Features · Kalamazoo · Upcoming shows
Three new Kalamazoo-area bands formed since early December will perform freshly created songs while competing for ‘bragging rights’ on Jan. 31. The back story about this unusual event at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Kalamazoo · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
Local Spins spotlights Kalamazoo’s diverse and robust musical artists, with movers and shakers naming acts more people should know. Plus, our radio show podcast debuts new tracks by a host of Michigan bands. Learn more about these artists and listen to this week’s show.
Concert reviews · Festivals · Kalamazoo · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Kalamazoo’s Sounds of the Zoo continued its musical march over the weekend, with Marc E. Bassy & Skizzy Mars and The Airborne Toxic Event revving up Grand Rapids. The photo round-up at Local Spins.
Festivals · Kalamazoo · Upcoming shows
The week-long music festival heats up multiple Kalamazoo venues in late September with Nathan Walton, Laura Rain, Zion Lion and more. The schedule, details and more at Local Spins.
Kalamazoo · Photos · Venue Spotlight
Launched in 2021, the intimate Milwood Neighborhood concert space has hosted wide-ranging shows by local bands and touring acts. The back story at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Breaking music news · Kalamazoo
A track by the Kalamazoo singer and guitarist who shares his music with seniors across the Midwest will be featured in a radio release from Kentucky’s “Woodsongs Old-Time Radio Hour.” Get the back story and listen to the song at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Kalamazoo · Summer Festivals
The Kalamazoo Valley Blues Associations aims to partner with the Kalamazoo Growlers for the August event, with four upcoming fundraising concerts at Shakespeare’s Pub to help finance the festival. Learn more at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Kalamazoo · Photos
That “Little Ol’ Band from Texas” revved up fans Wednesday at Wings Event Center with hits ranging from “Got Me Under Pressure” to “Legs” to “Tush.” Pittsburgh’s Ghost Hounds got things started. The show recap, photo gallery and set list at Local Spins.
Announcements · Kalamazoo · Upcoming shows
Performers have until Nov. 1 to apply, with the top three ensembles and solo artists taking part in a Jan. 10 play-in contest for two paid slots at the March festival. Get details and a link to the online application at Local Spins.
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.
Saturday’s day-long event at Kalamazoo Valley Community College will feature numerous workshops and an evening concert starring folk icons Robin & Linda Williams and fingerstyle guitar whiz Pat Donohue. Get the details at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · In Memoriam · Kalamazoo · Weekend Photo Gallery
The Labor Day weekend tribute brought a host of musicians to Kalamazoo’s Jericho Corners to pay homage to the singer and songwriter who passed away unexpectedly in early August. The photos at Local Spins, along with a gallery from another big Kalamazoo event: Kalamashoegazer 13.
Concert reviews · Kalamazoo · Photos · Summer Festivals
The three-day event in downtown Kalamazoo boasted standout performances from national stars, a Michigan blues-rock phenom and local faves. Get the recap and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Kalamazoo · Photos
Amid steamy temps at Bell’s Brewery Beer Garden in Kalamazoo, Kurt Vile & The Violators didn’t “Bottle It In” musically, but delivered smoldering “indie-rock glory” for a sold-out crowd. The Local Spins review and photo gallery.
Concert reviews · Kalamazoo · Photos · Summer Festivals
The first day of the 2019 festival in downtown Kalamazoo drew blues devotees for everything from local faves Out of Favor Boys to Nikki Hill, Duwayne Burnside and Gatorboys. Browse the Local Spins photo gallery.
Album Releases · Artist Spotlights · Kalamazoo · Upcoming shows
This quartet brings a Pacific Coast and Spaghetti Western vibe to its music, channeling Dick Dale, Link Wray and Agent 007 along the way. Get the back story, listen to their music at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Kalamazoo · Photos
The rains lifted just in time for the second of two Duluth, Minn., bands to rock the sold-out beer garden. Offering up a perfectly balanced, nearly all-original setlist, TBT performed its share of classic cuts, new numbers and a rousing Pixies’ cover to close it out. Photos, videos and review at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Kalamazoo · Photos
Steppin’ In It with friends and May Erlewine & The Motivations moved a Bell’s Brewery crowd while Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers funked up Old Dog Tavern in outdoor shows. Check out the recap of both summer-opening spectacles by Ryan Boldrey, with photo galleries by Derek Ketchum.
Kalamazoo · Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
With Memorial Day weekend serving as the kickoff to the summer concert season, Local Spins spotlights free community concerts in the Kalamazoo area. Check out the robust lineups and complete schedules in several locations.
Concert reviews · Festivals · Kalamazoo · Photos · Summer Festivals
When all the votes were tallied after Saturday’s semifinal play-in competition, judges and fans at Arcadia Brewing Co. settled on sending Kalamazoo’s Utopian Party on their collective way down the ‘Pathway to the Pasture.’ The foursome netted a close win over Grand Rapids’ Drew Phoria and Bay City’s Barbarossa Brothers and is one step away from earning a slot at this August’s festival in Caledonia.
Concert announcements · Kalamazoo · Upcoming shows
This summer’s stacked lineup features Trampled by Turtles, Built to Spill, Here Come the Mummies, Conor Oberst, Kurt Vile and more. Check out the initial schedule at Local Spins.
It’s Women’s History Month and Kalamazoo will get a dose of potent female-driven hip hop via a pair of West Michigan stars. And Lady Ace Boogie follows up by hosting another hip-hop showcase Saturday in Grand Rapids. Get the back story, watch videos at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Kalamazoo · Photos
Saturday’s stripped-down concert by the Southern rock/country band at Kalamazoo State Theatre gave fans an intimate, memorable display of Blackberry Smoke’s endearing songs. The review and photo gallery, exclusively at Local Spins.
Festivals · Kalamazoo · Photos · Videos
Saturday’s day-long event at Kalamazoo Valley Museum unfurled everything from folk to hip hop to blues courtesy of Red Tail Ring, Jordan Hamilton, Chris Canas and more. Read the event wrap-up, check out photos and a video at Local Spins.
Festivals · Kalamazoo · Upcoming shows · Videos
The festival kicks off Friday night with a concert by Shari Kane and Dave Steele at Kalamazoo Valley Museum, followed by Saturday’s day-long affair with 15 acts on three stages, vendors, workshops and “pop-up” shows. Get the lowdown and the full Saturday schedule at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Kalamazoo · Upcoming shows · Videos
The iconic folk singer will bring his 50th anniversary “Alice’s Restaurant Tour” to Kalamazoo’s State Theatre on Friday. Arlo Guthrie chatted with Local Spins about the song, his tour and the state of folk music in the New Millennium — and in an age of divisiveness.
Artist Spotlights · Kalamazoo · Videos
The acclaimed West Michigan jazz-folk artist took a ‘no-holds-barred’ approach on ‘People are Fragile.’ Ashley Daneman will preview the powerful album with her band Thursday at Bell’s Brewery Eccentric Cafe. Get the back story and watch her videos at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Kalamazoo · Photos
This show “Missed the Boat” and it shouldn’t be blamed on “The Dance Hall.” Sound issues made songs unrecognizable, some fans left early and one reviewer wished he’d run “Out of Gas.” But the light show was groovy. Get the lowdown and a photo gallery from Tuesday’s Wings Stadium concert at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Kalamazoo · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The singer, songwriter and musician with success in everything from heavy metal to dance music has re-established herself in Southwest Michigan as a rising star while fronting the Dacia Bridges Project all-female super-group. Read the back story about this remarkable artist, listen to the full Local Spins on WYCE radio show podcast featuring her in-studio performance and new music from other regional acts, and check out Dacia Bridges videos at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Kalamazoo · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Marcus King Band plays Kalamazoo’s State Theatre on Thursday, part of the group’s ceaseless touring as it builds its audience and impresses critics with its frontman’s eye-popping musicianship. Read the Local Spins interview with this guitar sensation and check out videos of his performances.
Concert announcements · Kalamazoo · Summer Concerts
Local Spins’ latest round-up of free community concert series across West Michigan puts the spotlight on outdoor shows in the Kalamazoo area. Take a gander at the diverse band lineups, then grab a lawn chair and go.
Concert reviews · Kalamazoo · Photos
Rain forced Wednesday’s concert at Bell’s Brewery inside, where the Seattle-bred rapper unleashed a storm of classics, from “Baby Got Back” to a rendition of Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
The Accidentals, JJ Grey, Chris Robinson and more to headline the Kalamazoo venue this summer as Greensky Bluegrass trades its traditional Bell’s opener for its own new music festival. See the initial Garden schedule at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Kalamazoo · Upcoming shows · Videos
Now based in Chicago, Ollie Davidson’s duo Almond&Olive has been touring the country with its harmony-driven Americana music and will open for Scythian Sunday at Bell’s. Read the story of this Kalamazoo native’s musical journey and watch videos of the band.
Artist Spotlights · Kalamazoo · Upcoming shows · Videos
After making her home in Chicago the past year while exploring new musical connections, the singer and guitarist returns to Kalamazoo for a homecoming show at Bell’s Brewery on Saturday. Local Spins writer Ryan Boldrey checks back in with the talented singer as she prepares for the next step in her career.
Audio · Commentary · Features · Kalamazoo
In his Local Spins debut, writer Ryan Nehring pays tribute to Kalamazoo performer, singer, MC and host of the “PUT UP or SHUT UP” open-mic night who passed away unexpectedly last month. Read about this influential West Michigan artist in Ryan’s poignant column.
Artist Spotlights · Features · Guest Column · Kalamazoo
The genre-bending Kalamazoo band recently depicted sleep and dreams artistically — from the serene to the frenetic — in a unique concert that will be available on video. Read the back story about this unusual event at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Kalamazoo · Photos
The West Michigan-bred, Nashville-based country singer unfurled his ninth annual holiday show at Kalamazoo’s State Theatre on Saturday for a jolly “family” of fans. Read the Local Spins review, ogle the photo gallery
Concert reviews · Kalamazoo · Photos
Marshall teenager and blues-rock guitarist Jake Kershaw stole the show at State Theatre, while Tab Benoit did double-duty by later playing drums with Out of Favor Boys at Old Dog Tavern. Read the review, browse the photo gallery. .
Announcements · Kalamazoo · Upcoming shows · Videos
Electro-pop’s Less is More aims to continue broadening its musical universe as it departs West Michigan. The band plays a farewell show at Bell’s Brewery on Saturday night. Get the back story, check out a video.
Features · Kalamazoo · Top 10 Lists
Check out the latest entry in the “Local Spins Top 10 Rewind Series,” recapping the biggest stories of 2017. This feature about Kalamazoo’s Heritage Guitar aiming to restore the luster of the Gibson factory to make it a destination for devotees of handcrafted guitars drew lots of attention from musicians and history buffs. And find links to follow-up stories, too.
Artist Spotlights · Kalamazoo · Upcoming shows
The young, award-winning, up-and-coming West Michigan band already has become a staple at top-tier Irish music festivals and has honed a unique sound for its Celtic-driven music. It plays a Grand Rapids CD-release show Thursday night. Learn more about The Founding and watch videos of its songs.
Festivals · Kalamazoo · Upcoming shows · Videos
Variety rules this popular festival being held at Bell’s in Kalamazoo, with national and regional shoegaze, dream pop and noise bands taking center stage. See the full schedule, check out videos of some featured acts.
Concert reviews · Kalamazoo · Weekend Photo Gallery
The last blast of summer (officially) arrived in many musical forms and in a slew of different venues across West Michigan. And Local Spins has the photos to prove it.
Features · Kalamazoo · Photos · Videos
The well-known Kalamazoo musician heads a fund-raising effort to expand the homey space for area and visiting musicians alike, a way to keep music and the arts alive. Explore the back story, watch a video and browse a Walnut House photo gallery.
Giving and putting others first: That’s the focal point of this annual benefit concert that takes place at Old Dog Tavern in Kalamazoo on Saturday night. See the full lineup and schedule at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Kalamazoo
On the same weekend of a Gibson 100th anniversary celebration, Heritage reveals future plans for a ‘landmark music destination’ at the renovated Parsons Street factory site. Read more about the proposed project in Kalamazoo at Local Spins.
Teen phenoms Jake Kershaw and Sammy Melchi are among the slate of performers for Heritage Guitar’s party commemorating a century of Gibson in Kalamazoo. See the full lineup and read more about Saturday’s special celebration.
Features · Kalamazoo · Summer Festivals · Videos
The nonprofit group will host the Riverfront Music Festival in Allegan this Sunday featuring B&F Union Railroad, Four Got to Shave and more. Explore the back story about this group that nurtures musicians.
Album reviews · Artist Spotlights · Audio · Kalamazoo
The band with roots at Western Michigan University revels in ‘creative freedom’ as it churns out distinctive jazz fusion and soul. Read the Local Spins review of the “Nebulushh” EP, listen to tracks by the up-and-coming band.
