Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos

Electric Forest’s opening day sizzles with electronic trippiness, jam fervor, hippie vibe

• June 22, 2018

From the wild, fan-involving antics of Andy Frasco to the throbbing beats of Green Velvet and Keys N Krates to the lengthy jams of host String Cheese, it was a memorable opening day and night in Rothbury. Browse the photo gallery, take a video tour of Electric Forest as it morphs from day to night and check out the list of top Local Spins highlights from Day 1.

Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos

Rick Chyme’s incredible, empowering ‘giant puzzle’: Story, Local Spins on WYCE podcast

• June 20, 2018

Grand Rapids’ popular hip hop artist is in the midst of creating 365 straight days of new music and challenging others at the same time. Listen to the radio show podcast, which also features new tracks by Nathan Walton, Blair Miller and Bronze Wolf, and watch the video of Chyme’s unusual in-studio appearance.

Podcasts · RSVP Music Chat

Why Grand Rapids demands a downtown listening room: RSVP Music Chat with Quinn Mathews

• June 19, 2018

Studio C’s $180 million theater/retail/housing complex being built in downtown Grand Rapids is set to include a world-class listening room run by Quinn Mathews. RSVP Music Chat sat down with Mathews to explore this buzz-generating project. Listen to the podcast at Local Spins.

Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos

Founders Fest heats up Grand Rapids streets with Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, sun, beer

• June 17, 2018

A somewhat lower turnout at Founders Fest amid steamy weather didn’t Dead-en the enthusiasm for Saturday’s headliner not to mention five other acts who jammed and powered up sets on a relocated stage for the annual street party. Browse the photo galleryand watch video highlights from Saturday’s big party at Local Spins.

Breaking music news

Grand Rapids’ Studio Park reveals 200-seat listening room headed by WYCE’s Quinn Mathews

• June 15, 2018

The unique new music venue is part of the $180 million theatre, retail and housing project opening south of Van Andel Arena in 2019. Quinn Mathews will lead the venture and curate the listening room, stepping down as WYCE manager late this summer.

Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows · Videos

Donna the Buffalo, Luke Winslow King set to electrify Buttermilk Jamboree with upbeat vibe

• June 13, 2018

This weekend’s family-friendly festival at Circle Pines Center boasts more than three dozen mostly regional acts, including The Accidentals, Mustard Plug and Joshua Davis. Check out the schedule and save it on your smartphone; read more about Donna the Buffalo and Luke Winslow King; watch videos of some featured bands.

Concert announcements · Playlists · Summer Concerts

Tunde Olaniran, May Erlewine, Major Murphy and more to pump up 2018 GRAM on the Green

• June 13, 2018

The Thursday night series on the Grand Rapids Art Museum terrace boasts seven weeks of performances by Michigan stars, including Yolonda Lavender, Organissimo, Fauxgrass, Earth Radio and others. See the full schedule at Local Spins and check out a Spotify playlist of songs from GRAM on the Green artists.

Artist Spotlights · Podcasts

Local Spins on Michigan Radio: Catching up with Lazy Genius, Suzies, Dacia Bridges Project

• June 12, 2018

This month’s Local Spins segment on Michigan Radio’s “Stateside” lent an ear to a rising Southwest Michigan star and two psych-rock bands from Grand Rapids. Listen to the podcast and more from Dacia Bridges, Lazy Genius and Suzies.

Artist Spotlights · Kalamazoo · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos

‘Unpredictable Child’: Dacia Bridges’ journey from German mega-star to rising Michigan act

• June 9, 2018

The singer, songwriter and musician with success in everything from heavy metal to dance music has re-established herself in Southwest Michigan as a rising star while fronting the Dacia Bridges Project all-female super-group. Read the back story about this remarkable artist, listen to the full Local Spins on WYCE radio show podcast featuring her in-studio performance and new music from other regional acts, and check out Dacia Bridges videos at Local Spins.

Audio · Breaking music news · Hot Top 5 · Videos

Lindsay Lou holds onto No. 1 spot in the Local Spins Hot Top 5 for May

• June 8, 2018

Four of the five local and regional artists on the May chart were also on the list for April, with only Michigander breaking into the Top 5 for the first time. Browse the Top 5 and sample music from all of the featured artists.

Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts

On the Line’s quest to craft polished sound from complexity: Local Spins on WYCE

• June 6, 2018

The young Grand Rapids prog-rock band was the latest guest on the radio show, which also debuted new tracks by The War & Treaty, Michigan Rattlers, Eric Fulton and more. Learn more about the group, listen to the radio show podcast.

Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos

The Crane Wives keep honing ‘new electric sound’ while growing a national audience

• June 6, 2018

The popular Grand Rapids folk-rock heroes kick off Sparta’s Concerts in Rogers Park series on Wednesday night and play East Lansing and Allegan later this week — part of a busy summer touring schedule for the band. Get the latest about The Crane Wives and watch their videos.

Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows

Summer concerts heating up: Holland, Zeeland, Sparta, Middleville band lineups for 2018

• June 3, 2018

From Delilah DeWylde to The Moxie Strings to Mid-Life Crisis to Brena and much more, regional acts are turning up the heat for a summer of outdoor music across West Michigan. Check out the lineups in four cities.

Artist Spotlights · Audio · Breaking music news

The War and Treaty announce August release of Buddy Miller-produced album with Emmylou Harris as guest

• June 1, 2018

The Albion-based duo’s meteoric rise on the national music scene also brings festival appearances at Camp Greensky, Bonnaroo, Telluride and Newport Folk Festival. Read the inside story of their Nashville recording sessions and how they met Emmylou Harris for the first time.

Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows · Videos

From Camp Greensky to Farm Block Fest, Graham Parsons and The Go Rounds find triumph, camaraderie, ‘the beauty of life’

• May 31, 2018

The Go Rounds play this weekend’s inaugural Camp Greensky in Wellston, with frontman Graham Parsons touting his Upper Peninsula Farm Block Fest & Reunion come July with an “improbable” roster of stars. Get the lowdown and lineups for both festivals at Local Spins.

Breaking music news · Summer Concerts · Venue Spotlight · Videos

Revamped Meijer Gardens amphitheater flaunts new sponsor seating, more spacious lawn area and ‘the wall’

• May 27, 2018

When fans flock to Wednesday’s season-opening show starring Tedeschi Trucks Band they’ll find a dramatically different look to the venue, which also has improved band and crew access to the stage. Take a video tour of the renovated facility and browse a photo gallery at Local Spins.

Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts

Suzies get ‘pretty’ in a psychedelic way, plus new regional music (Local Spins on WYCE)

• May 26, 2018

This week’s episode of the Local Spins radio show showcased Suzies in-studio, plus new tracks by I Believe in Julio, Upstage Crew, Political Lizard, Winnow, Tony Bakker, Baker Brothers and more. Listen to the podcast.

Breaking music news · Summer Festivals

Electric Forest hailed as one of the world’s Top 10 music festivals

• May 25, 2018

A London-based website has ranked the colorful Michigan festival — which spans two weekends in late June — right alongside SXSW and Burning Man as ‘incredible.’ Check out the news at Local Spins, along with links to coverage of last year’s Electric Forest.

Podcasts · RSVP Music Chat · Videos

From ‘American Idol’ to changing young lives through music: RSVP Music Chat with singer Maurice Townsend

• May 24, 2018

Maurice Townsend visited Ralston & Sink’s Virtual Podcast to recap his Top 15 experience during “American Idol” and his work with low-income youth as music director for New City Kids. Listen to the podcast and watch a video from Townsend’s “American Idol” run.

Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows

From The Moonrays to Flexadecibel to Delilah DeWylde: East Grand Rapids, Celadon, Muskegon, Lansing summer concert lineups

• May 24, 2018

Temperatures are heating up and so are outdoor concerts in communities across West Michigan. Here’s the latest Local Spins roundup of schedules for several free series starring regional acts from the lakeshore to Lansing.

Breaking music news · Videos

Watching for Foxes changes name to Winnow; plus new music videos from The Go Rounds, Hollow Front, Shay Elementary kids

• May 23, 2018

The May edition of the Local Spins music news round-up focuses on a new name and direction for a popular folk-rock band and striking new videos from groups on opposite ends of the music spectrum. Listen to the latest EP from Winnow/Watching for Foxes and watch videos by The Go Rounds, Hollow Front and those talented Shay Elementary School fourth-graders.

Concert announcements · Summer Concerts · Videos

97LAV Summertime Blues series returns to DeltaPlex for 2018 with Walter Trout, Jake Kershaw, Lil’ Ed, Lance Lopez

• May 22, 2018

Celebrating its fourth year in the DeltaPlex Arena parking lot, WLAV also is seeking local opening acts for the nine-concert, Wednesday night blues series. See the full lineup at Local Spins and check out videos of some featured acts for 2018.

Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos

Conrad Shock + The Noise bracing for ‘new path,’ second volley of eclectic ‘GR rock’

• May 19, 2018

The band unleashed two robust new songs this week for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted new tracks by Suzies, The Extra Texture, Shanf, Minor Element, JRob and more. Listen to the full radio show podcast, watch the video of Conrad Shock + The Noise’s in-studio performance. The band plays the Local Spins Summer Kickoff in Grand Rapids on May 27.

Concert announcements · Summer Concerts

Fountain Point summer concert series returns with The Accidentals, Mark Lavengood, The Fitzgeralds, Earth Radio, The Ragbirds

• May 18, 2018

The Accidentals, The Ragbirds, Appleseed Collective, Mark Lavengood, May Erlewine and many more regional stars have been booked to perform along the shores of Lake Leelanau in northern Michigan. See the full summer schedule of concerts at this picturesque resort.

Breaking music news · Upcoming shows · Videos

West Michigan-bred Nathan Kalish cited by Rolling Stone as one of ‘10 new country artists you need to know’

• May 17, 2018

West Michigan-bred Nathan Kalish was cited this week by Rolling Stone as one of ‘10 new country artists you need to know.’ Read more about Kalish and his reaction to the acknowledgment at Local Spins; watch a video of a song from his new album.

Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows

Bona-Who? festival set to mix things up Saturday with Jake Kershaw, Don Julin, Asamu Johnson, hi-ker and emerging young acts

• May 17, 2018

The all-day free event outside Cedar Springs this weekend boasts an eclectic lineup of young and experienced Michigan acts. See the full schedule and get details at Local Spins.

Live at River City · Photos · Videos

Paradise Outlaw rocks River City: The HopCat presents Local Spins Live at River City Studios session

• May 16, 2018

The Southern rock-fueled Grand Rapids band fired up the latest edition of the studio series. Watch this week’s performance, listen to the interview, browse the photo gallery at Local Spins.

Concert announcements · Upcoming shows · Videos

The Lone Bellow, Pokey LaFarge, Bela Fleck, Milk Carton Kids, Asleep at the Wheel, Kenny Barron, Leo Kottke to play St. Cecilia

• May 15, 2018

The Milk Carton Kids have been added to the lineup at Grand Rapids’ St. Cecilia, which previously announced its upcoming jazz and Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center concerts as well as the first Acoustic Café show for next season. Get the lowdown on all of the upcoming shows at Local Spins and listen to new music from The Lone Bellow.

Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows

The Big List (May 14-20): Halestorm, Steppin’ In It, Todd Rundgren’s Utopia, Granger Smith, Rhiannon Giddens, Justin Townes Earle, John Pizzarelli, Barley BBQ & Beats

• May 14, 2018

The week kicks off with Big Sandy and closes out with Steve Martin & Martin Short’s Grand Rapids tour stop, with plenty of musical action in between, including special SpeakEZ shows, Hip Hop Appreciation Week, the Bona-Who? festival, Thunder Chicken, The Extra Texture and Stryper. Plus, see how you can win tickets to see Granger Smith.

Weekend Photo Gallery

Brantley Gilbert, Flatbush Zombies, Chris Lane, BoneHawk, Sunflower Bean power up stages: Week-in-Review Photo Galleries

• May 14, 2018

This Local Spins photo roundup of the past week’s concerts across West Michigan also includes a rootsy tribute to John Prine, The Legal Immigrants, Spaceface, Blue Veins, Secretary of Space and more at venues from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo. Browse all 10 photo galleries, only at Local Spins.

Concert reviews · Photos · Videos

‘Amazing’ White Birch Music Festival defies Mother Nature, prevails with ‘rocking’ performances

• May 13, 2018

The first-year festival outside Stanton has delivered sets by dozens of Michigan bands. Browse the Local Spins photo gallery and check out the video of the festival site.

Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos

Grand Rapids’ Melophobix builds on ‘positive energy,’ diverse influences for new album: Local Spins on WYCE

• May 12, 2018

The May 11 edition of Local Spins on WYCE boasted an in-studio visit by Melophobix, plus the on-air premiere of new songs by Coffin Problem, Brant Satala, Brian Koenigsknecht, Act Casual, Andrew Starr and more. Read about Melophobix, watch an in-studio video and listen to the full radio show podcast at Local Spins.

Album reviews · RSVP Music Chat · Videos

Michigander’s ‘Midland’ and Jason Singer’s life on the road to anthemic pop glory

• May 10, 2018

RSVP Music Chat sat down with Michigander for an in-depth and upbeat conversation about his music, his touring, his quest as a career artist, his favorite coffee and why it isn’t “Michiganian” or “Dad Jokes.” Listen to the podcast, read a review of Michigander’s new EP.

Concert announcements · Summer Concerts

Lighting up the Lakeshore: Summer concert lineups for Grand Haven, Spring Lake, South Haven, Montague, Fennville

• May 9, 2018

The free weeknight music series showcase a wide range of regional bands. See and save the schedules for several community concert series in cities along the Lake Michigan shoreline. It’s Local Spins latest round-up of summer shows.

Breaking music news

Jake Kershaw finishes second in Dallas Intn’l Guitar Fest competition; Zellie’s Opry House ends era of bluegrass in Howard City

• May 9, 2018

The early May round-up of music news takes a look at Marshall blues-guitar sensation Jake Kershaw making a splash in Texas and the end of a popular bluegrass venue in Howard City. Get the lowdown at Local Spins.

Artist Spotlights · Podcasts

Local Spins on Michigan Radio for May: Music from The Go Rounds, Lady Ace Boogie, The Founding, The Hacky Turtles

• May 8, 2018

Recorded in front of a live studio audience, this month’s Local Spins segment on Michigan Radio’s “Stateside” showcased two celebrated acts from Grand Rapids and two from Kalamazoo. Listen to the podcast and a Spotify playlist of the featured tracks.

Concert announcements · Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows

Meijer Gardens’ Tuesday Evening Music Club lineup for 2018 to feature Hannah Rose Graves, Moxie Strings, Desmond Jones, Soul Syndicate

• May 8, 2018

The weeknight series starring regional acts will also feature Kathy Lamar, Lipstick Jodi, Hollywood Makeout, Six-Pak, Eric Engblade, Watching for Foxes and more. See the full schedule at Local Spins and find out why bands love playing this series.

Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows

The Big List (May 7-13): Brantley Gilbert, Tony Bennett, Beach Boys, Devil Makes Three, Chris Lane, Andrew W.K., White Birch festival

• May 7, 2018

Holland’s Tulip Time kicks May into full gear but there’s plenty more music on the docket: Lipstick Jodi, Coffin Problem, Rebecca Loebe, Hank Mowery, Marc Scibilia and a John Prine Tribute, plus win tix to see Chris Lane or Rival Sons. See all of this week’s music picks at Local Spins, plus some intriguing Under-the-Radar Picks and a look ahead to shows later this month.

Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery

Punk at Tip Top, Bimini Bros’ 35th anniversary at DeltaPlex, Lindsay Lou, Michigander at Pyramid Scheme, Liquid Stranger at Intersection: Weekend Photo Galleries

• May 7, 2018

The three-day Skitchin’ Fest of punk fury, Bimini Brothers’ 35th anniversary spectacle, tour stops by Lindsay Lou and Michigander, and the wild Bass Country electronic music show powered up a weekend of live music in Grand Rapids, captured in images at Local Spins.

Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Summer Festivals · Videos

Inaugural White Birch Music Festival bridges northern and southern Michigan music scenes

• May 6, 2018

The first-year festival with 34 acts kicks off outside Stanton May 11-13. One of those acts, The Change, led by festival organizer Ryan Williams, was Friday’s featured guest for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted some new regional music. See the full schedule for the festival and listen to the Local Spins on WYCE podcast.

Audio · Hot Top 5

Bluegrass queen Lindsay Lou shoots to No. 1 on April’s Local Spins Hot Top 5 chart

• May 4, 2018

The latest from the Michigan-bred bluegrass outfit led by singer Lindsay Lou Rilko topped all other acts for regional airplay at WYCE, with Vox Vidorra and Lazy Genius also making their chart debut. See the entire Hot Top 5 and listen to tracks from all of the featured artists at Local Spins.

Concert announcements · Summer Festivals

Odesza and Khalid to headline August’s Breakaway Music Festival in Grand Rapids

• May 3, 2018

In the festival’s second year at Belknap Park, the two-day event will spotlight R&B’s Khalid and electronic music’s Odesza, plus Flosstradamus, Jaden Smith, Borgeous and more. See the initial lineup and ticket information at Local Spins.

Concert announcements · Summer Festivals

Euge Groove, Lin Roundtree, Nelson Rangell and Steve Oliver to heat up 2018 GRandJazzFest

• April 30, 2018

The lineup for the free, two-day festival taking place in mid-August in downtown Grand Rapids also features five highly acclaimed regional acts. See the full lineup and details at Local Spins.

Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows

The Big List (April 30-May 6): Sir Mix-A-Lot, Lindsay Lou, Bass Country, Skitchin’ Fest, Bimini Brothers, The Mersey Beatles

• April 30, 2018

Lots of local heroes — young and old — grace this week’s Big List, from teen artists to The Hacky Turtles to Michigander to Cosmic Knot. And see how you can win tickets to see Lindsay Lou.

Breaking music news · Summer Concerts

Jason Mraz concert sells out in 6 minutes, five other shows sell out in first 15 minutes of Meijer Gardens ticket sales

• April 28, 2018

Tickets for the 31-concert Meijer Gardens summer series went on sale today and eight concerts — from Styx to The Temptations — sold out in the first half-hour and six more within 45 minutes. See which shows sold the fastest.

Podcasts · RSVP Music Chat

Taxes, accounting, merchandise sales, partnerships and the business of being in a band: RSVP Music Chat

• April 27, 2018

Ralston and Sink’s Virtual Podcast sat down with Ben Zito of The Crane Wives to talk about how this successful Grand Rapids band is run like a business – and how mistakes musicians make can get them into financial hot water. Listen to the latest podcast at Local Spins.

Concert announcements · Summer Concerts

The Accidentals to fire up Local Spins Summer Kickoff; Perrin’s inaugural Can’d Aid Concert to star Steep Canyon Rangers

• April 25, 2018

Two outdoor events announced today will help launch a summer of music festivals across West Michigan. The Local Spins Summer Kickoff on Memorial Day weekend with The Accidentals and Conrad Shock is also the post-party for HopCat’s Beer Me! 5k Race in downtown Grand Rapids; Perrin is hosting its inaugural Can’d Aid Concert for a good cause. Get the details about both events at Local Spins.

Concert announcements · Summer Concerts

Free summer concerts galore: 2018 lineups for Grand Rapids Jazz in the Park, Hastings, Holland’s Felt Mansion, Allendale, Parchment

• April 24, 2018

Local Spins has rounded up another batch of free community concert series being staged across West Michigan this summer, including the return of the West Michigan Jazz Society’s Monday concerts in Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids. Check out the lineups for a half-dozen summer series, only at Local Spins.

Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows

The Big List (April 23-29): X Ambassadors, Morbid Angel, George Thorogood, Victor Wooten, Maddie & Tae, Kevin Morby, Alphonso Horne, John Waite

• April 23, 2018

Regional acts rule the roost, too, with Cameron Blake, The Legal Immigrants, Indika Reggae Band, Exposure Therapy, The Zannies and more, plus a three-band Feedback benefit Sunday at Founders Brewing, which also hosts shows earlier in the week by Big Dudee Roo and Valentiger. Get the lowdown on all of this week’s live music events via The Big List.

Features · Photos · Videos

West Michigan’s Record Store Day spins vinyl fervor with big throngs, bands, Rolling Record Store and a goofy parade

• April 22, 2018

Saturday’s celebration of independent record shops even drew a pair of newlyweds into the happy fray during a West Side parade, with stores from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo boasting mobs of vinyl-loving shoppers and in-store performances. Browse the photos at Local Spins and watch video highlights from Saturday’s short but exuberant procession outside Dodds Record Shop.