Atkin, a member of the bands Rustbell, Public Access and South of Wealthy Trio, suffered head and spinal injuries in the accident in Guatamela. Supporters have launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover medical expenses.
Breaking music news · Features · Upcoming shows
Wayland recording in Memphis; Wealthy Theatre to host Crane Wives on New Year’s Eve; Festival 2016 band applications now open
Check out the early December music news roundup at Local Spins, with a couple of popular West Michigan bands ready to uncork high-profile holiday shows and an annual reminder to musicians that Festival 2016 is right around the corner.
Greensky Bluegrass lights up Kalamazoo homecoming shows, plus MGP Hip Hop Heavyweights, Desmond Jones (Photo Gallery)
The long Thanksgiving holiday weekend got started early with hip hop at The Intersection and a jam band at SpeakEZ Lounge in Grand Rapids, and wrapped up with a couple of lively shows by a true Kalamazoo fave. Check out all the photos.
Concert reviews · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Weekend Photo Gallery
Domestic Problems, The Verve Pipe and Papa Vegas rev up The Intersection by reveling in the ’90s and beyond
Three of the most memorable rock bands from West Michigan’s music scene joined forces Friday for a post-Thanksgiving extravaganza to ignite fans who traveled from afar for the Grand Rapids show. Check out the photo gallery and radio podcast from that day’s Local Spins on WYCE show featuring DP’s Andy Holtgreive.
West Michigan Venue Spotlight: Rocky’s Bar & Grill in Grand Rapids
Local Spins spotlights music venues across West Michigan, unique settings that feature local and regional acts. Check out the first music locale in our series and take a video tour.
Features · Top 10 Lists · Videos
17 bands to be thankful for on Thanksgiving: The Local Spins picks by West Michigan artists
Led Zeppelin, The Band, Jimi Hendrix and The Velvet Underground get heartfelt thanks from Michigan bands, but there are plenty of surprises – and a bunch of local artists – on this bountiful banquet table, too, from G’itis Baggs to Lady Ace Boogie. Check out the full list, with videos of the featured bands.
Billy Strings and Don Julin to part ways in 2016; bluegrass duo salutes ‘incredible’ two-year run
Young virtuoso guitarist Billy Strings, aka William Apostol, is heading to Nashville to pursue solo projects, but credits Don Julin for his mentorship and success. They play their last Traverse City show this week, with an early December concert in Spring Lake.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Fine Fine Titans, UV Hippo, Steel Wheels, Sweet Water Warblers, Fonn Mor, Hannah Rose, Vox Vidorra: Recap, photo galleries, video
From the lilting folk of Sweet Water Warblers and singer-songwriters at the Fall Flannel Folk Fest to the searing jam-band spectacle of UV Hippo, it was another groovy week to remember, captured in images at Local Spins. And check out the video from a hectic Saturday night: Five shows at five venues in less than two hours.
Darius Rucker rolls out country favorites ‘Southern Style,’ ‘Wagon Wheel’ and Hootie, too (Review, photo gallery)
Country star Darius Rucker wrapped up his U.S. tour this week, but not before regaling Grand Rapids fans, paying tribute to his old band and congratulating fans who got engaged at the show. Check out the Local Spins photo gallery by photographer Eric Stoike.
West Michigan Album Reviews: The Crane Wives, Dave Hardin, Lipstick Jodi, Bennett, Jesse Ray & The Carolina Catfish
With the holidays approaching, Local Spins rolls out Phase One of its year-end roundup of albums released by regional acts, featuring some intriguing projects from An Dro, Megan Dooley, The Bootstrap Boys and more. Check out the reviews, with audio samples to boot.
Features · Local Spins on WYCE · Upcoming shows
UV Hippo returns: After a year-long hiatus, the Grand Rapids jam band gears up for the most ‘high energy and intense’ show yet
Refreshed by its time off, Ultraviolet Hippopotamus will unleash a special horn-driven display at The Intersection on Saturday while continuing work on a hush-hush new “theme” album. Read the story about the re-charged jam band.
Artist Spotlights · Podcasts · Videos
The Mines re-emerge with fresh singles, expanded ‘epic’ indie-pop and rock
Members of the Grand Rapids band are still stretching outside their ‘comfort zones’ with dynamic songs that they’re now releasing as singles one at a time. They play New Holland Brewing in Holland on Friday. Read the story and check out the new videos of this distinctive West Michigan group.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Sweet Water Warblers super-group set to deliver ‘pure untamed power,’ glorious vocals on Michigan mini-tour
May Erlewine, Rachael Davis and Lindsay Lou join forces in the indie-folk trio that plays four Michigan venues this week, with an eye toward recording their first studio album. Read the back story, check the show schedule and view a video from their only previous performance — a truly inspiring one.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
All Time Low, Sublime With Rome, Bennett, Kim Wilson, Megan Dooley, Grand Rapids Showcase: Show Recap and Photo Galleries
It was a week for new albums, and new or revamped bands in West Michigan. Check out all the images, including The Bootstrap Boys, Jesse Ray & The Carolina Catfish, The Trash Hounds, Hannah Rose & The GravesTones, Rev. Peyton’s Big Damn Band and more in these Local Spins photo galleries and show recaps, plus two videos.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Kalamazoo’s Cold Mountain Child brings poetic beauty, lush ‘complex vibes’ to indie-folk scene
Frontman Tyler Bradley talks about his music and unveils two new songs during this week’s Local Spins on WYCE, which also features new tracks by Bennett, Lipstick Jodi, Rival Maps and more. Listen to the radio podcast and check out the video of Bradley performing a new song.
Artist Spotlights · Podcasts · Videos
The Bootstrap Boys hit bullseye with harmony-rich outlaw and vintage country
Shifting from the rock, folk and pop of past projects, Grand Rapids musicians Jake Stilson, Jon Pataky, Nick Alexander and Josh McBryde now revel in pure country, with a new EP in hand. They play The Pyramid Scheme on Friday. Check out the video and listen to the Local Spins Live radio podcast.
Music with a Conscience: MAJIC series boasts ‘eclectic offerings’ of concerts, strives to benefit ‘Heartside Neighborhood and beyond’
With a diverse musical roster that includes Seth Bernard & May Erlewine, Steve Hilger and series-starter Ralston Bowles, Bethlehem Lutheran Church south of downtown Grand Rapids offers music and art to support social justice causes and aid the Heartside area. Read the story about this unique series and check out the full lineup.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The Ragbirds, Jim Lauderdale, Gwar, Murder Party, Yonder Mountain String Band, AOK, Lady Ace Boogie: Show Recap, Photo Gallery
There’s no shortage of colorful oddness, passion and down-home charm in the roundup of recent concerts across West Michigan, from The Orbit Room to Bell’s Brewery to Seven Steps Up. Check out the photo galleries and show recap.
Commentary · Concert reviews · Photos
Lamp Light Music Festival: A ‘cultural hub’ of musical diversity and intimate sets where anything is possible
The first two days of 2015’s Eastown house concert event have boasted jam-packed crowds and buoyant optimism about Grand Rapids’ musical future. See the photo gallery from the first two days, and check out the Sunday schedule.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Local Spins on WYCE: The Muteflutes hone their sound, plus new tracks by Fine Fine Titans, E. Andrei, The Appleseed Collective
Grand Rapids folk-rockers The Muteflutes are preparing to record a new album this winter. They gave fans a sneak peek into two new songs during Local Spins on WYCE. Listen to the radio podcast, including new tracks by regional acts.
Audio · Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
Lamp Light Music Festival set for ‘incredibly spirited’ weekend of intimate house concerts
The extraordinary, unique event returns to Eastown with 33 diverse performances, plus classes and workshops, all unfolding in three homes. Get the lowdown here and check out Local Spins’ “five acts to catch” at Lamp Light 2015.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Halloween 2015: Bassnectar thrills DeltaPlex, Halloween on Ionia reigns despite rain, The B.O.B. screams silver screen (Photo Gallery)
Indoors and out, West Michigan celebrated Halloween with a lively mix of music, from The Crane Wives at Founders Brewing to the Red Sea Pedestrians at Bell’s Brewery in Kalamazoo to Genetics with Desmond Jones at The Stache. See the resplendent Local Spins photo gallery.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Lettuce, Dianne Reeves, Old Dominion, Skulx, Billy Strings, Tunde Olaniran, Lady Ace Boogie: Show Recap and Photo Gallery
The week in live music leading up to Halloween covered funk, jazz, bluegrass, R&B, hip hop and folk. And that eclectic mix was captured in images at Local Spins. Check out the photo gallery, with more to come from Halloween night.
DJ Todd Ernst’s EDM Top 10: The Local Spins Guest Playlist
Many of Halloween’s costume-bedecked spectacles on Saturday will be fueled by electronic dance music, so Local Spins asked a Grand Rapids DJ to concoct a mesmerizing Top 10 EDM playlist to get the parties started early. Check out his picks in video and on Spotify.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows
Tunde Olaniran’s dynamic, energetic, uplifting pop- and dance-fired R&B: The Local Spins Q&A
The fast-rising Flint phenom headlines a Grand Rapids show at The Pyramid Scheme for the first time on Friday and promises a ‘beat-driven’ night with a special guest. Read the Local Spins Q & A by Jonathan Beatty and listen to this week’s Local Spins on WYCE podcast featuring an in-studio performance by Olaniran.
Halloween Hoopla: 13 frightfully fun, monstrously musical West Michigan parties to get your ghoul on
For Local Spins readers, 13 is a lucky number. With the harrowing holiday falling on a weekend, we’ve picked a baker’s dozen of Halloween bashes to haunt your Saturday night. Check out the full list, then pull out your craziest costume.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Melanie Martinez, Zedd, Heaters, Jars of Clay, Smallpools, Grace Potter: Show Recap, Photo Galleries
The string of eclectic shows started with Tav Falco’s Panther Burns and included Jars of Clay, Of Montreal, Brad Fritcher’s MOODS, Mipso, Shawn Mullins, Youth Lagoon and much more. Check out all the images from a week of scintillating live music in West Michigan.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Local Spins on WYCE: Shane Tripp plus new music from Borns, The Great Indoors, Fred Knapp Trio, Laura Rain
Episode No. 59 of Local Spins on WYCE was a special Fund Drive affair, with an in-studio performance by Shane Tripp and the debut of songs by Jared Sjoblom, Frederic & Ronza and many more regional acts. Listen to the full radio podcast and check out the video of an acoustic in-studio performance.
Breaking music news · Features
Joshua Davis surprised by ‘incredibly ironic,’ unauthorized use of song by Jeb Bush’s campaign
The Traverse City singer-songwriter says Bush’s campaign has agreed to stop using the song he wrote years ago. But he loses some conservative fans who’ve expressed their displeasure with Davis on Facebook.
The Go Rounds, The Verve Pipe, Kari Lynch, Sick Smile, Fauxgrass: October Music Video Picks
Local Spins opens up its screening room to showcase a diverse collection of videos by Michigan artists with plenty to offer for the eyes as well as the ears. The Go Rounds, The Verve Pipe and Kari Lynch lead the way with compelling new videos, boasting some familiar settings and faces. Check out this October video roundup.
A star is Borns: Grand Haven-bred pop singer electrifies New York fans, CMJ and beyond
With a new album, an appearance on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” and a string of sold-out concerts in New York City and beyond, West Michigan native Garrett Borns may be on the verge of becoming a bona fide pop phenomenon. Read Local Spins’ exclusive back-stage interview and check out the photo gallery from a recent concert in The Big Apple.
Clutch, Disclosure, Amy Grant, Nate Ruess, Dizzybird Records anniversary: Show Recap and Weekend Photo Gallery
Check out the updated Local Spins Weekend Photo Gallery, including images from the Dizzybird Records anniversary show. When it comes to live music, October’s midway point sparked some gems, with local and regional artists getting into the act, too: Organissimo, Lucas Wilson, Mid-Life Crisis, Josh Rose and others.
Clutch, Disclosure, Amy Grant, Nate Ruess, Dizzybird Records anniversary: Show Recap and Weekend Photo Gallery
When it comes to live music, October’s midway point sparked some gems, with local and regional artists getting into the act, too: Organissimo, Lucas Wilson, Mid-Life Crisis, Josh Rose and others. Check out the colorful images.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Upcoming shows
Grand Rapids’ Watching for Foxes enhances its lush folk-rock sound, settles on ‘forever lineup’
With its expanded lineup, the band made a studio appearance for Local Spins on WYCE, will release a new single next week and plans to record a new album later this fall. Read the back story about this band that “reaches to all ends of the emotional and musical spectrum,” check out its new video and listen to the full radio podcast with new songs by a host of West Michigan bands.
Most musical ArtPrize ever? St. Cecilia awards ArtPrize song contest winners $1,000 prizes
In a ceremony Thursday at St. Cecilia Music Center, 10 Michigan songwriters and bands were honored in five categories of the competition, which included dozens of “busking” performances by contestants. And check out the photo gallery of some of ArtPrize 2015’s musical moments.
Are listening rooms the final outpost for music? Singer-songwriter Josh Rose @ The Musicians’ Soundboard
In a guest column, the Grand Rapids musician suggests the no-frills, no-texting, no-talking vibe of a listening room can be a moving experience for fans and performers alike. Another Local Spins essay giving a voice to West Michigan musicians on topics dear to their hearts.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Commentary
15 West Michigan acts to watch: The fall 2015 Local Spins list of buzz-worthy bands
Beyond the well-known breakout artists already stepping out nationally are a host of emerging, under-the-radar West Michigan bands and solo acts. Here’s 15 of them to check out in words and music, from Hollywood Makeout to hi-ker to J. Rob to Shane Tripp to Cardboard Swords to Brother Adams.
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
Zellie’s Opry House re-opens with gospel, bluegrass, new sound system, upgraded seating and same ‘special feel’
After a planned sale of the historic building fell through, owners of the Howard City venue will reopen the unique and popular music venue later this month — a move that will surely please acoustic players across the region. Read more about the developments and check out the concert series schedule.
Charles Bradley, An Dro, Hastings Roots Music Festival, Beats Antique, Dopapod: Recap and Photo Gallery
The Eddy music festival wrapped up with Bradley and his soulful band on Saturday, a day which also saw compelling performances from An Dro, Beats Antique and bands playing the Hasting Roots Music Festival. Check out the photo gallery and video.
Charles Bradley, An Dro, Hastings Roots Music Festival, Beats Antique, Dopapod: Recap and Photo Gallery
The Eddy music festival wrapped up with Bradley and his soulful band on Saturday, a day which also saw compelling performances from An Dro and bands playing the Hasting Roots Music Festival. Check out the images and a video at Local Spins, plus photos from Dopapod in Kalamazoo.
New Vintage Place concert series expands West Michigan’s jazz experience; launches Tuesday with Organissimo
The twice-monthly West Michigan Jazz Society concerts will boast a quiet listening room, a dress code and different shades of the genre to take the spectrum of regional jazz — from modern to experimental — ‘up a notch.’ Check out the details and the full schedule of shows.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
American WiFi, Big Sherb, The Go Rounds, Flint Eastwood, Billy Strings, Hank Mowery, TAUK, Valentiger: Recap, Photo Galleries
ArtPrize dominated the entertainment landscape in its final week, but there was some boffo music to be found in the Grand Rapids area if you knew where to find it. Local Spins did. Check out the photo gallery from this week’s live music spectacles.
MusicPrize: The Accidentals, Amanda Vernon, Roger MacNaughton, The Legal Immigrants, AOK, Matthew Fisher lead pack of 10 song contest winners in 2015 ArtPrize competition
With separate public and critics’ awards, twice as many songwriters were honored by St. Cecilia Music Center in this year’s ArtPrize contest. Roger MacNaughton has won for the third time in four years. Check out the full list of winners, listen to the songs and check out the reaction of winners.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
An Dro pulling out all the stops for Fountain Street Church CD-release show
The Celtic music faves discussed the ambitious new album during this week’s edition of Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted new tracks by Brotha James, Dave Hardin, Bootstrap Boys, Major Murphy and Lapdogs.
The Eddy trims lineup, shows in revamping downtown Grand Rapids music festival
Lagging, disappointing turnouts and low ticket sales for concerts force Traverse City promoter to scale back lineups for remaining shows at the outdoor venue. Sunday’s Beatles tribute concert has been canceled, but the Charles Bradley concert on Saturday is still a go.
Artist Spotlights · Podcasts · Upcoming shows
Lucas Wilson: Straddling the line between soulful rocker and pensive singer-songwriter
The Grand Rapids singer who left Sweet Japonic several years ago has a new rock band, The Bad Disciples, which plans to release its debut album later this year. Wilson also plans to record a solo EP. Read the story, listen to the podcast and check out the video of a new Wilson song.
Artist Spotlights · Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
Bluegrass phenom Billy Strings exploring solo and side projects; plays special SpeakEZ Lounge show with Mark Lavengood
With the Billy Strings & Don Julin duo starting to “pull back” from performing quite as much, the Ionia-bred guitarist is writing songs and reveling in jams with other musical pals. He’s performing several times in Grand Rapids this week, including an early evening show at SpeakEZ Lounge on Wednesday. Read the story, check out the video.
Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
Inaugural Hastings Roots Music Festival to offer jam-packed Saturday of Michigan folk, bluegrass and Americana stars
The Ragbirds, Big Dudee Roo, Fauxgrass, Peter Madcat Ruth, Nicholas James & The Bandwagon, Chuck Whiting and more will pump up downtown Hastings for the free celebration. Read the story and check out the full Saturday schedule.
Joshua Davis, Troll for Trout, Fauxgrass, Heartsick, Marshall Crenshaw, Kim Richey, Chris DuPont: Weekend Photo Gallery
Outside the hoopla of ArtPrize and the new Eddy music festival, venues from the lakeshore to Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo hosted some special shows this past week. Check out the images and recaps at Local Spins.
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