Features · Top 10 Lists · Videos
With the iconic British rock band The Who returning to Grand Rapids’ Van Andel Arena on Tuesday, Local Spins asked some local rockers to pipe in with some choice Who cuts. Scour — and listen to — their picks.
Commentary · Concert reviews · Top 10 Lists · Videos
Local Spins asked its reviewers to choose their favorite shows of the first half of the year, and their picks covered a broad range of bands, genres and venues. Check out the top picks, from The Flaming Lips to Trombone Shorty to Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers, along with some videos.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
With a brand new album, “Pluto,” heating things up, Joe Hertler of Michigan’s Rainbow Seekers rolls out his summer festival Top 10 playlist — the third Local Spins roster of songs aimed at getting fans ready for Electric Forest, which officially begins today in Rothbury. Hertler’s list of songs is appropriately “house and techno” in nature. Listen to the songs, watch the videos.
Playlists · Summer Festivals · Top 10 Lists
One of Michigan’s hottest bands, Traverse City’s The Accidentals, rolls out the second of three Local Spins playlists aimed at warming fans up for Electric Forest, which kicks off Thursday in Rothbury. The band’s roster boasts lots of Michigan acts; watch the videos and check out the Spotify playlist.
Commentary · Summer Concerts · Top 10 Lists
As Meijer Gardens gets set to kick off its 15th season of summer concerts this weekend, Local Spins takes a gander at some of the best shows ever held at the amphitheater. See what made the Top 10 roster and read the original concert reviews. What are your favorites?
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Upcoming shows
The Les Claypool-led Primus plays a sold-out Grand Rapids show on Saturday. Naturally, Local Spins writer and Primus buff Troy Reimink figured it was the perfect time to roll out his Primus Top 10. Check out the videos and Spotify playlist.
Breaking music news · Guest Column · Top 10 Lists
Michigan’s popular Celtic/world music outfit was the most-played local act on WYCE last month. See what other bands made the list and browse a roundup of some of WYCE’s unique, weekly specialty music programs.
Breaking music news · Guest Column · Top 10 Lists
What were the Top 5 most-played local acts for March on WYCE? Find out here, along with station manager Quinn Mathews’ monthly guest column providing the scoop on the community radio station’s 30th anniversary events and special fund-raising efforts.
Breaking music news · Guest Column · Top 10 Lists
What were the Top 5 most-played local and regional acts for February at WYCE-FM? What new local and regional albums have been added to the on-air rotation? What exactly is a listener-supported community radio station? How can listeners become programmers? Get answers to all these questions and more in this Local Spins guest column by station manager Quinn Mathews.
Commentary · Guest Column · Top 10 Lists · Upcoming shows
Community radio station WYCE-FM (88.1) is partnering with Local Spins for a monthly column highlighting West Michigan’s music scene, including a listing of the Top 5 Local Spins of the Month. This week, it’s all about the Jammie Awards. See the full schedule of performances for Friday’s big awards show at The Intersection.
Breaking music news · Features · Music on Campus · Top 10 Lists
The new rankings by MusicSchoolCentral.com cited Kalamazoo for its ‘artistic intrigue, hip music scene’ and top-notch jazz program. See the entire list of top schools.
Commentary · Top 10 Lists · Videos
It’s time to tune in to what Michigan musicians were listening to in 2016. Local Spins asked a bunch of ’em from the Great Lakes State to choose the best music and concerts of the year. Their choices are intriguing to say the least. Check out the lists and listen to the music.
Commentary · Top 10 Lists · Videos
Beyonce, Bon Iver, The Crane Wives, David Bowie, Angel Olsen, Of Montreal, Angel Olsen and Childish Gambino made the grade with Local Spins writers in 2016. See who else impressed our critics this year and listen to the music that turned their heads.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
To rev up August, Local Spins writer Matt Marn went heavy on Mitten artists — from The Accidentals to Channing & Quinn to Hannah Rose Graves — in between tracks from Trombone Shorty, Sturgill Simpson and James Vincent Morrow. Check out the videos and Spotify playlist.
Local Spins contributor Hunter Gamble creates an “optimistic and poignant” pop soundtrack to help soak up the season of the sun. Listen to the pop-flavored songs, watch the videos and check out a Spotify version of the Top 10 in this July edition of the Local Spins series.
Artist Spotlights · Breaking music news · Top 10 Lists
Beyond the familiar and popular regional artists who’ve already made a splash are a bevy of bands simmering under the radar as one of the ‘next big things.’ Here are a dozen to sample in words and song in the July edition of Local Spins “Acts to Watch.”
Summer Festivals · Top 10 Lists
Summer festival season officially is here, so we’ve rounded up the most captivating musical celebrations in the Great Lakes State – some well-known, some off the beaten path, all worth exploring. And check out the under-the-radar picks, too.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
The bassist and guitarist for Grand Rapids’ Heaters and frequent contributor to Local Spins gets psychedelic, heavy, pop-hued, garagey, surfy and nostalgic with his roster of tunes for spring and summer jamming. See what he’s listening to and check out the Spotify playlist, too.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
From Bob Marley to Macklemore to Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers, Local Spins writer Ricky Olmos fashions a playlist to get folks dreaming of summer and sunny skies. Watch the videos, listen to the full Spotify playlist.
Features · Photos · Top 10 Lists · Upcoming shows · Venue Spotlight
The Pyramid Scheme stages its fifth anniversary shows this weekend. Read how this mid-sized venue has become ‘a special place’ in Grand Rapids and check out owner Jeff VandenBerg and manager Nicole LaRae’s lists of favorite concerts. Plus ogle a photo gallery of images from the first five years.
Features · Playlists · Top 10 Lists
When influential and legendary rock star David Bowie died Sunday, musicians across the globe responded with shock and sadness. Three West Michigan musicians offered Local Spins their playlists of Top 10 favorite Bowie tunes. And listen to Local Spins’ Top 10 David Bowie Playlist on Spotify.
Album reviews · Local Spins on WYCE · Top 10 Lists · Videos
Last week, it was the Local Spins critics’ picks. This week, West Michigan musicians and bands present their choices for the best music and concerts of 2015, both local and national — with audio and video clips from the selected artists. Some of the picks will surprise and inspire you.
Another busy year for music gave fans much to celebrate, with Local Spins spotlighting a fast-growing scene that’s producing stellar talent – some of it basking in the national spotlight.
Features · Top 10 Lists · Videos
Led Zeppelin, The Band, Jimi Hendrix and The Velvet Underground get heartfelt thanks from Michigan bands, but there are plenty of surprises – and a bunch of local artists – on this bountiful banquet table, too, from G’itis Baggs to Lady Ace Boogie. Check out the full list, with videos of the featured bands.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Top 10 Lists
Tickets for The Avett Brothers’ Oct. 3 concert go on sale next week; the unique, tented ‘Eddy’ venue off Monroe Avenue NW can hold 4,000 and will be part festival, part art project, part food and beer event. The ambitious 11-day affair aims to announce more acts in coming weeks. Read more about it at Local Spins.
“The Voice” and Sawyer Fredericks showcased an Erlewine tune this week, making it a Top 10 iTunes hit. She returns the favor by spotlighting Joshua Davis and other Michigan artists on a Local Spins Guest Playlist, including Joshua Davis.
The Pogues, Dropkick Murphys, Flogging Molly and Michigan bands such as an Dro and Stone Clover show up on this mandolinist’s playlist, created exclusively for Local Spins as a St. Patrick’s Day soundtrack. Check out the songs, the videos and the Spotify playlist, then kick up your heels.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
With northern Michigan’s Joshua Davis getting a hero’s welcome on his return to Traverse City this week based on his impressive run on “The Voice,” Local Spins revisits the Guest Playlist he compiled just before heading into the Battle Rounds in March. Check out some of his favorite songs, including tunes by local fave Jen Sygit and icons ranging from Joni Mitchell to Bob Dylan to Sister Rosetta Tharpe.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
With the Jammie Awards being unleashed tonight, nominee and Big Dudee Roo frontman Max Lockwood offers up his batch of favorite songs, a diverse list spanning decades — from Pearl Jam to Gustav Mahler to Curtis Mayfield.
Features · Playlists · Top 10 Lists
Kalamazoo’s Greensky Bluegrass brings its progressive bluegrass prowess to The Intersection in Grand Rapids Saturday. To whet fan appetites, Paul Hoffman offers up a batch of his favorite songs for the Local Spins Guest Playlist. Some of the selections will surprise you. Check out the videos and Spotify playlist.
Features · Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Vintage Gigs
With Fleetwood Mac playing Van Andel Arena tonight, WLAV-FM radio host and music historian Steve Aldrich recalls the first time the band played here, then supplies his Top 10 Fleetwood Mac songs.
Commentary · Features · Top 10 Lists
Once again, Local Spins asked music writers and West Michigan musicians to submit picks for the year’s best albums and songs – and they came through with a truly diverse mix, from Future Islands and New Pornographers to Snarky Puppy and Against Me! to The Go Rounds and Heaters. Submit yours and you could win a special gift package
With his vintage soul ensemble playing a special night-before-Thanksgiving show at Fifth Third Ballpark’s Pepsi Stadium Club, Diego Morales offers up thanks to an eclectic roster of influential songs … including some true R&B classics.
From Hound Dog Taylor to Claudine Longet, the mad genius behind The Concussions, FuzzRites, B-Sides and Goon Lagoon pipes in with a deliciously retro, wonderfully “odd” playlist of favorite songs and ribald commentary. The FuzzRites play Founders Sunday.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
The same day as the Halloween LP-release show for “Love or Temptation,” the lovable boys of Alexis unveil their current playlist of favorite tracks. And, yes, it includes lots of synth-pop sizzlers.
This year’s ArtPrize song contest winners officially got their rewards Tuesday, so Local Spins wanted to reward readers with a special playlist, from Edye Evans Hyde to Nick Drake.
As Grand Rapids’ ArtPrize builds toward its finale, Local Spins asked a performer in this week’s ArtPrize/WOOD TV8/Talsma Concert Series to offer up her playlist of favorites, from Patsy Cline to Coldplay. Check out the YouTube videos and Spotify playlist.
As Grand Rapids’ ArtPrize kicks into full gear, Local Spins asked the guy who came up with the idea of songs as ArtPrize entries to submit his playlist of current favorites, from the classic to fresh-out-of-the-box.
With Grand Rapids’ ArtPrize officially launching today, Local Spins asked a chief architect of the drive to include music entries in the competition to offer her playlist of current favorites. Can you say “eclectic”?
The first Guest Playlist of July comes courtesy of an iconic West Michigan guitarist with a brand new album and an ear toward a perfectly retro soundtrack for summer.
This week’s edition of the Guest Playlist comes from an erudite music maven and musician whose song roster ranges from hip hop to blues, from The Casket Girls to The Handgrenades and Heaters.
Features · Playlists · Top 10 Lists
Welcome to the debut of the Local Spins Playlist, kicked off by Dan Rickabus, whose wildly eclectic song picks include Radiohead, Seth Bernard, The Beatles and some artists, well, you’ve probably never heard before.
Features · Top 10 Lists · Videos
The time to warm up is now: Topped by the No. 1 hit from West Michigan’s own Frankie Ballard, the 2014 edition of best songs for cottage and lakefront relaxation spotlights summery songs of the past decade.
As the community radio station’s spring fund drive revs up, WYCE unveils its “881 Essentials,” including about 50 local and regional bands and solo artists they play on-air.
Breaking music news · Top 10 Lists
The hard-touring Grand Rapids’ jam band’s masterfully produced 2013 album was recorded at two different West Michigan studios. It snags the first big award of the year. And check out the Local Spins Top 10.
Michigan writers, musicians and readers offer their picks for the best albums and best songs of the past year, from Bradley to Beyonce to Bipolar Sunshine.
Submit your picks for 2013’s best albums and get a chance to win a gift card to a local brew pub — and the admiration of friends and Local Spins readers. And check out WYCE’s Jammie nominees for best local music.
Bright Lights, Big City: The electronic dance music festival returns this weekend to Calder Plaza with the likes of Dinka, Krafty Kuts, DJ Kalendr and SuperDre. By Mary Mattingly[…]
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture park has hosted 10 seasons of summer concerts at its outdoor amphitheater; the 2013 series gets announced later this week. Here’s Spins on Music Top[…]
Commentary · Features · Top 10 Lists
At long last, the ‘ice is slowly melting,’ which makes this the perfect time to dream of summer and those days of lazing around a cottage and dangling your feet[…]
