Albums that Changed the World · Audio
The West Michigan tunesmith of Chain of Lakes who also leads a songwriters’ group reveals the recordings that have influenced him the most over the years.
Concert reviews · Festivals · Photos
Saturday’s second annual festival celebrated the KDL Vibes regional music streaming service with sets by more than a dozen acts, including Phabies, Earth Radio, Ralston Bowles and more. Revisit the event in words and photos at Local Spins.
Andrew Bird, Amadou & Mariam enchanted fans at Meijer Gardens on Friday with their complex-but-accessible double billing of musical intrigue. The review and photos at Local Spins.
Michigan’s thriving music scene has spawned another intriguing volley of new releases reviewed at Local Spins, including fresh recordings from Josiah DeNooyer and Rabbit Fur. Learn more about these releases and listen to tracks from the albums.
Album reviews · Audio · Videos
In less than three weeks, the bluegrass guitar phenom’s live album has racked up more than 1.1 million listens on Spotify and soared to No. 1 on the Bluegrass Chart. Check out the review, listen to tracks from this popular release by the Michigan-bred superstar.
Album reviews · Audio · Upcoming shows
Local Spins crisscrosses the state and traverse genres with this latest batch of releases by Michigan, including albums by Bruce Matthews Band and The Whiskey Charmers. Listen to tracks from all of the album and see where many of these artists will be performing this summer.
Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
A bit of scattered light rain fell on festivalgoers outside Trufant on opening day, but performers rocked stages in diverse ways anyway. The recap at Local Spins.
Two highly touted touring phenoms from different parts of the musical spectrum lit up venues in Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo this past week. Browse the photo galleries at Local Spins.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows
Local Spins on WYCE debuted fresh tracks from these Michigan artists and more — from Sophia McIntosh to Don Julin — with high-profile shows and tours on tap. The lowdown and the radio show podcast at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Emerging Artists to Watch
The classically trained, Marshall-based pianist and songwriter on Friday released her first full-length album, “Plainsong.” The back story on this emerging Michigan artist to watch.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Wednesday night lit up Grand Rapids with three shows by disparate artists in varied venues, from The Accidentals’ ‘Cover Art’ tour stop at cozy Midtown to metalcore’s Fit for a King shaking up the sprawling Intersection. Recaps, photos at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Our weekend concert photo recap not only commemorates Earth Day, but Record Store Day, 4/20 and West Michigan’s live music hubbub, from Frontier Ruckus to Alejandro Escovedo to Trifocal, The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band and more. Browse images in 10 photo galleries, plus a video at Local Spins.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
Michigan favorites May Erlewine, Desmond Jones and Full Cord also are on the docket for the iconic Harbor Springs-area festival taking place in July. View the full lineup, the official poster and get details at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Michigan’s masterful, eclectic multi-instrumentalist plays Traverse City on Saturday and a big 75th birthday bash at Ann Arbor’s The Ark on April 2. The Local Spins interview with a beloved musician and collaborator.
The February chart representing the most-played Michigan albums at WYCE boasted everything from rock to ska to folk to country to funk. View the chart, listen to tracks from all the releases.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
West Michigan tour stops were just part of an active live music week with Chase Matthew, Crankdat, Celeste Allison, Payton & Annabelle, Garbage Angel and more lighting up stages. Browse all of the photo galleries and a video at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Festivals · Photos
The Kalamazoo festival celebrating the heritage of stringed instruments on Saturday boasted nine fan-enticing performances, impromptu jams and lots of folks browsing exhibits and vendors. Get the recap, video highlights and a photo gallery at Local Spins.
Festivals · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Fretboard Festival’s return this weekend to Kalamazoo Valley Museum features returning veteran artists as well as fresh musical faces, along with guitars, vendors and more. Get the full performance schedule and more at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
WYCE’s annual celebration of local and regional music not only toasted some of the best releases of the year but showcased diverse talent on three stages amid a packed house of robust fans at Intersection. Highlights, photos, video.
Festivals · Traverse City · Upcoming shows
The 14th indoor fest takes place the last Sunday of the month at The Village at Grand Traverse Commons, with more than 100 musicians playing eight different stages. The lowdown at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE
The Grand Rapids-based singer-songwriter who’s part of a statewide concert series has a unique approach, spotlighted at Local Spins, along with new tracks by other Michigan artists, from Cordero to Laddermatch and Trakzero. Learn more about Billy Blanchard and listen to this week’s Local Spins on WYCE radio show podcast.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Videos
For three decades, the Royal Oak tunesmith has hosted Lamb’s Retreat for Songwriters in northern Michigan, creating a beloved annual event embraced by musicians. And he’s still releasing his own music, too. Learn more about the retreat and listen to his music at Local Spins.
Concert announcements · Festivals
After the one-day Jan. 13 festival was scrapped due to a snowstorm, the Wheatland Music Organization found a way to line up nine Michigan bands for a February soiree. Get the lowdown at Local Spins.
Announcements · Local Spins Rewind · Photos · Playlists · Videos
The snow-pocalypse has canceled scads of Michigan shows, including Saturday’s 12-band benefit for Wheatland Music Organization. But listen to the music that had been scheduled for the event and relive last summer’s Wheatland festival amid today’s storm thanks to a special Local Spins playlist and photo gallery.
Album reviews · Audio · Upcoming shows
2024’s first roundup of Michigan releases at Local Spins ranges from singer-songwriter charm to hip hop glory to funk to rock fervor, from Southeast Michigan’s Annie & Rod Capps to Holland’s Lost Magic. Check out the reviews; listen to the music.
The country and Americana artist has organized Saturday’s benefit show in Caledonia, with more than a dozen West Michigan acts performing and raffles to support Mel Trotter Ministries. View the lineup and learn more about this special concert at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
The Ohio duo has long made Grand Rapids a regular tour stop and will bring their holiday concert — and lots of memories — to Calvin University’s Chapel on Saturday night. The Local Spins interview.
Albums that Changed the World · Playlists
The popular Local Spins series revealing the musical influences for Michigan musicians and producers continues with the picks of a Michigan tunesmith from the wilds of the Upper Peninsula. Check out his picks, listen to tracks from all of the albums — including a couple of songs from his most recent release.
From rock and soul to world music and “Traditional Songs & Ballads of the Irish Diaspora” courtesy of Nick Veine and Ben Traverse, this mid-November round-up covers plenty of musical territory. Check out the reviews, listen to the music.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Diana Ladio and Alison Lynn say they’re ending their successful stint on “a complete high note,” playing for longtime Michigan fans in four cities. Get the back story on this talented duo, with details about their upcoming shows.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Thursday night in Grand Rapids was special in more ways than one, highlighted by singer-songwriter Amos Lee’s amazing concert and post-show, beer-enhanced sing-along. Photos and video at Local Spins. […]
Local Spins Rewind · Photos · Videos
Local Spins’ “Billy Strings Month” continues with a look back at the young, up-and-coming West Michigan guitarist eight years ago as he prepared to play the cozy Local Spins Wednesdays series at SpeakEZ Lounge. Plus, view a full performance video of Billy Strings & Don Julin from earlier the same year.
Album reviews · Audio · Upcoming shows
This early October roundup of 2023 releases by Michigan artists boasts a diverse mix of genres and artists, including new music by The Bloody Pickups and Round Creek String Band. Check out the reviews and listen to tracks from all of the releases.
Friday’s all-star concert at the new northern Michigan listening room will feature a “community” of the respected musician and Earthwork Music founder’s friends. The details at Local Spins.
Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
Alger Park Church hosts the third season of the series featuring eclectic Michigan acts, including classical music, a twist on opera and ‘The Music That Raised Us’ tribute to black female icons. Get the schedule and more details at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
As summer turned to fall, live music shined in Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo and Rockford, with a first-time indoor Michigan showcase hosted by the Kent District Library. Browse the photos at Local Spins.
The Kent District Library’s two-day festival this weekend at the Cascade Township branch will feature performances by 15 regional acts on two stages. Get details and the schedule at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
From an appearance by a legendary hip-hop act to massive crowds at Eastown Streetfair to captivating performances in Lowell, Muskegon and Kalamazoo, it was a hyper-active mid-September week. Photos, videos at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
With a new mini-album and an upcoming set at Fallasburg Arts Festival, the Michigan band was spotlighted for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Jan James, Michigan Rattlers, Cal in Red, Steel and Wood, Josh Rose and more. Get the back story on Wild Honey Collective, watch a video of a live performance and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE
Local Spins traveled to Kalamazoo’s La Luna studio to showcase new projects from Seth Bernard, G’itis Baggs and Liz Townsend. Plus, the radio show debuts tracks by several other Michigan artists, including Nathan Walker, May Erlewine, Low Phase and Lowke. Learn more about Ian Gorman’s studio and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
An impressive, nationally acclaimed roster of songwriters plays Caledonia’s Family Tavern on Thursday, part of a new showcase series hosted by West Michigan’s Kyle Rasche. Get details about the new series and listen to a playlist of songs by artists performing for Tavernsongs this week.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
West Michigan’s week of live music featured a fan-revving tour stop by Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, an EDM flurry, a special show from the Kalamazoo Academy of Rock and outdoor shows by regional artists. Browse the photo galleries at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Hot Top 5 · Playlists
Patty PerShayla & The Mayhaps, The Schrock Bros. and Loren Johnson round out the regional chart of top releases for July at WYCE-FM. Learn more and listen to tracks from all the recordings at Local Spins.
Delivering several songs from their latest album, the celebrated Swedish duo and their band impressed fans Friday during a Grand Rapids tour stop. Check out the review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Local Spins on WYCE traveled to Grand Haven to chat with the veteran bandleader as well as Third Coast Recording founder Bill Chrysler while also debuting new tracks by Michigan artists, including Fire in the Attic, Cal in Red, FINKEL, Daves at 7, Lost Magic, Bradley Sinclair, Trifocal and more. Learn more about Carl Webb and Third Coast Recording, watch a video and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Fans endured incessant rain at Meijer Gardens on Wednesday. But at Studio Park in downtown Grand Rapidss, the storms forced the summer’s first Listening Lawn show featuring Tank and the Bangas to move indoors. The recaps, photo galleries at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The West Michigan musician known as “Huggy Bear” runs a studio north of Grand Rapids and helps organize this weekend’s Smiling Acres fest. The Artist Spotlight and this week’s Local Spins on WYCE radio podcast, with a video tour of The Bear Den studio.
The New York trio, plus show openers Shovels & Rope, struck the right chords at the sold-out Meijer Gardens amphitheater show on Sunday. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Playlists · Upcoming shows
The illustrious, highly acclaimed Texas-based musician and songwriter brings his tour to Michigan for shows at Midtown in Grand Rapids and Acorn Center for the Performing Arts in Three Oaks. The Local Spins interview, with a Top 15 playlist of his songs.
’Nights like these are the best,’ mandolinist Chris Thile proclaimed. And many fans at the sold-out, sun-splashed Grand Rapids Township amphitheater on Thursday would agree. The concert review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
