Fruition rocks Grand Rapids’ Pyramid Scheme, showing off harmonies, versatility in process
Portland quintet goes heavy on recent releases, speaks up on long-pressing issues and captivates crowd during second trip to venue in as many years.
Portland quintet goes heavy on recent releases, speaks up on long-pressing issues and captivates crowd during second trip to venue in as many years.
Concert reviews · Kalamazoo · Photos
This show “Missed the Boat” and it shouldn’t be blamed on “The Dance Hall.” Sound issues made songs unrecognizable, some fans left early and one reviewer wished he’d run “Out of Gas.” But the light show was groovy. Get the lowdown and a photo gallery from Tuesday’s Wings Stadium concert at Local Spins.
Local Spins’ September roundup of recent releases hones in on War and Treaty’s “Healing Tide,” Seth Bernard’s final Eggtones installment, Red Legs sophomore effort, Pack Sounds debut LP and Chris Cranick’s latest work. Read the reviews, listen to the music.
Festivals · Photos · Playlists · Upcoming shows · Videos
Audiotree gives regional acts such as Michigander, Lushh, Moss Jaw and Jake Simmons WIDR platform with a brand new second stage; brings top tier national talent to Kalamazoo this weekend. Check out the complete schedule, videos, a playlist and more.
Musicians helping musicians. Gordon van Gent, Cameron Drake and their team continue to come up with innovative ideas to help promote the work of the growing number of artists that work with the Kalamazoo-based collective.
Pennsylvania rockers ‘sell the drama’ to the West Michigan crowd and ‘walk in starlight’ as amphitheater shatters summer attendance record. Read the review, check out the photos at Local Spins.
Producer and engineer Ian Gorman’s new Kalamazoo digs will throw open the doors Saturday night to musicians, music lovers and community members during an open house. Read more about the studio at Local Spins and browse photos of the facility.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
Local Spins writer Ryan Boldrey is a Hoxeyville Music Festival veteran. He compiled a roster of highlights from last weekend’s festival in northern Michigan, enhanced by photos from Nathan Purchase.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
With new songs, a new name and a new attitude, the duo formerly known as Less is More brings returns to Michigan this week for a series of FINKEL homecoming shows, including stops in Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids. See what the duo of Brian and Jane Spencer has been brewing up, and check out their latest videos.
The collaborative TajMo tour made a Grand Rapids stop Sunday night to the delight of fans who reveled in the iconic duo’s magic, not to mention the talents of a rising young star. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
A busy Friday night on West Michigan’s music scene brought Chris Robinson Brotherhood to Kalamazoo, Jonny Lang to 20 Monroe Live and Day 2 of Cowpie Music Festival near Caledonia. The images and recaps at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Southwest Michigan drummer, aka Mike Gard, will play The Pyramid Scheme in Grand Rapids on Thursday with Jon Spencer, who opens for the legendary Melvins. Learn more about M. Sord’s action-packed musical journey.
The Grammy-winning pop star’s Meijer Gardens debut on Wednesday showed off the “half-Michigan” Mraz’s charisma and nothing but good vibes for an approving, sold-out crowd. Check out the review, photo gallery and set list at Local Spins.
Manic Music Monday across West Michigan featured a wet-but-uplifting concert at Meijer Gardens, with British songwriter Frank Turner lighting up Bell’s Brewery. The reviews, photos exclusively at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
The southern rock/alt-country band made a Bell’s Brewery beer stop on Thursday, the same night that Piano Cottage Rocks! unfurled the first of two nights in spotlighting teen talent at Wealthy Theatre. Photos, videos at Local Spins.
Kalamazoo · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows · Videos
Big national names and local acts will light up downtown Kalamazoo this weekend as the Kalamazoo Blues Fest returns to Arcadia Creek Festival Place after a one-year divergence to Wings Stadium. See the full schedule at Local Spins, along with videos of some of the featured artists.
Concert reviews · Kalamazoo · Photos
Southern Indiana alt-country rockers Houndmouth, on the verge of releasing their third studio effort, brought a mix of new and “somewhat older” songs to Kalamazoo on Tuesday. Get the review and photo gallery exclusively at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Joe Hertler and crew hit the renowned Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado this week with fellow Michiganders Flint Eastwood and GRiZ, part of a hectic summer that includes Mo Pop and laying down tracks for a new album. Local Spins caught up with Hertler amid an exciting 2018.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals · Videos
The sixth annual festival being held at Arcadia Festival Place in September will feature a brand new second stage, more bands and larger spotlight on regional and up-and-coming acts, including Grand Rapids’ Major Murphy. See the lineups of acts announced thus far.
The Nashville bluegrass stars showed their love for Michigan in words and song, firing up the Meijer Gardens crowd after an opening set from country up-and-comer Joshua Hedley. Check out the Local Spins review, photo gallery and set list from Monday night’s concert.
The sold-out amphitheater crowd basked in high heat and the gorgeous vocals and fiddle-playing of the Grammy-winning artist touring behind her latest album. Read the Local Spins review, browse the photo gallery from Sunday night’s concert as well as images from another weekend bluegrass show at Perrin Brewing starring Steep Canyon Rangers, Mark Lavengood and Seth Bernard.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
A somewhat lower turnout at Founders Fest amid steamy weather didn’t Dead-en the enthusiasm for Saturday’s headliner not to mention five other acts who jammed and powered up sets on a relocated stage for the annual street party. Browse the photo galleryand watch video highlights from Saturday’s big party at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Kalamazoo · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The singer, songwriter and musician with success in everything from heavy metal to dance music has re-established herself in Southwest Michigan as a rising star while fronting the Dacia Bridges Project all-female super-group. Read the back story about this remarkable artist, listen to the full Local Spins on WYCE radio show podcast featuring her in-studio performance and new music from other regional acts, and check out Dacia Bridges videos at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
Hosted by Greensky Bluegrass, which played all three days with all-star sit-ins from Billy Strings, Mike Gordon and others, the inaugural northern Michigan festival hit all the right notes with festival-goers. Relive the weekend in a Local Spins recap by writer Ryan Boldrey, and photo gallery and video by Anna Sink.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
The summer’s first concert in the renovated Meijer Gardens amphitheater had to tangle with Mother Nature, but Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks and crew jammed on with a robust, fan-pleasing performance. Read the Local Spins review of the show (and the amphitheater improvements), browse a photo gallery, scan the set list.
Artist Spotlights · Kalamazoo · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Marcus King Band plays Kalamazoo’s State Theatre on Thursday, part of the group’s ceaseless touring as it builds its audience and impresses critics with its frontman’s eye-popping musicianship. Read the Local Spins interview with this guitar sensation and check out videos of his performances.
Concert announcements · Kalamazoo · Summer Concerts
Local Spins’ latest round-up of free community concert series across West Michigan puts the spotlight on outdoor shows in the Kalamazoo area. Take a gander at the diverse band lineups, then grab a lawn chair and go.
Saturday’s event in Whirlpool Centennial Park dodged the rain to entertain a big crowd with sets by Yonder Mountain String Band, Albert Cummings, Pokey LaFarge, Appleseed Collective and The Grascals. Read the recap, check out the photos at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
The beloved band featuring Joshua Davis and Dominic John Davis revved up enthused sold-out crowds in the first two nights at the legendary Green Door with several more shows across the state still to come this week. Read the Local Spins review by Ryan Boldrey, browse the photo gallery by Jon Rosenberger, check out some video highlights.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Colorado band with a distinctive sound and strong Michigan following plays Bell’s Brewery in Kalamazoo this week. Read the Local Spins interview with mandolinist Drew Emmitt and check out a couple of Leftover Salmon videos.
Concert reviews · Kalamazoo · Photos
Rain forced Wednesday’s concert at Bell’s Brewery inside, where the Seattle-bred rapper unleashed a storm of classics, from “Baby Got Back” to a rendition of Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Grand Rapids jam band headlines Sunday’s Feedback benefit at Founders Brewing, which also recently snagged Desmond Jones to play Founders Fest in mid-June. Read the latest about the band and watch a new video at Local Spins.
The Phish frontman and his band delivered an audience-pleasing musical barrage for a near-capacity crowd at 20 Monroe Live on Wednesday night. Read the review, browse the photo gallery, check out the set list — only at Local Spins.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
The August festival in Michigan’s Manistee National Forest puts some national zing into its lineup, along with regional stars Steppin’ In It, Luke Winslow King, Lindsay Lou, The Crane Wives and dozens more. And a few members of Greensky Bluegrass will be on hand, too. Get details and ticket links at Local Spins.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
Victor Wainwright, Angel Forrest, Jason Ricci & Bad Kind, Nick Moss, Ghost Town Blues Band and more will headline the festival that heads back to Kalamazoo’s Arcadia Festival Place in mid-July. See the lineup at Local Spins and check out videos of some featured acts.
The Accidentals, JJ Grey, Chris Robinson and more to headline the Kalamazoo venue this summer as Greensky Bluegrass trades its traditional Bell’s opener for its own new music festival. See the initial Garden schedule at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Kalamazoo · Upcoming shows · Videos
Now based in Chicago, Ollie Davidson’s duo Almond&Olive has been touring the country with its harmony-driven Americana music and will open for Scythian Sunday at Bell’s. Read the story of this Kalamazoo native’s musical journey and watch videos of the band.
Festivals · Upcoming shows · Videos
The 13th annual Fretboard Festival, being held this weekend at Kalamazoo Valley Museum, will boast workshops and sets by May Erlewine, The Go Rounds, The Moxie Strings, Mark Lavengood Band, Channing & Quinn and more. See the full schedule and festival details at Local Spins.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals · Videos
The one-day May festival at St. Joseph’s Whirlpool Centennial Park will also feature Appleseed Collective, The Grascals and Albert Cummings. Get ticket information and details at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Having the time of their lives: The 67-year-old Kalamazoo bluesmen will open for the Grammy Award-winning Robert Cray Wednesday night at State Theatre in Kalamazoo. Read the back story about how these veteran players landed the gig of a lifetime.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals · Videos
Tickets are now on sale for the May 31-June 2 event on the Hoxeyville festival grounds in northern Michigan, with Billy Strings, Rayland Baxter, Joshua Davis, Fruition and The Cris Jacobs Band also slated to perform. Get details at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Kalamazoo · Upcoming shows · Videos
After making her home in Chicago the past year while exploring new musical connections, the singer and guitarist returns to Kalamazoo for a homecoming show at Bell’s Brewery on Saturday. Local Spins writer Ryan Boldrey checks back in with the talented singer as she prepares for the next step in her career.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
The word is finally out: The iconic Kalamazoo prog-bluegrass band will play and host this new northern Michigan festival May 31-June 2, with more artists announced soon.
Touring behind its new album, “It’s Not Us,” the popular jam band revved it up impressively in old-school fashion in the first of two straight nights at this West Michigan venue. Read the review by Local Spins writer Ryan Boldrey, with a colorful photo gallery by Derek Ketchum and a complete set list from Friday’s show.
Festivals · Upcoming shows · Videos
Hosted for the 16th year by the Great Lakes Acoustic Music Association, Saturday’s affair boasts workshops and sets by Tom Paxton, Michael Cleveland, Don Julin and much more. See the full schedule for this year’s one-day festival.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
The Colorado band entering its fourth decade after releasing its 11th studio album plays State Theatre on Thursday, with Luther Dickinson opening. Check out the Local Spins interview with Big Head Todd frontman Todd Park Mohr.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
More than two dozen regional acts will play the White Birch event at the Morelands Motocross Park; Greensky hasn’t yet revealed the location of its new festival. See the lineup and details for the White Birch fest.
Breaking music news · Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
The Kalamazoo country songstress and eclectic Grand Rapids jam band topped six acts competing for slots at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum’s March festival. Check out photos and a video from Friday’s event, along with details and the lineup for the March festival.
Concert reviews · Kalamazoo · Photos
The West Michigan-bred, Nashville-based country singer unfurled his ninth annual holiday show at Kalamazoo’s State Theatre on Saturday for a jolly “family” of fans. Read the Local Spins review, ogle the photo gallery
Concert reviews · Kalamazoo · Photos
Marshall teenager and blues-rock guitarist Jake Kershaw stole the show at State Theatre, while Tab Benoit did double-duty by later playing drums with Out of Favor Boys at Old Dog Tavern. Read the review, browse the photo gallery. .