Local Spins’ recap of the Top 10 stories of 2017 takes a look back at Record Store Day 2017. The No. 4 story on the list notes that no arrests were made, but Dodds’ Record Store Day celebration was cut off by authorities mid-stream. Still, most of the day across West Michigan shaped up as a vinyl lover’s dream. Check out the photo gallery and video from an unusual day.
Artist Spotlights · Concert reviews · Podcasts · Videos
From swinging by Local Spins on WYCE to firing up a big crowd at The Intersection, the one-time heavy metal kid from Ionia proved his instrumental bluegrass prowess with help from ‘a killer band.’ Browse the photo galleries, watch the video of his in-studio interview and performance, and listen to the full radio podcast. And check out the bonus video from The Intersection show.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
From a fresh cover of Led Zeppelin to old rarities and fan favorites, the Kalamazoo-bred heroes made the opening blast of a two-night stand a special show for GSBG devotees. Read the review and ogle the photo gallery and videos, only at Local Spins.
Features · Top 10 Lists · Videos
The ‘Local Spins Rewind Top 10’ continues with a heartwarming story: This March feature that came in at No. 8 on the countdown announced a concert raising money for the couple’s medical bills — an event boasting a who’s who roster of acts, including Troll for Trout, Larry McCray, The Soul Syndicate, Drew Nelson, Hannah Rose Graves and more. Check out the story, with a photo gallery and video highlights from the successful event itself.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Tuesday benefit for WGVU at SpeakEZ Lounge will feature performances by half-dozen solo artists, including Michael Riley, who was featured on this week’s Local Spins on WYCE. Get the lowdown and listen to the full radio podcast featuring new local and regional music and an in-studio performance by Billy Strings and his band.
Features · Top 10 Lists · Videos
Local Spins Rewind Top 10: In this January feature that tied for the No. 10 spot on our list of top 2017 stories, Local Spins gave readers a tour of the new downtown venue that unleashed its first concert in February with Trombone Shorty and Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers. Plus, check out a bonus photo gallery recapping the first 10 months of concerts at 20 Monroe Live.
On the day before Thanksgiving, Local Spins kicks off a series recapping the music website’s Top 10 most-read stories of 2017. The countdown starts at No. 10 with a story about a northern Michigan school video project inspired by The Accidentals’ ‘Michigan and Again.’ The young students garnered 20,000-plus views for their video in a matter of days. Check it out at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The singer’s third album, “Back 4 The 1st Time,” unfurls a positive message through R&B, poetry and hip hop. Read the back story about this compelling artist who’s also head of Kalamazoo’s Black Arts & Cultural Center and listen to her music.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
It was a live music week of rock, EDM, folk, bluegrass, jazz and Celtic charm to remember. Relive the week in concert images and videos at Local Spins, from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The northern Michigan singer-songwriter stopped by the day before his Grand Rapids album-release show. Listen to the full podcast, which also boasts tracks by The Founding, Michael Waite, Conklin Ceili Band, Steve Talaga and more.
The Grand Rapids hip hop artist and saxophonist prefers to unleash his art — and leave his legacy — in the studio. It paid off with his compelling new album, “Montshon.” Read the back story about this fascinating, up-and-coming artist, watch a video, listen to his music.
Album reviews · Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Traverse City singer-songwriter and ‘Voice’ star has released the Steve Berlin-produced ‘The Way Back Home’ and will play The Pyramid Scheme in Grand Rapids on Saturday. He appears for Local Spins on WYCE 88.1 FM at 11 a.m. Friday. Check out a review of his new album and listen to new songs.
This November batch of recent regional releases will make many folks thankful for Michigan’s music scene. Check out the reviews and listen to the music. Then stay tuned for Part II later this monrth.
Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
This edition of the week-in-review also boasts a tour stop by The Yawpers, a Tom Petty tribute and local showcases featuring the likes of Great Black Night, Lapdogs and more. Browse the photos, watch the videos.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
This week’s episode featured Satala playing a new song in-studio, plus music from Benjaman James, Jukejoint Handmedowns, The Zannies, Last Gasp Collective, Magenta Flag and more. Watch the video, listen to the full podcast.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Now based in Edinburgh, the pop-pianist plays a homecoming show tonight (Thursday) at Ladies Literary Club, her first Grand Rapids show since 2012 and a chance for fans to hear songs from her most recent album. Read the back story, listen to Zylstra’s music at Local Spins.
The bluegrass guitar whiz and Michigan native bumped The Accidentals from the top slot last month, with four new regional album entries coming in right behind. See the full chart and listen to music from some of the featured artists.
Breaking music news · Features · Videos
The special exhibit curated by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Newseum opens Tuesday night in Grand Rapids with compelling videos and rock artifacts. Take a video tour and find out more about this display at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Festivals · Photos · Videos
The sixth annual house concert festival in Grand Rapids’ Eastown neighborhood featured tightly packed performances by Mark Lavengood, Lando Chill, Glum, Mutual Benefit, Timbre, Breathe Owl Breathe, May Erlewine, Tom Hymn’s Tangerine Dream, Stef Chura and more. Check out the recap, photo gallery and video at Local Spins.
Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Regina Spektor’s sold-out show at 20 Monroe Live was just part of an inspiring week that spotlighted regional and national acts from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo. Check out all of the photo galleries and videos.
Festivals · Kalamazoo · Upcoming shows · Videos
Variety rules this popular festival being held at Bell’s in Kalamazoo, with national and regional shoegaze, dream pop and noise bands taking center stage. See the full schedule, check out videos of some featured acts.
For this year’s Halloween roster of haunting songs, Local Spins turned to Tip Top Deluxe co-owner — and vintage horror devotee — Ted Smith to create a scary-soundtrack for the creepy holiday. Ogle the vidoes, listen to the playlist on Spotify.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
After a Western tour, the band’s album-release shows in Kalamazoo and Muskegon on Thursday and Friday nights were exuberant displays featuring guests such as The Crane Wives and Rick Chyme. Read the recaps, browse the photo galleries and check out the video of a special on-stage pairing of The Crane Wives and Accidentals.
Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Another week of audience-inspiring music had West Michigan fans cheering national touring acts and local stars alike — and Local Spins was there to capture the images. Browse all of the photo galleries and find links to reviews of Steely Dan and 311.
Album reviews · Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
With a new batch of lilting songs about the Great Lakes Basin, the indie-folk duo is set to perform in its new hometown of Kalamazoo and play Grand Rapids’ Lamp Light Music Festival in coming weeks. Discover the back story about this musical couple and watch a video of the first single from their new album.
Album reviews · Audio · Upcoming shows · Videos
This October round-up of new regional releases covers the musical gamut, from prog-rock to jam bands to indie-rock and more. Check out the reviews, listen to samples of the new music at Local Spins.
In an immersive interview, the unassuming Jason Singer talks candidly with Local Spins about his musical endeavors as Michigander while making the rounds to a few of his favorite Grand Rapids hangouts. Check out this week’s “good read” in this profile of a fast-emerging regional artist by Local Spins writer Ricky Olmos.
Owner Roy Wallace has continued the legacy of Michigan’s longest-running studio at a new location, with 2017’s diverse projects featuring UV Hippo, Lipstick Jodi, Moxie Strings, Watching for Foxes, Rockit King and more. Learn more about the studio and take a video tour.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
With Jake Kershaw hosting a Grand Rapids album-release show Thursday, Local Spins asked the 17-year-old musician to share his favorite, most influential tunes — from John Mayer to Cream to Tommy Castro. Watch the videos, listen to the Spotify playlist.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Videos
Relocating to West Michigan from Chicago, the Traverse City-bred band plays Founders Brewing on Thursday and Grand Armory Brewing on Oct. 20 while creating new songs for its sophomore album. Check out the Local Spins profile of this emerging band, along with video and audio samples of its unique music.
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows · Videos
The bluegrass band will send Mark “Huggy Bear” Lavengood off with a Michigan tour that kicks off Oct. 20, while The Great Ones — hip hop’s Lady Ace Boogie and JRob — celebrate a $1,000 win during ArtPrize. Get the full story at Local Spins.
Album Releases · Audio · Hot Top 5 · Videos
Call it the youth movement. Traverse City indie-folk faves The Accidentals once again hit No. 1 for regional airplay on WYCE, with teen guitarist Jake Kershaw and bluegrass phenom Billy Strings debuting in the Top 5. Check out videos, audio of the Top 5 artists, along with a listing of new local and regional releases.
Album reviews · Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The much-respected Earthwork Music artist is releasing her new recording exclusively for Michigan fans first, playing a series of album-release shows in Grand Rapids, Spring Lake, Kalamazoo, Ann Arbor and beyond. Get the back story behind this new project, check out a Local Spins review of the album, listen to the first single.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The influential rock band brings its North American tour to Grand Rapids’ 20 Monroe Live on Saturday. The Local Spins interview with “frustratingly cool” guitarist Joey Santiago.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
In the wake of Monday’s death of rock icon Tom Petty, Local Spins asked West Michigan musician Jack Leaver — who fronts a Petty tribute band — to list his top Petty tunes, with Local Spins publisher offering up his under-the-radar picks of Petty classics you might not know but should Watch the videos, listen to the Spotify playlists.
Artist Spotlights · Festivals · Upcoming shows · Videos
Along with other regional stars, the fast-emerging Grand Rapids hip hop artist on Saturday plays both the Blue Bridge Music Fest and Ladyfest at the Lakeshore as she eyes release of her sophomore album. Read about her new project, watch the video for her new single and save full schedules for both festivals at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Audiotree Music Festival lit up the day and night in Kalamazoo, with national tour stops by hard-rocking stars in Grand Rapids and a harvest festival in Rockford. Browse all of the colorful, action-packed images at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The teen guitar sensation made an impressive in-studio visit for Local Spins on WYCE, which this week also premiered tracks by Cruelworld, The Autumnatic, Desmond Jones, Hominian, Jukejoint Handmedowns, Gifts or Creatures and more. Listen to the podcast and check out Cruelworld’s new video.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Grand Rapids band rocked the studio for Local Spins on WYCE, which also boasted new tracks by Cosmonaut, May Erlewine, Cosmic Knot, The B-Side Growlers and more. The Local Spins Artist Spotlight story, podcast and video.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
On the cusp of Seger’s Grand Rapids tour stop, Wilson chats with Local Spins about dancing with Seger, her excitement about Roadcase Royale’s new album and the uncertain future of Heart. The Local Spins interview.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
More than 2,500 attendees reveled Friday in dozens of performances by Michigan stars on opening day of this weekend festival on Earthwork Farm. Watch the video highlights and check out the photos, only at Local Spins.
Features · Kalamazoo · Photos · Videos
The well-known Kalamazoo musician heads a fund-raising effort to expand the homey space for area and visiting musicians alike, a way to keep music and the arts alive. Explore the back story, watch a video and browse a Walnut House photo gallery.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
The hard rock band from Frankenmuth — Michigan’s hottest new rock export these days — fired up a sold-out Stache inside The Intersection on Thursday. Read the review, browse the photos, watch the videos.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
This week’s in-studio guest performed during the show, which also featured the on-air debut of songs by Wala Gum, Lipstick Jodi, Paradise Outlaw, The War Between and much more. Check out the back story of this emerging band and listen to the show podcast.
Artist Spotlights · Live at River City · Podcasts · Videos
The rambunctious blues and rockabilly duo brings its fiery music to River City for a blistering in-studio session and interview. Get the back story about the band, listen to the podcast, watch the video and browse the photo gallery.
The Traverse City trio’s new Sony Masterworks album was the most-played regional recording on WYCE last month, with other local faves close behind. Check out the chart, videos of the Top 5 acts and a list of new regional releases.
Artist Spotlights · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows · Videos
Wheatland Music Festival’s 2017 lineup this weekend boasts national roots music stars and a strong Michigan contingent, too. Read profiles of two of them and peruse the festival schedule.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins Live · Upcoming shows · Videos
The genre-straddling Grand Rapids band will kick off Saturday’s big anniversary party at Perrin Brewing after opening for country star Tucker Beathard the night before. Read more about the band, listen to the radio podcast and watch a video of the band playing the B93 Birthday Bash.
The Grand Rapids singer-songwriter celebrates release of “Tom Hymn’s Tangerine Dream” with an ensemble of musical pals at Fountain Street Church next week. Read the back story, watch the video of his in-studio performance for Local Spins on WYCE.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Series host Ralston Bowles showcased a roster of Michigan stars — including Brian Oberlin, Nik Carman and Eric Engblade — for a full Meijer Gardens amphitheater to close out the summer. Check out video highlights, photos and a recap of Tuesday’s show.
