As Grand Rapids’ ArtPrize kicks into full gear, Local Spins asked the guy who came up with the idea of songs as ArtPrize entries to submit his playlist of current favorites, from the classic to fresh-out-of-the-box.
Rockford Harvest Festival, Super Happy Funtime Burlesque, Afro Zuma & Rick Chyme, ICP & Mushroomhead, ArtPrize: The Local Spins Weekend Photo Gallery (Sept. 25-28)
The opening weekend of ArtPrize and the closing weekend of baseball’s regular season may have gotten most of the attention, but there was plenty of live music amid glorious weather to inspire audiences.
Commentary · Concert reviews · Photos
Gettin’ Down with the Clowns: Detroit’s Insane Clown Posse, Faygo and the ShockFest ‘spectacle as resistance’
Local Spins columnist Brian J. Bowe immersed himself in the Faygo-flinging frenzy of rock-rap’s ICP and its fanatic Juggalos, and found an authentic expression of working-class catharsis. (Commentary, photo gallery)
ArtPrize 2014 Buskers: The Local Spins Photo Gallery
Dozens of bands and musicians entering songs in Grand Rapids’ ArtPrize competition took their music to the streets this week in hopes of snagging votes for their tunes. Others were, well, just busking for dollars. (Photos)
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
Local Spins on WYCE Show #5 (ArtPrize)
John Sinkevics welcomes Michael Crittenden, organizer of the ArtPrize music competition. Plus new local music debuts! [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/173851962″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
Artist Spotlights · Podcasts · Videos
The Mainstays: West Michigan’s soulful funk-meisters just keep the dance party going
This week’s Local Spins Artist Spotlight shines on a band that picked up where Kalamazoo’s Funktion left off, led Fennville native Andrew Schrock. (Story, podcast, video)
ArtPrize 2014 Soundtrack: The Local Spins Guest Playlist by St. Cecilia Music Center’s Cathy Holbrook
With Grand Rapids’ ArtPrize officially launching today, Local Spins asked a chief architect of the drive to include music entries in the competition to offer her playlist of current favorites. Can you say “eclectic”?
Commentary · Concert reviews · Summer Concerts
West Michigan Summer Concerts 2014: The best, the worst, the highs, the lows and the weird
On summer’s final day, Local Spins looks back at the rollercoaster ride of perhaps the busiest concert season West Michigan has ever seen, with exhilarating ups and stomach-churning downs.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Alexis, Chick Corea, Billy Strings & Don Julin, Earthwork Harvest Gathering, Five Finger Death Punch: The Weekend Photo Gallery (Sept. 18-21)
From the rootsiness of farm-fed music fests boasting some of Michigan’s best bands to dance-fueled electro-pop at Grand Rapids’ biggest taproom and metal at the DeltaPlex, summer said goodbye in style.
Concert reviews · Features · Photos · Videos
Earthwork Harvest Gathering’s ‘hippie Christmas’ draws thousands to celebrate Michigan music on the farm, rain and all
Laughing off occasional showers, festival-goers reveled in weekend sets by 100-plus bands on four stages on the site northeast of Lake City. (Story, photo gallery, video)
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
Local Spins on WYCE Show #4 (Joe Hertler)
Special guest Joe Hertler of Joe Hertler and the Rainbow Seekers joins host John Sinkevics for a live performance on the 4th episode of “Local Spins on WYCE.” Plus a[…]
Looking for ArtPrize love: Musicians, songwriters plan to busk their way into ArtPrize voters’ hearts
The 86 song entries may face an uphill battle for this year’s big ArtPrize purse, but St. Cecilia once again sweetens the pot with $2,000 awards in five music categories.
Brett Mitchell spreads musical message with catchy pop-hued rock: The Local Spins Artist Spotlight
The award-winning northern Michigan singer-songwriter has ridden the highs and lows of the business to build an avid fan base. He plays Grand Rapids’ Elk Brewing Thursday. (Story, video, podcast)
Grand Rapids’ Orbit Room future uncertain as longtime manager Ted Smith departs for Detroit
Dec. 8 marks the last show currently booked at the venue; Smith takes over band booking for HopCat in the Motor City and will continue to oversee Grand Rapids’ Tip Top Deluxe.
Breaking music news · Concert reviews · Videos
The Lumineers’ Stelth Ulvang plays ‘stealth’ show at Grand Rapids brew pub (Story, video, photos)
The accordionist and keyboard player for the platinum-selling Colorado folk-rock band played an unscheduled concert for a packed house Monday at Hideout Brewing.
Greensky Bluegrass gets CMT love, Lemonjello’s pulls plug on music, BridgeFest schedule set, St. Cecilia gets $1 million gift, Lexi Schaub to sing for Tigers
Mid-September’s music news roundup at Local Spins covers the gamut, including northern Michigan’s Lexi Schaub getting a chance to make a splash at Comerica Park and Greensky Bluegrass hitting the CMT spotlight.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Hunter Hayes, Perrin Beer Bash, Eastown Street Fair, BeneFest, Cottage Bar Chili Cook-off: Weekend Photo Gallery (Sept. 12-14)
A bit o’ rain and an unseasonable chill didn’t deter revelers from Allegan to Grand Rapids this weekend, with Guided by Voices and Wavves heating things up indoors.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
Local Spins on WYCE Show #3 (Channing & Quinn)
Guests Channing & Quinn stop by to share two live songs in celebration of the inaugural Benefest at The Intersection. Host John Sinkevics also debuts new songs by Max Lockwood,[…]
Blues singer of the year Janiva Magness continues rise in stature, tour globe with Michigan keyboard whiz Jim Alfredson
The award-winning blues singer fires up Grand Rapids’ Tip Top Deluxe on Sunday with her band, including Organissimo’s Alfredson, who’s played with Magness the past four years. See how you can win tickets to the show.
Gunnar & The Grizzly Boys’ ‘full-bore, crazy’ country music with Michigan roots: The Local Spins Artist Spotlight
Playing country with a Ted Nugent roar, the Grand Rapids band fired up another big crowd Wednesday by opening for Florida Georgia Line at Allegan County Fair. (Photo gallery, videos)
The Hold Steady parties hard, takes mighty bite into ‘Teeth Dreams’ for Grand Rapids fans; Vieux Farka Toure launches ‘Live at Wealthy’
The Brooklyn indie-rockers delivered their raucous, bar-band magic in a career-spanning Pyramid Scheme show on Wednesday; Malian guitarist and singer Toure fired up a small crowd at Wealthy Theatre on Monday.
Breaking music news · Features
River City Studios enters new era with refurbished building near Grand Rapids’ Riverside Park
Michigan’s longest-running professional studio is celebrating completion of renovations to a building near the Grand River, with a renewed emphasis on recording bands and music projects.
X gives Grand Rapids that pure punk experience (Review, photo gallery, Spotify playlist)
Playing to a packed house at The Pyramid Scheme in Grand Rapids Monday night, X (the band) plowed through a 24-song set drawn almost entirely from the group’s first three nearly flawless LPs — 1980’s “Los Angeles,” 1981’s “Wild Gift” and 1982’s “Under the Big Black Sun.”
The Eagles’ energetic encore tops nostalgic night (Review, photo gallery)
The Eagles reminisce, croon, rock and ban cellphones during Monday’s enjoyable ‘History’ tour stop at Van Andel Arena, and credit a West Michigan DJ for helping put them on the road to stardom.
The Black Keys spur Van Andel Arena crowd to ‘Fever’ pitch in rousing rock show (Review, photo gallery)
Touring behind their latest album, “Turn Blue,” Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney deliver a brilliantly constructed chronicle of their career during their Grand Rapids tour stop.
Sheryl Crow closes Meijer Gardens summer series with smiles, hits and plenty of fun (Review, photos)
Crow’s return to the outdoor amphitheater for the second year in a row impresses a sold-out crowd and proves she’s now a darling of the popular, record-setting series.
Hank Mowery & The Hawktones, The Soul Syndicate, Wheatland: The Weekend Photo Gallery (Sept. 5-7)
While folk and roots music fans — including British actor Tom Hiddleston — packed a field in rural Mecosta County for Wheatland No. 41, local faves Hank Mowery & The Hawktones made their Founders Brewing debut and The Soul Syndicate played Billy’s Lounge for the first time.
Concert reviews · Features · Photos
Wheatland 2014 kicks off with electrifying sets by Michigan stars, new and seasoned (Review, photos, video)
From The Accidentals to The Steel Wheels, the folk and roots music festival has turned the rural Remus site this weekend into a ‘village’ of 10,000 very happy Wheatland devotees.
Red Tail Ring’s old-time folk revival with a gorgeous spin: The Local Spins Artist Spotlight
The Kalamazoo duo of Michael Beauchamp and Laurel Premo has wowed audiences across the country and in Europe with its ‘tight sound.’ They play Wheatland for the first time this weekend.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
Local Spins on WYCE Show #2 (Mat Churchill)
Mat Churchill is our in-studio guest on the second episode of “Local Spins on WYCE” with host John Sinkevics. Mat plays songs from his new album ‘Mat Churchill and The[…]
The Beach Boys ‘Do It Again’ by keeping vocals up front at Meijer Gardens (Review, photo gallery)
Led by Mike Love, the iconic band kept the years at bay and fired up a sold-out crowd. West Michigan musician Ben Zito provides the Local Spins guest review.
Album reviews · Breaking music news · Features
‘Mother of folk’ Jean Ritchie tribute album a labor of love for West Michigan’s Mick Lane and cohorts
The co-producer of the chart-topping new folk compilation helped assemble an all-star cast, including Judy Collins, Pete Seeger, Janis Ian and some Michigan faves.
Owen Pallett kicks off Calvin concert series with looped, lush, lyrical splendor (Review, photos)
Fresh off a tour with Arcade Fire, the violinist and singer-songwriter’s solo jaunt behind his “In Conflict” album made a stop Wednesday in the recital hall of Calvin College’s Covenant Fine Arts Center.
Wheatland: The ‘best of the best’ in folk and American roots music returns this weekend
Some 10,000 folk fans will flock to the rural site in Remus for sets by Rodney Crowell, Claudia Schmidt, The Steel Wheels, The Accidentals, Billy Strings & Don Julin, Rachael Davis and more. See the full schedule.
Long hours, low pay and a boundless love for the art of making music: The Local Spins Labor Day column
The unseen time and labor behind a band’s typical road gig: working 10-12 hours for $10 to $15 a day. And most bands will do it happily time and again. But is that fair? A commentary on Labor Day.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Theory of a Deadman, Halestorm, Diarrhea Planet: The Weekend Photo Gallery (Aug. 28-31)
The holiday weekend launched with a big Thursday of shows and boasted local acts such as An Dro, Scott Pellegrom Trio, David Molinari, Mail Order Monsters and Hannah Rose.
UV Hippo to take ‘indefinite hiatus’ starting Dec. 6; Traverse City’s The Accidentals sign four-album pact
Hard-touring Grand Rapids jam band to call it quits for awhile in hopes of re-energizing shows and music; up-and-coming teen duo gets boost from big names Marshall Crenshaw and Stewart Lerman in New York.
Artist Spotlights · Podcasts · Videos
Holland singer-songwriter Olivia Mainville: Engaging ‘gypsy swing folk’ and a thumbs up from Jack White
This week’s Local Spins Artist Spotlight shines on an 18-year-old, up-and-coming West Michigan artist with a new album and a tour under her belt. (Story, video, podcast)
AJ Paschka named to lead WYCE as station manager
The Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts curator will trade visual arts for music when he takes the helm of the community radio station, succeeding longtime manager Kevin Murphy.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
Local Spins on WYCE Show #1 (Wilson Whitley)
The first episode of “Local Spins on WYCE” with host John Sinkevics features an in-studio performance by guests Wilson Whitley, the folk soul duo of Lucas Wilson and Hannaniah Whitley.[…]
Alexis’ “Kiss and Tell”: The Local Spins exclusive video premiere
Check out the new video for the first single from the lovable Grand Rapids pop duo’s forthcoming album. The song’s radio debut comes on the first “Local Spins on WYCE” show today.
Lake Street Dive uncorks all that is fresh, joyful, eclectic and magnetic at Meijer Gardens
After a spirited opening set by Lowdown Brass Band, Lake Street Dive delivered one of the true musical highlights of the summer. (Review, photo gallery)
Goo Goo Dolls, Daughtry light up 9,000 strong with solid hits at the ballpark (Review, photos)
Unlike the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday night, these bands plus the Plain White T’s know how to clear the bases and leave fans happy. (Review, photo gallery)
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Craig Morgan, Ralston Bowles, T-Pain: A Tuesday night to remember (Story, photos, video)
Separated by nine miles, Tuesday’s two outdoor concerts in the Grand Rapids area boasted different vibes but the same enthusiastic crowd support. And T-Pain’s hip hop lit up The Intersection. (Photo gallery)
Goo Goo Dolls, Craig Morgan, Theory of a Deadman, Daughtry bring late summer party to Fifth Third Ballpark
Rock the Rapids is on hiatus for 2014, but this three-concert series aims to fill the Comstock Park venue with national acts as well as the local flavor of Fled Five.
Brandi Carlile, Alexis, The Moody Blues, Jonny Carroll, Rap Battle to End Homelessness: Weekend Photo Gallery (8/24)
The weekend started early with a long-awaited Meijer Gardens show, a rap battle and a CD listening party, and kept right on rolling from Grand Rapids to Traverse City.
Michigan Album Reviews: Airborne or Aquatic?, Jesse Ray & The Carolina Catfish, The Soil & The Sun, The Mainstays, Nobody’s Darlin
The August batch of Local Spins reviews spotlights some much-anticipated recording projects from acclaimed bands (with sneak audio peeks), plus releases from The Northern Soul, Junior Valentine & Jason Wheeler, The Carboys, Bruce Matthews and Jake Vroon.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements
BridgeFest benefit for Whites Bridge to star The Verve Pipe, The Outer Vibe, Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers
The first-year, two-day festival at the Ionia County Fairgrounds will spotlight regional bands in hopes of raising money to replace Whites Bridge in Ionia.
The Moody Blues fashion Grand Rapids nostalgia-fest filled with hits and shades of gray
The iconic, symphonic prog-rock band made sure its Meijer Gardens debut was everything its devoted, longtime fans wanted it to be: a cavalcade of familiar favorites.
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