The hard-gigging, honky-tonking country/rockabilly/Americana band plans to fire up Founders Brewing on Thursday night with songs from its new album before heading back on the road and into the recording studio for its next project. Read the story, watch the on-air studio performance, listen to the podcast.
Pop singer-songwriter Borns: The Local Spins Guest Playlist
The Grand Haven native who’s made a splash in Los Angeles and beyond, returns to Michigan for a couple of summer shows in his home state. Before that, he shared a playlist of favorite songs with Local Spins. Get an update on the buzz he’s created, and check out his Top 10 roster of tunes, related videos and a Spotify playlist.
Del McCoury Band, Bela Fleck and Abigail Washburn get plucky, rootsy, folky and plain happy in Grand Rapids show
Banjos-and-bluegrass night at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park on Monday had some legendary, veteran players sharing the bill for a night of jamming and story-telling. Read the Local Spins review and check out the photo gallery.
Electric Forest 2015 lights up and winds down: The final volley (Photo gallery)
On the fourth day in the woods of Rothbury, about 45,000 gleeful, radiant and tired hippie-hued music fans continued to celebrate with the likes of Yonder Mountain String Band, The Accidentals, String Cheese Incident and Gramatik before packing up. Check out the final photo gallery and roundup of this spectacle in Rothbury.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Madison Rising, American WiFi, Heartless Bastards, Jim Shaneberger, Anti-Flag, Water Festival: Weekend Photo Gallery
No shortage of live music options across West Michigan now that summer is in full swing, captured here in images, from return of West Michigan Freedom Cruise and the Celadon series to Time & Luck in Spring Lake. Check out the mini-reviews and full photo gallery at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts · Videos
Electric Forest’s Day 2 groove: From Skrillex to String Cheese to Charles Bradley to The Accidentals (Story, video, photos)
Day 1 at Electric Forest was about the fans. Day 2 was about the bands, with Traverse City’s Accidentals making a significant splash while being awed by the wondrous spectacle of this festival in the woods. Read the story and check out the photo gallery and video highlights.
Concert reviews · Features · Photos
Electric Forest throngs unfurl dazzling, colorful display on opening day (Photo gallery)
Descending once again upon the tiny community of Rothbury, north of Muskegon, 40,000 wild and exuberant fans from across the globe created a special vibe on Thursday as the four-day festival kicked off in glorious fashion. Check out the amazing photo gallery by Anthony Norkus of Local Spins and come back all weekend for more coverage.
Features · Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows · Videos
Grand River Water Festival meshes impassioned celebration of water resources with talented regional bands
It’s an exceptional collection of acts on tap Sunday for the festival at Riverside Park: Peter “Madcat” Ruth, Fauxgrass, Drew Nelson, K. Jones & The Benzie Playboys, Seth and May and much more. Read the story and see the complete schedule, which you can save on your smartphone.
Breaking music news · Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
Trace Adkins headlines first-ever Ionia Country jam in August with regional country acts on the docket, too
Benefiting two charities, the jam at the Ionia Free Fair also will feature Steve Azar, Gunnar & The Grizzly Boys, Kari Lynch, Steve Rivers and Shelby Ann-Marie. Tickets go on sale today. Read more about the inaugural event at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts
Gary Clark Jr. turns up volume with inspiring take on the blues at Meijer Gardens
The gracious Austin-based guitarist and his band reflected a “beautiful, amazing” vibe at the outdoor amphitheater on Wednesday, uncorking a show to remember. Read the review and check out the photo gallery at Local Spins.
Features · Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
Electric Forest to showcase fast-rising Michigan acts The Accidentals, Ragbirds, Flint Eastwood
‘Mind-blowing’ West Michigan festival led by String Cheese Incident and Bassnectar creates ‘strange wonderland’ starring select regional acts, with Grand Rapids’ Rick Chyme set to join The Accidentals on stage. Read the story and check out the weekend performance schedule for The Accidentals, The Ragbirds and Flint Eastwood.
Artist Spotlights · Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
Gary Clark Jr. bassist Johnny Bradley recalls ‘great times’ cutting teeth as musician in Grand Rapids, proud to play with Clark
Playing with West Michigan’s Junior Valentine and Hank Mowery in the ’90s helped set the stage for the Austin-based musician’s fortuitous relationship with Clark, who stops at Meijer Gardens Wednesday. Read the exclusive Local Spins interview with Bradley, who’s spent the past five years in Clark’s band.
Concert reviews · Summer Concerts · Weekend Photo Gallery
Trombone Shorty gets party started, ends weekend at Meijer Gardens on high note: Local Spins Weekend Photo Gallery
Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue’s debut at Meijer Gardens was just the capper on a music-filled week in the Grand Rapids area, captured in images at Local Spins. Check out the review of Sunday’s show, along with photos of concerts from the past week, including the Battle of the Bands finals at The Intersection.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Upcoming shows
Joshua and Lindsay Lou Rilko to wrap up ‘fresh’ Time & Luck mini-tour in Spring Lake on break from Lindsay Lou & The Flatbellys
After returning from Scotland, the couple takes its folk/bluegrass duo project on the road, with plenty more Flatbellys travels on the horizon. Read the back story about Time & Luck and learn what’s next for The Flatbellys.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Nahko and Medicine for the People energize Grand Rapids’ Founders Fest (Review, photos, video)
Several thousand music and beer fans once again jammed streets outside Founders Brewing on Saturday for sets by Nahko, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Gringo Star, Elephant Revival, Billy Strings & Don Julin, Devin & The Dead Frets, Organissimo and those lovable FBC All-Stars. Read the round-up and check out the photo gallery and video.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
AOK, Hawks & Owls: Local Spins on WYCE podcast, video (June 19, 2015)
Grand Rapids old-timey folk group Hawks & Owls came in to perform and chat about the upcoming Grand River Water Festival, while electronic/rock duo AOK talked about their upcoming video release party at Mexicains Sans Frontieres. Plus more local gems. Listen to the entire podcast and check out a video of Hawks & Owls performing in-studio.
Michael Franti captivates fans in parking lot, on stage, in crowd at Meijer Gardens
Franti and his band, Spearhead, brought their love-infused reggae fusion to an adoring sold-out crowd Thursday night at the outdoor
amphitheater, even serenading fans in the parking lot before the show. Read the review and check out the photo gallery.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
‘Delta Blues’: First 97LAV Summertime Blues at DeltaPlex draws impressive turnout; Indigo Girls rev up fans in return to Meijer Gardens
Ignoring a little rain, a hefty throng of blues fans and bikers embraced the relocated Blues on the Mall series, while others cheered a much-beloved Atlanta folk-rock duo at the Meijer Gardens amphitheater on the other side of town. Check out the photo gallery, video and reviews.
Local Spins Guest Playlist: The Crane Wives
Here’s a great soundtrack to kick off the summer, courtesy of folk-rock’s The Crane Wives, with My Morning Jacket, Lake Street Dive, Radiohead, Shakey Graves and more spotlighted in their Guest Playlist. Check out all the tracks, videos and a Spotify version to play.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Stovepipe Stover drums up busy music career with ‘one-man band contraption’ and lots of ‘weird stuff’
Now based in Traverse City after years in Grand Rapids, Stover is recording a new studio album at Amber Lit Audio and literally writing ‘365 Songs for 365 People.’ He plays Elk Brewing on Thursday. Read the back story of this remarkable one-man band and watch a video of him playing his contraption.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Buttermilk Jamboree, B93 Birthday Bash, Andy Frasco, Rockford Start of Summer: Weekend Photo Galleries (June 14, 2015)
Despite some rainy weather, the shows must go on. And they did, with country’s Jake Owens and more in Martin, regional stars at Circle Pines Center, rock and blues in Rockford, and indoor gems in Grand Rapids. Check out three full photo galleries from all the events and a roundup of the week’s musical action at Local Spins.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Big Dudee Roo, Rick Chyme, Vox Vidorra: Local Spins on WYCE for June 12 (Podcast, videos)
The super-deluxe, star-studded edition of Local Spins on WYCE (Episode No. 42) boasted in-studio appearances and performances by acts offering up house concerts in a WYCE auction, plus brand new music from Scott Pellegrom and The Tosspints. Check out the podcast and watch the video of the first-ever live collaboration between Big Dudee Roo and Rick Chyme.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
Drummer Scott Pellegrom unleashes diverse ‘SuperNaturalBang’ with ‘mad scientist’ approach
The renowned, in-demand Spring Lake percussionist who likes to ‘take risks, jump off the ledge and even be chaotic’ hosts a CD-release show at Founders Brewing on Saturday. Read the back story behind the drummer’s new recording.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Videos
‘The Voice’ star Joshua Davis to play Grand Rapids’ Fountain Street Church in July
Sparked by his third-place finish on the NBC show, the Traverse City singer-songwriter has a crazy Michigan summer concert schedule ahead. Tickets for the Grand Rapids show go on sale Friday. Get details and information about other upcoming Davis concerts.
Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
Buttermilk Jamboree’s quaint vibe, impressive musical lineup to highlight weekend at Circle Pines Center
Set in an out-of-the-way camp between Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo, the three-day fest boasts sets by Billy Strings & Don Julin, The Crane Wives, The Accidentals, Alexis, Maraj, Brown Rice Family, That 1 Guy, Sparky & Rhonda Rucker and more. See the full schedule and save it on your smartphone.
Concert reviews · Summer Concerts
Jazz in the Park series launches in new downtown location with cheerful crowd
This year’s move from the zoo to Ah-Nab-Awen Park gets some mixed reviews but mostly a thumbs up from most fans who applauded the picturesque spot and sets from the West Ottawa High School Jazz Band on Monday night. Check out the story and photo gallery.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
Local Spins on WYCE: Psych-garage rock’s Heaters, plus new tracks by The Legal Immigrants, The Accidentals, more
Psych/garage/surf rock’s Heaters kicked off the Local First Street Party, then plan to head to the East Coast. But first, they stopped by Local Spins on WYCE to play a brand new spacey song in Studio X and talk about their music. Check out the exclusive video of an unreleased new song and listen to the radio podcast, which features new material from The Legal Immigrants, The Accidentals and much more.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Festival of the Arts, Local First, Sun of a Beach turn downtown Grand Rapids into music-filled street party (Photo gallery, videos)
Grand Rapids overflowed with outdoor stages and nearly non-stop live music this weekend from a mind-bending array of artists. Check out the Local Spins photo gallery and some video highlights from Festival and what was likely the biggest Local First Street Party ever.
Artist Spotlights · Live at River City · Podcasts · Videos
The Accidentals: Magical, ‘always evolving’ and poised for musical prosperity (Local Spins Live at River City Studios video, podcast)
In another exclusive video performance and interview, Traverse City’s hottest trio talks about being on the road as minors, an upcoming new studio album and being ‘socially awkward.’ And check out in-studio performances of brand new unreleased songs.
Grand Funk Railroad fires up classic rock nostalgia in Grand Rapids for Meijer Gardens season opener
Grand weather and happy fans greeted the Mark Farner-less but familiar Michigan bunch, paced by Don Brewer and Mel Schacher. Read the review and check out the photo gallery at Local Spins.
Features · Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
Hot hip hop to powerful pop to punchy rock: Local Spins’ Festival 2015 music picks
With hundreds of West Michigan performers jamming stages in downtown Grand Rapids this weekend, Local Spins spotlights some must-see acts in this guide to “the best of Fest,” courtesy of Local Spins writers and some well-known local musicians. See who’ve they’ve picked.
Built to Spill flows with audience-tantalizing, psychedelic indie-rock at Founders Brewing
The Grand Rapids taproom’s special Sunday night show packed the place with fans of the celebrated indie-rockers. Check out the photo gallery and roundup of the concert.
Commentary · Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
Meijer Gardens series survives and thrives through growing pains, sells out 15 concerts before opening Grand Funk Railroad show
Despite some detractors, the intimate outdoor amphitheater unleashes its 13th season with a Michigan classic rock band and follows that with an eclectic mix of acts, old and young. Read the Local Spins commentary, and see which 15 concerts already have sold out.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The Outer Vibe, The Crane Wives, Wayland, Sepultura, American WiFi: Local Spins Weekend Photo Gallery
The Crane Wives, Max Lockwood and Tom Hymn packed Grand Rapids’ SpeakEZ Lounge like never before, while The Outer Vibe celebrated release of its new album with American WiFi, Desmond Jones and Watching for Foxes. Check out the photos and video, plus images from concerts by Wayland and Sepultura,
Commentary · Concert reviews · Videos
Low Cut Connie: True rock ‘n’ roll phenoms from Philly tear it up at the Tip Top
The band’s first-ever Grand Rapids appearance on Friday night was a show unlike anything this reviewer has ever experienced. Check out the Local Spins review and video snippets from the show.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Local Spins on WYCE · Videos
Singer-songwriter Brett Mitchell thrives on the road, embraces northern Michigan’s vibrant music scene
Playing Rockford Brewing tonight (Friday) with his band, the drummer and guitarist continues to churn out catchy pop-rock. Watch a video of a new song and listen to the radio podcast of Local Spins on WYCE No. 40 with the debut of new tracks by Peat in the Creel, Bong Mountain, Rochelle & The Spoilers and more.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
The Fever Haze keeps it loud and fresh, with album-release show and Midwest tour on tap
The Holland-area rock band unveils “Dear Fate” June 3 at The Pyramid Scheme in Grand Rapids, aims to never play ‘the exact same show twice.’ Read the story and listen to a track from the upcoming new album.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Weekend Photo Gallery
Devin & The Dead Frets, Ryley Walker, Nathan Kalish & The Lastcallers: Weekend Photo Gallery & Local Spins on WYCE
The third week in May revved up with Ryley Walker, the return of Nathan Kalish & The Lastcallers, Buses by the Beach and the Local Spins Third Anniversary Celebration at Rockford Brewing with Devin & The Dead Frets, who also appeared on the 39th edition of Local Spins on WYCE. Check out the photos, listen to the podcast.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
Grand River Water Festival, Muskegon Bike Time, Acoustic Cafe Series, Sonic Lunch boast national, regional stars
Summer and fall concert announcements keep rolling out, with rootsy Michigan acts playing Riverside Park in June, Lynyrd Skynyrd firing up Bike Time, Steel Wheels launching the Acoustic Cafe series, and Martha Reeves and Joshua Davis playing Ann Arbor’s Sonic Lunch. See all the lineups in this Local Spins roundup.
Concert reviews · Features · Photos
These buses are rockin’: Buses by the Beach benefit ‘one of the coolest events’ to kick off summer 2015
Invigorating sets by The Accidentals, Fauxgrass and Bigfoot Buffalo – plus a display of all those vintage VW buses – capped Saturday’s timeless entertainment. Read the re-cap of Saturday’s big day along Lake Michigan, check out the Local Spins photo gallery and listen to audio from Friday’s set by Roosevelt Diggs.
Breaking music news · Features
Finishing third ‘perfect’: Joshua Davis relieved ‘The Voice’ is over, ‘happy and concerned’ for Sawyer Fredericks
In a Local Spins interview, the northern Michigan singer-songwriter says it’s ‘really good to be home’ and planning his next move after a star-studded experience on the NBC show. But would he do it all over again?
Artist Spotlights · Podcasts · Videos
Plain Jane Glory: Nothing plain about Muskegon duo’s striking, harmony-laden Americana
Michael Boxer and Laura Crosswait, formerly known as Fiddleface, already have one album under their belts with another in the works. They play Rockford Brewing on Thursday night. Read the back story about this fast-emerging band and check out an exclusive video of a new song.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
Ann Arbor’s Rootstand aims to get fans ‘dancing wildly’ with bluegrass-hued blend
The band closes out this weekend’s Buses by the Beach benefit along Lake Michigan, with The Accidentals, Roosevelt Diggs and more also performing. Rootstand releases a new EP this summer, followed by “focused” touring. Read the Local Spins feature and see the full Bus Benefit lineup.
Breaking music news · Commentary · Videos
Sawyer Fredericks tops Joshua Davis to win ‘The Voice’ finale
Michigan songwriter Joshua Davis made an “incredible” run to the finals of the NBC singing competition. Finishing third is actually a plus: He’s now a national star with a bright future. Read the Local Spins commentary and check out a video of Davis’ on-air debut of an original song.
Buddy Guy, Pokey LaFarge, Slipknot, The Used, Bob Dylan Tribute, Bona-Who, Jamnesty: Weekend Photo Gallery
The week started with the Pigpen Theatre Company’s theatrical folk and kept rolling with Brad Fritcher’s MOODS, Pokey LaFarge, Billy Strings & Don Julin, some mid-May festivals and plenty more, captured in images at Local Spins.
The bluesman ‘had it all’: Michigan musicians pay tribute to B.B. King, cite influence of ‘national treasure’
The death of the legendary bluesman earlier this week is being mourned by Michigan musicians influenced by his music, including Jimmie Stagger, Greg Nagy, Jim Shaneberger and more. Read their tributes.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
Holland’s Great Notion crafts original music to expand its Grateful Dead tribute act approach
Headlining Saturday’s Bob Dylan Tribute show at Founders Brewing, the band with a Deadhead following also hopes to start recording a studio album of its own material later this year. Read the band profile, listen to the podcast and check out the photos at Local Spins.
Marilyn Manson: America’s darkest nightmare now nostalgic Vaudevillian oddity (Review)
Entertaining in a less disturbing sort of way that might frighten only grandmothers and politicians, the 46-year-old shock rocker brought his Hell Not Hallelujah tour to Grand Rapids on Wednesday night. But he and his fans still make a colorful spectacle. Check out the photos by Anthony Norkus and review by Brian J. Bowe.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
Freedom Cruise returns in late June; Celadon series, East Grand Rapids, Grand Haven, Sparta to host free concerts
Summer 2015 heats up with return of several popular music-related events and series in Grand Rapids, Walker, East Grand Rapids, Grand Haven and Sparta. See the full lineups and details.
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