With SXSW panels probing Michigan initiatives on creativity, innovation, equity and more, Michigan House turned the gym at an Austin church into a Mitten State mecca with Michigan beer, a visit from Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss and music from Seth Bernard. Check out the videos, story and photos, only at Local Spins.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows · Videos
Local Spins on WYCE: Conklin Ceili Band revs up Irish spirit in-studio, plus new tracks by Justin Avdek, The Suburbans and more
The March 10 edition of the radio show also featured new music from The Accidentals, Alex Mendenall, The Go Rounds, Stef Chura, Michigander and Frontier Ruckus. Check out the podcast, video and story.
Announcements · Audio · Breaking music news · Local Spins at SXSW
The Accidentals’ new single and The Michigan House Mixtape: Fresh tracks by The Go Rounds, Flint Eastwood, Stef Chura, Michigander, more
To mark their return to South by Southwest, Traverse City’s The Accidentals released the first single from their upcoming new album today. And five other Michigan acts headed for a Michigan House-Austin showcase have recorded fresh songs for SXSW and ArtPrize. All six premiere here at Local Spins. Listen to the songs, read the back story.
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah flexes indie-rock muscles for modest crowd in Grand Rapids tour stop
Touring behind its latest album, “The Tourist,” the Alec Ounsworth-led Clap Your Hands Say Yeah made folks wonder why they’ve “slept on this band for the past four albums.” At least, that’s the take of Local Spins reviewer Troy Reimink. Check out the review and photo gallery from Thursday night’s concert at The Pyramid Scheme.
Breaking music news · Guest Column · Top 10 Lists
Seth Bernard tops Hot Top 5 chart for February, and how you can rule the airwaves on WYCE
What were the Top 5 most-played local and regional acts for February at WYCE-FM? What new local and regional albums have been added to the on-air rotation? What exactly is a listener-supported community radio station? How can listeners become programmers? Get answers to all these questions and more in this Local Spins guest column by station manager Quinn Mathews.
Audio · Features · Kalamazoo · Music on Campus · Videos
Western Michigan University jazz studies director Tom Knific named among Top 30 music innovators
Western Michigan University’s renowned jazz studies program has added another feather to its cap: Double bass instructor Tom Knific is lauded by Musical America as one of the top 30 innovative music professionals of the year.
Breaking music news · Features
Country singer Brian Lorente will quit the band, devote more time to family, songwriting
The popular Michigan country artist will leave his band, The Usual Suspects, this fall after releasing a new album and completing one final tour. Read the back story at Local Spins.
Features · Festivals · Local Spins at SXSW · Upcoming shows
South by Southwest 2017: Turning up the volume on the Michigan Music Connection
Creative Many, Michigan House and Local Spins are back in Austin for the giant SXSW conference this weekend, shedding an even brighter spotlight on Great Lakes State artists, products and innovators. See which Michigan acts will be joining them and why.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Lotus, Jeezy, The Accidentals, GZA fire up capacity West Michigan crowds: Local Spins Week-in-Review Photo Galleries
Jam-packed venues across West Michigan boasted rousing shows by Lotus, Jeezy, GZA and The Accidentals with Jake Allen. Check out the images — and videos — from a busy week at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Festivals · Kalamazoo · Photos · Videos
Kalamazoo Fretboard Festival strums up fan-pleasing performances for 12th celebration
They came, they saw, they strummed guitars and they watched regional acts on four stages at Kalamazoo Valley Museum this weekend. Check out the Local Spins roundup, photo gallery and videos from the 2017 Kalamazoo festival, which attracted thousands of visitors and boasted sets by more than a dozen acts.
Concert announcements · Festivals · Upcoming shows
Jake’s Music Festival announces diverse lineup, switch to Orbit Room for annual benefit show
After a decade at Grand Rapids’ Wealthy Theatre, this year’s festival will take place in April at The Orbit Room, with Papa Vegas headlining a five-band bill. Read the back story and see who else will be performing at the fundraiser for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
Steve Hackett masterful in revisiting Genesis, unfurling solo gems in Grand Rapids
Legendary British guitarist Steve Hackett played 20 Monroe Live on Tuesday night, impressing longtime fans. Here are the reactions and reviews from two of them, only at Local Spins, along with a photo gallery of the Grand Rapids concert.
Artist Spotlights · Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
New York roots-folk group Driftwood brings punk-rock spirit to new album, Michigan tour stops
Touring behind its fifth album, “City Lights,” Driftwood plays four Michigan shows this week, including a Friday concert at Spring Lake’s Seven Steps Up. Read the band’s back story and watch a video from its new album.
Guest Column · Kalamazoo · Upcoming shows
Kalamazoo Fretboard Festival: A ‘whirlwind’ of picks, twangs and ‘incredibly diverse’ music
Kalamazoo’s 2017 Fretboard Festival unfolds once again this weekend at Kalamazoo Valley Museum. Musician Megan Dooley has been a regular attendee. Read her Local Spins column about this special event and check out the complete schedule of performances by top-drawer regional acts and workshops.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Pop Evil, Dropkick Murphys, Knee Deep Shag, Big Gigantic, Lettuce, Melophobix, Yolonda Lavender: Weekend Photo Galleries
Check out photo galleries and show recaps from a week of punk, funk, pop and more across West Michigan, from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo. Browse images of national tour stops plus a Local Showcase and the Winter Beer Festival at Fifth Third Ballpark.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
Hot dog hell: The trials, tribulations and stunning music of singer-songwriter Jonny Carroll (Local Spins on WYCE)
The Grand Rapids-turned-Indy artist has put a life-altering medical crisis behind him with ‘full-gear’ touring and a new EP on the horizon. Plus, hear new tracks by Chasing the Sky, Jim Shaneberger, The Film Stars, Weezil Malone, Andrew Gulledge and much more.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
The Giving Tree Band and Michigan favorites to play 2017 Buses by the Beach Bus Benefit
The Memorial Day weekend festival of VW buses along the Lake Michigan shoreline has announced its lineup of performers, with a second acoustic stage added to this year’s hoopla. See the full lineup and revisit coverage from the 2016 festival at Local Spins.
Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
Former Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett hearkens back to prog-rock past and future for upcoming Grand Rapids show
The revered musician brings his ‘Genesis Revisited with Classic Hackett’ tour to 20 Monroe Live next week. Check out the Local Spins interview with Steve Hackett and watch his videos.
Festivals · Traverse City · Upcoming shows
Great Indoor Folk Festival to showcase 50-plus Michigan acts Sunday in Traverse City
The festival creates a ‘unique experience’ for musicians and attendees in a historic building, with E Minor, Oh Brother Big Sister, Blair Miller, New 3rd Coast and many more playing the ninth annual event. See the full schedule for the Great Indoor Folk Festival.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins Live · Podcasts · Videos
The girl with the butterfly tattoo: Red Rio for Local Spins Live on WJRW (Podcast, videos)
Grand Rapids singer-songwriter Red Rio, aka Alexis Brooke, performed two new songs for this week’s edition of Local Spins Live and chatted about her edgy music. Listen to the radio podcast, watch the videos.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Upcoming shows · Videos
Traverse City’s Drew Hale uncorks distinctive ‘northern country’ music, brings ‘labor of love’ to Cedar Springs
The award-winning Michigan country artist with Texas roots continues to build his fan base with shows across the state, including several in the Grand Rapids area. Read more about Drew Hale and listen to his music in this Local Spins Artist Spotlight feature.
Artist Spotlights · Kalamazoo · Upcoming shows · Videos
Knee Deep Shag: 13 years later, the Kalamazoo band is back on stage and back in the studio
The once-popular alt-rock/funk/pop group has reunited to play a show at Bell’s Brewery this week and to record its first album since 1999. Yes, it’s all ‘quirky and ridiculous’ and absolutely thrilling. Get the back story, only at Local Spins.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts · Videos
Meijer Gardens lands Ian Anderson’s Jethro Tull, St. Paul & The Broken Bones, Joan Baez, Mary Chapin Carpenter & Indigo Girls for 2017 summer concert series
Today’s announcement of three amphitheater shows serves as an early teaser for concertgoers, with tickets going on sale to Meijer Gardens members in late April. Get all the details at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Young the Giant, Twin Peaks, Frontier Ruckus, Less is More, Heaters: Weekend Photo Galleries, Show Recaps
The week in music was diversity embodied: a globally acclaimed choral group, a fist-pumping Chicago rock band, an uber-popular California alt-rock band, a revamped Kalamazoo buzz band, a Detroit-area folk-rock outfit kicking off its world tour and much, much more in Local Spins images. Check out the photo galleries and show recaps.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins Live · Podcasts
Desmond Jones bracing for a big year: Local Spins Live on WJRW (Podcast, photos)
The Feb. 15 edition of Local Spins Live featured a pared-back version of a popular Grand Rapids jam band, Desmond Jones, lighting it up in the studio. Read the story about what the band has planned for 2017 and listen to the full radio podcast.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows · Videos
Melophobix goes ‘cage-free’ with unfettered, horn-hued fusion of rock, funk, reggae, more
This week’s edition of Local Spins on WYCE spotlighted a Grand Rapids ensemble with a fresh, lively and eclectic musical attack, plus airing new tracks by Tail from the Crypt, Ashley McGrath, Beach Thief, Afro Zuma and Brother Adams & Emma Loo. (Podcast, video, story)
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
St. Joseph’s Slim Gypsy Baggage stretching musical boundaries, building audiences with new album on the way
The Southwest Michigan band opens for The Marcus King band at Grand Rapids’ Wealthy Theatre on Sunday, one of several high-profile gigs planned for Slim Gypsy Baggage in 2017. Read about the band and its upcoming new album in this Local Spins Artist Spotlight.
Artist Spotlights · Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
Twin Peaks: The Midwest rock ‘n’ roll swagger of a band that’s spontaneous, fun and carefree
Rock is not dead. Take it from the Chicago band which plays Holland’s Park Theatre on Friday and which took time out from touring Europe to share thoughts with Local Spins writer Troy Reimink about Twin Peaks’ latest album, its fans and loathing Trump.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals · Videos
Cowpie Music Festival 2017 expands to three days, rounds up UV Hippo, Fareed Haque, Grasshoppah, Delilah DeWylde, Desmond Jones
The Aug. 10-12 festival on Kent County’s Shagbark Farm boasts a wealth of regional acts, from jam bands Earphorik and Ekoostik Hookah to local faves Fauxgrass and Jesse Ray & The Carolina Catfish and many more. See the full lineup and links to early-bird ticket sales.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Kalamazoo’s Less is More takes ‘anything goes’ approach to hone soulful, electronic sound
The group featuring Jane Finkel, Brian Spencer, Mike Sord and Matt Milowe is redefining its sound, unfurling its fresh, eclectic music this week at Bell’s Brewery Eccentric Café. Read the Local Spins Artist Spotlight feature on this emerging Kalamazoo band.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The Outer Vibe, Cloud Nothings, Dirty Heads, Alexander Lynch, Watching for Foxes: The Week-in-Review Photo Galleries
One of the busiest weeks of 2017 thus far also boasted some killer under-the-radar shows, capturing in images at Local Spins. Check out the week-in-review photo galleries.
Commentary · Concert reviews · Guest Column · Photos
The Verve Pipe and The Jammie Awards: ‘The best of both worlds’ on a single night
When The Verve Pipe took the stage at 20 Monroe Live on Friday, singer Channing Lee had already played another gig the same night — at The Intersection for the Jammie Awards. She shared the story of her unusual night with Local Spins. Read her column and browse the photo gallery.
Concert reviews · Features · Photos · Videos
Jammie Awards show uncorks ‘huge love fest’ starring ‘unbelievable’ musical talent
The 2017 edition of WYCE’s Jammie Awards drew more than 1,500 people to The Intersection in Grand Rapids for dynamic performances by Michigan bands, with plenty of musicians “lovin’ the hell out of each other.” Brows the resplendent photo gallery, watch the video and read the reaction of musicians to the West Michigan music scene’s biggest night of the year.
Breaking music news · Concert reviews · Photos
The Accidentals, FLUSHED, Emma Loo lead pack of Michigan’s 2017 Jammie Award winners
Friday night’s crowded awards show at The Intersection honored Michigan’s best albums and songs of the year, with 25 performances on two stages. See the complete winners’ list, photos and more from West Michigan music’s “biggest night of the year” at Local Spins.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Local Spins on WYCE: Jammie Awards preview and singer-songwriter Joe Shields in-studio (Podcast, video)
On the day of the 2017 Jammie Awards, Local Spins on WYCE not only spotlighted some nominees but also debuted a couple of new tracks from Michigan bands and hosted singer-songwriter Joe Shields for an in-studio performance. Listen to the podcast, watch the video.
Announcements · Breaking music news · Features · Videos
Red Tail Ring wins Local Spin of the Year for gorgeous, melancholy “Fall Away Blues”
Local Spins’ choice for best local album of 2016 salutes a Kalamazoo old-timey folk duo’s masterpiece. And rock’s Conrad Shock & The Noise earns honors as Emerging Artist of the Year. Check out videos of both bands and get the lowdown on Red Tail Ring’s award-winning recording at Local Spins.
Pokey LaFarge finds ‘really good’ vibe with new and old songs in Grand Rapids tour stop
The vintage-sounding singer and his band kicked off a Midwest tour at St. Cecilia Music Center on Thursday, playing rock-hued tunes from an upcoming studio album live for the first time. Check out the Local Spins review and photo gallery of Pokey LaFarge’s Grand Rapids show.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
Peter ‘Madcat’ Ruth delivers joy, creates ‘magical state of being’ in five decades of legendary harmonica work
The Ann Arbor-based legend plays Traverse City’s Microbrew & Music Festival with Grand Rapids’ The Change this weekend, but juggles plenty more projects – from his own Madcat Midnight Blues Journey to touring internationally with Chris Brubeck. Read all about this Michigan music icon.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins Live · Upcoming shows
The Verve Pipe revival: Brian Vander Ark and band poised to release new albums, headline show at 20 Monroe Live
You’d think it was the 1990s all over again: The Verve Pipe is back and regaling fans with new music, its first live album and a concert at the hottest new venue in Grand Rapids. Read the Local Spins interview with frontman Brian Vander Ark and listen to a song from the band’s new live album.
Commentary · Guest Column · Top 10 Lists · Upcoming shows
Revving up for the Jammie Awards and the Hot Top 5 Local Spins of the Month: The WYCE Musicians’ Soundboard Column
Community radio station WYCE-FM (88.1) is partnering with Local Spins for a monthly column highlighting West Michigan’s music scene, including a listing of the Top 5 Local Spins of the Month. This week, it’s all about the Jammie Awards. See the full schedule of performances for Friday’s big awards show at The Intersection.
Pokey LaFarge set to blow ‘top off’ expectations with new songs at Michigan concerts
With an exploratory new album on the way, the roots music musician and his band play Thursday’s Acoustic Café Folk Series concert at St. Cecilia Music Center. Read the Local Spins interview with Pokey LaFarge.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Tyler Farr, Shinedown, Cooper’s Glen festival, AJJ fire up February with flair: Week-in-Review Photo Galleries
A week that saw arrival of a new Grand Rapids venue also boasted tour stops by Tyler Farr and AJJ, a Buddy Holly tribute, the Grand Rapids debut of The Boulevard Billies and Roger Brown Band, and Kalamazoo’s Cooper’s Glen music festival. Check out the week-in-review roundup of West Michigan shows and browse the photo galleries.
Lynyrd Skynyrd rolls out Southern rock fervor, familiar hits for Grand Rapids fans
With Ann Arbor blues guitarist Laith Al-Saadi opening the evening, Lynyrd Skynyrd made the third concert at 20 Monroe Live a memorable one for classic rock devotees. Read the review and browse the photo gallery from Friday night’s show.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Local Spins on WYCE: Delilah DeWylde & Jack Leaver’s Buddy Holly tribute, plus new music by Miss Atomic, Antighost, The Great Indoors
This week’s edition of Local Spins on WYCE saw two popular West Michigan musicians paying homage in-studio to Buddy Holly, not to mention the premiere of new tracks by emerging Grand Rapids acts. Listen to the radio podcast and watch videos of Delilah DeWylde and Jack Leaver performing in-studio.
Umphrey’s McGee lights up 20 Monroe Live with boundless musical energy, prolonged jams
The opening week of Grand Rapids’ newest concert venue continued Thursday with hours of adventurous prog-rock courtesy of Chicago jam band Umphrey’s McGee. Read the Local Spins review, browse the photo gallery and check out the set list.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Trombone Shorty and Joe Hertler throw crowd-pleasing opening night bash for 20 Monroe Live
Downtown Grand Rapids’ newest concert venue earned high marks from a teeming and happy crowd on Wednesday night. Check out the Local Spins review and two photo galleries from the milestone show.
Artist Spotlights · Podcasts · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Boulevard Billies lean on decades of experience to churn out ‘eclectic Americana’
Playing ‘exactly’ what they want, this country-propelled Southwest Michigan trio plays Grand Rapids for the first time this week while eyeing completion of a full-length album later this year. Read the back story of this veteran act, watch a video of the band’s in-studio performance and listen to the radio podcast.
Tiny Desk Concert contest attracts swarm of West Michigan band entries for 2017
The fun and diverse National Public Radio competition has drawn even more attention from Mitten State artists this year. Check out some of the video entries here, from popular West Michigan acts to obscure emerging artists.
Features · Local Spins Exclusives
The 20 Monroe Live Q&A: A ‘long overdue’ venue that hits the ‘sweet spot’ in Grand Rapids music scene?
Greg Gilmore’s vision for a downtown concert hall finally comes to fruition this week next to The B.O.B. Read the Local Spins Q&A with Gilmore and representatives of Live Nation — only at Local Spins.
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