Artist Spotlights · Audio · Videos
In an interview with Local Spins writer Ricky Olmos, Nathan Kalish opens up about his new album, cooking for himself, and the way the coronavirus has ravaged the music industry. Learn more about the West Michigan-bred Kalish and listen to songs from his latest release. And he plays a live-stream concert tonight.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
Grand Rapids’ Jammie Award-winning Bootstrap Boys put their heads together (virtually) for this week’s Local Spins playlist to pay homage to John Prine, Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers, Johnny Cash and a few unexpected artists like Orville Peck. Check out the videos and listen to all the songs via Local Spins’ Spotify playlist.
Concert announcements · Live-Stream Concerts
Different online Michigan music events fire up May, including Chris Good’s Sing Me Home Festival shows, an Earthwork Harvest Gathering/Hoxeyville series and five straight nights of regional stars and culinary experts hosted by Pure Michigan, MLive and PBS’ ‘Under the Radar.’
Features · Weekend Photo Gallery
Local Spins continues its “concert photo rewind” series spotlighting the stellar work of its photographers, this time focusing on our Kalamazoo live music honcho: Derek Ketchum. Here are his favorite photos and the stories behind these colorful, action-packed shots.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Videos
The Grand Rapids musician was this week’s guest for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Kid Icarus, John Davey, Pink Sky/Stitxhes, Alluvial Fans and more. The Local Spins Artist Spotlight on The Soods with video and the full radio show podcast.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
Citing assembly restrictions and safety concerns sparked by the COVID-19 crisis, both Michigan festivals canceled 2020 events and hope to host some online alternatives instead. Get the details at Local Spins. It’s “a time of uncertainty,” says performer May Erlewine.
Local Spins rolls out eight new Michigan-bred music videos for those trying to stay entertained during a pandemic that’s quarantined many and gotten us antsy for fresh material — including another COVID-19 parody. Check out the musical action from a diverse set of artists.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
Unable to overcome a “hurdle of uncertainty,” summer festivals such as this one in the Upper Peninsula are calling it quits for 2020, while others hope they’ll be able to continue as scheduled. Some communities, meanwhile, are delaying their free summer concerts until July.
This week, we asked Jammie Award winner and Local Spins’ Emerging Artist of the Year Jordan Hamilton to give us his top songs to get through the COVID-19 quarantine. An intriguing roster of tunes to be sure, from hip hop to jazz and more. Watch the videos, listen to the Kalamazoo cellist’s playlist on Spotify.
Big List Concert Guide · Concert announcements · Concert Listings
With venues shut down and Michigan’s stay-at-home order extended, here are the rescheduled dates for some April and May shows you might be wondering about.
Features · Weekend Photo Gallery
The third week of our spotlight on Local Spins photographers focuses on the work of Kendra Petersen-Kamp. View some of her favorite photos and get the stories behind those images at Local Spins.
The live-streamed Grand Rapids show premieres this weekend with Josh Rose, Karisa Wilson, Allen Trieu, films and more. Get the lowdown at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Although he doesn’t want to “lose the blues,” the 19-year-old Kershaw showed off another side to his music for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted new tracks by several Michigan artists, including Desmond Jones, Chris DuPont, Dawning, Chris Canas, Vagabonds, Justin Wierenga and more. Learn more about Kershaw, watch a video of him performing a new song and listen to the full radio show podcast at Local Spins.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
The small, fourth-year festival north of Grand Rapids hopes the COVID-19 crisis will ease by late summer, allowing The Go Rounds, Charlie Millard and other regional acts to perform. See the full lineup and get the back story about how organizers are adjusting to pandemic concerns.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
With coronavirus concerns growing, Founders Brewing Co. joined other Michigan festivals in canceling plans for its traditional June event in downtown Grand Rapids. The story at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
Citing concerns about the coronavirus pandemic, the music festival hosted by Buses by the Beach along Lake Michigan between Holland and Grand Haven announced that it was forced to take the year off, with plans for returning in 2021. It joins the Charlotte Bluegrass Festival, Summer Solstice Jazz Festival, Dam Jam and other events which have recently canceled 2020 celebrations. Get details at Local Spins.
The current COVID-19 crisis hasn’t silenced West Michigan artists, who’ve been busy releasing new albums. Here are five to check out, including a tour de force from Jake Kalmink’s Further Closer and a much-anticipated sophomore release by Political Lizard. Listen to tracks from all of the featured artists at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
After weeks of speculation, festival organizers made the decision to cancel the sold-out late June festival in Rothbury. Ticketholders can retain their wristbands for 2021 or request refunds. Get details at Local Spins.
With Earth Day approaching, Grand Rapids singer and multi-instrumentalist Patty PerShayla created a special soundtrack of songs to get us contemplating the state of our environment. Welcome to Tuesday’s Local Spins Playlist. Watch the videos, listen to the riveting songs at Local Spins.
Round 2 of Local Spins’ spotlight on the amazing work of its concert photographers continues with Jamie Geysbeek. Browse some of his favorite photos, including images of Skillet, Black Veil Brides, Chris Thile, NF, Slash, Lauren Daigle and more, with stories behind the shots.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Guitarist-singer Bill Chesney’s second album was spotlighted for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Strawberry Heritage, Stormo, Bedroom Ceilings, Dale Wicks and Landsailors. Learn more about Stepladders, watch a video and listen to this week’s radio show podcast at Local Spins.
Saturday’s Record Store Day is postponed until June but shops already reeling from the shutdown wonder if vinyl lovers will be back that soon. Local Spins checks in with some West Michigan record and music stores which have been hit hard by the COVID-19 shutdown.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
The longstanding, much-beloved event near Harbor Springs was to celebrate its 40th anniversary this year, but won’t take place due to COVID-19. Find more information and links at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
The mammoth, one-day country music celebration hosted by radio station B-93.7 was to take place on June 20, but will be pushed back due to the coronavirus pandemic. Get details at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Summer Festivals
The beloved northern Michigan and Upper Peninsula music festivals that take place in June and July, respectively, cited uncertainty and concerns about the health of attendees, musicians and volunteers in moving the events to 2021. Get more details at Local Spins.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
Several weeks into this COVID-19 crisis, we need some tension-relieving music. And Michigan artists — new and old — supply the perfect soundtrack to lift our spirits, courtesy of this week’s Local Spins playlist. Check out the songs by the likes of Bob Seger, Aretha Franklin, May Erlewine, Jack White, The Accidentals and The War & Treaty, and why they made our Tuesday list.
With stages silenced and most employees laid off, the region’s live music industry faces brutal losses, an uncertain future. Will things reopen this summer, this fall? No one knows. But some remain hopeful. Find out how these venues have been affected at Local Spins.
Over the past eight years, Local Spins has published some spectacular concert photography. And some of the best photos have been taken by Tony Norkus, who today shares some of his favorites, along with stories about each image — from ebullient Bassnectar fans to singer Charles Bradley’s passionate Grand Rapids debut.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
Another Michigan music festival has fallen victim to the coronavirus pandemic. This time, it’s the relatively young Camp Greensky hosted by Greensky Bluegrass. Get details at Local Spins, along with news about other June festivals.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Grand Rapids singer-guitarist chatted about his music and performed for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted new tracks by Wuzee, Lybrandt, Celeste Allison, Further Closer, Analog Kid and more. Learn more about Weber, check out a video of his performance and listen to this week’s Local Spins on WYCE radio show podcast.
Breaking music news · Summer Festivals
Festival organizers had asked to postpone the popular festival until September. They now say they’re “exploring all our options.” Read more about the situation, along with comments from ticketholders.
Breaking music news · Features · Venue Spotlight · Videos
The well-known radio personality has partnered with Big Event Studios to showcase videos of regional and national stars in a rustic freight elevator, starting with local legend Bobby Haggard. The story and video at Local Spins.
In Memoriam · Playlists · Videos
After a battle with COVID-19, folk and Americana icon John Prine passed away on Tuesday. This is Local Spins’ musical tribute to one of the country’s most influential artists. Listen to some of his most memorable songs; watch videos of his performances.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
This week’s Local Spins playlist inspired by the coronavirus crisis honors the brave doctors, nurses and health care workers who are helping heal the nation under dire circumstances — 16 songs featuring classics by Dr. Dre, Grace Potter, Bush, Jackson Browne, Michael Jackson, Foo Fighters, Motorhead and more. Watch the videos, listen to the Spotify playlist.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Most May festivals will no longer take place and organizers of June events are eyeing postponements amid the coronavirus pandemic. Get the update at Local Spins.
Forgotten in the worries about musicians and concert venues ravaged by the coronavirus crisis has been the devastating impact on sound techs and engineers who’ve lost essentially all of their business. Local Spins takes a closer look at the uncertain future for these critical players in the music industry.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Hot Top 5 · Videos
The album inspired by iconic jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt topped an all-new roster of popular Michigan releases, which also included Via Mardot, Pink Sky, Darcy Wilkin and Seth Beck. Learn more about Djangophonique, view the complete chart and listen to songs from all of the featured artists.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The indie-rock/pop group was showcased for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted music by Nathan Kalish, Further Closer, Nathan Walton, Basic Comfort, Bedroom Ceilings, Michael Beauchamp-Cohen & Brian Koenigsknecht, Stevie Reidz and Archie & The One Hits. Learn more about Political Lizard and listen to the radio show podcast at Local Spins.
Smack dab in the middle of a COVID-19 shutdown, Local Spins presents an early April roundup of new West Michigan album releases. Read the reviews, listen to selected tracks from the featured albums.
Breaking music news · Features · Videos
The band wants singers to take video and record themselves as they croon along to a track, then submit their parts as a “virtual choir” for use in the Earth Radio song and a new video. Check out details and sing along to Earth Radio’s song at Local Spins.
Local Spins asked Michigan musicians to submit songs inspired by the COVID-19 crisis — humorous as well as heartfelt. They responded with a passel of tunes. Check out the winning video and all of the entries. And one Grand Rapids record label has released a two-volume set of ‘quarantine jams.’ Watch the videos and listen to the songs at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Concert reviews · Videos
Viewers across the globe tuned in to the four-day live-streamed festival hosted by the Michigan Music Alliance with sets by 40 artists who broadcast from their own homes. The alliance kicks off a new online concert series tonight. See how many people watched the performances and get details about the Michigan Music Alliance’s fundraising efforts at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Features · Videos
After multiple rounds of auditions, the Byron Center singer — “a guy with long hair that likes to belt” — went to Hollywood as a contestant on America’s most well-known music competition, and got a brief brush with the national TV spotlight before being sent home. The story of 27-year-old West Michigan singer-songwriter Nathan Walton’s journey through “American Idol.”
With Michiganders stuck at home, songwriters have the time and the perfect opportunity to comment on the coronavirus crisis musically. We want to hear those songs (and we’ve got a few more spoof videos here for inspiration). Local Spins plans to compile the best of these Michigan music videos, with one artist winning a special gift package.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
This week’s Local Spins on WYCE spotlighted the Grand Rapids singer-songwriter and debuted new tracks by The Legal Immigrants, American Hotel System, Ohly, Martyr for Madison and more. Learn more about Hansen, watch a video of her performing a new song and listen to the full radio show podcast.
Announcements · Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
The state’s music scene continues to be affected by the coronavirus crisis and some of the news is good: Self-employed songwriters and others will be eligible for loans and aid, and on-line performance opportunities abound. Check out the news roundup at Local Spins. And now, the state has expanded unemployment benefits to self-employed and low-wage workers.
It’s actually the perfect talent show contest for a coronavirus pandemic: Hundreds of bands from across the country are submitting videos from their own homes in NPR’s annual competition, with a big Great Lakes State contingent. View more than 30 video entries from Michigan bands and solo artists at Local Spins.
Features · Top 10 Lists · Videos
Due to the current crisis, musicians have a lot of time on their hands. And that means some of them have come up with hilarious takes on our response to the unprecedented situation and witty ways to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus. And face it: We all need a chuckle right now.
Summer Festivals · Top 10 Lists
A record number of readers responded to our annual poll, with Wheatland Music Festival coming out on top for 2020, followed closely by Buttermilk Jamboree and Nor-East’r. See what else made the Top 10 and our list of honorable mentions, along with festivalgoer comments, festival website links and details about each featured festival.
Concert reviews · Features · Photos
The Crane Wives’ Emilee Petersmark hosted a “Stay in Your House Show” with a handful of W. Michigan acts on Friday — all streaming sets from home. Local Spins was there to capture the vibe of the ‘new normal’ when it comes to the live music that we’ve got these days. Browse a photo gallery from the live-stream setup.
