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 · 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.
Audio · Best Music of the Year · Videos
Amid another turbulent and hectic year, recorded and live music made a huge comeback. Today, Local Spins writers reveal their picks for the best of both in 2022. Check out the robust roster of notable releases and concerts and listen to select tracks in this special feature being published today in lieu of our usual Thursday ‘Amplified’ newsletter.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Melding elements of jazz, psychedelia, Motown, pop, R&B, funk and more into its approach, Pajamas is starting to make waves across the state. The Artist Spotlight at Local Spins, along with videos of the band’s live performances.
Breaking music news · Emerging Artists to Watch · Videos
After fan voting during this week’s finale, the Grass Lake teen came in behind winner Bryce Leatherwood and three other finalists. The recap at Local Spins, plus watch a video of his finale performance.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
‘Tis the season to be inundated with bah-humbug-worthy duds on radio, television, elevators, grocery stores and beyond. So, we couldn’t resist re-publishing our Top 10 hit list of most hated seasonal tunes. Check out the full list of “cringe-inducing, hokey and stupidly inane” tracks.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The grand prize winner of the USA Songwriting Competition tells her back story for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by The Gasoline Gypsies, Matt Lenny, Silver Creek Revival, Missing Days and more. Learn more about Sav Buist and The Accidentals, and listen to her winning song and this week’s radio show podcast.
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.
Artist Spotlights · Photos · Videos
The band officially released its new studio album Friday night with a performance at Lansing’s UrbanBeat. Get the back story on the quartet, view a music video and browse photos at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Songwriter Taylor Hottenstein basks in the Artist Spotlight and is this week’s special guest for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuts tracks by Moss Manor, Dangling Participles, Sebastian & The Mood, The Shouting Bones, Josh Rose and more. Learn more about Daisybox and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
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.
Melding varied rock styles, the husband-and-wife team released its debut album earlier this year, inspired in part by their northern Michigan surroundings. The back story and video at Local Spins.
Album reviews · Audio · Videos
Raised in Ionia County’s rural Muir, Billy Strings embraces the traditions he grew up with, featuring duets with his stepfather, Terry Barber, on his latest Rounder Records releases. The review at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Emerging Artists to Watch · Playlists · Videos
Perhaps poised to follow the path of pop phenom and inspiration Shawn Mendes, the 16-year-old from Grass Lake ascended to the finals on the hit NBC show. The Local Spins interview with the young singer.
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.
Jennifer Bartlett of the haunting Grand Rapids rock band Lokella lives and breathes Halloween. So, Local Spins asked her to curate what could be the creepiest Halloween playlist ever. Really. Listen … but leave the lights on.
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.
Artist Spotlights · Emerging Artists to Watch · Photos · Videos
The Otsego product now based in Nashville has signed with Elektra Records, toured with Kaleo and Lucero, and aims to release a new album in early 2023. Get the back story on Elkins and watch a video of him performing his latest single. He plays Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill in Grand Rapids on Friday.
The West Michigan rock band won out over 10 other acts competing earlier this month in Louisiana, part of the week-long Prize Fest event. Details at Local Spins, along with a couple of the band’s recent music videos.
Commentary · In Memoriam · Videos
‘He made the world a better place.’ Grand Rapids drummer Bill Vits had a huge impact on musicians, fans and students. His death has sparked loving memorials to this local icon and Local Spins shares some of them with readers today.
Concert reviews · Festivals · Photos · Videos
Our weekend concert recap focuses on Saturday’s inaugural downtown street fest that also boasted sets by Kari Lynch, Melophobix and more. Plus, view photos from Joe Satriani’s tour stop Friday at State Theatre in Kalamazoo.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Grand Rapids band hellbent on doing things its own way debuted new tracks for Local Spins on WYCE, which also showcased creepy new Halloween songs and releases by other Michigan artists. Learn more about Second Hand Drugs, which plays Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill tonight.
With her new release, ‘Time Traveler,’ making waves, the Charlevoix-based singer-songwriter opens up to Local Spins about her music and her love of northern Michigan. Get the back story on Rae’s musical voyage and watch two of her latest music videos.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Videos
Led by Rachel White and Matt Plessner, the Grand Rapids rock band releases ‘Past Forward’ next week. The back story on the group’s new album, a video and the latest Local Spins on WYCE podcast.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
After a busy summer, the Grand Rapids band is hunkering down to promote two new songs and prepare for a 2023 record. The Artist Spotlight feature and this week’s Local Spins on WYCE podcast, which also featured Lighting Matches and debuted new tracks by Michigan artists.
Concert reviews · Festivals · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Friday’s Van Andel Arena show was a tribute to The Judds, part of a West Michigan weekend that included Sounds of the Zoo, Horizen Fest, the third-to-last show at Seven Steps Up, Lower Leisure Class, Opiuo, Larry Fleet and more. The photos at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Breaking music news · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The anthemic pop band frontman reveals details about his latest calamity while debuting a new track for Local Spins on WYCE, which also showcased fresh music by several other Michigan artists. Get the back story, watch Michigander’s new music videos and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
With blood-pumping riffs and a vintage hardcore approach, the GR band has new music on the way while imploring more venues to showcase the genre. Get the back story on this band and a watch a video of their performance at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Revisit more than a half-dozen live shows in vibrant images at Local Spins, including Joe Hertler, Overdrive Orchestra, DJ Mel V, Lipstick Jodi, Melvins and more. Photo galleries you’ll only find at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
The kickoff to autumn 2022 had it all: country, folk, symphonic metal, Americana, soulful pop and German party music. Local Spins revisits the action in words and photos.
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.
The free, second-year event at Grand Rapids’ Studio Park aims to unify art, music and technology for a multi-dimensional weekend experience. Get the lowdown at Local Spins and watch videos of the artists who’ll be playing music showcases.
Breaking music news · Photos · Videos
Hailing from Bath, Mich., the fast-rising country singer made a splash on the NBC show Tuesday and will advance to the next round. The story, video and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
The return of last weekend’s Earthwork Harvest Gathering festival outside Lake City after a COVID hiatus was a Michigan-bred, music-filled celebration of love and community. The recap, photo gallery and video highlights, exclusively at Local Spins.
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.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
The return of the beloved Wheatland Music Festival for the first time in three years outside Remus last weekend electrified fans and bands alike. Revisit the action in words, photos and video.
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.
Photos · Venue Spotlight · Videos
To commemorate the Grand Rapids nightclub’s half-century milestone, Local Spins Rewind today updates a 2017 Venue Spotlight on a hot spot that showcases ‘every genre of music.’ Get the history, take video tours and browse photo galleries 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.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The emerging Rockford indie-folk/pop artist with a release show next week lit up Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted new music by Cameron Blake, Low Phase, Martyr for Madison and much more. Learn more about Izubel and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
The next-to-last Tuesday Evening Music Club show of the summer featured Grand Rapids singer-songwriter Ralston Bowles and an all-star lineup performing amid splendid weather. The recap, video highlights and photos at Local Spins.
Looking for the Perfect Beat · Summer Festivals · Videos
West Michigan DJ, Local Spins columnist and electronic music guru Todd Ernst previews this weekend’s mega-fest in GR’s Belknap Park — his artists to watch, tips for a better experience and the inside dope. Plus, view the weekend schedule and check out videos from headlining artists.
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.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Despite rain and unseasonable temps, The Crane Wives played their first show in more than two years in Grand Rapids, while on the east side of Grand Haven, solo performer Ryan Lynch won a wet edition of Walk the Beat. Get the recaps, browse the photos and watch the videos at Local Spins.
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.
Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
Local Spins has compiled some of the top highlights from the three-day celebration on Shagbark Farm, along with photos and videos. Revisit the final edition of this festival in southern Kent County.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
High heat and humidity didn’t hamper a flurry of live music in the great outdoors, from Latin rock on Calder Plaza to hip hop at Cowpie to the choral allure of an iconic South African group and a five-year anniversary for Bass Country. Videos and photos at Local Spins.
