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.
Local Spins Rewind · Photos · Venue Spotlight
Amid a pandemic that upended the Hudsonville event center, owner Bill Worst debuted a new venture in September with drinks, food and music. The story and photos caught the attention of Local Spins readers.
Features · Local Spins Rewind · Videos
In late March, Local Spins put out a call to Michigan musicians to submit songs and videos inspired by the COVID crisis. They responded with humor and with poignancy — and readers loved it all. Watch the videos in this Local Spins Rewind feature that earned lots of attention last spring.
Local Spins Rewind · Playlists · Videos
This playlist from April honors the brave doctors, nurses and health care workers who have helped heal the nation. From Michael Jackson to Van Morrison to May Erlewine, revisit this Christmas Eve tribute as part of our countdown of 2020’s most-read stories.
In April, the well-known radio personality kicked off a partnership with Big Event Studios to showcase regional and national stars in a unique way, using a rustic Grand Rapids freight elevator as a backdrop. Learn more about this project and watch a brand new video starring Nathan Walton as part of today’s Local Spins Rewind feature.
Festivals · Local Spins Rewind · Videos
Hosted by Michigan Music Alliance, the star-studded live-streamed festival in March raised $11,500 in donations for the Michigan Artist Relief Fund to assist musicians hurt by the COVID-19 crisis. Revisit the story in words and videos at Local Spins.
The countdown of Local Spins’ most-read stories of the year continues with Albion’s Michael and Tanya Trotter taking part in a star-studded “Grammy Moment” finale. Today, we update that story from January, plus you can watch The War and Treaty’s Grammy performance as part of this “Local Spins Rewind” feature.
Local Spins Rewind · Top 12 Stories Countdown
Thanksgiving weekend launches Local Spins’ countdown of its most-read, most popular stories of 2020. The pandemic, not surprisingly, dominated the scene — including our No. 12 story about a new musicians’ relief fund.
Today’s look back at November 2019 spotlights milestones for a pair of beloved West Michigan music icons, not to mention a St. Joseph musician’s ambitious, unique attempt to play 100 breweries in 100 days. Revisit these special moments via Local Spins Rewind.
Local Spins Rewind · Videos · Vintage Gigs
Detroit-bred Alice Cooper releases a new, Michigan-focused album, “Detroit Stories,” in February. But 48 years ago, it was a “Holland Story” that rocked and shocked the region. For Local Spins Rewind, writer Brian J. Bowe recounts the historic night that Alice did Holland.
Concert reviews · Local Spins Rewind · Photos
A year ago this week, Local Spins published one of the most-read stories of the year — featuring emerging Michigan country artist Sadie Bass — and hailed the long-awaited, official opening of Listening Room. Check out reviews and photo galleries from those November 2019 events, plus several major West Michigan tour stops.
A year ago this week, country, pop, jam band, rock and folk fans were in the thick of memorable West Michigan performances and events — oblivious to the approaching COVID pandemic. Relive the week in words and photos courtesy of Local Spins Rewind.
Concert reviews · Local Spins Rewind · Photos
When live music was still at the entertainment forefront (pre-Covid) October 2019 boasted memorable highlights of the local and national variety, from sold-out tour stops to big announcements. A look back at a busy week in words and photos.
The ‘Year of COVID’ has wiped out months of performances in a 2020 that started with such promise. But before all that, October 2019 rolled out concerts and big events on a nightly basis. Local Spins looks back on a robust week of shows in words, photos and videos.
Local Spins Rewind · Summer Festivals
They’re eight hours and worlds apart, but both of these Michigan festivals boast uber-loyal fans. So with COVID scuttling their 2020 events this weekend, Local Spins gives devotees a look back at last year’s celebrations in words and images.
Local Spins Rewind · Photos · Summer Festivals
If not for COVID-19, Hoxey would have been reveling today amid northern Michigan splendor. So, Local Spins looks back at the 2019 celebration that boasted plenty of “beautiful” musical highlights – in words and photos.
Local Spins Rewind · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
The good-time vibe of last year’s festival may have made it the best in Cowpie history, thanks to The Bootstrap Boys, Fauxgrass, Mark Lavengood, Desmond Jones, Trifocal, Melophobix and more. COVID-19 wiped out the 2020 festival that would have taken place this weekend, but you can relive the highlights from last year’s celebration in words, photos and videos at Local Spins.
Features · Local Spins Rewind · Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
It’s been a frightening, topsy-turvy year, with live music mostly shut down. But quarantined Local Spins readers embraced our inventive COVID playlists and videos in record fashion. Here are the two most-read posts of 2020.
Local Spins Rewind · Photos · Summer Festivals
Usually, mid-July means Beaver Island teems with music from its festival in northern Lake Michigan. With the event canceled due to COVID, things were quieter this year, so Local Spins looks back at highlights from 2019 in words and photos.
With 2020’s festival canceled due to COVID-19, Local Spins looks back at a 2019 country music celebration in Jackson County that drew more than 40,000 fans for sets by Keith Urban, Toby Keith, Zac Brown and more. Check out the photo galleries and recaps of last year’s performances.
Local Spins Rewind · Playlists · Podcasts · Videos
In mid-July 2017, a little-known, soulful group from Albion stuffed its gear into a radio studio for Local Spins on WYCE and blew everyone away. Not surprisingly, they’ve since soared to prominence and become national stars. Relive their debut via words, video and radio show podcast. Plus check out the Tuesday Local Spins Playlist of Top 10 War and Treaty songs.
Local Spins Rewind · Photos · Summer Festivals
This year’s Blissfest has gone online for virtual performances through Sunday. But the in-person, 39th edition of the northern Michigan festival may have been the most memorable in history. Relive this special festival in words and photos at Local Spins.
Local Spins Rewind · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
The 10th Electric Forest isn’t happening this weekend due to COVID-19, so Local Spins has 10 great memories — in words, photos and video — from last year’s festival in Rothbury to satiate the Forest Family. Relive the moments.
Local Spins Rewind · Summer Festivals
This was supposed to be a huge weekend for 2020 outdoor music festivals in West Michigan, but COVID-19 changed all that, forcing cancellation of some annual celebrations. So, Local Spins today looks back at highlights from 2019 with reviews, photo galleries and videos from two of the region’s most popular summer events.
Local Spins Rewind · Photos · Summer Festivals
A tradition over Memorial Day weekend, the Bus Benefit south of Grand Haven always signaled the start of Michigan’s festival season. COVID-19 wiped out the 2020 event, so Local Spins decided to revisit last year’s celebration in words, photos and some video highlights. Amid the current pandemic, they’re magical, bittersweet memories.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins Rewind · Upcoming shows
After a Sunday night stop in Fennville, the inventive Kalamazoo rock band will play Grand Rapids’ intimate Listening Room for the first time on Monday, part of Local Spins’ Michigan Mondays series. Revisit our December interview with this risk-taking pop-rock powerhouse and listen to the band’s music.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins Rewind · Podcasts
Learn more about the Holland folk-punk trio and watch its new videos in this Local Spins Rewind feature.
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.
The No. 2 story in Local Spins’ countdown of the top stories of 2019 was a sad one: The vibrant leader of Southwest Michigan’s Dacia Bridges Project was found dead outside Traverse City in August, sparking tributes from across the globe.
Audio · Local Spins Rewind · Videos
The ‘top secret’ September project that had 15 vocalists gathering to record the Fleetwood Mac song at Third Coast Recording in Grand Haven was one of Local Spins’ most-read stories of 2019. Get the back story on this special project and watch the video at Local Spins.
Local Spins Rewind · Photos · Videos
Even country star Brantley Gilbert calls her a ‘badass’ singer. Local Spins’ spotlight on the mid-Michigan favorite with a bright future proved to be among the most-read stories of the year. Revisit the story, photo galleries and videos at Local Spins.
Local Spins Rewind · Photos · Videos
Local Spins’ countdown of the year’s top music stories continues with a behind-the-scenes look into The Who’s elaborate Van Andel Arena show in May, thanks to lighting designer and creative director Tom Kenny who also expressed love for “the local orchestra.” Get insights into the show in this Local Spins Rewind feature, with a link to the full review of the GR concert.
The Local Spins review of Lynne’s Electric Light Orchestra spectacle of nostalgic hits at Van Andel Arena in July was one of the website’s most-read stories of the year. Revisit the review, the photo gallery and set list at Local Spins as we continue our countdown of the top music stories of 2019.
Local Spins’ No. 7 story of the year was a “reprint” of a deeply personal essay by the legendary Grand Rapids DJ and radio personality who disclosed the medical issue and surgery that kept him out of the public eye.
The April announcement of this special annual series featuring regional acts at a revamped Meijer Gardens amphitheater put this story at No. 8 on the list of most-read 2019 stories. And get links to coverage of Tuesday Evening Music Club shows in 2019.
Concert reviews · Local Spins Rewind · Photos
The gracious, operatic pop singer unfurled a wide-ranging set for fans in mid-June at a near-capacity Van Andel Arena. The review was the ninth most popular post at Local Spins in 2019. Check out the concert recap and photo gallery.
Local Spins Rewind · Photos · Videos
Today, Local Spins starts its year-end countdown of the Top 10 most-read stories of the year, starting with a tribute to a Grand Rapids rock icon who passed away in late 2018. The story, photos and video for the No. 10 entry of the year.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins Rewind
With Full Cord playing a pre-Christmas show at SpeakEZ Lounge tonight, Local Spins revisits its in-studio visit and interview with the West Michigan band that recently released a new EP.
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.
Local Spins Rewind · Venue Spotlight · Videos
Welcome to Local Spins’ No. 1 story of 2018: The Intersection doubles its live music venues in downtown Grand Rapids. Check out before and after videos, photo galleries and more from the March opening of Elevation and The Mint in the lower level of the popular nightclub.
Local Spins Rewind · Venue Spotlight
The 2018 countdown continues with two pieces of big news first revealed by Local Spins in June: a planned listening room would be included in a huge theatre/retail project and Quinn Mathews would leave WYCE-FM to run it. Get the lowdown on the Studio Park project via this Local Spins Rewind post.
In Memoriam · Local Spins Rewind · Videos
Local Spins’ countdown of 2018’s Top 10 stories continues with a sad one at No. 3: The frontman for The Beveridge Brothers died unexpectedly in early December. The loving tributes poured out quickly. Read many of them in this Local Spins Rewind feature.
Concert reviews · Local Spins Rewind · Photos
Local Spins’ Top 10 countdown of 2018’s most-read stories continues with a review of The Eagles’ mid-March Van Andel Arena show when they replicated their classic songs with incredible precision. On this Christmas Day, revisit the review, photo gallery and set list in this Local Spins Rewind feature.
Concert reviews · Local Spins Rewind
The countdown of Local Spins’ Top 10 stories continues with a look back at Jack White’s buzz-generating April concert at 20 Monroe Live. Revisit the special concert in this Local Spins Rewind feature with a photo gallery and set list.
Concert reviews · Local Spins Rewind
Our countdown of 2018’s most-read stories continues with this October review of the superstar rock band’s concert at Van Andel Arena with a controversial new lineup. See what the band’s Grand Rapids performance was like minus Lindsey Buckingham. a
Local Spins Rewind · Photos · Videos
The Local Spins countdown of 2018’s most-read stories continues with May’s inside look (in photos, words and video) at Meijer Gardens’ upgraded outdoor concert venue — and even more improvements are on tap for 2019. Revisit the project in this Local Spins Rewind feature.
The Local Spins countdown of 2018’s most-read stories continues with Camp Greensky’s highly anticipated announcement last February of its inaugural festival lineup. And revisit the recap and photo gallery from the first-year festival that took place last May.
Local Spins Rewind · Photos · Videos
Local Spins today starts its countdown of the most-read stories of 2018, starting with a wild night of music that boasted capacity crowds in three Grand Rapids venues to close out 2017. Revisit the No. 10 story of the year, along with photos and videos.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins Rewind · Videos
The Nathan Walton Band plays SpeakEZ Lounge tonight. Last July, the Byron Center native and singer-songwriter uncorked live renditions of songs from his impressive debut EP for Local Spins on WYCE. Check out this Local Spins Rewind feature on an up-and-coming new West Michigan talent.
Five years ago, Harry Connick Jr. played his first Meijer Gardens concert — one of the hottest ever at the amphitheater. On Monday, he returns to Grand Rapids for an indoor, holiday show on the same day that the season’s first big winter snowstorm hits the region. Warm up for the show by revisiting his steamy, fan-pleasing 2013 appearance.
