Announcements · Upcoming shows
Tickets are on sale for the 2026 WYCE Jammie Awards taking place Feb. 20 at The Intersection, with sets by 15-plus bands. Radio listeners have a voice in the outcome. Plus, see who’s playing the Local Spins pre-show.
Concert reviews · Festivals · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Saturday’s Winter Wheat festival in Grand Rapids highlighted a weekend of tantalizing live music across the region, from Ghost Bunnies to Hannah Laine to Full Cord Trio. Get the recaps and browse the photos at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Local Spins spotlights the 15-year-old bluegrass maven who’s turning heads and who joins Oberlin at SpeakEZ Lounge tonight. Check out an exclusive video of a recent performance and listen to this week’s radio show podcast filled with new Michigan music.
Artist Spotlights · Festivals · Upcoming shows · Videos
Detroit area’s Ember & Ash are just one of more than 10 bands performing Saturday at The Intersection as part of the Wheatland Music Organization’s one-day festival and fundraiser. The preview and schedule.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Upcoming shows · Videos
For today’s Artist Spotlight, Local Spins profiles a much-sought-after northern Michigan musician and singer-songwriter who releases his second solo album in early 2026. Get John Richard Paul’s back story, listen to his music.
Emerging Artists to Watch · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The Thanksgiving weekend edition of the Local Spins Michigan Music Showcase boasts fresh tracks by a diverse set of artists, plus some enduring music from Jack White and Organissimo. Listen to the full radio show podcast.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The co-founder of Northern Express and prolific author Robert Downes will unfurl his multi-media “Stories & Songs” show at City Opera House on Thursday. The back story at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Saturday night’s benefit for Sullivan Field drew a robust crowd for Joe Hertler and The Hacky Turtles. Plus, view photos from tour stops by Thomas Dolby, SoDown, Bobby Watson and YDG, with regional favorites Ghost Bunnies, Jake Simmons and more in our concert photo gallery roundup.
Albums that Changed the World · Artist Spotlights · Audio · Playlists
The Kate Hinote Trio returns to Grand Rapids to play SpeakEZ Lounge on Friday. Today, Kate Hinote reveals the albums that have influenced her the most. Get her back story, listen to songs from those recordings and learn more about Friday’s tour stop.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Musical contrasts were everywhere when it comes to West Michigan concerts to close out October and kick off November. From bluegrass heroes Greensky Bluegrass and Americana’s The Rebel Eves to heavy metal’s Mushroomhead, Local Spins recaps the week in scintillating images.
The award-winning musician returned to St. Cecilia Music Center on Thursday for a special evening that combined the somber with the upbeat. The review and photos at Local Spins.
Commentary · Local Spins Rewind
10 years ago to the day, West Michigan’s Josh Rose voiced his plea for no-frills, no-texting, no-talking milieus at concerts as vital for performers and fans. He still hankers for that. Local Spins Rewind revisits that column with some updates a decade later.
Our mid-October roundup of recent releases by Great Lakes State artists delves into indie-folk, hip hop and electro-pop. Check out the reviews and listen to the music at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The 18-year-old Taiwanese virtuoso has become an internet sensation drawing millions of views on YouTube for his astonishing prowess on the ukulele. He plays Tip Top Deluxe Bar and Grill on Sunday. The Local Spins interview.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
Monday’s opening showcase at The Clover Room in Kalamazoo was the kickoff to seven days of live music at a host of venues. Get the recap, photos and festival schedule for Tuesday through Sunday.
Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
One of Michigan’s longest-running music festivals embraced everything from traditional music to rock, funk and more on several stages and amid the woods in Remus last weekend. The Local Spins recap, photos and video.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The renowned French musician brings music from his heralded career to Michigan’s Tip Top Deluxe, Chalfonte Theatre and The Ark this week. The Local Spins interview, with a music video.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The much-respected West Michigan country singer is back after 11 years with new music and a new band. Plus, Local Spins debuts tracks from Charlie Millard, Yellowhouse, Rachael Davis, The Lasso and more. Get the back story on Dee Sutton’s album and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
The jazz singer and pianist unfurled a beautifully ‘brooding’ set in her Monday tour stop, with Michigan’s Abigail Stauffer opening. The review and photos at Local Spins.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Oscoda County Fairgrounds will light up with dozens of performances on three stages this coming weekend, spotlighting a bevy of regional acts. The preview and schedule at Local Spins.
The acclaimed folk/roots/soul artist ushered in a new era for the historic building on Ottawa Avenue NW with an ebullient attitude and passionate singing. Get the lowdown on Monday’s concert hall debut in words and photos at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Emerging Artists to Watch · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows
The band with a hectic summer schedule opens up about its music with Local Spins, which also showcases tracks by Lord Huron, DJ Minx, Joe Reilly, John Richard Paul and[…]
The highly acclaimed, Grammy Award-winning folk artist returned to St. Cecilia Music Center on Tuesday for yet another crowd-enchanting performance that included a shout-out to a local guitar company. The review and photos.
Breaking music news · Summer Concerts
The shows just keep coming. Local Spins’ exclusive listing of outdoor community concerts across Michigan now boasts 100-plus series. We’ve added 25 more schedules to our summer guide; here are a few to check out and get an update on The Accidentals, who will play several of these series this summer.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
The Full Cord trio plays SpeakEZ Lounge on Wednesday night. To warm up fans for the special show, Local Spins Rewind revisit Full Cord bluegrass mandolinist Brian Oberlin’s picks for albums that influenced him most.
Breaking music news · Concert reviews · Photos
The Grand Rapids indie-folk band topped three other finalists to take home top honors at Saturday’s finals in the fourth annual event. The recap and photo gallery at Local Spins.
The annual nationwide competition hosted by NPR Music has attracted videos/songs from veteran acts The Gasoline Gypsies, Laura Rain, Annie Bacon, Jack Droppers and Peter Madcat Ruth to fledgling singer-songwriters. View all the Michigan entries at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Festivals · Photos · Videos
Rolling out for the 20th year, the festival featuring concerts, instrument vendors and workshops at Kalamazoo Valley Museum drew an upbeat audience on Saturday. The recap, photos and video highlights.
The free Saturday festival with live performances and instrument vendors at Kalamazoo Valley Museum also boasts a Friday kickoff event starring Brian Oberlin of Full Cord. Get the full schedule and a preview of this year’s event at Local Spins.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists · Videos
With cosmic Americana/string band The Wild Honey Collective playing SpeakEZ Lounge on Wednesday, we asked its frontman to reveal recordings that impacted him. Plus, view a video of the band and listen to its music.
Breaking music news · Summer Festivals
The July festival’s performers will also include Steve Poltz, Toubab Krewe, JigJam, Bobby Alu and a robust slate of Michigan acts. View the full lineup, get ticket links and details at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Festivals · Photos
Sunday’s 15th Great Indoor Folk Festival unfurled at The Village at Grand Traverse Commons with more than 75 musicians and singers performing. The story and photos at Local Spins.
Announcements · Breaking music news · Podcasts
Starting this weekend, northern Michigan radio listeners will get an earful of music by Michigan artists as part of Local Spins’ weekly program. Learn more in today’s announcement.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
The first-ever musical benefit for Grand Rapids’ Guiding Light rolled out as a compelling and touching showcase of songwriting and performing by a who’s who roster of Michigan artists. The review, photos and video at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The soulful folk artist has a powerful new single, showcased for Local Spins, which also debuted tracks by May Erlewine, Mar in Color, JR Band, Hannah Laine and more.
Top 10 Lists · Upcoming shows · Videos
Shake off the winter doldrums, blues and cabin-fever days with regional concerts and events that will electrify fans of every genre — and get some video previews at Local Spins to boot.
Concert reviews · Festivals · Photos
The 48th annual two-day festival at Ann Arbor’s Hill Auditorium kept ‘the dream alive’ with sets by acclaimed headliners, plus Josh Ritter, Bruce Cockburn, Joy Clark and more. The review and photos at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Preparing to play SpeakEZ Lounge on Friday with two other Michigan artists, Spencer LaJoye opens up about songwriting, performing and the region’s welcoming music community.
Concert reviews · Festivals · Photos · Videos
Saturday’s 10-band winter festival at The Intersection in Grand Rapids unfurled everything from bluegrass to soulful pop to Cajun and Celtic charm on Saturday. Check out the recap, photos and video.
Festivals · Playlists · Upcoming shows
The 16th annual Winter Wheat Festival hosted by the Wheatland Music Organization rolls out next Saturday at The Intersection in Grand Rapids with 10 acclaimed and diverse acts. The playlist and schedule at Local Spins.
Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
Today, Local Spins announces the winter/spring concert series at the downtown club and restaurant, showcasing Michigan acts and tribute bands. View the full schedule.
Country, Americana and alternative music tunesmith Kari Lynch has hosted the benefit concert for more than a decade. It returns Saturday to Caledonia. The lineup, lowdown and how you can help at Local Spins.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
Mathews, who recently left his position as Midtown and Studio C’s music and programming director, reveals the albums that have sparked a lifelong love of music. Listen to tracks from all of them.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The ‘quirky,’ veteran folk singer plays Midtown in Grand Rapids with West Michigan’s own Kyle Joe on Sunday night. The Local Spins interview and a music video.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Upcoming shows
The celebrated Traverse City mandolinist recently unveiled his long-planned, genre-melding recording, with several upcoming Michigan concerts to promote the release. Get the back story and listen to tracks from the new album.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Southwest Michigan band led by twin sisters will make its Local Spins Wednesdays debut while eyeing new music releases in 2025. The band back story and a video at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
With a new “Celtic Charms” album and novel on the way, the celebrated harp duo plays Zeeland’s Waypoint Community Church on Wednesday for a special Halloween show. They’ll also play Grand Rapids Comic-Con in November. The interview, videos and more at Local Spins.
Local Spins showcases several imaginative, boundary-pushing releases by Michigan artists in this week’s album-review roundup, which includes a collaborative project featuring Joey Gados Jr., Ben Steer and Noah Mercil.
Concert announcements · Festivals · Upcoming shows
The lineup for the two-day festival taking place at Ann Arbor’s Hill Auditorium features big name indie artists, including Josh Ritter, The Milk Carton Kids, Jobi Riccio and Joy Clark, with Old Crow’s Ketch Secor emceeing. Get all of the details at Local Spins.
Album Releases · Album reviews · Audio
As fall settles in, Local Spins turns its attention to new releases by Michigan artists. Check out reviews of six recordings, including The Brothers Crunch and Quilter, and listen to tracks from each release.
