Artist Spotlights · Breaking music news · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The throwback country outfit from GR topped all other Mitten State artists based on radio airplay, ahead of Billy Strings and The War & Treaty. View the Top 10 roster and listen to this week’s Local Spins on WYCE radio show podcast, which also features the debut of tracks by Mystique, Aaron James Wright and Laura Rain.
Album reviews · Top Stories of the Year Countdown · Videos
Our July review of the bluegrass guitarist’s first live album got plenty of attention from Billy Strings fans, making it the No. 12 story of the year. The album has since been nominated for a Grammy Award. Revisit the review; check out tracks from the release.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The all-star, ’90s Kalamazoo band once described as “the sound of cashing a check” released two singles this year and plays Bell’s Brewery Eccentric Cafe this weekend in one of its rare reunion romps. The back story at Local Spins along with a music video for the band’s newest song.
Local Spins Rewind · Summer Concerts · Top Stories of the Year Countdown
Despite some ticketing system snafus in April, Meijer Gardens sold out 18 of its summer concerts in little more than an hour. Revisit Local Spins’ coverage as part of our year-end countdown.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
Grand Rapids alt-rock/folk band Lighting Matches returns to ignite the Local Spins Wednesdays series at SpeakEZ Lounge tonight. Get the update on the band in this Local Spins Q & A.
Concert reviews · Photos · Top Stories of the Year Countdown · Videos
The new dad and award-winning bluegrass guitar phenom from Ionia County celebrated a new double-album with his band in October at the Clarkston amphitheater. Revisit the crowd-pleasing show.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
As the Grand Rapids community radio station devoted to spotlighting Michigan music mounts its year-end fund drive, Local Spins reveals the music that has most inspired its station manager.
Album reviews · Audio · Videos
2024 has seen a flurry of releases of fresh Yuletide music by artists from across the state. Today, Local Spins presents its takes on these tunes, along with links to listen along.
Concert reviews · Photos · Top Stories of the Year Countdown
November’s packed concert at Van Andel Arena surprised many with what rolled out as one of rock fans’ favorite shows of the year. Revisit the Local Spins review, photo gallery and set lists as our December countdown of the year’s top music stories continues.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
May Erlewine’s Winter Dance Party and Kari Lynch’s Very Merry Jingle Jam were part of a festive week of December concerts across West Michigan — shows that also featured All American Funk Parade, Chris Knight, Gunnar Nyblad and more. The recaps and photos at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Top Stories of the Year Countdown · Videos
The multi-Grammy-winning Christian music artist played Van Andel Arena in March with help from Grand Rapids’ own George Moss. Revisit our interview and show review as we continue our countdown of the top Local Spins stories of the year.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
With the duo performing at Grand Rapids’ SpeakEZ Lounge tonight, Local Spins introduces audiences to the new musical project while also debuting tracks by Full Cord, May Erlewine, Saxsquatch, Caitlin Cusack and more. Get the back story of tanley & Quiggle and listen to the radio show podcast at Local Spins.
This month’s Local Grins boasts an interview with acclaimed touring comedian Jackie Kashian ahead of her Grand Rapids shows, plus a round-up of upcoming specials being taped by Michigan stand-up comics and much more.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
Michigan’s solidly into winter mode, but summer festivals such as Detroit’s electronic extravaganza are whetting appetites for 2025 with initial ‘teaser’ announcements. Details at Local Spins.
Country, Americana and alternative music tunesmith Kari Lynch has hosted the benefit concert for more than a decade. It returns Saturday to Caledonia. The lineup, lowdown and how you can help at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Top Stories of the Year Countdown
The two jam-happy rock bands with more than a half-century of music to unleash had folks dancing in the sunshine at Meijer Gardens in June. Revisit one of Local Spins’ top reviews of the year.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Upcoming shows · Videos
With a new band member adding dynamic vocals to its jazz-fueled approach, Third Coast Swing views its latest album as “a real stepping stone.” Get the back story, listen to a track from the new recording at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
As December rushes toward the holidays, West Michigan venues heated up with crowd-pleasing shows from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo to Spring Lake. The photos and recaps at Local Spins, including Whitey Morgan, Groove Tonic, Kalamazoo Academy of Rock and more.
Commentary · Summer Festivals · Top Stories of the Year Countdown
Several Michigan music festivals called it quits after a ‘dismal’ 2024 with others reassessing their future. Local Spins’ November report on the emerging crisis was one of the year’s top[…]
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
This week’s Michigan music showcase for Local Spins on WYCE spotlighted Yuletide tracks by Mitten State stars, from Alice Cooper to Smokey Robinson to The Accidentals. Plus, the show debuts new music by several other Michigan artists.
Commentary · Top Stories of the Year Countdown
Our readers responded in droves in July when recalling their biggest live music disappointments (sloppy sets, horrible sound, nasty fans). It ended up at No. 19 in our top-stories-of-the-year countdown. On the flip side, we want to know the best concert you saw and best album you heard in 2024.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Del McCoury Band led by an iconic, award-winning guitarist plays St. Cecilia Music Center on Thursday. The Local Spins interview with the influential bluegrass star.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Summer Festivals · Videos
Michigan’s biggest music festival announced its “initial” lineup for the June festival in Rothbury, with Sara Landry, Disclosure, Fisher, Liquid Stranger and more set to light up the Forest. Local Spins’ Looking for the Perfect Beat columnist Todd Ernst provides his take on the 2025 roster of electronic music performers.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Grand Rapids band making its final appearance of 2024 on Dec. 11 at SpeakEZ Lounge has big plans for next year and will give fans attending this week’s show a sneak peek into its new songs. Learn more about PHABIES and watch its music video at Local Spins.
Photos · Summer Festivals · Top Stories of the Year Countdown
The 51st edition of the folk and roots music festival rolled out north of Grand Rapids in September. Our coverage of Wheatland ranked No. 20 in our top-stories-of-the-year countdown.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The Thanksgiving holiday weekend kicked off with two Grand Rapids shows — Desmond Jones and Nathan Kalish & Jessica Pounds — at different ends of the musical spectrum. The recaps and photos at Local Spins.
Recently making their performance debut in Grand Rapids, the throwback country outfit features members from several popular Michigan bands, led by the ‘high lonesome’ voice of Sam Hess.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
This week’s special Thanksgiving weekend edition of Local Spins on WYCE lays out a banquet of tracks by Michigan artists. Plus, we celebrate the holiday with special performances by three Michigan stars.
Amplified Newsletter · Detroit Lions · Playlists
To celebrate Thanksgiving and a traditional Ford Field showdown, Local Spins has combined its usual Thursday ‘Amplified’ newsletter (nusic news, ticket giveaways, concert announcements) with a special soundtrack tribute to the NFL-leading Detroit Lions. Plus, check out music news, concert announcements and our ‘Song of the Week.’
Album reviews · Audio · Upcoming shows
Check out Local Spins’ takes on several new releases by Michigan artists, from psych-rock to country to indie-pop and more. Plus, listen to tracks from all of the recordings.
Contests · Features · Festivals · Venue Spotlight
On Thanksgiving week, readers and music lovers were most thankful for more than a dozen Michigan music festivals and 30-plus concert venues. Check out their responses. SCROLL DOWN FOR[…]
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Nashville-based singer-songwriter who launched his career in the Grand Rapids area has a new studio EP and plays SpeakEZ Lounge on Wednesday with tunesmith Jessica Pounds. Get his back story and listen to music by Kalish and Pounds.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Local Spins recaps the final chapter in State Theatre’s legacy, the inaugural ‘Sounds Like Michigan’ concert, Neil Francis, Sunsquabi, Wreckno and more from across the region. Check out the reviews, images and a video.
Commentary · Festivals · Venue Spotlight
As the holiday season approaches amid another turbulent year, Local Spins ask its readers and music lovers about the Michigan environments they love that keep the music scene spinning.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Local Spins spotlights the West Michigan bassist and singer, as well as debuting tracks by Third Coast Swing, Hannah Laine, Squatch, Hannah Rae, Nathan Kalish and more. Learn more about Asamu Johnson, his new album and his amazing back story, and listen to this week’s radio show.
Playlists · Upcoming shows · Venue Spotlight
The new owner of the historic building that long hosted listening room-style shows will roll out a series of upcoming live music events boasting a variety of regional acts, starting with The Legal Immigrants and Kyle Brown & The Human Condition. Get more information about Temple Lounge and the upcoming show schedule.
Tuesday night’s packed concert at Van Andel Arena pumped up fans with familiar hits and uplifting sentiments. The Local Spins review, photo gallery and set lists from the show.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
Mathews, who recently left his position as Midtown and Studio C’s music and programming director, reveals the albums that have sparked a lifelong love of music. Listen to tracks from all of them.
Saturday’s upcoming benefit at Wealthy Theatre for the nonprofit Michigan Music Alliance boasts intra-state stars Frontier Ruckus, American Hotel System, Ari B and Cabildo. The lowdown, performance schedule and videos at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Kalamazoo boasted a busy Saturday of live music with The Incantaions, Them Coulee Boys and The Smokin’ Dobroleles, capping a week that also saw packed shows in Grand Rapids. Browse the photo galleries exclusively at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The ‘quirky,’ veteran folk singer plays Midtown in Grand Rapids with West Michigan’s own Kyle Joe on Sunday night. The Local Spins interview and a music video.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows
Local Spins spotlights the Grand Rapids jam band with a new studio album, ‘Squids,’ and debuts tracks by Cameron Blake, Dante Cope, The Incantations, Mustard Plug, The JR Band, Mark Farner and more. Get the back story on Desmond Jones’ new album and listen to this week’s full radio show podcast.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The celebrated Chicago brass ensemble that blends funk, jazz, hip hop and soul into its lively approach plays Grand Rapids’ Midtown tonight. The Local Spins interview.
Local Spins Exclusives · Special Offers
Just in time for holiday shopping, the 2025 edition of our popular calendar boasts concert photos of more than three dozen Michigan artists, with listings of the state’s summer music festivals. It’s the perfect gift for the music maven or Michigan lover. Order online today.
Our second installation of the monthly Local Grins column features an interview with touring comic Nurse Blake and roundups of new and returning comedy spectacles across the region.
Breaking music news · Venue Spotlight
The historic 97-year-old venue hosts its final show on Nov. 23 as it works to identify ‘the right people and group’ to take over operations. The story at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The acclaimed teen singer-songwriter fires up Grand Rapids’ SpeakEZ Lounge on Wednesday night with a special show for Swifties and fans of her own pop-laced singles as she prepares to release her debut album and launch a “Boots & Bracelets Tour.” Get the back story and show details at Local Spins.
Today is the Veterans Day holiday, so we’re unfurling some classic tracks that commemorate those in the military and the sacrifices they’ve made, as well as anthems for peace in the face of endless global conflicts. Listen to the songs, watch the videos.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
The celebrated country band delivered a set filled with hits and covers Saturday at Van Andel Arena, while Michigan musicians, artists and photographers strutted their stuff at GIG’s inaugural event. Check out the recaps and images at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Set to perform Tuesday at St. Cecilia Music Center, the acclaimed Tennessee Americana artist talks with Local Spins about her most recent inspirations and her musical upbringing.
