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.
Check out this robust bunch of genre-spanning music videos by Michigan artists — plus a video plea to support bills that would help rescue concert venues ravaged by COVID-19.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
This week’s guest contributor, Calin Skidmore of Grand Rapids’ SpeakEZ Lounge, tapped a keg filled with drinking songs that fondly recall pre-pandemic days of sharing good times with friends. Watch the videos, listen to the tracks on Spotify.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
Today’s special edition of the Local Spins Tuesday Playlist pays tribute to the irrepressible Beatles drummer with a classic soundtrack of his solo work and some Fab Four gems worth revisiting. Get details about these songs and listen to the full playlist on Spotify.
Audio · Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
The keyboardist for West Michigan’s Earth Radio and frontman for Blushing Monk unfurls a Top 10 soundtrack featuring Khruangbin, Anderson .Paak, Cory Henry, Brother Gabe and other timely, ‘feel-good grooves’ — some inspired by recent events. Check out his picks, watch the videos and listen to the full playlist on Spotify.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
The frontman for Kalamazoo’s The Go Rounds rolls out a compelling — and fun — soundtrack for our times featuring D’Angelo, Sly & The Family Stone, Fiona Apple, Last Gasp Collective, Run the Jewels, Emily King and more. Find out why these are his Top 10 tracks and listen to them all at Local Spins.
Audio · Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
With summer temps rising, this week’s Local Spins soundtrack brings a heat wave of diverse tracks courtesy of writer, musician and music maven Nick Moran of GVSU. Check out the videos and listen to the full playlist on Spotify.
Audio · Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
In an exclusive playlist crafted for Local Spins, the Jammie Award-winning Grand Rapids electronic duo meshes contemporary synth gems with iconic tracks by Pink Floyd, Radiohead, Bjork and Nick Cave. Unfurl this mesmerizing soundtrack, with Pink Sky’s descriptions of each song.
Audio · Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
Popular Grand Rapids jam band Desmond Jones whipped up a Top 10 roster of group members’ favorite songs during the current coronavirus pandemic, from D’Angelo to Thundercat. Watch the videos, listen to the Local Spins playlist on Spotify.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
Grand Rapids’ Jammie Award-winning Bootstrap Boys put their heads together (virtually) for this week’s Local Spins playlist to pay homage to John Prine, Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers, Johnny Cash and a few unexpected artists like Orville Peck. Check out the videos and listen to all the songs via Local Spins’ Spotify playlist.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
Several weeks into this COVID-19 crisis, we need some tension-relieving music. And Michigan artists — new and old — supply the perfect soundtrack to lift our spirits, courtesy of this week’s Local Spins playlist. Check out the songs by the likes of Bob Seger, Aretha Franklin, May Erlewine, Jack White, The Accidentals and The War & Treaty, and why they made our Tuesday list.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
This week’s Local Spins playlist inspired by the coronavirus crisis honors the brave doctors, nurses and health care workers who are helping heal the nation under dire circumstances — 16 songs featuring classics by Dr. Dre, Grace Potter, Bush, Jackson Browne, Michael Jackson, Foo Fighters, Motorhead and more. Watch the videos, listen to the Spotify playlist.
Features · Top 10 Lists · Videos
Due to the current crisis, musicians have a lot of time on their hands. And that means some of them have come up with hilarious takes on our response to the unprecedented situation and witty ways to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus. And face it: We all need a chuckle right now.
Summer Festivals · Top 10 Lists
A record number of readers responded to our annual poll, with Wheatland Music Festival coming out on top for 2020, followed closely by Buttermilk Jamboree and Nor-East’r. See what else made the Top 10 and our list of honorable mentions, along with festivalgoer comments, festival website links and details about each featured festival.
The Big Game is tonight. But Local Spins unfolds another battle now: Which city boasts the best bands and songs from the rock ‘n’ roll era? Compare and listen to the Top 10 artists and their songs from San Francisco and K.C., and judge for yourself which city comes out on top.
Audio · Hot Top 5 · Top 10 Lists
Check out the final roster of local and regional albums which earned the most airplay at WYCE-FM last year, topped by a Michigan bluegrass powerhouse. Then, listen to tracks from all of the featured artists.
Features · Top 10 Lists · Videos
As the year draws to a close, Local Spins asked some West Michigan musicians and readers to make their picks for the best albums and songs of 2019 — a diverse roster covering rock, hip hop, jazz, R&B, folk and more. And listen to music from all of the featured artists.
Features · Top 10 Lists · Videos
A mind-bending year of music gave Local Spins writers plenty of fodder for “best of” lists, including Lizzo, Bon Iver, The Raconteurs, Orville Peck, Black Pumas, Lana Del Rey, Sleep and more. Peruse the extensive and eclectic picks, listen to some of 2019’s most memorable tracks at Local Spins, and submit your own favorites for a chance to win a Local Spins gift package.
The year-end holidays are upon us, so Local Spins helps you plan your New Year’s Eve celebrations with a Top 10 list of music-driven bashes to behold. View the list, as well as a comprehensive calendar of year-end concerts.
Commentary · Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
As the ever-woeful Detroit Lions get ready for their traditional Thanksgiving Day game, Local Spins recaps the sad history of the franchise with a rock ‘n’ roll playlist of reflective misery. The pre-game column, playlist and videos.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
Once again, it’s time to fling open the coffin lid on another batch of haunting musical gems at Local Spins, from time-tested classics to brand new Michigan-bred thrillers, aka, the perfect Halloween soundtrack. Listen to the playlist, watch the videos, have your hair stand on end at Local Spins.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
“Rocket Man” and “Space Oddity” certainly are appropriate song selections to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the lunar landing. But there are also some hidden and unusual spacey gems in this Local Spins playlist.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
Celebrate Independence Day with a Local Spins soundtrack for the holiday that’s all about freedom, in all its glory, with songs by everyone from Jimi Hendrix to Neil Young to Tom Petty to Beyonce.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Top 10 Lists
Local Spins writer Ryan Boldrey made the most of his first Electric Forest experience and came up with his Top 10 impressions from a wondrous weekend in the woods of Rothbury. Check out his picks and browse the photo gallery by Anna Sink.
With The Who rocking Grand Rapids tonight, longtime Who fan and Local Spins contributor Charley Honey wasn’t fooling around when he assembled this hard-hitting playlist of classic faves. As he’ll attest, even in their 70s, “The Kids Are Alright.” Warm up for the show by listening to these classic tracks.
Summer Festivals · Top 10 Lists
The votes are in, with Blissfest and Earthwork Harvest Gathering topping the list of Michigan’s most beloved music festivals in this year’s readers’ poll. See what other festivals made the Top 10, along with some honorable mentions and links to all of the events.
Local Spins at SXSW · Photos · Top 10 Lists
With the mammoth South by Southwest festival wrapping up in Texas over the weekend, Local Spins writer Ricky Olmos looks back at event highlights — some with a Michigan flair.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Upcoming shows · Videos
With Michigan’s soulful roots phenomenon The War and Treaty playing Grand Rapids on Sunday, Local Spins asked Michael and Tanya Trotter to assemble Top 10 playlists of their favorite songs — lists which say a lot about their own music. Listen to the tracks and see why they’re special to this Albion couple.
Features · Top 10 Lists · Videos
After critics and musicians had their say earlier in the month, Local Spins on New Year’s Eve lets readers pipe in with their favorite releases of the year (with a few musicians in the mix, too). And their diverse picks balance regional stars with national acts.
Features · Top 10 Lists · Videos
Last week, it was the critics. Today, Local Spins features West Michigan musicians’ favorite albums of the year. Pore over the lists of their picks for top albums of 2018 and listen to the music.
Features · Top 10 Lists · Videos
It’s another mind-bending array of music that’s impressed Local Spins writers over the past year, from Robyn to Janelle Monae, Lindsay Lou to Urfaust, Childish Gambino to Julian Allen and more. Browse these “best of” lists, sample music from the featured artists and then submit your own Top 5 picks.
Artist Spotlights · Top 10 Lists
Local Spins continues its Top 10 countdown of the most-read stories of 2018, revisiting writer Ricky Olmos’ candid February interview with Flint Eastwood’s dynamic Jax Anderson. Check out the in-depth interview and listen to Flint Eastwood’s music.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
Grand Rapids’ masked champions of surf rock, The Concussions, play Tip Top Deluxe on Saturday. So, Local Spins asked The Concussions’ Dick Chiclet, aka Tommy Schichtel, for an off-the-beaten-path holiday playlist with a retro twist. Check out the videos and listen to some classic Christmas tunes you may have never heard before.
Hard to believe, but there may be more duplicity and rancor today than there was during the 2016 presidential campaign. But we’ve got some new songs on a Top 10 Local Spins playlist to make you smile at the polls.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
It’s Halloween week, so who better than the death-metal, horror-movie honcho John Serba himself to round up a decad of creepy cool tunes for the ghoulish holiday. Watch the videos, listen to the playlist on Spotify.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Upcoming shows
With Elton’s farewell tour stopping at Van Andel Arena Monday, Grand Rapids artist Mic Carlson, who’s seen the piano legend 30-plus times and featured him in countless paintings, lists his top EJ songs of all time. Listen to the songs on Spotify, watch the videos, check out a photo gallery of Carlson’s artwork.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
With Detroit native Jack White set for an epic sold-out Grand Rapids show Saturday at 20 Monroe Live, Local Spins asked photographer and fan Anna Sink to create a career-spanning playlist for West Michigan concertgoers. Check out the videos and the Spotify playlist of classic White tunes at Local Spins.
Features · Top 10 Lists · Videos
The critics have had their say. Now, Local Spins asks some West Michigan musicians to list their favorite 2017 releases: The War on Drugs, Rapsody, The Main Squeeze, Jonny Lang, Queens of the Stone Age, Twin Peaks, Father John Misty, Daniel Caesar and more made the grade. Check out all the picks, videos and audio samples.
Album reviews · Top 10 Lists · Videos
Kendrick Lamar, Billy Strings, The National, Perfume Genius, Jaco Pastorius, The Accidentals, The Turnips, Organissimo, May Erlewine, LCD Soundsystem and more earned high marks from Local Spins writers. See who else made the grade in 2017 and listen to samples of music from dozens of releases that turned critics’ heads. Plus, see which concerts stood out this past year.
Features · Top 10 Lists · Videos
The ‘Top 10 Rewind’ series wraps up with Local Spins’ top story of 2017: the fun June night when drummer Chad Smith made the rounds on stage at the three Grand Rapids venues, some 24 hours before the Chili Peppers’ sold-out show at Van Andel Arena. Relive the evening in this story and videos from Local Spins.
Features · Top 10 Lists · Videos
The No. 2 Local Spins story of the year broke the news in January that the much-buzzed-about Traverse City band had inked a contract with the eclectic label to release a new album. Check out the band’s video message and find links to follow-up stories.
Artist Spotlights · Concert reviews · Photos · Top 10 Lists · Videos
The ‘Local Spins Rewind’ series continues with another one of the most-read Local Spins stories of 2017: A look at a young band from Frankenmuth that’s become Michigan’s hottest hard rock export. Revisit the concert review, photo gallery and video from September’s sold-out Grand Rapids show, and see what national media outlets are saying about this buzz band. Greta Van Fleet plays another sold-out show at The Intersection in late December.
Local Spins’ recap of the Top 10 stories of 2017 takes a look back at Record Store Day 2017. The No. 4 story on the list notes that no arrests were made, but Dodds’ Record Store Day celebration was cut off by authorities mid-stream. Still, most of the day across West Michigan shaped up as a vinyl lover’s dream. Check out the photo gallery and video from an unusual day.
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.
Concert reviews · Top 10 Lists
The Local Spins Top 10 Rewind series of top 2017 stories continues with something a little different: With the media deterred from covering the legendary Bob Dylan’s concert at Van Andel Arena in October, Local Spins asked fans to offer up their own takes on the 76-year-old icon’s tour stop. The results were entertaining, intriguing and, often, poles apart.
As part of the “Local Spins Top 10 Rewind” series of articles that most captivated readers in 2017, this August story broke the sad news that the the award-winning Grand Rapids indie-soul/rock foursome had broken up but still planned to release an album they recently completed.
Features · Top 10 Lists · Videos
The ‘Local Spins Rewind Top 10’ continues with a heartwarming story: This March feature that came in at No. 8 on the countdown announced a concert raising money for the couple’s medical bills — an event boasting a who’s who roster of acts, including Troll for Trout, Larry McCray, The Soul Syndicate, Drew Nelson, Hannah Rose Graves and more. Check out the story, with a photo gallery and video highlights from the successful event itself.
Features · Top 10 Lists · Videos
Local Spins Rewind Top 10: In this January feature that tied for the No. 10 spot on our list of top 2017 stories, Local Spins gave readers a tour of the new downtown venue that unleashed its first concert in February with Trombone Shorty and Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers. Plus, check out a bonus photo gallery recapping the first 10 months of concerts at 20 Monroe Live.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
With Jake Kershaw hosting a Grand Rapids album-release show Thursday, Local Spins asked the 17-year-old musician to share his favorite, most influential tunes — from John Mayer to Cream to Tommy Castro. Watch the videos, listen to the Spotify playlist.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
In the wake of Monday’s death of rock icon Tom Petty, Local Spins asked West Michigan musician Jack Leaver — who fronts a Petty tribute band — to list his top Petty tunes, with Local Spins publisher offering up his under-the-radar picks of Petty classics you might not know but should Watch the videos, listen to the Spotify playlists.
