Albums that Changed the World · Playlists · Upcoming shows
The Local Spins series revealing albums and artists that have influenced Michigan musicians continues with Deep Greens & Blues founder Travis Atkinson, who plays The Stray on Saturday.
Concert reviews · Upcoming shows · Weekend Photo Gallery
Today, Local Spins looks back at a week of live music — from veteran faves on a Michigan tour to teens just getting started to a G. Love & Special Sauce tour stop — and previews some must-see January concerts.
Concert reviews · Festivals · Photos · Videos
Saturday’s 10-band winter festival at The Intersection in Grand Rapids unfurled everything from bluegrass to soulful pop to Cajun and Celtic charm on Saturday. Check out the recap, photos and video.
Exactly one year ago, Local Spins published a playlist that helped spur our beloved Motor City heroes to two playoff victories. This year, we aim to serenade them to Super Bowl glory.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows
The band’s new music and back story were part of Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Hannah Laine, Jabo Bihlman, Slumlord Radio, Jessica Wolfbird and more. Learn more about Rip Smidgeon and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Festivals · Playlists · Upcoming shows
The 16th annual Winter Wheat Festival hosted by the Wheatland Music Organization rolls out next Saturday at The Intersection in Grand Rapids with 10 acclaimed and diverse acts. The playlist and schedule at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Upcoming shows
The flood of new Michigan music over the past year has been impressive: Local Spins debuted hundreds of tracks & profiled dozens of artists. Get the recap & check out must-see shows for January.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows
Touting a new studio album, Lynn Thompson talked about his songs with Local Spins, which also debuted tracks by Finding Amelia, Metal Bubble Trio, Justin Avdek and more. Plus, get the full schedule for the upcoming Winter Wheat festival in Grand Rapids.
Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
Today, Local Spins announces the winter/spring concert series at the downtown club and restaurant, showcasing Michigan acts and tribute bands. View the full schedule.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Bands and revelers ushering in 2025 celebrated amid a wide swath of musical styles unfurling from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo. The recaps, photos and a video at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Top Stories of the Year Countdown · Videos
The Grammy Award-winning bluegrass guitarist turned into a hair-tossing, metalcore shredder with the band Flesh and Blood Robot during the much-buzzed-about March show. Our review was the top story of the year.
Concert reviews · Summer Concerts · Top Stories of the Year Countdown
The popular amphitheater’s expanded summer series this past year boasted new faces – My Morning Jacket, Black Pumas, Il Divo, Tower of Power –- along with a bevy of returning favorites who sold out most of their shows.
Top Stories of the Year Countdown · Venue Spotlight
With construction of the Grand Rapids’ riverfront amphitheater well under way, Local Spins last summer asked a key player in the project about bands he’d like to see on stage when it opens in 2026. He also revealed other aspects of the new venue as part of an interview broadcast as part of Local Spins on WYCE. It was No. 4 in our top-stories-of-the-year countdown.
Local Spins Rewind · Summer Festivals · Top Stories of the Year Countdown
Hoxeyville devotees flocked in August to the Manistee National Forest for the festival’s final soiree even though several headliners backed out in the days before. It was one of Local Spins’ biggest stories of the year.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows · Videos
Vanessa DeCouto’s debut EP as Crystal Trench found the spotlight at Local Spins, which also debuted fresh tracks by Chris Michels, Trakzero, Lynn Thompson, Adam Main and more.
Top Stories of the Year Countdown · Venue Spotlight
Citing building lease issues, Starlight Room owner Daniel Beckett suspended operations of the concert venue on June 1. Our coverage of the shutdown was one of Local Spins’ most-read stories of the year.
Podcasts · Top Stories of the Year Countdown · Videos
In a revealing interview, the renowned rock frontman reflected on his new music and Grand Funk Railroad’s past triumphs. The story and radio show podcast was one of the year’s top Local Spins posts.
Concert reviews · Photos · Top Stories of the Year Countdown
The legendary Stevie Wonder’s debut concert at Van Andel Arena in October boasted a massive backing ensemble and earned widespread praise from fans. Revisit the review and photos.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Grand Rapids Public Museum hosted a horde of tubas and euphoniums for a seasonal tradition on Sunday, capping a week of concerts starring regional favorites, from Knee Deep Shag to Lighting Matches. The photo recap at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Breaking music news · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The throwback country outfit from GR topped all other Mitten State artists based on radio airplay, ahead of Billy Strings and The War & Treaty. View the Top 10 roster and listen to this week’s Local Spins on WYCE radio show podcast, which also features the debut of tracks by Mystique, Aaron James Wright and Laura Rain.
Album reviews · Top Stories of the Year Countdown · Videos
Our July review of the bluegrass guitarist’s first live album got plenty of attention from Billy Strings fans, making it the No. 12 story of the year. The album has since been nominated for a Grammy Award. Revisit the review; check out tracks from the release.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The all-star, ’90s Kalamazoo band once described as “the sound of cashing a check” released two singles this year and plays Bell’s Brewery Eccentric Cafe this weekend in one of its rare reunion romps. The back story at Local Spins along with a music video for the band’s newest song.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
With the duo performing at Grand Rapids’ SpeakEZ Lounge tonight, Local Spins introduces audiences to the new musical project while also debuting tracks by Full Cord, May Erlewine, Saxsquatch, Caitlin Cusack and more. Get the back story of tanley & Quiggle and listen to the radio show podcast at Local Spins.
Country, Americana and alternative music tunesmith Kari Lynch has hosted the benefit concert for more than a decade. It returns Saturday to Caledonia. The lineup, lowdown and how you can help at Local Spins.
Commentary · Summer Festivals · Top Stories of the Year Countdown
Several Michigan music festivals called it quits after a ‘dismal’ 2024 with others reassessing their future. Local Spins’ November report on the emerging crisis was one of the year’s top[…]
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
This week’s Michigan music showcase for Local Spins on WYCE spotlighted Yuletide tracks by Mitten State stars, from Alice Cooper to Smokey Robinson to The Accidentals. Plus, the show debuts new music by several other Michigan artists.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Grand Rapids band making its final appearance of 2024 on Dec. 11 at SpeakEZ Lounge has big plans for next year and will give fans attending this week’s show a sneak peek into its new songs. Learn more about PHABIES and watch its music video at Local Spins.
Recently making their performance debut in Grand Rapids, the throwback country outfit features members from several popular Michigan bands, led by the ‘high lonesome’ voice of Sam Hess.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
This week’s special Thanksgiving weekend edition of Local Spins on WYCE lays out a banquet of tracks by Michigan artists. Plus, we celebrate the holiday with special performances by three Michigan stars.
Amplified Newsletter · Detroit Lions · Playlists
To celebrate Thanksgiving and a traditional Ford Field showdown, Local Spins has combined its usual Thursday ‘Amplified’ newsletter (nusic news, ticket giveaways, concert announcements) with a special soundtrack tribute to the NFL-leading Detroit Lions. Plus, check out music news, concert announcements and our ‘Song of the Week.’
Contests · Features · Festivals · Venue Spotlight
On Thanksgiving week, readers and music lovers were most thankful for more than a dozen Michigan music festivals and 30-plus concert venues. Check out their responses. SCROLL DOWN FOR[…]
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Nashville-based singer-songwriter who launched his career in the Grand Rapids area has a new studio EP and plays SpeakEZ Lounge on Wednesday with tunesmith Jessica Pounds. Get his back story and listen to music by Kalish and Pounds.
Commentary · Festivals · Venue Spotlight
As the holiday season approaches amid another turbulent year, Local Spins ask its readers and music lovers about the Michigan environments they love that keep the music scene spinning.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Local Spins spotlights the West Michigan bassist and singer, as well as debuting tracks by Third Coast Swing, Hannah Laine, Squatch, Hannah Rae, Nathan Kalish and more. Learn more about Asamu Johnson, his new album and his amazing back story, and listen to this week’s radio show.
Playlists · Upcoming shows · Venue Spotlight
The new owner of the historic building that long hosted listening room-style shows will roll out a series of upcoming live music events boasting a variety of regional acts, starting with The Legal Immigrants and Kyle Brown & The Human Condition. Get more information about Temple Lounge and the upcoming show schedule.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Kalamazoo boasted a busy Saturday of live music with The Incantaions, Them Coulee Boys and The Smokin’ Dobroleles, capping a week that also saw packed shows in Grand Rapids. Browse the photo galleries exclusively at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows
Local Spins spotlights the Grand Rapids jam band with a new studio album, ‘Squids,’ and debuts tracks by Cameron Blake, Dante Cope, The Incantations, Mustard Plug, The JR Band, Mark Farner and more. Get the back story on Desmond Jones’ new album and listen to this week’s full radio show podcast.
Local Spins Exclusives · Special Offers
Just in time for holiday shopping, the 2025 edition of our popular calendar boasts concert photos of more than three dozen Michigan artists, with listings of the state’s summer music festivals. It’s the perfect gift for the music maven or Michigan lover. Order online today.
Breaking music news · Venue Spotlight
The historic 97-year-old venue hosts its final show on Nov. 23 as it works to identify ‘the right people and group’ to take over operations. The story at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The acclaimed teen singer-songwriter fires up Grand Rapids’ SpeakEZ Lounge on Wednesday night with a special show for Swifties and fans of her own pop-laced singles as she prepares to release her debut album and launch a “Boots & Bracelets Tour.” Get the back story and show details at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows
Loving his West Michigan roots, Jason Singer opens up about Michigander’s full-length debut for Local Spins, which also premiered tracks by Sonny Ski, Kyle Joe, The American Hotel System and more. Learn more about Michigander’s holiday shows and upcoming release, and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Upcoming shows
The celebrated Traverse City mandolinist recently unveiled his long-planned, genre-melding recording, with several upcoming Michigan concerts to promote the release. Get the back story and listen to tracks from the new album.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Southwest Michigan band led by twin sisters will make its Local Spins Wednesdays debut while eyeing new music releases in 2025. The band back story and a video at Local Spins.
Features · Local Spins Rewind · Podcasts · Videos
The bluegrass guitarist’s fans traveled from across the country to catch a wild 2023 Grand Rapids concert that folks are still talking about. This year’s Halloween spectacle was epic, too. Check out a video clip from this year’s concert affair and listen to the 2023 Local Spins on WYCE radio show featuring interviews with diehard fans and more.
Commentary · Festivals · In-Depth Report · Summer Festivals
Several Michigan music festivals called it quits after a “dismal” 2024 and others are reassessing their future. Local Spins takes a deeper dive into the emerging crisis with comments and analysis from festival organizers.
Today’s mammoth and grueling Iceman Cometh Challenge bike race in Traverse City boasts riders from Team Local Spins. We have a bike- and race-hued playlist to send them on their way.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Upcoming shows
August the duo plays SpeakEZ Lounge tonight, led by the GR keyboardist and singer. The back story, plus Local Spins debuts tracks by other Michigan artists, including Von Kaiser, Overdrive Orchestra, The Concussions, The Blue Herons, Tunde Olaniran, Chris DuPont and more.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Wednesday’s first-ever Stevie Wonder concert at Van Andel Arena — the next-to-last stop on the legendary artist’s October tour – boasted a massive backing ensemble. Review, photos and more at Local Spins.
Announcements · Upcoming shows
November’s first-ever statewide conference for musicians, concert photographers and poster artists in Jackson will feature art exhibits, band performances. workshop sessions, a music market and more. The lowdown at Local Spins.
Audio · Playlists · Upcoming shows
The Michigander and legendary Motown artist brings his “Sing Your Song As We Fix Our Nation’s Broken Heart” tour to Van Andel Arena Wednesday. Warm up with this Local Spins playlist of Stevie Wonder classics.
