Features · Top Stories of the Year Countdown
Many fans say the beloved Michigan-bred guitarist has changed their lives. Our October feature digging into unprecedented ardor for the superstar soared to No. 2 in our top stories of the year. Plus, view a new photo gallery of fans and more from Billy Strings’ October concert.
Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
The symphonic rock spectacle that lights up the holidays every year returns to Grand Rapids’ Van Andel Arena the day after Christmas. The interview and preview at Local Spins.
The country and Americana artist has organized Saturday’s benefit show in Caledonia, with more than a dozen West Michigan acts performing and raffles to support Mel Trotter Ministries. View the lineup and learn more about this special concert at Local Spins.
Formed last summer by Andrew Teed and Ryne Clarke, the new West Michigan record label already has signed several bands to its roster. Learn more about this new label at Local Spins.
Dec. 8 marks 43 years since the world lost John Lennon of The Beatles to a brutal assassination. The world still reveres his music, still mourns his loss — with The Beatles even recently releasing one of his songs for the Fab Four’s final track. Listen to Local Spins’ Ultimate John Lennon Playlist.
A couple of years removed from the worst of the devastating COVID crisis, Local Spins asked Michigan musicians what they’re most thankful for as 2023 draws to a close. See what they have to say.
In 2023, Local Spins asked readers a ‘Question of the Week’ about favorites in a lot of categories. Here are the top questions and responses. Plus, we’ve got fresh year-end queries that could score you a gift.
Features · Local Spins on WYCE
Josh Kaufman has steered Local Legend’s work with a growing number of high-profile regional acts, from Hannah Rose Graves to Nathan Walton and many more. Learn more about the studio in this Local Spins profile and Local Spins on WYCE podcast, which also debuts tracks by Megan Dooley, PARALLELZ, Free Hat, Chris DuPont and more.
Artist Spotlights · Features · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The bluegrass guitarist’s fans traveled from across the country to catch his wild Grand Rapids concert this week. Local Spins on WYCE spotlights their ardor, Billy’s music + tracks from other Michigan acts. Get the back story and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Features · Traverse City · Upcoming shows
When the city’s new listening room The Alluvion hosts its jazz night on Thursday, fans will be treated to a world-class performance, something that’s become a regular event in the region. Learn more in this special Local Spins feature.
Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
Seven years after the bluegrass guitarist parted ways with Julin, the Traverse City musician still marvels at Billy’s talent and says he deserves all of his fame. Plus, see what other musicians say about Billy.
Artist Spotlights · Features · Upcoming shows
In an interview with his mom, Deb Apostol, Local Spins digs into the Ionia County-bred bluegrass guitarist’s childhood, teen rock years and his rise to super stardom.
From pins and posters to vintage clothing and a snazzy board game, home-grown entrepreneurs have built a marketplace community that will fire up for Tuesday’s big arena concert. Learn more at Local Spins.
Many say the beloved Michigan-bred guitarist has changed their lives. Local Spins digs into unprecedented fan ardor for the superstar as his humongous Halloween homecoming approaches. Check out fan comments from across the country, hailing the bluegrass powerhouse.
The new all-digital platform created by a veteran broadcaster strives to showcase ‘authentic’ Michigan-based Americana, roots rock, folk, blues and soul music.
Features · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
Our spotlight on the historic Grand Rapids studio also includes the Local Spins on WYCE debut of tracks by Preta Nova, Pretty Sure, Theometric, Sam Kenny & Emma A. Ward, LVNDR, Flxnn and more. Get River City’s back story and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
The West Michigan singer and pianist returns to her hometown of Ionia this week for a special “Purple Concert” and music video shoot to help commemorate deceased loved ones. The back story at Local Spins.
It’s time for readers to speak out when it comes to their favorite concert and festival experiences of the past summer — and some of their comments show just how memorable those experiences were.
The busiest summer ever for live music and festivals captivated the attention of Local Spins devotees. Today, we reveal the Top 10 concerts and festivals that enthralled our readers. Revisit all of the biggest shows of the summer.
Concert reviews · Features · Photos · Videos
‘Nobody cares what you do here.’ That was the theme as Electric Forest returned to Rothbury with wildly garbed attendees and bass-heavy romps. The Day 1 recap, photos and video.
Concert Listings · Features · Summer Concerts
Traveling every week from Elberta to Baldwin to Ludington and beyond, impressive lineups of acclaimed musicians deliver jazz, blues, R&B and more to eager fans in quaint locales. Get the background on this long-running series and see who’s playing this summer.
With summer concert season about to kick off in robust fashion, Local Spins recently asked readers to disclose what bothers them most about live shows and recent music trends.
For the third time, the special Kent District Library streaming platform will accept music submissions from local and regional artists. The lowdown at Local Spins.
Book Reviews · Features · Upcoming shows
Veteran Michigan music writer Gary Graff (Billboard, Oakland Press) toasts Alice Cooper’s 75th with a devastatingly entertaining recap of an illustrious career. Cooper’s U.S. tour kicks off Friday in Michigan. Check out the Local Spins review of this tantalizing biography.
It amounts to a national holiday for independent record shops. With special new releases and a bevy of used classics, vinyl devotees will be flooding area stores on Saturday. Learn more at Local Spins.
The New Moon Songwriting Challenge requires video entries of new songs to involve co-writes with other artists. The contest kicks off April 1. Get the details at Local Spins.
Features · Local Spins at SXSW
For many Michigan bands, 2023’s South By Southwest festival was their first-ever Austin experience. They reveled in that experience — except for Nathan Walton & The Remedy’s broken-down van. Check out their takes and highlights in this special SXSW report.
Concert reviews · Features · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Talk about a robust week of live music in West Michigan: With an early start to the weekend, it was all about the fans at shows packing venues big and small across West Michigan, including album-release concerts by Michigan artists. The recaps and photos from 10 shows at Local Spins.
Features · Photos · Upcoming shows · Videos
Recorded at Grand Haven’s Third Coast Recording, the cover of the iconic song features 14 female singers and musicians from across the state. Get the back story, watch the video and browse the photo gallery at Local Spins.
Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
Starting their Michigan run with two shows at Grand Rapids’ Midtown, the indie-folksters join Georgia Middleman, Gary Burr and Mary Bragg for the latest iteration of their ‘in-the-round’ concerts. Learn more about the tour and listen to a new Accidentals single at Local Spins.
As WYCE (88.1 FM) celebrates Friday’s return to The Intersection of the Jammie Awards honoring Michigan artists, an event co-founder and former station manager reminisces about the inaugural event. Plus, check out Friday’s stage schedule and a playlist of performers.
Up-and-coming West Michigan-bred rock star Patty PerShayla took time out to take Local Spins behind the scenes of her hectic touring schedule, from favorite foods to the downsides of being on the road. It’s Local Spins’ first ‘Tour Texts’ of 2023.
Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
The contemporary Christian tour that stops at Van Andel Arena on Thursday also features Jeremy Camp, Andy Mineo, Disciple, NewSong and Austin French. Learn more about Anne Wilson, watch her music videos and get the Winter Jam preview at Local Spins.
Audio · Features · Hot Top 5 · Videos
The soulful, Kalamazoo hip-hop ensemble soared to the top of the December chart, with several new Michigan entries right behind. See which albums made the latest Hot Top 5 Chart and listen to tracks from all of the releases at Local Spins.
Features · Music and Technology
Arguing that Michigan musicians don’t need to move to Nashville to ‘make it,’ the Rockford business development consultant aims to put a national spotlight on the state’s talent with a new TV network and much more. The Local Spins profile of a uniquely talented CEO with ‘real-world grit and tenacity.’
Features · Festivals · Summer Festivals
Happy New Year! Mitten State festivals new and old, large and small aim to continue the momentum from their post-pandemic return last year. What festivalgoers can look forward to this year, plus Local Spins’ exclusive 2023 Music Festival Guide.
Features · Photos · Upcoming shows · Videos
After 11 years in Spring Lake, owner Michelle Hanks will close the much-beloved listening room following sold-out shows Friday and Saturday, ending a too-brief era of memorable live music. The back story, videos and photos at Local Spins.
Formed in 2018, the unique voice instruction academy aims to create “a brave space for singers” seeking to spotlight their vocals on stage and in the studio. The back story at Local Spins.
Features · Photos · Upcoming shows
COVID ravaged the region’s open-mic scene. While some venues still haven’t joined the fray, many open-mic nights are back and rocking stages. The lowdown at Local Spins, along with a link to a listing of dozens of area open-mic sessions.
Music has sustained us through some pretty difficult times, all showcased in words, photos, videos and podcasts at Local Spins. Now, we hope you’ll help us sustain our mission — and you could win big in the process.
Award-winning acoustic stars hailing from touring acts that include Punch Brothers and Bruce Hornsby will host workshops starting Thursday at Camp Blodgett along Lake Michigan. Learn more about the camp and view the full roster of instructors.
Features · Local Spins Rewind · Summer Festivals · Top 10 Lists
As we dive into October, it’s time to look back at the Local Spins stories and reviews which got the most attention from readers over the summer.
Breaking music news · Features
The Michigan artists landed major awards on Wednesday night in Nashville. See what prestigious honors they walked away with and their reaction at Local Spins.
Features · Playlists · Upcoming shows
The second-year West Michigan Songwriter’s Festival hosted by Rockford singer-songwriter Dan Terry takes place this weekend in Belmont, starring several respected Nashville tunesmiths, including Grammy winner Steve Leslie. The details and a playlist at Local Spins.
Features · Videos · Whatever Happened To
In their heyday, Joey Dornbos and Brent French generated a national buzz and recorded with an iconic producer before moving to California. One is still rocking, the other is not. Get the lowdown and watch the videos in the latest installment in this Local Spins series.
Saturday’s first-time event stars Nathan Walton, Melophobix, Elijah Russ Collective and Whorled in a one-day fundraising fest challenging bands to raise as much money for the cause as possible through the Juke platform. Learn more at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
In an interview with Local Spins, Spoon co-founder Jim Eno talks about creating the Austin band’s latest album and revving up live audiences again. Spoon plays Kalamazoo State Theatre on Tuesday.
The much-respected instrument retailer and repair shop celebrated its 50th anniversary in Lansing’s Old Town on Tuesday with live music, workshops, axe-throwing, food trucks and more. The recap and photo gallery at Local Spins.
After COVID delays, West Michigan’s biggest night for music returns Saturday with a full day celebrating regional music. Local Spins checked in with WYCE Music Director Shane German ahead of the very big day, plus get the full performance schedule.
Local Spins brought That Beatles Thing, a professional video team and mountains of gear atop a downtown building to replicate that classic ‘Get Back’ performance from 1969. Get the back story and watch the video.
