Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Among the national and international folk/roots music stars at next weekend’s 46th Wheatland will be several Michigan acts who will treasure their time in the spotlight. See why it’s special for them and check out the full Main and Centennial stage schedules.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Grand Rapids band performed a new single on-air during the show, which also debuted tracks by Dacia Bridges Project, I Believe in Julio, Lady Ace Boogie and more. Read the back story about Clyde Park Avenue, watch the in-studio video and listen to the radio show podcast.
Ontonagon resident Cheryl Sundberg has directed the Porcupine Mountains Music Festival for several years and watched it grow. She chatted with Local Spins about what makes this fest in the wilderness so special and how it helps nurture music in the Upper Peninsula — a follow-up to our report on the event.
Venturing more than eight hours from Grand Rapids, Local Spins editor John Sinkevics recently immersed himself in the unique, magical charm of a remote U.P. musical celebration. Here’s his report on this relatively unknown Michigan gem, with a photo gallery and video.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
With Ralston & The Family, The Strike Percussion Ensemble and Samuel Nalangira providing musical diversity on a picture-perfect night at Meijer Gardens, the last show of the summer series was a memorable one. The concert recap, photo gallery and video, exclusively at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
It was a week of tantalizing festivals, outdoor and indoor shows and more, captured in images at Local Spins — from Tiny Desk Concert winner Gaelynn Lea to regional fave Joshua Davis. Browse the galleries at Local Spins.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
This Week’s edition of Local Spins on WYCE boasted a performance by Kalamazoo hip-hop cellist Jordan Hamilton and the debut of new regional music. Listen to the full radio show podcast.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
The festival in Sidney, north of Grand Rapids, fires up this weekend — moving this year from late September to August — with performances by 16 regional acts. Get and save the schedule, along with more details at Local Spins.
Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
The first day of GRandJazzFest 2019 at Rosa Parks Circle brought brilliant summer weather and brilliant musicianship with crowds growing into the evening to celebrate the final sets of the day. The recap, photo gallery and a video at Local Spins. The festival continues Sunday.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The rootsy, country-hued Grand Rapids band unveiled new songs for Local Spins on WYCE, which also featured the on-air debut of tracks by Porter Kenyon, The Crane Wives and Hael. Listen to the podcast, watch the video of Deerfield Run’s in-studio performance.
Led by guitar hero Brian Setzer, the rockabilly trio fired up new and old classics with gusto for a sold-out crowd Thursday night at Meijer Gardens. The Local Spins review and photo gallery.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Holland folk-rock-punk trio unleashed new songs for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Pink Sky, Ashley Daneman and more. Read the story, listen to the podcast and watch the video of Brother Adams’ in-studio performance.
Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
The music festival on Shagbark Farm near Caledonia reveled in perfect summer weather on Thursday while firing up stages with music by Sophistafunk, Jesse Ray & The Carolina Catfish, Cabildo, Megan Dooley, SlimGypsyBaggage, Mungion, The Legal Immigrants, The Gasoline Gypsies and more. Check out the recap, photo gallery and video only at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Summer Festivals · Videos
This weekend’s festival near Johannesburg, east of Gaylord, unfurls with a huge roster of Michigan acts, including Traverse City’s Chris Michels, who’s fast building a fan base for his funky, jazzy music. Read more about the festival and MIchels, and listen to his music
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Podcasts
The August Local Spins segment on Michigan Radio’s “Stateside” showcased the sophomore album from a popular jam band, the debut from a veteran blues outfit and some lively bluegrass. Listen to the podcast and full songs from each of the featured artists.
The unusual studio album by Grand Rapids’ Free Hat tops the list of local and regional releases that earned the most radio airplay at WYCE-FM last month — a roster of all-new names. Check out the full chart, listen to tracks from all five artists and browse the list of new local releases at Local Spins.
The first memorial service for the beloved performer will be held in the Battle Creek area on Friday, with another celebration planned for Sept. 1 in Kalamazoo. See how you can help and read tributes to the singer.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The second week of August also boasts Beach House, JD McPherson, Bass Country, Low Cut Connie, Grasshoppah, Tommy Tutone, Farmfest, I Prevail, likemelikeyou, a John Prine Tribute, Sparta Celtic Fest and more. Plus, win tix to Tutone and Cowpie.
Artist Spotlights · Features · Summer Festivals · Videos
The band fronted by David Lowery has weathered the ups and downs of the music business, with help from devoted fans, including many in the Great Lakes State. With Cracker preparing to return to Michigan, check out the Local Spins interview as part of a special Sunday spotlight feature.
Concert reviews · Kalamazoo · Photos · Summer Festivals
The three-day event in downtown Kalamazoo boasted standout performances from national stars, a Michigan blues-rock phenom and local faves. Get the recap and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Desmond Jones performed as an acoustic duo during Local Spins on WYCE, which also premiered new tracks by Brother Adams, The Blue Pines, Deadflower, Alfredo Balcacer and more. Story, podcast, video.
The vibrant performer and leader of the Dacia Bridges Project was found in her room in Traverse City, where she was volunteering for the Traverse City Film Festival. The story and a photo tribute at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Grand Rapids band showed off its complex approach for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by James Reeser, Timbre of Cedar, Dalmatian Stone and more. Learn more about On the Line, watch a video of the band’s in-studio performance and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Lynne and an impressive rock ensemble unfurled a high-tech spectacle Tuesday at Grand Rapids Van Andel Arena filled with nostalgic hits. Check out the Local Spins review of the show (which featured an opening set by Dhani Harrison) and browse the photo gallery.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The duo now based in L.A. unfurled some of its ‘wacky, fun’ music for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted new tracks by Jake Kershaw, Brother Elsey, Vee the Rula, Paradise Outlaw and Full Cord. Watch the video of FINKEL’s in-studio performance, get the back story on the duo and listen to the full radio show podcast.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
“Rocket Man” and “Space Oddity” certainly are appropriate song selections to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the lunar landing. But there are also some hidden and unusual spacey gems in this Local Spins playlist.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
The 2019 edition of the festival staged on an island in northern Lake Michigan unfurls Thursday for three days of live music by national and regional acts. See and save the main stage schedule and get festival details at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Kicking off with Amos Lee, the live music week in West Michigan also boasts Static X, Lady Ace Boogie’s hip hop showcase, Chuck Mead & Jim Lauderdale, South Haven’s Rhythm on the River, The Gipsy Kings, Gunnar & The Grizzly Boys, Cabildo and more. Plus, win tickets to see Poco, Firefall and Pure Prairie League in Grand Haven.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
With an album dropping next week, the West Michigan band previewed new songs for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Courtney Moore, Daves at 7, August and more. Check out the video of FlyLiteGemini’s in-studio performance, read the back story about this band and listen to the radio show podcast at Local Spins.
The sold-out baby boomer crowd at Meijer Gardens on Thursday cheered hits from the ’70s on a picturesque summer night. Read the review, browse the photo gallery at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Michigan acts ranging from Joe Hertler to Galactic Sherpas will join national stars Amy Helm, Canned Heat and Sam Bush at the 39th annual edition of “Bliss” this weekend. Get details and the full schedule at Local Spins — and find out why musicians love this festival so much.
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
The high-profile addition to St. Cecilia’s Acoustic Cafe Folk Series will bring the Grammy Award-winning country artist and daughter of the legendary Johnny Cash to Grand Rapids, along with her musician husband, John Leventhal. Details and a video at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
The Verve Pipe, David Wax Museum, Loudon Wainwright III and Mary Gauthier are also among the first acts announced for the ‘world-class’ venue that hosts a soft opening in late October and a grand opening in early November. See a comprehensive list of initial bookings at Local Spins.
The old-school rock duo’s latest studio album shot straight to the top of the June chart of most-played local albums on WYCE-FM. See which other albums made last month’s Hot Top 5 and listen to songs by the featured artists.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The up-and-coming Grand Rapids band rolled out some of its new music for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Paddlebots, Pretoria, Natural Body and more. Get the back story on August, watch the band’s in-studio performance and listen to the full radio show podcast.
The Traverse City alt-folk trio joined other Michigan stars in a Holland benefit concert for an ailing super-fan, part of a 55-concert summer that also includes finishing up a new studio album and scoring songs for orchestras
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
Celebrate Independence Day with a Local Spins soundtrack for the holiday that’s all about freedom, in all its glory, with songs by everyone from Jimi Hendrix to Neil Young to Tom Petty to Beyonce.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Podcasts
Local Spins’ July segment highlighted two Grand Rapids acts who’ve retooled their approach a little bit and a new band featuring members from another group with a vastly different sound. Listen to the statewide podcast and songs from the featured artists.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
The Summer Sessions Concert Series debut on a sun-splashed Monday night along the Grand River channel in Grand Haven kicked off July in impressive fashion. Get the review of Los Lonely Boys and Tony Lucca, ogle the photos of this new venue and watch the video at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Summer Concerts · Weekend Photo Gallery
Amid big events such as Electric Forest and Common Ground, West Michigan music fans also reveled in some crowd-pleasing tour stops and a Lowell bluegrass festival. Peruse the images at Local Spins
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Reoriented as a duo, Winnow releases a new EP this month and performed during this week’s Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted new tracks by As Am I, Ghost-Orchard, Free Hat, The Accidentals and more. Watch the video, read Winnow’s back story and listen to the full radio show podcast at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
More than 45,000 strong flooded the sprawling site in Rothbury on Thursday, with a Michigan favorite getting the music train rolling. Get the first-day recap and browse the robust photo gallery at Local Spins.
Features · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
For the ninth year, the much-ballyhooed Electric Forest music festival ramps up this weekend with electronic music, jams, psychedelic art installations and a hippie vibe. Get the lowdown, Forest rules and a preview at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
It’s full steam ahead for summer concerts, with Hillsong United, Wayne Baker Brooks, Liz Longley, Lovelytheband, Jon Stickley, Built to Spill and much more on the docket. Get the lowdown and ticket links for this week’s shows at Local Spins, and see how you can win free tickets to see Hey Marco’s Steely Dan tribute.
With a chill, laid-back atmosphere, the 10th edition of the Grand River Water Festival spilled out along the Grand River in Grand Rapids on Saturday. Get the recap and browse the photo gallery at Local Spins.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
Check out a live performance by the all-female string band Nobody’s Darlin’ and the debut of tracks by Dennie Middleton, Porter Kenyon, Beaver Xing, August, Aspen Jacobsen and more. Listen to the full radio show podcast.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Upcoming shows
The former frontwoman for Vox Vidorra is set to release a new solo EP and video on Friday at Creston Brewery. Learn more about the project at Local Spins and listen to her captivating single.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
Amid Friday’s pleasant weather, Buttermilk Jamboree boasted one of the best opening days for a Michigan music festival in recent memory. Get the recap, photos and video highlights at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Grand Rapids “synth-usiasts” of How to Live Together, who are headlining Synth Night on Friday night at The Pyramid Scheme, brought their compelling approach to Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Molly, Lipstick Jodi, Boss Ruff, Stef Chura and more.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Circle Pines Center south of Grand Rapids will again host this family-friendly festival boasting regional stars with a few national acts. Local Spins asked some performers to pick must-see acts for the weekend. Plus, browse the full festival schedule and listen to a Local Spins playlist of Buttermilk Jamboree performers.
