The seated show at 20 Monroe Live on Saturday unfurled without the usual stage props, video screens or costumes but still displayed the goofy personality that belongs uniquely to Weird Al Yankovic. Read the Local Spins review, ogle the photo gallery.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
An Dro’s ‘great spirit’ and instrumental Celtic glory (minus ‘The Unicorn Song’): Local Spins on WYCE
An Dro performed for this week’s Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted local and regional tracks by Luke Winslow King, Mat Churchill, Mark Harrell, Steve Hilger Jazz Quintet, The Bootstrap Boys, Wing Vilma and more. Listen to the podcast, watch the video.
Festivals · Local Spins at SXSW · Upcoming shows
A ‘powerful music scene’ on the rise: Michigan bands ready to shine at SXSW in Austin
Dozens of Michigan acts – from The Accidentals to Seth Bernard to Tunde Olaniran to Oliver Houston – are headed to Texas to strut their stuff, with Michigan House set to showcase Great Lakes State music, expertise and more. Read about the impact they’re hoping to make and see a list of bands who will be performing in Austin next week.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Northern Michigan pianist-singer Charlie Millard turns heads with rootsy ‘nuanced’ music, eyes new album
The Accidentals call Millard an “incredible songwriter” with a “really cool roots rock vibe.” He plays Grand Rapids’ River City Saloon with his band on Saturday. Read the back story about this young, rising Michigan star.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
Mo Pop Festival 2018 to bring Bon Iver, The National, Portugal. The Man, St. Vincent to downtown Detroit
Tickets go on sale Friday for the sixth annual festival being held in late July with performances by 22 acts, including Michigan’s own Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers. See the full lineup at Local Spins.
Album reviews · Local Spins Live · Podcasts
Local Spins on Michigan Radio: New music by Joel Mabus, Earth Radio, Nathan Kalish
Local Spins’ March segment on Michigan Radio’s “Stateside” unveiled new releases from veteran, road-tested and emerging artists. Listen to the podcast and get details about all of the featured acts.
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows · Videos
Greta Van Fleet rocks stage with Elton John; Lonnie Smith to headline Hope College Jazz Organ Summit
The March music news roundup at Local Spins has a distinct keyboard angle: Elton John joined Michigan’s Greta Van Fleet during a much-ballyhooed Oscars viewing party on Sunday and Hope College hosts its second jazz organ summit this weekend.
LVRS, Nathan Kalish make splash on Local Spins Hot Top 5 chart for February
The Jackson pop-rock band and one-time Grand Rapids-based singer-songwriter made a splash on WYCE with their latest recordings. See who else made the chart and listen to music from all five Michigan artists.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The Big List (March 5-11): Keys N Krates, Motionless in White, Tall Heights, Weird Al Yankovic, Black Tiger Sex Machine, Booker T. Jones, Screaming Females
The “Million Dollar Quartet,” Hope College Jazz Organ Summit, Cosmic Knot, Newtown, Sons of F.U.N.K., The Steel Wheels, Peat in the Creel, The Ganders and much more fill out this week’s music picks. And win tickets to see Motionless in White.
The Musical Box, Robert Cray, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong crank it up for West Michigan fans: Week-in-Review Photos
Local Spins week-in-review photo recaps shine on Joe Hertler, Saxsquatch & Bridge Band, Bernard Lavengood & Stovetop, Olivia Mainville, Red Tail Ring, Kaitlin Rose, Brian Koenigsknecht and more. Check out this colorful roundup of images from West Michigan concerts.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
May Erlewine, The Go Rounds lead top-drawer sets at Kalamazoo Fretboard Festival
Saturday’s day-long festival at Kalamazoo Valley Museum drew more than 1,000 people for performances by regional acts on three stages, vendors, luthiers and workshops. Get the recap, browse the photo gallery and watch a video of highlights, exclusively at Local Spins.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Channing & Quinn song debut; plus KJ & The Good Time Family Band, Saxsquatch & Bridge Band, Lindsay Lou: Local Spins on WYCE
This week’s edition of the Local Spins on WYCE radio show which spotlights local music also featured tracks by Van Tassel’s Uncanny Elixir, Earth Radio, Vox Vidorra, Cosmic Knot and Mark Lavengood. Listen to the podcast, watch the video of Channing & Quinn’s new song.
Live at River City · Photos · Videos
In the Valley Below unfurls ‘lovely’ live magic: Local Spins Live at River City (Video)
Grand Rapids’ In the Valley Below performed as a duo for the latest session, streamed live on Facebook for an online audience that raved about the band’s sound. Watch the video, browse the photo gallery.
Artist Spotlights · Kalamazoo · Upcoming shows · Videos
Bell’s Eccentric Cafe show will mark guitarist Ollie Davidson’s return to Kalamazoo stage
Now based in Chicago, Ollie Davidson’s duo Almond&Olive has been touring the country with its harmony-driven Americana music and will open for Scythian Sunday at Bell’s. Read the story of this Kalamazoo native’s musical journey and watch videos of the band.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
In the Valley Below finds peace in Grand Rapids with ‘mind-blowing’ indie-rock: Local Spins Rewind
On Thursday night, on Facebook pages for Local Spins, River City Studios and HopCat, fans can tune into a special live-streamed session of HopCat presents Local Spins Live at River City Studios, starring Grand Rapids’ In the Valley Below, which takes its talents to SXSW in Austin next month. As a preview for that in-studio performance at 7 p.m. Thursday, Local Spins revisits its 2017 feature on this nationally acclaimed band.
Festivals · Upcoming shows · Videos
Kalamazoo Fretboard Festival poised to once again celebrate ‘the amazing community’ of instrument builders and players
The 13th annual Fretboard Festival, being held this weekend at Kalamazoo Valley Museum, will boast workshops and sets by May Erlewine, The Go Rounds, The Moxie Strings, Mark Lavengood Band, Channing & Quinn and more. See the full schedule and festival details at Local Spins.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals · Videos
St. Joseph’s BBQ Blues and Bluegrass Festival ups ante for 2018 with Yonder Mountain String Band, Pokey LaFarge
The one-day May festival at St. Joseph’s Whirlpool Centennial Park will also feature Appleseed Collective, The Grascals and Albert Cummings. Get ticket information and details at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
From playing a sidewalk in September to the big stage at State Theatre, Delta Roots Blues keeps dreams alive
Having the time of their lives: The 67-year-old Kalamazoo bluesmen will open for the Grammy Award-winning Robert Cray Wednesday night at State Theatre in Kalamazoo. Read the back story about how these veteran players landed the gig of a lifetime.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The Big List (Feb. 26-March 4): Pigeons Playing Ping Pong/Joe Hertler, Ani DiFranco, TobyMac, Robert Cray, The Musical Box, Kalamazoo Fretboard Festival
Tom Petty tributes, an Earth Radio CD-release, Declan McKenna, Ray Scott, The Fleshtones, Schrock Brothers, Alice Peacock, Scythian and more also pump up this week’s list, which also served up free tickets to see Pigeons Playing Ping Pong and Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers at The Intersection. Only at Local Spins.
Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
PVRIS, A Day to Remember, Chase Rice, Mija, Mowglis, Suzies, UV Hippo, Last Gasp Collective light up stages: Photo Galleries
Starting with A Day to Remember, it was a week to remember for West Michigan’s concert scene from touring stars to local faves, showcased in several photo galleries at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Earth Radio transmits organic, soulful, genre-bending grooves for debut album: Local Spins on WYCE
The Grand Rapids super-group previewed its upcoming release on this week’s WYCE radio show, which also debuted music by Nathan Kalish, Lushh, The Plastic Bears, El Brandino, Urban Cowboy and more. Read the back story about the band, listen to the podcast, watch a video of Earth Radio’s in-studio performance.
Bela Fleck & Abigail Washburn bring banjo magic, echoes of folk splendor to St. Cecilia
The duo’s sold-out show Friday night as part of the Acoustic Café Folk Series was filled with virtuosic musicianship and charming banter. Check out the review and photo gallery, only at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Flint Eastwood reveals struggles of growing up gay in a religious environment, embracing her mom’s spirit and, yes, ditching the hat
In a far-reaching interview with Local Spins writer Ricky Olmos, Jax Anderson of pop’s Flint Eastwood opens up about her past, her love of Detroit and her mission to do “as much good as possible” with her emerging stardom. Her tour with PVRIS stops in Grand Rapids this weekend. Check out the video for her single, “Monster.”
RSVP Music Chat: Succeeding in music means being seen, broadening your skill sets, getting ‘really good at saying yes’
Sustaining a career in music takes perseverance, hard work and talent, says Roger Brown, who’s managed a musical life for more than four decades. And don’t reject opportunities when they’re offered. It’s all part of the latest RSVP podcast.
Features · Local Spins at SXSW · Upcoming shows · Videos
Tunde Olaniran, Lady Ace Boogie, Major Murphy, Bernard, Lavengood & Stovetop ready to make waves at Michigan House SXSW
Michigan House once again aims to offer ‘breath of fresh air’ and ‘authentic’ Mitten State vibe amid the craziness of world’s largest music festival and conference in Austin next month. Get the lowdown on the 2018 events and lineup at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The Big List (Feb. 19-25): Blake Shelton, A Day to Remember, Chase Rice, Jeezy, Bela Fleck, G Herbo, Galactic, UV Hippo, PVRIS
The week also boasts CD-releases by Suzies and John Proulx, Grand Rapids Symphony’s “Symphony With Soul” and shows by Frontier Ruckus, Gregory Porter, Last Gasp Collective, Murder Party, El Brandino and Jesse Ray, plus West Michigan’s first-ever tribute to Steve Earle. And win tickets to see Galactic or PVRIS.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Pop Evil, Talib Kweli romp; Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Here Come the Mummies, Nashon, Mainstays fill dance floor: Photo Galleries
Rock, soul, hip hop, funk and swing. There was plenty of that across West Michigan, including appearances by local faves Kathy Lamar, LOKELLA, The Soul Syndicate, Lazy Genius, EPCYA, Out of Favor Boys and many more. Relive the fun and browse the images in eight action-packed photo galleries at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Americana’s Roger Brown: West Michigan’s consummate career musician keeps the musical fires burning (Local Spins on WYCE)
This week’s edition of the radio show featured an in-studio session powered by a singer-guitarist with an illustrious past — collaborating with Ringo Starr, touring with Freddy Fender — plus new tracks by Suzies, Joel Mabus, Twin Flame, EPCYA and more. Read the story, listen to the podcast, watch the videos.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals · Videos
Jeff Tweedy of Wilco, Mike Gordon of Phish, Trampled by Turtles to play first Camp Greensky Music Festival
Tickets are now on sale for the May 31-June 2 event on the Hoxeyville festival grounds in northern Michigan, with Billy Strings, Rayland Baxter, Joshua Davis, Fruition and The Cris Jacobs Band also slated to perform. Get details at Local Spins.
Announcements · Breaking music news
Organist on Deck: West Michigan Whitecaps set to strike chord with ballpark tradition
To celebrate their 25th anniversary, the Whitecaps are seeking a keyboard whiz with ‘a good personality’ to fire up their new organ. Auditions take place in March; get the details at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Kalamazoo · Upcoming shows · Videos
Kalamazoo’s Nashon Holloway finds direction, inspiration and ‘Chicago soul’ in the Windy City
After making her home in Chicago the past year while exploring new musical connections, the singer and guitarist returns to Kalamazoo for a homecoming show at Bell’s Brewery on Saturday. Local Spins writer Ryan Boldrey checks back in with the talented singer as she prepares for the next step in her career.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals · Videos
Donna the Buffalo to headline Buttermilk Jamboree 2018 along with Michigan stars
Advance tickets are on sale now for the mid-June festival at Circle Pines Center south of Grand Rapids, with Joshua Davis, The Accidentals, Mustard Plug, May Erlewine, Last Gasp Collective and more pumping up the bill. See the full roster of 2018 performers and watch videos of the headlining acts.
Concert announcements · Upcoming shows · Videos
Short’s Brewing street bash to star Steppin’ In It, Lindsay Lou and winner of band battle
The Bellaire brewery is hosting a two-month-long band battle leading up to its April street party which is expected to attract 3,000 revelers. Get the details about the competition and the 14th birthday celebration.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The Big List (Feb. 12-18): Pop Evil, Talib Kweli, Here Come the Mummies, Marillion, Ballroom Thieves, Valerie June, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
Valentine’s Day brings Kathy Lamar’s “Sade/Love Songs” to SpeakEZ Lounge, with the week also featuring Brockhampton, Cabildo, Kofi Baker, Twin Flame, Badfish and more. Plus, see how you can win Pop Evil tickets as part of our weekly giveaway. And plan ahead with our exclusive “On the Horizon” list.
Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
Blondie, Tedeschi Trucks Band, O.A.R. to rock 2018 Meijer Gardens concert series
As renovations to the outdoor amphitheater continue, the venue today announced the first three shows for its summer season, with more concerts to be announced in April. Get ticket details and see when these 2018 concerts take place.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Week-in-Review: Luke Combs, Marilyn Manson, The Verve Pipe, Hippo Campus, NF, Ganja White Night electrify capacity crowds
The week also saw release shows by Public Access and 78 RPM, plus crowd-pleasing appearances by Luke Winslow King, That Beatles Thing, Jesse Ray & The Carolina Catfish, Rostam, Conrad Shock and more. Ogle all the photos and videos from this February blast of concerts.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Jammie Awards 2018 revisited: ‘So much’ talent, energy and fun boost West Michigan’s biggest night for music
Take a gander at Local Spins’ exclusive, expanded coverage of the WYCE Jammies with a robust photo gallery, video and reactions from winning bands recapping the 19th edition of ‘West Michigan’s biggest night for music.’
Hip hop is back at Billy’s Lounge with a powerful roster of stars
Tonight (Saturday), Grand Rapids’ Lady Ace Boogie hosts an impressive lineup of West Michigan’s hip hop talent. Local Spins columnist Ryan Nehring reflects on the return of hip hop to Billy’s and what it means for purveyors of this genre to have a mid-size venue for their art.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
May Erlewine, The War & Treaty, Hollywood Makeout roll up big wins at Jammie Awards
The rootsy Michigan artists led the pack of acts honored Friday by WYCE at The Intersection, including Billy Strings, The Accidentals, Jake Kershaw, Lipstick Jodi and Hollywood Makeout. See the full list of winners, check out photos and videos.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
Greensky Bluegrass to stage first Camp Greensky Music Festival on Hoxeyville site
The word is finally out: The iconic Kalamazoo prog-bluegrass band will play and host this new northern Michigan festival May 31-June 2, with more artists announced soon.
Hannah Rose & The GravesTones soar to top of January’s Hot Top 5 chart of regional releases
The Grand Rapids blues-soul band is joined by several other new entries on 2018’s first monthly chart of local and regional airplay at WYCE-FM (88.1). Listen to songs from the featured albums, check out the videos. See who else made the chart.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Cowpie 2018 to star Steel Wheels, Hyryder, Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper with local band battle determining final festival act
For the first time, Cowpie will host a “Pathway to the Pasture” contest this spring to choose its final band for the August festival. See which bands will be competing at venues in four cities and get details about the headliners announced for Cowpie 2018 so far.
Album reviews · Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
Public Access amps up ‘freeing,’ giant rock machine for sophomore release
The West Michigan super-group plans an ambitious ‘immersive experience’ for its release show at Grand Rapids’ Wealthy Theatre on Saturday. Learn the back story of this unusual project and read the Local Spins review of the new album.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Verve Pipe ‘more energized than ever before’ by touring, recording fresh material
In a Local Spins interview, Brian Vander Ark, frontman for the Grand Rapids band, says he’s ’embraced the rock again’ as the group prepares for a homecoming show Saturday at 20 Monroe Live. Find out what the alt-rockers have been up to and watch a video of a song from The Verve Pipe’s latest album.
Artist Spotlights · Features · Podcasts
Local Spins on Michigan Radio: New music from Cabildo, Public Access, Jack Droppers & The Best Intentions
Local Spins’ February segment on Michigan Radio’s “Stateside” showcased fresh releases by Grand Rapids artists covering a broad range of styles. Check out the podcast, along with profiles of the featured artists.
Features · Festivals · Upcoming shows
Michigan Concert Digest: Microbrew & Music Fest to debut at Mount Mancelona; Ryan Scott Graham set for Detroit homecoming
For those willing to hit the road, there are intriguing options this weekend boasting a unique Michigan flair. Check out two of them at Local Spins: a preview of the Microbrew & Music Festival in northern Michigan and an interview with the Michigan native fronting Speak Low If You Speak Love, which plays Detroit on Friday.
WYCE’s Jammie Awards assure robust night of music, community, ‘awesome’ vibe
The 19th annual showcase of regional music unfurls Friday night at The Intersection. WYCE manager Quinn Mathews reflects on the daunting but inspiring ‘biggest night for West Michigan music.’ See and save the full schedule.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The Big List (Feb. 5-11): Marilyn Manson, Luke Combs, The Verve Pipe, Public Access, Robbie Fulks, The Jammie Awards, NF, Avatar
Christian rapper NF kicks off the week with another sold-out show at 20 Monroe Live, but there’s more, including Albert Lee, Hippo Campus, Edye Evans Hyde, Old Salt Union, Lady Ace Boogie, The Jetbeats, That Beatles Thing and more. And see how you can win tickets to The Verve Pipe.
Breaking music news · Commentary
Open Letter to Local Spins Readers: Sign up for emails, bookmark Local Spins, follow us on Instagram, Twitter
Facebook has made changes that could affect how often you’re alerted to the marvelous music news that Local Spins works hard to provide. Here’s how to make sure you don’t miss a beat.
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