Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Sunday concert raising money for the couple’s medical bills features a who’s who roster of regional artists, including Troll for Trout, Larry McCray, The Soul Syndicate, Drew Nelson, Hannah Rose Graves, Fauxgrass and more. See the full schedule and details about this special event.
Features · Local Spins at SXSW · Photos · Upcoming shows · Videos
Tuesday’s Michigan House lineup at Austin boasts loads of potential. Read about the performances and a special Local Spins roundtable that will stream live. Meanwhile, Traverse City’s The Accidentals continue to live up to the hype at SXSW. Read about their first show for 2017 in Austin and check out the premiere of a new Rick Chyme & Nixon video featuring The Accidentals.
Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
The trio of Texas brothers will play the Acoustic Cafe series in Grand Rapids, unfurling music with ‘a unique Latin twist’ and ‘a taste of Texican rock ‘n’ roll,’ says JoJo Garza.
Features · Local Spins at SXSW · Photos · Videos
With SXSW panels probing Michigan initiatives on creativity, innovation, equity and more, Michigan House turned the gym at an Austin church into a Mitten State mecca with Michigan beer, a visit from Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss and music from Seth Bernard. Check out the videos, story and photos, only at Local Spins.
Audio · Features · Kalamazoo · Music on Campus · Videos
Western Michigan University’s renowned jazz studies program has added another feather to its cap: Double bass instructor Tom Knific is lauded by Musical America as one of the top 30 innovative music professionals of the year.
Breaking music news · Features
The popular Michigan country artist will leave his band, The Usual Suspects, this fall after releasing a new album and completing one final tour. Read the back story at Local Spins.
Features · Festivals · Local Spins at SXSW · Upcoming shows
Creative Many, Michigan House and Local Spins are back in Austin for the giant SXSW conference this weekend, shedding an even brighter spotlight on Great Lakes State artists, products and innovators. See which Michigan acts will be joining them and why.
Artist Spotlights · Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
Touring behind its fifth album, “City Lights,” Driftwood plays four Michigan shows this week, including a Friday concert at Spring Lake’s Seven Steps Up. Read the band’s back story and watch a video from its new album.
Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
The revered musician brings his ‘Genesis Revisited with Classic Hackett’ tour to 20 Monroe Live next week. Check out the Local Spins interview with Steve Hackett and watch his videos.
Artist Spotlights · Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
Rock is not dead. Take it from the Chicago band which plays Holland’s Park Theatre on Friday and which took time out from touring Europe to share thoughts with Local Spins writer Troy Reimink about Twin Peaks’ latest album, its fans and loathing Trump.
Concert reviews · Features · Photos · Videos
The 2017 edition of WYCE’s Jammie Awards drew more than 1,500 people to The Intersection in Grand Rapids for dynamic performances by Michigan bands, with plenty of musicians “lovin’ the hell out of each other.” Brows the resplendent photo gallery, watch the video and read the reaction of musicians to the West Michigan music scene’s biggest night of the year.
Announcements · Breaking music news · Features · Videos
Local Spins’ choice for best local album of 2016 salutes a Kalamazoo old-timey folk duo’s masterpiece. And rock’s Conrad Shock & The Noise earns honors as Emerging Artist of the Year. Check out videos of both bands and get the lowdown on Red Tail Ring’s award-winning recording at Local Spins.
With an exploratory new album on the way, the roots music musician and his band play Thursday’s Acoustic Café Folk Series concert at St. Cecilia Music Center. Read the Local Spins interview with Pokey LaFarge.
The fun and diverse National Public Radio competition has drawn even more attention from Mitten State artists this year. Check out some of the video entries here, from popular West Michigan acts to obscure emerging artists.
Features · Local Spins Exclusives
Greg Gilmore’s vision for a downtown concert hall finally comes to fruition this week next to The B.O.B. Read the Local Spins Q&A with Gilmore and representatives of Live Nation — only at Local Spins.
Features · Photos · Upcoming shows · Videos
Get a sneak peek into 20 Monroe Live by taking a video tour of the new downtown venue that unleashes its first concert Wednesday with Trombone Shorty and Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers. Then browse the photo gallery and opening-week lineup of shows.
Breaking music news · Features · Music on Campus · Top 10 Lists
The new rankings by MusicSchoolCentral.com cited Kalamazoo for its ‘artistic intrigue, hip music scene’ and top-notch jazz program. See the entire list of top schools.
Audio · Features · Local Spins Live · Podcasts · Upcoming shows
The Outer Vibe releases a new EP this week at a Grand Rapids homecoming show. The band reflects on its recent move to Nashville where the rock/pop band stands out from the country pack. Learn about the band’s experiences in Nashville thus far and listen to a new single.
Artist Spotlights · Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
Break out the sweatpants, a jam-band attitude and shed a tear: After more than 50 shows, Grand Rapids’ Desmond Jones will play its final Monday night residency gig at the West Side’s Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill this week. Read the back story, including the wacky things that have happened on Monday nights in this Grand Rapids watering hole.
Once again, Local Spins is offering dynamic wall calendars that not only showcase Michigan artists but also help you track 2017 music festivals. The calendars are available for shipping starting today; order now to ensure arrival by the holidays.
In what’s become a Thanksgiving tradition, Local Spins asked some West Michigan musicians to cite what they’re thankful for and the artists who inspire them — and they include Seth Bernard, Rick Chyme and many more.
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.
Halloween falling on a Monday just gives folks an excuse to extend the weekend and party like zombies four nights in a row. Local Spins has your guide to West Michigan’s haunting musical maelstrom of fun. Make your plans by checking out this mega-roster of Halloween bashes.
Thursday’s concert at The B.O.B. will raise funds for the Killer Blues Headstone Project with some of blues music’s most scintillating performers paying tribute to blues harp icon William Clarke. Get the lowdown on the fourth annual Harmonica Summit at Local Spins.
Features · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows
Saturday’s day-long event at Grand Armory Brewing showcases musical talent, poetry and more. Learn more in the Local Spins on WYCE podcast with Ladyfest performers and the debut of new tracks by regional artists. And check out the full Ladyfest schedule at Local Spins.
Michigan’s most famous island offers more than fudge, horses and a rich history. Summertime and early fall boast a hotbed of live music with a unique milieu, some of it after-hours. Local Spins takes a gander at Mackinac music in words, pictures and video.
The Girls Rock! GR summer camp aimed at empowering girls through music culminated Sunday with sets by eight enthusiastic young bands making their stage debut, rocking the theater for impressed fans. Peruse the story about these fledgling musicians’ remarkable week and browse the photo gallery.
Each with its own character, a few West Side establishments have started showcasing live music, offering West Michigan acts and Grand Rapids music lovers new settings and experiences. Sample them in this feature story by Local Spins writer Ricky Olmos.
Features · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Those flocking to northern Michigan for film screenings at the festival founded by Michael Moore will also find numerous live performances indoors and out by dozens of West Michigan bands. See which bands are playing and get links to schedules.
Features · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
‘Better than I imagined,’ the Grand Haven native says of the ‘Electric Love’ he’s received from fans across the globe as he prepares to play his only Michigan show in Detroit this weekend. Local Spins revisits the Michigan-bred singer and rising star. Read the interview and check out the video from a live performance.
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.
The Instagram campaign by musicians Rusty and Kelsy Vining attracted hundreds of followers by the time they attended a Simon concert in Detroit, just prior to his retirement announcement. Explore the back story behind this remarkable project and check out a video featuring the couple’s snippets of Simon songs.
Features · Local Spins Exclusives · Upcoming shows
An abundance of West Michigan open mics throughout the week offer performers a chance to ‘find their voice’ — from folk to hip hop to poetry — at dozens of venues which open their stages to fledgling as well as veteran performers. Get a glimpse into the vibrant world of open mics in this feature story by Ricky Olmos and browse the photos of performers.
Concert reviews · Features · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
Attendance was down a bit, but the music was as hot as the weather with The Go Rounds and FBC All-Stars representing Michigan during the ninth annual day-long street party that also featured People’s Blues of Richmond, The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band, The Main Squeeze and Dos Santos: Anti-Beat Orquesta. Check out the story, photo gallery and video.
Artist Spotlights · Features · Upcoming shows
In an interview with Local Spins, guitarist-singer Susan Tedeschi talks about touring, musical chemistry and the band’s tendency to ‘mix it up’ on stage. The band returns to Meijer Gardens for a sold-out show on Friday.
Features · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
A David Bowie tribute band, Cabildo and Grand Rapids Symphony musicians will light up the unusual weekend ‘marketplace extravaganza’ with The Concussions playing an opening night party. Read the story and review the schedule of events.
Thousands of West Michigan performers will pack stages in downtown Grand Rapids this weekend. It’s a lot to soak in. So once again, Local Spins asks some well-known musicians and its staff of writers to pick “The Best of Fest.” Check out their diverse selections in this guide to Festival 2016.
Concert reviews · Features · Summer Festivals
The 14th annual festival along Lake Michigan between Grand Haven and Holland kicked off the holiday weekend with live music, a family vibe and VW buses. Read the story and check out the opening-day photo gallery.
Artist Spotlights · Features · Local Spins Live
On his latest EP, “Fiction,” the Grand Rapids singer-songwriter aimed to “write something different” and he has plenty more compelling material where that came from. He’ll be sharing that music with lakeshore audiences in coming weeks. Read the Local Spins profile and check out his performance schedule.
Stars of the touring Broadway musical want to impress the city with ‘what this show’s all about live‘ and fans are ready: 95 percent of tickets for the run here already have been sold. Read about this new touring production hosted by Broadway Grand Rapids.
Artist Spotlights · Features · Summer Festivals
The emerging punk act will share stages with some “heavy hitters” on its current tour, with more big festival appearances and a special vinyl release on the docket for 2016. Read the story about this Grand Rapids band and check out its performance schedule.
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.
The Traverse City singer-songwriter who finished third on the NBC show last year has been following the Ann Arbor blues guitarist’s run and calls his national exposure ‘incredible.’ Read the story about Joshua Davis’ take on another veteran Michigan musician finding success on “The Voice.”
With two dozen of the summer’s 30 concerts already sold out to Meijer Gardens members, it’s slim pickings for Saturday’s public sales offering, with just a few tickets left for Lyle Lovett and Seal. Get the lowdown in this Local Spins story.
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.
Artist Spotlights · Features · Upcoming shows
The fiery Michigan fiddler based in Traverse City is doing double-duty — balancing touring and performances with both bands. The Elders and Ladio play the Boat & Canoe Club in Grand Rapids on Saturday night. Read the story about this new Celtic music partnership.
Saturday’s celebration will fill the streets of Bellaire with thousands of revelers in what the drummer for The Crane Wives calls “a magical place.” See what’s planned for the anniversary event outside the popular northern Michigan brewery.
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.
