The gathering of musicians and industry representatives from across the Midwest started Thursday with a night of singing, jamming and networking. Check out the photo gallery, video highlights and a recap of opening day at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Breaking music news · Live at River City · Videos
The Traverse City alt-folk trio unleashed ‘Heavy Flag’ and five other new songs during a live-stream session at Grand Rapids’ River City Studios Thursday, as they prepare to join a ‘get out the vote’ tour. Get the back story, watch the in-studio set at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Local Spins Rewind · Photos
In late December 2017, three downtown venues hosted capacity crowds for a Saturday night of fan-pleasing spectacles, each with its own story line and passionate vibe. In the first of a series recapping the biggest Local Spins stories of 2018, relive the evening in words, photos and videos at Local Spins.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
This week’s edition of Local Spins on WYCE wrapped up the radio station’s Fall Fund Drive with new music from a host of artists, plus some classics by veteran players. Listen to the new tracks and the full podcast.
The northern Michigan musician known as Dobro Joe made his most recent album a showcase for ‘elite instrumentalism in acoustic music.’ It’s why Joe Wilson has worked with a host of other Michigan acts. Read about this respected musician and watch videos of his performances.
Announcements · Breaking music news · Local Spins at SXSW
For the pop-up venue’s fifth year, Michigan House is partnering with Detroit’s Opnr to take applications online from Great Lakes State artists, with 10 selected to perform in Austin. Get details and a link to apply at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
The Grand Rapids duo created its vibrant new recording at Detroit’s Assemble Sound and will bid farewell to fans at a star-studded Saturday release party. Get the back story at Local Spins and see what the future may hold for these musicians.
The sold-out “Farewell Yellow Brick Road” concert at Van Andel Arena on Monday delivered what the piano-pounding rocker does best: dazzling keyboard work, terrific production and enduring songs. The review, photo gallery and set list from this historic show at Local Spins
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Social Distortion’s weekend tour stop at Grand Rapids’ 20 Monroe Live was just part of a music week that also featured appearances by Arturo Sandoval, Collective Soul, Blockhead, Kind Country and more. Browse the photo galleries at Local Spins.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
This week’s edition of Local Spins on WYCE not only kicked off the radio station’s Fall Fund Drive, but was chock full of new music from a diverse blend of Michigan artists. Listen to the full podcast, check out the Vulfpeck video that’s generating a huge buzz.
The 10th annual fundraiser for the Wheatland Music Organization will take over The Intersection on Jan. 12 with a host of rootsy bands and the reunion of The Hill People. Check out the lineup, see the full schedule at Local Spins.
Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
Cabildo, Last Gasp Collective, Tom Hymn, Breathe Owl Breathe and more pump up the festival bill in early November, but the big news is it’s no longer a house concert event. Find out why organizers have changed things up and see the full festival lineup at Local Spins.
The superstar classic rock band flaunted its new lineup in an intriguing, early-tour show at Van Andel Arena. Read the review and check out the set list from Monday night’s concert at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
With a Grand Rapids tour stop at Wealthy Theatre tonight, the guitarist performed in-studio on this week’s radio show, which also debuted new tracks by several Michigan artists, including The Blueflowers, Lexi Schaub, Charlie Walmsley, Carrie McFerrin and more.
Detroit producer Matt Black’s fetching, trippy release swapped top spots at WYCE-FM with Albion’s The War & Treaty. Check out the rest of the Top 5; listen to music from all of the artists on the September chart.
The fifth annual celebration in this beautiful lakeshore town gives folks a great excuse to travel to northern Michigan, with performances by five bands and plenty of Michigan brews on tap. Get the schedule, ticket links and more at Local Spins.
The October edition of Local Spins on Michigan Radio’s ‘Stateside’ showcased new music from a diverse set of Grand Rapids artists: Big Dudee Roo, Steven Malcolm and Ford Turrell. Listen to their music, read their back story.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Videos
The Grand Rapids singer-songwriter talked about his first album in 11 years – a poignant gem – during Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted songs by Big Dudee Roo, The Soods and more. Listen to the podcast, watch a video of Turrell’s in-studio performance.
Audio · Festivals · Upcoming shows
This weekend’s downtown event boasts sets by seven regional acts, who are also vying for votes for their songs in hopes of winning $1,000. Check out the full weekend schedule, listen to the song entries at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
SYML kicks things off at Calvin College in a week that also boasts concerts by Joshua Powell, Amanda Brown, Aaron Neville, The Ragbirds, Lil’ Smokies and Bullet for My Valentine. Check out all of this week’s live music picks at Local Spins.
This Local Spins week-in-review set of photo galleries features one of our photographers’ favorite bands to shoot ever, and tons of other rocking concerts across West Michigan. On Tuesday,[…]
Concert reviews · Festivals · Photos
The indie-rock-oriented, two-day festival in downtown Kalamazoo boasted 15 performances on Saturday, with plenty more to come for Day 2. Check out a photo gallery and highlights at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Videos
The Grand Rapids singer-songwriter kicked off a Midwest tour this week by playing new songs on the radio show, which also premiered tracks by Often Home, Moss Jaw, Shortly and much more. Watch the video of Matt Gabriel’s in-studio performance and listen to the full radio show podcast.
Playlists · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
This weekend’s season-ending celebration on Earthwork Farm outside Lake City will attract thousands, many of them musicians. Singer-songwriter Brian Koenigsknecht offers up his Top 5 reasons to attend. And listen to a Local Spins playlist of songs by festival performers.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The arrival of autumn also brings Keller Williams, Heather Maloney, KJ & The Good Time Family Band, a jazzy Grand Rapids Symphony tribute to Paul McCartney and more. Check out this week’s spotlighted shows, plus our Under-the-Radar Picks.
Our podcast hosts sat down with the new station manager for Grand Rapids’ WYCE-FM to talk about the robust music scene and how he hopes to nurture that in his new role.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The September music cruise shifts into full gear with the Fallasburg Arts Festival, John Mark McMillan, Harry Fest, Red Legs, a Kathy Lamar birthday celebration and more. Get the lowdown on the Big List, along with our Under-the-Radar Picks.
The week in live music wrapped up with a bang on Saturday in Grand Rapids, with Local Spins capturing the action in photos at a host of venues. Check out all the images from a diverse assortment of shows.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Lansing singer-songwriter turns from ‘sideman’ to star with songs from ‘It’s About Time’ during this week’s radio show, which also featured the premiere of tracks by Red Legs, Lushh and Jacob Simons, plus the Hot Top 5 countdown. Listen to the podcast, watch the in-studio video.
The Albion duo of Michael and Tanya Trotter — The War and Treaty — has impressed critics with its new album, which led the way on a chart that also featured four more new entries, including Peace to Mateo and Joshua Davis. Listen to tracks from all five releases.
The September Local Spins segment spotlighted new releases from a veteran, in-demand singer, an electronic music duo and an emerging indie-rock/pop band. Listen to the “Stateside’ podcast with new songs from Jen Sygit, Pink Sky and Tiger and Frame.
This annual Local Spins Labor Day column spotlights the financial quandary of working musicians, many of whom work long hours, often for little pay. And it’s spiced up with new comments from many of them. Be part of the discussion.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Grand Rapids folk-rock band unfurled two new songs on the radio show, which also aired new tracks by Pretoria, The Blue Pines, SearchParty and The War & Treaty. Listen to the radio podcast, watch the in-studio video.
Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
For the third year, the free two-day festival on the blue pedestrian bridge over the Grand River in downtown Grand Rapids will feature regional stars, including Molly, Cameron Blake, Lipstick Jodi, Lazy Genius and The SEVENth. Get the lineup, details at Local Spins.
Playlists · Upcoming shows · Videos
With piano rock legend Elton John kicking off a farewell tour that includes an October stop in Grand Rapids — and SpeakEZ hosting an Elton John tribute show — Local Spins picks 20 underplayed EJ gems. Listen to the playlist, watch the videos from a robust career.
For this edition of the RSVP Music Chat, we sat down with the iconic Grand Rapids record producer and Troll for Trout frontman to reminisce about his career and elicit sage advice for aspiring stars. Listen to the full, enlightening podcast.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
The first day of the second-year music festival brought bigger crowds and bigger names to Grand Rapids’ Belknap Park, with another robust lineup unfurling Saturday. Check out the review, photos and video highlights at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Relocating to Grand Rapids from Traverse City, James’ band plays Founders on Saturday and he previewed new tunes on the radio show, which also debuted tracks by several Michigan artists. Check out the in-studio video and listen to the radio show podcast.
Live at River City · Photos · Videos
Michigan bluegrass guitar hero Billy Strings and his band made a stop in Grand Rapids on their way back to Nashville on Monday, electrifying a small audience at River City Studios. Watch the video, browse the photo gallery from this week’s in-studio set.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
We Banjo 3, Cole Swindell, Shoreline Jazz Fest, Holler Fest, Pink Sky, Benjaman James, The Rockit King, The Accidentals, Hop Along, Insane Theatre, Earth Radio and more fill out the week. Get the complete concert lowdown at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
It was another lively week of concerts across West Michigan, with country courtesy of Kip Moore and others, hard and soft rock, electro-pop and the music of tomorrow’s stars just part of the story. Ogle the photo galleries at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
One of GRandJazzFest’s biggest crowds ever pumped up Rosa Parks Circle on Saturday for a diverse assortment of regional and national stars. Check out photos and a video.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
This week’s edition of Local Spins on WYCE shed light on a New Jersey-bred, Grand Rapids percussionist with a robust career and a diverse selection of music by Michigan artists. Get the back story about Kevin Jones; listen to the full radio show podcast.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
The Sept. 8 party outside the Comstock Park brewery also boasts local faves Paradise Outlaw, Devin & The Dead Frets and Sailor Kicks. See the full schedule.
At 75, the Detroit legend proved in spring 2017 that she was still “The Queen of Soul” with renditions of “Respect,” “Chain of Fools” and “Baby I Love You.” In tribute to this Michican icon, here’s the review from her last Grand Rapids appearance.
The much-beloved Detroit icon died Thursday at age 76. Local Spins pays tribute to this influential soul superstar with a playlist of her enduring hits.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows · Videos
Kalamazoo’s Lushh, Grand Rapids’ Edye Evans Hyde, Kevin Jones, John Gist and Grupo Aye will join national stars Euge Groove, Lin Rountree & more at 2018 GRandJazzFest. See the full schedule.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Sugarland is back, unfurling its return to the stage for Grand Rapids fans with help from Michigan’s Frankie Ballard. But there was plenty more on the musical docket across West Michigan this week, and all highlighted in Local Spins images. Plus check out a video of That Beatles Thing.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The roots rock jam band keeps adding to its sound, something displayed during this week’s radio show, which also boasted new tracks by Elizabeth Landry, Brutes, The Hacky Turtles and Boy From School. Check out the in-studio video, podcast and story at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
A solid first-day crowd at the music festival in southern Kent County reveled in impressive sets by May Erlewine, Hyryder, Mungion, Olivia & the Aquatic Troupe and more while reveling in a groovy new second stage. Check out the story, photos and video in this Local Spins exclusive.
