Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
After a long hiatus, Meijer Gardens plans to host national acts (such as Kansas and Black Violin), the Tuesday Evening Music Club and Grand Rapids Symphony this summer, all while monitoring COVID rules. Get details and view the Tuesday Evening Music Club schedule at Local Spins.
Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
The historic Grand Rapids venue will kick off its 2021-22 season in October, aiming to bring back in-person shows after a long pandemic shutdown. Shawn Colvin, Leo Kottke also will return. But fans can expect to wear masks. View the full schedule at Local Spins.
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.
Breaking music news · Summer Festivals
Hopes for an August edition of the celebration in Rothbury were dashed due to the continued impact of COVID-19, organizers stated. It’s one of several Michigan festivals which canceled this week. But the city of Grand Rapids will move ahead with numerous ethnic festivals this summer and fall.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Band members opened up about their upcoming new album and their ‘present-day sound’ for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Chain of Lakes, Chuck Bob Carnes, Mechavillain, The Olllam, Chris Cranick, Brian Mulder, Jake Lindell, The Down & Goers and more. Podcast, video and story all part of today’s Artist Spotlight.
Announcements · Breaking music news · Summer Festivals
Two intimate, much-beloved Michigan festivals with a devoted fan base — one in late May and the other in late August — will take a hiatus for the second year in row. Get details at Local Spins along with information about a third festival that announced a postponement this week.
Audio · Features · Playlists · Videos
On what’s become an annual holiday for many, today’s special playlist from Agri-Med and Local Spins reveals the most popular cannabis-inspired tunes as chosen by readers in our 4/20 contest. Peruse the diverse 20+4 list and see which four readers won smoking-cool gift packs.
Two much-hyped new releases by Michigan rock heavyweights — a veteran shock-rocker from the Motor City and a band of young Frankenmuth upstarts — offer up a mixed bag for fans and detractors. Check out the Local Spins reviews; listen to tracks from both releases.
In-Depth Report · Photos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Amid capacity restrictions and limited ticket sales, bands and solo artists must adjust to an altered financial landscape as live music returns. Local Spins presents an in-depth report on the impact the pandemic has had on musicians’ livelihood.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The new album by the Grand Rapids songwriter who relocated from Nashville was featured for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks from WOOTS, Jacob’s Brother, Vespre, Nathan Walton, Ohly and more. Learn more about this acclaimed artist and listen to this week’s full radio show.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
The brand new, two-day festival hosted by Dobro whiz Mark Lavengood will limit capacity and feature sets by ‘a stronghold of West Michigan greats’ playing on a site with plenty of space for social distancing. Get details, ticket information and the full lineup at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Features · Videos
The 16-year-old from Romeo joined Sinclair on Monday night for a dynamic version of an Elton John classic that judges called the best performance of the show’s Battle Round. Read more at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Features · Videos
In a Local Spins interview, the West Michigan singer and musician says he’s ‘super stoked’ about his experience on the nationally televised NBC show, with a standing ovation on tap for his next appearance. Learn more about Sinclair and watch the ‘sneak peek’ video from tonight’s Battle Rounds here.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Grand Rapids rock group frontman divulged details about an upcoming solo album for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Megan Dooley, LVRS, Cal in Red, Upon Wings and more. Get Chris Cranick’s back story and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
Despite a current jump in the state’s COVID cases, some venues – indoors and out – plan to host summer tours and other shows. But capacity restrictions remain a major concern. Get the lowdown at Local Spins, along with a lineup of some summer concerts on the schedule.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
Initial hopes for a ‘small Buttermilk’ in June were torpedoed by rising Michigan cases of the coronavirus, leaving organizers to look ahead to the fall for a possible mini-event or to June 2022 for the full jamboree. Learn more at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Live-Stream Concerts · Upcoming shows
Cadillac native Luke Winslow-King and Italian slide guitarist Roberto Luti unleash a multi-camera, online concert from Spain on Saturday, with a new album and Michigan shows on the way in 2021. The Local Spins interview, with details about the upcoming live-stream.
Jason Singer’s latest pop collection, “Everything Will Be Ok Eventually,” wasted little time getting attention and airplay at WYCE, along with several other new releases from Michigan artists — The Whiskey Charmers, Emma Bieniewicz, The Wild Honey Collective and Big House Blues Band. Listen to tracks from each album.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Grand Rapids’ KJ reveals the story behind ‘Dynamics’ for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Annagail, Seth Bernard, Jack Droppers & The Best Intentions, The Aquaerials, Trevor Ohlsen, Eric Wagenmaker, Steve Leaf and more. Delve into The Good Time Family Band and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
After a mostly silent 2020, communities across West Michigan will host park concerts this summer with acts ranging from The Accidentals to Soul Syndicate. The lowdown, schedules and lineups for more than a dozen series, only at Local Spins.
Features · Local Spins Rewind · Videos
Exactly one year ago today, at the height of COVID angst, Local Spins published a roundup of virus-inspired songs and spoofs created by Michigan musicians, both funny and heartfelt. Revisit the fetching tunes and videos.
Concert reviews · Festivals · Live-Stream Concerts · Photos
The second-year, five-day virtual festival hosted by Michigan Music Alliance drew thousands of viewers and $10,00-plus in donations to aid Michigan musicians. Peruse festival highlights and ogle photos at Local Spins.
Nine months after a band last played the stage at Grand Rapids’ Tip Top Deluxe with a live audience on hand, The Moonrays brought their surf-rock charm to the West Side venue Friday. Local Spins has the photos from a milestone evening after a ‘year of COVID,’ with Myron Elkins set to fire up the stage on Saturday night.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Traverse City songwriter plays Spread the Music Festival today and was featured for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Medicinal Groove, Laine Rex, Snacks & Five, Amy Love, KJ & The Good Time Family Band, Shady Groves & more. Learn more about Butzin and listen to this week’s full radio show podcast.
Breaking music news · Summer Festivals
With pandemic restrictions still causing uncertainty, the iconic music festival near Harbor Springs has made ‘the difficult decision’ to skip the July event again, looking ahead now to 2022. Learn more about the ‘heart-wrenching’ move at Local Spins, along with the cancellation of an Upper Peninsula music festival.
Concert Listings · Features · Upcoming shows
After being closed the past year – outside of a brief stint last summer – the much-beloved Grand Rapids venue is now packing its weekend schedule with West Michigan acts. The story, plus peruse concert listings for other area bars
Announcements · Contests · Features · Videos
West Michigan’s Agri-Med & Local Spins announce a contest asking readers for their favorite pot-flavored tunes to be revealed in a playlist on April 20. Plus, we feature several local artists who’ve paid tribute to marijuana in song and video.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Grand Rapids indie-rock band’s Jacob Bullard opened up about the new LP for Local Spins on WYCE, which debuted a dozen new tracks by Michigan artists. Get the back story on Major Murphy’s latest project, listen to the radio show podcast and watch a new band video at Local Spins.
In-Depth Report · Upcoming shows · Videos
The latest “Comeback Road” video focuses on The Pyramid Scheme, plus we update other outlets getting state grants and some places — including Grand Haven — where outdoor concerts are planned. And see how some venues and organizations plan to use state assistance to move forward.
Breaking music news · Local Spins at SXSW · Upcoming shows
‘SXSW Week’ boasts a series of online events, pop-up performances, a Michigander live-stream and an outdoor wrap-up concert on Friday at Studio Park with Brother Elsey, which releases a new single that day. Get details on this week’s Michigan House activities as well as an update on Brother Elsey.
The acclaimed bluegrass guitarist from Ionia County topped some musical legends to win his first Grammy Award during pre-ceremonies staged in Los Angeles on Sunday afternoon. The lowdown — and his reaction — at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Features · Upcoming shows
The fast-rising, Ionia-bred guitarist is up for best bluegrass album at Sunday’s Grammy Awards, but he’s just thrilled that his bandmates have gotten attention for their hard work and stellar musicianship. The back story at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Grand Rapids R&B/pop artist who helped pay tribute to Aretha with a Michigan super-group this week shared her 2021 plans with Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted a host of new tracks by artists from across the Great Lakes State. The story, podcast and video.
Breaking music news · Commentary
In March 2020, COVID shut down live music across Michigan. A year later, there’s hope for a slow return with more than 100 venues finally set to receive state aid within the next 30 days and industry experts saying some summer amphitheater concerts are possible.
Breaking music news · In-Depth Report · Summer Festivals
Several Michigan music festivals have canceled summer events for the second year in a row. But others are moving ahead in 2021, barring a coronavirus resurge. The lowdown on the state’s upcoming festival season at Local Spins.
The former member of the Grand Rapids band Leland Blue made the cut and selected judge Nick Jonas’ team during blind auditions Tuesday on the NBC singing competition. Read more about Sinclair at Local Spins.
Audio · Breaking music news · Features · Videos
The passionate and dynamic Women’s History Month tribute to icon Aretha Franklin features more than two dozen singers and musicians from across the state. Watch the video premiere and learn more about this collaborative project at Local Spins.
Concert announcements · Festivals
For the second year, the late March online festival raising money for the Michigan Artist Relief Fund will feature performances from across the Great Lakes State. This year’s event will feature more than 200 artists. Get details and see who else is in the initial lineup.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Hudsonville-area singer-songwriter opens up about his new album for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Nordy, DAYZ, The Great United, Dance Contraption, Chain of Lakes, Steve Leaf, Ben Traverse & Michael Dause and more.
Artist Spotlights · Features · Videos
For this special Q&A, Local Spins spotlights the noted composer who splits his time between London and West Michigan while creating documentary and drama soundtracks for television and film. Learn more about Sheridan Tongue in this in-depth profile.
The lion’s share of local and regional releases populating the February Hot Top 5 represent reentries in the chart due to WYCE’s celebration of past Jammie Award winners and potential nominees. Listen to tracks from all of this month’s featured artists, plus view a list of new local additions to the WYCE library.
Junior Valentine passed away earlier this week at age 66, leaving behind a legacy of polished performances and musical mentoring that touched a lot of lives. Read more at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · In-Depth Report · Venue Spotlight
”Sick of the stress.” Concert venues still have no financial help a year after shutdown. And while state aid is imminent, federal funding remains in question — and that could jeopardize some clubs. The update at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · In Memoriam · Local Spins Rewind · Photos
One year ago — before the pandemic erupted — West Michigan not only cheered a tour stop by mandolin whiz Chris Thile but mourned the unexpected death of beloved local musician Eric Soules. Local Spins revisits both events in today’s ‘Rewind’ feature.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Local Spins premieres new Walton tracks from ‘The Remedy’ along with the video for his new single. Plus, check out song debuts from other Michigan acts in the Local Spins on WYCE podcast. Learn more about Walton, his band and the new album; listen to this week’s radio show.
Breaking music news · Summer Festivals
With COVID concerns continuing, Festival will take applications from musicians for the new outdoor celebration that will have them performing safely in downtown’s social zones. Read more about this new event at Local Spins, along with plans for hosting a performance stage on Calder Plaza during ArtPrize in September.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Over the past week, three West Michigan establishments hosted live music in different ways — with and without audiences, and with pandemic restrictions in place. Local Spins captured it all in photo galleries featuring King Biscuit Trio, Rufus Ferguson and other local musicians.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Shifting from live shows to the studio due to COVID, the GR duo is releasing striking new singles, debuting two of them for Local Spins on WYCE, which also premiered fresh tracks by more than a half-dozen Michigan artists. Explore Pink Sky’s year in lockdown and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Features · Venue Spotlight · Videos
Better than “sitting in my bedroom with an iPhone.” Local Spins today presents two interview and performance videos probing the unique advantages of live-stream concerts broadcast from a bona fide stage as gauged by musicians Ralston Bowles and Michael Crittenden, and St. Cecilia’s Cathy Holbrook. “It’s an actual venue,” Crittenden said of playing St. Cecilia even without an in-person audience.
Concert reviews · Local Spins Rewind · Photos · Videos
Thousands filled The Intersection on Valentine’s Day 2020 to celebrate the best regional music of the year with impressive performances on three stages. With this year’s edition of the Jammie Awards indefinitely postponed due to COVID, browse highlights from last year’s big night in words, photos and video.
