Just a couple of days removed from his impressive Ionia Freak Fair spectacle, Michigan-bred guitar powerhouse Billy Strings opens up about his mom, donating festival profits to Ionia causes and a new recording with a bluegrass legend.
Artist Spotlights · Looking for the Perfect Beat · Upcoming shows · Videos
The much-hyped Australian electronic dance trio might be Grand Rapids’ Acrisure Amphitheater’s most daring and impressive booking in its inaugural year. Local Spins columnist Todd Ernst digs into the Rüfüs Du Sol phenomenon.
Concert Recaps · Photos · Summer Concerts
On the final day of August, Local Spins features not only photo recaps of two Sunday shows, but galleries from a summer of free community concerts across the state. It was a live music summer unlike any other.
Local Spins’ Looking for the Perfect Beat columnist gives electronic music lovers a preview of the Chicago spectacle, which requires just a short drive for many Michiganders.
Just a couple of days removed from his impressive Ionia Freak Fair spectacle, Michigan-bred guitar powerhouse Billy Strings opens up about his mom, donating festival profits to Ionia causes and a new recording with a bluegrass legend.
Artist Spotlights · Looking for the Perfect Beat · Upcoming shows · Videos
The much-hyped Australian electronic dance trio might be Grand Rapids’ Acrisure Amphitheater’s most daring and impressive booking in its inaugural year. Local Spins columnist Todd Ernst digs into the Rüfüs Du Sol phenomenon.
Concert Recaps · Photos · Summer Concerts
On the final day of August, Local Spins features not only photo recaps of two Sunday shows, but galleries from a summer of free community concerts across the state. It was a live music summer unlike any other.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
One of the busiest live music weeks of 2026 rolled out across West Michigan to close out August — and Local Spins was there to recap the action in words and photos, from Ke$ha to Billy Strings.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
The opening salvo of the Michigan bluegrass guitarist’s inaugural festival at the Ionia County Fairgrounds was a spectacle unlike anything this small town — and Billy’s fans — had ever seen. Get the recap, browse photos and watch some video highlights at Local Spins.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Summer Festivals
With August’s final blast of Michigan music festivals heating up the state this weekend, Local Spins showcases Mitten State performers at some of these celebrations, from the Ionia Freak Fair to the Forest Trail Music Festival and beyond. The radio show podcast and see how Ionia is preparing for the onslaught of more than 27,000 festivalgoers.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Sunday’s concert at the outdoor venue rolls out as a “fascinating” collaboration with the Grand Rapids Symphony, according to singer Josh Groban. The Local Spins interview with the acclaimed artist.
Nine days after drummer and band co-founder Frank Beard passed away, ZZ Top brought its enduring cavalcade of hits to Meijer Gardens on Wednesday. The review and photos at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
With an upcoming tour stop Friday at Grand Rapids’ Acrisure Amphitheater, Local Spins interviews Toto’s lead singer about the band’s enduring music and life on the road.
The much-admired Southern rock and blues ensemble didn’t disappoint more than 10,000 fans who cheered Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks and crew, as well as opener Alabama Shakes. Review, photos.
Artist Spotlights · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
The Canadian death metal band will headline The Pyramid Scheme’s metal tent at Billy Strings’ Ionia Freak Fair after the guitarist reached out to one of his favorite bands in an unusual way. Get the back story, view the festival schedules along with a link to a Freak Fair shuttle, and get a special Freak Fair trucker cap offer at Local Spins.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Although separated by more than 470 miles, these two beloved and cozy Michigan music festivals boast a similar milieu, with lineups of top-shelf acts to close out the month of August. Get the guides, schedules and ticket links at Local Spins.
The venerated Americana/folk/pop musician, activist and humanitarian captivated fans at Acrisure Amphitheater on Sunday with a career-spanning stop on ‘The Human Tour.’ The Local Spins review and photos, with a set list from the show.
Summer Concerts · Summer Festivals · Weekend Photo Gallery
Local Spins recaps festivals in Grand Rapids, Homer and Lansing, along with tour stops by Thomas Rhett, Theory of a Deadman, G. Love & Special Sauce in this weekend’s live music roundup.
The California singer-songwriter, violinist and dancer brought the spectacle of her “Duality Untamed” tour to Grand Rapids on Friday. The Local Spins review and photo gallery.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Summer Festivals · Videos
The Michigan-bred singer-guitarist just released an ambitious bluegrass album, ahead of her performance at the Ionia Freak Fair, with a special Great Lakes State tour this fall. Learn more, view videos and listen to the debut of Michigan music by a host of artists in this week’s radio show podcast.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
With the rock-and-soul ensemble set to play Acrisure Amphitheater next week, writer Dave Gil de Rubio interviews Susan Tedeschi about the band’s new album and current U.S. tour.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
It’s already been a hectic summer of live music, but there are still more than a dozen Michigan music festivals unfurling before the end of the month including this weekend’s HeartsTown Music Festival hosted by The War & Treaty in Homer, Mich. The lowdown at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Emerging Artists to Watch · Upcoming shows · Videos
The band drops ‘Sounds Good’ this weekend, with an album-release show Friday at The Pyramid Scheme. Learn more about the group in this Q&A and check out its new music video.
The rock piano icon returned to the Meijer Gardens amphitheater on Sunday with his band, The Noisemakers, delivering a mix of familiar hits, deep cuts and jams. The review and photos.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Mid-August’s flurry of concerts and festivals electrified fans of electronic music, metal, country, punk, emo, indie-folk and more, including Mat Kearney at Meijer Gardens and a gathering of punk and emo bands in Kalamazoo. View the recaps and photo galleries at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
Breakaway heated up Grand Rapids’ Belknap Park on Friday with sets by more than a dozen electronic music artists on two stages. The recap and photo galleries at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Photos · Podcasts
West Michigan’s Adam Marth released a fetching debut album last week, spotlighted by Local Spins, along with new music from Billy Strings, Hail Your Highness, Kelsey., The Gasoline Gypsies, TechTonic, The Headless, Ladymonix, Chirp and more. Learn more about Marth and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Celebrated singer-songwriter Mat Kearney returns to Michigan for a sold-out Grand Rapids tour stop tonight. The Local Spins interview with the artist who releases a new album on Oct. 9 while revisiting his classic ‘Nothing Left to Lose’ release on tour.
The enduring Buffalo rock band continued ‘a hell of a journey’ during its Acrisure Amphitheater debut in Grand Rapids on Tuesday. The Local Spins review and photo gallery.
Looking for the Perfect Beat · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows · Videos
Local Spins’ ‘Looking for the Perfect Beat’ columnist Todd Ernst digs into the offerings of the electronic music celebration unfolding this weekend at Grand Rapids’ Belknap Park, including pro-user tips, the schedule and more.
Concert reviews · Summer Festivals · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Northern Michigan’s inaugural Hoxeyville Skies fest unfurled impressive sets amid a weekend that also saw West Michigan tour stops by Steel Wheels, Andy Frasco and The Replacements’ Tommy Stinson. Photo recaps, videos and more at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
The West Michigan hard rock band topped dozens of other regional acts to win Saturday’s sun-splashed event. Get the full story, video and photos at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Learn more about the Las Vegas heavy metal band’s 2026 celebrations in this interview as they prepare to play Grand Rapids, along with a video Top 10 roster of must-see August shows and festivals across West Michigan.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Summer Festivals
Blüejay, the Grand Rapids electronic music producer, returns to Breakaway festival next week. Local Spins spotlights her music and debuts tracks by Lindsay Lou, Kyle Brown, The War and Treaty and more. Learn more about Blüejay and her passion; listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
For King & Country’s impressive headlining set Thursday at Muskegon’s Heritage Landing came on the second day of the Unity Christian Music Festival. The recap and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
The new festival takes place Friday and Saturday at Lively Acres in Empire, with several regional blues acts, including Brendon Linsley and Captain Dirk. Get the details at Local Spins.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows · Videos
Today’s free-admission event kicks off four days of music starring For King & Country, Crowder, We Are Messengers, Tenth Avenue North and more. View the details and schedule, get ticket links and check out music videos at Local Spins.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
The Hoxeyville Skies festival at the old Hoxeyville site amid the Manistee National Forest unfurls with a who’s who roster of acts this weekend. Get the details, schedule and more.
The acclaimed folk/rock singer with an arsenal of protest songs delivered his searing messages to a sold-out Meijer Gardens audience on Monday. The review and photos at Local Spins
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Saturday’s music festival and band competition on Grand Haven’s east side will feature a ‘variety of genres,’ turning the neighborhood into an all-ages street party.
Concert Recaps · Weekend Photo Gallery
Classic rock mainstays uncorked favorites at Acrisure Amphitheater the same week that featured 5 Seconds of Summer, 311, Brothers Osborne, The Reverend Horton Heat, Britain’s Josh & Jase and a host of local favorites, including the Corn Fed Girls and Payton & Annabelle. The week-in-review photo recaps at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Concert reviews · Upcoming shows
Local Spins caught a performance by the folk/Americana/rock artist in New York City, a few days ahead of his sold-out Meijer Gardens concert. Michigan fans can expect a bold musical statement from this rising star.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows · Videos
Local Spins spotlights the band that plays Grand Haven’s Walk the Beat next weekend, as well as debuting music by Stef Chura, Finding Feathers, Luke Winslow-King, Pack$toney, Hand of Giants and more.
The two Chicago-bred bands made history on Thursday in Grand Rapids, sharing the stage on their co-headlining ‘Windy Cities Tour.’ The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Photos · Upcoming shows · Venue Spotlight · Videos
The cozy venue in a converted Southwest Michigan factory building has become a community centerpiece and live music gem that books an impressive array of national and regional artists. Local Spins showcases the theater in this Venue Spotlight with all-you-need-to-know to go, plus photo galleries and a video.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The classic rock mainstay plays Grand Rapids’ Acrisure Amphitheater on Saturday, part of the “Double Trouble/Vision Tour.” The Local Spins interview with Foreigner singer Luis Maldonado.
The rootsy Indiana rock band made its Meijer Gardens debut on Monday, skirting rainy weather to deliver a fan-pleasing performance along with opener harf. The review and photos.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
Windy City classic rockers Styx and Chicago bring their co-headlining summer jaunt to Acrisure Amphitheater on Thursday. The interview with Styx keyboardist Lawrence Gowan.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Jack White’s “hometown” extravaganza lived up to its billing. Plus, view photos from Tamarack Fest, The Wood Brothers, GIG: The Art of Michigan Music, Potionseller, Basic Comfort and more in Local Spins’ weekend roundup.
Artist Spotlights · Photos · Podcasts
Local Spins spotlights the singer-songwriter and her new songs — along with a live acoustic performance –while also featuring fresh tracks by Michigander, Seth Bernard, Rip Smidgeon, The Westrins and more. Get the back story, watch the video and browse a photo gallery at Local Spins.
Grammy-winning alt-country mainstay Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit captivated a loyal audience Thursday evening with a two-hour set that spanned a 30-year career. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
The Icelandic blues rockers captured a packed amphitheater’s attention and affections with an energetic, bass-heavy set. The review and photos at Local Spins. Plus, get a link to browse photos from Wednesday tour stops in West Michigan by L.A. Guns and Babe Rainbow.
Breaking music news · Summer Festivals
Lonn Hartman of Auburn Hills was brutally wounded and suffered neck injuries at a Blissfest campsite over the weekend. The family is demanding answers while the incident remains under investigation. Get the troubling back story at Local Spins.
