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.
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. .
Announcements · Kalamazoo · Upcoming shows · Videos
Electro-pop’s Less is More aims to continue broadening its musical universe as it departs West Michigan. The band plays a farewell show at Bell’s Brewery on Saturday night. Get the back story, check out a video.
Features · Kalamazoo · Top 10 Lists
Check out the latest entry in the “Local Spins Top 10 Rewind Series,” recapping the biggest stories of 2017. This feature about Kalamazoo’s Heritage Guitar aiming to restore the luster of the Gibson factory to make it a destination for devotees of handcrafted guitars drew lots of attention from musicians and history buffs. And find links to follow-up stories, too.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
From a fresh cover of Led Zeppelin to old rarities and fan favorites, the Kalamazoo-bred heroes made the opening blast of a two-night stand a special show for GSBG devotees. Read the review and ogle the photo gallery and videos, only at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The singer’s third album, “Back 4 The 1st Time,” unfurls a positive message through R&B, poetry and hip hop. Read the back story about this compelling artist who’s also head of Kalamazoo’s Black Arts & Cultural Center and listen to her music.
Album reviews · Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Traverse City singer-songwriter and ‘Voice’ star has released the Steve Berlin-produced ‘The Way Back Home’ and will play The Pyramid Scheme in Grand Rapids on Saturday. He appears for Local Spins on WYCE 88.1 FM at 11 a.m. Friday. Check out a review of his new album and listen to new songs.
Artist Spotlights · Kalamazoo · Upcoming shows
The young, award-winning, up-and-coming West Michigan band already has become a staple at top-tier Irish music festivals and has honed a unique sound for its Celtic-driven music. It plays a Grand Rapids CD-release show Thursday night. Learn more about The Founding and watch videos of its songs.
The powerhouse bluegrass band proved its mettle on Sunday night at Bell’s Brewery with bracing covers and originals for a devoted audience that boasted fans from across the Midwest. Relive the show in this Local Spins review and photo gallery.
Festivals · Kalamazoo · Upcoming shows · Videos
Variety rules this popular festival being held at Bell’s in Kalamazoo, with national and regional shoegaze, dream pop and noise bands taking center stage. See the full schedule, check out videos of some featured acts.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
After a Western tour, the band’s album-release shows in Kalamazoo and Muskegon on Thursday and Friday nights were exuberant displays featuring guests such as The Crane Wives and Rick Chyme. Read the recaps, browse the photo galleries and check out the video of a special on-stage pairing of The Crane Wives and Accidentals.
Album reviews · Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
With a new batch of lilting songs about the Great Lakes Basin, the indie-folk duo is set to perform in its new hometown of Kalamazoo and play Grand Rapids’ Lamp Light Music Festival in coming weeks. Discover the back story about this musical couple and watch a video of the first single from their new album.
Album reviews · Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
The Traverse City singer-songwriter and ‘Voice’ star has released the Steve Berlin-produced ‘The Way Back Home’ and will now play several Michigan dates, including Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo. The Local Spins interview and album review.
Headliners SuperDuperKyle, King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizzard, Lizzo and Twin Peaks will be joined by local acts hi-ker and Less is More, plus other national touring acts. See and save the full weekend schedule.
Features · Kalamazoo · Photos · Videos
The well-known Kalamazoo musician heads a fund-raising effort to expand the homey space for area and visiting musicians alike, a way to keep music and the arts alive. Explore the back story, watch a video and browse a Walnut House photo gallery.
Giving and putting others first: That’s the focal point of this annual benefit concert that takes place at Old Dog Tavern in Kalamazoo on Saturday night. See the full lineup and schedule at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Kalamazoo
On the same weekend of a Gibson 100th anniversary celebration, Heritage reveals future plans for a ‘landmark music destination’ at the renovated Parsons Street factory site. Read more about the proposed project in Kalamazoo at Local Spins.
Teen phenoms Jake Kershaw and Sammy Melchi are among the slate of performers for Heritage Guitar’s party commemorating a century of Gibson in Kalamazoo. See the full lineup and read more about Saturday’s special celebration.
Features · Kalamazoo · Summer Festivals · Videos
The nonprofit group will host the Riverfront Music Festival in Allegan this Sunday featuring B&F Union Railroad, Four Got to Shave and more. Explore the back story about this group that nurtures musicians.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
The 15th anniversary festival boasts sets by Greensky Bluegrass, Billy Strings and Charles Bradley & The Extraordinaires, and features a supporting cast of national and regional acts. Read why bands love this annual celebration so much and see the full performance schedule for the weekend.
Album reviews · Artist Spotlights · Audio · Kalamazoo
The band with roots at Western Michigan University revels in ‘creative freedom’ as it churns out distinctive jazz fusion and soul. Read the Local Spins review of the “Nebulushh” EP, listen to tracks by the up-and-coming band.
Artist Spotlights · Kalamazoo · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Kalamazoo indie-folk act celebrates release of its new grant-supported album Saturday at Louie’s Trophy House Grill. Discover the project’s back story and check out videos of the duo’s new songs in this Local Spins Artist Spotlight.
Artist Spotlights · Kalamazoo · Music on Campus · Videos
The jazzy, pop-infused indy quartet with Western Michigan University ties made a Kalamazoo tour stop last week as it readies release of its second album. Check out the Local Spins interview, photos and video featuring this up-and-coming band.
Separated by 47 miles, two highly revered rootsy acts — one leaning toward folk and soul, the other toward alt-country and Southern rock — ignited capacity crowds at outdoor West Michigan venues on Friday, amid some wet weather. Read the reviews and browse the photo galleries.
This special Local Spins “Sunday Feature” spotlights Kalamazoo recording engineer and producer Ian Gorman’s ‘super comfy’ recording studio that’s attracted a bevy of Michigan’s musical stars. And check out the videos and photos.
Concert announcements · Kalamazoo · Summer Festivals
The September event at Arcadia Creek Festival Place in downtown Kalamazoo expands to two days for 2017, leans toward hip hop and math rock acts, plans to add another ‘special headliner.’ Get details about this year’s Audiotree Music Festival and see who else is in the lineup.
Album Releases · Artist Spotlights · Kalamazoo · Upcoming shows
For this popular Southwest Michigan band “it kind of feels like the first album in a new chapter.” The group stages a CD-release show Friday at Old Dog Tavern. Read the back story about this group and watch a video of a performance.
