Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows
After nearly calling it quits amid COVID, the Michigan band now gets re-energized with two saxophonists and an upcoming slate of live performances. The back story and this week’s Local Spins on WYCE podcast, with the on-air debut of new tracks by Michigan artists, including Brother Elsey, Rachel Brooke, Emma Bieniewicz and more.
Grand Rapids guitarist Hayes Griffin held onto the top slot for the third month in a row, but four West Michigan releases made their debut on the chart at WYCE-FM. Listen to tracks from all of the albums at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming Album Releases
Eight years after her last album sparked national media attention, the Lovells singer is back with her “Michigan twang” and more vintage charm via “The Loneliness in Me.” Get the back story on Rachel Brooke and listen to a new track exclusively at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Local Spins’ search for live music amid a pandemic took it to ‘new’ venues in Rockford and Paw Paw, plus some familiar concert spots in Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids. Browse the photo galleries in this exclusive show roundup at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The project created remotely during the pandemic by the Kalamazoo producer and Grand Rapids-bred rapper was spotlighted for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks from other Michigan artists. Read more about the project and Last Gasp Collective’s future plans, plus listen to this week’s full radio show podcast.
Local Spins Rewind · Summer Festivals
They’re eight hours and worlds apart, but both of these Michigan festivals boast uber-loyal fans. So with COVID scuttling their 2020 events this weekend, Local Spins gives devotees a look back at last year’s celebrations in words and images.
Live-Stream Concerts · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
With the usual, much-beloved Wheatland festival canceled this year due to COVID-19, organizers have assembled three days of performance videos by a slew of familiar artists — from Jill Jack and Seth Bernard to Blue Highway and Lunasa. Get details and a full schedule for the September event at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
As the final full week in August heats up, the city of Grand Rapids launches a multi-week celebration of music, arts and culture at various locations. And outdoor shows continue to dominate the landscape. Browse this week’s roster of live music options at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
If nothing else, the COVID summer of 2020 has created opportunities for unique outdoor live music experiences. Today, Local Spins recaps a smattering of outdoor August concerts across West Michigan in images and videos.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The northern Michigan rock band’s sophomore album was featured this week for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted music by Lady Ace Boogie, The Legal Immigrants, May Erlewine and Jessica in the Rainbow. Learn more about the band, watch a video of a new track from their album and listen to this week’s radio show at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
The Grand Rapids hip hop artist lit up the stage outside Studio Park on Thursday for her final concert on a resplendent August night, with Lokella and SuperDre also on board. The review of the sold-out show, plus a photo gallery and some video highlights at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
The popular Grand Rapids hip hop artist is calling it quits for now, performing her last show outside Studio Park on Thursday while releasing a star-studded new album. Learn more about her decision and listen to a Local Spins exclusive — a track from her final studio album.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The guitarist was the featured guest for this week’s expanded Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted music by Earth Radio, Dalmatian Stone, Brothers Crunch, Stone Soup & the Broken Teeth and more. Read the Local Spins Artist Spotlight feature and listen to this week’s radio show.
Features · Local Spins on WYCE · Upcoming shows
To celebrate Great Lakes State artists, the Grand Rapids station will exclusively play Michigan music during a special 36-hour drive with a goal of raising funds to make up for a $36,000 shortfall during a COVID-impaired year. Get the details at Local Spins.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
Mid-August marks birthdays for members of some iconic rock bands — from Jethro Tull to The Guess Who to Dire Straits and more. Local Spins publisher John Sinkevics celebrates with his Top 10 faves from these acts. Watch the videos, listen to the tracks on Spotify.
Big List Concert Guide · Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
As we roll into mid-August, outdoor shows continue to be the only way to go when it comes to experiencing live music. Browse this week’s listings of shows across West Michigan and check out our ticket giveaway.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Live music in the great outdoors took several different forms across the region — from Benton Harbor to Grand Rapids to a farm east of Gaylord, with performances by Mark Lavengood, Jenna Mammina and many more. Local Spins traveled hundreds of miles for images of what’s become a rarity this summer due to COVID-19: Live music.
Local Spins Rewind · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
The good-time vibe of last year’s festival may have made it the best in Cowpie history, thanks to The Bootstrap Boys, Fauxgrass, Mark Lavengood, Desmond Jones, Trifocal, Melophobix and more. COVID-19 wiped out the 2020 festival that would have taken place this weekend, but you can relive the highlights from last year’s celebration in words, photos and videos at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Gobles-based artist who’s a finalist in two songwriting competitions was this week’s guest for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted music by Madelyn Grant, Brett Mitchell, Ghosts of Sunset and more. Learn more about Andy Baker, watch one of his music videos and listen to this week’s radio show podcast at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Features · In Memoriam · Videos
In the 1990s, Daryl Q. Nathan made a splash on GRTV unlike any other musician or performer before or since. Fans are paying homage to the unusual Grand Rapids singer who died last month at age 54. Read about Nathan and watch several of his classic videos at Local Spins.
Asking Local Spins readers to name their favorite concert of all time was asking for trouble. But the ridiculously difficult task produced some incredible memories from some remarkable shows. Check out the responses in this fun, reader-generated assignment.
Grand Rapids’ Nicholas James Thomasma and Ian Thompson return to the chart for the second month in a row, too. Listen to tracks from all of the featured albums at Local Spins.
Features · Local Spins Rewind · Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
It’s been a frightening, topsy-turvy year, with live music mostly shut down. But quarantined Local Spins readers embraced our inventive COVID playlists and videos in record fashion. Here are the two most-read posts of 2020.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Kalamazoo singer-songwriter’s new album was featured for this week’s Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Distant Stars, From Big Sur, Joel Comstock, The American Hotel System and more. Get Koenigsknecht’s back story and watch one of his music videos; listen to this week’s radio show podcast at Local Spins.
Album Releases · Artist Spotlights · Audio · Videos
Forced to shelve a new studio recording due to COVID-19, the West Michigan electronic rock band and festival favorite has instead leaned on its live-show prowess to satiate fans. Read more about the band, listen to a track from the new live album and watch a video of a recent live set at Third Coast Recording.
Check out this robust bunch of genre-spanning music videos by Michigan artists — plus a video plea to support bills that would help rescue concert venues ravaged by COVID-19.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
This week’s guest contributor, Calin Skidmore of Grand Rapids’ SpeakEZ Lounge, tapped a keg filled with drinking songs that fondly recall pre-pandemic days of sharing good times with friends. Watch the videos, listen to the tracks on Spotify.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The great outdoors still dominates concert listings as the most popular and safest places to enjoy live music in late July. Check out this week’s guide to live shows at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Summer Festivals
Due to continued COVID-19 concerns, northern Michigan’s Farmfest has finally bowed to the pandemic and plans to return to the Johannesburg farm in 2021.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The songwriting brothers spent a decade on the masterwork showcased for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Biomassive, River City Narrative, Oliver Scott Draper and Brian Koenigknecht. Learn more about the unusual ttypes + PAWL project and listen to this week’s full radio show podcast.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
The nonprofit organization that employs adults with developmental disabilities at its Cadillac cafe aims to move forward with the Aug. 1 event starring American Hotel System while following social-distancing rules. Find out more about this one-day festival and the workers it benefits.
Concert reviews · Photos · Upcoming shows · Videos
Tuesday’s kickoff to a driveway concert series is just one way West Michigan has returned to live music, with shows unfurling at parks, parking lots and farms. Check out photos and a recap of Tuesday’s concert, and see what other outdoor shows are on the horizon at Local Spins.
Asking viewers to support the National Independent Venue Association in its plea to Congress for help amid the pandemic, Michigan’s favorite bluegrass son and his band performed Monday for “Jimmy Kimmel Live.” Watch videos from the performances at Local Spins and listen to this week’s Top 10 playlist: The Best of Billy Strings.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
A couple of new outdoor concert series fire up in Grand Rapids this week, along with the usual patio and deck shows at various bars and restaurants across West Michigan. Check out this week’s concert offerings at Local Spins.
Local Spins Rewind · Photos · Summer Festivals
Usually, mid-July means Beaver Island teems with music from its festival in northern Lake Michigan. With the event canceled due to COVID, things were quieter this year, so Local Spins looks back at highlights from 2019 in words and photos.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts · Weekend Photo Gallery
Performing sets Saturday on a wheeled flatbed trailer, the Grand Rapids band hit different West Michigan sites for an unusual “Traveling Road Show.” Check out this week’s live music photo galleries, including photos from Thursday’s performances by the Oat Bran Boys in Cutlerville and Megan Dooley in Kalamazoo.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Michigan’s songbird shared thoughts on her fun new studio album and finding peace in a pandemic while debuting a new single for Local Spins on WYCE. The show also showcased new music from Earth Radio, xRBG, Shadow Forest, Barrel Bones, Tom Hymn and more. Learn more about Erlewine’s new album project and listen to the full radio show podcast at Local Spins.
Last week’s “Question of the Week” at Local Spins sparked a record number of responses from readers reminiscing about the first concert they ever attended. Check out some of their memories and the wide variety of artists who first captured their live music fancy.
Local Spins Rewind · Playlists · Podcasts · Videos
In mid-July 2017, a little-known, soulful group from Albion stuffed its gear into a radio studio for Local Spins on WYCE and blew everyone away. Not surprisingly, they’ve since soared to prominence and become national stars. Relive their debut via words, video and radio show podcast. Plus check out the Tuesday Local Spins Playlist of Top 10 War and Treaty songs.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
Although Meijer Gardens had hoped to host a limited series of outdoor concerts featuring regional acts later this summer, coronavirus concerns ultimately forced cancellation of all amphitheater shows. Get details at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
One of the first acts to appear on the broadcast, Channing & Quinn, helped commemorate the milestone 300th edition of the radio show, which also looked back at regional music from 2014 and debuted tracks by May Erlewine, Laddermatch, Ttypes + PAWL, Amy Love and more. Check out the interview with Channing & Quinn, watch a video of their performances and listen to the special anniversary show.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
Performances by Luke Winslow-King and Asamu Johnson & The Associates of the Blues — along with the screening of several movies — will take place later this month on the piazza lawn of Studio Park in downtown Grand Rapids. Get the schedule and the details about this unique series of events at Local Spins.
West Michigan’s second drive-in concert sparked by the social-distancing protocol of the coronavirus pandemic will take place Saturday at the museum in Hickory Corners, south of Grand Rapids. Get the details at Local Spins.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
Today’s special edition of the Local Spins Tuesday Playlist pays tribute to the irrepressible Beatles drummer with a classic soundtrack of his solo work and some Fab Four gems worth revisiting. Get details about these songs and listen to the full playlist on Spotify.
The most-played regional albums in June at WYCE came from some veteran West Michigan musicians. Learn more about the “crazy” fan reaction to Griffin’s Western swing album, view the full chart and listen to songs from all the featured artists. Also, check out the list of new local/regional additions to the WYCE library.
Concert announcements · Live-Stream Concerts · Summer Festivals
One of northern Michigan’s most popular music festivals canceled its in-person gathering near Harbor Springs due to COVID-19, so artists such as Thornetta Davis, Desmond Jones and Rainbow Girls will instead perform online. Get more information and a schedule at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
As July continues to heat up, this week’s concert guide features another West Michigan drive-in concert and some outdoor options for live music — plus recommendations for safely attending shows.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Grand Haven-area country artist was this week’s guest for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted music by Public Access, BoneHawk, Woody Mac and more. Learn more about Rivers, watch a video of his performance for the show and listen to the full radio show podcast at Local Spins.
Freedom has never seemed more important than it does today: July 4, 2020. Local Spins has compiled an Independence Day soundtrack that will uplift you and make you think, from Common and John Legend to Neil Young and Jimi Hendrix.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
Two more August music festivals in Michigan have decided to skip 2020 due to the pandemic, with September’s jazz festival in Detroit turning to an elaborate live-stream and televised event. Get the details at Local Spins.
