Veteran lighting designer Tom Kenny, the creative director for The Who on tour, shared behind-the-scenes details with Local Spins about the iconic band’s tour-opening show in Grand Rapids and relayed the group’s love for ‘the local orchestra.’
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts · Summer Festivals
Michigan’s outdoor summer fun includes a charming series starring regional acts on the Wildwood Family Farms. But the second year of a Lansing street fair has been canceled. Get the lowdown on both at Local Spins.
With Grand Rapids’ new city manager, Mark Washington, coming here from the live music capital of the world, the RSVP Music Chat podcast sat down to get his take on music’s growing role in his new home. Read his intriguing back story and check out the podcast interview at Local Spins.
Album Releases · Audio · Podcasts
Local Spins’ May segment for “Stateside” on Michigan Radio showcased three rock bands with impressive new albums who aim to make a splash in 2019. Listen to the podcast and full versions of the featured songs.
Outdoor music abounds in summertime in communities across West Michigan and today’s lineups feature bands playing free shows along the lakeshore. Check out the schedules for a half-dozen series at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Videos
The Zeeland-based Americana/rock band revealed a compelling back story and performed during Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted new tracks by several Michigan artists, including The Howlers, The Real Ingredients, Eliza Thorp and more. Learn more about Annagail, watch a video of the band’s in-studio performance, listen to the full radio show podcast.
Lots of repeat acts dominated the Hot Top 5 chart of local and regional airplay at WYCE-FM for April, but artists from Detroit and Grand Rapids made their debut, too. Peruse the chart, listen to music from all of the featured albums.
Announcements · Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
Title Track is hosting launch events this month in Traverse City and Detroit, with empowerment programs and a new music festival in the works. Learn more about this music-driven, community-empowering venture at Local Spins.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
Staged in the U.P.’s Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, the 15th annual festival aims to leave visitors with “a little bit of the Porkies in their soul.” See the lineup at Local Spins and learn more about this music festival that was the first to be held in a Michigan State Park.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
The 10-show series showcasing a diverse blend of regional stars will include an “instrument petting zoo” in the revamped amphitheater. See the full schedule of who’s playing this year’s series and what’s new for 2019.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The incredible Buckethead launches a week that also features Adventure Club, Mike Morgan, Steel Wheels, Camp Lo, Griffin House, Anna Nalick, Nicholas James Thomasma, Whiskey Dick and much more. And win tickets to the final “Jazz in the Sanctuary” concert of the season.
Breaking music news · Summer Concerts
Saturday’s summer concert pre-sales to Meijer Gardens members sold out seven concerts in the first 45 minutes, though the line of buyers wasn’t as long and the flurry of sellouts not as intense as past years. See which concerts have sold out thus far and check out a photo gallery from Saturday morning’s sales.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
This week’s edition of Local Spins on WYCE showcased the Grand Rapids band in-studio, plus debuted new music from Joe Hertler, The Accidentals, Deepfall, Katy Needs a Life and Mark Lavengood. Get the back story on Leland Blue, watch the in-studio video, listen to the radio show podcast.
Audio · Commentary · RSVP Music Chat · Upcoming shows
The first RSVP Music Chat podcast of 2019 reviews the history of a long-running benefit for charity which rocks Founders again on Sunday and explores the reasons why musicians feel so compelled to donate time for worthy causes. Browse a list of all the bands that have played a quarter-century of Feedback benefits and listen to a previously unreleased, live Honeytones performance from the first event in 1994.
Album reviews · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Traverse City band releases its new live project Thursday in Kalamazoo, with a tour of the United Kingdom to follow. Learn more about the trio’s hectic year, and check out Local Spins’ review of the new album.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Upcoming shows · Videos
Starting with a Grand Rapids show Wednesday and ending at Short’s 15th Anni-Party in Bellaire on Saturday, Hertler and crew aim to give fans a memory-making, stress-relieving party experience. Get details about the Michigan shows and listen to the band’s brand new single.
Once again, the National Public Radio competition is drawing hundreds of video entries from musical artists across the country, and many of them are from the Great Lakes State. View more than 30 of the Michigan entries at Local Spins, from the homemade to the slick and creative. The winner will be announced in May.
From a jam-packed Selena tribute to a rock star’s acoustic solo tour stop to Kalamazoo album-release concerts, West Michigan music fans had plenty to celebrate. Browse the images at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The acclaimed northern Michigan singer-songwriter previewed his upcoming Grand Rapids concert for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Pretoria, August, American Hotel System and more. Read more about the musician and his upcoming tour, and listen to the full radio show podcast.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
Festivals across Michigan continue to ramp up the summer with lineup announcements, from Lansing (with Carlile, Zedd, Cole Swindell, YG) to Ann Arbor (with JR JR, Joe Hertler, Tunde Olaniran). Get the lowdown on the Common Ground and Treeverb festivals.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
It’s the third site for the summer series in recent years. The Monday night concerts kick off June 8 and run through mid-August. Learn the reasons for the relocation and see the full summer schedule at Local Spins.
Check out a recap, photos and video of Saturday’s upbeat Record Store Day celebration at indie shops which hosted live music, DJs and more — including a robust parade down Bridge Street in Grand Rapids.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
On the first day of the Spring Fund Drive at WYCE, Local Spins on WYCE show host John Sinkevics premiered new tracks by Michigan artists, had an in-studio chat with singer-songwriter Ralston Bowles and counted down some of the top local and regional tracks of the past six months. Listen to the podcast and watch the video of a new single by Estar Cohen.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
The northern Michigan venue will also boast tour stops by Lady Antebellum, Weird Al Yankovic, I’m With Her, Vince Gill, Joshua Davis and many more. See the full lineup at Local Spins. Tickets go on sale in late April.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
Troyboi, Herobust, Blackbear, Bryce Vine and much more are on the bill for the two-day electronic music and hip hop festival at Grand Rapids’ Belknap Park in August. Browse the lineups for both days at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
The revamped amphitheater will also host summer shows by Foreigner, The B-52s, Mandolin Orange, Tash Sultana, Steve Miller & Marty Stuart, O.A.R., CAKE, Andrew Bird, Trombone Shorty, Lake Street Dive, JJ Grey with Jonny Lang and more. Member tickets on sale April 27. See the full concert lineup and ticket prices at Local Spins.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Summer festival announcements keep coming, from Southwest Michigan to the far reaches of the Upper Peninsula. Graham Parson’s July Farm Block Fest will feature regional stars Seth Bernard, Heavy Color, Molly, Cabildo, Joshua Davis and more; St. Joe’s mid-May festival will be headlined by JD McPherson, with Nora Jane Struthers and more. Check out the lineups, ticket links and details at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
We Came As Romans, Red Elvises, Sweet Water Warblers, Da Baby, Brit Floyd, Record Store Day and much more fire up the second week of April. And browse this week’s Under-the-Radar Picks.
The West Michigan festival will fire up for the third year outside Sidney, with familiar, popular names such as Nathan Kalish, Valentiger, The Bootstrap Boys and Jordan Hamilton on board. See the full 2019 lineup at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Both Grand Rapids bands fired things up in-studio for this week’s edition of Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Lighting Matches, Dalmatian Stone, FlyLite Gemini, Jack Droppers & The Best Intentions, Chirp and more. Read about the bands, listen to their on-air performances.
The Grand Rapids alt-country band’s latest album, “Roll On,” was one of four new chart entries, joined in March by Joshua Davis, Max Lockwood and Bermudas. Listen to songs from all of the charted artists and check out a list of new local and regional releases.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Podcasts
Local Spins’ statewide April segment showcasing new West Michigan music on “Stateside” focused on three acts with intoxicating songs and a powerful message. Listen to the podcast and check out full versions of songs from each of the featured artists.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Blackbear at Grand Valley, Public Access, Trout Steak Revival, Jack Droppers, Henhouse Prowlers, Biomassive and Starkbierfest IV are on tap, as well as tributes to Johnny Cash, Pink Floyd and Nirvana. Check out this week’s spotlighted shows, the Under-the-Radar Picks and win tickets to see Sinclair.
Breaking music news · Music on Campus
The budget-cutting move by the Grand Rapids college has upset some students and will likely reduce future concerts on campus by national touring acts. Read student reaction to the move and the administration’s response at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Grand Haven’s Silent Spirit debuted songs from his new EP live for Local Spins on WYCE, which also premiered tracks by The Go Rounds, Hannah Rose & The GravesTones and Brian the Bold. Watch the in-studio video, listen to the podcast, read the back story.
Breaking music news · Photos · Venue Spotlight · Videos
Today, get the Local Spins construction update on Meijer Gardens’ amphitheater project. Lots of changes will greet concertgoers in 2019, including faster entry and concessions sales, new restrooms and merchandise area and improved sound. Take a photo and video tour.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
With summer right around the corner, cities across the region are starting to reveal band lineups for their free community concerts which draw thousands on weeknights for outdoor shows. Here are schedules for four of them.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The last week in March also boasts shows by From Ashes to New, Novo Amor, Jose Gonzalez, Thou, Jack & The Bear, Lushh, Dalmatian Stone and more. And win tickets to see Carrie Nation & The Speakeasy at the Tip Top Deluxe.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Grand Rapids artists play a hip hop showcase Saturday night and previewed their music for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Super Future, Desmond Jones, Dead Eye Zack, Distant Stars and more. Read the story, watch the videos of their in-studio performances and listen to the full radio show podcast.
Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
Show announcements include the April return to Elevation of Jake’s Music Festival and the summer 2019 Picnic Pops lineup, featuring acts ranging from pianist Rich Ridenour to Nashville songwriters. Get the details and full lineups at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
A movie filmed in Michigan will be part of the pop-laced indie-rock band’s April tour behind its sophomore recording. Grand Rapids gets a sneak preview of the new music Tuesday night at The Pyramid Scheme. Learn more about this unique project and watch the video for In the Valley Below’s new single/movie trailer.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Mid-March also brings us In the Valley Below, LadyFest GR, Pink Sky, Lady Ace Boogie, Dan Rickabus, Desmond Jones, Trevor Hall and much more. And see how you can win concert tickets to two different shows at The Pyramid Scheme this week.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
West Michigan’s week in live music included crowd-pleasing shows from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo, from blues to pop, and rock to Celtic beauty, captured in images at Local Spins. Check out all the photo galleries and videos.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
St. Patrick’s Day falling on a Sunday gave folks an excuse to celebrate all things Irish all weekend long in Grand Rapids, with Saturday’s revelry filling downtown streets and several watering holes. Check out the photos and video at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Grand Rapids jam band talked touring and played new songs for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by The Crane Wives, Accidentals, Antighost, Jack Droppers and Mark Lavengood.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
To celebrate International Women’s Day, Friday’s radio show welcomed Olivia Mainville in-studio and featured tracks by Bermudas, Canceled Plans, Kaitlyn Zittel, May Erlewine, Hannah Rose, Lipstick Jodi, Lindsay Lou and more. Watch the video, read the back story and listen to the podcast starring inspiring music by female artists from across Michigan.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
The charming island festival also pumps up July with regional faves Jesse Ray & The Carolina Catfish, The Hacky Turtles, Escaping Pavement, The Bootstrap Boys, Loren Cole and many more. And another island festival will take place in September. Get details and ticket links at Local Spins.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
More than a dozen Michigan acts will face off in four cities this spring, vying for a performance slot in August’s Cowpie Music Festival. Get the full lineup and contest schedule at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Podcasts
The March Local Spins segment on Michigan Radio’s ‘Stateside’ showcased new music from four attention-getting West Michigan acts from different ends of the musical spectrum: pop to country to soft indie-rock to funky blues. Listen to the ‘Stateside’ podcast as well as full versions of new songs by the featured West Michigan artists.
Audio · Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
The seventh edition of the annual festival on July 27-28 will also boast sets by Kali Uchis, Lizzo, King Princess, The Story So Far, Noname and more. Tickets go on sale Friday. Check out details and listen to a playlist of Mo Pop artists at Local Spins.
