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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 · 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 · 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.
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.
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.
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 · 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.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
The upcoming festival near Interlochen will boast sets by Myron Elkins, The Go Rounds, 1000 Watt Prophets and many more, along with workshops and family activities. The Local Spins preview of Dunesville 2026.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
Sets by Gojira, Magnolia Park, Izzy Reign and more highlighted the opening day of the Grand Rapids festival, but Poppy (the singer) was a no show due to the conditions. The Day 1 recap, photos and video at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Summer Festivals · Videos
Local Spins spotlights the SE Michigan band with new music that plays several Michigan festivals in coming weeks. Plus, the radio show debuts tracks from other regional stars, including Jack White, May Erlewine, Bill Kirchen, Jill Jack and more. Also, check out The Gasoline Gypsies’ latest music video and the Tamarack Music Festival schedule.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
The Michigan native and former Metallica bassist brings his Chophouse Band project to The Pyramid Scheme in Grand Rapids on Monday. The Local Spins interview with Newsted.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows · Videos
Local Spins previews the hard-rocking festival that returns to Grand Rapids on Friday with Papa Roach, Gojira, Poppy and more, including several Michigan acts. The schedule, details, videos, band interviews at Local Spins.
Local Spins on WYCE · Photos · Podcasts · Videos
This week’s Local Spins Michigan Music Showcase radio show podcast not only debuts new Mitten State tracks, but focuses on regional acts performing at upcoming music festivals, including a live track recorded earlier this week at an outdoor blues show in Rockford.
The high cost of show tickets and concessions has become a major obstacle for concertgoers in 2026. See what it costs to attend a typical show and view reader comments on their experiences.
Galactic, Original Wailers, Infamous Stringdusters, Theo Katzman, Larry McCray, Joe Hertler and more will heat up the northern Michigan festival starting Friday. The preview and schedule at Local Spins.
Concert Recaps · Festivals · Photos · Videos
The holiday weekend ended with an impressive Latvian Song & Dance Festival finale at Van Andel Arena and Jack Johnson’s tour stop at Acrisure Amphitheater. Get the recaps, videos, photos at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Fourth of July fireworks weren’t limited to the skies over Michigan: Plenty of dazzling salvos took place on stages, too, covered in words, photos and videos at Local Spins — including Sister Hazel, Black Country, New Road and more.
America’s 250th birthday today means this country has embraced — and protected — its freedom for a very long time. So feel “free” to pump up the volume on this “Freedom Rocks” playlist, from Damian Marley and Billy Strings to Pitbull and Beyonce.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Summer Festivals
Local Spins spotlights the SW Michigan band playing the Kalamazoo Blues Fest, plus debuts tracks by Billy Strings, Sosohifi, Funderbird, Grace Theisen, Chirp, Lee Fayssoux and more. And view the blues festival schedule, along with ticket details.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
One of the hottest days of the year couldn’t keep thousands from celebrating the Latvian Song & Dance Festival downtown or the popular singer’s Meijer Gardens debut on Thursday. The recaps and photos at Local Spins.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
The mammoth festival unfurling this week in West Michigan for the first time boasts dozens of concerts and events at multiple venues. Local Spins has the preview and schedule.
Local Spins on WYCE · Photos · Podcasts
Local Spins’ latest Michigan Music Showcase features stars playing late June festivals as well as new music from Katie Greene, Lost at Ease, The Monkbirds, Adrian Jay Mitchell, a live track from Grupo Aye and more.
Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
The opening salvo of another Electric Forest at Double JJ Resort in Rothbury was chock full of the usual electronic music mayhem while oozing that singular Forest camaraderie. Recap, photos, video.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
After Billy Strings pumped up the 2025 event, one of the state’s longest-running music festivals returns this week with more gems, including Dan Tyminski, Full Cord and more. Get the lowdown on this hoedown.
Artist Spotlights · Festivals · Upcoming shows · Videos
The wildly popular Latvian bands will play the United States for the first time at GLC Live at 20 Monroe as part of the early July song, dance and cultural festival. The lowdown at Local Spins, along with ticket links and music videos.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows · Videos
The annual music festival rife with Michigan acts rolls out again Friday through Sunday in Trufant, 36 miles northeast of Grand Rapids. Get the preview and details at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows
The veteran West Michigan bluegrass band reunited with pal Billy Strings in the studio for a special session. Listen to the first single and fresh tracks from other Michigan artists, including Jack Droppers, Mac Saturn, Greg Nagy, Checkered Lilies, Pablo Eskobear and more.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
The 2026 music festival rolls out Friday through Sunday at Delton’s Circle Pines Center with a who’s who roster of Michigan stars. Get the lowdown and schedule at Local Spins.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Summer Concerts
Today’s Local Spins Michigan Music Showcase radio podcast explores fresh tracks by local and regional artists playing outdoor shows across the state this summer. Check out music by Rachel Brooke, Jabo Bihlman, Kyle Brown, Luke Winslow-King, Rebekah Jon, Just Magnetic, Ben Daniels Band and more.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins Rewind
As we wrap up our 14th anniversary celebration at Local Spins, we highlight a memorable Top 10 list: Our most popular features on regional and national artists, based on readership.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows · Videos
Local Spins spotlights the award-winning singer-songwriter who plays next week’s Nor-East’r festival. We debuts tracks from other Michigan acts, including Lee Emi, Michigander, J. King Crayne and New Troy. Check out this week’s robust radio show podcast and view the schedule for the June 12-14 Nor-East’r Music & Art Festival.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows · Videos
After first making a splash as Jesse Ray & The Carolina Catfish 14 years ago, Jesse Ray performs solo at Rockford Brewing tonight (Friday) with a new record on the way. The Artist Spotlight, plus this week’s radio podcast featuring fresh tracks by Michigan artists, including The JR Band, Stovepipe Stover, The American Hotel System, Wagon Wheel Effect and more.
Summer Concerts · Top 10 Lists · Top 5 Lists · Upcoming shows
Meijer Gardens kicks off its 2026 concert series on Wednesday, so Local Spins asked go-to reviewer Tricia Boot for her Top 5 Meijer Gardens concerts of all-time. Plus, check out Local Spins’ Top 10 most popular concert reviews.
Audio · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
This week’s Local Spins Michigan Music Showcase features tracks by more than a dozen Mitten State artists, providing a soundtrack for holiday travelers. Hear new music from Jill Jack, The Reverend Jesse Ray, Chirp, Christine Mattson, Silverstiles and more.
Local Spins’ updated roster of Michigan acts playing more than 100 communities across the state includes schedules for Hudsonville, Elk Rapids, Middleville, Fennville and more. Check out updated listings and get a link to the full guide of summer shows.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Summer Festivals
The harmony-laden super-trio has a new song, featured in the Local Spins radio show which also spotlights tracks by other Michigan artists. Plus, view the Buses by the Beach Bus Benefit lineup.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
Phabies, Soul Syndicate, Samuel Nalangira, Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra, Jake Kershaw and more will play the popular Tuesday series this summer. View the schedule.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows
Local Spins spotlights the Michigan-based artists who will christen Grand Rapids’ new venue next week, plus we debut fresh tracks by other regional acts — including several bands playing a private contractors’ festival at the amphitheater this weekend. The back story and more.
Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
With additional, impressive outdoor venues revving up Michigan’s music scene in 2026, concertgoers face an overwhelming array of options. Local Spins has the full roster of shows at more than 40 venues.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Sam Grisman Project, Avatar, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Dave Bruzza led the charge of enticing concerts across West Michigan over the past week, with Yolonda Lavender, Micah Dailey-White and more adding to the live music energy. Browse six photo galleries in our recap at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows
Local Spins features the Grand Rapids drummer’s all-star project with upcoming Michigan release shows as well as debuting tracks from other Michigan artists, including Sammie Hershock, From Big Sur, Jake LeMond, Potionseller, Avengelic and more.
The singer and her bandmates regaled a rapt St. Cecilia Music Center audience on Thursday with ‘Dylanology’ as well as her own memorable songs. Concert review, photos.
