Albums that Changed the World · Audio
Features · Looking for the Perfect Beat · Upcoming shows
Grand Rapids’ Jason Beukema has created one of the world’s most successful and unique electronic music celebrations, with this year’s Groove Cruise embarking from Miami later this week. Todd Ernst has the inside scoop, along with a video from last year’s spectacle.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
In spite of near-constant snowfall, several West Michigan concerts featuring national as well as regional acts powered through over the weekend. The Local Spins recaps and photos.
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.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio
Saxophonist Rolly Smith has long served as an in-demand musician across West Michigan, while also co-founding the avant-fusion band Space Bar. Today, he reveals the albums that have influenced him most. Listen to tracks from these albums and see where Smith will be performing this winter.
Features · Looking for the Perfect Beat · Upcoming shows
Grand Rapids’ Jason Beukema has created one of the world’s most successful and unique electronic music celebrations, with this year’s Groove Cruise embarking from Miami later this week. Todd Ernst has the inside scoop, along with a video from last year’s spectacle.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
In spite of near-constant snowfall, several West Michigan concerts featuring national as well as regional acts powered through over the weekend. The Local Spins recaps and photos.
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.
Artist Spotlights · Emerging Artists to Watch · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
Local Spins this week spotlights the West Michigan heartland rockers in American Rust along with debuting new tracks by Feeding Grizzlies, The Temperances, Supo, Zudocks, Luke Winslow-King and more. Check out the story and radio podcast. American Rust plays SpeakEZ Lounge on Jan. 30.
As we enter our 14th year, we recap 2025 at Local Spins by looking back at the numbers — our flurry of stories, photo galleries, reviews, podcasts and more that embrace Michigan’s music scene. We haven’t been able to do it without your support.
Features · Festivals · Upcoming shows
Greensky Bluegrass and special guest, ‘guit-steel’ guitarist Junior Brown, star on Ann Arbor Folk Festival’s Day 1, a first for both the band and the festival. Learn more at Local Spins and check out videos from both artists.
Features · Kalamazoo · Upcoming shows
Three new Kalamazoo-area bands formed since early December will perform freshly created songs while competing for ‘bragging rights’ on Jan. 31. The back story about this unusual event at Local Spins.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Upcoming shows
With Jennifer Westwood & The Handsome Devils making their SpeakEZ Lounge debut in Grand Rapids on Friday, Local Spins asked the talented singer to reveal her biggest musical influences. Listen to her picks, along with two songs from Westwood’s latest album.
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.
Features · Upcoming shows · Venue Spotlight
The unique, cozy Grand Rapids business launched by Brandon Copeland (Dante Cope) hosts hip-hop shows and live music while also selling repurposed clothing and handmade goods. The back story 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.
The first Michigan album review round-up of 2026 spans the state and several genres. Check out the Local Spins takes on these fresh releases and listen to music from each recording.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Upcoming shows
The acclaimed trombonist, composer, Michigan State University educator and versatile multi-instrumentalist releases another album later this month, with a Saturday concert at The Alluvion in Traverse City. Get his back story and listen to his music at Local Spins.
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.
Concert Recaps · Weekend Photo Gallery
Local Spins’ first weekend-concert-photo roundup of the year showcases audience-igniting shows at The Pyramid Scheme and Four Star Theatre. Browse all of the images.
Concert announcements · Upcoming shows · Venue Spotlight · Videos
View the “Destination: Live Music” video spotlight on Grand Rapids’ SpeakEZ Lounge and check out the upcoming winter/spring schedule of concerts at the downtown restaurant and venue.
Features · Festivals · Upcoming shows
Check out our picks for must-see shows across the region and the state, from Winter Wheat to World of Winter to the Ann Arbor Folk Festival and plenty of riveting concerts in between. Plus view videos from many of the performers.
Festivals · Local Spins on WYCE · Photos · Podcasts
Today, Local Spins not only recaps New Year’s Eve celebrations across West Michigan in words and photos, but spotlights a memorable Michigan Music Showcase podcast filled with tracks by regional artists.
Announcements · Festivals · Summer Festivals
Happy New Year! Our annual tradition continues with the publication of our 2026 Michigan Music Festival Guide, featuring dates and website listings of more than 50 music festivals across the state.
Concert reviews · Photos · Top Stories of the Year Countdown · Videos
Michigan’s bluegrass hero returned to Grand Rapids in late May for two jam-packed, epic nights at Van Andel Arena, sparking pre-parties, a marketplace and more. Revisit the hubbub in words and images.
Features · Summer Concerts · Top Stories of the Year Countdown
As the year end approaches, Local Spins’ countdown of its top 2025 stories hits No. 2 and No. 3 — our in-depth look back at Prince’s impact and the continued popularity of Meijer Gardens concerts.
Several Grand Rapids hip hop artists performed for fans Saturday at Van Andel Arena, an exuberant, milestone halftime show that included a new Grand Rapids Gold anthem. The back story at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Our recap of musical romps from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo casts a wide net in terms of styles and traditions, from Mustard Plug’s ska spectacle to a folk duo’s tribute to Simon & Garfunkel. Browse the photos.
Playlists · Top Stories of the Year Countdown · Videos
Local Spins’ countdown of its top stories of the year continues with our Jack White playlist that coincided with the Detroit rocker’s rousing Thanksgiving halftime show at Ford Field. Plus, check out the video of that show.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
Today, we reveal the Top 6 Michigan artists of 2025 based on airplay at Grand Rapids’ WYCE. At No. 1 is May Erlewine, so listen to our encore presentation of our March interview with the heralded singer-songwriter, along with fresh tracks by Jack White & Eminem and Aiden Wells.
Concert reviews · Photos · Top Stories of the Year Countdown
It proved to be The Mavericks’ final Michigan show. Country icon Dwight Yoakam headlined the late March concert at Wings Event Center. Revisit the review and photo gallery as part of our year-end countdown.
Concert reviews · Photos · Top Stories of the Year Countdown
The Detroit-bred guitarist blazed a loud, shapeshifting trail through his career catalog in mid-April for 2,600 rabid fans at GLC Live at 20 Monroe. We revisit the Local Spins review, with photos, as part of our countdown of the Top 10 stories of the year.
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.
Top 10 Lists · Top Stories of the Year Countdown
The stunning news came in February, ending an era that began in 1970 as the city’s first celebration of the arts. Performers, attendees and volunteers reacted overwhelmingly with sadness and disappointment. Revisit the announcement as part of our ‘Top Stories of 2025’ countdown.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
From Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo to Caledonia, Michigan bands celebrated the holidays in their own, inimitable ways. The recaps and photo galleries at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
The Traverse City-bred alt-folk trio The Accidentals brought the Michigan tour behind its new Christmas album to Grand Rapids’ Big Room on Friday, impressing fans with enhancement from an ensemble of young Ohio musicians. Review, photos.
Audio · Best Music of the Year · Videos
From Perfume Genius to NF to Rosalia, the roster of impressive albums cited by Local Spins writers covered a lot of territory in 2025. View their picks — along with some selections submitted by readers — and listen to this week’s Michigan Music Showcase featuring some of the best tracks by Michigan artists.
Photos · Summer Festivals · Top Stories of the Year Countdown
The guitar phenom in June headlined Day 1 of the Charlotte Bluegrass Festival, the first festival he ever attended as a boy. Later that night, sadly, his mother died. The recap in our top stories countdown.
Singer and musician Rick Reuther has made singing and performing his passion from a young age, now honored and revered for his contributions to the region’s music scene. The Local Spins interview with samples of his music.
Concert reviews · Top 10 Lists · Top Stories of the Year Countdown
Our countdown of Local Spins’ most-buzzed-about stories of the year continues with a review of legendary trumpeter Herb Alpert’s May tour stop at DeVos Performance Hall that drew robust standing ovations.
Announcements · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Thousands will flock to West Michigan next summer for this internationally acclaimed festival featuring hundreds of musicians and dancers performing at several different venues. Tickets go on sale today. Get the lowdown at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Local Spins’ week-in-review roundup of concerts as the weather turned frigid features sizzling hot shows from national stars and regional favorites. Browse the photos and a video, including Sunday’s tour-ending Grand Rapids concert by Soul Coughing.
Top Stories of the Year Countdown · Venue Spotlight
Our countdown of our most-read music stories of 2025 kicks off today with a video spotlight on The Stage at The Corner in Muskegon. The countdown continues next week.
Gift Guide · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
Local Spins has assembled a holiday shopping list that would be the envy of Santa Claus when it comes to the perfect gifts for music lovers on your radar. And most of them sport a Michigan vibe. Plus, get more ideas by listening to this week’s Michigan Music Showcase radio podcast, featuring new music by 14 Mitten State artists.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Upcoming shows
The Lansing indie-folk trio chats with Local Spins about its latest singles ahead of their annual holiday showcase at UrbanBeat in Lansing. Listen to the holiday tune and another 2025 track, too.
Announcements · Summer Festivals
The state’s biggest summer music festival returns to Rothbury next June, with tickets on sale Friday. Local Spins’ Looking for the Perfect Beat columnist Todd Ernst gives a rundown of the announced lineup.
With the holidays fast approaching, Local Spins digs into four recent album and EP releases by Michigan artists. Check out our takes on these recordings and listen to tracks from all of them.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Upcoming shows
Hot Girls, featuring two members from the band Desmond Jones, makes its SpeakEZ Lounge debut on Friday and let’s face it: No one knows just what might happen on stage. The Local Spins back story.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The week started and ended with a bang … at different ends of the musical spectrum. Maddy O’Neal, The Claudettes, Cold Leather Seats, Ghost-Note and Miki Yamaka are also part of the Local Spins live music-in-review roundup. Browse all of the photo galleries.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
West Michigan’s PHABIES will open Michigander’s second annual holiday show in Grand Rapids tonight while eyeing more new music, more touring and a special album-release show. Learn more about the band and watch its videos at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
Back home in Otsego, the Americana artist puts Music City’s ‘weird’ vibe behind him to create new music, with an upcoming show at Flint’s Machine Shop. Plus, Local Spins debuts fresh tracks from other Michigan artists, including N8ure, The Accidentals, August, Quinlan Mauer and more.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Led by Grammy Award winners from the highly acclaimed Snarky Puppy, Dallas’ Ghost-Note makes a tour stop Sunday at Holland’s Park Theatre. The Local Spins interview with this hard-hitting band.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The West Michigan Americana-driven band makes its Local Spins Wednesday debut at SpeakEZ Lounge tonight. Local Spins catches up with the group after a busy year of performances.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The anthemic pop-rocker follows up an intimate show at Midtown with an indie-rock-fueled ‘Holiday Special’ Saturday at The Intersection’s Elevation. The Local Spins Q&A with frontman Jason Singer.
