Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
Welcome to another Saturday update to Michigan’s summer music festival season, from Cowpie returning under a new moniker, to Buttermilk and the Grateful Bear Campout lineups and ticket sales info for various festivals.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The unique Grand Rapids-based songwriters’ club just released its first compilation, spotlighted by Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Rob Jordan, Jon Hayes, Brad Phillips & more. See how you can join SONGDRINK and listen to this week’s radio show at Local Spins.
Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
Fifteen West Michigan acts representing a cross-section of styles will compete on March Saturdays with the finals on March 25. Tickets are on sale now; view the lineup.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The wildly creative keyboardist who turns classical music on its ear plays Grand Rapids’ Midtown Thursday. Learn more about this Michigan phenom and watch a video at Local Spins.
Audio · Emerging Artists to Watch · Hot Top 5
With a wildly diverse musical background, the Grand Rapids producer and drummer has made waves with his infectious tracks. See what else made the Hot Top 5 Chart for January, with four new local/regional entries. Plus, listen to songs from all of the releases.
After a long battle with cancer, the well-known, groundbreaking radio DJ who helped push WLAV into national prominence in the 1970s passed away last weekend at age 73. Read memorial tributes from some of those who knew him best.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
Welcome to another Saturday morning of summertime dreams: Browse the lineups for several 2023 Michigan music festivals, along with a few festival updates of note.
Artist Spotlights · Emerging Artists to Watch · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The GR band set to play the Jammie Awards on Feb. 24 showcased its music for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Jake Simmons, Cal in Red, Kill Mitchell, Lynda Sawicki and more. Learn more about Low Phase, watch a video of the band’s performance of a new song and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Concert announcements · Festivals · Upcoming shows
West Michigan music fans have a couple of fresh events to embrace this winter: Stovepipe hosts the first singer-songwriter show next week at The Pyramid Scheme and Kalamazoo Valley Museum returns with its Fretboard Fest in early March. Details at Local Spins.
The award-winning singer-songwriter performed as part of a trio on Sunday night, with Parker Millsap getting the evening started. The review and photos at Local Spins.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
In the midst of winter’s chilly bluster, Michigan music festivals are whetting fan appetites by announcing lineups or adding big names to their rosters. The round-up of some recent high-profile festival rosters with links to ticket sales at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
Seth Bernard, Dan Rickabus and Michael Dause previewed their debut album for Local Spins on WYCE, which also premiered tracks by Annie Capps, Y-Not, Overdrive Orchestra, Earth Radio, T.H.V., Loren Johnson and more. Explore the genesis of Moss Manor and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Festivals · Playlists · Upcoming shows
After the 2022 event was canceled, the outdoor mini-fest and 5K run aims to rock Comstock Park again while raising funds for Kids’ Food Basket. The lowdown, set times and an Ice Jam playslit at Local Spins.
Festivals · Playlists · Upcoming shows
Songwriter, banjoist and Michigan native Rachael Davis joins Valerie June at The Ark ahead of Saturday’s folk fest with Ani DiFranco, Patty Griffin, St. Paul & the Broken Bones & more. The preview and a festival playlist at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
More than 20 regional acts will perform during the Feb. 24 celebration at The Intersection, described as the ‘premier music event of the season.’ View the lineup and get reactions from some performers, plus a link to the list of award nominees and the public vote for album and artist of the year.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
It was another week of concerts that appealed to fans from different musical quarters in West Michigan, while showcasing local favorites, too. The photo galleries at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Upcoming shows · Videos
Three female songwriters will play the same stage Saturday for the first time. They tell their stories for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted new music by Grace Theisen, Hominian, Moon Orchids, Heat Above & more. Learn more about Kari Lynch, Kate Pillsbury and Olivia Vargas, watch videos and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Saturday’s musical revelry on three stages at The Intersection highlighted a weekend that celebrated Michigan-made bands. Photos, recaps at Local Spins, including a Kalamazoo show led by Celestial.
Album reviews · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Allegan County native who now resides in Nashville hosts his album-release show in Grand Rapids tonight. Today, Local Spins reviews his impresses debut collection, plus view his latest music video.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
With a much-ballyhooed debut EP and upcoming shows, Ficus rocked Local Spins on WYCE, which also aired new music by Loren Johnson, Travis McNamara, Spencer Chesnut, Superego, Sophia McIntosh, Last Gasp Collective and more. Learn more about Ficus, watch the premiere of a new band video and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Festivals · Playlists · Upcoming shows
Eleven diverse bands will play two stages at The Intersection in the first Winter Wheat fest since early 2020. The back story, the schedule and a playlist at Local Spins.
Audio · Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
After a hiatus of nearly three years due to COVID, the popular series will spotlight a wide spectrum of Michigan-based bands and solo artists twice a month. Check out the schedule, plus listen to music from some of the featured acts.
Audio · Features · Hot Top 5 · Videos
The soulful, Kalamazoo hip-hop ensemble soared to the top of the December chart, with several new Michigan entries right behind. See which albums made the latest Hot Top 5 Chart and listen to tracks from all of the releases at Local Spins.
The much-respected media communications professor, songwriter, disability advocate and frontman for West Michigan’s The New Midwest passed away last week after a long illness. Tributes have poured in from those who knew this ‘big personality’ with an indomitable spirit.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
From crowd-pleasing shows by veteran Michigan artists to performances by up-and-coming young acts at a second-year talent competition, there was a lot to celebrate in early January. The photos, a video and more at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
Our Saturday round-up of West Michigan music news ranges from info about a rocking new exhibit at Grand Rapids’ presidential museum to a second-year talent competition in Rockford and a new leader at WYCE.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Led by mandolinist Jason Wheeler, the new band was featured this week by Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Vulfpeck, Ada LeAnn, Myron Elkins, Laddermatch, Moss Manor, Steve Leaf, Nathan K. and more. Learn more about Round Creek String Band and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Features · Music and Technology
Arguing that Michigan musicians don’t need to move to Nashville to ‘make it,’ the Rockford business development consultant aims to put a national spotlight on the state’s talent with a new TV network and much more. The Local Spins profile of a uniquely talented CEO with ‘real-world grit and tenacity.’
Upcoming shows · Venue Spotlight
The “communal” hangout on Bridge Street NW kicks off its new live music series with Selkie on Jan. 8. Get details and the full schedule at Local Spins, along with information about a new Latin jazz series in Kalamazoo.
Features · Festivals · Summer Festivals
Happy New Year! Mitten State festivals new and old, large and small aim to continue the momentum from their post-pandemic return last year. What festivalgoers can look forward to this year, plus Local Spins’ exclusive 2023 Music Festival Guide.
Emerging Artists to Watch · Top 12 Stories Countdown · Videos
The top stories countdown ends on the year’s final day, with a special update on our profile of 16-year-old Grass Lake singer Brayden Lape. We interview him again about his future plans after his Top 5 finish, with a link to the No. 1 story from November and videos of his most popular performances on ‘The Voice.’
Announcements · Local Spins on WYCE · Top 10 Lists
Based on radio airplay at WYCE (88.1 FM), Local Spins reveals the Top 10 list of songs by Michigan artists that made the biggest impact on listeners and programmers in 2022. Listen to this week’s Local Spins on WYCE radio podcast and see how you can win tickets to see Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers at The Pyramid Scheme this weekend.
Concert reviews · Photos · Top 12 Stories Countdown
The first stop on the legendary British rock artist’s U.S. tour got plenty of attention from fans across the globe in August, making it the No. 2 most-read story of the year at Local Spins. Revisit that special opening night, view a photo gallery and browse the set list.
Summer Festivals · Top 12 Stories Countdown
Don’t under-estimate the power and popularity of Michigan music festivals. Our preview of the 2022 festival lineup was the No. 4 story of the year. Come back on New Year’s Day for our 2023 festival preview.
Local Spins Rewind · Top 12 Stories Countdown · Videos
It’s no surprise that one of the top stories of 2022 would involve Michigan-bred star Billy Strings. In April, he and his band performed on the Grammys, though he didn’t win for best bluegrass album. Check out the story and videos in today’s Local Spins Rewind.
Local Spins Rewind · Top 12 Stories Countdown
At No. 7 in our countdown of Local Spins’ most-read stories of the year is our coverage of first-day sales for the ever-popular Meijer Gardens concert series for 2022. Revisit that April day, plus get a link to Local Spins reviews and photo galleries from the summer concerts that followed.
Local Spins Rewind · Top 12 Stories Countdown · Videos
No. 8 in our top-stories-of-the-year round-up features a fast-rising mid-Michigan singer who made the initial cut and impressed judges in September during the most recent season of the NBC show. Watch the video of her much-ballyhooed blind auditions performance.
Hot Top 5 · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
Listen to this week’s radio show podcast of Local Spins on WYCE: a look back at some of the most popular Michigan recordings of 2022 along with a little Christmas cheer.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins Rewind · Top 12 Stories Countdown
Our top-stories-of-the-year countdown continues today with No. 11: The Local Spins interview with the legendary Daryl Hall and Todd Rundgren, who played Grand Rapids in November.
Audio · Photos · Top 12 Stories Countdown
The countdown of Local Spins’ most-read stories of 2022 begins today with our coverage of Michigan-bred bluegrass hero Billy Strings at No. 12. Ogle a photo gallery and see what stories came in just behind that in our year-end countdown.
With Christmas just ahead, we review six new Michigan releases you might want to add to your shopping list, including fresh collections from Silver Creek Revival and The Dangling Participles. Delve into the recordings and listen to tracks from all of the releases.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows
The annual variety show for charity heats up Elevation on Dec. 29 with more than two dozen musicians and singers. Get the lowdown, plus this week’s Local Spins on WYCE podcast with the debut of tracks by Michigan artists.
Jakob Dylan and company brought the tour behind their latest album to GLC Live at 20 Monroe on Thursday, with Michigan’s own Brother Elsey getting the night started. The review and photos at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Melding elements of jazz, psychedelia, Motown, pop, R&B, funk and more into its approach, Pajamas is starting to make waves across the state. The Artist Spotlight at Local Spins, along with videos of the band’s live performances.
Breaking music news · Emerging Artists to Watch · Videos
After fan voting during this week’s finale, the Grass Lake teen came in behind winner Bryce Leatherwood and three other finalists. The recap at Local Spins, plus watch a video of his finale performance.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
Touted as “the trip of a lifetime,” the Kalamazoo progressive bluegrass band will stage its annual festival in Reyjkjavik next June with guest Holly Bowling. Get the lowdown at Local Spins.
Celebrating a great final ‘adventure’: The Spring Lake listening room hosted its last concert on Saturday, an emotional sold-out affair staged now that the building has been sold. Check out the recap and browse photos at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The grand prize winner of the USA Songwriting Competition tells her back story for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by The Gasoline Gypsies, Matt Lenny, Silver Creek Revival, Missing Days and more. Learn more about Sav Buist and The Accidentals, and listen to her winning song and this week’s radio show podcast.
For the second year, the Michigan Music Alliance will present Ovation Awards at the WYCE Jammies in February, honoring those dedicated to collaboration, community and equality amid the music scene. Learn more and see how you can submit a nomination.
Features · Photos · Upcoming shows · Videos
After 11 years in Spring Lake, owner Michelle Hanks will close the much-beloved listening room following sold-out shows Friday and Saturday, ending a too-brief era of memorable live music. The back story, videos and photos at Local Spins.
