Breaking music news · Concert announcements
Returning will be CAKE, Lyle Lovett, The Beach Boys, O.A.R., Five for Fighting and Sheryl Crow, but most acts are new to Meijer Gardens. See the full schedule; ticket presale for members begins April 26.
Saturday’s anniversary show at Wealthy Theatre will showcase eight eclectic local acts while raising money for, and raising awareness of, juvenile diabetes research.
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
This Local Spins music news roundup goes metal in a female-fronted way, electronic with “Synesthesia” and folk with a dynamic trio of bands playing together for the first time.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements
The mammoth, summer-starting street party expects to draw 6,000-plus folks for beer and sets by Lettuce, Charles Bradley, Break Science, Budos Band, The Giving Tree Band, Fauxgrass and Valentiger. Advance tickets on sale April 18.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
A weekend launched with diverse and bracing folk at Calvin College, St. Cecilia Music Center and Founders Brewing was followed by heavy metal blasts at The Intersection and more as captured in Local Spins images.
Billy Strings & Don Julin, Jill Jack, Rick Chyme, Ralston Bowles and The Northern Skies turned Thursday’s Grand Rapids show into an uplifting and emotional showcase of Michigan’s diverse music.
Breaking music news · Features
Local Spins’ early April news update shines a spotlight on two well-known Michigan music icons: trumpet player Max Colley III and sound expert Bill Chrysler, owner of Redwall North. […]
With decades of professional musicianship in its ranks, West Michigan’s two-year-old Big Boss Blues has quickly made its mark on the region’s blues scene. (Podcast, video)
Thursday night’s Fresh Folk finale at Grand Rapids’ St. Cecilia Music Center promises a dizzying array of eclectic Michigan performers and fans’ last chance to see The Northern Skies live.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Charlie Worsham, Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers, The Sam Roberts Band, Cherub, A.B! and Hawks & Owls also make an appearance in this week’s collection of live music images.
Features · Top 10 Lists · Videos
The time to warm up is now: Topped by the No. 1 hit from West Michigan’s own Frankie Ballard, the 2014 edition of best songs for cottage and lakefront relaxation spotlights summery songs of the past decade.
A Local Spins exclusive: A sneak peek into the Americana-hued five-piece band’s more electric sophomore album, to be unveiled during a Billy’s Lounge CD-release show in May
Who’d a thunk it? Even band frontman David Kirchgessner can’t believe that more than two decades later, the Grand Rapids ska band is as popular as ever.
The buzzed-about Baltimore synthpop band electrified a sold-out crowd at The Pyramid Scheme on the same day that it released its new album, “Singles.” (Review, photo gallery)
As the community radio station’s spring fund drive revs up, WYCE unveils its “881 Essentials,” including about 50 local and regional bands and solo artists they play on-air.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
LadyFest GR with The Blow and more took over The Pyramid Scheme on Saturday, but the weekend also featured Uncle Kracker’s return, Lindsay Lou’s final show for three months and a Traverse City duo igniting One Trick Pony.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
Savannah Buist and Katie Larson have generated a buzz with their catchy folk-rock, caught the ear of Marshall Crenshaw and built a solid fan base. Their One Trick Pony show marked their Grand Rapids debut.
Led by renowned Grand Rapids guitarist Fitz Green, the instrumental surf rock band draws a devoted following at its regular haunts: Rocky’s, Tip Top Deluxe and Rockford Brewing.
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
The debut of the Freedom Cruise June 25-29 will feature custom car and bike shows, a “Freedom Rocks” concert and a special edition of WLAV’s “Blues on the Ball.”
With roots in West Michigan, one of the state’s hottest string trios goes all out for St. Paddy’s hoopla while venture into bluegrass, folk, world music and rock.
Green-clad revelers, green beer and blue skies rocked downtown’s Irish on Ionia, more than 30 bands rocked West Ottawa’s annual two-day music fest and Hillbilly Casino drove 12 hours straight to rock the West Side.
Breaking music news · Features
With hundreds of acts scrambling to get noticed, West Michigan’s own Stepdad, Rick Chyme, The Soil & The Sun and Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers dive into the “zoo” that is SXSW. Watch an exclusive Local Spins video of Chyme’s performance Thursday.
With three recordings under its belt and another in the works, the young Hart duo in this week’s Local Spins Artist Spotlight has a busy week of St. Paddy’s Day performances ahead.
Breaking music news · Features
Since 1987, the beloved pub in Conklin has brought universally acclaimed Irish performers to its stage as well as Celtic musicians from across Michigan. Fenian’s could host its final St. Patrick’s Day parade on Monday.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The Crane Wives, Bennett and Lincoln County Process drew a hefty throng Friday for their rootsy strains, but there was more folk, soul, dubstep and rock in this weekend’s lively gallery mix, from Skankadank to UV Hippo.
The popular Grand Rapids folk-rock quintet unveiled some new songs as it accumulates material for another album and is poised to head west on tour this summer.
The Local Spins Artist Spotlight shines this week on a Grand Haven-area trio with a wildly diverse background and an uplifting message. Mystic Dub plays Odd Side Ales on Saturday.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements
Tickets are on sale for the June 13-15 music fest in Delton, with dozens of regional acts on the bill, including Drew Nelson, Steppin’ In It, Edye Evans, Rachael Davis, Rick Chyme, Ralston Bowles, Lindsay Lou & The Flatbellys.
National acts topped bills for br-r-rracingly unique West Michigan shows, but regional bands Mystic Dub, Root Doctor, Steve Hilger Band, An Dro and more were in the Local Spins photo mix, too
Julia Yob and writing/directing partner Ian Mockerman’s two-hour production about the foibles of laboring in food service launches a three-night run Friday at Wealthy Theatre. And seeds of the musical can be traced to ‘inspiring’ participation in a local songwriters’ alliance.
For nine years, Grand Rapids’ Nobody’s Darlin’ has kicked up its heels with acoustic charm and female harmonies. On Friday night, the quintet lights up SpeakEZ Lounge.
Ann Arbor’s Bad Indians and Chit Chat join Grand Rapids’ Haunted Leather and Heaters to deliver Michigan Psych Night’s debut on Saturday in an Eastown house concert. But just what is it really all about?
The inaugural, family-oriented three-day festival featuring Wisaal, An Dro and Badenya Drum & Dance wraps up on Sunday at Osgood Brewing, boasting “folk music from around the globe.”
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Ogle rollicking winter fun indoors and out in these photos of the Winter Beer Fest, punk bands at the Tip Top, EDM mania at The Intersection, soulful rock at The Pyramid Scheme, sensitive singer-songwriters and dozens of local bands playing the Jammie Awards.
Breaking music news · Concert reviews
WYCE’s 15th annual affair doled out 18 Jammies to regional acts along plus some special Legacy Awards while two dozen bands rocked a full house at The Intersection on Friday night. See the full list of award winners. (Photos, video)
Grand Rapids’ answer to the British Invasion of the ’60s will uncork its ultra-energetic, throwback ditties during Friday’s Jammie Awards show at The Intersection. (Podcast, video)
Friday night’s Jammie Awards hosted by WYCE-FM (88.1) at The Intersection will boast two dozen bands on two stages and a packed house. It’s come a long way since its humble beginnings. Local Spins asked three key Jammie-ites to recount its growth and importance.
Ogle images and videos from a bevy of West Michigan shows: A Tribe Called Red, Nick Moss, Cooper’s Glen and MAJIC concerts, Withhold the Blood, The Trace Duo, Jim Shaneberger, Billy Strings/Don Julin, Bowery, Equal Parts, Ben Daniels Band, Nicholas James Thomasma.
Breaking music news · Features · Videos
Local Spins’ new music update features Grand Rapids electropop phenomenon Stepdad, plus new videos from road warriors Nathan Kalish and Lindsay Lou & the Flatbellys, and up-and-coming Lansing indie-rock act Lights & Caves.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements
After announcing three acts for its summer series, Meijer Gardens has since added Ray LaMontagne and Tegan & Sara to the lineup, with surprises expected in final roster to be revealed in April; Grand Rapids and Lowell also make summer show announcements.
Local Spins asked West Michigan musicians what impact The Fab Four had on their music and what might have happened if the boys from Liverpool had never taken the globe by storm. Post your own comments about The Beatles and you could win a gift.
From the dubstep mania of Datsik to the funky, political hip hop of The Coup to the indie-rock of North Atlantic Drivt to a Tom Petty tribute, Grand Rapids boasted such a busy Thursday/Friday of music that Local Spins had to post this special batch of images.
Breaking music news · Features
Hundreds of bands, dance troupes and theater acts expected to play 45th annual Festival of the Arts in Grand Rapids June 6-8. Get the application details here. A Monday[…]
The Grand Rapids duo in this week’s Local Spins Artist Spotlight draws rockabilly-styled inspiration from Elvis but adds a fresh punk growl. (Story, video, podcast)
Local Spins offers a behind-the-scenes view of the adventures of a West Michigan band as it played the prestigious festival with stars of the folk and Americana scene. (Photos, video)
Local Spins hit the road to cover the Ann Arbor Folk Festival (with The Crane Wives and Appleseed Collective opening), but there were some sizzling West Michigan shows, too.
The January edition of the Local Spins album round-up also features a peek at CDs by Chuck Whiting & The Tip Rail Ramblers, Heavier Than Air Flying Machines and Steven Dobias.
Breaking music news · Commentary
In West Michigan and across the globe, musicians and fans mourn the passing of folk legend Pete Seeger at 94. But his legacy lives on.
Pop acts Daft Punk and Macklemore/Ryan Lewis were huge winners in hype-filled show, but were there under-the-radar stars on music’s biggest night?
The Grand Rapids singer and harmonica player’s much-acclaimed tribute to Gary Primich earns best self-produced album honors at the Memphis awards show.
