awards · Features · Upcoming shows
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
Local Spins spotlights the northern Michigan musician and activist who just released the first in a series of live albums, while also debuting new music by Rebekah Jon, Steve Rivers and other regional artists. Learn about his journey back from debilitating health issues and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
The Southern-bred blues-rock guitarist plays February shows in Lake Orion, Muskegon and Marshall, touring behind his latest albums, “Labor of Love” and “Naked Truth.” The Local Spins interview, along with a recent performance video.
Part 3 of our series on the fast-emerging dominance of AI in the music businesses spotlights Kalamazoo studio owner Ian Gorman who warns that removing the ‘human element’ from music[…]
awards · Features · Upcoming shows
Since 2000, WYCE has celebrated the best in music, with a who’s who roster of Michigan acts honored. Check out past winners; view the three-stage schedule for the Feb. 20 bash at The Intersection.<
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
Local Spins spotlights the northern Michigan musician and activist who just released the first in a series of live albums, while also debuting new music by Rebekah Jon, Steve Rivers and other regional artists. Learn about his journey back from debilitating health issues and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
The Southern-bred blues-rock guitarist plays February shows in Lake Orion, Muskegon and Marshall, touring behind his latest albums, “Labor of Love” and “Naked Truth.” The Local Spins interview, along with a recent performance video.
Part 3 of our series on the fast-emerging dominance of AI in the music businesses spotlights Kalamazoo studio owner Ian Gorman who warns that removing the ‘human element’ from music[…]
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Emerging Artists to Watch · Upcoming shows
The Grand Rapids artist with new music plays a Valentine’s Day show at Tip Top Deluxe, the same night she joins producer-husband TechTonic in opening for Mersiv at The Intersection. Check out the Local Spins Artist Spotlight on this emerging artist along with her music.
Breaking music news · Photos · Venue Spotlight · Videos
About three months from opening day, we offer an in-depth look at the 12,000-plus-capacity concert venue and construction progress. Plus, hear from the Michigan acts who’ll be the first to grace its stage and take a video tour.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
It was a week of live music dominated by Michigan-based artists — from Matthew Borr to Vespa — at several venues from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo, including a new performance space. Get the recaps and view the photo galleries, including images of EDM star Kompany’s Intersection tour stop.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
The singularly talented Cleveland ensemble hailed for ‘historical preservation and musicianship’ plays Ann Arbor and Traverse City this month. The Local Spins interview with bandleader Anthony Taddeo, along with a video of a live performance.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows
Part of Grand Rapids’ upcoming ‘Melt the Ice’ benefit, Cabildo’s frontman reflects on the current crisis and the band’s music for Local Spins, which also debuts new music by several other Michigan acts, including The Bootstrap Boys, Clawfoot, Da’Veonce Washington, Seth Bernard and more.
Festivals · Traverse City · Upcoming shows
The unique annual showcase of Michigan music unfurls at The Village at Grand Traverse Commons on Feb. 22. Get the lowdown and details about the Great Indoor Folk Festival at Local Spins.
The second installment in our series on the power and dangers of AI (artificial intelligence) on the music industry focuses on the views of veteran Grand Rapids sound recordist Joseph McCarger, worries about theft of creativity and more. And see how some Michigan musicians are reacting to the advent of this technology.
Breaking music news · Venue Spotlight
The all-ages DIY arts and music space has a new home at the renovated Four Star Theatre, less than two miles south from The DAAC’s original location on S. Division Avenue. The story at Local Spins.
Announcements · awards · Videos
The acclaimed guitarist — honored on Sunday for best bluegrass album — also has announced a summer tour that closes out with two ‘hometown’ shows at the Ionia County Fairgrounds. Check out the reaction to his Grammy win and watch a music video from the winning album.
Concert reviews · Festivals · Photos
The second day of the 49th festival at Ann Arbor’s Hill Auditorium melded Michigan charm with national esprit after Greensky Bluegrass kicked things off the night before. The review and photos at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The region’s first-ever Punk Rock Lottery featuring three new bands revved up Dormouse Theatre in Kalamazoo, closing out a week of rousing West Michigan shows by The Jet Stone Conspiracy, Supo and more. Get the recaps and browse seven photo galleries at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Festivals · Photos
The beloved Kalamazoo bluegrass powerhouse kicked off the Ann Arbor Folk Festival on Friday with a fan-inspiring set that followed an opening salvo by guitar icon Junior Brown. The review and photos at Local Spins. The festival continues today with Amos Lee, Dawes and The Crane Wives.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows · Videos
The award-winning Wild Honey Collective continues to makes a splash, especially with its live shows, captured recently on a new double album. Get their back story along with the debut of new tracks by a host of Michigan artists, including May Erlewine, The Legal Matters, Koipondcondo and more.
Announcements · Summer Festivals
Carl Cox, Dom Dolla and Sara Landry will headline Movement’s Memorial Day weekend festival in Detroit, while a diverse range of national and regional acts will pump up Beaver Island. Check out lineups for both events.
The power and dangers of AI in music are real and expanding at lightning speed. In this series, Local Spins will explore the sometimes-scary technology with respected Michigan recording engineers. Today, see how easy it is to us an AI platform to create a song and find out why one iconic studio owner reviles this trend.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio
The celebrated producer, studio owner and multi-instrumentalist reveals the impact that Jimi Hendrix, Return to Forever and Peter Gabriel had on his own career. Check out his album picks, listen to tracks from each recording.
Audio · Emerging Artists to Watch
The West Michigan indie-folk-pop super-trio which has turned heads with its performances over the past two years has debuted its first studio single. The Local Spins interview.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Frigid wintry weather couldn’t halt the flurry of live music heating up stages from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo over the weekend, from rock and metal to bass music and acoustic glory. Browse all of the photos at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Concert Recaps · Photos
Friday night’s fifth annual Rockford’s Got Talent Competition packed the high school’s Fine Arts Auditorium, with several performers sharing nearly $7,000 in prize money. The recap, with photos and a video.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows · Videos
Local Spins spotlights the unique Southeast Michigan multi-instrumentalist who’s playing two regional shows, as well as debuting new tracks by other Mitten State artists.
Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
With 20 regional bands from across the state on the performance bill for the Feb. 20 awards show at The Intersection in Grand Rapids, the annual Jammie Awards roll out as “a snapshot of Michigan music.” View the lineup, get all the deets at Local Spins.
The fifth annual Rockford’s Got Talent will have a dozen contestants in two categories competing for hefty cash prizes on Friday. The lowdown at Local Spins.
Album Releases · Artist Spotlights · Audio · Emerging Artists to Watch · Upcoming shows
Supo, aka Supriya Gupta, will officially release ‘Crushed’ during a performance Monday at The Pyramid Scheme. Get the back story on this emerging artist and listen to one of her latest songs.
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.
