Albums that Changed the World · Audio
Today, the popular Local Spins series showcases recordings that influenced respected Grand Rapids producer and engineer Al McAvoy, from Asia to Depeche Mode. Listen to tracks from all of the albums.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts · Videos
Launching with The Wood Brothers on July 12, the seven-show series in downtown Grand Rapids also features Michigan’s own May Erlewine, Spin Doctors and The Lone Bellow. Get the schedule at Local Spins.
Commentary · Features · Local Spins Fest
As part of our lead-in to Local Spins Fest 2024 in Grand Rapids on Saturday, Local Spins explores the importance of mentoring young musicians. Today, we focus on New City Kids Grand Rapids.
West Michigan’s concert week boasted opening nights for two outdoor summer concert series, tour stops by metal, blues & EDM faves, and some regional stars, including Pocket Watch and The Marsupials. Browse the photo galleries at Local Spins.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows
Local Spins on WYCE debuted fresh tracks from these Michigan artists and more — from Sophia McIntosh to Don Julin — with high-profile shows and tours on tap. The lowdown and the radio show podcast at Local Spins.
The hard rock/alt-metal troika’s tour stop at Van Andel Arena on Thursday also featured an opening set from Tim Montana. Browse the photos and set lists at Local Spins.
Announcements · Local Spins Fest · Summer Festivals
Local Spins is getting revved up for its 12th anniversary party at Studio Park in Grand Rapids with brand new merch for 2024 that celebrates Michigan’s music scene.
Emerging Artists to Watch · Upcoming shows · Videos
The multi-talented band led by drummer Zach Dubay lights up SpeakEZ Lounge tonight for the Local Spins Wednesdays series along with Traverse City’s The Marsupials. Learn more about the band, Dubay and the group’s upcoming shows.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins Fest · Videos
The Local Spins countdown to the May 18 celebration of its 12th anniversary at Studio Park in Grand Rapids continues with a Q&A showcase of the young, fast-emerging Short Panic, along with a performance video.
This early May round-up of Michigan releases features new projects from DuPont Phillips and Elroy Meltzer, along with fresh recordings by some up-and-coming West Michigan bands. Read the reviews, listen to tracks from these releases.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
This week’s guest for Local Spins on WYCE talked about the West Michigan band’s latest project. The show also debuted tracks by Eric Engblade, Tunde Olaniran, Levitator, The Heiden Underground, Tommy Schichtel, Elroy Meltzer and more. Get Kyle Brown’s back story and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
The Tuesday Evening Music Club series for 2024 at Meijer Gardens rolls out its most diverse lineup yet, kicking off in early June with a soul, funk and jazz romp. The schedule and more at Local Spins.
In-Depth Report · Summer Festivals
Today, Local Spins not only unveils the official poster for the May 18 festival at Studio Park, but kicks off its series exploring how area ‘schools of rock’ aim to inspire the next generation of musicians.
Summer Concerts · Venue Spotlight
The Paw Paw vineyard’s sixth-year concert series kicks off in early May and boasts more than 45 concerts. Get details at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins Fest
As Local Spins counts down to the May 18 celebration of its 12th anniversary at Studio Park in Grand Rapids, we’re profiling the festival’s featured artists in Q&As. First up, learn more about Elijah Russ and check out his music via video.
Breaking music news · Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Beyond musical action featuring everything from a Canadian rock mainstay to The Accidentals, the weekend boasted the first Music Econ Summit and a Latvian Song & Dance Festival announcement. The scoop and photo galleries at Local Spins.
The 2024 concert calendar is chock full of outdoor concerts at diverse venues across Michigan, starring national touring powerhouses as well as regional bands. Local Spins has the schedules.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Wednesday night lit up Grand Rapids with three shows by disparate artists in varied venues, from The Accidentals’ ‘Cover Art’ tour stop at cozy Midtown to metalcore’s Fit for a King shaking up the sprawling Intersection. Recaps, photos at Local Spins.
Music and Technology · Upcoming shows
Saturday’s day-long seminar will feature presentations and panels by music industry experts, lawyers and recording artists offering advice on how to be successful in the music business.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Our weekend concert photo recap not only commemorates Earth Day, but Record Store Day, 4/20 and West Michigan’s live music hubbub, from Frontier Ruckus to Alejandro Escovedo to Trifocal, The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band and more. Browse images in 10 photo galleries, plus a video at Local Spins.
With the summer concert and festival season fast approaching, Local Spins asked readers and writers to recount their most outrageous show experiences. Some of the tales are shocking.
Breaking music news · Summer Concerts
The annual ticket-buying rite for Meijer Gardens members resumed only after major system snafus. Still, 18 of 33 summer concerts sold out quickly. The lowdown at Local Spins.
Emerging Artists to Watch · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
This week’s all-new-Michigan-music edition of Local Spins on WYCE featured new, emerging artists: Anaia Lachelle, Metzfire, Future Things, Ryan Cassidy and 56 Tornadoes, along with tracks by established acts such as The Accidentals, Earth Radio and Lipstick Jodi. Learn more and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
Spring has sprung, which means communities across the state are getting ready to rev up free concerts nearly every night of the week starring regional acts. View the schedules at[…]
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows
The West Michigan band was spotlighted for this week’s Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by The Lasso, The Junky Swinger, The Whiskey Charmers, Bruce Matthews and more. Learn more about The Skinny Limbs and their new EP, and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
The expanded 33-concert summer series boasts new faces – from Il Divo to Tower of Power – along with a bevy of returning favorites such as Grace Potter. The full lineup, ticket prices, details and more at Local Spins.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
Michigan favorites May Erlewine, Desmond Jones and Full Cord also are on the docket for the iconic Harbor Springs-area festival taking place in July. View the full lineup, the official poster and get details at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Nashville-based artist plays Grand Rapids Ballet’s Peter Martin Wege Theatre on Friday with Ralston Bowles. The Local Spins interview with Amy Speace, along with two of her music videos.
The alt-rock/pop band took home three awards at Marshall’s Franke Center on Saturday, including video of the year, but a half-dozen other bands and filmmakers won honors, too, including Kalamazoo’s Basic Comfort and Detroit’s Nadim Azzam and Louie Lee among others. View the full list of winners.
Much of the country will be mesmerized by Monday’s solar eclipse, so we’ve created a sun-splashed soundtrack for the occasion. Plus, check out the celestial picks from Local Spins readers.
Hot Top 5 · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
Today’s edition of Local Spins on WYCE rolls out a countdown of the Hot Top 5 Chart of regional releases for March, as well as debuting tracks by a bevy of Michigan artists, including The Accidentals, Matisse, The Bootstrap Boys, DuPont Phillips, Jordan Hamilton and more.
Finalists representing bands and solo acts from across the state are up for awards Saturday, with Jack Droppers, Michelle Held, Louie Lee and Nadim Azzam performing at Marshall’s Franke Center.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
The summer series at the popular northern Michigan venue boasts will expand with ‘a wider variety of genres’ and bands. View the schedule at Local Spins.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals · Videos
A who’s who roster of regional bands — from Chirp and The Bootstrap Boys to Hannah Rose Graves and The Microtones with Don Julin — will light up the August music festival in southern Kent County. Details, links at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The eclectic folk-rock band just released “On the Northline,” its first release since 2017, with several Michigan shows on tap over the next month. The revealing Local Spins interview with songwriter Matthew Milia.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The multi-instrumentalist who’s run Rockford’s Planet Sunday for 12 years is featured for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by The War & Treaty, Caliko, Ryn Scott, Harry Dean & The Dusty Boys, Mama’s Hot Sauce, Glassfield and more. Get Joel Ferguson’s back story and listen to today’s Local Spins on WYCE radio show podcast.
Concert announcements · Contests · Summer Festivals
Nathan Walton & The Remedy will headline the May 18 festival at Grand Rapids’ Studio Park that will also feature Elijah Russ, Short Panic, teen bands and more in celebrating Local Spins’ 12th anniversary. Get all the details, ticket links and more at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Michigan’s masterful, eclectic multi-instrumentalist plays Traverse City on Saturday and a big 75th birthday bash at Ann Arbor’s The Ark on April 2. The Local Spins interview with a beloved musician and collaborator.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
The Grammy Award-winning bluegrass guitarist turned into a hair-tossing, metalcore shredder with the band Flesh and Blood Robot during the sold-out Sunday show. The recap, photo gallery and video highlights at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
It wasn’t ALL about St. Patrick’s Day when it comes to live music this past week (though there was plenty of that). The Stray’s Battle of the Bands continued, plus West Michigan saw tour stops by several national fan-wowing acts — including Circles Around the Sun — as well as shows by some regional favorites. And it was all recapped in photos at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Festivals · Photos
Thousands of merrymakers packed streets in downtown Grand Rapids for Michigan’s largest St. Patrick’s Day street party while others jammed into places such as Quinn & Tuite’s Irish Pub. Photos, videos at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The pop-hued singer-songwriter who first made a splash with “Someday, Someway” in the 1980s plays St. Cecilia Music Center next Friday with a Brighton concert also on tap. The Local Spins interview.
Album reviews · Audio · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
This month’s round-up recapping new Michigan releases also takes a sneak peek into recordings by Laddermatch, Ryan Lynch and The J Hawkins Band. Plus, listen to tracks from all of the releases
St. Patrick’s Day revelry begins early this week and continues through the weekend across West Michigan. Get the lowdown on Irish on Ionia and performances at other watering holes in the region in this preview. We’ve got the details and party listings.
Features · Local Spins at SXSW · Upcoming shows
March always signals a pilgrimage of musicians and singer-songwriters from across the globe seeking exposure for their art at Texas’ South by Southwest, with dozens of them from Michigan. The lowdown and the lineup at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
From Grand Rapids to Muskegon to Kalamazoo, live music fans got to experience lots of new acts and environments while also embracing some tried-and-true favorites — all recapped in images at Local Spins. Check out photos/videos of Gyasi, The Fat Animals, Roosevelt Diggs, Jay Gavan & The Flying Leaps, the Vultures John Mayer Tribute and more.
Designed to encourage Michigan artists to collaborate with other musicians, the competition will accept song entries from April 1 to May 31. Get details and link to enter at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Emerging Artists to Watch · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The award-winning singer-songwriter and performer unfurled new music for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Desmond Jones, The Skinny Limbs, Rachel Brooke, Rip Smidgeon, Inaudible Darling and other Michigan artists.
The February chart representing the most-played Michigan albums at WYCE boasted everything from rock to ska to folk to country to funk. View the chart, listen to tracks from all the releases.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
West Michigan tour stops were just part of an active live music week with Chase Matthew, Crankdat, Celeste Allison, Payton & Annabelle, Garbage Angel and more lighting up stages. Browse all of the photo galleries and a video at Local Spins.
