It’s been a grueling year for music-related businesses, including Local Spins. During Thanksgiving week, we’re especially grateful to our readers and those that continue to support what we do.
Today’s look back at November 2019 spotlights milestones for a pair of beloved West Michigan music icons, not to mention a St. Joseph musician’s ambitious, unique attempt to play 100 breweries in 100 days. Revisit these special moments via Local Spins Rewind.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Grand Rapids super-group showcased new songs for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by FINKEL, Myron Elkins, Melissa Dylan, Sugartone Noise Co., Troy Ceasar and more. Get the back story about Barrel Bones, watch one of the band’s music videos and listen to this week’s full radio show podcast at Local Spins.
The third spotlighted venue in the “Comeback Road” video series focuses on the daunting challenges faced by one of Grand Rapids’ most revered music hot spots. Watch the video, see how The Intersection hopes fans can help.
Breaking music news · Venue Spotlight
Amid the 2020 pandemic, two of downtown’s most popular live music hot spots are now seeking buyers. See what the asking price is and get more details at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Commentary · Venue Spotlight
Michigan’s new ban on indoor bar/restaurant service is only part of a gloomy, complicated outlook for live music that extends into 2021. And that leaves Local Spins “in search of a Big List.” See what experts are saying about when — and if — concerts will return to area stages.
Features · In-Depth Report · Videos
The marathon pandemic has completely upended West Michigan arts groups, musicians and dancers, and hit them hard financially. But videos and other innovations are keeping them alive and keeping them connected to fans. Learn more about how these prominent cultural organizations are weathering the storm and see how you can help.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
With an EP and new album on the way, the Ypsilanti-based singer-songwriter took center stage for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted fresh tracks by several Michigan artists, including Rick Chyme, Eric Engblade, Olivia Dear, Jordan Moore, Jack Droppers and Shin Hoo Yong. Get the back story on DuPont, watch a video of him performing a new song and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
For more than a decade, the Grand Rapids chapter of this volunteer group has tutored military veterans and handed out dozens of guitars to bring music into their lives and help them cope. A feature for Veterans Day at Local Spins, with information about how you can help veterans and the Guitars for Vets program.
Concert reviews · Local Spins Rewind · Photos
A year ago this week, Local Spins published one of the most-read stories of the year — featuring emerging Michigan country artist Sadie Bass — and hailed the long-awaited, official opening of Listening Room. Check out reviews and photo galleries from those November 2019 events, plus several major West Michigan tour stops.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Holland singer-songwriter opens up about her ‘kinda dark’ album for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Pink Sky, Suzies, The Pistil Whips, Lucy Lowis and more. Learn more about Van Liere’s intriguing musical journey and listen to this week’s full radio show podcast.
The signature, heartfelt sophomore album from the Albion duo now based in Nashville soared to the top of the October chart which also saw the debut of new releases by Patty PerShayla and The Soods. Cameron Blake and Earth Radio returned to the chart for the second month in a row. Browse the chart and listen to tracks from each of the featured artists at Local Spins.
The young West Michigan singer and member of the Grand Haven-based band Five Strand Fusion impressed judges — and an audience of millions — on Monday during blind auditions for NBC’s “The Voice.” Learn more about Mayton and watch the video of her performance on ‘The Voice.’
Concert announcements · Concert reviews · Photos
Halloween weekend amid 2020’s coronavirus crisis is not what West Michigan has come to expect, with closed venues and canceled shows. But Grand Rapids hip hop artists still fired a final musical salvo at Studio Park on Friday. Get the holiday weekend update, see what shows are still happening and browse the photo gallery at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Frontman Jason Singer talked about his latest hit single for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted music by Chris DuPont, Au Gres, Jack Droppers, Allison Van Liere, Laura Rain, The Marsupials and more. Learn more about Michigander’s new music and future plans, check out a live performance video of the new single, and listen to this week’s radio show podcast at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Venue Spotlight
The national Live Music Society awarded grants to 20 clubs across the country, the same day that the Michigan Music Alliance announced a ‘relaunch’ of a fundraising campaign to aid musicians hurt by the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more about both developments at Local Spins.
This week, Local Spins spotlights six new releases by Michigan artists, from hip hop to roots rock to folk, and featuring a couple of collections perfect for haunting your neighbors on Halloween. Check out the reviews, listen to songs from each of the releases.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
n what may be the scariest year ever, Halloween 2020 rears its spooky head on Saturday. So, to get folks ready, Local Spins presents some of its readers’ favorite terrifying tracks for a spine-tingling soundtrack. Turn off the lights, press play and get ready to be spooked.
Local Spins today exclusively premieres a new music video from northern Michigan’s Jake Allen. Plus, check out new videos from other Michigan artists, including a May Erlewine song that got the attention of Bonnie Raitt and entries from Lady Ace Boogie, Cameron Blake, The Dave Marean Band and Brent Godfrey.
A year ago this week, country, pop, jam band, rock and folk fans were in the thick of memorable West Michigan performances and events — oblivious to the approaching COVID pandemic. Relive the week in words and photos courtesy of Local Spins Rewind.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Grand Rapids singer-songwriter opens up about his dynamic, electric new project for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Callab, Brant Satala, May Erlewine, Young Ritual, Anonymous Phone Call, The Brothers Crunch, Justin “Stovepipe” Stover and other Michigan artists. Get the back story on Cameron Blake and listen to the radio show podcast at Local Spins.
Today, Local Spins partners with a local filmmaking team to launch a new video series examining the plight of several West Michigan concert venues shut down by COVID-19. Watch the video showcasing The Pyramid Scheme exclusively at Local Spins.
Features · Venue Spotlight · Videos
A West Michigan filmmaker is linking up with Local Spins to draw attention to the plight of some beloved live music hot spots amid a pandemic that’s upended the industry. Learn more about the project and watch the video trailer for the new series.
It’s been a productive 2020 for many West Michigan bands debuting new music, with some of them releasing captivating videos to accompany those tracks. Check 10 of them out in this mid-October roundup, from The Accidentals to Brother Wolf to Patty PerShayla & The Mayhaps.
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.
Concert reviews · Local Spins Rewind · Photos
When live music was still at the entertainment forefront (pre-Covid) October 2019 boasted memorable highlights of the local and national variety, from sold-out tour stops to big announcements. A look back at a busy week in words and photos.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The West Michigan band’s groundbreaking “music with plants” premiered for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by The Crane Wives, The Soods, Deerfield Run, In the Valley Below, Eddie Codrington, Conrad Shock + The Noise, River City Narrative, The Be Colony and others. Learn more about “florganoleptic” music and watch videos of it in action, plus listen to this week’s full radio show podcast at Local Spins.
Commentary · Playlists · Top 10 Lists
Legendary rock guitarist Eddie Van Halen passed away this week at 65 after a long battle with cancer. Local Spins readers reveal why he was so respected as a musician — and pick 10 of his band’s top songs. Read the fan comments, watch the videos and listen to the Local Spins Top 10 on Spotify.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Milder October weather will greet music fans this week for an assortment of outdoor shows featured on The Big List, including a one-day music festival near Morley and another Cherry Park Live show in Grand Rapids. See the full list of concerts at Local Spins.
The ‘Year of COVID’ has wiped out months of performances in a 2020 that started with such promise. But before all that, October 2019 rolled out concerts and big events on a nightly basis. Local Spins looks back on a robust week of shows in words, photos and videos.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
PerShayla opens up about her new power trio for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Barrel Bones, Trifocal, Blushing Monk, The Messenger Birds and more. Read Artist Spotlight feature, listen to the full radio show podcast.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Hot Top 5
The Grand Rapids ensemble’s latest project joins releases by Earth Radio, Crispin Campbell and Cameron Blake as new entries on the September chart. View the chart and listen to tracks from each featured album at Local Spins.
Album reviews · Audio · Videos
A half-dozen new releases by Michigan artists — from Detroit’s The Messenger Birds to the U.P.’s John Davey — are showcased via reviews, audio samples and more at Local Spins. It’s an eclectic bunch of albums, from jazz to prog-pop to soulful Americana to vintage country.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
As West Michigan rolls into October, some of the last vestiges of outdoor live shows are spotlighted for this week’s The Big List, from Cedar Springs Brewing’s beer tent bash to Beats on Bates in Kalamazoo. It’s also the final week of Grand Rapids’ month-long “The Bridge” events.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Glorious late-September weather provided the perfect setting for several high-profile outdoor shows in Grand Rapids, from Earth Radio to Melophobix. The recaps, photos and video highlights at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Venue Spotlight
The governor’s decision today to allow indoor venues and theaters to partially reopen on Oct. 9 doesn’t mean live music will be back anytime soon. Local Spins explains why.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Set to play Belknap Park on Saturday, the GR rock band was showcased for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by The War and Treaty, Jack Droppers, Jake Allen, Julianne Ankley, John Davey, Laura Rain & The Caesars, Shawn Butzin and more. Get the update on The Legal Immigrants, watch a video of a new song and listen to the radio show podcast at Local Spins.
West Michigan readers of Local Spins unleashed a dizzying array of names when asked about the most overrated acts ever, from Michigan faves Bob Seger and Greta Van Fleet to legends such as David Bowie and Led Zeppelin. Read their responses here, then check out our new Question of the Week.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming Album Releases · Videos
The Americana-propelled, Albion-bred and Nashville-based band releases a new Rounder Records album this week after a turbulent, pandemic-filled year that postponed a major tour with John Legend. The Local Spins interview with Michael Trotter, plus a video of their recent national network TV performance and a track from the new album.
Playlists · Venue Spotlight · Videos
In honor of this week’s #SaveMIStages campaign, Local Spins offers up tracks from the best past performances at 15 West Michigan concert venues which have been silenced due to COVID-19. See which artists were chosen, watch the videos and listen to the songs at Local Spins — then email lawmakers to show your support for these businesses.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Musicians have made the most of a pleasant September after a COVID-impaired summer of live music. Sadie Bass, Jake Kershaw, Edison Kitt, Hayes Griffin, Josh Rose, Kyle Rasche, FlyLiteGemini, Out of Favor Boys, Jack Leaver and more light up our weekend photo galleries.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Petoskey-area artist who plays ‘Harvest at Home’ this weekend was featured for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted fresh tracks by Cameron Blake, Kingmaker, Madelyn Grant and more. Learn more about Miller and his various projects promoting northern Michigan artists, and listen to the full radio show podcast at Local Spins.
Album reviews · Audio · Breaking music news · Local Spins Exclusives
The inaugural collaboration between a Grand Rapids-bred rapper and award-winning Kalamazoo producer is a COVID- and quarantine-inspired, hip hop masterpiece. It debuts today at Local Spins along with a review of the recording.
Album Releases · Album reviews · Audio
A busy year for new Michigan releases amid a pandemic gives music fans a lot to savor, including impressive albums by four Grand Rapids artists as well as northern Michigan’s Biomassive and the trio of Pico, Chown & Sears. Read the reviews, listen to music from each of the spotlighted artists.
Live-Stream Concerts · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Starting Thursday, this weekend’s virtual, season-ending celebration will feature live-streamed sets, videos of past performances, workshops and more. Get details and a full schedule of online performances at Local Spins.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The Sept. 11 episode of the radio show spotlighting Michigan music served up a broad spectrum of gems from across the state, including the debut of several new tracks. Listen to the radio show here.
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows · Venue Spotlight
Amid a pandemic that’s crippled the Hudsonville event center, owner Bill Worst officially debuts the new venture on Sunday with drinks, food and music. Get details, the upcoming concert lineup and photos at Local Spins.
Local Spins’ Question of the Week (Sept. 3, 2020) What is your favorite song about work? This week’s winner of Local Spins merch: Email subscriber Bruce Matthews, who responded to[…]
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.
Summer Concerts · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
The summer has been mostly silent, but September fires up a bevy of unusual concerts across West Michigan – from drive-in shows to online festivals. See the roster of options at Local Spins.
