Boasting a more exploratory approach, the Grand Rapids band debuted new tracks for Local Spins on WYCE, which also premiered music by Pretoria, Cal in Red, Rick Chyme, Chris Canas, The Legal Immigrants, Matt McAlpin, Super Future, Lucius Fox and more. Dive into the Melophobix back story and listen to this week’s radio show podcast at Local Spins.
‘Red Dirt Girl’ Emmylou Harris finds green pastures with beguiling eve at Meijer Gardens
Legendary country and Americana singer Emmylou Harris returned to Grand Rapids on Thursday with renowned singer-songwriter Mary Chapin Carpenter opening the show. Browse the photo gallery at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows · Videos
Acclaimed avant-pop artist Helado Negro excited to play ‘magical’ Traverse City
The boundary-pushing, ‘groove-heavy,’ bilingual artist from Asheville, N.C., headlines the inaugural All Call Music Festival taking place in Traverse City on Sunday. The Local Spins interview, plus Helado Negro’s latest music videos.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Perrin Backyard Bash eyes return in September with ‘bigger names,’ bigger crowd
Gunnar & The Grizzly Boys, The Hacky Turtles and more will pump up the Sept. 17 party, with thousands expected to attend. View the schedule and get details at Local Spins.
Pitbull brings ‘Party of a Lifetime’ to Grand Rapids’ Van Andel Arena: Photo Gallery
The Miami rapper, singer and pop artist Pitbull delivered a dance-happy set on Tuesday night, along with Australian hip-hop artist Iggy Azalea. Browse the action-packed photos at Local Spins.
Playlists · Summer Festivals · Uncategorized · Upcoming shows
Twiddle, Shlump, Truth and more to pump up jams at northern Michigan’s Big Fam Festival
The Labor Day weekend festival at Liberty Mountain also boasts more than 50 Michigan acts, from Biomassive to Desmond Jones. Get the preview and the Big Fam Festival playlist at Local Spins.
‘Doesn’t get any better’: Forest Trail Music Festival 2022 revisited in words and photos
Last weekend’s cozy music festival in Free Soil left attendees raving about the regional bands and solo artists, as well as the atmosphere of the third-year event. The recap at Local Spins.
Playlists · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Inaugural All Call Music Fest set to power up ‘new, different music’ in Traverse City
The Labor Day weekend celebration at The Little Fleet will feature eclectic sets by national acts Helado Negro, Daniel Villarreal, Finom, Kaina, Tiny Jag and The Antivillains. Details and the full schedule at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Summer Festivals · Weekend Photo Gallery
Weekend Recap: Kehlani, Re(turn) to the River Fest, Disco Biscuits, Morgan Evans & more
August’s final weekend was chock full of sizzling live music, from national touring acts like Clownvis Presley and Michigan Rattlers to local favorites, all reflected in images at Local Spins. Get the recaps and check out more than a half-dozen photo galleries.
Looking for the Perfect Beat · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
DJ giants set to amp up Labor Day weekend’s ARC Fest in Chicago, birthplace of house music
Local Spins’ Looking for the Perfect Beat columnist Todd Ernst gives West Michigan fans a sneak preview of The Windy City’s second annual massive celebration of electronic music starring Fatboy Slim, Carl Craig & more. View the schedule and tips for attending ARC Music Festival.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Teen singer-songwriter Izubel striving to ‘spread the joy’ with debut indie-folk album
The emerging Rockford indie-folk/pop artist with a release show next week lit up Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted new music by Cameron Blake, Low Phase, Martyr for Madison and much more. Learn more about Izubel and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Matthew Milia Writes Home: Frontier Ruckus frontman talks solo work, roots, Detroit pride
The Frontier Ruckus co-founder sat down with Local Spins writer Enrique Olmos to explore his passion for Detroit, and balancing music creation with a financially secure day job. He plays a Detroit festival on Sept. 10.
Umphrey’s McGee makes triumphant, jam-alicious return to Grand Rapids
The South Bend-bred prog-fusion band that got its start playing small West Michigan venues proved its fan-fueled, instrumental mettle in a sold-out show at Meijer Gardens on Wednesday. Revisit the evening via the Local Spins review, photo gallery and set list.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Freesoil’s cozy Forest Trail Music Festival poised to uncork star-studded Michigan lineup
The festival taking place about two hours north of Grand Rapids will feature sets by The Accidentals, Cold Tone Harvest, Chloe Kimes Band, Nicholas James Thomasma and more. Get details and the full festival schedule at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
The Ralston and Friends ‘variety show’ pumps up Tuesday Evening Music Club
The next-to-last Tuesday Evening Music Club show of the summer featured Grand Rapids singer-songwriter Ralston Bowles and an all-star lineup performing amid splendid weather. The recap, video highlights and photos at Local Spins.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Albion’s Walk the Beat festival expands with 28 bands playing 14 venues on Saturday
Launched six years ago and inspired by a similar event in Grand Haven, this weekend’s Walk the Beat will light up Albion’s downtown area with performances by more than two dozen regional acts. Get details at Local Spins.
Features · Playlists · Upcoming shows
Second West Michigan Songwriter’s Festival seeks to elevate songwriting as art form
The second-year West Michigan Songwriter’s Festival hosted by Rockford singer-songwriter Dan Terry takes place this weekend in Belmont, starring several respected Nashville tunesmiths, including Grammy winner Steve Leslie. The details and a playlist at Local Spins.
Still getting ‘Lowdown’: Boz Scaggs and Robert Cray bring soulful vibe to Meijer Gardens
From enduring hits such as “Lido Shuffle” and “JoJo,” Boz Scaggs made the most of his amphitheater debut, with guitarist-singer Robert Cray and singer-songwriter Jeff LeBlanc also on board. The Local Spins review and photo gallery.
Hoxeyville Revisited: From Lindsay Lou to MC5’s Wayne Kramer to campsite picking
Thousands of revelers embraced the rootsy, bluegrass-hued festival in the Manistee National Forest over the weekend. Local Spins has highlights, a photo gallery and a video recapping the action.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Shoreline Jazz Fest returns to Muskegon this weekend with ‘fun,’ diverse, soulful lineup
After a COVID hiatus, the festival led by musician Alexander Zonjic pumps up Muskegon’s Heritage Landing Friday-Sunday with Maysa, Najee, Lin Roundtree and more. The lowdown and the full weekend schedule at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Summer Festivals · Weekend Photo Gallery
Breakaway resumes after evacuation, plus Vince Gill, Pedro’s Pig Roast, Pigeons & more
Hit-and-miss weather over the weekend impacted some live music but other concerts — indoors and out — revved up West Michigan, including Devil Wears Prada, Lucius Fox, Vince Gill, Fest of All and more. Photos.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Holler Fest set to continue Jackson County tradition with 60-plus bands on tap
After a two-year COVID hiatus, the three-day festival on Frog Holler Farm plans a robust return with a bevy of regional stars, home-grown food and more. The preview and schedule at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
Breakaway busts out of gates with big crowds hailing Chainsmokers, Sidepiece and more
The opening salvo of the two-day festival at Grand Rapids’ Belknap Park reveled Friday in exemplary weather, mesmerizing electronic music and elated throngs of fans. The highlights and two photo galleries at Local Spins.
Music That Raised Us, Ambrosia, John Waite, Hiss Golden Messenger: Concert Photo Recaps
The week leading up to a hectic weekend of live music boasted a dizzying array of styles and approaches, from indie-folk to prog-pop to R&B and soul. Revisit the action in images at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
Holland punk band Lost Magic’s ‘super loud, super sweet’ headbanging alchemy
Playing a hometown show next week, Lost Magic lit up Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers, Future Drugs, Avalon Cutts-Jones, Deep Enough and more. Learn more about Lost Magic and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Making everyone better, The Decemberists bring literary, magical rock gusto to GR fans
The return of The Decemberists ignited a sold-out crowd at the Grand Rapids amphitheater with the indie/alt-rock band unleashing songs old and new on Wednesday. Local Spins asked a member of The Crane Wives — who were inspired, in part, by The Decemberists — to offer her take on the show. The review, photos and set list.
Looking for the Perfect Beat · Summer Festivals · Videos
Looking for the Perfect Beat: Breakaway 2022 ups ante with The Chainsmokers, DJ Snake
West Michigan DJ, Local Spins columnist and electronic music guru Todd Ernst previews this weekend’s mega-fest in GR’s Belknap Park — his artists to watch, tips for a better experience and the inside dope. Plus, view the weekend schedule and check out videos from headlining artists.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists · Summer Festivals
LivelyLands’ cozy, ‘stress-free’ approach and its founder’s ‘Albums That Changed the World’
Beyond high-profile festivals this weekend such as Hoxeyville and Breakaway is northern Michigan’s LivelyLands, oozing ’boutique’ intimacy. Learn more about it and see which albums have most influenced founder Emily Lively.
Surfin’ the Meijer Gardens Wave: The Beach Boys ‘Do It Again’ for sold-out GR crowd
Led by octogenarians Mike Love and Bruce Johnston, The Beach Boys made a familiar summer tour stop in Grand Rapids Monday, revving up familiar hits for fans intimately familiar with the legendary band’s catalog. The Local Spins review and photo gallery.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Bittersweet new beginnings for Leland Blue, Michigan’s beloved alt-pop band of brothers
Leland Blue’s current tour includes a sentimental final show at The Pyramid Scheme this week before the indie-pop band embarks on new adventures across state lines. Learn more about this West Michigan band and listen to music from the group’s latest release.
Concert reviews · Photos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Dermot Kennedy demonstrates power over his fans during Grand Rapids tour stop
The Irish singer-songwriter with a new album set for release next month played a rescheduled Sunday night affair at GLC Live at 20 Monroe. The review and photos, plus galleries from three other weekend West Michigan concerts, including Fake Baseball, Ballyhoo, Incantations and more.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Soggy Sonatas: The Crane Wives, Walk the Beat power through pesky rain for fervent fans
Despite rain and unseasonable temps, The Crane Wives played their first show in more than two years in Grand Rapids, while on the east side of Grand Haven, solo performer Ryan Lynch won a wet edition of Walk the Beat. Get the recaps, browse the photos and watch the videos at Local Spins.
August Refrains: Lake Street Dive, Wild Hearts Tour, The Dead South, Mustard Plug, Ragbirds
The shows leading up to another weekend of musical merriment in West Michigan boasted soulful pop, bluegrass, ska and vocally impressive songwriting powerhouses, lighting up venues from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo. Browse the photos and show recaps at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows · Videos
Kalamazoo’s Kait Rose finds ‘Balance’ with healing, relatable career-spanning collection
The singer-songwriter with an album-release show tonight was featured for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by DL Rossi, Matisse Zuzu, Upon Wings, Leif(kolt), FINKEL, Steven Malcolm and others. Find out more about Kait Rose, watch her new music video and listen to the full radio show podcast.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Return of The Crane Wives: Re-charging, coming full circle to rock GR after a long hiatus
Two-and-a-half years after last gracing a stage, the folk-rock band plays a much-anticipated show Saturday at Studio Park. What led to the hiatus? What can fans expect this weekend? The back story and more at Local Spins.
Grand Haven’s Walk the Beat, N. Michigan’s Farm Fest aim for robust weekend return
The weekend festivals boast live music with a bit of a twist: Grand Haven’s affair has fans voting for their favorite bands, while Farm Fest rolls out under new direction with a more laid-back vibe. Get the lowdown on both events at Local Spins.
Tantalizing Tuesday: Hanson, Pokey LaFarge, The Accidentals, Charley Crockett rev up fans
Amid weather that could only be described as “perfect,” three outdoor shows and one indoor spectacle lit up Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo on a summer Tuesday. The recaps and photo galleries from a busy night at Local Spins.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Just a peninsula – and another world – away: The tasty buffet of eclectic U.P. music festivals
The Upper Peninsula offers a remote but unique setting for a surprising variety of music festivals, worthy of a trip across the bridge. Here’s a look at this U.P. experience, with previews of upcoming events.
FINKEL embraces ‘isolated and eccentric’ Mackinac Island for new record, documentary
The Michigan natives now based in L.A. spent a winter on the iconic enclave to create ‘Islanders.’ They screen the film and perform as FINKEL Friday at Wealthy Theatre. The interview and back story at Local Spins.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
Hoxeyville’s Jake Robinson: ‘Albums that Changed My World,’ The Band to Bob Marley
The Hoxeyville Music Festival gets unleashed once again in the Manistee National Forest later this month. Today, festival founder Jake Robinson reveals the albums that have influenced him most. Learn more about the festival and listen to tracks from his favorite recordings.
Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
Cowpie Music Festival wraps up with steamy, fiery, eclectic musical bang on the farm
Local Spins has compiled some of the top highlights from the three-day celebration on Shagbark Farm, along with photos and videos. Revisit the final edition of this festival in southern Kent County.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Hispanic Festival, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Lady Ace Boogie heat up musical diversity
High heat and humidity didn’t hamper a flurry of live music in the great outdoors, from Latin rock on Calder Plaza to hip hop at Cowpie to the choral allure of an iconic South African group and a five-year anniversary for Bass Country. Videos and photos at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
Festival fave Biomassive diving into ‘deeper level’ of electronic, heavy progressive rock
The Traverse City band which lit up Cowpie Music Fest on Friday debuted new music for Local Spins on WYCE, which aired fresh tracks by Act Casual, The Accidentals, Strange Heart, The Aquaerials, Adrian Jay and more. Get the back story on Biomassive and listen to this week’s full radio show podcast.
Andrew Bird, Iron & Wine flaunt chemistry, powerful vocals, dynamic musicianship
Along with opener Meshell Ndegeocello, the virtuosos sharing the bill on the delayed ‘Outside Problems’ tour enchanted a sold-out crowd on Friday. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
Cowpie Music Festival kicks up hooves with jam-band fervor, sweltering heat on Day 1
The southern Kent County festival’s final salvo began with a sultry bang on Thursday, featuring standout sets by MonoNeon, Mungion, Desmond Jones, Cosmic Knot and more. The recap and photos, only at Local Spins.
Elvis Costello launches U.S. tour with clever, ever-entertaining aplomb in Grand Rapids
The legendary rocker and his band, The Imposters, unleashed music from Costello’s latest album along with some choice gems from his hefty catalog. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Hot Top 5
Kyle Rasche’s Chain of Lakes album makes waves at No. 1 on Local Spins’ Hot Top 5 Chart
The indie-folk artist credits the work of his producer and studio musicians for enhancing his milestone new recording. View the rest of the chart at Local Spins and listen to tracks from all of the regional releases.
Michigan summer’s Top 10 music videos: SoFaygo, Phabies, The Accidentals, Michigander
For your viewing pleasure, Local Spins has assembled some of the most captivating new music videos by Michigan-bred artists covering everything from hip hop to indie-rock to pop and more. Plus, see where some of these artists will be performing in coming weeks.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
Farmer John’s ‘Albums That Changed the World’: J. Geils to John Prine to Frank Zappa
Today, Local Spins digs into the artists and music that have most influenced “Farmer” John Crissman, founder of southern Kent County’s Cowpie Music Festival, which returns this weekend. Learn the back story behind his picks and listen to the music at Local Spins.
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