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.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows · Videos
The former frontman for Bigfoot Buffalo previewed his new band for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Troll for Trout, Sixman, Deadflower, Perren, Jeremy Ensley and more. Learn more about Kyle Brown & The Human Condition and listen to the full radio show podcast.
Photos · Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
Dozens of free summer concerts unfold every night across the state, spotlighting everything from rock to jazz to blues. Local Spins explores why they’re so popular as a seasonal pastime. Plus, view photos from several of these series.
Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
The upcoming season of the Acoustic Café Folk Series at the Grand Rapids venue will feature stars spanning generations and styles. Get the details at Local Spins.
Saturday’s first-time event stars Nathan Walton, Melophobix, Elijah Russ Collective and Whorled in a one-day fundraising fest challenging bands to raise as much money for the cause as possible through the Juke platform. Learn more at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Playlists · Upcoming shows
With Steve Earle & The Dukes playing a much-anticipated show for ‘Listening Lawn’ at Grand Rapids’ Studio Park on Wednesday, Local Spins compiled a ‘transcendent’ soundtrack of songs spanning his remarkable career. Learn more about Earle, with details about this week’s concert.
Artist Spotlights · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows · Videos
The hard-hitting Michigan bands join metal powerhouses — Disturbed to Breaking Benjamin — at this weekend’s return of Upheaval Fest to Grand Rapids’ Belknap Park. The back story, festival schedule and videos.
Artist Spotlights · Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
In an interview with Local Spins, Spoon co-founder Jim Eno talks about creating the Austin band’s latest album and revving up live audiences again. Spoon plays Kalamazoo State Theatre on Tuesday.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Stars Shawn Colvin, Leftover Salmon, Laith Al-Saadi, Donna the Buffalo and more bolster the lineup for the first Blissfest since 2019 north of Harbor Springs. The preview at Local Spins.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
The second-year festival fires up again in the Trufant area on Friday with more than 30 acts slated to perform over the holiday weekend. Get the lowdown, schedule and more at Local Spins.
Listen to the June 24 edition of the show, devoted to spotlighting artists set to perform during Saturday’s Jammie Awards at The Intersection.
After COVID delays, West Michigan’s biggest night for music returns Saturday with a full day celebrating regional music. Local Spins checked in with WYCE Music Director Shane German ahead of the very big day, plus get the full performance schedule.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows · Videos
In a Local Spins interview, the frontmen for both bands talk about playing the upcoming, much-delayed musical spectacle in Rothbury, which will attract more than 45,000 people. The story, videos and full festival schedule at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows · Videos
With Electric Forest erupting next weekend for the first time since 2019, Local Spins’ electronic music columnist Todd Ernst offers a profile of a dynamic act that will help kick off the Rothbury spectacle. Check out the interview, some Cannons videos at Local Spins and the full Electric Forest schedule.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
West Michigan native Collin O’Brien returns to Grand Rapids with the Chicago keyboardist and singer to open for Amos Lee at a sold-out Meijer Gardens amphitheater on Friday. The Local Spins interview, the band’s back story and a new music video.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Upcoming shows
Both Grand Rapids blues bands mark their 15th birthdays with special performances in June. Learn more about the upcoming shows in Q&As with both bands at Local Spins.
Playlists · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
On hiatus since 2019 due to COVID, the popular, family-friendly festival south of GR hosts 40-plus regional acts on four stages over the weekend. Get the schedule and preview the music with a Local Spins Playlist.
Album Releases · Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
After debuting a new music video this spring, the Grand Rapids band officially releases its new album this week with a robust slate of summer shows ahead. The back story and video at Local Spins.
