Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
Veteran acts will join first-time performers at West Michigan’s ‘biggest night for music’ in February at The Intersection. See the initial lineup of acts playing the event, with links to their music, only at Local Spins. And check out a link to see the long roster of 2017 Jammie nominees.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
The Michigan festival will expand to two days in October and feature sets by Desmond Jones, Jesse Ray & The Carolina Catfish, Melophobix, Watching for Foxes, Devin & The Dead Frets and several more acts. Check out the initial lineup and a link to early-bird ticket sales.
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
After the city steps in due to capacity and zoning concerns, the Rockford tavern’s “Cool Beats @ The Corner” series scraps three concerts that were planned for early 2017. Refunds will be issued to those who bought tickets to see The Ragbirds, The Crane Wives and Brian Vander Ark.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
The tented event outside Perrin’s Comstock Park taproom will serve as a preview to WYCE Jammie Awards show and raise money for Kids’ Food Basket. Read more about this inaugural one-day music festival and get the links to pre-sales.
Earthwork Music’s Seth Bernard and The Go Rounds’ Mike Savina recorded the lengthy track in October, with proceeds from digital sales donated to support the cause in North Dakota. Listen to the song and purchase it for download. And get details about two fund-raising shows by Desmond Jones and Mystic Dub.
Artist Spotlights · Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
Chance Jones and Lazy Genius will combine forces at Long Road Distillers to raise money for beloved barber Jazz Johnson, who suffered a serious back injury and faces mounting bills. Read about Burge, his current acting projects and the upcoming reunion show — only at Local Spins.
Announcements · Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
The shows featuring regional stars kicks off in December, with The Crane Wives, Brian Vander Ark and Channing & Quinn also set to perform in the cozy venue. Get the full story and upcoming concert schedule at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Features · Videos
Local Spins rewind: The top story of the past week profiles Level Up, a sprawling S. Division Avenue studio and rehearsal space that already has Ultraviolet Hippopotamus, Desmond Jones, Watching for Foxes and more laying down tracks for new projects. Watch the video, check out photos of the studio.
Breaking music news · Features · Videos
The sprawling S. Division Avenue studio and rehearsal space already has Ultraviolet Hippopotamus, Desmond Jones, Watching for Foxes and more working on new projects. Read the Local Spins story, watch the video, browse the photo gallery.
Announcements · Audio · Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
After six years and two recordings, Grand Rapids pop-punk band Maybe Next Time plans to take an “indefinite hiatus” as life pulls the group in “different directions.” The band plays its final show Saturday in Holland.
St. Cecilia hosts ribbon-cutting and grand re-opening gala tonight, showing off new seating, lighting, sound systems, flooring, furniture and more in the historic downtown concert hall. Read what improvements were made and take an exclusive video tour of the building.
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
The award-winning atmospheric folk-rock band from Grand Rapids called it “a difficult announcement,” but says it’s time to “close out this chapter.” Read the story at Local Spins and revisit a video from a recent in-studio performance.
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
Forced to move from Hart earlier this week due to a miscommunication regarding use of the property, the organizer has shifted the first-time festival to eight acres of rural land outside Fremont. Check out details of this free event and a full schedule at Local Spins.
A ‘hell of a party’: Ten music entries won $1,000 each in this year’s separate ArtPrize song contest, including Robin Connell, Rachael Claire Eid-Ries and Jessey Jansen. See the full list of this year’s winners and listen to their songs.
Audio · Breaking music news · Videos
Billy Strings says he eats, sleeps and breathes bluegrass music. Well, the Michigan-bred bluegrass whiz who moved from Traverse City to Nashville late last year continues to turn heads with his guitar prowess, and has now earned an industry Momentum Award. Read the story and listen to a new song from his recent solo EP.
Breaking music news · Commentary
Early next year, Grand Rapids will be home to a new 2,580-seat concert venue next to The B.O.B. Is that one of the final pieces of the puzzle for West Michigan’s music scene? Read the story and commentary at Local Spins.
Announcements · Breaking music news
The Beatle’s August appearance in Grand Rapids now ranks as the highest grossing show in the arena’s 20-year history, adding to a record-setting year for the venue.
Announcements · Breaking music news
This mid-August music news update takes a gander at Do-It-Together Grand Rapids’ first-ever dodgeball tournament being held on Aug. 28, and the conversion of a restaurant/bar/music venue into a rental space. There will be no more Friday night jazz at The Waldron.
The gregarious musician who’s half of the Channing & Quinn indie-folk duo and host of ‘GR Live’ already has become an integral part of the community radio station. Read about the new guy at the helm.
Breaking music news · Features · Videos
Andrew Tkaczyk met up with his bandmates at an Ohio awards show this week as he continues with difficult but remarkable progress at Grand Rapids’ Mary Free Bed from amputation and other injuries. Perhaps more amazing, the band hopes to return to the stage for the 2017 Vans Warped Tour. Read the update; watch videos of the band accepting its award and Tkaczyk getting behind a drum kit.
Artist Spotlights · Breaking music news · Top 10 Lists
Beyond the familiar and popular regional artists who’ve already made a splash are a bevy of bands simmering under the radar as one of the ‘next big things.’ Here are a dozen to sample in words and song in the July edition of Local Spins “Acts to Watch.”
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
River City Studios engineer Kenton Giar hopes the ‘in-the-round’ sessions in downtown Grand Rapids will help nurture West Michigan’s songwriting scene and build talent. Read more about the new series in this Local Spins story.
Artist Spotlights · Breaking music news · Commentary
For the second year in a row, a veteran Michigan musician has won over judges and fans on the NBC show. More important, Al-Saadi has shined a spotlight on the blues and on Mitten State talent. Read the Local Spins commentary and watch the videos of this week’s performances.
Announcements · Breaking music news
After taking the reigns of the community radio station in fall 2014, Paschka is moving on to a new job but expresses love for — and a continued commitment to — WYCE’s mission, much of which includes showcasing the local and regional music scene.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
Not quite sold out after all: A few tickets to see the Tedeschi Trucks Band, Ben Folds, Grace Potter and a few other summer series shows available this week. But the opening Tears for Fears show has been postponed altogether after the band announced it was putting off its summer U.S. tour. See which shows still have tickets up for sale.
Breaking music news · Features
The Ann Arbor blues guitarist and singer was the final contestant to make it to next week’s finals in a dramatic finish to Tuesday night’s show. It’s the second year in a row that a 30-something, veteran Michigan musician has made it to the finals of “The Voice.” In 2015, it was Joshua Davis.
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
The popular West Michigan jam band will introduce new guitarist Andy Kirby at The Intersection concert, after Olmsted announces he’s stepping down to pursue other goals. The guitarist tells Local Spins it’s been a life-changing ride.
Artist Spotlights · Breaking music news · Features
Much like Joshua Davis in 2015, Laith Al-Saadi represents Michigan as the oldest remaining contestant in the NBC competition, impressing judges with his voice and guitar work. His bandmate back in Michigan says there’s no one quite like Al-Saadi and he knew he’d make it to the final rounds all along. Read the back story about this remarkable musician.
Breaking music news · Features
Complaints about alcohol use around the Comstock Park venue sparked a review that revealed the skate park doesn’t have a permit for live music. It will be closed at least through summer and owners might seek a new location that allows concerts.
Breaking music news · Summer Concerts
The June 27 Jackson Browne concert sold out in mere minutes Saturday morning, with Diana Ross, O.A.R., Bonnie Raitt, Gavin DeGraw, Goo Goo Dolls, Of Monsters & Men, America and Ben Folds quickly following suit. By noon Monday, 24 of the 30 concerts had sold out to members. See the entire list of sellouts.
Breaking music news · Summer Concerts · Summer Festivals
Local Spins’ roundup of music news from around the state features everything from Detroit honoring Southeast Michigan’s best artists to events heating up Kalamazoo and Traverse City. Read about musical events across the Great Lakes State.
Announcements · Breaking music news · Summer Festivals
The fifth annual free festival taking place in downtown Grand Rapids Aug. 20-21 will feature 11 national and local acts. The event draws thousands to Rosa Parks CIrcle each year. Check out the details and the full lineup.
Breaking music news · Features · Videos
The young Traverse City indie-folk trio continues to make waves, earning widespread attention for its latest, ultra-catchy single as it eyes release of a new EP in June. Read the back story, watch the video and download the song for free.
Announcements · Breaking music news · Commentary
Ziggy Marley, Bonnie Raitt, Gavin DeGraw, O.A.R., Toto, Lake Street Dive, Grace Potter, America, even Jay Leno are part of the 30-show series, with tickets on sale to Meijer Gardens members on April 30. See the entire 2016 lineup and find out how ticket prices have changed from last year.
Announcements · Breaking music news · Videos
The first single in the Earthwork Music collective’s unique project will feature Seth Bernard’s take on a 2010 May Erlewine song. That comes out Friday, with new covers by Earthwork Music artists released monthly and a full album set to be completed next winter.
Breaking music news · Features · Upcoming shows
Created in Grand Rapids, the radical new music platform that will start beta testing next month will allow users to zoom in to neighborhoods, even areas around venues, to pinpoint their musical vibe. Those spearheading the music discovery system say it will help showcase local artists and grow the music scene.
Announcements · Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
The “family reunion” Farm Block festival held in July in the far reaches of the U.P. boasts familiar Michigan acts and supports a good cause. Meanwhile, Cedar Springs Brewing will stage a one-day “beer tent” fest on April 2. Get details and the lineup for both in this Local Spins story.
Breaking music news · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
The Kent County festival on Shagbark Farm returns in August with roots music, funky jams, soul, bluegrass and blues. Check out the full lineup and details, with links to photos and a video from last year’s festival.
Announcements · Breaking music news · Local Spins at SXSW · Upcoming shows
For the second year in a row, the pop-up venue in Texas will showcase a bevy of Michigan bands while promoting the state’s creativity and products. Five Michigan-connected bands, including The Accidentals, Flint Eastwood and Heaters, will record songs at Michigan House for ArtPrize and earn the chance to win a $5,000 prize.
Breaking music news · Features · Videos
A haunting music video earns a Duluth fiddler the top prize in the NPR Music contest that drew 6,100 entries, including dozens submitted by West Michigan artists. Read the story and check out the winning video.
Audio · Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
The early March music news roundup takes a look at frontman R.J. Nordlund’s departure from an emerging West Michigan rock band and a first-ever U.S. tour for a youthful Grand Rapids pop and hip hop artist. Get the lowdown at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements
Thirteen years in, Hoxeyville continues to stay “fresh” with regional and national roots music talent playing in the Manistee National Forest, with artists ranging from Luke Winslow King to The Accidentals to The Go Rounds on the bill for this August festival. Weekend passes are on sale now.
Breaking music news · Concert reviews · Photos
Showcasing the diversity of West Michigan’s talent, WYCE’s annual awards show boasted a capacity crowd, more than two dozen dynamic performances and a host of happy prize winners. Check out the complete winners’ list and a photo gallery from Friday night’s revelry.
Announcements · Breaking music news · Videos
Local Spins’ February music news update reveals a star-studded lineup for the upcoming Jake’s Music Festival at Wealthy Theatre, new life for what was once McFadden’s Restaurant in downtown Grand Rapids and another robust Feedback benefit planned for Founders Brewing this spring.
Breaking music news · Features
With nearly 70 Michigan and national acts — Taking Back Sunday to Fine Fine Titans — on board, the Flint musician who launched the digital project aims to raise money to help affected children with ‘diversity and dynamics.’ Read about the “shock and anger” that rallied bands to the cause and how you can purchase the recording.
Announcements · Breaking music news
Hundreds of bands, dance groups and other performers fill stages downtown every year at Festival. But the application deadline is fast approaching. Get details here, with a link to the online application form.
Breaking music news · Features · Photos
Michigan native Andrew Tkaczyk, 28, of metalcore band The Ghost Inside, leaves Grand Rapids’ Mary Free Bed today after rehab for leg, spinal, nerve and shoulder injuries sustained in a November crash in Texas. Read the remarkable story of this musician’s perseverance after a traumatic accident and check out the photo gallery.
Announcements · Breaking music news · Local Spins at SXSW
Michigan House and Local Spins will serve as a clearinghouse for information about where Michigan artists will be performing during Austin’s mammoth March music conference. Find out where to send information.
Announcements · Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
Community radio station WYCE-FM’s 2016 mega-party at The Intersection on Feb. 19 will feature 23 bands on two stages, with Bigfoot Buffalo, The Waxies, Rick Chyme and many more in the mix. And singer-songwriter Ralston Bowles will be honored with a Legacy Award. See the entire lineup.
Breaking music news · Features · Upcoming shows
Grand Rapids’ Vox Vidorra, Detroit’s Pierre Anthony and more will take the spotlight and boost “creative energy” this week at temporary quarters in downtown Detroit. Read more about this instrastate project in this Local Spins story.
