Breaking music news · Features · Videos
Kent County Administrative Health Officer Adam London cautions venues, performers and fans that the reopening of bars and restaurants comes with rigid rules and risks of spreading COVID-19, especially when it comes to live music at this critical juncture. The Local Spins interview with some advice for fans, performers and businesses.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
Michigan’s hallowed Wheatland in September is bowing to COVID-19 out of safety concerns. But organizers of a mid-July festival on an island in northern lake Michigan still plan a mini-event with limited crowds. Get details about both festivals at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
COVID-19 still has many communities wrestling with decisions to host free concerts this summer. Get the update at Local Spins along with the full schedule of July shows in Cutlerville.
Breaking music news · Features · Venue Spotlight · Videos
The video for the rock band’s single, ‘Fearless,’ was released today, filled with images of exuberant fans during a November 2019 Kalamazoo tour stop. Get the back story and watch the video at Local Spins.
Announcements · Breaking music news · Features
The longtime Michigan music collective re-emerges today after a two-year overhaul with a revamped organizational structure, a slate of new artists and some live-stream performances. Get the full story at Local Spins along with some videos of Earthwork artists.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
As feared by many fans, the high-profile 2020 amphitheater shows won’t take place, but a ‘modified’ Tuesday Evening Music Club series featuring regional stars might be possible. The announcement follows similar decisions by Grand Rapids’ Upheaval Music Festival and Grand Haven’s Coast Guard Festival to cancel due to COVID-19 concerns. Details at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Traverse City
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer today announced easing COVID-19 restrictions for restaurants and bars in the Traverse City area and the U.P. for Memorial Day weekend, but social-distancing still critical and a big concern. The story and comments from a shuttered Traverse City brewery at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
Leaders of the July festival starring The 1975 and Khalid join live music event organizers in other Michigan cities – Muskegon, Grand Rapids, Rockford and Niles – in pulling the plug on summer musical celebrations due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Announcements · Breaking music news
Amid the current COVID-19 crisis, Local Spins ‘goes to 11’ today by launching a new email newsletter with exclusive content and a chance to win swag. Get the details and sign up for the free newsletter if you’re not already a subscriber.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
Citing concerns about the coronavirus pandemic, the music festival hosted by Buses by the Beach along Lake Michigan between Holland and Grand Haven announced that it was forced to take the year off, with plans for returning in 2021. It joins the Charlotte Bluegrass Festival, Summer Solstice Jazz Festival, Dam Jam and other events which have recently canceled 2020 celebrations. Get details at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
After weeks of speculation, festival organizers made the decision to cancel the sold-out late June festival in Rothbury. Ticketholders can retain their wristbands for 2021 or request refunds. Get details at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
The longstanding, much-beloved event near Harbor Springs was to celebrate its 40th anniversary this year, but won’t take place due to COVID-19. Find more information and links at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
The mammoth, one-day country music celebration hosted by radio station B-93.7 was to take place on June 20, but will be pushed back due to the coronavirus pandemic. Get details at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Summer Festivals
The beloved northern Michigan and Upper Peninsula music festivals that take place in June and July, respectively, cited uncertainty and concerns about the health of attendees, musicians and volunteers in moving the events to 2021. Get more details at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
Another Michigan music festival has fallen victim to the coronavirus pandemic. This time, it’s the relatively young Camp Greensky hosted by Greensky Bluegrass. Get details at Local Spins, along with news about other June festivals.
Breaking music news · Summer Festivals
Festival organizers had asked to postpone the popular festival until September. They now say they’re “exploring all our options.” Read more about the situation, along with comments from ticketholders.
Breaking music news · Features · Venue Spotlight · Videos
The well-known radio personality has partnered with Big Event Studios to showcase videos of regional and national stars in a rustic freight elevator, starting with local legend Bobby Haggard. The story and video at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Features · Videos
The band wants singers to take video and record themselves as they croon along to a track, then submit their parts as a “virtual choir” for use in the Earth Radio song and a new video. Check out details and sing along to Earth Radio’s song at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Concert reviews · Videos
Viewers across the globe tuned in to the four-day live-streamed festival hosted by the Michigan Music Alliance with sets by 40 artists who broadcast from their own homes. The alliance kicks off a new online concert series tonight. See how many people watched the performances and get details about the Michigan Music Alliance’s fundraising efforts at Local Spins.
Announcements · Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
The state’s music scene continues to be affected by the coronavirus crisis and some of the news is good: Self-employed songwriters and others will be eligible for loans and aid, and on-line performance opportunities abound. Check out the news roundup at Local Spins. And now, the state has expanded unemployment benefits to self-employed and low-wage workers.
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows · Videos
The coronavirus pandemic that’s canceled hundreds of concerts has sparked a flood of online shows by artists who play for at-home audiences. And Local Spins has started a new calendar listing to spotlight those shows. Get the lowdown on this growing trend and watch some recent live-streamed shows.
Breaking music news · Summer Festivals
The 51st edition of the downtown festival was slated to take place in early June but is being shelved with “the community’s best interests in mind.” One performer called it “heartbreaking.” Details at Local Spins.
Announcements · Breaking music news
With hundreds of concert cancellations and today’s statewide bar closure order dealing a blow to bands, the new relief fund is seeking donations which will help Michigan musicians who qualify via applications to recover some financial losses. The lowdown at Local Spins, with links to donate or apply for assistance.
Breaking music news · Venue Spotlight
Grand Rapids-area bars, restaurants and concert venues already jolted by cancellations due to the crisis will now be closed after some had predicted a complete shutdown was imminent. Scores of concerts have been canceled. The story at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s decision to ban events drawing more than 250 people to stem the spread of the coronavirus has forced the closures, though smaller bars still plan to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Dozens of concerts have been canceled or postponed; the lowdown at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements
Anxiety about the spread of coronavirus COVID-19 has forced promoters, venues and bands to cancel or postpone numerous shows in March and beyond. But Thursday’s Lauren Daigle show went on as scheduled. See what shows have been postponed in West Michigan thus far and view a photo gallery from the Daigle concert at Van Andel Arena.
Breaking music news · Festivals
After Gov. Gretchen Whitmer recommended state residents avoid large gatherings, street party organizers postponed the event to summer. And concert venues are “feeling uneasy” amid this “uncharted territory.” Read more about the reaction to this pandemic at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Local Spins at SXSW
With concerns about the outbreak swirling, organizers of the Michigan House pop-up venue in Austin had held off travel to Texas, but are disappointed with the unprecedented decision to scrap SXSW for the first time in 34 years.
After nearly two years leading the Grand Rapids community radio station, Griffin will return to life as a musician, teacher and entrepreneur. A search for his replacement will begin in March.
Breaking music news · Summer Concerts
After five summers at the DeltaPlex Arena parking lot in Walker, the blues series will return to Rosa Parks Circle on three summer nights. Get details at Local Spins.
The well-known bassist and Lowell native who performed with Nathan Kalish, Al & The Black Cats and DangerVille passed away unexpectedly on Monday. Read more about Eric Soules at Local Spins. A memorial celebration will take place in Ionia on Friday.
Breaking music news · Concert reviews · Videos
West Michigan’s biggest night of music packed The Intersection with performers and fans on Friday night, with awards presented to the best releases of 2019. View the full winners’ list at Local Spins along with a photo gallery from the big event.
Artist Spotlights · Breaking music news · Videos
The Local Spins award for 2019 goes to the Kalamazoo hip hop cellist who’s turned heads everywhere he’s played. Learn more about Jordan Hamilton’s meteoric rise in this Artist Spotlight and watch a video from a recent performance at Grand Rapids’ Listening Room.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Videos
In a sneak preview to its 2020 concert series, Meijer Gardens today announced four shows to whet the appetite of fans. Details at Local Spins.
Audio · Breaking music news · Local Spins at SXSW · Upcoming shows
For the sixth year, Michigan House will set up shop in Austin for the March South by Southwest festival, promoting Michigan music, entrepreneurs and innovation. See which Michigan bands are playing this year’s show and listen to their music at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Breaking music news · Kalamazoo
A track by the Kalamazoo singer and guitarist who shares his music with seniors across the Midwest will be featured in a radio release from Kentucky’s “Woodsongs Old-Time Radio Hour.” Get the back story and listen to the song at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Features · On Campus · Photos
Douglas R. Gilbert’s historic photos of a young Dylan and many other artists from the 1960s now belong to the Grand Valley Art Gallery. The back story — with some of those classic images — at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
Albion’s Michael and Tanya Trotter will be part of a star-studded “Grammy Moment” performance. The band also released two new singles on Friday. Get the lowdown in this music news update from Local Spins and listen to The War and Treaty’s new songs.
Announcements · Breaking music news · Local Spins on WYCE · Upcoming shows
Michigander, Lipstick Jodi, JRob, Patty PerShayla, Last Gasp Collective and 20 other acts are on tap for WYCE’s mammoth Feb. 14 event. Check out the full roster of performers and the reaction of nominees chosen to play the 21st annual awards show.
Audio · Breaking music news · Hot Top 5
The most-played local tracks on WYCE in December came from a fresh batch of artists who also showed up among nominees for Jammie Awards for best regional music releases of the year. Browse the latest Hot Top 5 chart, listen to songs from the featured artists and view the 2020 nominees for best album by a new artist.
Breaking music news · Summer Festivals
The Electric Forest announcements top news items about several 2020 Michigan music festivals. Get the lowdown on new Electric Forest features, changes in other Michigan festivals and links at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
The double-album with 30-plus tracks by Mitten State artists raises funds for the Bowles family. It gets released Monday at Grand Rapids’ Listening Room when members of The Accidentals and two other songwriters play a new Local Spins concert series. Listen to songs from the album, get details about this special Michigan-centric project at Local Spins.
Watch the inventive video exclusively at Local Spins — the latest from Jack Droppers & The Best Intentions. And learn more about Droppers’ upcoming new role as director of Calvin University’s Student Activities Office, which oversees the university’s concert series and other programs.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Kalamazoo · Summer Festivals
The Kalamazoo Valley Blues Associations aims to partner with the Kalamazoo Growlers for the August event, with four upcoming fundraising concerts at Shakespeare’s Pub to help finance the festival. Learn more at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Summer Concerts · Summer Festivals
The popular downtown jazz festival will be replaced by a concert series next year. Some Grand Rapids celebrations — including the Asian-Pacific Festival and Polish Festival — will move to Calder Plaza due to scheduled renovations at Rosa Parks Circle. The story at Local Spins.
After playing a Detroit-area show last weekend, the rockers had “everything” — instruments, sound equipment and merchandise — stolen from a hotel parking lot. A GoFundMe campaign is helping them replace the gear. Read more about the incident at Local Spins. Some gear eventually was recovered at a Detroit pawn shop.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
The monthly series showcasing stars from across the Great Lakes State kicks off Nov. 25 with a ‘Time Out’ show featuring Savannah and Katie of The Accidentals, paired up with two other up-and-coming female songwriters. Get the lowdown on this new series in the much-buzzed-about Listening Room, and check out the lineup of other local shows on tap at the venue starting this week.
Breaking music news · Festivals
After operating for years as a unique Eastown house-concert fest, Lamp Light – which moved to Wealthy Theatre last year – is on hiatus and the future is uncertain. Learn why the festival won’t be taking place.
Breaking music news · Venue Spotlight · Videos
Grand Rapids’ new downtown entertainment and housing complex south of Van Andel Arena opened its doors to the public on Wednesday, including the much-talked-about, 200-seat Listening Room. Check out the story, photos and a video tour.
Breaking music news · Features · Videos
The Michigan-bred guitarist and emerging national bluegrass star who’s made a splash across the country snagged IBMA awards on Thursday, including guitar player of the year honors. His new album, “Home,” comes out today and he’s already sold out many of the shows on his fall U.S. tour. The lowdown at Local Spins, with videos of songs from his new album.
