With some performance spaces reopening, Local Spins touched base with some West Michigan artists about playing music in front of a live audience again. Browse comments from musicians about the “new normal” when it comes to concerts — from worries that remain about performing to the satisfaction of being back on stage. And some concerns remain.
Inspired by social-distancing amid the coronavirus pandemic, Saturday’s unique show in the Rycenga Building Center parking lot will feature two young lakeshore bands, with attendees tuning into WAWL’s FM radio frequency to hear the music. Find more details about the concert and the performers at Local Spins.
Commentary · Features · Videos
As leader of Grand Rapids’ Vintage Parlor Orchestra, Thomas Pike faces unique challenges in gathering his large ensemble for practices and performances while following new social-distancing rules. He explores the issues facing music groups in this Local Spins essay and provides some guidance in how bands can make it work.
Breaking music news · Features
The Grand Rapids community radio station’s operations and programming manager on Monday officially takes over as station manager from Hayes Griffin, who stepped down earlier this year. Read more about Martin in this Local Spins story.
Amid the coronavirus crisis and a turbulent music industry, a new advocacy group based in Niles aims to give roadies and their families a helping hand — from counseling to financial assistance. Get the exclusive back story in this Local Spins feature story and see how this West Michigan clinic is making a difference.
Concert reviews · Features · Photos · Videos
The Iron Town duo played outdoors Monday in the sunshine to a nearly full patio of diners and drinkers who seemed unfazed by COVID-19 concerns. Remarked one patron: “It’s time to get back to life.” The story, video and photos at Local Spins.
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.
The second video in the Elevator a GoGo series features a Nashville Americana act. And Grand Rapids’ Vintage Parlor Orchestra used a garage as the setting for a unique performance video during the stay-at-home pandemic. Watch both distinctive videos at Local Spins.
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.
Although Gov. Gretchen Whitmer recently allowed the region to reopen bars and restaurants with some restrictions, many venues still aren’t hosting live music and musicians remain wary. Check out the latest report in a Local Spins series about the challenges facing live music as the coronavirus pandemic winds down.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Features
One of music’s most unusual, transatlantic partnerships – two songwriters in Michigan and the Netherlands who’ve never met – has spawned an eerie Gothic Americana single with more to come. Learn more about how these two talented artists met online and forged a songwriting partnership, then listen to their haunting track.
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.
Features · Weekend Photo Gallery
Today’s entry in our series spotlighting Local Spins photographers focuses on Nathan Purchase, with his favorite concert photos of artists such as Umphrey’s McGee, Tame Impala, Billy Strings, My Morning Jacket, Greensky Bluegrass and, of course, Desmond Jones. View the photos and get the stories behind his classic shots.
Features · In-Depth Report · Venue Spotlight
Venues are rallying for federal aid and short-term prospects for live music appear bleak. See what some experts and concertgoers say about the future of the live music industry amid COVID-19, their concerns about inconsiderate fans and the impact of a possible vaccine. Plus, see how you can help venues in their struggle for survival.
Features · Weekend Photo Gallery
Starting her concert photo career with Local Spins several years ago, photographer Anna Sink shares some of her favorite images — her unique take on bands, fans and festivals, and the stories behind those shots. And check out a photo gallery with more images of festivals, Michigan stars and more.
Features · Weekend Photo Gallery
Local Spins continues its “concert photo rewind” series spotlighting the stellar work of its photographers, this time focusing on our Kalamazoo live music honcho: Derek Ketchum. Here are his favorite photos and the stories behind these colorful, action-packed shots.
Features · Weekend Photo Gallery
The third week of our spotlight on Local Spins photographers focuses on the work of Kendra Petersen-Kamp. View some of her favorite photos and get the stories behind those images at Local Spins.
The live-streamed Grand Rapids show premieres this weekend with Josh Rose, Karisa Wilson, Allen Trieu, films and more. Get the lowdown at Local Spins.
Round 2 of Local Spins’ spotlight on the amazing work of its concert photographers continues with Jamie Geysbeek. Browse some of his favorite photos, including images of Skillet, Black Veil Brides, Chris Thile, NF, Slash, Lauren Daigle and more, with stories behind the shots.
Saturday’s Record Store Day is postponed until June but shops already reeling from the shutdown wonder if vinyl lovers will be back that soon. Local Spins checks in with some West Michigan record and music stores which have been hit hard by the COVID-19 shutdown.
With stages silenced and most employees laid off, the region’s live music industry faces brutal losses, an uncertain future. Will things reopen this summer, this fall? No one knows. But some remain hopeful. Find out how these venues have been affected at Local Spins.
Over the past eight years, Local Spins has published some spectacular concert photography. And some of the best photos have been taken by Tony Norkus, who today shares some of his favorites, along with stories about each image — from ebullient Bassnectar fans to singer Charles Bradley’s passionate Grand Rapids debut.
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.
Forgotten in the worries about musicians and concert venues ravaged by the coronavirus crisis has been the devastating impact on sound techs and engineers who’ve lost essentially all of their business. Local Spins takes a closer look at the uncertain future for these critical players in the music industry.
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.
Local Spins asked Michigan musicians to submit songs inspired by the COVID-19 crisis — humorous as well as heartfelt. They responded with a passel of tunes. Check out the winning video and all of the entries. And one Grand Rapids record label has released a two-volume set of ‘quarantine jams.’ Watch the videos and listen to the songs at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Features · Videos
After multiple rounds of auditions, the Byron Center singer — “a guy with long hair that likes to belt” — went to Hollywood as a contestant on America’s most well-known music competition, and got a brief brush with the national TV spotlight before being sent home. The story of 27-year-old West Michigan singer-songwriter Nathan Walton’s journey through “American Idol.”
It’s actually the perfect talent show contest for a coronavirus pandemic: Hundreds of bands from across the country are submitting videos from their own homes in NPR’s annual competition, with a big Great Lakes State contingent. View more than 30 video entries from Michigan bands and solo artists at Local Spins.
Features · Top 10 Lists · Videos
Due to the current crisis, musicians have a lot of time on their hands. And that means some of them have come up with hilarious takes on our response to the unprecedented situation and witty ways to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus. And face it: We all need a chuckle right now.
Concert reviews · Features · Photos
The Crane Wives’ Emilee Petersmark hosted a “Stay in Your House Show” with a handful of W. Michigan acts on Friday — all streaming sets from home. Local Spins was there to capture the vibe of the ‘new normal’ when it comes to the live music that we’ve got these days. Browse a photo gallery from the live-stream setup.
A day normally filled with revelry and live music was eerily quiet Tuesday with bars closed across Michigan. And that means “the financial implications are huge” for musicians, especially Celtic music acts.
The Colorado bluegrass band with W. Michigan ties scrapped weekend Listening Room shows in Grand Rapids due to the COVID-19 crisis. But you can listen to songs they would have played live in this Local Spins playlist.
Features · Photos · Upcoming shows
Formed by Tim Perry and Jeff Oxford more than 15 years ago, the GRSA is back for monthly meetings at Schuler Books & Music, where budding songwriters test their material for other tunesmiths. Get the back story and view photos from a recent GRSA session.
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.
Features · Local Spins Rewind · Summer Festivals
With interest in Michigan music festivals at an all-time high, the Local Spins 2019 Readers’ Poll put Blissfest at No. 1 — and at the top of our list of most-read stories of the year. Revisit the poll, with a link to Local Spins’ exclusive listing of 2020 Michigan music festival dates.
Features · Top 10 Lists · Videos
As the year draws to a close, Local Spins asked some West Michigan musicians and readers to make their picks for the best albums and songs of 2019 — a diverse roster covering rock, hip hop, jazz, R&B, folk and more. And listen to music from all of the featured artists.
Artist Spotlights · Features · Upcoming shows
Maintaining mental health and dealing with “a lot of pressure” represent real challenges for touring musicians, especially road warriors such as The Accidentals and Billy Strings, who plays a sold-out New Year’s Eve show in Grand Rapids. In Part II of its interview with Billy Strings, Local Spins delves into the issues that have become a growing concern for many bands.
Features · Top 10 Lists · Videos
A mind-bending year of music gave Local Spins writers plenty of fodder for “best of” lists, including Lizzo, Bon Iver, The Raconteurs, Orville Peck, Black Pumas, Lana Del Rey, Sleep and more. Peruse the extensive and eclectic picks, listen to some of 2019’s most memorable tracks at Local Spins, and submit your own favorites for a chance to win a Local Spins gift package.
Audio · Features · Upcoming shows
Grand Rapids singer and guitarist J. Oscar Bittinger is ‘rebooting’ the once-popular holiday concert at Listening Room on Sunday. Get the back story about this unique event and see the full lineup 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.
Formed by Grand Haven’s David Palmer, Five Strand Fusion recently selected Ada’s Skylar Mayton as its lead vocalist via an ‘American Idol’-styled audition. Get the back story on this emerging young band, which hopes to play its first concert next year.
For the second year, the Folk Alliance Region Midwest conference will host seminars and performances by hundreds of touring musicians in Grand Rapids. Get the Local Spins preview, schedules of performances and details about this week’s “truly real” event.
Features · Local Spins Rewind · Videos
Local Spins rewinds September’s top Local Spins story and 2019’s second most-read overall: A feature showcasing a “top secret” video project with 15 vocalists tackling the Fleetwood Mac song at Third Coast Recording in Grand Haven. The video created a major buzz on social media, with another similar project expected after the holidays.
Concert reviews · Features · Kalamazoo · Photos
The third annual Great Lakes Music Camp along the Lake Michigan shoreline drew dozens of ‘pupils’ for workshops and even more acoustic music fans for a packed Saturday night concert starring instructors. In Kalamazoo, meanwhile, the Great Lakes Acoustic Music Association also celebrated acoustic glory at its GLAMA-versary event. Story and photos at Local Spins.
Features · Podcasts · RSVP Music Chat · Venue Spotlight
On Thursday night, Grand Rapids’ St. Cecilia Music Center kicks off its folk series with country and Americana singer Lee Ann Womack. Listen to the podcast with venue honcho Cathy Holbrook to learn why St. Cecilia stands out as a concert hall and discover the journey that led her to the helm of this organization.
Album reviews · Features · Videos
Michigan’s leading folk-singer activist this week mounts a Michigan tour behind a powerful and political new album. The Local Spins interview, with review of the new album and a new video for the single, “Whole Again.”
Artist Spotlights · Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
The acclaimed singer and songwriter plays Grand Rapids on Thursday to launch the Acoustic Cafe Folk Series. She shared her views on the state of mainstream country, the joy she’s experiencing in performing live and more in a Local Spins interview. Plus, watch videos of songs from her most recent albums.
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.
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.
Breaking music news · Features · Videos
The ‘top secret’ project had 15 female vocalists gathering to record the Fleetwood Mac song at Third Coast Recording in Grand Haven earlier this week. Watch the video at Local Spins and see which artists were involved in this unusual project.
