Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
The 2017 edition of the Wednesday night blues series that returns to the DeltaPlex Arena parking lot in Walker also boasts veteran and emerging stars such as Coco Montoya, Larry McCray, Big James & The Chicago Playboys and Jake Kershaw. See the full schedule and check out what’s new for this year’s series.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The week got rolling with Blues Traveler in Kalamazoo and just kept rocking, from Shorts Brewing’s 13th anniversary party in Bellaire to The Pyramid Scheme’s two-day sixth anniversary bash. Check out all the images at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Summer Concerts
In the opening morning of sales to Meijer Gardens members, folks lined up, went online and snapped up tickets to a bevy of shows in the 2017 summer series. And more sold out within hours. See an updated list of the sold-out shows thus far.
Audio · Guest Column · Videos
In this Local Spins guest column, Grand Rapids writer and musician Charley Honey revisits the life-changing experience of ‘Sgt. Pepper.’ Check out his take on the album five decades on, listen to the album and find links to other stories about the iconic recording.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts · Videos
The Lake Leelanau hot spot will up the ante this summer with a series of Thursday and Sunday shows that spotlight regional bands such as The Accidentals, The Crane Wives, The Ragbirds and The Go Rounds. Get the full lineup and details at Local Spins.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals · Videos
The free festival being held Aug. 19-20 at Rosa Parks Circle once again will boast a blend of international and regional jazz favorites. See the full schedule, with videos of some of the featured performers for GRandJazzFest 2017.
Summer is right around the corner and communities across West Michigan once again are hosting free weeknight concerts featuring regional acts, from Lindsay Lou & The Flatbellys to The Crane Wives to Union Guns and more. Get out your calendar and scan the lineups for seven of these concert series at Local Spins.
Features · Kalamazoo · Photos · Videos
‘It’s starting to look like Gibson again.’ Under new ownership, Heritage Guitars aims to restore the luster of Kalamazoo’s Gibson factory to make it a destination for tourists, history buffs and devotees of handcrafted, American-made guitars. Check out the story, photos and video.
Festivals · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
It was a week of familiar bands in new locations, familiar events with new faces, and new events with familiar faces. Check out all the concert images — from Hunter Hayes on Thursday to Flint Eastwood on Sunday night — along with the “Grand Rapids: A Musical Day in the Life” video at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Photos · Videos
No arrests were made, but one Record Store Day celebration was cut off by the authorities in mid-stream. Most of the day across West Michigan, however, shaped up as a vinyl lover’s dream. Check out the video and a Local Spins photo gallery.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
It’s all about ‘getting back to your roots’ for Detroit’s much-respected, award-winning ‘Queen of the Blues’ who headlines Saturday’s ‘Local Blues Matters’ benefit at Billy’s Lounge. Read the Local Spins interview, listen to her inspiring music.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
With much of the band now based in Nashville, the popular Michigan-bred bluegrass quartet plays Grand Haven on Friday and has a hectic 2017 ahead. Members also are flourishing with a variety of side projects, including Sweet Water Warblers and the Mark Lavengood Bluegrass Bonanza. Check out the Local Spins interview and band videos.
After a decade at Grand Rapids’ Wealthy Theatre, this year’s festival will take place Saturday at The Orbit Room, with Papa Vegas headlining a five-band bill that also includes Lipstick Jodi and The JetBeats. See the full schedule at Local Spins.
Flaming Lips frontman Wayne Coyne led the usual assault of balloons, confetti, streamers, a unicorn, psychedelic lights and, of course, a super-sized bubble to engage and energize an audience that was more than ready to revel. Read the Local Spins review and check out the frenetic, colorful action in photos.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The attention-getting rocker raised in Alpena and making waves in Detroit talks with Local Spins about the ’emotional mess’ of songs from her new album and the struggles of touring. She plays The Pyramid Scheme on Saturday. Read about this emerging Michigan artist, listen to her music and watch one of her videos.
Record Store Day 2017 in West Michigan will be chock full of special performances, special releases, special discounts and a special love for indie record shops. Get the lowdown on Saturday’s performances and what’s happening at some of these stores.
Looking for a jam or an open microphone in Kalamazoo? Growing opportunities for musicians, spoken-word artists and stand-up comics abound in Kalamazoo, with an emphasis on community, collaboration and cross-promotion.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Like a basket full of multi-colored eggs, the week leading up to Easter mixed things up impressively on West Michigan’s music scene from Kishi Bashi’s wild display to STS9’s psychedelic electronica to rock’s Crystal Garden led by Boyd Tinsley of the Dave Matthews Band. Plus, Marc Cohn, Sweet Water Warblers, Parachute. Check out all the images at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Playing a sold-out Wealthy Theatre on Friday night, the Minneapolis band showcased its impeccable songcraft and infectious, harmony-laden approach. Read the review and browse the photo gallery at Local Spins.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The 135th edition of Local Spins on WYCE boasted an in-studio performance by retro pop/rock’s The JetBeats, plus a spotlight on a bevy new local and regional tunes. Listen to the podcast here.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
The summer concert series announced today by Interlochen Center for the Arts also boasts appearances by Michael McDonald, Boz Scaggs, Paul Shaffer, Amos Lee and Ian Anderson. See the full lineup and details in this Local Spins story.
At 75, the Detroit legend proved Thursday she’s still “The Queen of Soul” in a DeVos Performance Hall show that featured some of her biggest hits, including “Respect,” “Chain of Fools” and “Baby I Love You.” Read the Local Spins review, browse the photo gallery.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
The 14th street party taking place June 3 will also feature sets by Bedrock, Cabildo, Molly from Vox Vidorra and students from Triumph Music Academy. Get the rest of the lowdown in this Local Spins story.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
Punch Brothers, Brian Setzer, Taylor Dayne and Switchfoot will play the Grand Rapids amphitheater for the first time, with Huey Lewis, Lyle Lovett, Diana Krall and Gov’t Mule among returning faves. See the full lineup and ticket prices for the 2017 Meijer Gardens series.
Artist Spotlights · Live at River City · Podcasts · Videos
The side rock ‘n’ roll project of friends from several Grand Rapids bands has produced a fresh, ‘goofy but serious’ debut album. Read the Local Spins story about this unusual group, watch the video and listen to the podcast.
Concert announcements · Festivals
About 3,000 revelers are expected to once again attend the northern Michigan brewery’s anniversary bash on April 29, with Short’s Brewing also announcing the winner of its first battle of the bands contest. Get details and ticket links in this Local Spins story.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The week and weekend rocked the Grand Rapids area in a variety of ways with a bevy of national and regional bands, including a feel-good benefit for Access of West Michigan — all captured in images and videos at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
This week’s edition of the Local Spins on WYCE radio show boasted an in-studio performance by Conrad Shock & The Noise, plus new music from Parlor Voice, Yolonda Lavender, Coffin Problem, ConvoTronics, Miss Atomic and more. Listen to the podcast and watch the video.
Announcements · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
The fourth edition of this unusual August contest in this lakeshore community boasts thousands of dollars in prizes for winning acts, with this year’s festival limited to 25 bands and 25 solo artists. The deadline for registration is April 28. Get details here.
Breaking music news · Guest Column · Top 10 Lists
What were the Top 5 most-played local acts for March on WYCE? Find out here, along with station manager Quinn Mathews’ monthly guest column providing the scoop on the community radio station’s 30th anniversary events and special fund-raising efforts.
Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
This year’s Fashion & Music for Film Showcase will boast fashion lines inspired by music videos and created by Kendall College of Art and Design students. Watch the videos by Grand Rapids’ AB, Los Angeles’ Matt Rose and others.
Concert announcements · Kalamazoo · Summer Festivals
Moving from an outdoor event downtown to an indoor festival at Wings Event Center, the July celebration will also boast sets by Joe Louis Walker, Dana Fuchs and many more. See the full Kalamazoo Blues Festival lineup, with videos of featured performers.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
In what may be Founders’ biggest street party yet, the June 17 festival will tap a mix of regional and national stars, along with plenty of beer. Scroll down for concert videos of the featured bands and check out details about this year’s Founders Fest.
Commentary · Upcoming shows · Videos
The 23rd anniversary of this benefit for Access of West Michigan aids a worthy cause by rattling the rafters at Founders Brewing with regional rock faves. It’s all about a community of caring. Are you ready to join in? Read the Local Spins commentary and get the lowdown on this weekend event.
Artist Spotlights · Playlists · Upcoming shows · Videos
The much-respected, Leland-based indie-rocker and painter has added Grand Rapids guitarist-producer Tommy Schichtel to his “very special” band, with two Michigan performances as part of a spring U.S. tour. Read about this much-respected Michigan artist, listen to Sprout’s music and check out his playlist of favorite songs.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The classic rock guitarist brought his virtuosic talents to 20 Monroe Live on Sunday night, closing out a week that also featured a host of dynamic shows — from EDM to heavy metal — in Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo. Check out the Peter Frampton review and all the images at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Music on Campus · Photos
Concerts, workshops and speeches at the weekend event in Grand Rapids focused on “valuing unconventional expression and promoting community dialogue.” Check out the concert recap and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
The colorful mid-Michigan ensemble celebrated its new album and kicked off a U.S. tour Saturday with a big boost from Grand Rapids’ The Legal Immigrants and Kalamazoo’s Less is More. Read the Local Spins review, ogle the photos, watch the videos.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Grand Rapids rock band returned with some special guests to Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted new tracks by Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers, Chris DuPont, Lazy Genius, Mark Lavengood and more. Watch the video, listen to the radio podcast.
Album Releases · Audio · Videos
With Joe Hertler and band unveiling an album today and kicking off a U.S. tour, Local Spins takes a gander at the new collection and fresh releases from other notable Michigan bands. Check out the reviews and listen to samples of the new music.
WMU’s Multimedia Arts Technology program is not only innovative but popular: Three times as many students have applied for the studio recording classes as there are spaces in the program. Get the lowdown in this week’s “Music on Campus” feature.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins Live · Podcasts · Videos
The Midland singer-songwriter released his first solo album, “All My Stories,” last year and is transitioning to the Grand Rapids area. He plays SpeakEZ Lounge tonight. Listen to the radio podcast and watch the video of his in-studio performance.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
The group featuring Jane Finkel, Brian Spencer, Mike Sord and Matt Milowe has redefined its sound, and will unfurl that for a Grand Rapids audience when it plays 20 Monroe Live on Saturday, opening for Joe Hertler and the Rainbow Seekers. Read the Local Spins Artist Spotlight feature on this emerging Kalamazoo band.
Spawned and based in the northern Michigan hamlet of 5,600, Famous Last Words is a hard-rocking, national touring headliner with a fast-growing audience of hundreds of thousands of fans. Get the back story at Local Spins, watch their videos.
Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
The weekend got started early with a piano prodigy and continued with soul, rock, pop, folk, blues and a bevy of young, emerging West Michigan acts. Check out the photos and videos at Local Spins, from Chilly, Blues & Brews at The B.O.B. to bluegrass at Bell’s Brewery in Kalamazoo.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Spanning the east and west sides of the state, this week’s edition of Local Spins on WYCE spotlighted pop, rock, folk, blues and more. Listen to the podcast, watch the video, read the story.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
The one-day festival aims to jumpstart summer with an all-star cast that features highly regarded national acts as well as Southwest Michigan’s Slim Gypsy Baggage. Check out details, videos and links to ticket sales at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Summer Concerts
Over the next couple of years, concertgoers to Meijer Gardens will see some big changes to the amphitheater. The outdoor venue for summer shows will be upgraded, “reshaped” and expanded slightly starting in September as part of a $115 capital improvement campaign at Meijer Gardens.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
Hoxeyville’s 15th anniversary celebration heats up mid-August in the Manistee National Forest with an impressive blend of local, regional and national acts. Tickets are on sale now. See the full lineup for this year’s festival.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins Live · Videos
The young Michigan guitarist plays SpeakEZ Lounge for the first time Wednesday night, and the award-winning 10th grader already has shared stages with Jonny Lang and Anthony Gomes. He releases his debut album later this spring. Read the story, listen to the radio podcast, watch the videos.
