Concert reviews · Features · Photos
The North Carolina indie-folk group made its Meijer Gardens debut on Wednesday, touring behind its latest studio album. Check out the review and a photo gallery, plus a Local Spins Q&A with the band.
With help of a grant, GVSU’s nationally acclaimed contemporary classical group – which has performed the music at National Parks across the country — will release the CD in April. The story, video and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Features · Summer Festivals · Videos
The band fronted by David Lowery has weathered the ups and downs of the music business, with help from devoted fans, including many in the Great Lakes State. With Cracker preparing to return to Michigan, check out the Local Spins interview as part of a special Sunday spotlight feature.
Concert reviews · Features · Photos
Moving from downtown’s Ah-Nab-Awen Park for 2019, the West Michigan Jazz Society has hosted its Monday night shows at Walker’s Millennium Park Meadows. Local Spins checked in this week to see how fans have reacted to the new site. Read the story, browse the photos.
Features · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
In its heyday, Idlewild served as a robust summer destination for African-American stars and their fans. The July 12-14 Idlewild festival will pay homage to the past with musical performances and historical education sessions. See the full weekend schedule at Local Spins.
The Traverse City alt-folk trio joined other Michigan stars in a Holland benefit concert for an ailing super-fan, part of a 55-concert summer that also includes finishing up a new studio album and scoring songs for orchestras
With Electric Forest opening to early campers today, Local Spins asked two Michigan performers at the festival and an electronic music guru to pick this weekend’s must-see acts. Check out their selections and listen to a Spotify playlist of their picks.
Features · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
For the ninth year, the much-ballyhooed Electric Forest music festival ramps up this weekend with electronic music, jams, psychedelic art installations and a hippie vibe. Get the lowdown, Forest rules and a preview at Local Spins.
Features · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
For a half-century, Grand Rapids’ Festival of the Arts has packed downtown Grand Rapids in early June. For this weekend’s milestone event, Local Spins asked writers and some performers to spotlight must-see acts. Check out their picks and where those acts are playing.
Audio · Features · Summer Festivals
Working with Joshua Davis, Greensky Bluegrass and others, the Grayling songwriter has become a go-to collaborator whose songs likely will be heard at this weekend’s Camp Greensky Music Festival in Wellston. Get the back story about this artist from Local Spins writer Ryan Boldrey, listen to his music and find details about this weekend’s festival.
Breaking music news · Features · Videos
Local Spins updates construction of “Listening Room by Studio C,” which will be part of the impressive Studio Park project south of Van Andel Arena. Get the back story and check out the photos, video and an artist’s rendering of the new venue.
The much-beloved organizer of Skitchin’ Fest and publisher of Skitchin’ Music Zine is preparing for the third incarnation of the Grand Rapids punk festival that takes place over two days this weekend at The Pyramid Scheme. Read the inspiring back story about Tyler Dykema and get details about this weekend’s festival at Local Spins. And see how you can win tickets to Skitchin’ Fest.
Breaking music news · Features · Venue Spotlight
After years of searching for a permanent space, the arts collective and all-ages venue has acquired and will renovate a building on Plainfield Avenue in the Creston Neighhborhood, launching a new era for The DAAC. Read more about the plans and future for this much-beloved collective.
Breaking music news · Features · Videos
The popular band led by Albion’s Michael and Tanya Trotter joins some renowned artists who are nominated for awards being presented in September. Read more about it and their reaction to the honor at Local Spins.
Veteran lighting designer Tom Kenny, the creative director for The Who on tour, shared behind-the-scenes details with Local Spins about the iconic band’s tour-opening show in Grand Rapids and relayed the group’s love for ‘the local orchestra.’
Announcements · Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
Title Track is hosting launch events this month in Traverse City and Detroit, with empowerment programs and a new music festival in the works. Learn more about this music-driven, community-empowering venture at Local Spins.
The Michigan native and Steppin’ In It member has a growing role as producer, working with Greensky Bluegrass, Jen Sygit, Eddie Vedder, Buddy Miller and even the Chicago Cubs and The Dead. Check out the Local Spins profile of Dominic John Davis by writer Ryan Boldrey.
Check out a recap, photos and video of Saturday’s upbeat Record Store Day celebration at indie shops which hosted live music, DJs and more — including a robust parade down Bridge Street in Grand Rapids.
There’s no better day than Saturday to start vinyl collecting — and reveling in local performances — as West Michigan once again joins the national Record Store Day celebration. Get the store schedules and details at Local Spins.
A fixture on West Michigan’s music scene, Nicole LaRae has brought an impressive roster of national stars to Grand Rapids while bolstering local acts on stage and on radio. With The Pyramid Scheme celebrating its eighth anniversary this month, Local Spins profiles this champion of the musical arts.
Features · Music on Campus · Upcoming shows
Those enrolled in the university program are getting music industry experience by helping promote and stage Thursday’s tour stop by pop singer Sinclair in Grand Rapids, just one of many hands-on opportunities offered in the concert field. Read more about the program and check out Sinclair videos at Local Spins.
Features · Local Spins at SXSW · Photos
Local Spins’ intrepid SXSW correspondent Ricky Olmos recaps the opening salvo of Michigan bands at South by Southwest as 10 acts prepare for a big Michigan House showcase. Check out today’s recap and photos.
Features · Local Spins at SXSW
Heading on tour? Trying to survive SXSW? We asked Michigan musicians heading to Austin to list the tour necessities they won’t leave home without. Their answers are revealing and entertaining.
Kent District Library offers free live music, from Jimmie Stagger to CrossBow, and is launching a “Needledrop” program allowing checkout of vinyl LPs and turntables, and a speaker series on local music. Get the upcoming schedule of shows and learn more about the programs at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Features · Photos · Videos
Saturday’s tribute to the late Grand Rapids rock icon overflowed at Eastern Avenue Hall with fans, stage jams and ‘positivity.’ Read the recap of this loving, standing-room-only event, browse the photos and watch the video.
Features · Top 10 Lists · Videos
After critics and musicians had their say earlier in the month, Local Spins on New Year’s Eve lets readers pipe in with their favorite releases of the year (with a few musicians in the mix, too). And their diverse picks balance regional stars with national acts.
Features · Top 10 Lists · Videos
Last week, it was the critics. Today, Local Spins features West Michigan musicians’ favorite albums of the year. Pore over the lists of their picks for top albums of 2018 and listen to the music.
Features · Top 10 Lists · Videos
It’s another mind-bending array of music that’s impressed Local Spins writers over the past year, from Robyn to Janelle Monae, Lindsay Lou to Urfaust, Childish Gambino to Julian Allen and more. Browse these “best of” lists, sample music from the featured artists and then submit your own Top 5 picks.
Artist Spotlights · Features · Videos
Local Spins profiles the in-demand keyboard player who’s bolstered the likes of Joshua Davis, May Erlewine, Jack White and Larry McCray, not to mention Steppin’ In It, The Lash and more. Read the back story about this much-respected musician and watch videos of him performing with a variety of Michigan artists.
Breaking music news · Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
The same week that 20 Monroe Live announced The Verve Pipe would play its big 2nd birthday party, Vander Ark presented a $1,000 prize to teen singer Gianna Stansell after a year-long competition. Learn more about this talented young West Michigan singer and watch the video of her winning performance.
Artist Spotlights · Features · Upcoming shows
The erudite foursome with an eclectic approach that regaled audiences in the 1980s is back together, set to play One Trick Pony and Winter Wheat. Get the back story about this acoustic group’s journey return to the stage at Local Spins.
Features · Movie Reviews · Videos
The band’s irrepressible, bombastic legacy gets short shrift treatment in this much-ballyhooed biopic, says movie critic John Serba, who wishes the film would have done more than stoke nostalgia. Check out the review and the official movie trailer.
Announcements · Features · Festivals
We’re taking pre-orders now for the 2019 edition of the Local Spins calendar with spectacular concert images, Michigan festival dates and more: A perfect, unique holiday gift. Get details and a link to order yours today.
Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
Seth Bernard, Mark Lavengood, Dede Alder, Nicholas James Thomasma and more than a dozen other artists play five cities in six days next week, including Grand Rapids’ Wealthy Theatre, Spring Lake’s Seven Steps Up. Get the lowdown on this unusual tour at Local Spins.
The gathering of musicians and industry representatives from across the Midwest started Thursday with a night of singing, jamming and networking. Check out the photo gallery, video highlights and a recap of opening day at Local Spins.
Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
It’s a coups for Grand Rapids and its growing music scene. Anchored here through 2020, this week’s Folk Alliance Region Midwest gathering boasts showcases by dozens of bands, workshops, panel discussions and more. Get the lowdown and a schedule of official showcases at Local Spins.
Held along Lake Michigan south of Grand Haven, last weekend’s classes, workshops, performances and jams by all-star musicians at the Great Lakes Music Camp brought a rootsy flavor to Camp Blodgett and raised money for a good cause. Check out the recap and a photo gallery at Local Spins.
Anchored in Grand Rapids through 2020, the Crowne Plaza Airport Hotel confab will draw hundreds of industry pros for sets by Sons of the Never Wrong, Jen Sygit and numerous regional acts, panels and a speech by music historian Rev. Robert B. Jones Sr. Get the lowdown on this important musical gathering at Local Spins.
With a full slate of campers and well-known instructors, the second edition of the weekend at Camp Blodgett Oct. 11-14 boasts workshops, special performances, a benefit concert and plenty of jamming. Get details and ticket links at Local Spins.
Kendall College of Art & Design student D. Cavinder won a contest to create a striking new lavish costume for the Rocket Man, who brings his “Farewell Yellow Brick Road” tour to Van Andel Arena on Oct. 15. Check out all of the entries produced by 10 student designers.
Matt Johnson, one half of the popular indie-pop duo Matt and Kim, spoke recently to Local Spins about the band’s 14-year-long career, returning to the road after Kim’s onstage injury, and the ‘slow burn’ success of the song “Daylight.”
After extensive construction, the world-class Grand Haven recording studio is impressing those who bring projects through its doors. Get the back story on Third Coast Recording, browse a Local Spins photo gallery and take a video tour of the facility operated by Chrysler and Joe Sturgill.
Artist Spotlights · Features · Tour Texts · Videos
Local Spins exchanged a series of fun, on-the-road texts with the Michigan indie-rock band as it prepares to play a Monday show at Calvin College with John Mark McMillan. It’s an entertaining, behind-the-scenes glimpse into life on tour.
Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
The iconic prog-rock band returns to Grand Rapids on Friday for a sold-out Meijer Gardens concert. Check out the revealing Local Spins interview with keyboardist Steve Porcaro, who promises “a show for Toto fans.”
Breaking music news · Features
The 30-year-old Ohio native and current Fauxgrass guitarist will take the community radio station’s reins later this month, succeeding Quinn Mathews. The Local Spins profile of the new manager.
RSVP Music Chat sat down with radio veterans Kevin Matthews and Steve Aldrich to toast the pioneering talents of the late Ed Buchanan, the WLAV legend who passed away in June. Listen to the rollicking, fun podcast, toast Uncle Buck at Bob’s Bar on Friday and check out the written tribute by Aris Hampers.
Award-winning drummer Sandy “Sledge” Kaye will lead a rare drum clinic for women in August aimed at creating “experiences that you will not easily find elsewhere.” Get the lowdown on this special camp at Local Spins.
Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
The future of rock ‘n’ roll gets showcased over two nights in Grand Rapids as the 7th anniversary Piano Cottage Rocks! event brings remarkable student performers to the Wealthy Theatre stage. Get details at Local Spins.
Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
Blondie drummer Clem Burke chatted with Local Spins about the group’s past and great ‘live show,’ with upcoming stops this week in Grand Rapids and Interlochen. Only at Local Spins.
With her new pop single, “Real Love,” directly addressing the trauma of being gay in the evangelical church, Local Spins revisits its candid February interview with Flint Eastwood’s Jax Anderson. And as a bonus, the “Local Spins Rewind” feature gives you a chance to listen to Flint Eastwood’s new song.
