Commentary · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Musicians and prospective festival organizers have “sold out” a Tuesday networking/roundtable session at Grand Rapids’ Listening Room probing the mysteries – and basics – of music festivals. Learn more about the session and get some tips from a veteran festival organizer and musician.
The legendary Grand Rapids DJ and radio personality finally revealed this week the medical issue and surgery that’s kept him out of the public eye in recent months. Today, Local Spins shares his story.
Commentary · Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
As the ever-woeful Detroit Lions get ready for their traditional Thanksgiving Day game, Local Spins recaps the sad history of the franchise with a rock ‘n’ roll playlist of reflective misery. The pre-game column, playlist and videos.
Commentary · Features · Playlists · Videos
Today marks the 50th anniversary of the release of The Beatles’ “Abbey Road” in the United Kingdom. And because The Beatles are one of the most covered bands of all time, Local Spins has compiled a playlist of the best covers of songs from this classic album, from Aerosmith and Joe Cocker to Elliott Smith and Florence + The Machine. Check out the videos and listen to the songs on Spotify.
This annual Local Spins Labor Day column revisits the financial plight of local musicians, who cannot live on passion and applause alone. Amid a growing West Michigan music scene, it’s an essay for the times with comments from these ‘stars of the stage.’
Venturing more than eight hours from Grand Rapids, Local Spins editor John Sinkevics recently immersed himself in the unique, magical charm of a remote U.P. musical celebration. Here’s his report on this relatively unknown Michigan gem, with a photo gallery and video.
Commentary · Photos · Summer Festivals
Three days at the wondrous and sprawling festival in Rothbury can feel like a year anywhere else. Local Spins writer Ryan Boldrey immersed himself in Electric Forest for the first time and found surprises throughout, as well as a supportive, caring ‘Forest Family’ that extends to a drug-free faction of the community. Check out his column, browse the photo gallery.
Audio · Commentary · RSVP Music Chat · Upcoming shows
The first RSVP Music Chat podcast of 2019 reviews the history of a long-running benefit for charity which rocks Founders again on Sunday and explores the reasons why musicians feel so compelled to donate time for worthy causes. Browse a list of all the bands that have played a quarter-century of Feedback benefits and listen to a previously unreleased, live Honeytones performance from the first event in 1994.
Commentary · Photos · Videos
Ahead of the 50th anniversary of the Fab Four’s biggest album, Local Spins publisher John Sinkevics took a nostalgic journey to Liverpool and London to evaluate The Beatles’ place in history. Check out this special column, photo gallery and videos.
This annual Local Spins Labor Day column spotlights the financial quandary of working musicians, many of whom work long hours, often for little pay. And it’s spiced up with new comments from many of them. Be part of the discussion.
Commentary · Local Spins at SXSW · Photos
Local Spins writer Ricky Olmos ventured into the giant South by Southwest fest for the first time this year. Here are his highlights, plus images by photographer Anna Sink of some of her favorite SXSW sets.
Breaking music news · Commentary
The longtime operator of Blue Suede Shows passed away from liver cancer earlier this week, sparking a flood of memories from those who knew him as a mover and shaker in the music scene. Read what some of them had to say.
