Concert reviews · Photos · Upcoming shows
Unleashed by a Canadian rock band backed by the symphony and choir, the ‘We Will Rock You’ show entertained more than 3,000 fans at Cannonsburg Ski Area on Thursday, the first of two steamy nights planned for Queen’s music. Check out the photo gallery and review.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
The music festival sets up this weekend in the Motor City’s West Riverfront Park with acts ranging from Seattle’s The Head and Heart to Michigan’s own Borns and Tunde Olaniran. See the full schedule and save it on your smartphone for the weekend.
Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
Things are heating up this summer in Ada with a new concert series featuring regional acts playing a vegetable farm. But a RiverHouse Ada concert with Bill Kirchen must be reschedule.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Upcoming shows
The West Michigan band fronted by Jack Leaver and Mitch Wood plays its only summer show tonight (Wednesday) at SpeakEZ Lounge, but the pair vows there will be more performances and another album to come. Read how this super-group was formed and listen to a track from the upcoming debut album.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
The longtime side project for members of Hey Marco!, Brett Mitchell & The Giant Ghost and Dave Kellan Band will unleash three performances this week, including a Wednesday show at SpeakEZ Lounge. Read more about these three lifelong musical pals from Midland.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Ann Arbor guitarist concedes national exposure on the NBC show was a ‘wonderful thing’ that boosted his profile and album sales. He headlines the National Cherry Festival this weekend with more big Michigan concerts on tap. Read the Local Spins Artist Spotlight profile, listen to his music and check out his upcoming performance schedule.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins Live · Upcoming shows
Led by singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and recent Calvin College graduate James Li, the Grand Rapids alt-rock band fueled by folk’s narrative style releases a new EP at The DAAC on Thursday. Read the Local Spins Artist Spotlight story, listen to the radio podcast and watch the video from an in-studio performance.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Upcoming shows
The northern Michigan singer-songwriter calls on an all-star band for the inspiring, inventive recording and for Sunday’s album-release show at Grand Rapids’ Wealthy Theatre. He calls the project his response to “a defining time for humanity.” Read the story behind the recording, check out the album review and get details about his upcoming CD-release concerts.
Artist Spotlights · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
The Grand Rapids soul-rock band kicks off the first-ever Sound of the City festival in Grand Rapids on Saturday, followed by regular touring across the Midwest. Read about Vox Vidorra’s growth as a popular West Michigan band and see Saturday’s full festival schedule of performances by regional acts.
Features · Local Spins Exclusives · Upcoming shows
An abundance of West Michigan open mics throughout the week offer performers a chance to ‘find their voice’ — from folk to hip hop to poetry — at dozens of venues which open their stages to fledgling as well as veteran performers. Get a glimpse into the vibrant world of open mics in this feature story by Ricky Olmos and browse the photos of performers.
Artist Spotlights · Features · Upcoming shows
In an interview with Local Spins, guitarist-singer Susan Tedeschi talks about touring, musical chemistry and the band’s tendency to ‘mix it up’ on stage. The band returns to Meijer Gardens for a sold-out show on Friday.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
The ninth annual street party will pack the area around Founders Brewing and showcase some of the most popular acts that previously have played the brewery’s taproom. See the full schedule for Saturday’s festival.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
Led by Diego Morales, the frontman for R&B’s The Soul Syndicate, the jazz trio serves as a side project and labor of love for a singer who grew up with The Rat Pack and other vintage vocalists. Read the back story about this emerging Michigan jazz outfit that plays SpeakEZ Lounge and Tip Top Deluxe this week.
Features · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
A David Bowie tribute band, Cabildo and Grand Rapids Symphony musicians will light up the unusual weekend ‘marketplace extravaganza’ with The Concussions playing an opening night party. Read the story and review the schedule of events.
Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
Starting this month, communities across West Michigan showcase regional talent in free outdoor concerts that light up almost every night of the week. Browse all of the lineups, embrace the music. And GRAM on the Green returns for its eighth season in July.
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
River City Studios engineer Kenton Giar hopes the ‘in-the-round’ sessions in downtown Grand Rapids will help nurture West Michigan’s songwriting scene and build talent. Read more about the new series in this Local Spins story.
Album reviews · Upcoming shows · Videos
After three years, the Traverse City trio finally releases a new studio recording this week. Like the musicians themselves, it’s buoyant and fresh – and will likely earn them even more acclaim. Read the Local Spins review and sample some of the music in new videos from The Accidentals.
Upcoming Album Releases · Upcoming shows
With this new feature, Local Spins rounds up a bevy of upcoming recordings by West Michigan bands and solo artists, with some audio and video samples to boot. See what’s coming down the pike from a bunch of talented regional acts.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows · Videos
Grand Rapids’ progressive bluegrass band Fauxgrass unveiled a new original and a new cover in the studio for Local Spins, which also debuted new music by The Accidentals and other Michigan artists. Listen to the podcast, watch the video of an in-studio performance.
Announcements · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
The first-time festival at the Harris Building on June 25 will feature Vox Vidorra, The Legal Immigrants, Lady Ace Boogie, Ty Beat, Valentiger and more. Radi8er plans similar events in other cities, too. Read the details and see the full lineup for the Grand Rapids event.
Announcements · Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
Series host WLAV attracted big crowds after moving the Wednesday series to Walker last summer so it has nine concerts on tap for 2016; Garage Bar resumes its Wednesday night block parties, too. Check out the lineups for both summertimes series.
Stars of the touring Broadway musical want to impress the city with ‘what this show’s all about live‘ and fans are ready: 95 percent of tickets for the run here already have been sold. Read about this new touring production hosted by Broadway Grand Rapids.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
The popular Grand Rapids psychedelic garage rockers release a new album in August. Before that, they’ll headline Friday’s party, which includes release of Local Spinsation Ale and giveaways. Get details about Friday’s celebration and the band’s summer plans.
The Traverse City singer-songwriter who finished third on the NBC show last year has been following the Ann Arbor blues guitarist’s run and calls his national exposure ‘incredible.’ Read the story about Joshua Davis’ take on another veteran Michigan musician finding success on “The Voice.”
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
With their new album, Channing Lee and Quinn Mathews have added a Great Lakes State perspective to their unique indie-folk — crowd-pleasing material that comes to life next week in concert at SpeakEZ Lounge in Grand Rapids. Read about this couple’s new studio project.
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
The popular West Michigan jam band will introduce new guitarist Andy Kirby at The Intersection concert, after Olmsted announces he’s stepping down to pursue other goals. The guitarist tells Local Spins it’s been a life-changing ride.
Artist Spotlights · Podcasts · Upcoming shows · Videos
With a new EP catching fire, the Grand Rapids band talked about its music for Local Spins Live, and performed on the air (and in a bank) as it prepares for Local Spins’ 4th anniversary show at Long Road Distillers on Saturday. Listen to the radio podcast and watch the videos.
Artist Spotlights · Playlists · Upcoming shows
The renowned Texas alt-country, roots rock and Americana artist plays Grand Rapids’ St. Cecilia Music Center this week as he wraps up work on a studio album with R.E.M.’s Peter Buck. Read the Local Spins interview with this iconic singer-songwriter and listen to a playlist of Escovedo’s songs.
Announcements · Upcoming shows
Although 24 of 30 Meijer Gardens concerts sold out by noon Monday, Interlochen, Freedom Hill, Ann Arbor’s Michigan Theater and other nearby venues have booked some of the same artists this summer. Find out where these acts are playing and get links to ticket sales.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins Live · Podcasts · Upcoming shows
Grand Rapids’ The Outer Vibe talks about touring, new songs and getting a chance to regale hometown fans at a big weekend show at The Intersection being recorded for a live album. Listen to the podcast and check out the video of the band’s acoustic in-studio performance this week.
Artist Spotlights · Features · Upcoming shows
The fiery Michigan fiddler based in Traverse City is doing double-duty — balancing touring and performances with both bands. The Elders and Ladio play the Boat & Canoe Club in Grand Rapids on Saturday night. Read the story about this new Celtic music partnership.
Announcements · Upcoming shows
Tickets go on sale Monday to see the celebrated Beatle on his U.S. “One on One” tour, with McCartney’s website promising a “dazzling” show covering nearly three hours of hits. Get the details on Sir Paul’s West Michigan tour stop.
Announcements · Upcoming shows
Every Thursday for 19 weeks, the free one-hour show hosted by Quinn Mathews will spotlight the music scene and preview upcoming area concerts. John Shea, Michigander and Sleep Cheaters play the first event this week in downtown Grand Rapids. Check out the schedule.
Saturday’s celebration will fill the streets of Bellaire with thousands of revelers in what the drummer for The Crane Wives calls “a magical place.” See what’s planned for the anniversary event outside the popular northern Michigan brewery.
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.
Announcements · Local Spins Exclusives · Upcoming shows · Videos
May’s Local Spins Month celebration boasts special parties and swag at Rockford Brewing, Long Road Distillers and SpeakEZ Lounge, plus a first-ever Muskegon event. Read the story to see how you can enter to win Local Spins anniversary gift packages with swag, concert tickets and more.
Saturday night’s Local Blues Matters show for WGVU-FM will feature Detroit’s Larry McCray, plus Hank Mowery, Jimmie Stagger and Hannah Rose & the GravesTones.
Announcements · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Founders Fest will pump up the streets around the brewery on June 18 with ‘an extra special’ edition of the festival, and Local First Street Party returns for its 13th year on June 4. Check out the full lineups for both of these giant outdoor celebrations.
Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
On Saturday, Vertigo Music, Dodds Record Shop, Corner Record Shop, Green Light Music and more across West Michigan will celebrate their independence like never before. Find out why this is such a big day for music lovers and check out the live music schedules.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The world music-infused Ann Arbor indie-folk band — one of Michigan’s most respected group of musicians — brings its tour behind “The Threshold and The Hearth” to Grand Rapids, Grand Haven and Traverse City this week. Read the Local Spins Artist Spotlight feature and check out the videos of songs from the new album.
With Ian Anderson bringing his “Jethro Tull” show to Grand Rapids tonight, check out this 2001 interview with the cerebral frontman and farmer who has a lot to say about his career, touring and the mistakes rock stars make. For longtime fans, it’s a fascinating look into the mind of a prog-rock icon.
Commentary · Guest Column · Upcoming shows
The DAAC is reopening its doors in Grand Rapids, three years after it was forced to move from S. Division Avenue. Musician John Hanson has felt the power of the all-ages arts collective, inspiring this guest column for Local Spins.
Upcoming shows · Venue Spotlight · Videos
Kalamazoo’s oldest bar houses Louie’s Back Room, which boasts live entertainment five days a week. Read more about it in the latest entry in this Local Spins series spotlighting unique music venues, and take a video tour of Louie’s.
Commentary · Local Spins Live · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Feedback benefit for Access of West Michigan celebrates its 22nd anniversary at Founders Brewing Co. in Grand Rapids on Sunday afternoon with live music from three bands, a raffle, poster sales and more. Read about the history of this event and the cause that inspired it.
Announcements · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Michigan acts and stars from across the globe pump up this year’s Blissfest lineup. Regular advance tickets for the July 8-10 festival are now on sale. Check out some of the featured acts in the 2016 lineup.
Album reviews · Upcoming shows
No fooling, the April 1 batch of new local and regional albums is a blast of fresh air, starting with The Crane Wives who host a CD-release show Saturday at Founders Brewing. Check out the reviews, including video and audio clips of new songs by six regional artists.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins Live · Upcoming shows
The Traverse City native now based in Pittsburgh is touring the Great Lakes State behind her debut album. She plays SpeakEZ Lounge on Wednesday night. Read the story, watch the video, listen to the Local Spins Live radio podcast.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
Time to think summer and outdoor concerts: Joe Hertler, The Accidentals, Hannah Rose, Gunnar & The Grizzly Boys, The Outer Vibe, Kari Lynch and plenty more grace four free concert series. Check out the lineups for these free summer concerts.
Breaking music news · Features · Upcoming shows
Created in Grand Rapids, the radical new music platform that will start beta testing next month will allow users to zoom in to neighborhoods, even areas around venues, to pinpoint their musical vibe. Those spearheading the music discovery system say it will help showcase local artists and grow the music scene.
Announcements · Features · Upcoming shows
In its third year, Walk the Beat is seeking 70 bands to play 35 venues and will host another song contest, with $12,500 in prizes for musicians at stake. Check out the back story about this unusual annual event and find links to sign up.
