A West Michigan filmmaker is linking up with Local Spins to draw attention to the plight of some beloved live music hot spots amid a pandemic that’s upended the industry. Learn more about the project and watch the video trailer for the new series.
West Michigan Music Videos of the Month: A wildly inventive Top 10
It’s been a productive 2020 for many West Michigan bands debuting new music, with some of them releasing captivating videos to accompany those tracks. Check 10 of them out in this mid-October roundup, from The Accidentals to Brother Wolf to Patty PerShayla & The Mayhaps.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Grand Rapids’ Deerfield Run unfurls ‘real’ story songs on rootsy sophomore album
Frontman Alex Austin spotlighted his band’s new music for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by The Accidentals, The Crane Wives, Laine Rex, The Concussions, Brother Wolf, VASE and more. Learn more about Deerfield Run, check out a video performance by the band and listen to this week’s radio show podcast at Local Spins.
Album Reviews: Les Creatif, Patty PerShayla, American Hotel System, Stratos & more
From Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo to Port Huron, this week’s batch of album reviews covers a half-dozen new releases from Michigan artists covering a wide spectrum of genres. Learn more about these recordings and listen to tracks from each of the featured artists at Local Spins.
Features · Live-Stream Concerts · Upcoming shows · Videos
Boston Brass teams up with Ramsdell Theatre for rare West Michigan concert, live-stream
The renowned, international touring ensemble will play to a socially distanced audience in Manistee this weekend, with the show — sponsored by West Shore Community College — also live-streamed across the country. Learn more at Local Spins.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
Tuesday Playlist: St. Cecilia Music Center’s Top 10, from Margo Price to Christian McBride
Grammy Award-winning stars from folk, country, jazz and classical music light up this special Tuesday playlist compiled by Cathy Holbrook, director of the historic Grand Rapids concert venue. Check out the songs, watch the videos.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The Big List Concert Guide (Oct. 12-18): Rock ’n’ roll, jazz jams and singer-songwriter charm
Outdoor shows are beginning to wane as West Michigan moves into mid-October, but live music continues to pop up in a few spots across the region. As always, get the lowdown on the Big List.
Rocking Tamarack Camp: Jesse Ray, Smokin’ Dobroleles, Cosmic Knot and more get cozy
Buoyed by splendid October weather, Tamarack Camp hosted a mini-festival of sorts on Saturday, featuring sets by several popular West Michigan acts. Browse the photo gallery, watch the video at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Local Spins Rewind · Photos
A Year Ago This Week: Black Keys rock arena, Kip Moore in church, Lamp Light pulls plug
When live music was still at the entertainment forefront (pre-Covid) October 2019 boasted memorable highlights of the local and national variety, from sold-out tour stops to big announcements. A look back at a busy week in words and photos.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Jamming with Plants: Tom Wall and Cosmic Knot’s ‘beyond amazing’ botanical music
The West Michigan band’s groundbreaking “music with plants” premiered for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by The Crane Wives, The Soods, Deerfield Run, In the Valley Below, Eddie Codrington, Conrad Shock + The Noise, River City Narrative, The Be Colony and others. Learn more about “florganoleptic” music and watch videos of it in action, plus listen to this week’s full radio show podcast at Local Spins.
Features · Music and Technology · On Campus
Quadio: A revolutionary platform to boost collaboration, exposure for college musicians?
With the pandemic limiting live music opportunities, Worry Club and other emerging acts have turned to the Quadio app to connect with each other and up their social media reach. An in-depth report from Local Spins, with profiles and music showcasing four college artists from Michigan.
Commentary · Playlists · Top 10 Lists
Remembering Eddie Van Halen: Local Spins readers’ picks for his band’s 10 best songs
Legendary rock guitarist Eddie Van Halen passed away this week at 65 after a long battle with cancer. Local Spins readers reveal why he was so respected as a musician — and pick 10 of his band’s top songs. Read the fan comments, watch the videos and listen to the Local Spins Top 10 on Spotify.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
Tuesday Playlist: Salt of the Earth’s Top 10 artists who’ve graced the Fennville stage
The Sweet Water Warblers, Joshua Davis, Hoots & Hellmouth, Billy Strings & Don Julin, Luke Winslow-King and other favorites pump up the intimate Fennville venue’s Local Spins playlist. Ogle the videos, listen to the featured songs on Spotify.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Big List Concert Guide (Oct. 5-11): Tamarack Camp Fest, Earth Radio, The Blue Pines
Milder October weather will greet music fans this week for an assortment of outdoor shows featured on The Big List, including a one-day music festival near Morley and another Cherry Park Live show in Grand Rapids. See the full list of concerts at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Trifocal, Trixy Tang, Dixon’s Violin ease the October chill: The Weekend Photo Galleries
Live music has unfurled in some unusual places in West Michigan as fall settles in — from the marquee at Kalamazoo State Theatre to a parking lot at Cedar Springs Brewing to John Ball Park in Grand Rapids. Browse the images at Local Spins.
A Year Ago This Week: Listening Room grand opening, Eric Church, Lee Ann Womack, Steve Hackett & more
The ‘Year of COVID’ has wiped out months of performances in a 2020 that started with such promise. But before all that, October 2019 rolled out concerts and big events on a nightly basis. Local Spins looks back on a robust week of shows in words, photos and videos.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Grand Rapids’ Patty PerShayla & The Mayhaps find gritty, bluesy rock groove on debut EP
PerShayla opens up about her new power trio for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Barrel Bones, Trifocal, Blushing Monk, The Messenger Birds and more. Read Artist Spotlight feature, listen to the full radio show podcast.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Hot Top 5
Les Creatif’s ‘TAT: The Aaliyah Tape’ debuts at No. 1 on Local Spins Hot Top 5 Chart
The Grand Rapids ensemble’s latest project joins releases by Earth Radio, Crispin Campbell and Cameron Blake as new entries on the September chart. View the chart and listen to tracks from each featured album at Local Spins.
Album reviews · Audio · Videos
Album Reviews: The War and Treaty, Blushing Monk, Rachel Brooke, Jake Allen & more
A half-dozen new releases by Michigan artists — from Detroit’s The Messenger Birds to the U.P.’s John Davey — are showcased via reviews, audio samples and more at Local Spins. It’s an eclectic bunch of albums, from jazz to prog-pop to soulful Americana to vintage country.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
Tuesday Playlist: Kalamazoo State Theatre’s Top 10 roster of stars who’ve played its stage
Red Hot Chili Peppers, Styx, Charlie Daniels, Greensky Bluegrass, Frankie Ballard, Goo Goo Dolls, Styx and more populate this week’s soundtrack courtesy of State Theatre. Check out the videos and listen to the Top 10 playlist on Spotify.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Big List Concert Guide (Sept. 28-Oct. 4): Trixy Tang, Cabildo, Community Unity Festival
As West Michigan rolls into October, some of the last vestiges of outdoor live shows are spotlighted for this week’s The Big List, from Cedar Springs Brewing’s beer tent bash to Beats on Bates in Kalamazoo. It’s also the final week of Grand Rapids’ month-long “The Bridge” events.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
African-American Fest, The Insiders, Legal Immigrants close September with musical bang
Glorious late-September weather provided the perfect setting for several high-profile outdoor shows in Grand Rapids, from Earth Radio to Melophobix. The recaps, photos and video highlights at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Drive-In Jams: Joe Hertler, Desmond Jones bring rare festival vibe to GR’s Belknap Park
Belknap’s first-ever drive-in show on Friday impressed fans and bands alike with socially distanced fun and music that reverberated through the neighborhood just north of downtown Grand Rapids. The Local Spins review with photos and video highlights.
Breaking music news · Venue Spotlight
State’s limited reopening of performance venues unlikely to help many concert halls
The governor’s decision today to allow indoor venues and theaters to partially reopen on Oct. 9 doesn’t mean live music will be back anytime soon. Local Spins explains why.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Legal Immigrants raring to rock ‘monumental’ drive-in show with new lineup, new songs
Set to play Belknap Park on Saturday, the GR rock band was showcased for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by The War and Treaty, Jack Droppers, Jake Allen, Julianne Ankley, John Davey, Laura Rain & The Caesars, Shawn Butzin and more. Get the update on The Legal Immigrants, watch a video of a new song and listen to the radio show podcast at Local Spins.
Most overrated artist of all-time: KISS? Madonna? Radiohead? Grateful Dead? Beatles?
West Michigan readers of Local Spins unleashed a dizzying array of names when asked about the most overrated acts ever, from Michigan faves Bob Seger and Greta Van Fleet to legends such as David Bowie and Led Zeppelin. Read their responses here, then check out our new Question of the Week.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming Album Releases · Videos
Michigan’s The War and Treaty create hopeful ‘Hearts Town’ as agent of change
The Americana-propelled, Albion-bred and Nashville-based band releases a new Rounder Records album this week after a turbulent, pandemic-filled year that postponed a major tour with John Legend. The Local Spins interview with Michael Trotter, plus a video of their recent national network TV performance and a track from the new album.
Playlists · Venue Spotlight · Videos
Tuesday Playlist: Local Spins’ picks for top performers at 15 West Michigan concert venues
In honor of this week’s #SaveMIStages campaign, Local Spins offers up tracks from the best past performances at 15 West Michigan concert venues which have been silenced due to COVID-19. See which artists were chosen, watch the videos and listen to the songs at Local Spins — then email lawmakers to show your support for these businesses.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Big List Concert Guide: African-American Fest, Joe Hertler, Hal Beveridge Music Fest
The days of outdoor shows in Michigan are numbered, so the final week of September features some of the final concerts and festivals at various locations across the region. The lowdown, as always, on The Big List at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Blues, folk, bluegrass, country, rock and roots: W. Michigan’s weekend of live music in photos
Musicians have made the most of a pleasant September after a COVID-impaired summer of live music. Sadie Bass, Jake Kershaw, Edison Kitt, Hayes Griffin, Josh Rose, Kyle Rasche, FlyLiteGemini, Out of Favor Boys, Jack Leaver and more light up our weekend photo galleries.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Songwriter Sean Miller hails N. Michigan scene while unfurling new album, powerful singles
The Petoskey-area artist who plays ‘Harvest at Home’ this weekend was featured for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted fresh tracks by Cameron Blake, Kingmaker, Madelyn Grant and more. Learn more about Miller and his various projects promoting northern Michigan artists, and listen to the full radio show podcast at Local Spins.
Album reviews · Audio · Breaking music news · Local Spins Exclusives
Local Spins Exclusive Premiere: Jay Jackson & Rick Chyme’s “The Cur?e”
The inaugural collaboration between a Grand Rapids-bred rapper and award-winning Kalamazoo producer is a COVID- and quarantine-inspired, hip hop masterpiece. It debuts today at Local Spins along with a review of the recording.
Album Releases · Album reviews · Audio
Album Reviews: Earth Radio, Dalmatian Stone, Bruce Madden, Sugartone Noise Co. and more
A busy year for new Michigan releases amid a pandemic gives music fans a lot to savor, including impressive albums by four Grand Rapids artists as well as northern Michigan’s Biomassive and the trio of Pico, Chown & Sears. Read the reviews, listen to music from each of the spotlighted artists.
Live-Stream Concerts · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
The 20th Earthwork Harvest Gathering steams forward online as ‘Harvest at Home’
Starting Thursday, this weekend’s virtual, season-ending celebration will feature live-streamed sets, videos of past performances, workshops and more. Get details and a full schedule of online performances at Local Spins.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Upcoming shows
Tuesday Soundtrack: Listening Room’s Top 10 Playlist of ‘amazing’ performers
Ladysmith Black Mambazo, The Verve Pipe, Waldo, The Bad Plus and more impressive, eclectic acts played Grand Rapids’ Listening Room before the COVID shutdown. Here’s a sampling of the venue’s favorites. Check out the videos and the Spotify playlist at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The Big List (Sept. 14-20): Sadie Bass, Out of Favor Boys, Jake Kershaw, Fallasburg Festival
Mid-September and the final week of summer offers intriguing live music options across West Michigan, from outdoor decks to drive-in shows. Make your plans with the show lowdown at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Summer Concerts · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Joe Hertler, Cabildo, GR Symphony, Desmond Jones and festivals aplenty: Photo Galleries
Bands and fans had to dodge raindrops at times, but the the busiest live music week of the season had lots to offer, from Grand Rapids to the lakeshore. Ogle the images and photo recaps at Local Spins.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
Often Home, The Shook, Jamie Brackman, Wuzee and more: Local Spins on WYCE podcast
The Sept. 11 episode of the radio show spotlighting Michigan music served up a broad spectrum of gems from across the state, including the debut of several new tracks. Listen to the radio show here.
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows · Venue Spotlight
The Pinnacle Center unveils ‘The Underpass’ restaurant, outdoor music space
Amid a pandemic that’s crippled the Hudsonville event center, owner Bill Worst officially debuts the new venture on Sunday with drinks, food and music. Get details, the upcoming concert lineup and photos at Local Spins.
Grand Rapids Civic Theatre’s ‘Driveway Cabaret’ takes its show on the road
Because audiences haven’t been able to come to Civic Theatre due to the COVID shutdown, Civic Theatre has been going to its audiences, with traveling troupes playing driveway and backyard shows. Learn more about this unique entertainment series and browse a photo gallery at Local Spins.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
The ‘Songs that Need to be Sung’ in 2020: The Top 10 Playlist from Seven Steps Up
Seth Glier, Griffin House, May Erlewine, Michael McDermott and other past performers at the Spring Lake listening room populate this politically charged playlist from owners Michelle and Gary Hanks. Watch the videos, listen to the songs, learn more about the plight of the Spring Lake listening room.
Question of the Week: What’s your favorite song about work?
Local Spins’ Question of the Week (Sept. 3, 2020) What is your favorite song about work? This week’s winner of Local Spins merch: Email subscriber Bruce Matthews, who responded to[…]
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Big List Concert Guide: The Bridge, Bootstrap Boys, GR Symphony, Joe Hertler, RockShow
The post-Labor Day week is chock full of live music options as outdoor and drive-in shows continue to rev up across West Michigan. See a full roster of shows at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Fauxgrass, Carrie McFerrin, Blue Water Ramblers’ musical medicine for troubled times
A busy September lineup of concerts after a mostly quarantined summer kicked off over Labor Day weekend with small but vibrant shows from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo. Browse the photo galleries at Local Spins.
Labor Day Dirge: Is 2020 ‘The Year the Music Died’ or just an uphill battle for musicians?
This year’s Labor Day column on the plight of musicians comes amid what may be the worse year ever for live music due to COVID-19. See how bands are struggling to survive and how they view the future in this commentary.
JRob, Last Gasp deliver soulful hip hop energy for outdoor ‘Summer in the City’ show
Labor Day weekend’s last blast of summer gave hip hop fans plenty to applaud in downtown Grand Rapids, with the Studio Park piazza show heating up the city’s month-long “The Bridge” celebration. Get the recap at Local Spins and browse the photo gallery from Saturday’s concert.
Summer Concerts · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
September Concert Flurry: Live music returns in trendy new (pandemic) forms all month long
The summer has been mostly silent, but September fires up a bevy of unusual concerts across West Michigan – from drive-in shows to online festivals. See the roster of options at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows
Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers set to re-emerge with four ‘awesome’ September shows
After nearly calling it quits amid COVID, the Michigan band now gets re-energized with two saxophonists and an upcoming slate of live performances. The back story and this week’s Local Spins on WYCE podcast, with the on-air debut of new tracks by Michigan artists, including Brother Elsey, Rachel Brooke, Emma Bieniewicz and more.
Political Lizard, August, Bruce Madden, Bronze Wolf crack Local Spins Hot Top 5 Chart
Grand Rapids guitarist Hayes Griffin held onto the top slot for the third month in a row, but four West Michigan releases made their debut on the chart at WYCE-FM. Listen to tracks from all of the albums at Local Spins.
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