Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
The week closing out 2017 boasted more than its fair share of eclectic music from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo, from Hannah Rose Graves to Billy Strings, from Joe Hertler & the Rainbow Seekers to Seth Bernard. The Go Rounds and Lady Ace Boogie. Celebrate 2018 by ogling all the photo galleries and videos at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Three downtown venues hosted capacity crowds on Saturday night for fan-pleasing spectacles, each with its own story line and passionate vibe. Relive the shows by Greta Van Fleet, The Accidentals and a West Michigan super-group paying homage to Tom Petty in words, photos and videos at Local Spins.
In this “Local Spins Rewind” feature, re-experience the adventure-filled life of a band on the road courtesy of Traverse City’s emerging national act The Accidentals, who play Grand Rapids’ Founders Brewing Co. this weekend after a grueling year of touring. Earlier this year, they documented their West Coast tour for Local Spins in words and photos.
Breaking music news · Features · Videos
Check out the brand new video from Holland hip hop/R&B artist Dayz, who also released his first major EP earlier this month. It’s the fifth and final Local Spins “music video of the week” for 2017.
In a Local Spins interview, the modern-day rock stars talk about life on the road, their classic influences and a year of sold-out shows stretching across the country. Get the back the story behind this young, international phenomenon and watch new Greta Van Fleet videos leading up to their big show at The Intersection on Saturday night.
Features · Top 10 Lists · Videos
The critics have had their say. Now, Local Spins asks some West Michigan musicians to list their favorite 2017 releases: The War on Drugs, Rapsody, The Main Squeeze, Jonny Lang, Queens of the Stone Age, Twin Peaks, Father John Misty, Daniel Caesar and more made the grade. Check out all the picks, videos and audio samples.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Bid adieu to 2017 and usher in the new year with gargantuan shows and parties hosted by some of the Michigan music scene’s biggest stars. And there are big concerts leading up to the big night, too. See the full roster in the Big List Concert Guide.
Album reviews · Top 10 Lists · Videos
Kendrick Lamar, Billy Strings, The National, Perfume Genius, Jaco Pastorius, The Accidentals, The Turnips, Organissimo, May Erlewine, LCD Soundsystem and more earned high marks from Local Spins writers. See who else made the grade in 2017 and listen to samples of music from dozens of releases that turned critics’ heads. Plus, see which concerts stood out this past year.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Lavengood and Rose performed on air, with Local Spins on WYCE also debuting new tracks by Dayz, John Proulx and more during this week’s show. Watch the videos, listen to the podcast.
Audio · Commentary · Features · Kalamazoo
In his Local Spins debut, writer Ryan Nehring pays tribute to Kalamazoo performer, singer, MC and host of the “PUT UP or SHUT UP” open-mic night who passed away unexpectedly last month. Read about this influential West Michigan artist in Ryan’s poignant column.
Artist Spotlights · Features · Guest Column · Kalamazoo
The genre-bending Kalamazoo band recently depicted sleep and dreams artistically — from the serene to the frenetic — in a unique concert that will be available on video. Read the back story about this unusual event at Local Spins.
The Grand Haven folk-pop pianist created mesmerizing, dreamy images in the West Michigan woods for her first official music video. Check out the video and learn more about the project at Local Spins.
This pre-Christmas batch of regional releases covers a lot of ground, with some much-anticipated new albums in the mix. Read the reviews, listen to the music.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The week leading up to Christmas gets rolling with EyeCandy and Antighost, plus there are shows featuring The Bootstrap Boys, Reggie, Mary Rademacher, Great Black Night and much more. And see how you can win tickets to a Michael Jackson tribute, courtesy of Local Spins.
Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Relive a December week of live music across West Michigan, from hip hop to country to jam bands and more — all captured in Local Spins photo galleries, plus videos.
Concert reviews · Kalamazoo · Photos
The West Michigan-bred, Nashville-based country singer unfurled his ninth annual holiday show at Kalamazoo’s State Theatre on Saturday for a jolly “family” of fans. Read the Local Spins review, ogle the photo gallery
For the third year, Local Spins calendars are spotlighting emerging Michigan acts with a national buzz in its calendars, not to mention Michigan music festivals. Get the lowdown on these unique Michigan-made artifacts and order yours by Tuesday to ensure delivery by Christmas.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
This week’s episode of the radio show boasted an in-studio visit from Nordy, plus new holiday music from Peat in the Creel and River City Narrative, and much more. Listen to the full podcast, watch a video of Nordy’s on-air performance.
Breaking music news · Features · Summer Concerts
Photos released this week show dynamic alterations to the top of the amphitheater where new permanent seats will be installed. Read more about the plans at Local Spins and see what the revamped amphitheater will look like.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
Raised in Charlevoix, Jetty Rae brings her musical passion to northern Michigan this month and “sharing of struggles” with her fans. Read the back story about this unique, Michigan-bred artist, watch her videos.
Breaking music news · Commentary
It was no contest. This year’s Jammie Award ballot is proof of Michigan’s burgeoning, impressive talent. Check out the local nominees for best new artist of the year and links to news about the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees.
The Grand Rapids rock band enlists a gang to help them out of a jam and shootouts ensue. See what happens in Slumlord Radio’s new video as part of Local Spins’ West Michigan Video of the Week series.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Chevelle kicked off the week with a bang, but there’s plenty of diversity – nationally and locally – crammed into this week’s Big List Concert Guide, along with some holiday-themed shows. And see how you can win tickets to see Matisyahu.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Chevelle kicks off the week, but there’s plenty of diversity – nationally and locally – crammed into this week’s Big List Concert Guide. And see how you can win tickets to see Matisyahu.
Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
As winter sets in, West Michigan’s indoor concert season has heated up with some sizzling national and local acts. Browse all the photo galleries at Local Spins, including shows over the past week in Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Grand Haven and Spring Lake.
Concert reviews · Kalamazoo · Photos
Marshall teenager and blues-rock guitarist Jake Kershaw stole the show at State Theatre, while Tab Benoit did double-duty by later playing drums with Out of Favor Boys at Old Dog Tavern. Read the review, browse the photo gallery. .
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
This week’s guest talks about his acclaimed new album and performs with his band on a show that also featured the debut of tracks by hi-ker, Dori, Andy Baker, Bruce Matthews, Charles the Osprey and Talismans. Listen to the podcast, watch the video.
The Earthwork Music artist’s latest album, “Mother Lion,” led a reshuffling of chart positions last month for local and regional albums which previously have appeared in the Top 5 at WYCE-FM. Check out the latest chart and watch videos of the featured artists.
Announcements · Kalamazoo · Upcoming shows · Videos
Electro-pop’s Less is More aims to continue broadening its musical universe as it departs West Michigan. The band plays a farewell show at Bell’s Brewery on Saturday night. Get the back story, check out a video.
For this month’s Michigan Radio segment on “Stateside,” Local Spins spotlights a few bubbling-below-the-surface West Michigan releases you might have overlooked: The Turnips, Cosmic Knot and The Zannies. Listen to the full statewide radio podcast.
The Rockford multi-instrumentalist from Celtic/world music’s An Dro moved an old piano into his garden and created an amazing video montage filmed over a year, enhanced by an original composition. Watch this incredible video, along with another Spalink project where he burned instruments that were no longer playable.
Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
The annual folk series gets a big boost with these iconic acts in 2018. St. Cecilia also will host another jazz show: A February CD-release concert for jazz pianist John Proulx. Get all the details and ticket prices at Local Spins, and check out music from the featured acts.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Upcoming shows · Videos
The long-running northern Michigan band with a jam, funk, rock and bluegrass vibe makes its Local Spins Wednesdays debut this week at Grand Rapids’ SpeakEZ Lounge. Get the back story on Soul Patch, listen to the band’s music, watch the videos.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
A week heavy on EDM also features Amy Grant & Michael W. Smith, Jon Pardi, Soul Patch, The Concussions, Luke Winslow King, The Secret Sisters, Juanita Stein and much more. Get the full concert lowdown, plus intriguing Under-the-Radar Picks, in The Big List Concert Guide.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Another eclectic week of live music across West Michigan: Check out reviews of Over the Rhine and UV Hippo, plus photo galleries from fan-pleasing shows by Brett Young, Tommy Emmanuel, The Outer Vibe, May Erlewine and super-groups reprising 1997 and paying tribute to Tom Waits. You’ll find this flurry of photos and videos only at Local Spins.
Features · Top 10 Lists · Videos
The ‘Top 10 Rewind’ series wraps up with Local Spins’ top story of 2017: the fun June night when drummer Chad Smith made the rounds on stage at the three Grand Rapids venues, some 24 hours before the Chili Peppers’ sold-out show at Van Andel Arena. Relive the evening in this story and videos from Local Spins.
Announcements · Breaking music news
West Michigan musicians can now apply online to perform at Festival 2018 next June. The applications, with a $15 fee, are due by the end of February. Find the links to the online form at Local Spins.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
A legendary Grand Rapids blues band performed live in-studio and an emerging instrumental rock band previewed two new tracks on Local Spins on WYCE, which also boasted new music from The Outer Vibe, Bob Seger, The Fever Haze, Jack Droppers & The Best Intentions and more. Listen to the podcast, watch the video.
The holidays are the perfect time to round up some of the latest releases by Michigan artists, spotlighting albums you can add to your gift lists. Check out the reviews, with audio samples of the new music.
Features · Top 10 Lists · Videos
The No. 2 Local Spins story of the year broke the news in January that the much-buzzed-about Traverse City band had inked a contract with the eclectic label to release a new album. Check out the band’s video message and find links to follow-up stories.
Podcasts · RSVP Music Chat · Videos
Ralston and Sink’s Virtual Podcast sat down with Michigan-bred guitarist Billy Strings for a free-wheeling chat about small-town boredom, a’no rules’ attitude and bluegrass snootiness, pride in parents, exploring one’s full potential, rowdy concerts, love of life and riding the wave as long as you can. Listen to the full podcast, watch the video highlights.
Artist Spotlights · Concert reviews · Photos · Top 10 Lists · Videos
The ‘Local Spins Rewind’ series continues with another one of the most-read Local Spins stories of 2017: A look at a young band from Frankenmuth that’s become Michigan’s hottest hard rock export. Revisit the concert review, photo gallery and video from September’s sold-out Grand Rapids show, and see what national media outlets are saying about this buzz band. Greta Van Fleet plays another sold-out show at The Intersection in late December.
This week’s featured music video at Local Spins focuses on something new from the founder of the Walk the Beat festival. Check out Dave Palmer’s “Burn,” then see how he’s raising money for a special cause in Haiti through his upcoming performances.
Local Spins’ recap of the Top 10 stories of 2017 takes a look back at Record Store Day 2017. The No. 4 story on the list notes that no arrests were made, but Dodds’ Record Store Day celebration was cut off by authorities mid-stream. Still, most of the day across West Michigan shaped up as a vinyl lover’s dream. Check out the photo gallery and video from an unusual day.
Features · Kalamazoo · Top 10 Lists
Check out the latest entry in the “Local Spins Top 10 Rewind Series,” recapping the biggest stories of 2017. This feature about Kalamazoo’s Heritage Guitar aiming to restore the luster of the Gibson factory to make it a destination for devotees of handcrafted guitars drew lots of attention from musicians and history buffs. And find links to follow-up stories, too.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The week also features the Brad Mehldau Trio, Fall Flannel Folk Fest, Kris Delmhorst, the return of The Outer Vibe, Asamu Johnson & The Associates of the Blues and much more. Browse all the live music selections for the week, plus the intriguing Under-the-Radar Picks.
Concert reviews · Top 10 Lists
The Local Spins Top 10 Rewind series of top 2017 stories continues with something a little different: With the media deterred from covering the legendary Bob Dylan’s concert at Van Andel Arena in October, Local Spins asked fans to offer up their own takes on the 76-year-old icon’s tour stop. The results were entertaining, intriguing and, often, poles apart.
As part of the “Local Spins Top 10 Rewind” series of articles that most captivated readers in 2017, this August story broke the sad news that the the award-winning Grand Rapids indie-soul/rock foursome had broken up but still planned to release an album they recently completed.
Artist Spotlights · Concert reviews · Podcasts · Videos
From swinging by Local Spins on WYCE to firing up a big crowd at The Intersection, the one-time heavy metal kid from Ionia proved his instrumental bluegrass prowess with help from ‘a killer band.’ Browse the photo galleries, watch the video of his in-studio interview and performance, and listen to the full radio podcast. And check out the bonus video from The Intersection show.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
From a fresh cover of Led Zeppelin to old rarities and fan favorites, the Kalamazoo-bred heroes made the opening blast of a two-night stand a special show for GSBG devotees. Read the review and ogle the photo gallery and videos, only at Local Spins.
