Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The 101st edition of Local Spins on WYCE (Aug. 19, 2016) featured an in-studio chat with jazz musicians Steve Hilger and Charlie Hoats, plus the premiere of new tracks by The Concussions, Red Tail Ring, Greensky Bluegrass, London & Rome, The Legal Immigrants and more. (Due to technical glitches, this podcast was delayed a week.)
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The psychedelic Grand Rapids rock band pared back its sound during an in-studio visit for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted new tracks by London & Rome, Eric Engblade, The Muteflutes and other West Michigan acts. Listen to the podcast, watch the video, read the story.
Artist Spotlights · Live at River City · Podcasts · Videos
Grand Rapids uber-talented folk-rock band talks about songwriting, jelling as a band and feta dips – and rolls out new songs for a small studio audience. The band’s intimate performance and interview was captured via video and podcast.
Album reviews · Audio · Videos
From folk to country to metal and more, this August round-up of new releases by Michigan artists covers the gamut. Check out reviews of the recordings, audio samples and see where you can catch these performers live.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
Last weekend’s Hoxeyville festival drew thousands to the northern Michigan woods near Wellston for sets by dozens of artists, including Greensky Bluegrass, Seth Bernard, Billy Strings, Ralston Bowles and more. Check out the recap of this memorable musical soiree.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Rain, a tornado and generally fickle weather couldn’t stop the rock, jazz, EDM and more from churning out across West Michigan on Saturday and throughout the week. Overall, it was another slate of big shows indoors and out, captured in images at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
Despite early afternoon rain that wiped out some performances, dozens of regional acts played dozens of Grand Haven venues as fans strolled the streets and voted for their favorites. And a raffle raised upwards of $40,000 to support musical ventures for those in need. Check out the story, photo gallery and video highlights.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
The opening day of this weekend festival kicked out the jams impressively amid the Manistee National Forest with some big names still to come. Check out the recap, photo gallery and video.
Album reviews · Audio · Upcoming shows
This August batch of album reviews covers an eclectic mix of genres, including releases from Jeremy Ensley, Bill Ellingboe, KidsonFire and The Preservers. Check out these new releases by regional artists, with audio samples to boot.
Local Spins Live · Podcasts · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Saturday will mark the third year for this unusual benefit that showcases regional artists vying for thousands in prizes, with concertgoers getting a chance to win, too. See the roster of performers and Grand Haven venues, lists which you can save on your smartphone.
Artist Spotlights · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Along with fellow headliner Railroad Earth, Greensky Bluegrass will join more than 30 other acts at this weekend’s Hoxeyville music festival in Wellston in the Manistee National Forest. Check out the full lineup/performance schedule and listen to a new Greensky tune.
Beatle-mania descended on Van Andel Arena on Monday, with a sold-out crowd cheering McCartney’s first-ever West Michigan appearance. Read the review, ogle the photo gallery and check out the set list from his Grand Rapids tour stop.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
Some jaw-dropping, lively sets marked the second day of Cowpie Music Fest, not to mention more comfortable, sunny weather that even had Shagbark Farm’s cows , quite literally, mooing their approval. Check out the photo gallery and recap of the second day of action at this rootsy festival in southern Kent County.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
Rain and some delays but didn’t faze fans or acts Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers, The Turnips, Mark Lavengood and more who turned Shagbark Farm into a rootsy festival destination. Check out the recap of the opening day down on the farm and ogle the photo gallery and video. Day 2 gets rolling at lunchtime Saturday.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
Led by Nick Stevenson, the new Grand Rapids band started recording a new EP this week and plays Cowpie Music Festival on Saturday. The band uncorked two songs for Local Spins on WYCE, which also premiered tracks by LVNMUZIQ, Antilogical, Fauxgrass, Plain Jane Glory and Jonny Carroll. Listen to the full podcast.
Announcements · Breaking music news
This mid-August music news update takes a gander at Do-It-Together Grand Rapids’ first-ever dodgeball tournament being held on Aug. 28, and the conversion of a restaurant/bar/music venue into a rental space. There will be no more Friday night jazz at The Waldron.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
This weekend’s regional music fest on Shagbark Farm in southern Kent County embraces the tradition of a friendly atmosphere, with more than a dozen acts on stage, including Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers, Strange Arrangement and more. See the full schedule and save it on your smartphone.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The much-respected pianist and anti-bullying disciple based in Traverse City brings his jazz quartet featuring Don Julin to Grand Rapids’ SpeakEZ Lounge for the first time this week. Peruse the back story about this intriguing Michigan treasure and his remarkable musical journey.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Traverse City musician has hit the ground running and hasn’t missed a step since the popular bluegrass duo parted ways. On Wednesday, he’ll perform in Grand Rapids for the first time with a jazz quartet led by Jeff Haas. Learn more about this mandolin virtuoso in this Local Spins Artist Spotlight feature.
Summer Festivals · Weekend Photo Gallery
From the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival to the Kalamazoo Ribfest to Ottawa County’s Marnia, summer festival season marched on. But there were fun indoor shows last week, too, from Dave Hardin to Desmond Jones to Delilah DeWylde to Cheap Girls. Check out all the images from the past week in Local Spins’ weekend photo galleries.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The Grand Rapids producer and multi-instrumentalist who hosts an album-release show Saturday performed during Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted new music from The Legal Immigrants, Holloway, Melophobix, Silverstiles, Bradley Sinclair and more.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts
The singer and multi-instrumentalist’s return to Meijer Gardens not only showcased the pop flavors from her most recent album, but plenty of rollicking, fan-pleasing rock. Local Spins was there to document the tour stop in words and photos.
Tuesday night’s co-headlining tour stop at Van Andel Arena by the classic rock icons uncorked dozens of audience-pleasing hits. Browse the photo gallery by Derek Ketchum and check out the set lists from the show.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
A rock band’s farewell tour rolled into West Michigan, plus some bracing indoor and outdoor rock, blues and folk shows dominated the landscape in the Grand Rapids area this week. Check out the concert recaps and photo galleries.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The award-winning singer and guitarist talked about songwriting and performed on the show, which also featured song debuts by Stepladders, Tony Gebhard, David Barrett, Matt Plessner and Kari Lynch. Listen to the entire podcast and check out the video of Hardin’s in-studio performance.
Features · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Those flocking to northern Michigan for film screenings at the festival founded by Michael Moore will also find numerous live performances indoors and out by dozens of West Michigan bands. See which bands are playing and get links to schedules.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins Live · Podcasts · Videos
The Grand Rapids indie-rock project spearheaded by Bill Chesney, general manager for Earthwork Music, boasts an all-star cast of guests and ‘a beautiful balance’ of musical styles. Read the feature story about Earthwork’s “man behind the curtain,” listen to the radio podcast and watch his on-air performance of a new song with members of The Crane Wives.
The gregarious musician who’s half of the Channing & Quinn indie-folk duo and host of ‘GR Live’ already has become an integral part of the community radio station. Read about the new guy at the helm.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
The Detroit riverfront festival seemed to hit its stride last weekend despite intense heat and some technical glitches. Check out Local Spins picks for the best and most surprising sets from the weekend, plus a fresh photo gallery by Anna Sink and images by Tony Norkus.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
A hot week got hotter with JR JR playing Kalamazoo for the first time, Coffin Problem’s album debut, South Haven’s inaugural Rhythm on the River, northern MIchigan’s Dunesville and sizzling shows by Warren G, SuperDre, Lyle Lovett, The Outer Vibe, Bootstrap Boys, Josh Rose and The Piano Cottage Rocks. Ogle the resplendent photo galleries from a week of sultry musical magic.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
Crowds grew during the day for Saturday sets by Haim, G-Eazy and West Michigan’s own Borns, who helped deliver ‘electric music solid walls of sound’ along the river. Browse the photo galleries from Mo Pop’s Day 1 at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The Grand Rapids band with a twist on death rock and a Halloween album release date made its debut for Local Spins on WYCE, which also premiered tracks by Coffin Problem, The Outer Vibe, The Change, The Alien Dogs, Elroy Meltzer and John Kite. Read the story about this singular band and listen to this week’s radio podcast.
Features · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
‘Better than I imagined,’ the Grand Haven native says of the ‘Electric Love’ he’s received from fans across the globe as he prepares to play his only Michigan show in Detroit this weekend. Local Spins revisits the Michigan-bred singer and rising star. Read the interview and check out the video from a live performance.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins Live · Podcasts
Alto singer-songwriter Josh Rose is as committed to crafting compelling music worth listening to as any artist in West Michigan. He talked about that and teaching others that craft for this edition of Local Spins Live.
Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
Things are heating up this summer in Ada with a new concert series featuring regional acts playing a vegetable farm. But a RiverHouse Ada concert with Bill Kirchen must be reschedule.
Breaking music news · Features · Videos
Andrew Tkaczyk met up with his bandmates at an Ohio awards show this week as he continues with difficult but remarkable progress at Grand Rapids’ Mary Free Bed from amputation and other injuries. Perhaps more amazing, the band hopes to return to the stage for the 2017 Vans Warped Tour. Read the update; watch videos of the band accepting its award and Tkaczyk getting behind a drum kit.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
Last weekend’s 14th annual festival held on an island at the northern tip of Lake Michigan was unforgettable and filled with fellowship. Local Spins was there to document the event populated by Michigan bands. Read the observations from musicians who attended the festival and browse the photo gallery.
Summer Concerts · Summer Festivals · Weekend Photo Gallery
Indoors and out, country to rock, the week of live music unfurled from Grand Rapids to Brooklyn to Kalamazoo. Plus check out links to galleries from concerts by The Decemberists, Ben Harper and Old Crow Medicine Show.
The second Local Spins batch of mid-year album reviews also takes a gander at new releases by The Ragbirds, Graffiti, Tiles and Christopher Sloan, with audio samples to boot.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
This week’s in-studio radio guest performed two songs during Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by I Believe in Julio, Norty, Watching for Foxes, May Erlewine and more. Read the story, listen to the podcast and check out the video of Plessner’s in-studio performance.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Upcoming shows
The West Michigan band fronted by Jack Leaver and Mitch Wood plays its only summer show tonight (Wednesday) at SpeakEZ Lounge, but the pair vows there will be more performances and another album to come. Read how this super-group was formed and listen to a track from the upcoming debut album.
Lansing’s Common Ground Music Festival enjoyed a hectic week of shows, starting with AWOLNATION and continuing for the next six days and concluding Sunday with headliner Jason DeRulo. Check out the Local Spins images by photographer Tori Thomas.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The weather wasn’t the only thing steaming up West Michigan: Tons of big events and big shows — including some CD-release parties and tour stops by Andrew McMahon, REO Speedwagon, Gin Blossoms and Here Come the Mummies — dotted the landscape from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo. Ogle all the images from a hot week of live music in West Michigan.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
UV Hippo talks about Russell Olmsted’s final show and unveils a new tune for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by The Turnips, Matt Plessner, Bello Spark, Michael Dause and Glass-House. Read the story, listen to the podcast.
Album reviews · Audio · Local Spins on WYCE · Videos
The first batch of mid-year reviews of new local and regional recordings also spotlights Emma Loo, Glass-House, Trash Hounds and Eric Engblade. Check out the reviews and listen to samples from the new albums.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The Grand Rapids band has honed its sound over the past two years and officially releases its new album on Saturday at Long Road Distillers. Read the story, listen to the podcast and check out a video of their in-studio radio performance.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
The longtime side project for members of Hey Marco!, Brett Mitchell & The Giant Ghost and Dave Kellan Band will unleash three performances this week, including a Wednesday show at SpeakEZ Lounge. Read more about these three lifelong musical pals from Midland.
Artist Spotlights · Breaking music news · Top 10 Lists
Beyond the familiar and popular regional artists who’ve already made a splash are a bevy of bands simmering under the radar as one of the ‘next big things.’ Here are a dozen to sample in words and song in the July edition of Local Spins “Acts to Watch.”
Seth Bernard brought “Eggtones for Peace” to Wealthy Theatre Sunday, wrapping up a vacation week for many. Others reveled in live music in the great outdoors. Browse the images from a week of concerts in the Local Spins photo galleries.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Ann Arbor guitarist concedes national exposure on the NBC show was a ‘wonderful thing’ that boosted his profile and album sales. He headlines the National Cherry Festival this weekend with more big Michigan concerts on tap. Read the Local Spins Artist Spotlight profile, listen to his music and check out his upcoming performance schedule.
