Breaking music news · Local Spins at SXSW
With concerns about the outbreak swirling, organizers of the Michigan House pop-up venue in Austin had held off travel to Texas, but are disappointed with the unprecedented decision to scrap SXSW for the first time in 34 years.
Buoyed by airplay related to February’s Jammie Awards, many of the regional acts who got the most airplay at WYCE-FM last month were among the most-played artists of 2019. View the chart, listen to the music.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
The northern Michigan glam-rock outfit will be strutting through two ‘raw, unpredictable’ GR shows this week. Learn more about the provocative music of Jakey Thomas & crew at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
After being showcased Monday by Paste Magazine in New York City, the Traverse City alt-folk heroes hit the road for Leland, Kalamazoo and Fort Wayne this week with a chance for fans to get involved in their new recording. Get the details at Local Spins.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals · Videos
The August festival outside Wellston, Mich., will also feature the likes of Sweet Water Warblers, Michigan Rattlers, Luke Winslow-King, The Go Rounds and more. See the full roster of performers at Local Spins and watch recent videos of the headliners. Tickets are now on sale.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
This week’s concert recap focuses on three shows in particular that celebrated the talents — new as well as experienced — of West Michigan artists. But there are images of Raul Midon, Fatoumata Diawara, We Were Promised Jetpacks, Dave Bruzza and more, too.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Videos
The Grand Rapids rock band fronted by an 18-year-old high school senior was featured during this week’s edition of Local Spins on WYCE and plays Tip Top Deluxe tonight. The story and in-studio video at Local Spins.
After nearly two years leading the Grand Rapids community radio station, Griffin will return to life as a musician, teacher and entrepreneur. A search for his replacement will begin in March.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
The 18th festival in August will be the last under the Cowpie moniker, with a new arts and music festival set to replace it in 2021. See all the artists who’ve been booked for this year’s festival thus far.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Upcoming shows
Holland singer-songwriter Via Mardot’s fresh band project hosts an EP-release show in Lansing on Saturday. Learn more about Via Mardot and listen to the trio’s music at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Summer Concerts
After five summers at the DeltaPlex Arena parking lot in Walker, the blues series will return to Rosa Parks Circle on three summer nights. Get details at Local Spins.
The well-known bassist and Lowell native who performed with Nathan Kalish, Al & The Black Cats and DangerVille passed away unexpectedly on Monday. Read more about Eric Soules at Local Spins. A memorial celebration will take place in Ionia on Friday.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Making its debut at Listening Room for the Local Spins Michigan Mondays series, the Kalamazoo psych-pop/rock band fired up new tunes and old classics for an attentive, enthused crowd. The recap, photo gallery and video of The Go Rounds performing a new tune, only at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The 15-year-old Michigan singer with a big voice and a bright future played this week’s Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted new tracks by Lady & Gentleman, Pretoria, Singing Lungs, Dennie Middleton, Cameron Blake, Mark Harrell and Deerfield Run. Watch the in-studio video, listen to the full radio show podcast and learn more about the up-and-coming Jacobsen.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
The two-day festival at Belknap Park will now be one of six Breakaway festivals nationwide, promoters announced today. Get details at Local Spins.
Sunday’s festival in the Village at Grand Traverse Commons will boast sets by more than 75 Michigan artists in the corridors of Building 50 and beyond. Get the lowdown about this long-running event and the schedule at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
February continues to heat up West Michigan stages with Cheryl Wheeler, Pop Evil, Lindsay Beaver, Christopher Paul Stelling, Diego Rivera, tribute bands, local stars and much more on tap. And check out this week’s ticket giveaways.
Announcements · Summer Festivals
West Michigan is still in the throes of winter but regional bands and solo acts need to start thinking summer – especially if they want to play Festival in June. Details at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Jammie Award-nominated Lansing singer-songwriter performed a couple of her singles for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted new tracks and previewed performances at Friday night’s awards show. Check out the in-studio video, listen to the radio show podcast at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Breaking music news · Videos
The Local Spins award for 2019 goes to the Kalamazoo hip hop cellist who’s turned heads everywhere he’s played. Learn more about Jordan Hamilton’s meteoric rise in this Artist Spotlight and watch a video from a recent performance at Grand Rapids’ Listening Room.
On the eve of the Jammie Awards show, several nominated bands found their way into the Hot Top 5 chart of most-played albums on WYCE-FM. See the full chart and listen to music from each of the Hot Top 5 acts.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Amid sold-out shows this week, the super-group of May Erlewine, Rachael Davis and Lindsay Lou took time out to reflect on the “real magic” of their project for Local Spins. Learn more about this Michigan-bred phenomenon and the group’s upcoming album, and watch a video of a recent a cappella performance.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Videos
In a sneak preview to its 2020 concert series, Meijer Gardens today announced four shows to whet the appetite of fans. Details at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Playlists · Upcoming shows
Two dozen artists will rev up Friday’s Jammie Awards at The Intersection. Listen to them and learn more about these acts in Part II of Local Spins’ preview, which includes a full schedule of performances that you can save on your smartphone to take along for the big event.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The singer-songwriter and new Calvin SAO director announced the call out for local bands during Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Political Lizard, Wuzee, Outer Vibe, Treeskin, The Ryne Experience, PHABIES, Overdrive Orchestra, Darcy Wilkin and more. Get details on Calvin’s showcase, listen to the radio show podcast, watch the in-studio video and browse a photo gallery from Jack Droppers & The Best Intentions’ Friday night concert at Listening Room.
The Vermont native and her band, The Daylighters, romped for several hundred gathered at The Intersection on Wednesday night with help from soulful opener Devon Gilfillian. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Audio · Playlists · Upcoming shows
Two dozen artists will perform at the Jammie Awards on Feb. 14 at The Intersection. Listen to half of them and learn more about these acts — from JRob to Jack Droppers, Medicinal Groove to Michigander — in the first of two Jammies previews at Local Spins to help you get you ready for the big day.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Performing in breweries and non-traditional venues, the unusual West Michigan chamber orchestra is on a mission to reinvent the classical music concert experience. The back story at Local Spins, with videos. The Vintage Parlor Orchestra plays Listening Room in Grand Rapids on Sunday.
The Big Game is tonight. But Local Spins unfolds another battle now: Which city boasts the best bands and songs from the rock ‘n’ roll era? Compare and listen to the Top 10 artists and their songs from San Francisco and K.C., and judge for yourself which city comes out on top.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The 19-year-old and his band (who play Tip Top Deluxe on Saturday) made their debut for Local Spins on WYCE, which also premiered new tracks by Mannhattan, Ernie Clark, Gasoline Gypsies and more. Learn more about this emerginc act, watch the in-studio video and listen to this week’s radio show at Local Spins.
Audio · Breaking music news · Local Spins at SXSW · Upcoming shows
For the sixth year, Michigan House will set up shop in Austin for the March South by Southwest festival, promoting Michigan music, entrepreneurs and innovation. See which Michigan bands are playing this year’s show and listen to their music at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins Rewind · Podcasts
Learn more about the Holland folk-punk trio and watch its new videos in this Local Spins Rewind feature.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Based in Grass Lake, Mich., the Australian native and his band fired up Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by The War & Treaty, Nicholas James Thomasma, Slumlord Radio, ttypes, Biiko, James Lewis, Drinking Mercury and more. Learn more about Harper, watch the in-studio video and listen to this week’s radio show podcast at Local Spins.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
The two-day hard rock and metal festival will make its Grand Rapids debut in mid-July, with Michigan acts such as Heartsick and Legal Immigrants also in the lineup. Get details and ticket links at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
Albion’s Michael and Tanya Trotter will be part of a star-studded “Grammy Moment” performance. The band also released two new singles on Friday. Get the lowdown in this music news update from Local Spins and listen to The War and Treaty’s new songs.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
The announcement of the initial lineup for the June festival came the same day that Billy Strings revealed he’s mounting a February tour of intimate Michigan venues with his dad. Find out who else is playing Camp Greensky and which cities are part of the “Family Strings” tour.
Audio · Hot Top 5 · Top 10 Lists
Check out the final roster of local and regional albums which earned the most airplay at WYCE-FM last year, topped by a Michigan bluegrass powerhouse. Then, listen to tracks from all of the featured artists.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
The Harbor Springs trio fires up SpeakEZ Lounge and more this week as it gears up to release a new album in 2020. Learn more about The Marsupials in this Local Spins Artist Spotlight and listen to their music.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The band led by a Reed City-area singer-guitarist just released its debut album and stopped by Local Spins on WYCE on Friday, which also debuted new music by Cousin Avery, Max Lockwood, Leland Blue, Pack Sounds and more. Listen to this week’s podcast, watch the in-studio video and read the back story about Clark and company.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The Jan. 10 edition of the radio show boasted the on-air debut of tracks by more than a half-dozen regional artists, including Shady Groves, Paradise Outlaw, Kari Lynch, CrossBow and more. Listen to the complete radio show podcast.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Friday night’s competition at Kalamazoo Valley Museum drew a packed house for sets by six Michigan acts seeking a performance slot in the March festival. The recap and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Festivals · Upcoming shows · Videos
“Let’s boogie!” The Jan. 25 outdoor event that benefits Kids’ Food Basket comes as folk-rock’s The Crane Wives continue to work on a new studio recording. The festival will also feature sets by The Hacky Turtles, Melophobix and Crosscut Kings. Check out the schedule and details at Local Spins.
Announcements · Breaking music news · Local Spins on WYCE · Upcoming shows
Michigander, Lipstick Jodi, JRob, Patty PerShayla, Last Gasp Collective and 20 other acts are on tap for WYCE’s mammoth Feb. 14 event. Check out the full roster of performers and the reaction of nominees chosen to play the 21st annual awards show.
Audio · Breaking music news · Hot Top 5
The most-played local tracks on WYCE in December came from a fresh batch of artists who also showed up among nominees for Jammie Awards for best regional music releases of the year. Browse the latest Hot Top 5 chart, listen to songs from the featured artists and view the 2020 nominees for best album by a new artist.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Heading to Memphis to compete in the International Blues Challenge later this month, the GR band this week played Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted new tracks by The Hacky Turtles, Overdrive Orchestra, Via Mardot, The Autumnatic, Birdie Country and more. Watch the in-studio video, listen to the full radio show podcast at Local Spins.
Features · Top 10 Lists · Videos
As the year draws to a close, Local Spins asked some West Michigan musicians and readers to make their picks for the best albums and songs of 2019 — a diverse roster covering rock, hip hop, jazz, R&B, folk and more. And listen to music from all of the featured artists.
The No. 2 story in Local Spins’ countdown of the top stories of 2019 was a sad one: The vibrant leader of Southwest Michigan’s Dacia Bridges Project was found dead outside Traverse City in August, sparking tributes from across the globe.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
As 2019 morphs into 2020, the live music train rolls with outdoor and indoor spectacles, plus riveting local shows by Brandino Extravaganza, Robin Connell, Overdrive Orchestra, May Erlewine, Pretoria and much more. Plus, check out this week’s Under-the-Radar Picks and concert ticket giveaways.
Artist Spotlights · Features · Upcoming shows
Maintaining mental health and dealing with “a lot of pressure” represent real challenges for touring musicians, especially road warriors such as The Accidentals and Billy Strings, who plays a sold-out New Year’s Eve show in Grand Rapids. In Part II of its interview with Billy Strings, Local Spins delves into the issues that have become a growing concern for many bands.
Audio · Local Spins Rewind · Videos
The ‘top secret’ September project that had 15 vocalists gathering to record the Fleetwood Mac song at Third Coast Recording in Grand Haven was one of Local Spins’ most-read stories of 2019. Get the back story on this special project and watch the video at Local Spins.
