the first weekend in November. Frontier Ruckus, Paucity, Breathe Owl Breathe, Ghost Heart and many more[…]
ArtPrize’s first weekend, Founders Brewing’s grand reopening, Earthwork Harvest’s annual gathering and a historic marathon rap: All of it brought a bracing bevy of live music to Grand Rapids and[…]
Banjo virtuoso Bela Fleck’s first-ever appearance at the historic event was just the icing on the cake for the 40th Wheatland fest, drawing 10,000-plus people to rural Mecosta County for[…]
Things rockabilly’d their way into the Labor Day holiday weekend, with a rollicking show at The Pyramid Scheme, not to mention blasts of folk-rock, indie-rock, hip-hop and, yes, Dan Fogelberg.[…]
Whether fronting The Sanger Brothers Band or flying solo, the Holland native plays with confident passion. He’s currently at work on a new studio album; get a sneak peek here[…]
Lyle Lovett and His Large Band delivered Large Musical Fun on Saturday as Meijer Gardens’ de facto “house band” returned to the amphitheater to enchant a West Michigan audience on[…]
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
After scrambling to find sponsors, St. Cecilia Music Center will once again put ArtPrize song entrants in the spotlight, with 50 artists and bands playing a Sept. 20-22 showcase. […]
With a muscular new album, “The Grind,” being released this week, the award-winning West Michigan singer-songwriter talks about his evolving musical approach and being true to his vision. Vincent[…]
Grand Rapids’ Nathan Kalish, drummer for the Michigan-bred Deadstring Brothers, has averaged five shows a week in 2013, crisscrossing the U.S. and Europe. And that hard work may be paying[…]
Chris Isaak and his band once again brought their entertaining retro-brand of rock ‘n’ roll to Meijer Gardens on Thursday, with Grand Rapids singer-songwriter Kelsey Rottiers opening the show. (Review,[…]
Steaming hot music added to the steamy hot weather at City Lights Music Festival, Taste of Grand Rapids and Meijer Gardens, with a few hot indoor shows such as GRAM[…]
With three albums under his belt the past two years, the prolific artist has emerged as a solo artist to watch in West Michigan. (Podcast, video) Grand Rapids singer-songwriter[…]
Steve Miller’s return to Meijer Gardens found a receptive, sold-out crowd for his big hits and gave a Grand Rapids singer-songwriter some welcome exposure. (Photo gallery) Perennial sellouts at[…]
This weekend’s Local Spins Weekend Photo Gallery covers the gamut of live music from Lansing to Grand Rapids to the lakeshore. The summer string thing can take many forms:[…]
Grand Rapids hip-hop artist Rick Chyme knows the importance of patience: He spent three years crafting his new studio album and he cautions fellow musicians that laziness isn’t an option.[…]
Spotlighting regional/local musical talent, the weekly series lights up the amphitheater with genre-spanning bands — another thing that makes Grand Rapids “a cool place to live.” See the full 2013[…]
Chain of Lakes frontman Kyle Rasche creates lush, harmony-driven contemporary folk songs that have earned deserved attention. (Video, podcast) Any number of things can explain why Kyle Rasche immersed[…]
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) […]
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[…]
For the third year, Circle Pines Center in Delton will host the unique outdoor music festival that boasts more than 30 local and regional bands performing on two stages. See[…]
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 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[…]
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[…]
Michigan music for free: It’s everywhere this summer, from jazz to rock to blues. Check out schedules for weekly summer series in the Grand Rapids area here at LocalSpins.com. […]
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[…]
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. […]
