This week’s Local Spins on WYCE podcast features an interview with indie-rock’s Parallelz, plus new tracks by RyneShyne, The Accidentals, St. Sinner Orchestra, Fay Burns and more. Listen to the podcast and learn more about these bands and their releases.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
Black Violin: Feeling ‘like a kid again’ as the duo girds for Grand Rapids tour stop
The celebrated duo that melds hip hop, classical music, jazz and funk will join the Grand Rapids Symphony next week. The Local Spins interview with violist Wilner Baptiste.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows · Videos
The ‘female-powered’ Fair Ground Festival amping up Year 2: The Local Spins guide
The War and Treaty, The Accidentals, Hannah Wicklund, The Rebel Eves and more are on the Saturday docket, with In the Valley Below playing a pre-party. All the details at Local Spins.
‘Gone Boodling’: Beaver Island Music Festival 2024 revisited in words and photos
The annual music festival staged in the heart of an island in northern Lake Michigan oozed lots of charm and lots of intriguing music. The recap with photos at Local Spins.
Gov’s Mule’s Warren Haynes gets symphonic but rocks the house anyway in GR performance
The Gov’t Mule frontman brought his “Dreams & Songs Symphonic Experience” tour to Meijer Gardens on Monday, reinterpreting classics from the likes of the Allman Brothers and Grateful Dead. The fan review and photos at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Indie-rock’s Parallelz explores ‘Strange Mythologies’ on introspective new album
The Grand Rapids rock band hosts a record-release show Thursday at The Pyramid Scheme. The Local Spins interview with frontman Sean Stynes, plus listen to one of their new tracks.
Faster Horses kicks up its hooves with ‘electric energy’: The Local Spins roundup, photos
Michigan country singer Sadie Bass revved up her first Faster Horses performance during the weekend festival that boasted sets by stars Lainey Wilson, Jelly Roll and many more. Browse the photo gallery at Local Spins.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Dunesville and Tamarack music festivals: Raring to fire up Lower Peninsula this weekend
The celebration of Michigan music will stretch from Morley to Interlochen starting Friday, with two cozy festivals that revel in the spirit of the Great Lakes State. The festival guides and previews at Local Spins.
Summer Festivals · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Upheaval Festival Day 2’s riptide of rock, plus Here Comes the Mummies, Kanola Band, .moe
Virginia’s Bad Omens closed out this year’s Upheaval Festival with effusive flash and the biggest crowd yet, wrapping up a sundry and resplendent live music week across West Michigan. Browse the photo galleries and more.
Michigan songwriters Aspen Jacobsen, Isabella Gueck take top prize in New Moon contest
The pair topped the 2024 New Moon Songwriting Challenge – which required artists to collaborate – with a young Traverse City duo coming in second. Learn more about the contest and listen to the winning songs at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
Upheaval Festival’s First-Day Blitz: Intense sets, happy crowdsurfing metalheads galore
Friday’s opening day of Upheaval at Grand Rapids’ Belknap Park unleased thunderous sets from Godsmack, Killswitch Engage, Of Mice and Men and more. The recap, highlights and photos at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Emerging Artists to Watch · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows
Next Star From Nashville? Michigan’s Sadie Bass revving up national profile
With Bass playing the huge Faster Horses fest Saturday, we caught up with the country singer who has a busy year ahead. Learn more about Bass and listen to this week’s Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuts tracks by other Michigan artists.
‘Dive Bar Wasteland Misfits’: The Wallflowers rock GR amphitheater in gritty fashion
The band led by Jakob Dylan made a tour stop at Meijer Gardens on Thursday amid brilliant sunshine in front of a full house. The Local Spins review by Nicholas James Thomasma.
Singer Jason Mraz cultivates joy, sunny milieu during ‘magical’ Meijer Gardens ride
Touring behind his latest studio album, the pop-hued artist returned to Grand Rapids on Wednesday for an upbeat, sold-out concert. The review and photos at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Inspiring ‘bizarro world’: Gov’t Mule’s Warren Haynes thrilled to uncork symphonic set in GR
Playing only seven such shows this summer, the celebrated guitarist will perform a wide range of rock classics with the Grand Rapids Symphony. The Local Spins interview with the Grammy Award-winning guitarist who brings his band to Grand Rapids for this unique show on Monday.
Country Brouhaha: Must-See Acts & Preview of Michigan’s Faster Horses Festival 2024
Throngs of country music fans will flock to Jackson County for a weekend country music extravaganza starring Jelly Roll, Lainey Wilson and more. The Local Spins guide to Faster Horses.
Godsmack, Bad Omens blaze trail for Upheaval Festival ’24: The Preview & Must-See Picks
The hard-rocking heavy metal fest returns to Grand Rapids’ Belknap Park Friday and Saturday. Get the preview, festival essentials and a full schedule at Local Spins.
Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
Sun- and Star-Splashed Musical Bliss: Revisiting northern Michigan’s Blissfest 2024
The 42nd Blissfest unfurled north of Harbor Springs last weekend, with performances by internationally acclaimed roots music stars and regional acts. Highlights, photos and videos at Local Spins.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Beaver Island Music Festival’s intimate, nature-centric charm: The Local Spins Preview
With West Virginia’s Carpenter Ants and Michigan’s Nathan Walton, Legal Immigrants, Snacks & Five & more on the bill, this year’s far-flung island soiree shapes up as one of its best. All you need to know at Local Spins
Bruce Hornsby, Sarah Jarosz, Victor Wooten, Accidentals, Wyatt Flores say ‘Yes to Michigan’
All five acts took to stages across the state this week, from Kalamazoo to Grand Rapids to Sparta and beyond. Browse the photo galleries from these shows and more, only at Local Spins.
Temptations, Four Tops and The Wood Brothers fire up soulful Friday for Grand Rapids fans
Two concerts starring beloved acts rolled out in Grand Rapids on Friday night, and Local Spins was there to capture the musical action at both. Check out the reviews and photos.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
Michigan Spotlight: The Crane Wives, Kanin Wren, Lisa Sung, Seth Bernard and more
This week’s Local Spins on WYCE radio show debuted new tracks by some Michigan favorites as well as emerging artists, while also spotlighting bands performing at outdoor concerts and festivals. Listen to the podcast.
Artist Spotlights · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Wood Brothers knock at Michigan’s door this weekend with fistful of Americana
The rootsy and acclaimed New York band launches Listening Lawn in Grand Rapids tonight before gracing the main stage at northern Michigan’s Blissfest on Saturday. The Local Spins interview with Chris Wood and details about the band’s upcoming shows.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Old Crow Medicine Show, Molly Tuttle chase rain away with jubilant bluegrass bluster
A day of rain kept some ticketholders away, but Tuttle’s band and Old Crow Medicine Show brought bluegrass-, gospel- and country-hued sunshine to Meijer Gardens on Wednesday. Review, photos, video.[…]
Most Disappointing Concerts Ever? Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, Al Green, Mötley Crüe?
Local Spins readers responded in droves in relating their biggest live music disappointments, ranging from sloppy performances to horrible sound to even more horrible fans. What concerts frustrated you?
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows · Videos
Experiencing True Michigan Bliss: Blissfest 2024 preview, must-see picks, festival essentials
One of Michigan’s most treasured summer music festivals returns to a northern Michigan site this weekend. See who’s playing, check out our performer picks and get details at Local Spins.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows · Videos
Michigan Fern Fest: Set to celebrate ‘the spectrum of the feminine spirit’
The third-year music festival unfolding Tuesday-Sunday at Smiling Acres in Trufant boasts performances by a wide array of artists, from Alisabeth Von Presley to The Rebel Eves. The Local Spins preview.
The Jayhawks, Nathan Walton & The Remedy heat up the holiday: Concert Photo Recaps
On a holiday weekend, Local Spins took to the road to catch the first Free Fridays show in Grand Haven and a legendary band at The Acorn in Three Oaks. Browse the photo galleries.
Hip-hop cellist Jordan Hamilton returns to No. 1 on the Local Spins Hot Top 5 Chart
The Kalamazoo musician’s latest album has been embraced by WYCE programmers and radio listeners, with up-and-coming band Money Soup making its chart debut at No. 2. See who else made the chart and listen to tracks from all of the releases at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Indie-rock’s Major Murphy back and saluting ‘Fallout’ on toe-tapping new record
Band member Jacob Bullard chatted about the new project for Local Spins on WYCE, which also spotlighted tracks by The Go Rounds, Bootstrap Boys and more. Get the band’s back story and listen to this week’s radio show podcast featuring new music from Michigan artists.
Ever-engaging Amos Lee explores ‘weird time’ again in GR’s ‘home away from home’
After buying beer for fans at a St. Cecilia concert earlier this year, a fan returned the favor by supplying the singer-songwriter a drink Wednesday at Meijer Gardens. Just part of an inviting Grand Rapids show. The review and photos at Local Spins.
Album reviews · Audio · Upcoming shows
Album Reviews: MaRynn Taylor, Pablo Eskobear, Annie Bacon, Money Soup and more
Local Spins crisscrosses the state and traverse genres with this latest batch of releases by Michigan, including albums by Bruce Matthews Band and The Whiskey Charmers. Listen to tracks from all of the album and see where many of these artists will be performing this summer.
My Morning Jacket amps up capacity Meijer Gardens crowd in raucous amphitheater debut
It was an eardrum-shattering, face-melting evening of psychedelic/Southern/alt rock from the Kentucky-born quintet, led by charismatic frontman and vocal powerhouse Jim James. The review and photos at Local Spins.
Tunesmith Mat Kearney makes ‘summer perfect’ night in GR a ‘Good Thing Going On’
The amiable singer-songwriter returned to Meijer Gardens on Sunday night for an engaging and eclectic performance. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Summer Festivals · Weekend Photo Gallery
Concert Recaps, Photos: Ben Folds, Luke Bryan, Kurt Vile, The Flaming Lips and Yussef Dayes
Summer concerts continued to heat up West Michigan over the past week, with national touring acts stopping in Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo. Local Spins has the photos, recaps, set lists, including a gallery from the final day of Smiling Acres 2024.
Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
Smiling Acres Music Festival laughs off sprinkles for Day 1 of rock, rap, jazz, folk
A bit of scattered light rain fell on festivalgoers outside Trufant on opening day, but performers rocked stages in diverse ways anyway. The recap at Local Spins.
Features · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
Greta Van Fleet, Billy Strings? A wish list for the new Grand Rapids amphitheater
A Local Spins on WYCE interview with Rich MacKeigan, a key player in a new GR amphitheater, raised names of potential venue performers, from Grand Rapids Symphony to The War & Treaty. Listen to the chat, read more about the amphitheater and check out new music from Michigan artists — Phabies, Kait Rose, Overdrive Orchestra and more. Plus, make your picks for artists you’d like to see play the 12,000-seat outdoor venue.
Welcome Return to GR: The heartrending, uplifting musical mastery of Bonnie Raitt
The renowned, award-winning guitarist and singer transfixed a sold-out crowd at Meijer Gardens on Wednesday night. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Smiling Acres Music Festival: The Local Spins preview and must-see performance picks
The Michigan-centric celebration unfolds outside Trufant again this weekend with performances by May Erlewine, Laith Al-Saadi, Nathan Walton, Lady Ace Boogie & more. Get the lowdown at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Chuck Leavell on The Rolling Stones’ U.S. tour: ‘Confident’ and rocking balanced sets
As the legendary Stones eye two big shows in Chicago — the closest they’ll come to Michigan — their keyboardist chats with Local Spins about the tour, which will also feature Albion-bred The War & Treaty when it hits Los Angeles. Band music director Max Brown calls it ‘the pinnacle of rock ‘n’ roll.’
Photos · Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
Allegan to Mount Pleasant: Free summertime Michigan concerts just keep on coming
The latest update to Local Spins’ “Free Outdoor Community Concerts Guide” boasts a wide array of regional acts playing cities across the region. Browse the show schedules and view photo galleries from recent weekday shows in Wyoming, Grand Rapids Township and Rockford.
Trombone Shorty blows into town yet again with fiery New Orleans swagger
With Orleans Avenue in tow, the popular singer and trombonist brought funk and fun to Meijer Gardens on Monday. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
Looking Back at Electric Forest 2024: Energizing beats, stage sensations and evacuations
Cut short by a Sunday storm — after the venue also was cleared on Saturday — Electric Forest nevertheless enticed fans with riveting music, immersive experiences and much more. Recap, highlights, photos, video at Local Spins.
Black Pumas roar into West Michigan to electrify a capacity crowd
Despite a delay caused by a fan’s medical emergency, the Austin-bred duo, plus backing band, heated up Meijer Gardens on Sunday with their signature blend of psychedelic soul and rock, The concert review and photos at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit captivate Kalamazoo, plus O.A.R., Keb Mo, Electric Forest
Isbell and his band delivered a fan-rousing set at State Theatre on Saturday, part of an active week of live shows from Kalamazoo to Grand Rapids to Electric Forest. The photos and more at Local Spins.
Little Feat, Los Lobos steam up legendary licks in rollicking Grand Rapids show
The two, jam-happy rock bands with more than a half-century of music to unleash had folks dancing in the humidity and sunshine at Meijer Gardens on Friday. The review, photos and a Little Feat set list at Local Spins.
Local Spins on WYCE · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
Electric Forest 2024’s Day 1: Mugginess, happy throngs, transforming music, uplifting milieu
The first-day salvo at Double JJ Resort in Rothbury boasted massive crowds and memorable sets from The Disco Biscuits, Lettuce, Everything Always and more. The photo galleries, video highlights and the Local Spins on WYCE radio show podcast spotlighting festival artists from Michigan.
Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
Chicago Beef Joint, Frugthaven Farm fire up summer blues, bluegrass, rock and pop
The latest update to Local Spins’ extensive “Summer Concerts @ Michigan Venues” guide boasts hot shows from Grand Rapids to Greenville. View the schedules and more at Local Spins.
Audio · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Charlotte Bluegrass Festival’s top-shelf bluegrass: Local Spins preview, must-see picks
One of Michigan’s longest-running music festivals will have plenty of folks pickin’ and grinnin’ this weekend at Eaton County Fairgrounds. Local Spins has your festival guide.
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