Local Spins @ SpeakEZ Lounge: The fall lineup of Michigan stars in an intimate setting

The autumn concert series at SpeakEZ Lounge kicks off at the end of the month and features up-and-coming acts, established stars and acclaimed tribute acts. View the schedule.

 

It’s fun to reflect on some of the compelling Michigan artists who’ve played the cozy stage at Grand Rapids’ SpeakEZ Lounge as part of Local Spins’ long-running concert series.

Take Billy Strings, who’s now an international bluegrass superstar. Or The Accidentals, the indie-folk phenoms from Traverse City who have toured the world as a trio while accompanying other high-profile artists on their jaunts such as Lainey Wilson, Beth Nielsen Chapman and more.

Or Kalamazoo’s The Go Rounds, who once packed SpeakEZ with jubilant dancers for a special album-release show. Or West Michigan legends such as The Concussions, Myron Elkins, Full Cord and members of The Crane Wives.

Let the fun commence again.

Kicking off the fall 2026 series n Sept. 30 with the electrifying, up-and-coming Sophia McIntosh & The Sages, the Local Spins Wednesdays and Fridays series will feature stars established as well as emerging: Drew Nelson & Hwy. 2, The American Hotel System, Grace Theisen Band, Jack Droppers & The Best Intentions, Hand of Giants, Katie Greene, Garbage Angel and The Honeytones (who’ll host a special vinyl-release show on Nov. 20).

And while on the subject of emerging artists, the series will also feature the SpeakEZ Lounge debut of The Mitten Pickers, a super-young, super-talented bluegrass outfit that’s been turning heads for the past several months. They’ll play SpeakEZ on Dec. 9. (Rockford guitarist Peter Cavanaugh, a member of The Mitten Pickers, even made a big splash performing with Full Cord at Billy Strings’ recent Ionia Freak Fair.)

Beyond that, December also rolls out as “Tribute Month,” with The Insane Theatre returning with a night of The Doors on Dec. 4 and Crazy Hearse rolling out classic Neil Young songs on Dec. 18.

Local Spins has hosted shows at SpeakEZ Lounge for more than a decade, focusing on Michigan bands and solo artists from across the state — part of its mission to expose audiences to acts with which they might be unfamiliar. A $6 surcharge is added to patrons’ bills to help pay performers.

The series is sponsored by Local Spins, SpeakEZ Lounge, Modelo Especial, Long Drink and Alliance Beverage.

LOCAL SPINS WEDNESDAYS & FRIDAY AT SPEAKEZ: FALL 2026

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