With the 11th national Record Store Day set for Saturday, Ralston and Sink’s Virtual Podcast sat down with longtime Vertigo Music record store operator Herm Baker to talk about the challenges of retail sales for businesses and bands. Listen to this eye-opening, candid assessment of the retail side of the music business.
Day 3 of our ‘Countdown’ to Jack White’s upcoming Grand Rapids concert takes a look back at his last major tour, which included an epic 2014 show in Chicago reviewed by Local Spins. Relive that concert gem in preparation for White’s 20 Monroe Live debut on Saturday.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
A busy West Michigan week of live music boasts release shows for Lady Ace Boogie and The Native Howl, plus intriguing appearances by The Sauce, The Outer Vibe, House of Hamill, Theatre Bizarre Orchestra, 1964 The Tribute and much more. Get the lowdown on all of this week’s big shows on The Big List and a full roster of upcoming concerts via ‘On the Horizon.’
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
With Detroit native Jack White set for an epic sold-out Grand Rapids show Saturday at 20 Monroe Live, Local Spins asked photographer and fan Anna Sink to create a career-spanning playlist for West Michigan concertgoers. Check out the videos and the Spotify playlist of classic White tunes at Local Spins.
Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
It was a storm of eclectic shows: The Accidentals, Ministry, Julien Baker, Kevin Jones Quintet, Asleep at the Wheel, John Sebastian, Go Rounds, Wailin’ Jennys, Tauk, Mustard Plug and more in Local Spins images.
Artist Spotlights · Features · Videos
In seven days, Michigan-bred music icon Jack White makes his 20 Monroe Live debut in Grand Rapids. Local Spins will prepare fans with daily posts about White, his band and his new album, starting with a recap of his “Saturday Night Live” appearance. Check out the videos and more at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
This week’s edition of Local Spins on WYCE featured an in-studio performance by very busy Grand Rapids singer-songwriter Nicholas James Thomasma who’s headed to Spain with the FBC All-Stars, plus riveting new regional music by more than a half-dozen artists. Listen to the radio show podcast.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
Victor Wainwright, Angel Forrest, Jason Ricci & Bad Kind, Nick Moss, Ghost Town Blues Band and more will headline the festival that heads back to Kalamazoo’s Arcadia Festival Place in mid-July. See the lineup at Local Spins and check out videos of some featured acts.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
Starting in late June, the Interlochen Arts Festival southwest of Traverse City will unfurl with more than two dozen concerts covering a wide range of genres. Get the full lineup and ticket prices at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
Plenty of familiar names grace the 30-concert bill, including Trombone Shorty, The Decemberists, Temptations, Beach Boys, B-52s, Seal and Styx. Huey Lewis’ July 8 show has been canceled and he will be replaced by Michael Franti & Spearhead. Get details and the full Meijer Gardens series schedule at Local Spins.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts · Summer Festivals · Videos
A new Michigan street fair fires up Lansing June 23 with national and local rock bands; piano whiz Folds is part of a 2018 Picnic Pops series which also boasts Tito Puente Jr. and an “’80s Rewind” show. Get the lineups for both at Local Spins.
Album reviews · Audio · Videos
Get an earful of compelling music in this April round-up of new releases by local and regional artists, featuring a mix of genres from folk to hip hop to hard rock to bluegrass to indie-rock to R&B. And listen to tracks from the new albums along with some select videos.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Revel in benefits starring The Accidentals, Soul Syndicate and Jimmie Stagger plus shows by John Sebastian, Three Dog Night, Brian Culbertson, Willamena, Kevin Jones Quintet, Mustard Plug and a special Grand Rapids Film Festival screening. Check out this week’s live music picks, a full roster of shows on the REALLY Big List, and see how you can win tickets to see The Go Rounds.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
This week’s live music recap showcases concerts at 20 Monroe Live, The Intersection’s Elevation, The Pyramid Scheme, Bell’s Brewery Eccentric Cafe, SpeakEZ Lounge and the third annual Starkbierfest at Cedar Springs Brewing. Ogle all the images, including shots from performances by Reggie & The Full Effect, Delilah DeWylde, Lipstick Jodi, Tambourina, Fauxgrass, Cardboard Highway, The Mushmen and more.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
The 14th festival raising money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation revved up downtown’s newest venue Friday with lively sets by PototoeBabies, The Autumnatic, Valley Girl and Conrad Shock + The Noise. Browse the colorful photo gallery, watch the video and read about all of the late-night antics.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Grand Rapids band, which plays Wealthy Theatre on Wednesday, powered up its dance-happy music for Local Spins on WYCE, which also premiered new tracks by Lady Ace Boogie, Lazy Genius, Angela Josephine, Shawn Butzin, Silverstiles, ESME and more. Watch the in-studio video, listen to the podcast, read the Artist Spotlight feature.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
The lineup for the July music festival in Lansing mixes things up with pop, hip hop and country stars for 2018. See the roster of performers thus far — from Judah & the Lion to T-Pain — with links to ticket sales.
Audio · Breaking music news · Hot Top 5
Grand Rapids’ genre-melding neo-soul band Earth Radio hit No. 1 last month, with Public Access, The Bootstrap Boys and Shane Tripp making their first appearances on the radio chart. Check out the new Top 5, with audio samples from all of the releases. And see a list of all the new local and regional albums added to WYCE’s rotation.
Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
Summer is approaching and communities across West Michigan are set to host free weeknight concerts starring regional acts, from May Erlewine to The Soul Syndicate and much more. See the lineups for five of them at Local Spins.
Album reviews · Local Spins Live · Podcasts
Local Spins’ April segment on Michigan Radio’s “Stateside” focused on a single from folk-rock’s The Crane Wives submitted to the Tiny Desk contest, plus a new live country album by The Bootstrap Boys and new studio album from indie-folk’s Chain of Lakes. Listen to the podcast at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
April also heats up across West Michigan with Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band, Wild Child, We Came as Romans, Kayzo, Olin Clark and more. Check out this week’s live music picks for the region — including Saturday’s Starkbierfest — and see how you can win tickets to Jake’s Music Festival at Elevation in Grand Rapids on Friday,
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals · Videos
The 38th annual edition of the July festival in northern Michigan combines internationally acclaimed artists as well as regional acts such as May Erlewine, Luke Winslow King, Mark Lavengood and more. Check out the Blissfest lineup and ticket details at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
These week-in-review photo galleries recap West Michigan appearances by electronic music, jam band and heavy metal stars along with a boatload of regional acts performing from Grand Rapids to Lansing to Kalamazoo. Check out all of the resplendent images at Local Spins.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals · Videos
The charming July 19-21 festival in the middle of northern Lake Michigan continues to grow, blending national acts with Michigan stars for its 2018 event. See the lineup at Local Spins. Advance tickets are on sale now.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
Listen to this week’s edition of Local Spins on WYCE, which showcases an hour of local and regional music every week including the premiere of several new tracks by Michigan artists.
The North Carolina electro-pop duo’s return to Grand Rapids was full of catchy material that inspired the young capacity crowd to heat up the dance floor. Relive the evening of music in the Local Spins review and photo gallery.
The March roundup of new regional releases boasts a mix of styles: rock, folk, outlaw country, funk, soul, jazz and fusion music. Read the reviews, listen to the music.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
The first wave of headliner announcements boasts some traditional mainstays as well as emerging roots artists. Tickets for the September festival go on sale to members on April 2 and to the general public in May. See the lineup thus far, with more to come.
What’s the best way to get your music played on the air? This edition of Ralston and Sink’s Virtual Podcast checks in with WYCE-FM honchos to offer up practical advice for local and regional acts when it comes to submitting their music to radio stations.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
April is almost here, no fooling. And the week leading up to it is chock full of intriguing West Michigan concerts starting with Brit Floyd, plus The Zannies, Jake Kershaw, Howie Day, “Jesus Christ Superstar” and much more. And check how you can win tickets to see Twiddle.
Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Little Big Town brought its national tour with Kacey Musgraves and Midland to Van Andel Arena, but there was way more on the docket for West Michigan music fans, including another “Local Showcase” and a couple of band battles as part of Cowpie Music Festival’s Pathway to the Pasture. Check out the photos and videos at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Building on the success of its full-length debut album, Lipstick Jodi went acoustic in performing in-studio for this week’s radio show, which also featured the debut of tracks by Chain of Lakes, Olin Clark, Antighost and more. (Video, podcast)
The Accidentals, JJ Grey, Chris Robinson and more to headline the Kalamazoo venue this summer as Greensky Bluegrass trades its traditional Bell’s opener for its own new music festival. See the initial Garden schedule at Local Spins.
Midwest Skies, Red Legs, Lipstick Jodi, Boy From School, All is Well, Tiger and Frame, Jake Kalmink and more will join student bands for West Ottawa High School’s annual WO-Stock benefit Friday and Saturday. See the full schedule.
The always entertaining National Public Radio competition once again is drawing entries from lots of Michigan bands and solo artists. Check out more than two dozen of the 2018 video entries here, including submissions by The Crane Wives, Fauxgrass, Chris DuPont and The Hacky Turtles.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
The Memorial Day weekend festival south of Grand Haven also will boast sets by Nicholas James & The Bandwagon, Mark Lavengood, Cold Mountain Child and more. See the full lineup and ticket details at Local Spins.
Commentary · Local Spins at SXSW · Photos
Local Spins writer Ricky Olmos ventured into the giant South by Southwest fest for the first time this year. Here are his highlights, plus images by photographer Anna Sink of some of her favorite SXSW sets.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Styx and REO Speedwagon get the week started, but there’s plenty more: VaporPalooza, Chilly Blues & Brews, Organissimo, Flamingo Nosebleed, JOUNCE, WO-Stock, The Big Gig and another Local Showcase. Get all of this week’s live music picks on The Big List.
Chock full of eye candy and pop hooks, Pink brought her “Beautiful Trauma” to Grand Rapids for a capacity, over-the-top spectacle that was also about empowerment. Local Spins reviewer Tricia Woolfenden went in with few expectations and was blown away. Check out her review, with photos by Anthony Norkus.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Two of St. Patrick’s Day’s biggest events in Grand Rapids drew euphoric crowds on Saturday. Ogle the images at Local Spins, along with photos and videos from other fan-pleasing West Michigan concerts, from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo, including Sunday night’s Walk off the Earth show at 20 Monroe Live.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Cowpie Music Festival has finalized the lineup for its summer soiree with UV Hippo, May Erlewine, Desmond Jones, Jake Kershaw and many more. Meanwhile, Jake’s Music Fest in early April will star four Grand Rapids bands playing the city’s newest music venue. Get details at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The venerable Grand Rapids band brought its rootsy, seven-piece attack to this week’s radio show, which also boasted new tracks by Brian Koenigsknecht, DAYZ, The Crane Wives, Sleeping Timmy, Cousin Avery and more. Listen to the radio show podcast, watch the video of The Willeys performing in-studio.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements
Local First has decided to take a year off from its usual Street Party hoopla in June in downtown Grand Rapids. And in another bit of festival news: Another summer event in East Lansing has decided to do essentially the same thing. Read why these events are skipping 2018.
The iconic rock band’s return to Grand Rapids on Thursday was mostly about replicating classic songs with incredible precision. Relive the concert in the Local Spins review, photo gallery and set list.
Local Spins at SXSW · Photos · Videos
Mark Lavengood, Seth Bernard, Lady Ace Boogie, Alexander Lynch, The Accidentals, Billy Strings, Major Murphy and more are embracing SXSW 2018, enamored of Austin’s rousing environment, its tacos and all the musical action. Discover their impressions of the gargantuan festival and conference, ogle the photos, watch the videos.
Breaking music news · Photos · Venue Spotlight · Videos
The first big show in the basement-level Elevation at The Intersection takes place Saturday, with plenty more concerts and events to come. Read about the new venues, check out a photo gallery and take a video tour.
Concert reviews · Local Spins at SXSW · Photos · Videos
Wrapping things up with a music showcase boasting sets by 10 Michigan artists tonight, Michigan House has once again showcased the Great Lakes State in Austin in a variety ways over the past few days. Check out the recap and images from Texas at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Commentary
The longtime operator of Blue Suede Shows passed away from liver cancer earlier this week, sparking a flood of memories from those who knew him as a mover and shaker in the music scene. Read what some of them had to say.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Celtic music, of course, can be found everywhere across West Michigan, but there’s also much more: Heaters, Kyle Cook, Nathan Kalish, Protomartyr, Trixy Tang, The Willeys, the christening of a new music venue and a Cowpie Music Festival band battle. Get the complete lowdown on live music via The Big List and see how you can win tickets to Irish on Ionia.
Thousands of people are in Austin this week for SXSW, aka South by Southwest, and hundreds of bands are vying for their attention. This week’s podcast assesses the value of attending these major events for networking, education and as life experiences.
