Festivals · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Fretboard Festival’s return this weekend to Kalamazoo Valley Museum features returning veteran artists as well as fresh musical faces, along with guitars, vendors and more. Get the full performance schedule and more at Local Spins.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
Today’s ‘sneak-peek’ announcement of three concerts booked for the popular amphitheater series boasts impressive double bills. Meijer Gardens also has revealed a new ticketing provider for 2024. Get the details at Local Spins.
Concert announcements · Playlists · Upcoming shows
Already hosting Sunday night jazz jams and Local Spins Wednesdays shows, the cozy downtown Grand Rapids venue starts up Friday offerings in March. Get the full upcoming schedule at Local Spins, along with a playlist of SpeakEZ performers.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
West Michigan’s live music weekend boasted more than just the Jammie Awards, with a Sam Hunt tour stop, an album-release show, a benefit for music programs, the launch of a new pop-up concert series and more — all recapped in Local Spins photos and videos.
Concert announcements · Features · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
Part of a global trend, Sofar doesn’t announce concert lineups or details until the day of the show. Learn more in this story and today’s Local Spins on WYCE podcast — a podcast hat also previews the Jammie Awards and debuts tracks by Steven Malcolm, Von May, The J Hawkins Band and more.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
The Grand Rapids violinist and tunesmith who’s added parts for The War & Treaty’s upcoming new album will close out Saturday’s fundraiser at Hudsonville’s Pinnacle Center. The lowdown at Local Spins with a video and photo gallery.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Upcoming shows
Our preview of Friday’s mammoth WYCE Jammie Awards focuses on several emerging acts who’ve never played the event. Learn more about these bands, listen to their music and check out the complete performance schedule.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Sunday’s rescheduled Winter Wheat and the return of jazz to SpeakEZ Lounge capped off a fascinating week of live music across West Michigan. The photo galleries, videos and more from seven shows at Local Spins, including Jackson Dean, LowDown Brass Band. Spencer LaJoye and Randissimo’s Sunday Night Jazz.
Created by Opera Grand Rapids, Tuesday night’s first-ever production will star DJ Chuck, a string ensemble, dancers and an ‘authentic’ vibe. The back story and more at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows
West Michigan duo frontman Lynn Thompson who plays the Sunday festival has another album on the way. Plus, Local Spins debuts tracks by several other Michigan artists, including Tommy Schichtel, Ficus, The Inn, Samil, Brother Wolf, Natalie Gaza, Troy Ceasar, Aaron James Wright and more.
Concert announcements · Features · Upcoming shows
Nearly four years after the jazz jams were silenced by COVID, drummer Randy Marsh brings the ‘special’ tradition back to Grand Rapids’ SpeakEZ Lounge on Sunday night. The back story at Local Spins.
Festivals · Traverse City · Upcoming shows
The 14th indoor fest takes place the last Sunday of the month at The Village at Grand Traverse Commons, with more than 100 musicians playing eight different stages. The lowdown at Local Spins.
Announcements · Emerging Artists to Watch · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
This year’s winner is an 18-year-old indie-pop artist from the Lansing area who’s captivated fans across the state with a big voice and big dreams. The Artist Spotlight and Local[…]
Announcements · Breaking music news
The Michigan contingent at Sunday’s Grammy Awards — including Billy Strings, The War and Treaty and Bob James — came away empty-handed but still made a splash in their own way over the weekend.
Breaking music news · Concert reviews · Photos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Caleb & Jenna, David Wyatt and Mary Salo won big at Saturday’s 13-act West Michigan contest spotlighting impressive emerging talent. Plus, browse photos from several other weekend concerts across the region, from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo.
The award-winning group soared to the top of the chart for the first time with “Can You Hear It?” Learn more about the band and view the rest of the albums which landed in the Top 5 for January.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE
The Grand Rapids-based singer-songwriter who’s part of a statewide concert series has a unique approach, spotlighted at Local Spins, along with new tracks by other Michigan artists, from Cordero to Laddermatch and Trakzero. Learn more about Billy Blanchard and listen to this week’s Local Spins on WYCE radio show podcast.
On Sunday, three fast-rising, Michigan-bred acts will vie for the most prestigious music awards in the business. Local Spins recaps their amazing journeys to prominence. Plus, listen to a Grammy playlist reflecting their nominated recordings.
Artist Spotlights · Podcasts · Videos
The Grand Rapids singer-guitarist who releases his album next month opened up about the project for Local Spins on WYCE, which also premiered tracks by several Michigan artists, including The Marsupials, Katie Pederson, Mustard’s Retreat, Fangs and Twang, Kyle Evan Pluta and more.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements
From Full Cord and The Bootstrap Boys to Laura Rain and Jack Droppers, 19 bands and solo artists will perform at the Feb. 23 celebration taking place at The Intersection in Grand Rapids. The lineup at Local Spins.
Concert announcements · Festivals
After the one-day Jan. 13 festival was scrapped due to a snowstorm, the Wheatland Music Organization found a way to line up nine Michigan bands for a February soiree. Get the lowdown at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Emerging Artists to Watch · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
With a new single and upcoming SpeakEZ show, the Grand Rapids teen finds the spotlight for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks this week by other Michigan acts, including debuts by Prior Noon, The Westside, Chirp and Evolve Sound.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Grand Rapids artist performing and recording as Silent Spirit opened up about his latest project for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by several Michigan bands, including FlyLiteGemini, Snakeout, J.H. Patton & The Good Companions and more. Learn more about Silent Spirit and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Commentary · Detroit Lions · Playlists · Videos
We musically recount the Detroit Lions’ mostly futile playoff experiences since their 1957 championship while predicting a Sunday win amid more upbeat themes for an NFL team on the rise. The Local Spins column and a unique playoff playlist.
Announcements · Commentary · Features
Today, your favorite online music magazine posts a little year-in-review after wrapping up our 12th year as Michigan’s go-to music website. Help keep our coverage spinning.
Sunday Recap · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Today, Local Spins revisits the top music stories of the past week — local and national — showcases photo galleries from area shows and debuts new music video from FlyLiteGemini and The Claudettes.
Announcements · Upcoming shows
Midwest House will once again host performances by a diverse array of regional artists at SXSW in Austin come March. Get the lowdown at Local Spins and see how bands can apply.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows
The northern Michigan dance band returning to the stage was featured for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted new tracks by other regional artists, including Hannah Rose Graves, Painted Friends, Sammie Hershock and more. Learn more about the Benzie Playboys and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Hot Top 5
The popular singer’s latest album topped an all-new December chart of Michigan releases which also included debuts by Short Panic, Space Bar, LVRS and Ben Traverse & Nick Veine. View the chart and listen to tracks from all of the releases at Local Spins.
Presenting our guide to 2024 Michigan music festivals and kickoff to festival fun, a New Year’s Day tradition at Local Spins. We’ve got tips for festivalgoers and the state’s most comprehensive festival listing.
Features · Top Stories of the Year Countdown
Many fans say the beloved Michigan-bred guitarist has changed their lives. Our October feature digging into unprecedented ardor for the superstar soared to No. 2 in our top stories of the year. Plus, view a new photo gallery of fans and more from Billy Strings’ October concert.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Top 10 Lists
Today, we reveal the Top 10 songs of the year by Michigan bands and solo acts, based on airplay at Grand Rapids’ WYCE (88.1 FM). View the Top 10, listen to the music and this week’s radio show podcast.
Artist Spotlights · Top Stories of the Year Countdown
In a revealing chat, Ionia County’s favorite bluegrass son talks about touring, his adoring fans, taking classical music lessons and his Halloween homecoming. It was Local Spins’ No. 4 story of the year.
Concert reviews · Photos · Top Stories of the Year Countdown
Ringo and His All Starr Band unleashed a cavalcade of hits for a capacity crowd at DeVos Performance Hall in early October. The review snagged the No. 5 spot in our year-end countdown. Revisit the concert recap, photos and set list.
Concert reviews · Local Spins Rewind · Photos · Top Stories of the Year Countdown
At No. 6 in our Top 20 of ’23 countdown: The review of classic rock guitarist Peter Frampton’s tour-starting June show at Meijer Gardens that came five decades after his first West Michigan appearance. Revisit the review and photo gallery on Christmas Day.
Artist Spotlights · Top Stories of the Year Countdown
Local Spins’ interview with Billy’s mother, Deb Apostol, soared to No. 8 in our countdown of Top 20 stories of the year. Revisit his younger years and rise to stardom through the eyes of his mom.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Local Spins on WYCE · Videos
Releasing her first album since 2015, the singer-songwriter was featured for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted new music by several other Michigan artists, including Wuzee & Dusty Fingerz, Abe Savas, Nathan Walton, Radio Vision and more, along with holiday songs by Seth Bernard and Don Benson.
In Memoriam · Top Stories of the Year Countdown
After battling cancer, the groundbreaking radio DJ who pushed WLAV into national prominence in the 1970s died in February at age 73. Tributes poured in, making it one of the top stories of the year.
Top Stories of the Year Countdown
As in past years, our coverage of Meijer Gardens’ opening-day salvo of ticket sales for its summer concert series got plenty of attention. Revisit the story and the fallout here.
Top Stories of the Year Countdown · Videos
Our No. 11 story of the year digs into the early days of Billy Strings’ success with Traverse City mandolinist Don Julin, who says Billy deserves ‘every bit’ of his global fame. Revisit the story here.
Concert reviews · Photos · Top Stories of the Year Countdown
In early June, a capacity crowd greeted country star Chris Stapleton, with Michigan’s own The War & Treaty and Marcus King also on board. The review was the 13th most popular story of the year. Revisit the coverage, including a photo gallery at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Emerging Artists to Watch · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The emerging band playing an album-release show tonight was featured for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted music by The Night Caps, Troy Ceasar, Cal in Red, Michael Waite, Ficus, Annie & Rod Capps and more. Get the Short Panic back story and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Top Stories of the Year Countdown · Venue Spotlight
In June, Chicago blues legend Duke Tumatoe kicked off a summer of music at the brand-new Allegan County venue, which followed up with a day-long Blues Fest. Revisit one of the Top 20 stories of the year.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Photos
After wrapping up a robust fall slate of mid-week shows, Local Spins today announces the roster of concerts for winter 2024, including the return of “Tribute Month” in February. Michigan artists on tap includes Blue Water Ramblers, Sophia McIntosh, Nicholas Thomasma, Selkie, Cole Hansen, John Sanger, Josh Rose and more.
The country and Americana artist has organized Saturday’s benefit show in Caledonia, with more than a dozen West Michigan acts performing and raffles to support Mel Trotter Ministries. View the lineup and learn more about this special concert at Local Spins.
Top Stories of the Year Countdown
In January, the much-respected communications professor, songwriter, disability advocate and frontman for West Michigan’s The New Midwest passed away after a long illness.
Top Stories of the Year Countdown
As always, Meijer Gardens’ announcement of its annual summer concert series generated a buzz in April with names such as Nickel Creek, Ben Folds, Peter Frampton and more. What was your favorite ’23 Meijer Gardens show?
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Unusual, eclectic, electric and elating concerts heated up venues from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo to Rockford this week, all covered in images at Local Spins — from an Out of Favor Boys anniversary to an ‘Ugly Sweater’ affair and more.
Concert reviews · Photos · Top Stories of the Year Countdown
The pop superstar’s two-night stand at a sold-out Ford Field featured “The Eras Tour” debut of two songs. The recap, photos and set list made the Top 20 list for 2023 at Local Spins.
Local Spins Rewind · Photos · Top Stories of the Year Countdown · Videos
Local Spins today kicks off its countdown of the Top 20 stories of the year, starting with our coverage of Electric Forest’s opening day. The theme? ‘Nobody cares what you do here.’ Indeed, an anything-goes attitude returned to Rothbury with wildly garbed attendees and bass-heavy romps. The recap, photos and video from an iconic Michigan celebration.
