Features · Photos · Upcoming shows · Videos
After 11 years in Spring Lake, owner Michelle Hanks will close the much-beloved listening room following sold-out shows Friday and Saturday, ending a too-brief era of memorable live music. The back story, videos and photos at Local Spins.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Upcoming shows
Today, the popular Local Spins series revealing the recordings that have impacted Michigan musicians the most continues with popular, award-winning singer-songwriter Joshua Davis. Listen to tracks from all of his picks.
Announcements · Upcoming shows · Videos
The second-year awards show will take place at Marshall’s Franke Center in April, with a Jan. 1 deadline for Michigan video entries. Last year’s winner Grace Theisen called the event ‘amazing.’ Get details and background at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows
The band uncorks its traditional Thanksgiving weekend concerts at State Theatre. Our interview with mandolinist Paul Hoffman and this week’s radio show podcast with new music by Myron Elkins, Chain of Lakes, Jack Pine, Entransient and more.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
Michigan-born Sargon Isho and the renowned vocal group from Indiana University bring their 25th anniversary tour to DeVos Performance Hall this weekend. The interview and back story at Local Spins.
Audio · Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
It’s a singer-songwriter double-header this Sunday: ArtRat’s first show featuring Darcy Wilkin precedes the evening return of ‘Songtellers’ at Midtown. Get the details and upcoming schedule at Local Spins.
From tour stops by Greensky Bluegrass, Straight No Chaser, Daryl Hall and Todd Rundgren to Thanksgiving eve parties starring Desmond Jones, Hannah Rose Graves and more, it’s a jam-packed week. Get the lowdown and a list of shows at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
Local Spins chats with two legendary artists — Hall of Hall & Oates fame and Rundgren — as the icons prepare to play DeVos Performance Hall. Get the inside story on this unique tour in this exclusive Local Spins interview with both artists.
Concert announcements · Upcoming shows · Venue Spotlight
After a pandemic-driven hiatus of nearly three years, the popular Fennville restaurant returns with Kate Pillsbury, Kyle Rasche and Kait Rose playing Sunday. Get details with the full concert schedule at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Upcoming shows
Touring behind “Powerful,” their first album since 2015, the Michigan band led by Dede Alder plays Midtown in Grand Rapids tonight. Get the back story and listen to a track from the release.
Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
The first of four early shows starring West Michigan rock bands rolls out at the Grand Rapids club in Eastown today. View the lineup for the first event and get details at Local Spins.
Features · Photos · Upcoming shows
COVID ravaged the region’s open-mic scene. While some venues still haven’t joined the fray, many open-mic nights are back and rocking stages. The lowdown at Local Spins, along with a link to a listing of dozens of area open-mic sessions.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins Rewind · Podcasts · Upcoming shows · Videos
The world’s Grammy-winning face of bluegrass plays Wings Event Center Thursday. But in 2015, Billy Strings was just Michigan’s emerging acoustic fave, wowing a handful of fans for Local Spins Live at River City Studios. Relive the milestone performance via video and podcast at Local Spins.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Upcoming shows
The Serita’s Black Rose duo is the latest set of West Michigan artists to reveal the recordings that have most influenced them over the years. Listen to their picks at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The British-born blues-rock phenom who splits time between Detroit and Nashville brings the tour behind a new album to Kalamazoo State Theatre on Wednesday. The Local Spins interview, with two music videos.
Announcements · Breaking music news · Upcoming shows · Venue Spotlight
To avoid confusion with other ‘Listening Rooms’ across the country, the rebranded venue instead reflects the name of the first Loeks theater in downtown Grand Rapids and ‘more spaciousness’ in entertainment offerings. Get details at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
The venue north of Grand Rapids hasn’t hosted regular concerts since early 2020, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. The back story at Local Spins.
Kicking off the season on Friday with Serita’s Black Rose and Kait Rose, the free, four-concert series at Alger Park Church will spotlight folk, world music, soul, classical, blues and more. Learn more about the series and view the schedule at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Contests · Upcoming shows
Five groups will play Billy’s Lounge in Grand Rapids on Sunday, vying for a chance to travel to Memphis in January as part of the Blues Foundation’s International Blues Challenge. Learn more about the bands and the competition at Local Spins.
Festivals · Playlists · Upcoming shows
The all-day festival in downtown Grand Rapids will also feature Blue Jay Bridge, Vinylicious and DJ Jay Vee, performing under a mammoth tent. View the full schedule.
Album reviews · Audio · Upcoming shows
This early October round-up of releases by Michigan artists features new collections covering rock, pop, hip hop, jazz and Grand Rapids singer-songwriter Cameron Blake’s return to the violin. Check out the reviews and listen to tracks from all of the releases.
Award-winning acoustic stars hailing from touring acts that include Punch Brothers and Bruce Hornsby will host workshops starting Thursday at Camp Blodgett along Lake Michigan. Learn more about the camp and view the full roster of instructors.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Hot Top 5 · Upcoming shows
The Grand Rapids rock bands made their Local Spins Hot Top 5 Chart debut in September with new studio rrecordings. Check out the chart, listen to tracks from all of the releases.
Album reviews · Audio · Upcoming shows
After an insanely busy summer, Local Spins is back with a batch of reviews of 2022 releases by Michigan artists, from dark rock to folk to Gypsy swing to jam-band glory, plus a look at projects by Wild Honey Collective and Jeremy Ensley. Learn more about these diverse recordings and listen to tracks from each release.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Ann Arbor chanteuse playing next week’s Sounds of the Zoo fest debuted a single for Local Spins on WYCE, which also aired new music by Last Gasp Collective, Martyr for Madison, Conklin Ceili Band, Keith Hall & more. Learn more about Dani Darling and the Kalamazoo festival, watch the singer’s new music video and listen to this week’s full radio show podcast.
Artist Spotlights · Emerging Artists to Watch · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows · Videos
The emerging Lowell band spotlighted new singles for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Future Misters, DL Rossi, Chris Bathgate, Djangophonique, The Kings of Strings, Samil and more. Learn more about Prior Noon and Sullivan Field’s upcoming concerts.
Playlists · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows · Videos
After a COVID interruption, the long-running Irish music spectacle kicks off tonight and runs through Sunday. Get the preview and festival map, playlist and videos at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Guest Column · Upcoming shows
Battling terminal cancer, beloved W. Michigan musician Bill Vits played his final concerts with Grand Rapids Symphony in September. Before he passed away on Oct. 19, he shared his remarkable story in his own words with Local Spins
A Friday concert and Saturday songwriting ‘master class’ at Forest Hills Fine Arts Center will launch the expansion of Festival’s mission to spread arts across West Michigan. Learn more about the weekend event and watch videos of the featured artists.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
After a three-year COVID hiatus, 85 acts will play a more subdued festival on Earthwork Farm outside Lake City next weekend. See what attendees can expect in this Local Spins preview and view the lineup for this year’s festival.
The brainchild of Jennifer Hudson-Prenkert, the week-long affair at several venues in downtown Kalamazoo will boast vastly diverse performances and a collaborative vibe. Learn more about this first-year event, view the full schedule and listen to a playlist of performers.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows
The Bellaire-based singer-songwriter talked about his love of northern Michigan and shared new music for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Bond Girl, Crossword Smiles, Michael Waite, Michael Varverakis, Trickified and more.
Artist Spotlights · Emerging Artists to Watch · Upcoming shows
With an eclectic sound, DIY roots and a new album on the way after signing with a Detroit record label, the Grand Rapids indie emo-punk band plays Wealthy Annex on Saturday. Learn more about this emerging outfit and watch one of their videos.
Playlists · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
For the first time since the pre-COVID days of 2019, the beloved Michigan festival revs up next weekend with revered touring acts and Michigan stars. The preview, main stage schedule and a playlist at Local Spins
Artist Spotlights · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows · Videos
The boundary-pushing, ‘groove-heavy,’ bilingual artist from Asheville, N.C., headlines the inaugural All Call Music Festival taking place in Traverse City on Sunday. The Local Spins interview, plus Helado Negro’s latest music videos.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Gunnar & The Grizzly Boys, The Hacky Turtles and more will pump up the Sept. 17 party, with thousands expected to attend. View the schedule and get details at Local Spins.
Playlists · Summer Festivals · Uncategorized · Upcoming shows
The Labor Day weekend festival at Liberty Mountain also boasts more than 50 Michigan acts, from Biomassive to Desmond Jones. Get the preview and the Big Fam Festival playlist at Local Spins.
Playlists · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
The Labor Day weekend celebration at The Little Fleet will feature eclectic sets by national acts Helado Negro, Daniel Villarreal, Finom, Kaina, Tiny Jag and The Antivillains. Details and the full schedule at Local Spins.
Looking for the Perfect Beat · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Local Spins’ Looking for the Perfect Beat columnist Todd Ernst gives West Michigan fans a sneak preview of The Windy City’s second annual massive celebration of electronic music starring Fatboy Slim, Carl Craig & more. View the schedule and tips for attending ARC Music Festival.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
The festival taking place about two hours north of Grand Rapids will feature sets by The Accidentals, Cold Tone Harvest, Chloe Kimes Band, Nicholas James Thomasma and more. Get details and the full festival schedule at Local Spins.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Launched six years ago and inspired by a similar event in Grand Haven, this weekend’s Walk the Beat will light up Albion’s downtown area with performances by more than two dozen regional acts. Get details at Local Spins.
Features · Playlists · Upcoming shows
The second-year West Michigan Songwriter’s Festival hosted by Rockford singer-songwriter Dan Terry takes place this weekend in Belmont, starring several respected Nashville tunesmiths, including Grammy winner Steve Leslie. The details and a playlist at Local Spins.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
After a COVID hiatus, the festival led by musician Alexander Zonjic pumps up Muskegon’s Heritage Landing Friday-Sunday with Maysa, Najee, Lin Roundtree and more. The lowdown and the full weekend schedule at Local Spins.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
After a two-year COVID hiatus, the three-day festival on Frog Holler Farm plans a robust return with a bevy of regional stars, home-grown food and more. The preview and schedule at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Leland Blue’s current tour includes a sentimental final show at The Pyramid Scheme this week before the indie-pop band embarks on new adventures across state lines. Learn more about this West Michigan band and listen to music from the group’s latest release.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows · Videos
The singer-songwriter with an album-release show tonight was featured for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by DL Rossi, Matisse Zuzu, Upon Wings, Leif(kolt), FINKEL, Steven Malcolm and others. Find out more about Kait Rose, watch her new music video and listen to the full radio show podcast.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Two-and-a-half years after last gracing a stage, the folk-rock band plays a much-anticipated show Saturday at Studio Park. What led to the hiatus? What can fans expect this weekend? The back story and more at Local Spins.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
The Upper Peninsula offers a remote but unique setting for a surprising variety of music festivals, worthy of a trip across the bridge. Here’s a look at this U.P. experience, with previews of upcoming events.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
The last roundup for the southern Kent County music fest kicks up its hooves this weekend with MonoNeon, Dopapod, Joe Hertler, Sophistafunk and dozens more. The lowdown and the schedule at Local Spins.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
With Desmond Jones, Bootstrap Boys, Cosmic Knot and more West Michigan acts on the bill, next weekend’s cozy affair has ‘cute and endearing’ written all over it — part of a trend toward intimate regional music festivals. Learn more about the origins of the Tamarack and view the lineup at Local Spins.
