The mid-January roundup of releases features the brand new, long-awaited full-length debut by Melophobix and five other Michigan gems. Check out the reviews, listen to tracks from each of the featured artists.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Indie-folk’s Red Tail Ring explores ‘freeing, weird’ solo projects, hones new duo songs
Now based in Traverse City, the indie-folk duo will headline a “homecoming” show Thursday at Bell’s Brewery in Kalamazoo and play the Fretboard Festival in March, before mounting a three-week tour of Australia. Catch up with Red Tail Ring in this Local Spins Artist Spotlight feature.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The Big List (Jan. 14-20): Infected Mushroom, Dixon’s Violin, Jesse Cook, Winter Jam, Charly Bliss, Twisted Pine
This week’s concert lineup also features Wayne Hancock, Full Cord, GR Soul Club, Jen Sygit, Jesse Ray and a bunch of delectable Under-the-Radar Picks. And see how you can win tickets to see Infected Mushroom at Elevation inside The Intersection.
Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
The War and Treaty added to robust lineup for 20th annual Jammie Awards
WYCE-FM’s record-setting Jammie Awards show in February just got bigger with the addition of the nationally acclaimed Albion band, which also plays a full concert later that month at St. Cecilia Music Center. Learn more about both upcoming performances at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · On Campus · Weekend Photo Gallery
GVSU vocal group wins a cappella competition, plus Lee Brice, Way Down Wanderers
This weekend’s West Michigan concert photo recap showcases an A-Cappell-Off contest in Allendale, country stars led by Lee Brice playing the DeltaPlex, a Creston Brewery show featuring Advance Base and more, and the latest from “Music at the Museum” in Grand Haven.
Concert reviews · Festivals · Photos · Videos
Winter Wheat revs up 12 hours of ‘Wheatland love,’ musical fun at The Intersection
The 10th annual mini-festival in Grand Rapids on Saturday convened veterans and newcomers for a celebration of bluegrass, folk, country and roots music. Relive the day-long event in this Local Spins exclusive, with three photo galleries and video highlights.
Concert reviews · Features · Photos · Videos
Hal Beveridge memorial sparks ‘real deal,’ jam-packed, rock ’n’ roll party
Saturday’s tribute to the late Grand Rapids rock icon overflowed at Eastern Avenue Hall with fans, stage jams and ‘positivity.’ Read the recap of this loving, standing-room-only event, browse the photos and watch the video.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
Ty Beat fashions soulful new electronic music with singer Hannah Rose Graves
The Grand Rapids DJ and electronic music producer debuted the new project for Local Spins on WYCE, which also premiered tracks by Melophobix, Jonn-e, The Journeymen, Phabies, Sundry and more. Listen to the podcast and watch a video of the Ty Beat/Graves in-studio performance.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
Audiotree won’t stage music festival in Kalamazoo for 2019
After six years in Kalamazoo, organizers announced that the Audiotree Music Festival won’t take place this year, with Audiotree instead holding a series of special shows in Chicago. Get details at Local Spins, along with links to coverage of the 2018 festival.
Winter Wheat back for 10th year of regional roots music splendor in Grand Rapids
The day-long affair hosted by the Wheatland Music Organization at The Intersection on Saturday will feature more than a dozen Michigan bands playing two stages. Get the back story and browse the full schedule at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Podcasts
Local Spins on Michigan Radio: May Erlewine & the Motivations, Heaters, Justin Wierenga
The first Local Spins segment of 2019 showcases new music from “The Michigan Songbird,” a Grand Rapids psych-rock powerhouse and the first solo album from an in-demand sideman. Listen to the podcast and the artists’ featured songs.
Announcements · Upcoming shows
WYCE Jammie Awards reveals record number of performers for biggest awards show yet
Lady Ace Boogie, Tunde Olaniran and Seth Bernard will be joined by 23 first-timers at the February event being held in all four venues inside Grand Rapids’ The Intersection. Check out the list of all the performers at Local Spins, along with details about the upcoming awards show.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The Big List (Jan. 7-13): Lee Brice, Martin Sexton, Winter Wheat, Mothers, Hal Beveridge Tribute, School of Rock
A robust week of live music also features Way Down Wanderers, Roger Brown, Rob Reider, Gasoline Gypsies, Earth Radio, Big Trouble and lots of Under-the-Radar Picks. Browse West Michigan’s most comprehensive weekly concert guide.
‘Famous Final Scene’? Bob Seger says goodbye to loving Grand Rapids fans
The much-beloved Michigan rocker returned for yet another sold-out show Saturday at Van Andel Arena. But as he continues his ‘Final Tour,’ was this his last West Michigan soiree? The concert recap and set list at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Summer Concerts
Long-debated Grand Rapids amphitheater plans get $5 million boost via state grant
The first music news round-up of 2019 at Local Spins focuses on a boost for a potential concert amphitheater along the Grand River southwest of downtown Grand Rapids. See what’s being proposed and when it might see fruition.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Photos · Videos
Blushing Monk sports new lineup, colors jazz canvas with modern flair: Local Spins on WYCE
The contemporary jazz band led by Dutcher Snedeker on Friday played Founders and Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted new tracks by Kaitlyn Zittel, The Ryne Experience and more. Get the back story about Blushing Monk, listen to the radio show podcast, watch the video, browse the photo gallery.
Breaking music news · Festivals · Photos · Videos
Chris Canas Band, Matt Martinez win play-in contest for Kalamazoo Fretboard Festival
Friday night’s band and solo artist battle at Kalamazoo Valley Museum determined the final two performance slots for the March festival. Check out photos and video from the play-in contest, and browse the rest of the 2019 lineup for the Fretboard Festival.
May Erlewine’s Motivations move to No. 1 on Local Spins Hot Top 5 chart
The Earthwork Music singer and her band’s soulful, dance-hued EP soared to the top of the WYCE play rotation the same month it was released. The Gasoline Gypsies and McWeakerton also made their chart debut in December. See the full chart and listen to music from all of the featured releases.
Concert announcements · Festivals
Perrin Brewing Ice Jam announces 2019 lineup; Kalamazoo’s Cooper’s Glen fest takes year off
Perrin’s late-January festival will feature The Go Rounds, The Legal Immigrants, The Turnips and Syd Burnham. And the Great Lakes Acoustic Music Association cites rising costs and concerns about attendance for the Cooper’s Glen hiatus in 2019. Get the lowdown about both festivals at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Concert Roundup: SunSquabi, Joe Hertler, Mustard Plug, Dead South, Beats & Bubbly, Murder by Death, Resolution Ball
New Year’s Eve celebrations were just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to rousing, fan-friendly concerts that pumped up the week between Christmas and New Year’s. Relive the excitement by browsing the Local Spins photo galleries.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Big List (Dec. 31- Jan. 6): New Year’s Eve Parties, Bob Seger, Blushing Monk, Turnips, Lippies
New Year’s Eve parties kick off a week that also boasts the return of a Michigan legend and plenty of riveting local shows. Get the complete concert lowdown plus Under-the-Radar Picks in this week’s Big List Concert Guide.
Features · Top 10 Lists · Videos
Best Music of 2018: The Readers’ Picks at Local Spins
After critics and musicians had their say earlier in the month, Local Spins on New Year’s Eve lets readers pipe in with their favorite releases of the year (with a few musicians in the mix, too). And their diverse picks balance regional stars with national acts.
Announcements · Upcoming shows
WYCE Jammie Award nominees for 2019 boast lots of new faces, diversity
The radio station announced its roster of local and regional nominees for awards in a dozen categories, with 119 recordings up for album of the year honors in February. Get the lowdown at Local Spins.
Local Spins Rewind · Venue Spotlight · Videos
Top Stories of 2018 (No. 1): The Intersection doubles its live music venues downtown
Welcome to Local Spins’ No. 1 story of 2018: The Intersection doubles its live music venues in downtown Grand Rapids. Check out before and after videos, photo galleries and more from the March opening of Elevation and The Mint in the lower level of the popular nightclub.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Outer Vibe embracing bolder, alt-rock/pop luster as trio (Story, podcast, video)
Before returning to Nashville, the Rockford-bred band played a hometown show at Rockford Brewing and in the studio for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted new tracks by Lynn Thompson and Lushh. The show also started counting down tracks from some of the most-played local and regional albums at WYCE over the past year. Watch videos of The Outer Vibe performances, listen to the radio show podcast.
Features · Top 10 Lists · Videos
Best Music of 2018: The Musicians’ Picks
Last week, it was the critics. Today, Local Spins features West Michigan musicians’ favorite albums of the year. Pore over the lists of their picks for top albums of 2018 and listen to the music.
Local Spins Rewind · Venue Spotlight
Top Stories of 2018 (No. 2): Grand Rapids’ Studio Park reveals 200-seat listening room
The 2018 countdown continues with two pieces of big news first revealed by Local Spins in June: a planned listening room would be included in a huge theatre/retail project and Quinn Mathews would leave WYCE-FM to run it. Get the lowdown on the Studio Park project via this Local Spins Rewind post.
In Memoriam · Local Spins Rewind · Videos
Top Stories of 2018 (No. 3): Grand Rapids loses ‘true legend’ with death of Hal Beveridge
Local Spins’ countdown of 2018’s Top 10 stories continues with a sad one at No. 3: The frontman for The Beveridge Brothers died unexpectedly in early December. The loving tributes poured out quickly. Read many of them in this Local Spins Rewind feature.
Concert reviews · Local Spins Rewind · Photos
Top Stories of 2018 (No. 4): Eagles ‘Take it to the Limit’ vocally in Grand Rapids show
Local Spins’ Top 10 countdown of 2018’s most-read stories continues with a review of The Eagles’ mid-March Van Andel Arena show when they replicated their classic songs with incredible precision. On this Christmas Day, revisit the review, photo gallery and set list in this Local Spins Rewind feature.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The Big List (Dec. 24-31): Pop Evil, SunSquabi, Hannah Rose, Lotus, Murder by Death, Mustard Plug, Joe Hertler
Christmas week leads to several nights of diverse music leading up to New Year’s, with eRoy, Morgan Foster, Lazy Genius, Willy Porter and much more on the holiday docket. Browse all of this week’s live music picks, plus get a preview of New Year’s Eve celebrations across West Michigan.
Concert reviews · Local Spins Rewind
Top Stories of 2018 (No. 5): Jack White gets loud, electrifying, phone-free in Grand Rapids
The countdown of Local Spins’ Top 10 stories continues with a look back at Jack White’s buzz-generating April concert at 20 Monroe Live. Revisit the special concert in this Local Spins Rewind feature with a photo gallery and set list.
Getting into the Spirit: The Dan Band, Christmas at Critter’s, Appleseed Collective
As Christmas approaches, national and local acts this week gave their performances a holiday hue, captured in images at Local Spins. Check out the photo galleries from jolly shows in Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo, from Conrad Shock to Megan Dooley and more.
Concert reviews · Local Spins Rewind
Top Stories of 2018: Fleetwood Mac finds Lindsey-less groove in Grand Rapids (No. 6)
Our countdown of 2018’s most-read stories continues with this October review of the superstar rock band’s concert at Van Andel Arena with a controversial new lineup. See what the band’s Grand Rapids performance was like minus Lindsey Buckingham. a
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Justin Wierenga’s endless search for an ‘elusive sound’ spawns mind-bending solo project
The much-sought-after Grand Rapids guitarist unleashed new jaw-dropping songs for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Ryder Jones, eRoy, The Soods, Justin Avdek and more. Listen to the podcast, watch the in-studio video, read the back story about Wierenga.
Local Spins Rewind · Photos · Videos
Top Stories of 2018: Revamped Meijer Gardens amphitheater flaunts new seating, more space
The Local Spins countdown of 2018’s most-read stories continues with May’s inside look (in photos, words and video) at Meijer Gardens’ upgraded outdoor concert venue — and even more improvements are on tap for 2019. Revisit the project in this Local Spins Rewind feature.
Features · Top 10 Lists · Videos
Best Music of 2018: The Critics’ Picks
It’s another mind-bending array of music that’s impressed Local Spins writers over the past year, from Robyn to Janelle Monae, Lindsay Lou to Urfaust, Childish Gambino to Julian Allen and more. Browse these “best of” lists, sample music from the featured artists and then submit your own Top 5 picks.
Artist Spotlights · Features · Videos
Beloved Michigan keyboard powerhouse Mike Lynch relishes sideman role as ‘The Reverend’
Local Spins profiles the in-demand keyboard player who’s bolstered the likes of Joshua Davis, May Erlewine, Jack White and Larry McCray, not to mention Steppin’ In It, The Lash and more. Read the back story about this much-respected musician and watch videos of him performing with a variety of Michigan artists.
Top Stories of 2018: Camp Greensky’s inaugural Michigan music festival (No. 8)
The Local Spins countdown of 2018’s most-read stories continues with Camp Greensky’s highly anticipated announcement last February of its inaugural festival lineup. And revisit the recap and photo gallery from the first-year festival that took place last May.
Artist Spotlights · Top 10 Lists
Top Stories of 2018: Flint Eastwood reveals struggles of growing up gay (No. 9)
Local Spins continues its Top 10 countdown of the most-read stories of 2018, revisiting writer Ricky Olmos’ candid February interview with Flint Eastwood’s dynamic Jax Anderson. Check out the in-depth interview and listen to Flint Eastwood’s music.
Local Spins Rewind · Photos · Videos
Top Stories of 2018: Greta Van Fleet, Tom Petty tribute, Accidentals rev up GR venues (No. 10)
Local Spins today starts its countdown of the most-read stories of 2018, starting with a wild night of music that boasted capacity crowds in three Grand Rapids venues to close out 2017. Revisit the No. 10 story of the year, along with photos and videos.
Local Spins wants your picks for the Top 5 albums or songs of 2018
Attention, Local Spins readers: Send us your choices for best albums or songs of the year, and we’ll publish the lists and enter your name in a drawing for a Local Spins gift package. And we’ve included a bunch of ‘best music’ lists from other media outlets to give you some ideas.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The Big List (Dec. 17-23): The Dan Band, Figure, Freekbass, Mitchell Tenpenny, ‘Christmas at Critter’s’ and ‘A Very Merry Jingle Jam’
May Erlewine, Conrad Shock, Hannah Laine, The Zannies, Minor Element, Lady Ace Boogie, Theatre of Night, Cirque de Noel and more also help pump up the week of West Michigan concerts. See all of the featured shows, plus some groovy Under-the-Radar Picks, and check out this week’s Local Spins ticket giveaway.
Scotty McCreery, May Erlewine, Devil Wears Prada, Jake Kershaw & more: Photo Galleries
From country to metalcore, soul to swing, this roundup of West Michigan shows over the past week delivers a potpourri of concert images: The Devil Wears Prada, Scotty McCreery, May Erlewine, Jake Kershaw and more. Check out all the photo galleries at Local Spins.
Musicians, fans to celebrate life of local legend Hal Beveridge during January memorial event
Players are urged to “bring their axes and jam” during the Jan. 12 celebration at Grand Rapids’ Eastern Avenue Hall, paying tribute to the frontman for The Beveridge Brothers who died unexpectedly on Dec. 6. Get more details at Local Spins.
Frankie Ballard regales raucous crowd during final Christmas show at State Theatre
The country star and Michigan native celebrated his 10th and last holiday ‘homecoming’ in Kalamazoo but promises his fans ‘something bigger and better’ in the summer. Check out the review and photo gallery, only at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Dalmatian Stone assembles all-star lineup for diverse, ‘soul-infused’ musical mission
The West Michigan band’s debut Friday included a show at Billy’s Lounge and an in-studio for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted new local holiday tunes and more. Find out more about Dalmatian Stone, watch videos of their first public performance and listen to the radio show podcast featuring the premiere of tracks by Kevin DePree, Michael Dause, The JetBeats, Westrin & Mowry and more.
The impressive rise of Grand Rapids techno and tech house DJ Faren Strnad
This edition of “Looking for the Perfect Beat” by Todd Ernst spotlights Faren Strnad, a rising star in West Michigan’s electronic music scene who shares a bill Saturday at Founders Brewing with the iconic Mike Farina. Get the back story about Strnad and listen to her music.
Rock Hall of Fame Nods: The Cure, Radiohead, Janet Jackson, Def Leppard lead 2019 class
Seven acts — from Roxy Music to Stevie Nicks to The Zombies — will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame next year. Here’s a recap of the inductees and some videos of the Class of 2019.
Album Reviews: Heaters, Guero Brown, Peace to Mateo, Jen Sygit, Marcus Rezak
This Local Spins roundup of albums recorded in Michigan has a cross-state, inter-state and international flavor – and covers a lot of territory musically, too. Read the reviews, listen to music from the featured artists.
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