The Grand Rapids musician was this week’s guest for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted new tracks by Joshua Davis, How to Live Together, Tiger and Frame, Syd Burnham and more. Learn more about Jes Kramer’s latest project, watch the in-studio video, listen to the full radio show podcast.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
Chris Robinson Brotherhood, Keller & the Keels, Railroad Earth part of Hoxeyville 2019
The lineup for August’s Hoxeyville Music Festival in the northern Michigan woods also boasts returning faves Lindsay Lou, May Erlewine plus earlier-announced acts The Crane Wives, Airborne or Aquatic and The Ragbirds. More details at Local Spins along with links to ticket sales.
Album reviews · Audio · Upcoming shows
Album Reviews: Greensky Bluegrass, Josh Davis, McWeakerton, Ajax Stacks and more
Check out the latest batch of Michigan releases being showcased at Local Spins — from high-profile acts to under-the-radar artists — and sample tracks from the featured albums, including recordings by Blueflowers and The Dead Shepherds.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
Bus Benefit 2019 to star The Go Rounds, Legal Immigrants, Gasoline Gypsies, Roosevelt Diggs
The annual Memorial Day weekend festival hosted by Buses by the Beach along Lake Michigan will also boast sets by Nicholas James, Deerfield Run, Political Lizard, Full Cord and more. Check out the lineup, ticket information and more about this early-season festival.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Pink Sky’s music, live instrumentation gains acclaim; electronic duo hosts ‘Synth Night’
The Grand Rapids indie-electronic duo’s music and latest album have turned heads over the past year. Now, Pink Sky is hosting the first-ever “Synth Night” Saturday at The Pyramid Scheme to share their love of synthesizers. Read about the duo and this unique, upcoming show.
The best Michigan music festivals: The Local Spins readers’ poll
To ward off the mid-January chill, Local Spins wants readers to think about Michigan’s sizzling hot music festival scene. Tell us about your favorite Michigan music festival and you could win a sensational Local Spins gift package.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Big List (Jan. 21-27): Sublime with Rome, Eric Johnson, Gregory Alan Isakov, Walk the Moon, Jesse McCartney, Rick Springfield, Ice Jam
This week’s concert lineup also features the Ann Arbor Folk Festival, Lady Ace Boogie, Serengeti, FINKEL, Dirty Deville, Byron Stripling, Roosevelt Diggs, Chely Wright, Bass Country, The Crane Wives and a “Synth Night.” And see how you can win tickets to the big Bass Country show at The Intersection.
Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Charly Bliss, Jesse Cook, Infected Mushroom, Samsara Showcase heat up January: Photos
This week’s photo and video roundup of West Michigan concerts features national tour stops and local artists unfurling pop, flamenco/jazz, electronic music, indie-rock, folk, bluegrass and more. Get the recap exclusively at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
West Michigan’s Lynn Thompson embraces ‘mountain music’ for latest raw album
With two concerts this weekend, the seasoned artist and bassist Ian Grant performed new songs in-studio for the latest edition of Local Spins on WYCE, which also boasted new music from Max Lockwood, the Samsara Music Collective, Hundo and more. Learn more about Lynn Thompson, listen to the podcast, watch the in-studio video.
Artist Spotlights · Podcasts · Upcoming shows
Local Spins Rewind: The jazz advocacy of revered West Michigan pianist Robin Connell
With much-respected jazz pianist Robin Connell playing several upcoming shows in Grand Rapids this week, Local Spins today revisits the profile it published in 2017 after she was named West Michigan Jazz Musician of the Year, along with a podcast and in-studio performance
Album reviews · Upcoming shows
Album Reviews: Melophobix, Heavy Color, Deepfall, The Ryne Experience, Justin Wierenga
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.
Listen to Local Spins Live
