Local Spins Rewind · Venue Spotlight · Videos
Welcome to Local Spins’ No. 1 story of 2018: The Intersection doubles its live music venues in downtown Grand Rapids. Check out before and after videos, photo galleries and more from the March opening of Elevation and The Mint in the lower level of the popular nightclub.
Local Spins Rewind · Venue Spotlight
The 2018 countdown continues with two pieces of big news first revealed by Local Spins in June: a planned listening room would be included in a huge theatre/retail project and Quinn Mathews would leave WYCE-FM to run it. Get the lowdown on the Studio Park project via this Local Spins Rewind post.
In Memoriam · Local Spins Rewind · Videos
Local Spins’ countdown of 2018’s Top 10 stories continues with a sad one at No. 3: The frontman for The Beveridge Brothers died unexpectedly in early December. The loving tributes poured out quickly. Read many of them in this Local Spins Rewind feature.
Concert reviews · Local Spins Rewind · Photos
Local Spins’ Top 10 countdown of 2018’s most-read stories continues with a review of The Eagles’ mid-March Van Andel Arena show when they replicated their classic songs with incredible precision. On this Christmas Day, revisit the review, photo gallery and set list in this Local Spins Rewind feature.
Concert reviews · Local Spins Rewind
The countdown of Local Spins’ Top 10 stories continues with a look back at Jack White’s buzz-generating April concert at 20 Monroe Live. Revisit the special concert in this Local Spins Rewind feature with a photo gallery and set list.
Concert reviews · Local Spins Rewind
Our countdown of 2018’s most-read stories continues with this October review of the superstar rock band’s concert at Van Andel Arena with a controversial new lineup. See what the band’s Grand Rapids performance was like minus Lindsey Buckingham. a
Local Spins Rewind · Photos · Videos
The Local Spins countdown of 2018’s most-read stories continues with May’s inside look (in photos, words and video) at Meijer Gardens’ upgraded outdoor concert venue — and even more improvements are on tap for 2019. Revisit the project in this Local Spins Rewind feature.
The Local Spins countdown of 2018’s most-read stories continues with Camp Greensky’s highly anticipated announcement last February of its inaugural festival lineup. And revisit the recap and photo gallery from the first-year festival that took place last May.
Artist Spotlights · Top 10 Lists
Local Spins continues its Top 10 countdown of the most-read stories of 2018, revisiting writer Ricky Olmos’ candid February interview with Flint Eastwood’s dynamic Jax Anderson. Check out the in-depth interview and listen to Flint Eastwood’s music.
Local Spins Rewind · Photos · Videos
Local Spins today starts its countdown of the most-read stories of 2018, starting with a wild night of music that boasted capacity crowds in three Grand Rapids venues to close out 2017. Revisit the No. 10 story of the year, along with photos and videos.
Features · Local Spins Rewind · Top 10 Lists
As Local Spins prepares to celebrate its 10th anniversary this week, we revisit the top stories every year since the website launched in 2012. Check out the roster of memories as we get ready to unleash seven concert events in six days.
Playlists · Top 12 Stories Countdown · Videos
For the second year in a row, humorous tunes about the pandemic — fueled by creative musicians — earned robust attention from readers. It’s No. 2 in our 2021 countdown and Local Spins’ No.1 story of all-time. View the videos, plus listen to “songs for the apocalypse,” a roster of COVID-inspired songs by Michigan musicians and a playlist tribute to health care workers.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
The Kalamazoo brewery’s booking and marketing team reminisced about the most compelling performances by bands and solo artists pre-COVID at Bell’s, from May Erlewine and Joe Hertler to Kurt Vile and Trampled by Turtles. Check out the Top 10 playlist and videos.
Local Spins Rewind · Playlists · Videos
The No. 2 story of the year was produced in quarantine by Local Spins writer Troy Reimink, who concocted a mid-March, elbow bump-worthy soundtrack for the viral apocalypse. Check out this uber-popular post and listen to the COVID-inspired tracks he assembled.
Features · Local Spins Rewind · Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
It’s been a frightening, topsy-turvy year, with live music mostly shut down. But quarantined Local Spins readers embraced our inventive COVID playlists and videos in record fashion. Here are the two most-read posts of 2020.
Features · Weekend Photo Gallery
Today’s entry in our series spotlighting Local Spins photographers focuses on Nathan Purchase, with his favorite concert photos of artists such as Umphrey’s McGee, Tame Impala, Billy Strings, My Morning Jacket, Greensky Bluegrass and, of course, Desmond Jones. View the photos and get the stories behind his classic shots.
Features · Local Spins Rewind · Summer Festivals
With interest in Michigan music festivals at an all-time high, the Local Spins 2019 Readers’ Poll put Blissfest at No. 1 — and at the top of our list of most-read stories of the year. Revisit the poll, with a link to Local Spins’ exclusive listing of 2020 Michigan music festival dates.
The No. 2 story in Local Spins’ countdown of the top stories of 2019 was a sad one: The vibrant leader of Southwest Michigan’s Dacia Bridges Project was found dead outside Traverse City in August, sparking tributes from across the globe.
Local Spins Rewind · Photos · Videos
Today, Local Spins starts its year-end countdown of the Top 10 most-read stories of the year, starting with a tribute to a Grand Rapids rock icon who passed away in late 2018. The story, photos and video for the No. 10 entry of the year.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Old Crow Medicine Show, Electric Six, The Mystic Braves, Gnash, Lindsay Beaver, Molly, Sweet Water Warblers, August, The Hill People, Guitar UP, The Concussions also fill out a hefty week of concerts. Plus, see how you can win tickets to Mollly’s EP-release show with The Go Rounds.
Features · Top 10 Lists · Videos
After critics and musicians had their say earlier in the month, Local Spins on New Year’s Eve lets readers pipe in with their favorite releases of the year (with a few musicians in the mix, too). And their diverse picks balance regional stars with national acts.
Features · Top 10 Lists · Videos
Last week, it was the critics. Today, Local Spins features West Michigan musicians’ favorite albums of the year. Pore over the lists of their picks for top albums of 2018 and listen to the music.
Features · Top 10 Lists · Videos
It’s another mind-bending array of music that’s impressed Local Spins writers over the past year, from Robyn to Janelle Monae, Lindsay Lou to Urfaust, Childish Gambino to Julian Allen and more. Browse these “best of” lists, sample music from the featured artists and then submit your own Top 5 picks.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
Big Dudee Roo, May Erlewine, Chris Dorman, Jordan Hamilton and more were among highlights cited by musicians and attendees for one of the final, treasured festival blasts of the season. Relive the weekend in words and photos at Local Spins.
Country-pop superstar Shania Twain made a grand entrance at Van Andel Arena, then unleashed a spectacle that was flamboyant as well as fan-interactive. The concert review, photo gallery and set list from Wednesday night’s show at Local Spins.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
With Detroit native Jack White set for an epic sold-out Grand Rapids show Saturday at 20 Monroe Live, Local Spins asked photographer and fan Anna Sink to create a career-spanning playlist for West Michigan concertgoers. Check out the videos and the Spotify playlist of classic White tunes at Local Spins.
Features · Kalamazoo · Top 10 Lists
Check out the latest entry in the “Local Spins Top 10 Rewind Series,” recapping the biggest stories of 2017. This feature about Kalamazoo’s Heritage Guitar aiming to restore the luster of the Gibson factory to make it a destination for devotees of handcrafted guitars drew lots of attention from musicians and history buffs. And find links to follow-up stories, too.
Audio · Best Music of the Year · Videos
Amid another turbulent and hectic year, recorded and live music made a huge comeback. Today, Local Spins writers reveal their picks for the best of both in 2022. Check out the robust roster of notable releases and concerts and listen to select tracks in this special feature being published today in lieu of our usual Thursday ‘Amplified’ newsletter.
Artist Spotlights · Photos · Videos
The band officially released its new studio album Friday night with a performance at Lansing’s UrbanBeat. Get the back story on the quartet, view a music video and browse photos at Local Spins.
The early November round-up of Michigan releases not only covers a wide swath of genres, but artists from Grand Rapids to the Detroit area to Petoskey. Listen to tracks from all of the recordings.
This is part of the presentation that Local Spins publisher John Sinkevics made to the Michigan Municipal League convention on Oct. 20, 2022 in urging city officials from across the[…]
Album reviews · Audio · Upcoming shows
This early October round-up of releases by Michigan artists features new collections covering rock, pop, hip hop, jazz and Grand Rapids singer-songwriter Cameron Blake’s return to the violin. Check out the reviews and listen to tracks from all of the releases.
Features · Videos · Whatever Happened To
In their heyday, Joey Dornbos and Brent French generated a national buzz and recorded with an iconic producer before moving to California. One is still rocking, the other is not. Get the lowdown and watch the videos in the latest installment in this Local Spins series.
Artist Spotlights · Photos · Videos
Local Spins revisits the Michigan native and bluegrass star, as writer Enrique Olmos and photographer Loren Johnson join Lindsay Lou for a sunny afternoon of thrift shopping and songwriter talk in Nashville. The Artist Spotlight and photo gallery.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Michigan-bred artist plays West Michigan this week with a new album on the way. Learn more about Nathan Kalish and listen to this week’s Local Spins on WYCE show which also spotlighted Jack White bassist Dominic Davis and debuted tracks by several regional acts.
Friday night’s live music lineup included emerging acts competing in the first night of a March battle and seasoned, acclaimed songwriters unfurling poignant, harmony-hued tunes in an intimate setting. Get the show recaps and browse the photo galleries at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Features · Music and Technology
Created by a South Bend tech startup, the innovative app is being embraced by some West Michigan acts as a way of connecting with fans and monetizing their performances. Get the details at Local Spins.
Local Spins’ Question of the Week (Oct. 28, 2021) Have you ever walked out of a concert? Which show and why? This week’s winner: Email subscriber Frank Tobin, who responded[…]
Features · Playlists · Uncategorized · Upcoming shows
The acclaimed singer-songwriter and guitarist plays Grand Rapids’ Listening Room on Saturday as he returns to the road. The Local Spins interview, plus see how you can win tickets to the show.
Start your Sunday with a refreshing look into six new releases by West Michigan artists, ranging from instrumental virtuosity to rock ‘n’ roll passion. Chain of Lakes and Shane Tripp are among the featured releases. Plus, listen to selected tracks from all of the albums.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Frontman Alex Austin spotlighted his band’s new music for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by The Accidentals, The Crane Wives, Laine Rex, The Concussions, Brother Wolf, VASE and more. Learn more about Deerfield Run, check out a video performance by the band and listen to this week’s radio show podcast at Local Spins.
This year’s Labor Day column on the plight of musicians comes amid what may be the worse year ever for live music due to COVID-19. See how bands are struggling to survive and how they view the future in this commentary.
Asking Local Spins readers to name their favorite concert of all time was asking for trouble. But the ridiculously difficult task produced some incredible memories from some remarkable shows. Check out the responses in this fun, reader-generated assignment.
Local Spins’ Question of the Week (July 30, 2020) What’s your favorite concert of all time? When and where did it take place? This week’s winner of Local Spins merch:[…]
Amid the coronavirus crisis and a turbulent music industry, a new advocacy group based in Niles aims to give roadies and their families a helping hand — from counseling to financial assistance. Get the exclusive back story in this Local Spins feature story and see how this West Michigan clinic is making a difference.
Local Spins today kicks off a series of features on the prospects of returning to live music and festivals amid the new normal. Today, publisher John Sinkevics probes the difficult dilemma and uncertainties facing fans and show organizers.
The Jammie Award-winning Kalamazoo hip hop/soul ensemble delivers a thought-provoking, boundary-pushing roster of faves to pump up the week at Local Spins. Listen to the tracks, watch the videos.
Breaking music news · Traverse City
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer today announced easing COVID-19 restrictions for restaurants and bars in the Traverse City area and the U.P. for Memorial Day weekend, but social-distancing still critical and a big concern. The story and comments from a shuttered Traverse City brewery at Local Spins.
Features · Weekend Photo Gallery
Local Spins continues its “concert photo rewind” series spotlighting the stellar work of its photographers, this time focusing on our Kalamazoo live music honcho: Derek Ketchum. Here are his favorite photos and the stories behind these colorful, action-packed shots.
Features · Weekend Photo Gallery
The third week of our spotlight on Local Spins photographers focuses on the work of Kendra Petersen-Kamp. View some of her favorite photos and get the stories behind those images at Local Spins.
