Commentary · Guest Column · Upcoming shows
The DAAC is reopening its doors in Grand Rapids, three years after it was forced to move from S. Division Avenue. Musician John Hanson has felt the power of the all-ages arts collective, inspiring this guest column for Local Spins.
Announcements · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Michigan acts and stars from across the globe pump up this year’s Blissfest lineup. Regular advance tickets for the July 8-10 festival are now on sale. Check out some of the featured acts in the 2016 lineup.
Announcements · Breaking music news · Videos
The first single in the Earthwork Music collective’s unique project will feature Seth Bernard’s take on a 2010 May Erlewine song. That comes out Friday, with new covers by Earthwork Music artists released monthly and a full album set to be completed next winter.
The two-day event at West Ottawa High School boasts 28 bands, including familiar names American WiFi, Brother Adams, Olivia Mainville, Midwest Skies, Red Legs, Lipstick Jodi and a variety of emerging high school acts, all playing for a good cause. Check out the full, downloadable schedule.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
The Red Sea Pedestrians, Megan Dooley, Neil Jacobs, Dragon Wagon, Nicholas James & The Bandwagon, Bob Rowe, Fauxgrass and much more lit up downtown Kalamazoo for the day-long celebration. Read the festival recap and check out the photo gallery and video, which includes a mini-tour of the festival.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Local Spins on WYCE · Videos
The band of siblings which plays Grand Rapids Wednesday boasts an eclectic approach. Watch the video and listen to the Local Spins on WYCE radio podcast which includes the premiere of new tracks by The Crane Wives, Devin & The Dead Frets, The Balsam Brothers, Dear Tracks, Paddy’s Cure, The Lippies and more
Announcements · Upcoming shows · Videos
On the same day he announced he’ll be releasing a new recording in April, the Traverse City singer-songwriter played during a Michigan appearance by the Democratic presidential candidate and called it an honor. Watch a sneak peek video of one of Davis’ new songs.
Breaking music news · Features · Videos
A haunting music video earns a Duluth fiddler the top prize in the NPR Music contest that drew 6,100 entries, including dozens submitted by West Michigan artists. Read the story and check out the winning video.
Features · Upcoming shows · Venue Spotlight
Gary and Michelle Hanks’ Pin Drop Concerts series has showcased more than 200 artists in the Seven Steps Up listening room since 2011, with plenty more to come. They say it’s been an addictive adventure. Read the story behind this unique Spring Lake venue and learn more about the fifth anniversary show on Friday.
The free weekend Fretboard Festival at Kalamazoo Valley Museum kicks off Friday night with The Crane Wives, followed by a full Saturday of workshops and more than a dozen performances, including sets by Red Sea Pedestrians, Neil Jacobs, Dragon Wagon, Fauxgrass, Joel Mabus and a host of other Michigan acts. Check out the full schedule.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements
Thirteen years in, Hoxeyville continues to stay “fresh” with regional and national roots music talent playing in the Manistee National Forest, with artists ranging from Luke Winslow King to The Accidentals to The Go Rounds on the bill for this August festival. Weekend passes are on sale now.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Hip hop, country, folk, pop, rock and jazz: West Michigan’s week of live music targeted aficionados of diverse acts and didn’t disappoint, from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo. Lil Wayne even visited a local skate park. Check out the photo galleries, only at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Concert reviews · Photos
Showcasing the diversity of West Michigan’s talent, WYCE’s annual awards show boasted a capacity crowd, more than two dozen dynamic performances and a host of happy prize winners. Check out the complete winners’ list and a photo gallery from Friday night’s revelry.
Artist Spotlights · Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
After ‘a great run’ of 15 years, the popular West Michigan acoustic cover band will play its farewell show Saturday night at One Trick Pony in downtown Grand Rapids. Read the back story and watch a video at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
The Grammy-winning singer-songwriter plays Grand Rapids’ St. Cecilia Music Center this week, touring behind her “Uncovered” album with a Steve Earle duo project on the horizon. Read the Local Spins interview.
Features · Local Spins on WYCE · Upcoming shows · Videos
Industry honchos descended on the Grammy Awards in L.A. this week, but the really big show for West Michigan music takes place Friday at The Intersection in Grand Rapids. And it’s no contest which is better. Check out the full schedule and a list of ‘acts to watch’ at the 2016 Jammies hosted by WYCE.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
From Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo to Grand Haven, February’s first week delivered diverse performances, including shows from Joshua Davis, The Accidentals, Black Jake, The Bangups, Watching for Foxes, Roosevelt Diggs and a superstar tribute to David Bowie. Check out the photos at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The new Grand Rapids duo of Elroy Meltzer is readying release of its debut album and ramping up its gigging schedule for 2016. Check out the interview and performance, plus listen to tracks by a host of West Michigan artists, from Drew Nelson and Joshua Davis to Boy From School and Big Boss Blues.
For more than three years in the heart of downtown Holland, Our Brewing has offered up 20 taps, a “bring your own food” vibe and a cozy performance spot for live weekly music. Check out the latest in the Local Spins series on unique West Michigan music venues and take a video mini-tour of the brewpub.
Getting folks “watching and talking about new music.” That’s the goal of Michigan artists — from Valentiger to The Bootstrap Boys to the Appleseed Collective — who’ve submitted video entries into this year’s Tiny Desk Concert contest sponsored by NPR. Read the back story and check out the video entries here.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
This week’s Local Spins on WYCE in-studio guests gave things some punk wallop in Studio X, plus new tracks from Public Access, Dede & The Dreamers, Miriam Pico, Blue Water Ramblers and much more. Read the story, listen to the radio podcast, check out the exclusive video of I Believe in Julio’s on-air performance.
Artist Spotlights · Podcasts · Upcoming shows · Videos
Kari Lynch returns to West Michigan this week to play the Local Spins Wednesdays series at SpeakEZ Lounge in Grand Rapids (Aug. 24). Read the story about her Nashville experience and upcoming new album, then check out an exclusive Local Spins video of a new Lynch song.
Album reviews · Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
With its sophomore album being unveiled Thursday at Founders Brewing, the alt-country-styled Grand Rapids band has enhanced its sound with a drummer, diverse songs and a harmony-driven vibe. Learn about the band’s journey, listen to the radio podcast and watch the video of a new song.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
This week’s musical potpourri spanned every genre imaginable, with contributions from Willy Porter, Valentiger, Less Is More, Mark Lavengood Bluegrass Bonanza, Stovepipe Stover, Katy Needs a Band and others. They were all part of the photo roundup. Plus check out video highlights from an unusual edition of Music in the Stacks.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Guitarist, Dobro-meister and mandolinist Mark Lavengood brought his solo version of the Bluegrass Bonanza to Local Spins on WYCE, with Scott and Molly Schultz of Vox Vidorra adding soul to the radio show. Listen to the full radio podcast and check out the video at Local Spins.
The Grand Rapids area is becoming a mecca for music partly because its musicians relish backing each other in so many ways. And that bodes well for the future. Read the Local Spins commentary by editor and publisher John Sinkevics.
Announcements · Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
Community radio station WYCE-FM’s 2016 mega-party at The Intersection on Feb. 19 will feature 23 bands on two stages, with Bigfoot Buffalo, The Waxies, Rick Chyme and many more in the mix. And singer-songwriter Ralston Bowles will be honored with a Legacy Award. See the entire lineup.
Upcoming shows · Venue Spotlight · Videos
The Local Spins series focusing on interesting — and sometimes off-the-beaten-path — music venues continues with a look at a popular Grand Haven brewery that hosts shows weekly. Read the story, check out the photos and video, and peruse the upcoming lineup of live music performances.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
New and familiar West Michigan venues hosted spirited performances over the past week by the likes of Bigfoot Buffalo, Lady Ace Boogie, Olivia Mainville & The Aquatic Troupe, Dead Eye Zack, Mavericks & Monarchs and Dear Tracks — documented in Local Spins photo galleries.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins Live · Videos
The celebrated Holland teen who fronts Olivia Mainville & The Aquatic Troupe hosts a CD-release show at SpeakEZ Lounge on Wednesday night, with a major out-of-state tour lying ahead.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
Episode No. 70 of Local Spins on WYCE featured from Kalamazoo singer-songwriter Megan Dooley with bassist Jason Walker, plus Rick Chyme chatting about a new project and the debut of fresh regional album tracks. Listen to the complete podcast at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
It was a week of legends, legendary performances and coming-out parties for new ventures and future legends in their respective genres across West Michigan, captured in images at Local Spins. View several different photo galleries from shows in Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo and Grand Haven.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Winter Wheat set a record for attendance on Saturday while lining up all-star bands in fiery performances on two stages for nearly 12 hours on Saturday at The Intersection. Soak up the vibe from this special event in this Local Spins recap, photo gallery and video highlights.
Breaking music news · Concert reviews · Features · Photos
In a close vote, the acts vying to play the Kalamazoo Fretboard Festival topped nine other diverse West Michigan bands and solo artists during a jam-packed Friday event at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum. Read a recap of the evening and view a full photo gallery from the competition.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins Live · Podcasts · Videos
With his band finishing up its third album, Jake Kalmink also brings other artists’ “vision to life” in the studio. He debuted a new song live on the air this week for Local Spins Live. Check out the video and podcast; The Fever Haze plays Grand Rapids on Thursday night.
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
The Accidentals, The Ragbirds, Brian Vander Ark and more will grace the monthly concerts in downtown Grand Haven, presented by the Red House Concert Series. See the full schedule of upcoming shows.
Saturday’s day-long Winter Wheat fest at The Intersection boasts dancing, 12 bands on two stages — including The Accidentals, Billy Strings & Don Julin and Roosevelt Diggs — and a “family reunion” vibe for musicians. Read the story behind this singular event and check out the full schedule.
Another busy year for music gave fans much to celebrate, with Local Spins spotlighting a fast-growing scene that’s producing stellar talent – some of it basking in the national spotlight.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Holiday hoopla and homecomings: West Michigan’s music scene was full of both this weekend as Christmas approached, with the story told through images at Local Spins. Check out the local and regional stars in the weekend photo gallery.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE
Check out the in-studio performance by this new super-group of musicians from three different bands, plus new tracks from Kris Hitchcock, Loren Johnson, The Soul Syndicate, Dalinian and more.
Features · Upcoming shows · Venue Spotlight
Part of a Local Spins series spotlighting unique music venues that feature local and regional acts. Check out this microbrewery and take a video tour of the venue.
With only 10 shopping days left till Christmas, Local Spins has the ideal gift for the music lover or musician on your list: Two different calendars featuring Michigan artists in colorful photos taken at concerts by Local Spins photographers.
This week’s Local Spins photo gallery also boasts images from performances by regional acts Channing & Quinn, Nobody’s Darlin’, Heartsick, Megan Dooley and a Mitten Kitten Christmas, plus video highlights from Hazy Past’s tribute to the Allman Brothers Band.
The third installation of Local Spins’ late-year roundup of new local and regional releases also includes a new single from Steve Rivers and a Christmas EP by The Crane Wives. Check out the reviews and listen to the music.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
A vintage bluesman, West Michigan hard-rock fave, up-and-coming Detroit pop star and emerging alt-country/rock band strutted their stuff this week — captured in compelling images by Local Spins photographers.
Artist Spotlights · Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Billy Strings & Don Julin played one of their few remaining Michigan shows Friday at Spring Lake’s Seven Steps Up, the day after Billy Strings lit up One Trick Pony in a surprise gig with his dad. Check out the photo gallery from both shows.
Artist Spotlights · Breaking music news
After 11 years of joyful music and performances, Grand Rapids’ all-female string band is calling it quits with a celebratory ‘grand finale’ on Dec. 10 at one of its favorite haunts. Read about the decision and watch a video of a band performance.
Album reviews · Upcoming shows
Phase Two of the pre-holiday Local Spins albums roundup also spotlights new releases by Nordlund & The Nomad Assembly and Brotha James. Check out the reviews with sound clips from the featured albums by local and regional artists. Consider them perfect additions to any Christmas gift list.
Breaking music news · Features · Upcoming shows
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.
Features · Top 10 Lists · Videos
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.
