Local Spins Link: "Grand Haven's Walk the Beat seeking bands and songs for August festival, aims for biggest spectacle yet

In its third year, Walk the Beat wants to sign up 70 bands to play 35 venues and will host another song contest, with $12,500 in prizes for musicians at stake.

By Matt Marn

Published by Local Spins March 25, 2016

The idea began as an inspired dream to provide musical instruments and resources to those who could not afford them otherwise.

But in its third year, the effort has grown into a year-round, nonprofit organization known as Walk the Beat.

The Aug. 20 Walk the Beat Festival will feature 70 bands and singer/songwriters - many of them local - performing at 35 businesses in Grand Haven. The 2015 event had 60 acts playing 30 venues.

"The festival is in its third year now," said Dave Palmer, founder and executive director of Walk the Beat. "The first year was good, and the second year doubled in attendance from the first. And we plan to double in attendance this year, again."

Organizers are now seeking and accepting applications from bands and songwriters. Registration is now open online at walkthebeat.org for bands as well as sponsors/venues. Seventy acts will be selected from the pool of applicants to participate.

Read more on the background of Walk the Beat in the full 2016 preview article at Local Spins... and stay tuned to Local Spins for updates on the festival's 2017 plans, which should be even bigger!

Local Spins Sneak Peek: "KISS gets patriotic, loud, fiery, and 'Psycho Circus' theatrical in Grand Rapids tour stop

By Matt Marn

Published by Local Spins August 14, 2016

From the moment their makeup-clad heroes took the stage Saturday evening at Grand Rapids' Van Andel Arena, members of the diehard KISS Army got pretty much everything they craved from this fabled, hard-rocking bunch in platform boots.

Lights flashed, fire raged all across the stage, and the four iconic members of KISS descended from raised platforms down onto the stage to greet the crowd. The group dove straight into their beloved hit, "Detroit Rock City," and rabid fans were up on their feet, screaming.

Most stayed that way all night.

Playing familiar titles from albums new and old all across their career, the legendary rock n' roll group - bass player Gene Simmons, guitarists Paul Stanley and Tommy Thayer, and drummer Eric Singer - uncorked an over-the-top night full of trademark theatrics to wow the crowd, backing it up with blazing guitar solos, thundering work from the drum kit, and the confidence of seasoned entertainers.

Read more about this theatrical, fiery concert in the full article, posted by Local Spins!