Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
The Aug. 6-8 music celebration on a Kent County cattle farm has been scrapped due to COVID-19, but a festival the same weekend on a farm east of Gaylord will boast a robust lineup of regional stars with new safety precautions. Get details about both festival announcements at Local Spins.
Plan your week with a sampling of live music events at bars, breweries and eateries across West Michigan — including the return of Grand Rapids’ Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill, with new health precautions amid the COVID-19 pandemic. There’s even a parking lot jazz performance to check out. Details at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Features
The Grand Rapids community radio station’s operations and programming manager on Monday officially takes over as station manager from Hayes Griffin, who stepped down earlier this year. Read more about Martin in this Local Spins story.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Ionia-bred group showcased its music during this week’s Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted new music from The War & Treaty, Bedroom Ceilings and more. Learn more about Drinking Mercury, watch a video of a band performance and listen to the full radio show at Local Spins.
Some familiar names and chart veterans ranked among the most-played Michigan artists on WYCE (88.1 FM) last month, representing new and old releases from Grand Rapids to Ann Arbor to Kalamazoo. Check out the latest chart and listen to tracks from all of the featured artists at Local Spins.
This video roundup also features northern Michigan students performing an Andy Grammer classic and a peek at the first live concert in the Grand Rapids area in three months. Watch the videos, along with background information about the projects.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
Rockford’s popular Tuesday series initially was supposed to start with blues guitarist Jake Kershaw this week, but now won’t return until 2021 due to COVID-19. And Bell’s Brewery in Kalamazoo has announced cancellation of its Summer Garden Series. But Kentwood’s series resumes in mid-July. Find details about these free shows and other series at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Features · Photos · Videos
The Iron Town duo played outdoors Monday in the sunshine to a nearly full patio of diners and drinkers who seemed unfazed by COVID-19 concerns. Remarked one patron: “It’s time to get back to life.” The story, video and photos at Local Spins.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
This week’s edition of the radio show spotlighting regional music also featured new tracks by Hayes Griffin, Dave Marean Band, Melanie Pierce, Oliver Scott Draper, Robert Baird and more. Listen to the full radio show podcast and learn more about Desmond Jones’ compelling new single.
Breaking music news · Features · Videos
Kent County Administrative Health Officer Adam London cautions venues, performers and fans that the reopening of bars and restaurants comes with rigid rules and risks of spreading COVID-19, especially when it comes to live music at this critical juncture. The Local Spins interview with some advice for fans, performers and businesses.
Festivals · Live-Stream Concerts · Upcoming shows
Friday and Saturday’s online presentation at WOODTV.com will feature 100 videos by various Michigan performers, from orchestras to rock bands to dance groups. Learn more about this new venture by Festival of the Arts and find a link to the full schedule at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
Michigan’s hallowed Wheatland in September is bowing to COVID-19 out of safety concerns. But organizers of a mid-July festival on an island in northern lake Michigan still plan a mini-event with limited crowds. Get details about both festivals at Local Spins.
The second video in the Elevator a GoGo series features a Nashville Americana act. And Grand Rapids’ Vintage Parlor Orchestra used a garage as the setting for a unique performance video during the stay-at-home pandemic. Watch both distinctive videos at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
COVID-19 still has many communities wrestling with decisions to host free concerts this summer. Get the update at Local Spins along with the full schedule of July shows in Cutlerville.
Breaking music news · Features · Venue Spotlight · Videos
The video for the rock band’s single, ‘Fearless,’ was released today, filled with images of exuberant fans during a November 2019 Kalamazoo tour stop. Get the back story and watch the video at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Grand Rapids singer-songwriter rolled out his latest gems for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted new tracks by The Gasoline Gypsies, Lipstick Jodi, Adam Main, Jess, Darcy Wilkin and more. Learn more about Thomasma’s new album, watch a video of his performance and listen to this week’s full radio show podcast at Local Spins.
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.
More new releases from Michigan artists are on tap in this week’s Local Spins roundup, including a female super-group, a VW bus-loving singer-songwriter, a Detroit-area alt-country band and a Traverse City funkster. Check out the reviews and listen to tracks from all of the featured albums.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Features
One of music’s most unusual, transatlantic partnerships – two songwriters in Michigan and the Netherlands who’ve never met – has spawned an eerie Gothic Americana single with more to come. Learn more about how these two talented artists met online and forged a songwriting partnership, then listen to their haunting track.
Local Spins Rewind · Photos · Summer Festivals
A tradition over Memorial Day weekend, the Bus Benefit south of Grand Haven always signaled the start of Michigan’s festival season. COVID-19 wiped out the 2020 event, so Local Spins decided to revisit last year’s celebration in words, photos and some video highlights. Amid the current pandemic, they’re magical, bittersweet memories.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Accidentals’ drummer featured his new solo release for this week’s edition of Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Jake Kershaw, Sweet Water Warblers, Matt McCalpin, Political Lizard, The Waverlys, The Whiskey Charmers and more. Get the Treeskin back story and listen to the full radio show podcast at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
As feared by many fans, the high-profile 2020 amphitheater shows won’t take place, but a ‘modified’ Tuesday Evening Music Club series featuring regional stars might be possible. The announcement follows similar decisions by Grand Rapids’ Upheaval Music Festival and Grand Haven’s Coast Guard Festival to cancel due to COVID-19 concerns. Details at Local Spins.
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
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.
Today’s video roundup is topped by Friday’s furious night of fundraising blues at the Tip Top Deluxe, plus songs by Sweet Water Warblers, Full Cord Bluegrass, American Hotel System and Upon Wings. Check out all the videos in this week’s edition of “music on the silver screen.”
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Wicks performed two new songs for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted fresh tracks by In the Valley Below, Steve Rivers, Full Cord, August, Kanin, Stephie James and more. Listen to the radio show podcast, learn more about Dale Wicks and his new album.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
Leaders of the July festival starring The 1975 and Khalid join live music event organizers in other Michigan cities – Muskegon, Grand Rapids, Rockford and Niles – in pulling the plug on summer musical celebrations due to the coronavirus pandemic.
May’s second round of Local Spins album reviews focuses on artists from across the Great Lakes State, from Grand Rapids hip hop and electronic acts to singer-songwriters in Detroit, Saginaw and Petoskey. Scrutinize the reviews and listen to song selections from each featured artist.
Features · In-Depth Report · Venue Spotlight
Venues are rallying for federal aid and short-term prospects for live music appear bleak. See what some experts and concertgoers say about the future of the live music industry amid COVID-19, their concerns about inconsiderate fans and the impact of a possible vaccine. Plus, see how you can help venues in their struggle for survival.
Audio · Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
Popular Grand Rapids jam band Desmond Jones whipped up a Top 10 roster of group members’ favorite songs during the current coronavirus pandemic, from D’Angelo to Thundercat. Watch the videos, listen to the Local Spins playlist on Spotify.
The historic downtown Grand Rapids venue today announced a record-setting lineup of folk, jazz and chamber music concerts starting this fall. See the full lineup and details about the post-pandemic challenges facing venues such as St. Cecilia Music Center.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
Allison was this week’s guest for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted music by Silent Spirit, Andy Baker, The Accidentals, Martyr for Madison, The Ryne Experience and The American Hotel System. Learn more about Allison and listen to the full radio show podcast at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Hot Top 5 · Videos
The Detroit-area artist with roots in West Michigan topped the April chart of most-played local and regional albums at WYCE-FM. Learn more about Burch, watch a video of a new song, see who else made the Top 5 and listen to tracks from all of the featured albums.
Celeste Allison Trio, Dale Wicks and The Ryne Experience also are part of this early May roundup of new Michigan-propelled releases. Learn more about the albums and listen to songs from each of the featured artists at Local Spins.
Announcements · Breaking music news
Amid the current COVID-19 crisis, Local Spins ‘goes to 11’ today by launching a new email newsletter with exclusive content and a chance to win swag. Get the details and sign up for the free newsletter if you’re not already a subscriber.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals · Videos
With COVID-19 wiping out live shows and downtown’s Festival of the Arts, May 15 is the deadline for local artists and performance groups to submit short videos for the Virtual Arts Festival. WOODTV.com will live-stream accepted entries the first weekend in June. Get details and the link for submitting videos at Local Spins.
Concert announcements · Live-Stream Concerts
Different online Michigan music events fire up May, including Chris Good’s Sing Me Home Festival shows, an Earthwork Harvest Gathering/Hoxeyville series and five straight nights of regional stars and culinary experts hosted by Pure Michigan, MLive and PBS’ ‘Under the Radar.’
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.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Videos
The Grand Rapids musician was this week’s guest for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Kid Icarus, John Davey, Pink Sky/Stitxhes, Alluvial Fans and more. The Local Spins Artist Spotlight on The Soods with video and the full radio show podcast.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
Citing assembly restrictions and safety concerns sparked by the COVID-19 crisis, both Michigan festivals canceled 2020 events and hope to host some online alternatives instead. Get the details at Local Spins. It’s “a time of uncertainty,” says performer May Erlewine.
Local Spins rolls out eight new Michigan-bred music videos for those trying to stay entertained during a pandemic that’s quarantined many and gotten us antsy for fresh material — including another COVID-19 parody. Check out the musical action from a diverse set of artists.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
Unable to overcome a “hurdle of uncertainty,” summer festivals such as this one in the Upper Peninsula are calling it quits for 2020, while others hope they’ll be able to continue as scheduled. Some communities, meanwhile, are delaying their free summer concerts until July.
The live-streamed Grand Rapids show premieres this weekend with Josh Rose, Karisa Wilson, Allen Trieu, films and more. Get the lowdown at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Although he doesn’t want to “lose the blues,” the 19-year-old Kershaw showed off another side to his music for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted new tracks by several Michigan artists, including Desmond Jones, Chris DuPont, Dawning, Chris Canas, Vagabonds, Justin Wierenga and more. Learn more about Kershaw, watch a video of him performing a new song and listen to the full radio show podcast at Local Spins.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
The small, fourth-year festival north of Grand Rapids hopes the COVID-19 crisis will ease by late summer, allowing The Go Rounds, Charlie Millard and other regional acts to perform. See the full lineup and get the back story about how organizers are adjusting to pandemic concerns.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
With coronavirus concerns growing, Founders Brewing Co. joined other Michigan festivals in canceling plans for its traditional June event in downtown Grand Rapids. The story at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
Citing concerns about the coronavirus pandemic, the music festival hosted by Buses by the Beach along Lake Michigan between Holland and Grand Haven announced that it was forced to take the year off, with plans for returning in 2021. It joins the Charlotte Bluegrass Festival, Summer Solstice Jazz Festival, Dam Jam and other events which have recently canceled 2020 celebrations. Get details at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
After weeks of speculation, festival organizers made the decision to cancel the sold-out late June festival in Rothbury. Ticketholders can retain their wristbands for 2021 or request refunds. Get details at Local Spins.
Round 2 of Local Spins’ spotlight on the amazing work of its concert photographers continues with Jamie Geysbeek. Browse some of his favorite photos, including images of Skillet, Black Veil Brides, Chris Thile, NF, Slash, Lauren Daigle and more, with stories behind the shots.
