Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
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.
“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.
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
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
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
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 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.
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
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.
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
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
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.
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.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
One of the busiest music weeks of summer 2021 brought big crowds to venues across West Michigan, including the second day of revelry at Belknap Park and Shagbark Farm. The photo galleries, festival recaps and video highlights at Local Spins.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Act Casual, Chirp, Mark Lavengood, The Whiskey Charmers, The Hacky Turtles, Lighting Matches and more are part of the 2021 lineup at the northern Michigan festival taking place July 23-25. Get details and the full festival schedule at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
“Rock music is back!” Despite some early rain, throngs of head-bangers cheered their hard-rocking heroes as festival performances — featuring several Michigan acts — returned to Grand Rapids. Read the review, browse the photo gallery and watch video highlights from the first day of Upheaval Festival.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
Playing the first of three nights at the Caledonia-area ranch, the Michigan-bred progressive bluegrass powerhouse earned a rousing welcome from fans. The Local Spins review, with photos and video highlights from Night No. 1.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The indie alt-pop band releasing ‘More Like Me’ in August was featured for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by The Accidentals, Seven Purple Tigers, Martyr for Madison, The Mulberry Wolves and more. The Artist Spotlight feature, radio show podcast and a video at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Thursday night in Grand Rapids unfurled as a tale of two outdoor milestones: the first ‘Blues on the Grand’ show headlined by the Eric Gales Band and another full house at Studio Park with sets by Michigander and Lipstick Jodi. Check out the show recaps, browse the photo galleries and watch video highlights at Local Spins.
Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Symphony will join Preservation Hall Jazz Band on Sunday night, the first of three summer shows at the amphitheater that will feature the orchestra. Get the lowdown on this new collaboration and watch a video preview of the upcoming Meijer Gardens concert season.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Features
Local Spins’ series showcasing eastern Michigan talent focuses today on a Detroit educator, hip hop producer and community leader who leans on collaboration to grow talent and promote education. Learn more about Rod Wallace and listen to his music.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
The new festival’s two-day rock ‘n’ roll assault at the Grand Rapids park shapes up as ‘surreal and unbelievably exciting.’ Get the back story and the full festival schedule at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Summer Concerts · Summer Festivals · Videos
The progressive bluegrass powerhouse with roots in Kalamazoo plays three nights at Shagbark Farm south of Grand Rapids starting Friday. The Local Spins interview with banjoist Michael Arlen Bont, plus videos and ticket links.
Albums that Changed the World · Playlists · Videos
Female artists, not surprisingly, have had a big impact on the music of country singer Kari Lynch. Today, she reveals the albums that influenced her most, along with a current favorite band on her playlist. Plus, listen to a track from her band’s latest release.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows · Videos
The remote, cozy festival in northern Lake Michigan will feature a host of Michigan stars this weekend, including The Gasoline Gypsies, Hacky Turtles, Patty PerShayla & The Mayhaps, The Founding and more. Learn more about this year’s event and watch videos of some of the featured bands at Local Spins.
Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
The Grand Rapids Art Museum and WYCE will present three free summer shows in downtown Grand Rapids. Get details and view new concert series announced for Allendale, Big Rapids, Kalamazoo and more.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
From Grand Rapids to the lakeshore, bands and fans celebrated the return of live music to packed venues, many hosting their first concerts in more than a year. Browse the images from The Intersection, The Pyramid Scheme, Burl & Sprig, Listening Room/Studio Park and Grand Haven’s Waterfront Stadium at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins Rewind · Videos
Arlo Guthrie celebrates his 74th birthday today. After a 2019 stroke, he officially retired from touring in 2020. But before that — in 2018 — Local Spins chatted with him before a show at Kalamazoo’s State Theatre. Today, we revisit that interview.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The frontman for Grand Rapids’ Deep Greens & Blues delved into his new solo material for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Brett Mitchell, Brian Lybrandt, Desmond Jones, The Vermeers, i.am.james and others. Learn more about Atkinson’s music and listen to this week’s full radio show podcast.
Thursday night’s return to live music at the Grand Rapids nightclub filled its Elevation venue with dance-happy fans of Tropidelic and Snacks & Five. Revisit the celebration in a review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Hot Top 5 · Videos
The rock ’n’ roll collection tops an all-new Local Spins Hot Top 5 Chart for June that also features Jack Droppers, Lipstick Jodi and other brand new chart entries . Plus, view a new video from the Mayhaps and see what else is in store for PerShayla in 2021 and listen to tracks from all of the featured albums.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
The first Tuesday Evening Music Club show in nearly two years filled the amphitheater for sets by The Accidentals and Roosevelt Digs. Get the recap, view the photos and video exclusively at Local Spins.
Albums that Changed the World · Playlists · Videos
The frontman for West Michigan’s popular Gunnar & The Grizzly Boys reveals the rootsy, blue-collar gems that have influenced him the most, from Johnny Cash to Bruce Springsteen. Check out his picks and listen to tracks from all of the artists.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
West Michigan’s 2021 Independence Day weekend proved to be far busier music-wise than the pandemic-impaired 2020, and Local Spins was there to capture the concert action in photos.
After more than a year, the popular Traverse City folk-rock trio is back on the road and eyeing release of the much-anticipated ‘Vessel’ this fall. The Local Spins interview, with a Top 10 playlist of The Accidentals’ favorite current tracks and a photo gallery from their early July concert at Meijer Gardens.
Features · Upcoming shows · Venue Spotlight
The charming and unique ‘right-on-the-water’ club in Douglas bids farewell at the end of the season after hosting regional bands and national touring acts for more than two decades. Discover the back story and browse a photo gallery at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
’Finally, the music is back.’ The inaugural festival in Trufant reveled in good weather, camaraderie and the return of live performances. Get the recap, photos and video highlights at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The West Michigan band which plays the Smiling Acres festival on Saturday debuted new music for Local Spins on WYCE, which also premiered tracks by Willamena, Wild Air, Travis Atkinson, John Piatek and more. Get the back story on this super-group and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
Things aren’t quite back to normal with live music, but WLAV’s free Thursday night blues shows and live music in Founders’ beer garden means Grand Rapids fans will move closer to a pre-pandemic vibe. Get the details and the schedule at Local Spins.
Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
Canada’s Brass Transit plays Bay View outside Petoskey on Saturday, kicking off a hectic month of concerts across northern Michigan. Learn more about this band and view a full schedule of “up north” shows.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
Grand Haven sound engineer Bill Chrysler has toured the world with some of the biggest names in the business. Today, he reveals the albums that inspired him to pursue his music industry career.
Album reviews · Audio · Upcoming shows
Local Spins wraps up June with a look at six intriguing and diverse new releases by West Michigan artists. Plus, listen to tracks from all of the albums.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The state’s outdoor concert and festival flurry took an unexpected turn with the week’s unceasing rain and even tornado warnings, but indoor shows flourished at Listening Room and Tip Top Deluxe, along with a few outdoor sets across the region. Browse the photo galleries at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
Tickets to Meijer Gardens summer concerts went on sale today to members who were antsy after a year off to embrace amphitheater shows: Seven sold out in two hours; nine by 5 p.m. The lowdown and links at Local Spins, along with this year’s concert schedule.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The West Michigan folk revivalist was this week’s spotlighted artist for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Bradley Sinclair, EPCYA, Rochelle & The Spoilers, Tiny Tree, Hominian, Jake Allen and more. Dig into the story of ‘old soul’ Ben Traverse and listen to this week’s interview and radio show podcast.
Features · Upcoming shows · Venue Spotlight
After barely surviving the pandemic, the ever-groovy and intimate Tip Top Deluxe celebrates a major milestone this weekend. The back story and Saturday’s schedule at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
The popular downtown Grand Rapids concert venue closed since the pandemic will kick off shows again in August under its new name. View details and the upcoming show schedule.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows · Videos
After a silent 2020, the iconic, three-day music festival this weekend at Eaton County Fairgrounds has organizers and fans ‘super-excited.’ Learn more about this event and view the full performance schedule at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
With release of the band’s third full-length album, “Dad Rock,” Droppers opens up about getting in trouble while growing up in Florida, being a new father and crafting a record during a pandemic. Learn more about the project, view the videos and browse a photo gallery from the band’s recent record-release show.
Announcements · Breaking music news
The three separate rosters of musicians, venues and recording studios list contact information to boost opportunities for bookings and collaboration. Get details at Local Spins, with links to sign up for these data bases.
