Emerging Artists to Watch · Top 12 Stories Countdown · Videos
The top stories countdown ends on the year’s final day, with a special update on our profile of 16-year-old Grass Lake singer Brayden Lape. We interview him again about his future plans after his Top 5 finish, with a link to the No. 1 story from November and videos of his most popular performances on ‘The Voice.’
Concert reviews · Photos · Top 12 Stories Countdown
The first stop on the legendary British rock artist’s U.S. tour got plenty of attention from fans across the globe in August, making it the No. 2 most-read story of the year at Local Spins. Revisit that special opening night, view a photo gallery and browse the set list.
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.
Summer Festivals · Top 12 Stories Countdown
Don’t under-estimate the power and popularity of Michigan music festivals. Our preview of the 2022 festival lineup was the No. 4 story of the year. Come back on New Year’s Day for our 2023 festival preview.
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.
Audio · Photos · Top 12 Stories Countdown
The countdown of Local Spins’ most-read stories of 2022 begins today with our coverage of Michigan-bred bluegrass hero Billy Strings at No. 12. Ogle a photo gallery and see what stories came in just behind that in our year-end countdown.
Features · Top 12 Stories Countdown · Videos
The acclaimed Michigan-bred guitarist’s remarkable rise to stardom and acclaim topped all other news items as the most-read story of the year. And he’s since been nominated for two more Grammy Awards, making him Local Spins’ “Newsmaker of the Year.” Revisit the story and get an update on Billy Strings’ other attention-getting milestones from 2021.
Playlists · Top 12 Stories Countdown · Videos
For the second year in a row, humorous tunes about the pandemic — fueled by creative musicians — earned robust attention from readers. It’s No. 2 in our 2021 countdown and Local Spins’ No.1 story of all-time. View the videos, plus listen to “songs for the apocalypse,” a roster of COVID-inspired songs by Michigan musicians and a playlist tribute to health care workers.
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.
Concert reviews · Photos · Top 12 Stories Countdown
The final night of the legendary acts’ joint touring run on Aug. 8 delighted a sold-out crowd at Meijer Gardens. The review was No. 4 in Local Spins countdown of top 2021. Revisit the recap and photos from the memorable concert.
Festivals · Top 12 Stories Countdown
Songwriting legend John Prine’s robust legacy pushed this January story about Ann Arbor Folk Festival’s virtual tribute with May Erlewine, Joshua Davis and more to the Top 5. Revisit the story and Local Spins’ festival coverage from January of this year.
Special Offers · Top 12 Stories Countdown
The late May rollout of these colorful Local Spins bracelets captivated vaccinated music lovers attending summer concerts and festivals, not to mention readers, too. Learn more in the No. 6 story of the year, with new “boosted” bracelets now available as well.
Albums that Changed the World · Summer Festivals · Top 12 Stories Countdown
No. 7 in our countdown is a combo affair: The much-ballyhooed story of Greensky Bluegrass’ debut at Shagbark Farm in July and mandolinist Paul Hoffman’s picks for ‘Albums that Changed His World.’ Revisit these stories and browse a photo gallery from the mini-festival.
Summer Concerts · Top 12 Stories Countdown
Pent-up demand for live music propelled the announcement of a new Friday night summer concert series in Grand Haven to the No. 8 spot in Local Spins’ countdown of 2021’s most-read stories. Revisit the June article and get an update on plans for the 2022 series.
Features · Top 12 Stories Countdown
No. 9 on our list of top Local Spins stories of 2021 is our revealing interview with Rolling Stones keyboardist Chuck Leavell, who talked about the iconic band’s U.S. tour which revved up Detroit in November. Revisit the feature, with links to Local Spins’ review of that Ford Field show.
Features · Top 12 Stories Countdown
The No. 10 story in our countdown revisits the excitement of a summer slate of 2021 concerts following a quiet, COVID-impaired 2020 — from the return of Meijer Gardens’ amphitheater to shows across the region.
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.
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.
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.
