The Chicago-based psychedelic and soulful indie-rocker plays The Pyramid Scheme in Grand Rapids and the Sonic Lunch series in Ann Arbor this week with West Michigan native and drummer Collin O’Brien aboard. The Local Spins interview with Francis, along with two of his latest music videos.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
CAKE bakes up musical fun, Breakaway heats up Day 2, Weatherheads bid adieu: Recaps
The California rockers returned Sunday to Meijer Gardens, closing out a weekend of electronic mayhem at Breakaway, a goodbye for a GR favorite and Lettuce in Paw Paw. Check out the CAKE review and browse photos from all of the shows at Local Spins.
Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
Local Spins unveils robust fall concerts at SpeakEZ, second ‘Laurel Canyon’ tribute night
Beyond the lineup of diverse Wednesday and Friday shows starring Michigan acts, Grand Rapids’ SpeakEZ Lounge will take over Tommy Pancy’s Sunday jazz jams after Turnstiles closed its doors. View the full schedule of upcoming shows.
Breakaway Music Festival blasts Belknap Park with Zedd, Gryffin, electronic romps
The opening day of the 2025 music festival in Grand Rapids on Friday sizzled with sets from up-and-coming stars as well as established acts such as Zedd, Gryffin, Disco Lines and more. The recap and photos at Local Spins, along with Saturday’s festival schedule.
The String Cheese Incident jams its way into fans’ hearts in Meijer Gardens debut
The veteran Colorado band that’s long been the “house band” at Michigan’s Electric Forest returned to the region to fire up a capacity crowd at Meijer Gardens on Thursday. A recap and photos at Local Spins.
Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
‘Most Epic Lineup in the Entire Universe’ slated for Tuesday Evening Music Club
The Meijer Gardens extravaganza boasts an all-female show starring The Accidentals, Patty PerShayla, The Burney Sisters, Emma Zinck and Roxi Jane. The preview at Local Spins, along with other upcoming must-see events.
Album reviews · Audio · Upcoming shows
Michigan Album Reviews: Larry McCray, The Fields, Mike Ward, Justin Avdek
Browse our takes on another roundup of new albums by Michigan artists, from blues to folk to indie-rock to ambient spaghetti Western, and listen to tracks from all of the releases.
Cheap Trick doesn’t ‘Surrender’ to heat or age, powering up infectious hits and more in GR
The classic rock band’s appearance Monday at Meijer Gardens also featured an impressive opening set from Serita’s Black Rose. The review and photo gallery — and the Cheap Trick set list — at Local Spins.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Guide to Breakaway Music Festival 2025: From Rezz to Delato, Mitis, Disco Lines & more
Local Spins’ Looking for the Perfect Beat columnist Todd Ernst digs into the offerings and artists of the electronic music celebration unfolding this weekend at Grand Rapids’ Belknap Park. Get the lowdown and the schedule.
Concert reviews · Summer Festivals · Weekend Photo Gallery
40,000-plus flood Unity Fest; Mummies march; Truckin’ into Hoxey revs up (Photo Recaps)
Ignoring another heat wave, crowds came to cheer Christian music stars in Muskegon, a mummified funk fave in Kalamazoo, jam bands in Paw Paw, a festival debut in northern Michigan and more. The photo and event recaps at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
Grand Haven’s Walk the Beat crowns Izzy Joy winner of heated 2025 competition
Saturday’s festival on the city’s East Side featured performances by more than four dozen Michigan bands and solo artists in sunny, super-hot weather.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Summer Festivals
Shagbark’s ‘magical place’ on hiatus amid Michigan’s busiest month of music festivals
Local Spins chats with Shagbark fest honcho Farmer John Crissman about taking 2025 off and the challenges facing many festivals. On the flip side, our podcast features artists playing a host of August festivals.
Michigan Album Reviews: Lord Huron, Kanin Wren, Low Phase, Rodeo Boys
With Lord Huron returning for a home-state appearance Saturday in Rochester Hills, Local Spins reviews the band’s new album, along with releases from three other Mitten State artists. Plus, listen to tracks from all of the releases.
Mary Chapin Carpenter, Brandy Clark sparkle, shine in scorcher of Grand Rapids show
The Grammy-winning folk/country singer-songwriters captivated the Meijer Gardens crowd on Thursday with sincere ballads, rollicking rockers and affable stage personas. Review, photos.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Grand Haven’s Walk the Beat festival primed for 49-band ‘street party’
Saturday’s return of the popular Michigan festival and band competition will rev up two dozen venues on Grand Haven’s East Side. The lowdown and schedule at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts
Michigan Concert Cornucopia: The tantalizing appeal of live music in the great outdoors
More than 150 communities across the state host summer concerts in parks every night of the week — free shows with a family-friendly milieu. Local Spins takes a closer look at this phenomenon.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
‘Psychedelic playground’ for Deadheads? Truckin’ Into Hoxey debuts this weekend
The new festival taking place on the same site as the former Hoxeyville Music Festival in Wellston turns the ignition on musical fun starting Friday. Get the details and lineup at Local Spins.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Steven Curtis Chapman, Matthew West ready to uplift Unity Music Festival
The four-day festival filled with Christian music stars returns to Muskegon’s Heritage Landing starting on Wednesday. The preview, Chapman interview and schedule at Local Spins.
Train rolls energetically through heartfelt hits, classic covers at Meijer Gardens
Sunday’s appearance by Train and Edwin McCain took place on a stellar evening for an enthused sold-out crowd. The review and photos.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
‘Offbeat Week’: Suburbs Fest, Domestic Problems, Of Montreal, Deadbeatdad (Photos)
Things were, well, a bit different with live music across West Michigan, and Local Spins was there capturing the action for our resplendent weekend photo galleries.
The War and Treaty stage triumphant return to West Michigan with boost from GR Symphony
Perfect weather, a rich wall of sound plus a hillside of adoring fans equaled an ideal environment for the beloved Michigan-bred act’s homecoming Friday at Meijer Gardens. Review, photos
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Accidentals eye release of new album, Michigan tour stops amid star-packed schedule
The Michigan alt-folk heroes who play upcoming shows in their home state talk about their studio work and touring with Local Spins, which also spotlights new music by American Rust, Mei Semones, The War and Treaty, The Wire Monkeys, Al Wesley and more. Find out more about The Accidentals and their new album, and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Local Grins Summer Heat Wave: Mohanad Elshieky, Regional Comedy Roundup & More
The August Local Grins boasts an interview with touring comedian Mohanad Elshieky and the lowdown on Laughter on the Lakeshore, Alastair Watt’s Michigan tour, updated show listings and more.
Artist Spotlights · Classic Rock Corner · Upcoming shows · Videos
‘Holdin’ On To Yesterday’: Ambrosia poised to relive enduring classics in Manistee
The melodic prog-rock/yacht rock band returns to Michigan to play Little River Casino on Friday. The Local Spins interview with founding member Joe Puerta.
Podcasts · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Suburbs Fest hits West Michigan with live podcast show, showcase concert
The national ‘Rockin’ the Suburbs’ music podcast makes its GR-area festival debut this weekend at Dirty Shame and Tip Top Deluxe with band interviews and performances. The lowdown and live podcast schedule at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Re-creating Pink Floyd’s pioneering space rock: Australian Pink Floyd Show comes to wow GR
The acclaimed, international, ‘note-perfect’ tribute to Pink Floyd returns to Meijer Gardens this week. The Local Spins interview with guitarist Dave Fowler.
Artist Spotlights · Classic Rock Corner · Upcoming shows
Bachman-Turner Overdrive still in gear, still touring, still recording 50 years on
After a Michigan tour stop at Interlochen, the iconic classic rock band featuring Randy Bachman plays the Chicago area tonight. The Local Spins interview.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists · Upcoming shows
The War and Treaty’s Max Brown: Three Albums That Changed My World
With The War and Treaty returning to Meijer Gardens on Friday to perform with Grand Rapids Symphony, we asked guitarist/production manager Max Brown to reveal his most treasured musical influences, along with a current favorites. View and listen to his picks; get details about the Grand Rapids show at Local Spins.
Tamarack Music Festival 2025 Revisited: Michigan marvels, booty-shaking frivolity
The cozy music festival staged last weekend in Morley boasted sets by two dozen bands and solo acts, including New York reggae outfit Aqua Cherry, who closed it out with a gleeful bang. Recap, photo gallery.
Dinosaur Jr., Snail Mail rip through high volume, multi-generational rock in GR
The influential alternative trio, Dinosaur Jr., pushed the boundaries of volume possibilities to the delight of an all-ages crowd to lead a three-band charge at Meijer Gardens on Sunday. The review, photos.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Drive-By Truckers, LoCash, Reggaefest, T-Rex, Redferrin: Week-in-review concert photo recap
Country, hard rock, reggae, Southern rock, alt-pop helped steam up a muggy week across West Michigan. Local Spins unfurls images from shows in Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Hudsonville and Otsego. View the recaps and photo galleries exclusively at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Festivals · Photos
T-Rex Fest roars back to Grand Rapids with weekend of loud, robust rock
Friday’s opening night of the three-day, indoor festival at The Pyramid Scheme boasted energetic sets by Michigan’s Greet Death, Pennsylvania’s Carly Cosgrove and more. The recap, photos and weekend schedule at Local Spins.
Announcements · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Kalamazoo’s Sounds of the Zoo set for fourth year of touting Michigan’s musical magic
The week-long festival taking place at various Kalamazoo venues in late September has revealed its 2025 lineup, which includes premiere of the ‘Kalamazoo Gals’ documentary. View the schedule at Local[…]
Artist Spotlights · Festivals · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows
Michigan’s Greet Death puts twist on love songs with lush, dark, anthemic ‘Die in Love’
The band headlining T-Rex Fest’s opening night in Grand Rapids opens up about its new music. Local Spins Michigan Music Showcase also debuts tracks by several Mitten State artists, including Cameron Blake, Ralston Bowles, The Fields, Clawfoot and more. Get the back story on Greet Death and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Guster flaunts breezy, infectious gems with GR Symphony at steamy Meijer Gardens
The alt-rock/pop band returned to the outdoor amphitheater to captivate a sold-out crowd with a big assist from the Grand Rapids Symphony on Wednesday. The review and photos at Local Spins.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows · Videos
Dunesville Music Festival’s oasis of art, music and community: The Local Spins preview
Dunesville rolls out again this weekend on a picturesque northern Michigan site near Interlochen with Organ Fairchild, Dixon’s Violin, Third Coast Swing, Galactic Sherpas and more. The guide and schedule.[…]
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Fern Fest unfurls in Trufant for musical week of female, nonbinary, trans connections
The six-day festival at Smiling Acres this week will feature performances by Elisabeth Pixley-Fink, Be Steadwell, Crys Matthews and more, along with workshops and vendors. Details at Local Spins.
‘Like a hug from an old friend’: Shakey Graves beguiles sold-out Kalamazoo crowd
The Americana tunesmith’s tour stop Monday at Bell’s Beer Garden enchanted fans with his band of “friends and family.” The review and images at Local Spins.
Beaver Island Music Festival 2025 Revisited: Immersive, remote, joyful, irreplaceable
The annual musical celebration on a picturesque island in northern Lake Michigan rolled out last weekend with its unique and remote flair. A recap and photos at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Weekend Photo Gallery
Kalamazoo Blues Fest, Leftover Salmon, Upheaval Fest charm Michigan fans (Photos)
The mid-July torrent of live music across West Michigan this weekend ranged from blues to bluegrass to metal to Americana to jazz and more, including shows by The Bacon Brothers, The Flying Leaps, The Local Commuters and a first-ever Jazz Bash. Relive the action in words and photos at Local Spins.
Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
Metal Uprising: Upheaval Festival amps up GR on Day 1 with Rob Zombie, rock ruckus
The hard-driving Upheaval Festival returned to Belknap Park on Friday amid sunny skies that drew throngs of hyper-energetic metal fans who cheered bands on three stages. The recap, photos and video.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
Local Commuters raring to unleash rock-fueled alt-country with release of debut EP
Local Spins spotlights the Grand Rapids band and its long-awaited new recording, while also debuting music by The Rebel Eves, The Mollusks, Deadbeatdad, August, Matthew Borr, Horizon Theory and more. Get The Local Commuters’ back story and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
The joyful return of GR Symphony Picnic Pops (at a new spot) and O.A.R (at a familiar one)
Wednesday night saw two crowd-pleasing concerts 12 miles apart: Grand Rapids Symphony’s Picnic Pops at Millennium Park and O.A.R.’s sold-out affair at Meijer Gardens. The Local Spins reviews, photos and a Picnic Pops video.
Breaking music news · Venue Spotlight
Turnstiles music venue set to close doors in late July after four-year run in Grand Rapids
Citing rising costs, the West Side bar and live music club announced today that it will host its ‘final night of service’ on July 26, saddening many bands and fans.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Leftover Salmon stays fresh, entrancing, spellbinding as tour rolls into Grand Rapids
The Colorado bluegrass band joins The Infamous Stringdusters and Kitchen Dwellers at Meijer Gardens on Friday. The Local Spins interview, with a chance to win tickets to the show.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows · Videos
Rocking Belknap Park: Guide to Upheaval Festival 2025 and its Michigan metal mayhem
Spearheaded by headliners Rob Zombie and Falling in Reverse, this year’s festival features some musical twists and several Michigan bands as part of its three-stage assault. The Local Spins preview, schedule, music videos and more.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
From a West Michigan church to a Nashville country adventure, Cory Asbury pushes on
The one-time Richland church worship leader returns to West Michigan for a show at The Intersection’s Elevation on Friday. Cory Asbury’s back story today at Local Spins, along with music videos.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
The musical bliss of Blissfest: The 2025 Michigan festival recapped in words, photos
Unfolding for the 43rd time on a picturesque site north of Harbor Springs, last weekend’s Blissfest brought it all: international touring acts, Michigan favorites, family entertainment and more. Browse the photos, check out some Blissfest highlights.
Trombone Shorty & krewe usher ‘Something Beautiful’ with New Orleans flavor, funk in GR
The multi-instrumentalist and his Orleans Avenue band brought a jazzy Mardi Gras atmosphere to a packed Meijer Gardens venue for a high-energy Sunday of favorites. The Local Spins review and photos.
Listen to Local Spins Live
