As we enter our 14th year, we recap 2025 at Local Spins by looking back at the numbers — our flurry of stories, photo galleries, reviews, podcasts and more that embrace Michigan’s music scene. We haven’t been able to do it without your support.
Concert Recaps · Weekend Photo Gallery
Local Spins’ first weekend-concert-photo roundup of the year showcases audience-igniting shows at The Pyramid Scheme and Four Star Theatre. Browse all of the images.
Features · Festivals · Upcoming shows
Check out our picks for must-see shows across the region and the state, from Winter Wheat to World of Winter to the Ann Arbor Folk Festival and plenty of riveting concerts in between. Plus view videos from many of the performers.
Features · Summer Concerts · Top Stories of the Year Countdown
As the year end approaches, Local Spins’ countdown of its top 2025 stories hits No. 2 and No. 3 — our in-depth look back at Prince’s impact and the continued popularity of Meijer Gardens concerts.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Our recap of musical romps from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo casts a wide net in terms of styles and traditions, from Mustard Plug’s ska spectacle to a folk duo’s tribute to Simon & Garfunkel. Browse the photos.
Playlists · Top Stories of the Year Countdown · Videos
Local Spins’ countdown of its top stories of the year continues with our Jack White playlist that coincided with the Detroit rocker’s rousing Thanksgiving halftime show at Ford Field. Plus, check out the video of that show.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
From Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo to Caledonia, Michigan bands celebrated the holidays in their own, inimitable ways. The recaps and photo galleries at Local Spins.
Audio · Best Music of the Year · Videos
From Perfume Genius to NF to Rosalia, the roster of impressive albums cited by Local Spins writers covered a lot of territory in 2025. View their picks — along with some selections submitted by readers — and listen to this week’s Michigan Music Showcase featuring some of the best tracks by Michigan artists.
Photos · Summer Festivals · Top Stories of the Year Countdown
The guitar phenom in June headlined Day 1 of the Charlotte Bluegrass Festival, the first festival he ever attended as a boy. Later that night, sadly, his mother died. The recap in our top stories countdown.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Local Spins’ week-in-review roundup of concerts as the weather turned frigid features sizzling hot shows from national stars and regional favorites. Browse the photos and a video, including Sunday’s tour-ending Grand Rapids concert by Soul Coughing.
With the holidays fast approaching, Local Spins digs into four recent album and EP releases by Michigan artists. Check out our takes on these recordings and listen to tracks from all of them.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The week started and ended with a bang … at different ends of the musical spectrum. Maddy O’Neal, The Claudettes, Cold Leather Seats, Ghost-Note and Miki Yamaka are also part of the Local Spins live music-in-review roundup. Browse all of the photo galleries.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Winter arrived in Michigan with a snowy bang over Thanksgiving weekend, but bands from Kalamazoo to Traverse City heated up stages in spite of the weather, including Desmond Jones’ traditional day-before-Thanksgiving romp. View the photos at Local Spins.
With the holidays fast approaching, Local Spins recaps several new releases by Michigan artists — not only to showcase their varied music, but give you ideas for the music lovers on your shopping list. Listen to tracks from all of the releases.
Announcements · Festivals · Photos · Special Offers
They’re back and for 2026, they’re more resplendent than ever. The Local Spins 2026 Calendars are photo-laden Michigan-centric keepsakes that make stellar holiday gifts. Order yours today because supplies are limited.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Top-shelf songwriting from Brett Dennen, Luke Winslow-King and others — along with stellar musicianship — took the spotlight at several concerts across West Michigan over the weekend. Plus, check out videos and photos from the jam-packed ‘Laurel Canyon II’ tribute night.
To heat things up for our upcoming year-end round-up of best concerts and albums of 2025, we’re revealing the Top 5 concerts based on reader counts of concert reviews, and asking readers to submit their favorites, too. Those that do will be entered into a drawing for a Local Spins gift pack.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Saturday night’s benefit for Sullivan Field drew a robust crowd for Joe Hertler and The Hacky Turtles. Plus, view photos from tour stops by Thomas Dolby, SoDown, Bobby Watson and YDG, with regional favorites Ghost Bunnies, Jake Simmons and more in our concert photo gallery roundup.
Album reviews · Audio · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
Today, Local Spins not only reviews new albums by Michigan artists, but presents this week’s edition of the Michigan Music Showcase featuring the latest tracks from 11 Mitten State bands and solo acts. Check out the reviews, listen to the radio show podcast and see where some of these artists will be performing.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Country singer Ryan Hurd, jam band Dogs in a Pile, Here Come the Mummies and more filled up a weekend of live music that also included the second annual GIG conference in Jackson. Browse the photo galleries.
Sunday’s tour stops by artists with new albums featured pop-punk’s All Time Low at GLC Live at 20 Monroe and singer-songwriter Josh Ritter at St. Cecilia. The recaps and photos at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Musical contrasts were everywhere when it comes to West Michigan concerts to close out October and kick off November. From bluegrass heroes Greensky Bluegrass and Americana’s The Rebel Eves to heavy metal’s Mushroomhead, Local Spins recaps the week in scintillating images.
Dressed appropriately for their silver anniversary, Greensky Bluegrass revved up Kalamazoo fans at Wings Event Center on Friday with two sets featuring guests Sam Bush and Lindsay Lou. The Local Spins recap and photos.
Upcoming shows · Venue Spotlight · Videos
The ‘Destination Live Music’ video series spotlights The Stage at The Corner in partnership with Local Spins. Learn more about the Muskegon venue and see what’s on tap for this unique building, including Friday’s special Halloween show.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Kathleen Edwards, Neon Trees, John Morgan, Lindsay Lou, Lower Leisure Class, Candid Antics, The Local Commuters and Garbage Angel highlighted the week of live music from Kalamazoo to Grand Rapids to Traverse City, recapped in Local Spins photos.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
From Lawrence’s soul-pop at GLC Live, Tauk’s fusion at Elevation and ATliens wild EDM at The Intersection to more intimate affairs at Wealthy Theatre (May Erlewine), Bell’s (Craig Finn), SpeakEZ (Evidence Jazz) and Glow Hall (Cal in Red), it was an upbeat weekend of live music. Get the recaps and browse the photos at Local Spins.
Halloween concerts and parties are revving up as October descends into eerie spookiness. Here’s a roster of frighteningly fun shows with musical treats to consider. Plus, we have a passel of playlists to scare the pants off you.
Album Releases · Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
Today’s music news box score: Billy Strings is releasing a Third Man Records compilation, All Time Low — with Michigan stops ahead — is battling some health issues, Traverse City boasts riveting fall concerts and West Michigan has several intriguing benefit shows on the horizon.
Commentary · Local Spins Rewind
10 years ago to the day, West Michigan’s Josh Rose voiced his plea for no-frills, no-texting, no-talking milieus at concerts as vital for performers and fans. He still hankers for that. Local Spins Rewind revisits that column with some updates a decade later.
Our mid-October roundup of recent releases by Great Lakes State artists delves into indie-folk, hip hop and electro-pop. Check out the reviews and listen to the music at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Call it a weekend to celebrate new albums and fresh music performed by some regional favorites. Molly, Erin Monroe, Abe Savas and Zero Sun provided an eclectic mix for enthused fans. Browse the photos at Local Spins.
Announcements · Contests · Photos · Summer Festivals
In early June, we asked music fans attending summer festivals across Michigan to submit their favorite photos from their musical jaunts. Today, we crown the winner. Plus, browse photos of all of the contest entries and select galleries from Local Spins photographers from the 2025 summer festival season.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
West Michigan’s music week took interesting turns: folk-rock, Southern-fried Americana, punky folk-bluegrass, Pulaski Days polkas, performances at the Great Lakes Music Camp. Images at Local Spins. SCROLL DOWN FOR[…]
October means most live music has moved indoors — but certainly not all of it. Local Spins rounds up some of the state’s must-see shows as autumn settles in.
Features · Summer Concerts · Summer Festivals
Staff and fans offered a long list of summer 2025’s most impressive shows, including Billy Strings, Blissfest, The Revivalists, Alison Krauss, Wheatland, The Accidentals and more. View their picks; add your own.
Breaking music news · Venue Spotlight
Dan and Holly Carmichael of Lead Balloon Productions have purchased the historic Kalamazoo theater, with plans for renovations and reopening the landmark for concerts and comedy shows. The story at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
Reflecting the milieu of the entire seven-day music festival, Sunday’s closing salvo at Bronson Park boasted a wide swath of styles amid stellar weather. The recap and photos at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
West Michigan’s live music weekend boasted no shortage of stars — national and regional, from a fast-rising country singer with a multi-talented Michigander in tow to summer’s final blast at Bell’s Beer Garden and more. View the photos and videos, exclusively at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Our week-in-review of West Michigan concerts boasts milestone performances and a send-off show for a Grand Rapids singer, plus The Baseball Project, Superchunk, The Bootstrap Boys and more. Get the show recaps and browse the photos at Local Spins.
Thursday brought three national tours to Grand Rapids at three different venues — pumping up fans for far different live music experiences. Browse the photo galleries at Local Spins.
National Public Radio’s ‘Fresh Air’ last week aired a revealing interview with the Ionia County-bred bluegrass star, who’s still haunted by the overdose death of his mother. We revisit excerpts at Local Spins.
Summer Festivals · Weekend Photo Gallery
Music lovers couldn’t have asked for much more: Regional bands at Vibes Fest, Celtic strains in Muskegon, an M-45 Celebration, two album-release shows in Kalamazoo and a tour stop by Soccer Mommy. The photos at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The early September flurry of concerts and festivals across West Michigan included a long-running Grand Rapids street fair and celebrations in Kalamazoo, plus concerts featuring Jauz, The Nuance, Sunny War and more. Browse the photo galleries and come back to Local Spins on Tuesday for full coverage of the Wheatland Music Festival.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The harmony-laden California duo return to The Ark in Ann Arbor on Monday and St. Cecilia Music Center in GR on Tuesday for a night of indie-folk. Tuesday’s show kicks off the fall Acoustic Cafe Folk Series.
The shining, award-winning bluegrass star captivated fans on Friday. Check out the Local Spins review by West Michigan fiddler Keala Venema, who performs with the area bands Whorled, Candid Antics and others. Check out the review and browse the photos at Local Spins.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
The 52nd Wheatland Music Festival unfurls in Remus this weekend with big names such as Solas and Steve Poltz, plus Michigan faves The Go Rounds, Benzie Playboys and more. The Local Spins preview, with a full performance schedule.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Labor Day weekend has brought celebrations of varied nature to West Michigan, from homecoming shows for the Motor City Madman to a spotlight on emerging female artists. View the photos at Local Spins.
The Texas-born, neo-traditional country singer rode into Meijer Gardens on Monday night to deliver more than two dozen songs from his robust catalog. The Local Spins review and photos.
Concert reviews · Photos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Umphrey’s McGree returned to Meijer Gardens for a weekend-ending, jam-filled, prog-rock-infused spectacle, the day after Greensky Bluegrass finished a bluegrass stint at Interlochen. Plus, shoegaze bands revved up a new Kalamazoo venue. Photos.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
The soulful Americana stars didn’t let rain and a power outage prevent them from delighting fans Saturday with an acoustic performance following the city’s 20-band Walk the Beat fest — with Lowell’s The Nuance winning this year’s competition. Recap, photos, video
