Album reviews · Audio · Upcoming shows
This late January round-up of new releases by Michigan artists ranges from the latest by a national bluegrass powerhouse to the debut of a new Grand Rapids project to a heavy metal fusillade from Detroit. Browse the reviews and listen to tracks from all of the releases at Local Spins.
A renowned cast of well-wishers — including Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland, Emily Saliers of The Indigo Girls, Tommy Emmanuel, Rosanne Cash and more — will help commemorate the milestone on Sunday, recalling an important era in music history. The event will be live-streamed by the Michigan Music Alliance. Get details at Local Spins and learn more about Stearns and the ‘Kalamazoo Gals’ who built Gibson guitars during World War II.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
With a brand new single, upcoming shows this weekend and a soon-to-be-released EP, Grace Theisen is poised for a breakout year with her “exciting” and “upbeat” Americana-hued music. The profile and music video at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows · Videos
Rising cases sparked by the Omicron variant led the Grand Rapids community radio station to delay the popular multi-band celebration at The Intersection for four months. Get the details at Local Spins.
Upcoming shows · Venue Spotlight
Grand Rapids’ newest live music venue offers an intimate space and striking stage for emerging and established acts, with a ‘Battle of the Bands’ on tap. Learn more about this S. Division Avenue business and view a schedule of upcoming shows.
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
January’s roundup covers a lot of territory, from a weekend competition to the return of a Hudsonville fundraiser to news about a Michigan tour stop for The Eagles. The lowdown at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows · Venue Spotlight
Despite its pending sale, current owner Greg Gilmore tells Local Spins that Live Nation will keep operating the concert hall as it has since early 2017. Learn more in today’s update.
Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
At least 10 West Michigan concerts scheduled for this week have been canceled due to COVID concerns, making it a relatively quiet celebration of New Year’s. Get the lowdown on what’s happening and what’s not at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Renowned folk/bluegrass siblings Sara and Sean Watkins play St. Cecilia Music Center on Thursday as part of the Acoustic Cafe Folk Series. The Local Spins interview, with videos of songs from their most recent release.
Announcements · Upcoming shows
After a 2021 hiatus due to COVID-19, the community radio station will stage the popular event once again at The Intersection, with fans invited to vote for their “Artist of the Year.” The lowdown at Local Spins.
Saturday’s concert in Whitehall is the biggest yet for an unusual project that places tombstones on unmarked graves of America’s influential blues musicians. Learn more about the Killer Blues mission, with details about the weekend benefit.
Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
The festival presented by The Ark is back again as an in-person event for 2022, with Punch Brothers and the Michigan-bred Sweet Water Warblers also on the bill. See the full lineup and ticket details at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
In a revealing Local Spins interview, long-standing Stones keyboardist Chuck Leavell talks about the thrill of playing with the iconic band, moving forward without Charlie Watts and the upcoming 60th anniversary. Plus, watch a video snippet from a recent tour stop.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Grammy-winning singer-songwriter plays Grand Rapids’ St. Cecilia Music Center on Friday night, touring behind a highly praised new studio album. The Local Spins interview.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
A mainstay with Rundgren and Utopia, Sulton is part of “The Individualist, A True Star” show that plays GLC Live at 20 Monroe on Friday. The Local Spins interview with the acclaimed bassist.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Described as a fierce, truth-seeking powerhouse, the Grand Rapids singer-songwriter hosts an album-release show Thursday at Wealthy Theatre. The Local Spins interview, with a track from the album and a video from a performance at The Ark.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
For the first time in two years, live music and all manner of costume parties are ramping up for Halloween weekend. Lucky for you, we’ve selected 13 of ’em to check out along with some honorable mentions.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The roots-rocking, bluesy, fast-rising, Nashville-based band plays Fountain Street Church in Grand Rapids on Saturday, part of a tour that’s crisscrossing the country. The fronting sister duo of Rebecca and Megan Lovell chatted recently with Local Spins writer Enrique Olmos.
Album reviews · Audio · Upcoming shows
This mid-October roundup of new Michigan releases covers artists from Kalamazoo to Grand Rapids to Traverse City, including instrumental projects and a compelling collection inspired by loss. Browse the reviews and listen to tracks from all of the albums.
Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
The critically acclaimed singer-songwriter plays a solo show at Calvin University on Wednesday night. He took time out to chat about his music, his tour and more with Local Spins writer Enrique Olmos.
The third season of the nonprofit group’s panel discussions featuring industry experts continues Monday, with way more in the works to help bolster Michigan’s music scene and give working musicians free guidance in negotiating the thicket of the music industry.
Features · Playlists · Uncategorized · Upcoming shows
The acclaimed singer-songwriter and guitarist plays Grand Rapids’ Listening Room on Saturday as he returns to the road. The Local Spins interview, plus see how you can win tickets to the show.
Features · Festivals · Upcoming shows
Saturday’s first-year event boasts a day of workshops, exhibits, performances and a keynote address by Djangophonique’s Andrew Brown. Get the details, ticket links and background at Local Spins.
Album reviews · Audio · Upcoming shows
Fresh releases from Austin Benzing, Bermuda Teenager and Opulent Ardor round out this early October collection of albums and EPs. Browse the reviews, listen to tracks from all of the recordings by West Michigan artists.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
The multi-award-winning musician brings his band to Grand Rapids’ St. Cecilia Music Center next week. Learn more about Sam Bush in this Local Spins interview and watch his performance videos.
Album reviews · Upcoming shows · Videos
The award-winning, Michigan-bred bluegrass star takes another impressive step forward on his latest, super-lengthy studio release. Delve into this 16-track collection, listen to the jammiest track and check out his latest music video.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Upcoming shows
The Traverse City-based guitarist’s latest indie-rock collaboration with Jake Myers was inspired by the “scenic imagery” of northern Michigan. Learn more about John Piatek in this Artist Spotlight and listen to tracks from the new album.
Grand Rapids’ Desmond Jones, celebrating a new album, closes out the party that will also boast a headlining set by The Hacky Turtles, plus appearances by Flexadecibel, Melophobix, Nathan Walton & The Remedy and the Polyphonic Element. Get the full schedule for this event that was forced to take a one-year hiatus due to the COVID pandemic.
With ArtPrize returning to Grand Rapids this week, Eli Kahn of South Bend’s After Ours brings a unique composition to life at the Muse GR gallery with texture and movement that immerses its listeners. Learn more about this ArtPrize entry — and one that has guitarist Tom Wall making music with plants — at Local Spins.
Grand Rapids’ renovated and much-beloved S. Division Avenue club will stage its first show in 12 years on Friday, with a lineup of hard-rocking West Michigan bands. The preview at Local Spins.
Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
Longtime songwriter and financial advisor Daniel Terry spearheads this weekend’s songwriters-in-the-round performances and workshop at Blythfield Country Club. Get the back story and ticket details at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Michigan band going ‘really hard’ this summer will join three other regional faves at the unique West Side venue on Friday. The Local Spins interview with frontman Joe Hertler, plus show details and ticket information about the event hosted by Fans of Valley Field.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Local Spins columnist Todd Ernst encourages West Michigan electronic music fans to skip down to the Windy City over the holiday weekend for an inaugural ARC Music Festival that he says is ‘pulling out all the stops.’ The preview and performance schedule at Local Spins.
Joined by The String Wizards, the legendary John McEuen makes a tour stop Friday at Listening Room when fans can expect entertaining tales, new material and Nitty Gritty classics. And Local Spins is giving away tickets to a couple of lucky readers.
Commentary · Looking for the Perfect Beat · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Local Spins’ authority on electronic music, DJ Todd Ernst, chimes in about this year’s lineup for Belknap Park’s Breakaway Music Festival, which gets unleashed Friday and Saturday in Grand Rapids. Check out his take, listen to a Breakaway playlist and browse the weekend schedule at Local Spins.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
The two-day festival descending on Grand Rapids’ Belknap Park this weekend brims with some top names in electronic, hip hop and pop, including several Michigan faves. Get the preview and full festival schedule at Local Spins.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
This weekend’s festival outside Empire will feature Joshua Davis, Laura Rain, Dana Falconberry, Jordan Hamilton, Mark Lavengood and more. Learn more about this boutique festival and view the full weekend schedule.
Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
The band that made a splash in the 1980s says it’s ready to “keep going as long as it feels good.” The Local Spins interview with co-founder Glenn Tilbrook.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows · Videos
It’s back for 2021 in the Manistee National Forest this weekend with national headliners and regional favorites, including a bluegrass singer who adores Hoxey and all it entails. An interview with Lindsay Lou, along with the festival schedule.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Unfurling with more than 40 bands east of Gaylord this weekend, organizer Stacy Jo Schiller says her last Farmfest shapes up as a safe and ‘high-energy’ celebration on the farm. The preview at Local Spins.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
After taking 2020 off due to COVID, Saturday’s afternoon event will boast performances by 46 bands in ‘some pretty unconventional places.’ Get the preview and schedule at Local Spins.
In-Depth Report · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Growing concerns about the delta variant as Michigan enters its busiest stretch of concerts and music festivals this summer could spark vaccination mandates or mask requirements for some shows. The in-depth report at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Emerging Detroit rapper and pop/R&B artist Tiny Jag performs tonight at Studio Park with Michigan alt-pop star Jax Anderson (formerly Flint Eastwood) in an event hosted by Michigan House. The Local Spins interview.
Albums that Changed the World · Artist Spotlights · Playlists · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Michigan artist and former Guided by Voices member opens his Midwest tour Friday at Grand Rapids’ Listening Room. The Local Spins interview, with his picks for songs and bands that influenced him most.
Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
The iconic, multi-platinum-selling prog-rock band plays a sold-out show at the Meijer Gardens amphitheater on Friday. The Local Spins interview with singer and keyboardist Ronnie Platt. Plus, check out a video of a track from the band’s most recent studio album.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Act Casual, Chirp, Mark Lavengood, The Whiskey Charmers, The Hacky Turtles, Lighting Matches and more are part of the 2021 lineup at the northern Michigan festival taking place July 23-25. Get details and the full festival schedule at Local Spins.
Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Symphony will join Preservation Hall Jazz Band on Sunday night, the first of three summer shows at the amphitheater that will feature the orchestra. Get the lowdown on this new collaboration and watch a video preview of the upcoming Meijer Gardens concert season.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
The new festival’s two-day rock ‘n’ roll assault at the Grand Rapids park shapes up as ‘surreal and unbelievably exciting.’ Get the back story and the full festival schedule at Local Spins.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows · Videos
The remote, cozy festival in northern Lake Michigan will feature a host of Michigan stars this weekend, including The Gasoline Gypsies, Hacky Turtles, Patty PerShayla & The Mayhaps, The Founding and more. Learn more about this year’s event and watch videos of some of the featured bands at Local Spins.
Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
The Grand Rapids Art Museum and WYCE will present three free summer shows in downtown Grand Rapids. Get details and view new concert series announced for Allendale, Big Rapids, Kalamazoo and more.
