Michigan artists toast New Year's: Photos

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Today, Local Spins not only recaps New Year’s Eve celebrations across West Michigan in words and photos, but spotlights a memorable Michigan Music Showcase podcast filled with tracks by regional artists.

Welcoming 2026: Big Gigantic at The Intersection, above, and New Year’s Fest in Kalamazoo. (Photos/Benjamin Howell/Derek Ketchum)

EDITOR’S NOTE: Michigan enjoyed another banner year for new music, with literally hundreds of fresh releases by regional artists spotlighted by Local Spins’ weekly Michigan Music Showcase airing on WYCE-FM and Interlochen Public Radio. Check out a dozen of them in today’s radio show podcast below, along with photos of several other Michigan artists who performed at New Year’s Eve celebrations.

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Another blast of snow across the region didn’t slow down revelers or performers ushering in 2025 across West Michigan.

A wide range of Michigan artists — and a popular electronic music duo from Colorado — celebrated New Year’s Eve to the delight of enthused fans, many of whom braved chilly temperatures and wintry conditions to cheer on their performances.

While Big Gigantic regaled a packed house of EDM fans at The Intersection in Grand Rapids with their signature blend of jazz, hip hop and electronica — along with Grand Rapids’ own Flats Stanlie as well as Jason Leech and HEYZ — throngs of fans roamed downtown Kalamazoo for sets by numerous local and regional acts at a variety of venues as part of the city’s annual New Year’s Fest, culminating in a fireworks show at midnight.

Flurry of New Music: Just some of the Michigan artists with new 2025 music logged by Local Spins publisher and radio show host John Sinkevics.

Local Spins photographer and Kalamazoo bureau chief Derek Ketchum described the evening’s revelry:

Kalamazoo’s 40th New Years Fest was a hit. Despite heavy snow to start the evening, an incredible crowd turned out to celebrate the end of 2025 for this unique event where all venues are just a few minutes walk from each other with Bronson Park serving as the heart of the celebration.

Live music, DJs, magicians, comedians and more were on tap. Some highlights included Tuba New Year kicking things off outside on the Rotary Stage while artists such as the WMU Afro-Latin Ensemble and up-and-coming indie-rock band Yellowhouse performed inside the sanctuaries of nearby churches.

Gemini Moon and Josh Holcomb alternated sets at the Kalamazoo Nonprofit Advocacy Coalition, with Octocelli — an 8-piece cello group — performed string interpretations of popular music at First Congregational Church. The church also hosted Silent But Deadly, who performed alongside a silent film.

Radisson Plaza Hotel meanwhile featured a lively set from Mexicuba and Zondo Love, who kicked off their set with some new music that will be coming out in 2026. All of this took place while DJ Monte was spinning tunes over in one of the warming tents in Bronson Park, all leading up to the ball drop and fireworks show at midnight. – Derek Ketchum

The early January edition of the Michigan Music Showcase features new tracks by Red Thyme, Ajax Stacks and Steven Malcolm as well as an encore presentation featuring an earlier interview with Greet Death and music by Samantha Crain, Clawfoot, Urphme, The Fields, Zudocks, Ralston Bowles, A. Billi Free & The Lasso, and Benjamin James Childs. Scroll down to listen to the full podcast.

PHOTO GALLERY: Kalamazoo New Year’s Fest
Photos by Derek Ketchum