Local Spins provides a video playlist of rock songs to make you feel free on Independence Day. (Videos)
Last year, The Outer Vibe rocked Grand Rapids’ Fourth of July celebration. Tonight, it’s UV Hippo and more.
Feeling free.
Support our coverage of
West Michigan's music scene
For some that means sitting on the back deck in baggy shorts and mismatched socks, blaring AC/DC, ABBA or Taylor Swift in the shower (really?), playing hooky with a spontaneous jaunt to the beach or deciding it’s time to bring handlebar mustaches back into vogue.
Oh, there are limits to freedom, even here in the U.S. of A., but let’s not kid ourselves: We’ve got it very good in the liberty department. I’ll never forget my visit to East Germany and East Berlin before The Wall fell, with the suffocating, oppressive and downright depressing atmosphere that permeated the landscape filled with people who weren’t allowed to express themselves or travel freely. Lack of true freedom breeds suspicion, frustration, gloom.
So, on Fourth of July, what better time to rock out freedom in whatever form it takes for you. Then, c’mon down to Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids for free concerts starting around 6 p.m., followed by a tremendous fireworks display. I’ll be down representing Local Spins and introducing all four bands, so stop by and say hello. Here’s the schedule and lineup for the Fourth of July show: https://localspins.com/uv-hippo-blue-molly-kris-hitchcock-threes-a-crowd-to-fire-up-grand-rapids-fourth-of-july-celebration/
FREEDOM ROCK: THE LOCAL SPINS TOP 10
1. “Freedom” – Richie Havens: The late Richie Havens literally is one of my favorite performers ever and his impromptu performance at Woodstock is legendary.
2. “I’m Free” – The Who: A classic from iconic British rockers as Wimbledon heads to a climax outside London.
3. “Rockin’ in the Free World” – Neil Young: C’mon, who doesn’t love Neil Young? And this song absolutely, well, rocks.
4. “Free Bird” – Lynyrd Skynyrd: Oh, go ahead, yell it from the back of the crowd at an inappropriate time. It’s a free country.
5. “Philadelphia Freedom” – Elton John: Another Brit and another reference to tennis. Hmm.
6. “Chimes of Freedom” – Bob Dylan: Couldn’t be left off the list.
7. “First Flash of Freedom” – Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers: This is my under-the-radar pick
8. “Already Free” – Derek Trucks Band: No surprise that even Eric Clapton loves this guitarist.
9. “Freedom” – Jimi Hendrix: Yet another stellar guitarist on the list.
10. “Free” – Phish: Just a cool tune, in a free-wheeling, jam-band sort of way.
Email John Sinkevics at jsinkevics@gmail.com.
Copyright 2013, Spins on Music
