The rootsy festival unfurling Friday through Sunday on Jackson County’s Frog Holler Farm will feature Jesse Ray & The Carolina Catfish, Laura Rain & The Caesars and more. Get the preview at Local Spins.
Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
Hoxeyville 2023 Revisited: Smokin’ hot music, esprit de corps & an exploding lighter
Thousands of festivalgoers romped amid Wellston’s oasis in the Manistee National Forest, cheering Marcus King, Molly Tuttle, Full Cord, Lindsay Lou, The Crane Wives and a revamped Airborne or Aquatic. Highlights, photos and video at Local Spins.
Playlists · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Porcupine Mountains Music Festival: The Local Spins preview, schedule and playlist
Taking place in the picturesque, uppermost corner of the Upper Peninsula, this year’s music festival boasts more than a dozen national touring acts. Get the lowdown at Local Spins.
Singer Joss Stone unfurls ‘actual magic’ amid ‘lovely little vibe’ of Meijer Gardens
The soulful English singer made her amphitheater debut on Sunday night, celebrating two decades of her music. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
Deadmau5 revs things up (during and after) Breakaway Fest, Porter Robinson impresses
With humidity rising, so did anticipation of festivalgoers for mega-stars Saturday at Grand Rapids’ Breakaway, with Deadmau5’s alter-ego unleashing a ‘chest-crushing’ techno set at The Intersection’s after-party. Check out highlights from the second day of Breakaway, along with two photo galleries and a video.
Kalamazoo Blues Bash, Sister Hazel, Soul Syndicate & more: Concert photo recap
As summer begins to wane, live music continues to heat up stages from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo. Revisit eight shows from the past week in images at Local Spins.
Jack Droppers, Low Phase, Roosevelt Diggs poised to rock Rockford’s Rotary Rocks
The second annual, one-day festival and friendly competition on Tuesday along the Rogue River benefits ShelterBox, with three West Michigan bands gracing the stage. The schedule, details, voting links and band videos at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
Tiesto, RL Grime spark potent, spirited Day 1 blast at Grand Rapids’ Breakaway Festival
With a mammoth crowd on hand, Friday’s opening-day volley of electronic music at Belknap Park delivered hill-rattling bass and awe-inspiring sets. The recap, photo gallery and video at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Maren Morris energizes West Michigan fans singing surprise duet with hubby Ryan Hurd
Fans at Friday’s sold-out Meijer Gardens show got a special treat when the Kalamazoo-bred Hurd joined the country/pop singer on stage. The review of her18-song show, photos and set list at Local Spins
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE
La Luna Recording: Ian Gorman’s mission to fulfill musicians ‘creative vision’
Local Spins traveled to Kalamazoo’s La Luna studio to showcase new projects from Seth Bernard, G’itis Baggs and Liz Townsend. Plus, the radio show debuts tracks by several other Michigan artists, including Nathan Walker, May Erlewine, Low Phase and Lowke. Learn more about Ian Gorman’s studio and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
The Chicks soar (and make a statement) in GR; The Swell Season entrances Meijer Gardens
Thursday night brought two much-respected international touring acts to Grand Rapids — The Chicks at Van Andel Arena and Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova of The Swell Season to Meijer Gardens. The reviews and photo galleries at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Traverse City · Upcoming shows · Videos
Traverse City’s Soul Patch still jamming, ‘making it bright’ in 20th anniversary year
The reggae-infused funk, jam and rock band plays a special 20th birthday show in Cadillac this weekend, with plans for recording new material in 2024. The back story and a video at Local Spins.
Breakaway Fest 2023: In-demand superstars Tiësto, Deadmau5 set to light up Belknap
Local Spins’ Looking for the Perfect Beat columnist Todd Ernst previews this weekend’s Breakaway Music Festival taking place at Belknap Park in Grand Rapids. Plus, check out the schedule and[…]
Playlists · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Hoxeyville Music Festival 2023: The Local Spins preview, playlist and schedule
Hoxeyville uncorks its unique musical charm in the Manistee National Forest west of Cadillac this weekend with Marcus King, Molly Tuttle & more. Get the lowdown on this much-adored gathering.
Kyle Rasche’s ‘Tavernsongs’ series ramps up with Sav Buist, Kerrville New Folk winners
An impressive, nationally acclaimed roster of songwriters plays Caledonia’s Family Tavern on Thursday, part of a new showcase series hosted by West Michigan’s Kyle Rasche. Get details about the new series and listen to a playlist of songs by artists performing for Tavernsongs this week.
Three Dog Night comes to ‘Celebrate’ and ‘Play Something Sweet’ for nostalgic GR fans
The enduringly popular 1970s band delivered a cavalcade of hits — and one new song — during their return Sunday to Meijer Gardens, led by 80-year-old Danny Hutton. The review, photo gallery and set list at Local Spins.
Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Hip Hop’s 50th, Patty PerShayla, Railroad Earth, Bill Vits Memorial: Photo & Video Recaps
The weekend commemorating hip hop’s 50th birthday also boasted the Sparta Celtic Festival, Rogue River After-the-Blues Series, plus shows by Railroad Earth, Moon Orchids, The Concussions and more, recapped in photos at Local Spins.
Announcements · Photos · Summer Festivals
Pocket Watch wins Grand Haven’s 2023 Walk the Beat amid sun-splashed milieu
The up-and-coming, jazz-fueled Grand Rapids band outpolled more than 50 other Michigan acts performing on Saturday while music lovers strolled outdoor venues in the lakeshore town. The story and photos.
Avett Brothers unfurl harmony-laden vocals, beloved classics in Kalamazoo tour stop
The sound mix wasn’t perfect but the North Carolina folk-rock heroes powered through for a fan-inspiring concert at Wings Event Center. Review, photos, set list at Local Spins.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Summer Festivals · Videos
August Music Festival Flurry: Lineup & Local Spins on WYCE festival performer showcase
Today’s Local Spins on WYCE podcast travels the state to showcase new music from Michigan artists performing at several August festivals. Plus, get details — and links — for nine festivals taking place this weekend, with a chance to win tickets to one of them, and watch Local Spins publisher John Sinkevics recap the August festival lineup for TV8’s EightWest.
Dark Star Orchestra delights Deadheads during Meijer Gardens debut
Tie-dyes, classic Grateful Dead jams. and a long (not-so-strange) trip. That was the order of the evening at Meijer Gardens on Thursday as Dark Star Orchestra paid tribute to the iconic rock band and more. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Grand Haven’s Walk the Beat Festival 2023: ‘Growing the community through music’
Local Spins previews the unique Saturday event taking place on Grand Haven’s East Side, with 56 Michigan bands and solo acts performing while music lovers stroll from venue to venue. Get the schedule and full details.
Unity Christian Music Festival revels in community, Colton Dixon & more on Day 1
The mammoth Christian music fest at Heritage Landing in Muskegon opened with an estimated crowd of 13,000, with a full weekend of performances ahead. Get the recap, photos and a festival schedule at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Kalamazoo’s Basic Comfort: Alt-pop aimed at ‘bringing fulfillment to others’
The Southwest Michigan band plays Bell’s Back Room this weekend, with a new full-length album set for release in December. Learn more about the band in this Artist Spotlight feature.
Monk Matthaeus @ The Musicians’ Soundboard: Hip hop has stood the test of time
On Saturday, Monk Matthaeus co-hosts the family-friendly One Peace Hip Hop Festival at a Grand Rapids park to mark the genre’s 50th anniversary. Today, he tells his hip-hop story, in his own words and lists the Top 6 things that inspire him about the genre. Plus, get more information about the festival and the event schedule, along with details about Sunday’s breakdance battle.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Sparta Celtic Festival 2023: The Local Spins Preview and Schedule
It’s time to kick up your heels in Emerald Isle fashion. Sparta’s Rogers Park once again hosts the Sparta Celtic Festival with Steel City Rovers, Whorled and more on tap. Get the lowdown and festival schedule at Local Spins.
Commemorating hip hop’s 50th anniversary, Grand Rapids-style
The city’s weekend celebration of the genre’s half-century mark starts with a star-studded, hip-hop show at The Pyramid Scheme hosted by Sixman. Get the lowdown at Local Spins.
Pop-Rock-Powered Monday: Train stays right on track, Soccer Mommy kicks up ‘Cool’ vibe
Singer Pat Monahan and Train pumped out a cavalcade of pop/rock hits for a capacity crowd at Meijer Gardens, the same night that Soccer Mommy closed out downtown Grand Rapids’ Listening Lawn series. The recaps and photo galleries.
Shagbark Music & Arts Fest 2023 Revisited: Cozy crowds, relaxed vibe, fiery fun
The inaugural three-day festival in southern Kent County boasted everything from a fire-dancing rock spectacle to Americana charm to a laid-back, on-the-farm milieu. The recap in words and images.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Unity Christian Music Festival 2023: The Local Spins Preview and Schedule
First staged more than 20 years ago, this week’s festival at Muskegon’s Heritage Landing boasts appearances by Casting Crowns, We the Kingdom, For King and Country and more. Get details and a schedule at Local Spins.
Jason Isbell showers Meijer Gardens crowd with rock-fueled, Americana gems
With Michigan native Dominic John Davis on bass, Isbell & The 400 Unit ushered forth riveting tunes through a light drizzle on Sunday. The review, photos and set list at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Nathaniel Rateliff, Bass Country, Kari Lynch, Djangophonique keep the heat on: Photos
West Michigan’s week of live music featured a fan-revving tour stop by Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, an EDM flurry, a special show from the Kalamazoo Academy of Rock and outdoor shows by regional artists. Browse the photo galleries at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Howling at the Moon: The Crane Wives soak up stratospheric love in sold-out show
The Grand Rapids folk-rock heroes made a triumphant return to Studio Park’s Listening Lawn Series downtown on Saturday. The recap, photos and video at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Hot Top 5 · Playlists
Beth Bombara, Whorled jump to top of Local Spins Hot Top 5 Chart with new releases
Patty PerShayla & The Mayhaps, The Schrock Bros. and Loren Johnson round out the regional chart of top releases for July at WYCE-FM. Learn more and listen to tracks from all the recordings at Local Spins.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Summer Festivals · Videos
Doing the Shagbark Shimmy: Sunshine, smiles and hot music mark festival’s opening day
Local Spins recaps Shagbark Music & Arts Festival’s Day 1 in words and images, plus features chief event organizer ‘Farmer’ John Crissman along with brand new Michigan music by Full Cord, Chirp, Daisybox, Au Gres and more as part of today’s Local Spins on WYCE podcast.
Returning Favorites: Boz Scaggs, Keb’ Mo’ attest ‘Life is Beautiful’ in twin-bill show
Two beloved septuagenarians brought their enduring music to Meijer Gardens on Thursday night for a sold-out concert that covered a lot of musical ground. The Local Spins review and photo gallery.
Indigo Girls inspire record-setting Studio Park crowd; Incubus invades Van Andel Arena
Two iconic bands played to separate, engaged Grand Rapids audiences just a block away from each other on Wednesday. The recaps and photos at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
‘Cool Journey’: The Crane Wives return to the road with sold-out shows, new momentum
With a much-anticipated Grand Rapids show on Saturday, the Grand Rapids folk-rock band is back with a fresh attitude and plans for a national tour. The Local Spins interview, plus a Crane Wives music video.
The Revivalists, Band of Horses pony up shimmery, Southern-tinged, rootsy rock
West Michigan fans got a sold-out dose of nearly three hours of high-energy indie-soul/roots-inspired rock at Meijer Gardens on Monday. The review and photo gallery.
Playlists · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Inaugural Shagbark Music & Arts Festival set for fun, high-energy ‘shenanigans’
With no overlapping sets, more than a dozen Michigan acts will perform at the first-year Shagbark Music and Arts Festival taking place near Caledonia this weekend. Get the preview, schedule and a festival playlist.
Fastball revels in spirited summery rock; The Death Grips, Regrettes rev up sold-out shows
More than just ‘The Way,’ the Austin rock/pop band delivered a weekend-ending romp that had a small-but-enthused crowd on its feet at downtown’s Studio Park. Meanwhile, Grand Rapids boasted two sold-out shows the same night: The Death Grips at GLC Live at 20 Monroe and The Regrettes at The Pyramid Scheme. Browse all three photo galleries.
Concert reviews · Summer Festivals · Weekend Photo Gallery
Wild Thyme, Tamarack & Smoke on the Water Fests + Glitch Mob, Shakey Graves: Photos
The jam-packed weekend of live music across West Michigan also featured performances by The Cornfed Girls, Charlie Millard Band, a farewell show from Pink Sky and more. Revisit the celebrations in colorful images at Local Spins.
Free Summer Concerts: Beulah, Ludington, Elk Rapids, Saugatuck, Spring Lake, St. Joe & more
Even as July comes to an end, live music starring Michigan acts continues to heat up across the state with free weeknight concerts, from Bronson to Sparta to Hillsdale and beyond. View concert schedules for several communities at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Americana’s Beth Bombara embraces ‘lightness and hope’ with eclectic new record
The West Michigan native who plays home-state dates this weekend was featured for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Pajamas, Ficus, Pink Sky, The American Hotel System and more. Get the back story on Beth Bombara and her upcoming new album, plus listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Amos Lee skirts rain and gets soulful with the Grand Rapids Symphony
Wednesday’s summer squall abated in time for a captivating performance amid picture-perfect weather in Meijer Gardens’ sold-out amphitheater, The review and photos at Local Spins.
Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
Revisiting Beaver Island Music Festival 2023: Reveling in ‘island music’ and communal vibes
One of the Michigan music festival scene’s most unusual settings hosted a boatload of performances by regional bands ranging from Sponge to Adrian + Meredith. The Beaver Island Music Fest recap in photos and video.
Snoop Dogg, Wiz Khalifa light up Van Andel Arena with smokin’ hot rap assault
‘Young, Wild & Free’ fans were primed to ‘Drop It Like It’s Hot’ for Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa’s High School Reunion tour Tuesday in Grand Rapids along with Ying Yang Twins. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Playlists · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Previewing W. Michigan’s Wild Thyme Music Festival 2023: Lowdown, schedule and playlist
For the third year, Allegan’s Fat Blossom Farm will host this cozy music festival starring regional acts. View the lineup and details, get ticket links and listen to a Top 10 playlist.
‘Like a Preacher,’ Melissa Etheridge lifts devotees higher in return to Meijer Gardens
The rock-fueled, veteran singer and guitarist delivered plenty of hits and fan favorites during Monday’s Grand Rapids tour stop. The photo gallery and review at Local Spins.
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