The Kent District Library streaming service that launched in 2021 has opened submissions for another batch of albums by West Michigan artists who get paid an honorarium if selected. Plus, nine area bands will play the Sept. 13 Vibes Fest.
Labor Day’s ‘government mule’ quandary: Musicians seek fair return on songs, live shows
Welcome to our annual examination of the plight of musicians’ seeking a living wage and better working conditions. This year, we take a closer look at the negligible revenue from streaming services. Plus, browse a photo gallery from Sunday’s Gov’t Mule tour stop in Paw Paw.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Weekend Concert Photo Roundup: Ted Nugent, Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Hannah Fae & more
Labor Day weekend has brought celebrations of varied nature to West Michigan, from homecoming shows for the Motor City Madman to a spotlight on emerging female artists. View the photos at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows
The Go Rounds find footing after years of uncertainty, with new music, special shows
Local Spins spotlights Graham Parsons and the Kalamazoo rock/pop band that plays Wheatland Music Festival next week. Plus, we debut tracks from Chloe Kimes, i.am.james., Spuddies, The Nuance and more.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
The Crane Wives soar to new heights in emotional Grand Rapids homecoming
The alt-rock/folk band’s sold-out, headlining show at Meijer Gardens on Thursday night was a milestone event for the beloved group with a devoted fan base. The review, photos and a video at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Jazz guitarist Pierre Bensusan marks 50 years with tour stops in Grand Rapids, Elk Rapids
The renowned French musician brings music from his heralded career to Michigan’s Tip Top Deluxe, Chalfonte Theatre and The Ark this week. The Local Spins interview, with a music video.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Crane Wives eager for homecoming after a ‘miracle’ tour, ‘amazing’ support from fans
West Michigan’s acclaimed alt-folk/rock band plays a sold-out show Thursday at Frederik Meijer Gardens after mounting a successful U.S. tour. The Local Spins interview with band member Emilee Petersmark.
‘Ten Dollar Cowboy’: Charley Crockett gives fans more than their money’s worth in GR
The Texas-born, neo-traditional country singer rode into Meijer Gardens on Monday night to deliver more than two dozen songs from his robust catalog. The Local Spins review and photos.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
ARC Music Festival to celebrate 5 years of spotlighting house music in Chicago
Local Spins’ ‘Looking for the Perfect Beat’ columnist Todd Ernst previews next weekend’s electronic music fest in Chicago, just a short drive away for Michigan fans of major electronic music stars. Get the details, must-see picks and a user guide at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Jam-Happy Fun: Umphrey’s McGee, Greensky Bluegrass pump up Michigan fans
Umphrey’s McGree returned to Meijer Gardens for a weekend-ending, jam-filled, prog-rock-infused spectacle, the day after Greensky Bluegrass finished a bluegrass stint at Interlochen. Plus, shoegaze bands revved up a new Kalamazoo venue. Photos.
Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
Grand Rapids frolics at late August festivals: Return to the River, Small Foreign Festival
Two festivals in different parts of the city attracted fans for a wide variety of music unleashed by Michigan bands amid splendid summer weather. Photos, videos and recaps at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
The War and Treaty takes it to the streets for magical, rain-interrupted Albion homecoming
The soulful Americana stars didn’t let rain and a power outage prevent them from delighting fans Saturday with an acoustic performance following the city’s 20-band Walk the Beat fest — with Lowell’s The Nuance winning this year’s competition. Recap, photos, video
Greensky Bluegrass heats up home-state love with two nights of jamming at Interlochen
The Kalamazoo-bred, progressive bluegrass dynamo unleashed the first of two straight northern Michigan shows at Interlochen on Friday, after revving up fans in Detroit on Thursday. Photos, recap at Local Spins.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Grand Rapids’ Return to the River 2025: 27 acts on two stages, live art, food, artisan market
Local Spins previews the return of Downtown Grand Rapids Inc.’s free, two-day festival in the Monroe North district, with sets by bands and DJs, as well as traveling art installations. View the performance schedule.
Artist Spotlights · Podcasts · Videos
The Verve Pipe finds retro ‘spark’ on new album, relishes raucous sets on the road
Frontman Brian Vander Ark talks about the West Michigan alt-rock heroes’ latest record for Local Spins, which also debuts music by May Erlewine, Normal Mode, The Hacky Turtles, Heat Above and more. Get the back story on The Verve Pipe and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Jeff Daniels yuks it up with musical Michigan tales, anecdotes for Grand Rapids crowd
The Michigan-based singer-songwriter, actor and humorist regaled a sold-out crowd at St. Cecilia Music Center on Wednesday with all manner of laugh-inducing musical ditties, many of them involving the Mitten State. The review, photos at Local Spins.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Small Foreign Festival to showcase ‘really good art,’ music with Saturday’s GR debut
The ‘hyper-local’ celebration at Sullivan Field will feature sets by Ficus, Common Molly, Squatch, Clipboards and four other bands, with art vendors, food trucks and more on tap. Details, schedule at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
The Accidentals lead unprecedented 3½-hour, female-driven spectacle in Tuesday romp
The special five-act romp for Tuesday Evening Music Club came the same night that Rotary Rocks benefit in Rockford boasted sets by Roosevelt Diggs and Nicholas James & The Bandwagon. Recaps, photos at Local Spins.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
N. Michigan Marvels: Forest Trail and Porkies music festivals aim to keep summer sizzling
This weekend’s celebrations in Free Soil and in the farthest reaches of the Upper Peninsula both boast all-star casts. Get the lowdown, schedules, ticket links and more at Local Spins.
Meijer Gardens fans brave rain for uplifting night of ‘Magic’ from Andy Grammer
Music won out over weather Monday when the multi-platinum-selling pop singer-songwriter from California returned to Grand Rapids. The review and photos at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Neil Francis relishes blowing things up, bringing audiences joy with GR stop ahead
The Chicago-based psychedelic and soulful indie-rocker plays The Pyramid Scheme in Grand Rapids and the Sonic Lunch series in Ann Arbor this week with West Michigan native and drummer Collin O’Brien aboard. The Local Spins interview with Francis, along with two of his latest music videos.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
CAKE bakes up musical fun, Breakaway heats up Day 2, Weatherheads bid adieu: Recaps
The California rockers returned Sunday to Meijer Gardens, closing out a weekend of electronic mayhem at Breakaway, a goodbye for a GR favorite and Lettuce in Paw Paw. Check out the CAKE review and browse photos from all of the shows at Local Spins.
Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
Local Spins unveils robust fall concerts at SpeakEZ, second ‘Laurel Canyon’ tribute night
Beyond the lineup of diverse Wednesday and Friday shows starring Michigan acts, Grand Rapids’ SpeakEZ Lounge will take over Tommy Pancy’s Sunday jazz jams after Turnstiles closed its doors. View the full schedule of upcoming shows.
Breakaway Music Festival blasts Belknap Park with Zedd, Gryffin, electronic romps
The opening day of the 2025 music festival in Grand Rapids on Friday sizzled with sets from up-and-coming stars as well as established acts such as Zedd, Gryffin, Disco Lines and more. The recap and photos at Local Spins, along with Saturday’s festival schedule.
The String Cheese Incident jams its way into fans’ hearts in Meijer Gardens debut
The veteran Colorado band that’s long been the “house band” at Michigan’s Electric Forest returned to the region to fire up a capacity crowd at Meijer Gardens on Thursday. A recap and photos at Local Spins.
Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
‘Most Epic Lineup in the Entire Universe’ slated for Tuesday Evening Music Club
The Meijer Gardens extravaganza boasts an all-female show starring The Accidentals, Patty PerShayla, The Burney Sisters, Emma Zinck and Roxi Jane. The preview at Local Spins, along with other upcoming must-see events.
Album reviews · Audio · Upcoming shows
Michigan Album Reviews: Larry McCray, The Fields, Mike Ward, Justin Avdek
Browse our takes on another roundup of new albums by Michigan artists, from blues to folk to indie-rock to ambient spaghetti Western, and listen to tracks from all of the releases.
Cheap Trick doesn’t ‘Surrender’ to heat or age, powering up infectious hits and more in GR
The classic rock band’s appearance Monday at Meijer Gardens also featured an impressive opening set from Serita’s Black Rose. The review and photo gallery — and the Cheap Trick set list — at Local Spins.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Guide to Breakaway Music Festival 2025: From Rezz to Delato, Mitis, Disco Lines & more
Local Spins’ Looking for the Perfect Beat columnist Todd Ernst digs into the offerings and artists of the electronic music celebration unfolding this weekend at Grand Rapids’ Belknap Park. Get the lowdown and the schedule.
Concert reviews · Summer Festivals · Weekend Photo Gallery
40,000-plus flood Unity Fest; Mummies march; Truckin’ into Hoxey revs up (Photo Recaps)
Ignoring another heat wave, crowds came to cheer Christian music stars in Muskegon, a mummified funk fave in Kalamazoo, jam bands in Paw Paw, a festival debut in northern Michigan and more. The photo and event recaps at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
Grand Haven’s Walk the Beat crowns Izzy Joy winner of heated 2025 competition
Saturday’s festival on the city’s East Side featured performances by more than four dozen Michigan bands and solo artists in sunny, super-hot weather.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Summer Festivals
Shagbark’s ‘magical place’ on hiatus amid Michigan’s busiest month of music festivals
Local Spins chats with Shagbark fest honcho Farmer John Crissman about taking 2025 off and the challenges facing many festivals. On the flip side, our podcast features artists playing a host of August festivals.
Michigan Album Reviews: Lord Huron, Kanin Wren, Low Phase, Rodeo Boys
With Lord Huron returning for a home-state appearance Saturday in Rochester Hills, Local Spins reviews the band’s new album, along with releases from three other Mitten State artists. Plus, listen to tracks from all of the releases.
Mary Chapin Carpenter, Brandy Clark sparkle, shine in scorcher of Grand Rapids show
The Grammy-winning folk/country singer-songwriters captivated the Meijer Gardens crowd on Thursday with sincere ballads, rollicking rockers and affable stage personas. Review, photos.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Grand Haven’s Walk the Beat festival primed for 49-band ‘street party’
Saturday’s return of the popular Michigan festival and band competition will rev up two dozen venues on Grand Haven’s East Side. The lowdown and schedule at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts
Michigan Concert Cornucopia: The tantalizing appeal of live music in the great outdoors
More than 150 communities across the state host summer concerts in parks every night of the week — free shows with a family-friendly milieu. Local Spins takes a closer look at this phenomenon.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
‘Psychedelic playground’ for Deadheads? Truckin’ Into Hoxey debuts this weekend
The new festival taking place on the same site as the former Hoxeyville Music Festival in Wellston turns the ignition on musical fun starting Friday. Get the details and lineup at Local Spins.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Steven Curtis Chapman, Matthew West ready to uplift Unity Music Festival
The four-day festival filled with Christian music stars returns to Muskegon’s Heritage Landing starting on Wednesday. The preview, Chapman interview and schedule at Local Spins.
Train rolls energetically through heartfelt hits, classic covers at Meijer Gardens
Sunday’s appearance by Train and Edwin McCain took place on a stellar evening for an enthused sold-out crowd. The review and photos.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
‘Offbeat Week’: Suburbs Fest, Domestic Problems, Of Montreal, Deadbeatdad (Photos)
Things were, well, a bit different with live music across West Michigan, and Local Spins was there capturing the action for our resplendent weekend photo galleries.
The War and Treaty stage triumphant return to West Michigan with boost from GR Symphony
Perfect weather, a rich wall of sound plus a hillside of adoring fans equaled an ideal environment for the beloved Michigan-bred act’s homecoming Friday at Meijer Gardens. Review, photos
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Accidentals eye release of new album, Michigan tour stops amid star-packed schedule
The Michigan alt-folk heroes who play upcoming shows in their home state talk about their studio work and touring with Local Spins, which also spotlights new music by American Rust, Mei Semones, The War and Treaty, The Wire Monkeys, Al Wesley and more. Find out more about The Accidentals and their new album, and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Local Grins Summer Heat Wave: Mohanad Elshieky, Regional Comedy Roundup & More
The August Local Grins boasts an interview with touring comedian Mohanad Elshieky and the lowdown on Laughter on the Lakeshore, Alastair Watt’s Michigan tour, updated show listings and more.
Artist Spotlights · Classic Rock Corner · Upcoming shows · Videos
‘Holdin’ On To Yesterday’: Ambrosia poised to relive enduring classics in Manistee
The melodic prog-rock/yacht rock band returns to Michigan to play Little River Casino on Friday. The Local Spins interview with founding member Joe Puerta.
Podcasts · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Suburbs Fest hits West Michigan with live podcast show, showcase concert
The national ‘Rockin’ the Suburbs’ music podcast makes its GR-area festival debut this weekend at Dirty Shame and Tip Top Deluxe with band interviews and performances. The lowdown and live podcast schedule at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Re-creating Pink Floyd’s pioneering space rock: Australian Pink Floyd Show comes to wow GR
The acclaimed, international, ‘note-perfect’ tribute to Pink Floyd returns to Meijer Gardens this week. The Local Spins interview with guitarist Dave Fowler.
Artist Spotlights · Classic Rock Corner · Upcoming shows
Bachman-Turner Overdrive still in gear, still touring, still recording 50 years on
After a Michigan tour stop at Interlochen, the iconic classic rock band featuring Randy Bachman plays the Chicago area tonight. The Local Spins interview.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists · Upcoming shows
The War and Treaty’s Max Brown: Three Albums That Changed My World
With The War and Treaty returning to Meijer Gardens on Friday to perform with Grand Rapids Symphony, we asked guitarist/production manager Max Brown to reveal his most treasured musical influences, along with a current favorites. View and listen to his picks; get details about the Grand Rapids show at Local Spins.
Tamarack Music Festival 2025 Revisited: Michigan marvels, booty-shaking frivolity
The cozy music festival staged last weekend in Morley boasted sets by two dozen bands and solo acts, including New York reggae outfit Aqua Cherry, who closed it out with a gleeful bang. Recap, photo gallery.
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