The former Men at Work frontman dipped into ’80s pop hits, extensive solo catalog and classic covers for an energetic, well-received evening of entertainment. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Venue Spotlight
The future for concert entry: Mobile apps proving your vaccination status and ID
There’s an app for that: Bell’s Brewery Eccentric Café in Kalamazoo is one of the first West Michigan venues to adopt and mandate a smartphone “health pass.” But more venues say they’re likely to follow suit with similar mobile apps as COVID surges.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Heat, rain dissipate for celebratory, off-the-cuff Tuesday Evening Music Club show
When rain didn’t materialize, Ralston Bowles & Friends and the Elijah Russ Collective uncorked a lengthy, thoroughly entertaining night of soulful rock and Americana at Meijer Gardens. The roundup, photo gallery and video highlights at Local Spins.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Illenium, Quinn XCII, Gettoblaster, Choff & more set to heat up ‘biggest’ Breakaway yet
The two-day festival descending on Grand Rapids’ Belknap Park this weekend brims with some top names in electronic, hip hop and pop, including several Michigan faves. Get the preview and full festival schedule at Local Spins.
Ani DiFranco delivers new songs, much-needed good vibes to die-hard Grand Rapids fans
Local Spins asked The Crane Wives’ Kate Pillsbury to provide her take on the much-respected singer-songwriter’s Monday concert at Meijer Gardens. Here is her review, with a photo gallery by Kendra Petersen-Kamp.
‘They’ve Still Got It’: Squeeze throws a pop-rock ‘go go’ party at Meijer Gardens
The band that made a splash as part of the ‘second British invasion’ in the 1980s delivered its best-known hits and more during its Grand Rapids tour stop, with Jeffrey Gaines opening. The review, photos and set list at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Bringing Back the Blues: Wayne Baker Brooks at KVBA Blues Bash, Ana Popovic in GR
West Michigan blues fans got an earful, with Ana Popovic revving up WLAV’s Blues on the Grand Thursday and a host of stars at Kalamazoo’s Old Dog Tavern Saturday. Plus, Keller Williams made a SW Michigan tour stop. Revisit the action in these exclusive photo galleries at Local Spins.
Thrills, connections, ‘good chaos,’ uneasiness: The Intersection’s live music experience
The delta variant has created uncertainty for venues again, but concerts such as the recent Domestic Problems show in Grand Rapids have left folks uplifted. The “Destination: Live Music” video.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Colt Snuffer & The Dead Horsemen make inroads with singular take on gothic blues
The Muskegon band with a new album on the way was this week’s guest for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Desmond Jones, Dani Darling, marsfade & more. The Artist Spotlight feature and the full radio show podcast.
38 Special rushes through parade of hits, Myron Elkins impresses at Meijer Gardens
The ’80s rock band’s first-ever show at the amphitheater felt like a race to reviewer Lorilee Craker, but the capacity crowd did get to hear some fan favorites. The Local Spins review and photo gallery.
Riveting Double Feature: Blues Traveler and JJ Grey & Mofro ‘play hard’ at Meijer Gardens
Wednesday’s sold-out show amid hot and muggy conditions brought a doubleheader of fan favorites to the outdoor amphitheater. The recap and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
N. Michigan’s LivelyLands Music Festival set for musical beauty in a small package
This weekend’s festival outside Empire will feature Joshua Davis, Laura Rain, Dana Falconberry, Jordan Hamilton, Mark Lavengood and more. Learn more about this boutique festival and view the full weekend schedule.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
Hoxeyville 2021 Memories: Top 5 highlights from a spirited festival in the Michigan forest
Not surprisingly, multiple performances by Michigan-bred bluegrass hero Billy Strings topped the roster of memorable moments at a northern Michigan festival that returned after a one-year hiatus. Browse the weekend highlights, pore over the photos and view videos from an action-packed Hoxey.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
Farmfest closes out long legacy with celebratory performances, hugs and dancing
Memories of Farmfest 2021 – the final edition of the northern Michigan festival – will linger for a long time after a utopian weekend of music. Relive some of the festival highlights in words and images at Local Spins.
Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
Squeeze returns to the road with Meijer Gardens tour stop this weekend
The band that made a splash in the 1980s says it’s ready to “keep going as long as it feels good.” The Local Spins interview with co-founder Glenn Tilbrook.
Breaking music news · Concert reviews · Photos
Stone Soup & The Broken Teeth take top prize in return of Grand Haven’s Walk the Beat
Hundreds of fans strolled the streets on Grand Haven’s East Side on Saturday in the return of the popular one-day festival which raises funds to assist young musicians. Recap and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · In-Depth Report
Music scene battle with COVID takes another turn with vaccination mandates for fans
Shows at Seven Steps Up, and several at The Pyramid Scheme, will require vaxxed proof as show and festival cancellations once again resurface this summer. An update and in-depth report at Local Spins
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Cal in Red embraces synth-laden, psychedelic, hook-filled pop with new EP on the way
The duo playing City Built’s Friday Night Live was this week’s guest for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted music by Wuzee + Samil, The Yesterdays, The Indigo Curve and more. Learn more about Cal in Red and listen to this week’s full radio show.
Umphrey’s McGee brings festival magic, prog-rock prowess to Meijer Gardens
Umphrey’s McGree uncorked a jam-band spectacle the same night Luke Winslow-King fired up Studio Park & Laura Rain played the final GRAM on the Green. Revisit all three shows in recaps and photo galleries at Local Spins.
Album Reviews: Michigan Rattlers, Annagail, Lipstick Jodi, Brother John, IBIJ, Atkinson
As August continues to heat up, Local Spins spotlights six new releases by West Michigan artists, from compelling Americana to lively indie-pop to reimagined punk. Check out the reviews, with audio samples from each album.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
Wheatland Music Festival cancels for second year in a row as COVID cases rise
Just a month away from the festival’s return to Remus, the Wheatland Music Organization today pulled the plug on Wheatland 2021 due to ‘practically unmanageable’ efforts to stage the event safely. The story and the reaction at Local Spins
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows · Videos
Loving Hoxeyville: Lindsay Lou, Billy Strings set for rousing return of beloved festival
It’s back for 2021 in the Manistee National Forest this weekend with national headliners and regional favorites, including a bluegrass singer who adores Hoxey and all it entails. An interview with Lindsay Lou, along with the festival schedule.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Northern Michigan’s Farmfest ‘bound for amazement’ with final musical salvo
Unfurling with more than 40 bands east of Gaylord this weekend, organizer Stacy Jo Schiller says her last Farmfest shapes up as a safe and ‘high-energy’ celebration on the farm. The preview at Local Spins.
Albums that Changed the World · Playlists
‘Three Albums that Changed My World’: Luke Winslow-King’s iconic inspirations
Michigan native Luke Winslow-King plays Grand Rapids on Thursday and two northern Michigan music festivals this weekend. Today, he reveals the recordings that helped shape his own career. Listen to tracks from all of the albums at Local Spins and see how you can win tickets to see his ‘Listening Lawn’ show at Studio Park this week.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Walk the Beat set for Grand Haven return with ‘live music around every corner’
After taking 2020 off due to COVID, Saturday’s afternoon event will boast performances by 46 bands in ‘some pretty unconventional places.’ Get the preview and schedule at Local Spins.
Emmylou Harris, Los Lobos prove mettle as masters of their craft in GR pairing
The final night of the legendary acts’ August joint touring run enchanted a sold-out crowd Sunday at Meijer Gardens. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Weekend Recap: Domestic Problems, Lipstick Jodi, Michigan Rattlers, Jax Anderson, JRob
The first full week of August was full of live music in a host of West Michigan locations, indoors and out, from the return of Domestic Problems to the electric energy of Jax Anderson, JRob and Lipstick Jodi. Revisit the shows in images at Local Spins.
In-Depth Report · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Music industry taking a ‘deep breath’ amid unsettling COVID resurgence
Growing concerns about the delta variant as Michigan enters its busiest stretch of concerts and music festivals this summer could spark vaccination mandates or mask requirements for some shows. The in-depth report at Local Spins.
Drool-Worthy: Tobin Sprout at Listening Room redux, Kansas at Meijer Gardens amphitheater
The two veteran acts played vastly different Grand Rapids venues on Friday night with vastly different approaches. Get the recaps and photo galleries at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The blue-collar, genre-melding rootsiness of Grand Rapids’ Paradise Outlaw
On the heels of releasing two new singles, the band was this week’s guest for Local Spins on WYCE, which also featured new tracks by Phabies, Mannhattan, Superfluiid,Michigan Rattlers and more. Get the back story on Paradise Outlaw and listen to this week’s radio show podcast at Local Spins.
Watchhouse makes triumphant return to Grand Rapids with reinvented folk-rock
The band formerly known as Mandolin Orange unfurled fresh songs from an album due out next week during its Meijer Gardens tour stop on Thursday. The review and photos at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Tiny Jag reflects on Detroit, Jax Anderson, cooking & spirituality: The Local Spins Q&A
Emerging Detroit rapper and pop/R&B artist Tiny Jag performs tonight at Studio Park with Michigan alt-pop star Jax Anderson (formerly Flint Eastwood) in an event hosted by Michigan House. The Local Spins interview.
Laura Rain & The Caesars cap eventful 2021 with No. 1 spot on Hot Top 5 Chart
The soulful, award-winning Detroit act led July’s roster of regional artists earning the most airplay at WYCE, just ahead of Michigan Rattlers, Patty PerShayla, Seth Bernard and Lipstick Jodi. Read more about Laura Rain, who plays Grand Rapids later this month, and listen to tracks from all of the new releases at Local Spins.
Albums that Changed the World · Artist Spotlights · Playlists · Upcoming shows · Videos
Indie-rock icon Tobin Sprout set to exude compelling Americana vibe as tour kicks off
The Michigan artist and former Guided by Voices member opens his Midwest tour Friday at Grand Rapids’ Listening Room. The Local Spins interview, with his picks for songs and bands that influenced him most.
Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
Kansas endures, prospers through lineup changes due to ‘love of the music,’ avid fans
The iconic, multi-platinum-selling prog-rock band plays a sold-out show at the Meijer Gardens amphitheater on Friday. The Local Spins interview with singer and keyboardist Ronnie Platt. Plus, check out a video of a track from the band’s most recent studio album.
Concert reviews · Features · Weekend Photo Gallery
First-Show Jitters and Joy: Michigan musicians maneuver magical return to the stage
For artists such as Joshua Davis and Troll for Trout, the return to stages in Grand Rapids this summer after more than 16 months of COVID silence has created a peculiar but welcome feeling. Get the back story of their experiences and recaps of their shows, along with photo galleries that also include images of Djangophonique at Grand Rapids Art Museum and Pink Martini with Grand Rapids Symphony at Meijer Gardens.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Building on a family tradition: The engaging piano pop-rock of Porter Kenyon
The 19-year-old Cedar Springs singer-songwriter was featured for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Annagail, I Believe in Julio, Brother John & The Lonely Roads, Rick Chyme & Eli Kahn, Jack Droppers, Creature of One and more. Discover more about this emerging talent and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Nathan Purchase’s Music Portrait Project captures unique flair of region’s music scene
“Falling in love with the process”: Muskegon photographer Nathan Purchase helms the Music Portrait Project, a film-camera series showcasing regional music industry professionals. Learn more about this endeavor and browse a photo gallery at Local Spins.
Exuberance, pop, rock and a packed house: The Tuesday Evening Music Club experience
Jesse Ray & The Carolina Catfish and Via Mardot pumped up a capacity crowd for this week’s edition of the Tuesday series at Meijer Gardens, demonstrating the power of local and regional music. The recap and photos from this week’s concert.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
Dunesville 2021 Revisited: A welcoming place with hippie energy and eclectic bands
Last weekend’s cozy music festival in northern Michigan featured regional bands and solo artists playing on two stages amid a laid-back vibe. Check out the Local Spins recap and photo gallery.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
‘Albums That Changed My World’: Producer Tommy Schichtel’s throwback rock gems
The Local Spins series focusing on recordings that most influenced Michigan artists continues with Grand Rapids studio owner Tommy Schichtel, who’s also frontman for The Concussions. View his list, listen to tracks from all of the albums.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Rock ‘n’ Roll Heat Wave: Collective Soul, The Go Rounds, Jerry Palooza & more fire up July
Live music matched the weather this week: Sizzling and sweaty, from The Go Rounds at Studio Park to Collective Soul at Meijer Gardens to Bill Kirchen, The Concussions and more at Jerry Palooza — plus, Grand Rapids Symphony, Melophobix and Brian Koenigknecht played shows across West Michigan. We’ve got the photo recaps.
The Verve Pipe unafraid to ‘get out of the box’ for rocking return to Meijer Gardens
The Michigan alt-rock band played a summer homecoming show on Saturday that checked a lot of boxes and featured the return of Brad Vander Ark. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Album Reviews: Seth Bernard, Tiny Tree, Bruce Matthews, EPCYA, Matthew Milia & more
As we move into the final week of July, Local Spins spotlights new releases from some familiar Michigan artists representing a wide swath of styles, from Seth Bernard to Lauren Pearson. Browse the reviews, listen to tracks from all of the albums at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
Troll for Trout back with folk-rock celebration of life, ‘deeper look’ at northern lifestyle
The West Michigan band set to play its first show in 18 months and eyeing its first release since 2010 was featured for this week’s Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by several Michigan artists. Learn more about Troll for Trout’s long-awaited new album and listen to the radio show podcast.
Musicians’ and Roadies’ Lament: Anxiety, distress and the battle for mental health
Behind the glamour: In today’s essay, musician and Local Spins writer Enrique Olmos reveals his struggles with mental health and explores this important, oft-neglected subject with other musicians and experts in the field. Plus, find links to mental health resources.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
Musical Nirvana: Revisiting the beauty and bliss of Beaver Island Music Festival 2021
After a silent 2020, Beaver Island last weekend again hosted its unique music fest with The Hacky Turtles, Benzing Graves Collective, Patty PerShayla & The Mayhaps, The Gasoline Gypsies and other regional stars. The Local Spins recap in photos — and in the words of the performers themselves.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists · Videos
Albums That Changed My World: PerShayla’s passion for Sheryl Crow, Crane Wives, Avetts
Grand Rapids singer and multi-instrumentalist Patty PerShayla today reveals the albums that most influenced her, along with a current favorite on her playlist. Listen to tracks from all of the albums, plus a song from the new release by Patty PerShayla & The Mayhaps.
Preservation Hall Jazz Band, GR Symphony kick off abbreviated Meijer Gardens concert season
The legendary and celebrated New Orleans act partnered with Grand Rapids Symphony on Sunday night for an upbeat mix of jazz and classical performed under clear skies and with perfect temps. The Local Spins review and photo gallery.
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