On Sunday, three fast-rising, Michigan-bred acts will vie for the most prestigious music awards in the business. Local Spins recaps their amazing journeys to prominence. Plus, listen to a Grammy playlist reflecting their nominated recordings.
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.
Commentary · Detroit Lions · Playlists · Videos
We musically recount the Detroit Lions’ mostly futile playoff experiences since their 1957 championship while predicting a Sunday win amid more upbeat themes for an NFL team on the rise. The Local Spins column and a unique playoff playlist.
Dec. 8 marks 43 years since the world lost John Lennon of The Beatles to a brutal assassination. The world still reveres his music, still mourns his loss — with The Beatles even recently releasing one of his songs for the Fab Four’s final track. Listen to Local Spins’ Ultimate John Lennon Playlist.
Albums that Changed the World · Playlists
The popular Local Spins series revealing the musical influences for Michigan musicians and producers continues with the picks of a Michigan tunesmith from the wilds of the Upper Peninsula. Check out his picks, listen to tracks from all of the albums — including a couple of songs from his most recent release.
So a certain much-ballyhooed rivalry game closes out the regular Big 10 season today in Ann Arbor. Local Spins kicks it off with a pre-show battle of songs about Michigan and Ohio. View the musical skirmish and listen to the tracks.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
The Traverse City musician (Medicinal Groove) and manager of The Alluvion reveals the recordings that have shaped his own career. Listen to tracks from all of his selections at Local Spins.
Audio · Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
Local Spins asked Billy Strings fans to choose their favorite songs. We took the Top 10 picks and turned it into a classic playlist of modern bluegrass prowess. Listen to the tracks and see who won our Billy Strings gift packs.
Playlists · Upcoming shows · Videos
The legendary Bob Dylan brings his global tour to Grand Rapids Saturday. Today, Dylan fan and Local Spins collaborator Nicholas James Thomasma offers up a compelling roster of Dylan songs covered by other artists.
Albums that Changed the World · Playlists
Acclaimed smooth jazz musician Phil Denny talks about how Richard Elliot, Boney James and Grover Washington Jr. influenced his own playing. Check out the albums at Local Spins.
Michigan’s songbird soared to No. 1 with her latest album. Get the back story on Pretoria’s chart debut and see what other Michigan artists made the Top 5 for September. Plus, listen to tracks from all of the releases at Local Spins.
Concert announcements · Playlists · Upcoming shows
This week’s lineup and theme announcement for the Oct. 31 bluegrass spectacle at Van Andel Arena — dubbed the “Van Andel Scramble” — features pals Mark Lavengood, John Mailander, Chris Pandolfi and Duane Trucks among other stars of the scene. The lowdown at Local Spins, along with a special concert playlist.
The ambitious week-long showcase of Michigan bands unfurls at eight different venues, plus some busking stations. Get the background, schedule and a playlist at Local Spins.
Concert announcements · Playlists · Upcoming shows
Kicking off next Wednesday, the mid-week concerts will feature Lighting Matches, Hannah Rose Graves, Roosevelt Diggs, Evidence Jazz and more. View the schedule, listen to a playlist and get details at Local Spins.
Festivals · Playlists · Upcoming shows
Aiming to educate and entertain, the two-day festival at Grand Rapids’ Rosa Parks Circle will feature a keynote address by acclaimed music industry expert Ari Herstand, plus live music, a robotics expo, gaming competition and much more. Get details, the full schedule and a playlist at Local Spins.
Local Spins previews this weekend’s festival on Rosa Parks Circle that will feature the pioneering hip hop group Sugarhill Gang, local faves Avalon Cutts-Jones, Lady Ace Boogie and more. Get the schedule, a playlist and other details.
Playlists · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Local Spins previews what has become one of the Michigan music scene’s favorite late-season festivals. Get details, daily schedules, a playlist and more for this mid-September celebration.
Amid crazy high expectations, the Lions launch their 2023 National Football League campaign tonight in Kansas City. And Local Spins has the musical soundtrack to spur Michigan’s heroes to glory. We think, maybe … Anyway, it’s Local Spins publisher John Sinkevics’ annual column exploring the plight of the silver and Honolulu blue.
Boasting a new Wheatland app for attendees, the much-beloved festival returns to Remus on Friday, with a wide-ranging lineup of national and regional stars. The Local Spins preview.
The August chart representing the regional albums that received the most radio airplay at WYCE (88.1) covers a lot of musical territory. Check out the chart, listen to tracks from all the releases.
Playlists · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Local Spins previews the eclectic one-day music festival presented for the second year by Little Fleet over Labor Day weekend. The schedule, ticket links, playlist and more.
Playlists · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
With six female or female-led acts on the bill, Sunday’s celebration in Hastings aims to close out the summer with transfixing music. Get the preview, schedule and playlist at Local Spins.
The rootsy festival unfurling Friday through Sunday on Jackson County’s Frog Holler Farm will feature Jesse Ray & The Carolina Catfish, Laura Rain & The Caesars and more. Get the preview at Local Spins.
Playlists · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Taking place in the picturesque, uppermost corner of the Upper Peninsula, this year’s music festival boasts more than a dozen national touring acts. Get the lowdown at Local Spins.
Playlists · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Hoxeyville uncorks its unique musical charm in the Manistee National Forest west of Cadillac this weekend with Marcus King, Molly Tuttle & more. Get the lowdown on this much-adored gathering.
An impressive, nationally acclaimed roster of songwriters plays Caledonia’s Family Tavern on Thursday, part of a new showcase series hosted by West Michigan’s Kyle Rasche. Get details about the new series and listen to a playlist of songs by artists performing for Tavernsongs this week.
Artist Spotlights · Hot Top 5 · Playlists
Patty PerShayla & The Mayhaps, The Schrock Bros. and Loren Johnson round out the regional chart of top releases for July at WYCE-FM. Learn more and listen to tracks from all the recordings at Local Spins.
Playlists · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
With no overlapping sets, more than a dozen Michigan acts will perform at the first-year Shagbark Music and Arts Festival taking place near Caledonia this weekend. Get the preview, schedule and a festival playlist.
Playlists · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
For the third year, Allegan’s Fat Blossom Farm will host this cozy music festival starring regional acts. View the lineup and details, get ticket links and listen to a Top 10 playlist.
Billed as the ‘best tiny festival in the Mitten State,’ Tamarack rolls out more than 20 regional acts this weekend. Get the preview, playlist and schedule at Local Spins.
Intimate yet with an impressive lineup, this festival near Interlochen will boast sets by The Go Rounds, Act Casual, Chirp and more. Get the preview, playlist and details at Local Spins.
Albums that Changed the World · Playlists
Local Spins’ mid-summer edition of the “Albums that Changed the World” series focuses on recordings that shaped producer and multi-instrumentalist Michael Crittenden. With Troll for Trout set to play a Grand Rapids show on Friday, view his picks and listen to tracks from all of the albums at Local Spins.
Sponge, Snacks & Five, Adrien + Meredith, The American Hotel System and more will heat up Beaver Island this week. Get the preview, schedule, festival playlist and more at Local Spins.
It’s back. The Faster Horses country music festival gallops into Jackson County this weekend with a star-studded cast of national stars as well as up-and-coming acts. The preview at Local Spins.
Playlists · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Bring Me the Horizon, Lamb of God, Falling in Reverse, Halestorm lead the charge at this weekend’s Upheaval Fest taking place at Grand Rapids’ Belknap Park. The preview at Local Spins, with a weather forecast, ticket links, daily schedules and a festival playlist.
Artist Spotlights · Hot Top 5 · Playlists
The Grand Rapids band’s full-length debut album topped releases by Michigander and Loren Johnson on the June chart. Learn more about the band, view the full chart and check out tracks from all five albums at Local Spins.
The long holiday weekend offers the perfect opportunity to pump up the volume with Local Spins’ revamped “Freedom Rocks” playlist, from Billy Strings and Lindsay Lou to Pitbull and Jon Batiste.
Playlists · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
One of Michigan’s youngest music festivals has quickly become a favorite, lighting up Fourth of July weekend for the third year in Trufant. Get the lowdown and listen to music from this year’s performers.
Playlists · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
One of Michigan’s longest-running music festivals celebrates its 51st year this weekend in mid-Michigan. Check out details in our latest festival spotlight, along with a forecast and a playlist of some featured bluegrass performers.
Artist Spotlights · Playlists · Upcoming shows
The illustrious, highly acclaimed Texas-based musician and songwriter brings his tour to Michigan for shows at Midtown in Grand Rapids and Acorn Center for the Performing Arts in Three Oaks. The Local Spins interview, with a Top 15 playlist of his songs.
Playlists · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Michigan’s music festival season is in full gear, so Local Spins will provide sneak peeks into many of the summer’s most popular, user-friendly celebrations. Today, Mio’s Nor-East’r taking place this coming weekend is in the spotlight.
The West Michigan folk-rock band’s latest release topped the May chart ahead of new recordings from Earth Radio, The Bootstrap Boys, Chance Jones and RyneShyne. Listen to tracks from all of the releases at Local Spins.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
The jazz maven and longtime assistant general manager of DeVos Place, DeVos Performance Hall & Van Andel Arena today reveals the records that have inspired him. Check out his picks and listen to songs from all of the albums, along with one of his current favorites.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
Popular northern Michigan singer-songwriter Miriam Pico today reveals the artists and recordings that shaped her own music and career. Learn more about this Traverse City chanteuse and listen to her music picks at Local Spins, along with tracks of her own.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
From his home base in Traverse City, Jabo Bihlman has crisscrossed the globe, helped lead Son Seals and risen up the Billboard charts with Grinder Blues. Today, he reveals the recordings that have impacted him. Listen to the music, along with tracks from two of his bands.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists · Upcoming shows
This week’s edition of our popular series focuses on albums and artists that influenced the renowned Interlochen jazz musician and composer. Get his back story and listen to the music at Local Spins.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
With his Tom Petty tribute show set to unfurl Wednesday at SpeakEZ Lounge, Local Spins asked guitarist-singer Jack Leaver to reveal the albums that inspired him. Learn more about Leaver; listen to his picks.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
With Earth Radio’s Justin Avdek playing with three different artists at Friday’s Jammie Awards, Local Spins asked the multi-instrumentalist to reveal albums that have impacted him most. Check out his picks and listen to tracks from all of the albums.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
Amid Black History Month and with hip hop celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2023, Grand Rapids rapper, songwriter, producer and DJ Blaze Bryant reveals recordings that have impacted him most, along with a current favorite. Check out his picks and listen to the music at Local Spins.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
With the 50th anniversary of hip hop commemorated later this year, Local Spins will occasionally ask Michigan artists to comment on the importance of the genre and albums that shaped them. Today, we feature Last Gasp Collective’s Jay Jackson. Explore his hip-hop journey and listen to tracks from all of these classic albums at Local Spins.
