Thursday’s installment of Local Spins’ week-long anniversary bash boasted an unprecedented Beatles tribute on a rooftop in downtown Grand Rapids and a three-act hip-hop affair at The Pyramid Scheme.
‘Get Back’ More Than Five Floors Up: Pete, Fritz and James of That Beatles Thing on Thursday. (Photo/Chelsea Whitaker)
UPCOMING LOCAL SPINS SHOWS: Local Spins Week continues today (Friday) at 7 p.m. with Jake Kershaw and Hank Mowery & The Hawktones at Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill; $10, available here. A 10 p.m. late show at Elevation inside The Intersection features Desmond Jones and The Legal Immigrants; $10, available here.
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Local Spins Fest unfurls Saturday outside Studio Park in downtown Grand Rapids with DJ SuperDre at 3 p.m., followed by Cabildo at 4 p.m., Hannah Rose Graves at 5 p.m., Full Cord at 6 p.m., Public Access at 7 p.m. and The Accidentals at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 and available at listeningroomgr.com. Some seating will be available and supplied by Studio Park, along with standing room on the piazza. Attendees can also bring their own folding chairs. The show is rain or shine, but severe weather can cause delays or cancellation.
THURSDAY (AFTERNOON)
THE SHOW: That Beatles Thing performing a ‘secret’ afternoon pop-up show on the rooftop of the 600 Monroe building in downtown Grand Rapids
The Peanut Gallery: Rooftop fans. (Photo/Chelsea Whitaker)
HIGHLIGHTS: This unprecedented re-creation of The Beatles’ legendary rooftop concert featured in the recent “Get Back” documentary proved to be a late afternoon gem to entertain surprised sidewalk strollers and a growing audience of band and video crew members, invited guests and condo building residents who gathered on the terrace of Mark and Ashley VanDellen’s downtown home to watch That Beatles Thing perform a range of Fab Four classics — From “Get Back” to “Don’t Let Me Down” to “One After to 909” to “Get Back” (again). Even some scattered raindrops couldn’t halt this magnificent, smile-inducing, all-out fun tribute to The Beatles and the Facebook Live video of the 55-minute performance had drawn more than 1,600 views by Friday morning with comments such as, “Fantastic idea!” (Keep an eye on Local Spins early next week for a professional highlights video of this once-in-a-lifetime show.) Of course, it was only possible due to the VanDellen’s hospitality and patience, and a lot of muscle power: More than a dozen Local Spins staffers, various volunteers and band members had to carry loads of heavy equipment through the condo and up a spiral staircase to reach the roof.
PRICELESS WORDS: “Thanks to That Beatles Thing and I hope they passed the audition.” – John Sinkevics
THE VIBE: It was a gorgeous setting overlooking the Grand River and the Monroe North district, and as various friends of the VanDellens and Local Spins started getting word of the event, a growing crowd of supporters gathered on the roof to cheer on That Beatles Thing, which plans to close out its eight-year run as a band at the end of 2022.
PHOTO GALLERY: That Beatles Thing on the 600 Monroe Rooftop
Photos by Chelsea Whitaker, Holly Holtzclaw and John Sinkevics
Click Here: https://fb.watch/d7kQQPWyCN/
THURSDAY (EVENING)
THE SHOW: Les Creatif: Heather Palaszek, Dante Cope (Brandon Copeland), Hugo Claudin, Justin R. Golinski, Nathaniel Mabie, Dawn Elizabeth Hays; J.Rob & Bedrock: Kamyle Jackson, Orlando James, Rodney Rhythmrod Rhodes I; Samil, Wuzee, M.I.C Book
Les Creatif: A diverse set. (Photo/Chelsea Whitaker)
HIGHLIGHTS: Kicking off the show with the unique loops and diverse beats of Samil, Wuzee and M.I.C. Book woke up the room with zeal, joking and rapping about the abundance of churches and liquor stores on nearly every corner of Grand Rapids. In smooth, complementary contrast, a spirited J.Rob turned the heat up with a dynamic sound bolstered by a full band. With the funky bass licks of Kamyle Jackson, smooth jazzy keys of Rodney Rythmrod Rhodes I and Orlando James perfectly in the pocket on drums, Bedrock was vivacious as ever. Les Creatif closed out the night, but not before flexing all their flavors, incorporating splashy guitar reminiscent of Dick Dale + The Del Tones.
PRICELESS WORDS: “This is freedom, this is freedom right here.” – Dante Cope of Les Creatif, in praising the crowd, music and Local Spins in the aid of his journey.
THE VIBE: A low-key evening, the ambience felt nearly sedated in anticipation as the lights turned down. When the artists took the stage, an enthralled crowd gained energy and it wasn’t long before heads were bobbing and bodies started moving. The night blossomed into an unequivocally positive one for a parallel celebration of not only Local Spins 10-year anniversary but also Hip Hop Appreciation Week. – Jennifer Bartlett
PHOTO GALLERY: Les Creatif, J.Rob & Bedrock, Wuzee, Samil & M.I.C Book
Photos by Katy Batdorff and Chelsea Whitaker
