Artist Spotlights · Local Spins Rewind · Upcoming shows · Videos
March 2024 generated some of the most buzzed-about stories of the year, and Billy Strings and other Michigan artists featured in those articles are making waves in 2025. Local Spins takes a look back … and forward.
Local Spins Rewind · Summer Festivals · Top Stories of the Year Countdown
Hoxeyville devotees flocked in August to the Manistee National Forest for the festival’s final soiree even though several headliners backed out in the days before. It was one of Local Spins’ biggest stories of the year.
Local Spins Rewind · Summer Concerts · Top Stories of the Year Countdown
Despite some ticketing system snafus in April, Meijer Gardens sold out 18 of its summer concerts in little more than an hour. Revisit Local Spins’ coverage as part of our year-end countdown.
Features · Local Spins Rewind · Podcasts · Videos
The bluegrass guitarist’s fans traveled from across the country to catch a wild 2023 Grand Rapids concert that folks are still talking about. This year’s Halloween spectacle was epic, too. Check out a video clip from this year’s concert affair and listen to the 2023 Local Spins on WYCE radio show featuring interviews with diehard fans and more.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins Rewind · Upcoming shows
Local Spins first wrote about the West Michigan world music trio in 2022. Now, Local Spins Rewind revisits and updates that Artist Spotlight as the band prepares to play SpeakEZ’s Local Spins Wednesdays series. The back story, video and more.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Local Spins Rewind · Upcoming shows · Videos
Major Murphy plays its first Grand Rapids show in nearly a year tonight at SpeakEZ Lounge after releasing a new studio album this summer. Get the show details and roster of special guests, along with a Local Spins Rewind summer interview and podcast.
Announcements · Local Spins Rewind · Photos · Playlists · Videos
The snow-pocalypse has canceled scads of Michigan shows, including Saturday’s 12-band benefit for Wheatland Music Organization. But listen to the music that had been scheduled for the event and relive last summer’s Wheatland festival amid today’s storm thanks to a special Local Spins playlist and photo gallery.
Concert reviews · Local Spins Rewind · Photos · Top Stories of the Year Countdown
At No. 6 in our Top 20 of ’23 countdown: The review of classic rock guitarist Peter Frampton’s tour-starting June show at Meijer Gardens that came five decades after his first West Michigan appearance. Revisit the review and photo gallery on Christmas Day.
Concert reviews · Local Spins Rewind · Photos
In early August, Isbell & The 400 Unit — with Michigan native Dominic John Davis on bass — electrified fans at Meijer Gardens. The Local Spins review was the 14th most popular post of the year. Revisit the review, photos and set list.
Concert reviews · Local Spins Rewind · Top Stories of the Year Countdown
‘Young, Wild & Free’ fans were primed to ‘Drop It Like It’s Hot’ for Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa during a July tour stop in Grand Rapids — Local Spins’ 17th most popular story of the year.
Local Spins Rewind · Photos · Top Stories of the Year Countdown · Videos
Local Spins today kicks off its countdown of the Top 20 stories of the year, starting with our coverage of Electric Forest’s opening day. The theme? ‘Nobody cares what you do here.’ Indeed, an anything-goes attitude returned to Rothbury with wildly garbed attendees and bass-heavy romps. The recap, photos and video from an iconic Michigan celebration.
Local Spins Rewind · Upcoming shows · Videos
In a 2019 interview, Billy Strings candidly discussed struggles to maintain his mental health as a road warrior – a challenge for many artists. Revisit the story today at Local Spins. Oh, and check out a new Billy Strings board game.
Local Spins Rewind · Photos · Videos
Local Spins’ “Billy Strings Month” continues with a look back at the young, up-and-coming West Michigan guitarist eight years ago as he prepared to play the cozy Local Spins Wednesdays series at SpeakEZ Lounge. Plus, view a full performance video of Billy Strings & Don Julin from earlier the same year.
Local Spins Rewind · Summer Concerts · Summer Festivals
Our review of the legendary rock guitarist’s June 19 tour-opening show in Grand Rapids drew readers from across the globe. At the year’s halfway point, Local Spins revisits its Top 3 most-read stories.
Concert reviews · Local Spins Rewind · Photos · Top 12 Stories Countdown
The No. 3 story of the year at Local Spins was our review of a much-delayed, much-anticipated concert: Journey’s return to Van Andel Arena in early May. Revisit it today.
Local Spins Rewind · Top 12 Stories Countdown · Videos
Local Spins’ countdown of its top stories of the year takes a sad turn today: We revisit the September column by drummer Bill Vits, who shared his life story just weeks before he died of cancer.
Local Spins Rewind · Top 12 Stories Countdown · Videos
It’s no surprise that one of the top stories of 2022 would involve Michigan-bred star Billy Strings. In April, he and his band performed on the Grammys, though he didn’t win for best bluegrass album. Check out the story and videos in today’s Local Spins Rewind.
Local Spins Rewind · Top 12 Stories Countdown
At No. 7 in our countdown of Local Spins’ most-read stories of the year is our coverage of first-day sales for the ever-popular Meijer Gardens concert series for 2022. Revisit that April day, plus get a link to Local Spins reviews and photo galleries from the summer concerts that followed.
Local Spins Rewind · Top 12 Stories Countdown · Videos
No. 8 in our top-stories-of-the-year round-up features a fast-rising mid-Michigan singer who made the initial cut and impressed judges in September during the most recent season of the NBC show. Watch the video of her much-ballyhooed blind auditions performance.
Local Spins Rewind · Photos · Top 12 Stories Countdown
The countdown of Local Spins’ most-read stories of the year hits No. 9 today with the recap of a busy summer weekend that featured Faster Horses, Drive-By Truckers, Walk the Beat and more. Revisit the late July roundup in words and photos.
Local Spins Rewind · Summer Festivals · Top 12 Stories Countdown
After a three-year COVID hiatus, the festival resumed in July with Shawn Colvin, Leftover Salmon and dozens of regional favorites. The festival announcement and our coverage of the event were among Local Spins’ top stories of the year.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins Rewind · Top 12 Stories Countdown
Our top-stories-of-the-year countdown continues today with No. 11: The Local Spins interview with the legendary Daryl Hall and Todd Rundgren, who played Grand Rapids in November.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins Rewind · Podcasts · Upcoming shows · Videos
The world’s Grammy-winning face of bluegrass plays Wings Event Center Thursday. But in 2015, Billy Strings was just Michigan’s emerging acoustic fave, wowing a handful of fans for Local Spins Live at River City Studios. Relive the milestone performance via video and podcast at Local Spins.
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.
Features · Local Spins Rewind · Top 10 Lists
As Local Spins prepares to celebrate its 10th anniversary this week, we revisit the top stories every year since the website launched in 2012. Check out the roster of memories as we get ready to unleash seven concert events in six days.
Features · Local Spins Rewind · Playlists
It’s only apropos that on a holiday of sorts for many, Local Spins would re-publish its 2021 4/20 Playlist created through a New Standard/Agri-Med contest asking for readers’ favorite cannabis-inspired tunes. Oh, and yes, It’s smokin’ hot.
Local Spins Rewind · Photos · Videos
This was to be the weekend when WYCE’s Jammie Awards finally returned to The Intersection. The pandemic, however, has pushed that back to June. So today, Local Spins revisits the jubilant 2020 awards show in words, photos and video highlights.
Local Spins Rewind · Playlists
This column ran prior to the 2021 Super Bowl, with the wretched tale of the Lions told in hit singles by last year’s halftime performer, The Weeknd. Come back next week when we’ll do the same for the 2022 roster of halftime stars.
A year ago this weekend, The Ark staged a successful online-only version of its popular folk festival with a host of national and regional stars. Tonight, it goes virtual again with a Michigan tribute to songwriter Nanci Griffith featuring performances by The Accidentals, May Erlewine, Annie and Rod Capps and many more. Get details and revisit last year’s event here.
In Memoriam · Local Spins Rewind · Top 12 Stories Countdown
Iconic West Michigan musician and singer Junior Valentine passed away on March 1 at age 66, leaving behind a legacy of polished performances and musical mentoring that touched a host of lives. Revisit the memorials to the beloved guitarist in the No. 3 story of the year.
Local Spins Rewind · Top 12 Stories Countdown
Our “top stories of the year” countdown continues with No. 11: Our profile of Pete Bardolph and John Gelderloos, who closed their Grand Rapids instrument and gear store after a long and fruitful run. Revisit the story and browse a photo gallery at Local Spins.
Local Spins Rewind · Top 12 Stories Countdown
The countdown of Local Spins’ top stories of the year begins with this all-female March tribute to icon Aretha Franklin which featured singers and musicians from across the state. Watch the video, revisit the story.
In Memoriam · Local Spins Rewind
A year ago, West Michigan lost these beloved guitarists, so Local Spins remembers them today. On Sunday, K’zoofolklife hosts a Memorial Jam for Fleckenstein with musicians gathering for “music and[…]
Commentary · Local Spins Rewind
Thanksgiving 2021 arrives this coming week after another turbulent year. But there’s plenty to be thankful for, so Local Spins Rewind revisits messages of gratitude from West Michigan musicians.
Local Spins Rewind · Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
Exactly one year ago, Local Spins compiled a Top 10 list of its readers’ favorite terrifying tracks for a spine-tingling soundtrack. As a Halloween bonus, see what acts scare them the most.
Features · Local Spins Rewind · Videos
In June 2017, the night before the Red Hot Chili Peppers played Van Andel Arena, drummer Chad Smith made the musical rounds at Flanagan’s, Mojo’s and 20 Monroe Live. With tickets to see RHCP at Ford Field in 2022 now on sale, Local Spins revisits this unusual night in words, photos and videos.
Exactly one year ago today, Local Spins featured Tom Wall and Cosmic Knot’s groundbreaking florganoleptic music. After finishing in the Top 25 at ArtPrize, we revisit this incredible ‘jamming with plants.’
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins Rewind · Videos
Arlo Guthrie celebrates his 74th birthday today. After a 2019 stroke, he officially retired from touring in 2020. But before that — in 2018 — Local Spins chatted with him before a show at Kalamazoo’s State Theatre. Today, we revisit that interview.
Concert reviews · Local Spins Rewind · Photos · Videos
Today’s Local Spins Rewind feature looks back to May 2019 when classic rock icons The Who opened their North American tour with help from Grand Rapids Symphony musicians. Fans are still arguing over this one. Revisit the review and an interview with The Who’s creative director, browse the photo galleries, video and set list.
Audio · Local Spins Rewind · Playlists · Videos
A couple of years ago, Grand Rapids singer and multi-instrumentalist Patty PerShayla assembled a special soundtrack of songs for saving our environment. Listen up again on Earth Day. PerShayla plays a special Local Spins Fest edition of ‘Songtellers’ at Listening Room on May 17 with an all-star cast of West Michigan songwriters.
Five years ago, long before COVID, mid-April rocked West Michigan as musicians and fans packed record shops, Wealthy Theatre, Pyramid Scheme, Intersection and Billy’s Lounge. Revisit the special weekend in words and photos in this Local Spins Rewind feature.
Features · Local Spins Rewind · Videos
Exactly one year ago today, at the height of COVID angst, Local Spins published a roundup of virus-inspired songs and spoofs created by Michigan musicians, both funny and heartfelt. Revisit the fetching tunes and videos.
Concert reviews · In Memoriam · Local Spins Rewind · Photos
One year ago — before the pandemic erupted — West Michigan not only cheered a tour stop by mandolin whiz Chris Thile but mourned the unexpected death of beloved local musician Eric Soules. Local Spins revisits both events in today’s ‘Rewind’ feature.
Concert reviews · Local Spins Rewind · Photos · Videos
Thousands filled The Intersection on Valentine’s Day 2020 to celebrate the best regional music of the year with impressive performances on three stages. With this year’s edition of the Jammie Awards indefinitely postponed due to COVID, browse highlights from last year’s big night in words, photos and video.
Local Spins Rewind · Photos · Videos
Held at The Intersection exactly one year ago today, the 11th annual benefit for the Wheatland Music Organization boasted more than a dozen performances on two stages in spite of wintry weather. Revisit the event in words, photos and video.
Local Spins Rewind · Top 10 Lists · Videos
The coronavirus crisis has fueled the creativity of musicians who’ve turned to humor for survival in 2020. Local Spins’ March roundup of video parodies not only became the No. 1 most-read story of the year, but the most popular post in the website’s history. Revisit this roster of clever spoof tunes, including new COVID-inspired videos we’ve added to further tickle your funny bone.
Local Spins Rewind · Playlists · Videos
The No. 2 story of the year was produced in quarantine by Local Spins writer Troy Reimink, who concocted a mid-March, elbow bump-worthy soundtrack for the viral apocalypse. Check out this uber-popular post and listen to the COVID-inspired tracks he assembled.
Local Spins Rewind · Playlists · Top 12 Stories Countdown · Videos
The Stones were set to mount a 2020 U.S. tour until COVID-19 upended things. To make up for it, Local Spins in June fired up a dozen of the iconic band’s under-appreciated classics for a special playlist that was shared by readers across the globe. Check out the roster of songs and listen to the tracks.
In Memoriam · Local Spins Rewind
The well-loved bassist and Lowell native who performed with Nathan Kalish, Al & The Black Cats and DangerVille passed away unexpectedly on Feb. 24. Friends and fellow musicians were heartbroken. Revisit their tributes in this Local Spins Rewind feature from February.
Concert announcements · Local Spins Rewind · Summer Concerts
The COVID crisis eventually scuttled the shows, but when 97LAV announced in late February its plans for returning that mid-week blues series to Rosa Parks Circle, lots of folks were interested — making it one of the top music stories of the year at Local Spins.
