Labor Day Report 2026: The economic struggle to keep music journalism alive

As the death knell for print newspapers and journalism rings across Michigan and the nation on Labor Day, Local Spins and other outlets covering local and regional music are battling for survival.

 

EDITOR’S NOTE: Every year, Local Spins has published a column on Labor Day examining the plight of vastly underpaid, hardworking musicians who continue to unfurl their art despite economic obstacles and difficult working conditions. Today, we turn the focus on ourselves and other music journalism endeavors which — just like musicians — have struggled mightily in recent years to survive while gallantly trying to showcase local and regional musical artists. Support Local Spins with a donation here.

The recent announcement that The Grand Rapids Press would cease publishing a print edition starting in December was a blow to the mid-section for many lifelong journalists.

Granted, we all saw it coming, but as a reporter who devoted his life to The Press for three decades — along with many other talented writers and editors who spent their careers at the newspaper — the end of what was once the golden era of newspaper journalism represents a sad and painful milestone.

The joy of opening up a freshly printed newspaper filled with critical information and entertaining stories every day can’t be matched by any other experience, especially for devoted reporters, editors and readers. (At one time, the Grand Rapids Press had a full staff of writers and editors covering just the music and entertainment scene.)

The current non-stop fusillade of social media blather and questionable drivel comes off as a sham by comparison.

Good and objective journalism is on life support in many localities: The number of newspaper reporters and editors across the United States has dropped 60 percent or more over the past 25 years. The 2026 Local Journalist Index reports even more troubling numbers, with just 7.8 local journalists per 100,000 residents — an 81 percent decline from about 40 local journalists per 100,000 residents in 2002. Michigan’s numbers are even worse, at 6.9 journalists per 100,000.

Although exact statistics are hard to pin down, it’s clear that the number of full-time music journalists and editors has plummeted even further the past two decades. The lion’s share of music writers now are freelancers, which is also true for the team at Local Spins.

The bottom line? Declining ad revenues and reader support for online publications such as Local Spins has meant a hand-to-mouth existence for many media outlets.

COVERING MORE WHILE REVENUES DWINDLE

And yet, Local Spins has covered more concerts and festivals, and written about more Michigan bands and musicians in 2026 than any year in its 14-1/2-year run as the state’s go-to website for music news:

In the first eight months of 2026, Local Spins covered more than 375 concerts and festivals, published more than 85 artist feature stories, debuted tracks by more than 400 Michigan artists during its weekly Michigan Music Showcase radio show and podcast, hosted dozens of bands for its SpeakEZ Lounge series in Grand Rapids and listed thousands upon thousands of shows and festivals in its concert calendar, festival guide and community concerts roundup.

In August alone, Local Spins highlighted more than 150 different artists — local and national — in reviews, feature stories and photo galleries. (View concert reviews here; artist spotlights here.)

Of course, covering rising operating costs and paying an incredibly talented staff of writers and photographers to cover all of these events and spotlight artists who deserve attention has taken an economic toll — especially since the COVID pandemic — due to the underappreciated role of music journalism in shining a light on Michigan’s amazing music scene.

Since launching the site nearly 15 years ago, 60-hour work weeks have been common, along with countless late nights, constant travel and venue-hopping (often hitting several on a single night), and endless texts and emails to staffers, promoters, clubs and publicists. The behind-the-scenes hurdles in securing credentials, editing photos and stories, and putting out fires sparked by technical glitches have created some headaches, but haven’t slowed Local Spins down.

To say it’s all been worth it as a labor of love and passion for music — especially when it comes to Michigan artists — would be a massive understatement. But it’s labor without equitable compensation my accountant would argue.

Advertising and sponsorship revenues simply haven’t kept pace. We’re eternally grateful to the venues and contributors who’ve long supported Local Spins’ mission, but there haven’t been enough of them. While this publication has covered and helped draw attention to thousands of local and national artists over the years, only a scant handful have ever advertised their shows or their releases at Local Spins: Independent, local publications simply are overlooked.

HOW MUSIC LOVERS CAN HELP

So, on Labor Day 2026, the future of Local Spins remains uncertain, and actually has been for the past couple of years — not unlike many independent music venues which have teetered due to rising costs and competition.

We simply can’t provide this level of coverage without a major influx of reader support.

If you value what we do, please consider donating through PressPatron here, and pass the word to other music lovers who depend on Local Spins as the only Michigan publication that regularly focuses attention on the region’s music scene and local artists.

And let your favorite businesses know that Local Spins hits a targeted audience of music and entertainment lovers — every single day — and encourage them to advertise.

With your help, Local Spins can continue to be Michigan’s go-to website for music news and the leading media outlet that provides crucial exposure to local and regional musicians … on Labor Day and beyond.

Copyright 2026, Spins on Music LLC