Concert reviews · Local Spins Rewind
Our countdown of 2018’s most-read stories continues with this October review of the superstar rock band’s concert at Van Andel Arena with a controversial new lineup. See what the band’s Grand Rapids performance was like minus Lindsey Buckingham. a
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The much-sought-after Grand Rapids guitarist unleashed new jaw-dropping songs for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Ryder Jones, eRoy, The Soods, Justin Avdek and more. Listen to the podcast, watch the in-studio video, read the back story about Wierenga.
Local Spins Rewind · Photos · Videos
The Local Spins countdown of 2018’s most-read stories continues with May’s inside look (in photos, words and video) at Meijer Gardens’ upgraded outdoor concert venue — and even more improvements are on tap for 2019. Revisit the project in this Local Spins Rewind feature.
Local Spins Rewind · Photos · Videos
Local Spins today starts its countdown of the most-read stories of 2018, starting with a wild night of music that boasted capacity crowds in three Grand Rapids venues to close out 2017. Revisit the No. 10 story of the year, along with photos and videos.
Attention, Local Spins readers: Send us your choices for best albums or songs of the year, and we’ll publish the lists and enter your name in a drawing for a Local Spins gift package. And we’ve included a bunch of ‘best music’ lists from other media outlets to give you some ideas.
From country to metalcore, soul to swing, this roundup of West Michigan shows over the past week delivers a potpourri of concert images: The Devil Wears Prada, Scotty McCreery, May Erlewine, Jake Kershaw and more. Check out all the photo galleries at Local Spins.
Players are urged to “bring their axes and jam” during the Jan. 12 celebration at Grand Rapids’ Eastern Avenue Hall, paying tribute to the frontman for The Beveridge Brothers who died unexpectedly on Dec. 6. Get more details at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The West Michigan band’s debut Friday included a show at Billy’s Lounge and an in-studio for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted new local holiday tunes and more. Find out more about Dalmatian Stone, watch videos of their first public performance and listen to the radio show podcast featuring the premiere of tracks by Kevin DePree, Michael Dause, The JetBeats, Westrin & Mowry and more.
Seven acts — from Roxy Music to Stevie Nicks to The Zombies — will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame next year. Here’s a recap of the inductees and some videos of the Class of 2019.
Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
The upcoming year boasts some live music in non-traditional venues – namely museums – to help get you through the winter, with Fiona Dickinson kicking off 2019’s Concerts Under the Stars series, May Erlewine and Crystal Bowersox playing Grand Haven’s Music at the Museum and more. Here’s a look at a few of them with schedules to help you make your plans for early 2019.
Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Beyond a host of national acts, the week boasted crowd-pleasing local shows by The Concussions, Kaitlin Rose, The Moxie Strings, Nathan Walton and more. Browse photos and video snippets exclusively at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
This week’s edition of Local Spins on WYCE boasted a visit from two Grand Rapids blues icons who performed in-studio, plus track debuts from several Michigan artists, including Lockwood, Justin Wierenga, Dalmatian Stone, Float Here Forever, Frankie & Myrrh and North Country Rounders. Listen to the podcast, watch the video, learn more about Junior Valentine and Hank Mowery.
Announcements · Breaking music news · Videos
The quick-rising young rockers from Frankenmuth who cut their teeth at places like The Intersection in Grand Rapids will join big stars in bids for best new artist, rock song, rock performance and rock album. Get details at Local Spins and see what The Intersection thinks of the band’s meteoric rise.
The frontman for The Beveridge Brothers, one of West Michigan most popular bands in the 1970s and 1980s died Thursday morning. He’s remembered by friends and fellow musicians as an affable, influential musician.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
Grand Rapids’ masked champions of surf rock, The Concussions, play Tip Top Deluxe on Saturday. So, Local Spins asked The Concussions’ Dick Chiclet, aka Tommy Schichtel, for an off-the-beaten-path holiday playlist with a retro twist. Check out the videos and listen to some classic Christmas tunes you may have never heard before.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins Rewind · Videos
The Nathan Walton Band plays SpeakEZ Lounge tonight. Last July, the Byron Center native and singer-songwriter uncorked live renditions of songs from his impressive debut EP for Local Spins on WYCE. Check out this Local Spins Rewind feature on an up-and-coming new West Michigan talent.
As the holidays approach, this month’s Local Spins segment on Michigan Radio’s ‘Stateside’ uncorked a diverse trio of new releases by Grand Rapids-area bands. Read about the artists, listen to their songs and the ‘Stateside’ podcast.
Concert announcements · Festivals
With wristbands going on sale Friday, the popular music festival taking place in Rothbury the last weekend in June next year revealed a lineup that include’s Michigan’s own Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers. See the full lineup and other details at Local Spins.
Heavy Color retained the top spot on the regional music chart for November, but Heaters and Roosevelt Diggs were right behind with their impressive new releases. View the latest chart, listen to music from all of the featured artists and browse the list of new local additions to the WYCE airplay rotation.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The Midnight Hour collective’s Pyramid Scheme tour stop was just part of this week’s eclectic image recap that includes Cody Jinks, Marcus King Band, Dacia Bridges Project, The Hill People, Weezil Malone & Horseshoes and Hand Grenades. Browse the images, watch the videos at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Ferndale band which plays Spring Lake’s Seven Steps Up on Saturday night showed off its harmonies during Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by McWeakerton, The Ryne Experience, Blueflowers and more. Watch a video of Escaping Pavement’s in-studio performance, listen to the radio show podcast.
Stunning vocals and well-crafted songs were on display Thursday night as The Lone Bellow, performing as an acoustic trio, mesmerized a capacity crowd at St. Cecilia Music Center in Grand Rapids. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Festivals
After being staged over two weekends in recent years, the popular festival in Rothbury, Michigan, will be held the last weekend in June only, with wristbands on sale in early December. One fan called it a “bummer.” Learn more about the festival’s plan at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
The same week that 20 Monroe Live announced The Verve Pipe would play its big 2nd birthday party, Vander Ark presented a $1,000 prize to teen singer Gianna Stansell after a year-long competition. Learn more about this talented young West Michigan singer and watch the video of her winning performance.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Touring behind a new EP, the rootsy Michigan band revved up the latest edition of Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted new tracks by The JetBeats, Coldville, Political Lizard and more. Watch a video of The Gasoline Gypsies, read their back story and listen to the full radio show podcast.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Harry Connick Jr. launches a week that also features San Holo, The Midnight Hour, Rodney Atkins, Marcus King Band, The Hill People, Weezil Malone and much more. Plus, see how you can win tickets to see Bishop Briggs.
Concert announcements · Upcoming shows · Videos
One of Michigan’s hottest folk-hued bands, Albion’s gospel-fired The War and Treaty, will play the Acoustic Cafe folk series on Feb. 24, with The Lone Bellow pumping up the series this week. Get background and ticket information at Local Spins.
Five years ago, Harry Connick Jr. played his first Meijer Gardens concert — one of the hottest ever at the amphitheater. On Monday, he returns to Grand Rapids for an indoor, holiday show on the same day that the season’s first big winter snowstorm hits the region. Warm up for the show by revisiting his steamy, fan-pleasing 2013 appearance.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Bluegrass phenom Billy Strings fired up The Intersection in Grand Rapids on Friday, the same night that Greensky Bluegrass wowed fans at Kalamazoo’s State Theatre. Both do it all again Saturday night. Check out a recap of both shows, along with photos at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Live at River City · Photos · Videos
With Michigan bluegrass guitar hero Billy Strings and band playing two straight ‘homecoming’ shows at The Intersection this weekend, Local Spins revisits August’s rousing performance at River City Studios. […]
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
West Michigan is special to Seger, who once again kicks off a tour here this week and returns for yet another show in January. Exactly 12 years ago, he staged his first concert in 10 years at Van Andel Arena. It’s all part of what’s cultivated a special connection with Grand Rapids fans.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows
With the year’s biggest bar night just ahead, Stefan Paul from Melophobix and Hannah Rose Graves stopped by Local Spins on WYCE to chat about a one-two punch of Wednesday night concerts. The radio show also debuted new regional tracks and previewed a Christmas album by Melophobix, The Legal Immigrants and Gunnar & The Grizzly Boys.
The legendary British singer-songwriter and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer hits Grand Rapids’ 20 Monroe Live on Saturday, the perfect time to unleash this career-spanning soundtrack.
Hundreds of performance slots on as many as 11 stages are available at Festival of the Arts in downtown Grand Rapids next June. Get details and the link to apply online; the deadline is Feb. 15.
Artist Spotlights · Features · Upcoming shows
The erudite foursome with an eclectic approach that regaled audiences in the 1980s is back together, set to play One Trick Pony and Winter Wheat. Get the back story about this acoustic group’s journey return to the stage at Local Spins.
This mid-November roundup of Michigan releases boasts a Petoskey-bred band’s full-length debut, plus gems from Conrad Shock, Roosevelt Diggs, Elizabeth Landry and Brotha James, who plays SpeakEZ Lounge tonight (Wednesday). Check out the Local Spins reviews, listen to music from the featured artists.
This mid-November roundup of regional music videos boasts lots of poignant imagery and messages — and some head-turning music. Check out more than a half-dozen new videos at Local Spins.
Live at River City · Podcasts · Videos
The fast-rising band led by Albion’s Michael and Tanya Trotter stopped by River City Studios for a scintillating Sunday session, 10 days before they open for Bob Seger at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids. Watch the video of their inspiring in-studio performance, read the story, browse the photo gallery.
Announcements · Features · Festivals
We’re taking pre-orders now for the 2019 edition of the Local Spins calendar with spectacular concert images, Michigan festival dates and more: A perfect, unique holiday gift. Get details and a link to order yours today.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The West Michigan Americana/bluegrass/folk-rock band unfurled live versions of new songs for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted new tracks by Guero Brown, Valley Girl, Thunderwude and more. Listen to the podcast, watch the video.
RSVP Music Chat unearthed revealing, frank advice about the music business in conversations with Ann Arbor artist manager David Tamulevich and Lansing singer-songwriter Jen Sygit. Listen to the podcasts, learn from these pros.
Album reviews · Audio · Podcasts
November elections dominated the news, but this month’s Local Spins segment on “Stateside” was all about groovy new music from Grand Rapids’ Conrad Shock + The Noise and Brother Elsey, and Kalamazoo’s Jake Simmons & The Little Ghosts. Read about the bands, listen to the podcast and check out full versions of the group’s new songs.
Hard to believe, but there may be more duplicity and rancor today than there was during the 2016 presidential campaign. But we’ve got some new songs on a Top 10 Local Spins playlist to make you smile at the polls.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
John Medeski’s Mad Skillet kicks off a week that includes Kalamashoegazer and album-release shows by Roosevelt Diggs, Frederic & Ronza, Lower Leisure Class and Valley Girl, plus tributes to Joni Mitchell, Janis Joplin, Phish, Frank Sinatra and more. And see how you can win tickets to see Lecrae.
Commentary · Photos · Videos
Ahead of the 50th anniversary of the Fab Four’s biggest album, Local Spins publisher John Sinkevics took a nostalgic journey to Liverpool and London to evaluate The Beatles’ place in history. Check out this special column, photo gallery and videos.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
After relocating from Detroit to Grand Rapids, this band of brothers released a new single the same day Brother Elsey made its debut for Local Spins on WYCE, which also premiered new tracks by Saltbreaker, Jake Simmons, Alyssa Wettlaufer and more. Listen to the podcast, watch Brother Elsey’s official new video.
The Earthwork Music artists based in Toledo generated a buzz and lots of WYCE radio airplay for their latest collaborative project. See who else made the Local Spins Hot Top 5 for October and listen to music from all of the charted artists.
Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
Seth Bernard, Mark Lavengood, Dede Alder, Nicholas James Thomasma and more than a dozen other artists play five cities in six days next week, including Grand Rapids’ Wealthy Theatre, Spring Lake’s Seven Steps Up. Get the lowdown on this unusual tour at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The frontman of the Kalamazoo rock band unleashed two new songs in-studio for the radio show, which also aired new tracks by Conrad Shock, The Legal Immigrants, Frederic & Ronza, The American Hotel System, Clyde Park Avenue, Mannhattan and more. Read the back story of Jake Simmons & The Little Ghosts, watch a video of Simmons’ in-studio performance and listen to the entire radio show podcast.
Concert announcements · Upcoming shows · Videos
Michigan-bred favorites The RFD Boys and Michigan Rattlers are also on the bill announced this week for the January festival that will also feature the likes of Pokey LaFarge and Sam Lewis. Get the full lineup and ticket details at Local Spins.
