Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The veteran West Michigan artist unveiled tracks from the release for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted music by Billy Strings, Citizen Keen, Cal in Red and more. Learn more about Josh Rose’s new music and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Concert announcements · Upcoming shows · Venue Spotlight
After a pandemic-driven hiatus of nearly three years, the popular Fennville restaurant returns with Kate Pillsbury, Kyle Rasche and Kait Rose playing Sunday. Get details with the full concert schedule at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
House and bass music stars, rousing prog-metal bands, country crooners, indie-folksters and more delivered an eclectic week of live music to remember across West Michigan. Browse the photos from eight concerts at Local Spins.
Features · Photos · Upcoming shows
COVID ravaged the region’s open-mic scene. While some venues still haven’t joined the fray, many open-mic nights are back and rocking stages. The lowdown at Local Spins, along with a link to a listing of dozens of area open-mic sessions.
The early November round-up of Michigan releases not only covers a wide swath of genres, but artists from Grand Rapids to the Detroit area to Petoskey. Listen to tracks from all of the recordings.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Hot Top 5
New releases by the West Michigan artists joined recordings by Djangophonique and Ficus as the most-played local/regional releases at WYCE (88.1 FM) in October. Listen to tracks from all of the charted releases at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
The venue north of Grand Rapids hasn’t hosted regular concerts since early 2020, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. The back story at Local Spins.
Album reviews · Audio · Upcoming shows
This early October round-up of releases by Michigan artists features new collections covering rock, pop, hip hop, jazz and Grand Rapids singer-songwriter Cameron Blake’s return to the violin. Check out the reviews and listen to tracks from all of the releases.
Award-winning acoustic stars hailing from touring acts that include Punch Brothers and Bruce Hornsby will host workshops starting Thursday at Camp Blodgett along Lake Michigan. Learn more about the camp and view the full roster of instructors.
Concert reviews · Festivals · Photos
From Spanish-infused rock to soul to folk to hip hop, the inaugural music festival reveled in good weather and an upbeat vibe. The recap and photo galleries at Local Spins.
Album reviews · Audio · Upcoming shows
After an insanely busy summer, Local Spins is back with a batch of reviews of 2022 releases by Michigan artists, from dark rock to folk to Gypsy swing to jam-band glory, plus a look at projects by Wild Honey Collective and Jeremy Ensley. Learn more about these diverse recordings and listen to tracks from each release.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
The kickoff to autumn 2022 had it all: country, folk, symphonic metal, Americana, soulful pop and German party music. Local Spins revisits the action in words and photos.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
The return of the beloved Wheatland Music Festival for the first time in three years outside Remus last weekend electrified fans and bands alike. Revisit the action in words, photos and video.
Playlists · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
For the first time since the pre-COVID days of 2019, the beloved Michigan festival revs up next weekend with revered touring acts and Michigan stars. The preview, main stage schedule and a playlist at Local Spins
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
The Upper Peninsula offers a remote but unique setting for a surprising variety of music festivals, worthy of a trip across the bridge. Here’s a look at this U.P. experience, with previews of upcoming events.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Hot Top 5
The indie-folk artist credits the work of his producer and studio musicians for enhancing his milestone new recording. View the rest of the chart at Local Spins and listen to tracks from all of the regional releases.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists · Summer Festivals
Northern Michigan’s Dunesville Music Festival unfurls this weekend in Interlochen, so Local Spins asked the event’s co-director to reveal three albums that have impacted her most, along with a current favorite. Listen to tracks from all of the albums and find links for the festival lineup and details.
Breaking music news · Venue Spotlight
The highly regarded Spring Lake concert venue which opened 11 years ago has hosted hundreds of concerts by iconic artists and will stage its final show in December. The back story at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Concert reviews · Photos
The world music trio topped Nathan Walton, Elijah Russ and Melophobix in the “friendly competition” that raised $3.700-plus for ShelterBox on a gorgeous, sun-splashed Saturday in Rockford. Get the recap and photos at Local Spins.
Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
The upcoming season of the Acoustic Café Folk Series at the Grand Rapids venue will feature stars spanning generations and styles. Get the details at Local Spins.
Saturday’s long-awaited gala paying tribute to Michigan’s music scene boasted more than 20 performances on several stages, along with an outdoor pre-party. The recap in words and photos at Local Spins
The beloved Phish frontman-composer-guitarist delivered nearly 2 hours of jam-band-informed, solo acoustic rock to an adoring crowd. The review with photos from two concerts: Trey Anastasio at Meijer Gardens, Big Head Todd, 10,000 Maniacs at Grand Haven’s waterfront stadium.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The emerging, award-winning West Michigan band in the Artist Spotlight and featured for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Michigander, Aspen Jacobsen, The Fever Haze and more. Learn more about Whorled, watch one of their performances and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
After a long COVID hiatus, the much-beloved Mio festival featuring more than 30 regional acts kicks off Friday. Get the preview, the inside story and the full schedule at Local Spins.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
The first Festival of the Arts since 2019 kicks off Friday in downtown Grand Rapids with more than 140 performances on five stages. Get the lowdown and the full performance schedule at Local Spins.
Packed with fans, the downtown Grand Rapids church offered up a unique setting for NEEDTOBREATHE’s Tuesday tour stop. The concert review and photos at Local Spins.
Local Spins closes out April with another round-up of new releases by Michigan artists — ranging folk to hip hop to soul to robust rock. Listen to tracks from all of the albums and see where some of these artists will be performing in coming weeks.
Artist Spotlights · Photos · Videos
Local Spins revisits the Michigan native and bluegrass star, as writer Enrique Olmos and photographer Loren Johnson join Lindsay Lou for a sunny afternoon of thrift shopping and songwriter talk in Nashville. The Artist Spotlight and photo gallery.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
This week’s concert photo roundup covers the gamut from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo: Haley Heynderickx, Low, Tre Burt, Carly Pearce, Electric Six, Full Cord, Dizzybird Records’ anniversary, Nathan Kalish & a benefit for Ukraine. Browse all of the photo galleries at Local Spins.
It’s an uber-diverse, early April roundup of new Michigan albums, from blues to rock to hip hop to adventurous classical music and compelling gems from Annagail and Brian Koenigknecht. Check out the reviews and listen to tracks from all of the releases.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The universally revered guitarist plays Grand Rapids this week. The Local Spins interview with Jesse Cook, with a pair of music videos that he’s produced himself. Plus, enter a drawing to win tickets to see him in concert.
Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
Get ready for summer: Grand Haven’s Friday waterfront series boasts the likes of Albert Lee and Kim Richey; Lowell, Sparta & Kentwood will host acts ranging from The Accidentals to The Soul Syndicate. View those schedules & more.
Albums that Changed the World · Playlists
Today, Grand Rapids singer and multi-instrumentalist Channing Lee — who’s also a member of The Verve Pipe — offers up the recordings that have influenced her the most. Listen to tracks from all of her picks.
As an online ‘talent show’ of sorts, more than 40 Michigan bands and solo artists have submitted videos to NPR’s popular annual competition. View the Michigan entries here.
Friday night’s live music lineup included emerging acts competing in the first night of a March battle and seasoned, acclaimed songwriters unfurling poignant, harmony-hued tunes in an intimate setting. Get the show recaps and browse the photo galleries at Local Spins.
This February roundup of new Michigan albums also features an in-depth look at releases from Detroit rock band Three Spoke Wheel and Kalamazoo’s Jay Gavan. Plus, sample tracks from all of the albums.
A renowned cast of well-wishers — including Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland, Emily Saliers of The Indigo Girls, Tommy Emmanuel, Rosanne Cash and more — will help commemorate the milestone on Sunday, recalling an important era in music history. The event will be live-streamed by the Michigan Music Alliance. Get details at Local Spins and learn more about Stearns and the ‘Kalamazoo Gals’ who built Gibson guitars during World War II.
The end of 2021 and beginning of 2022 have seen an avalanche of new music by acts from the Great Lakes State. Here are eight must-see videos from some of those releases, including La Furia Del Ritmo, DL Rossi, Grace Theisen, Katie Pederson, Prior Noon and Greensky Bluegrass.
Upcoming shows · Venue Spotlight
Grand Rapids’ newest live music venue offers an intimate space and striking stage for emerging and established acts, with a ‘Battle of the Bands’ on tap. Learn more about this S. Division Avenue business and view a schedule of upcoming shows.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
A chilly West Michigan Saturday warmed up with a unique talent contest and a Grand Rapids tour stop by Philadelphia indie-rock/post-hardcore band mewithoutYou. The photos at Local Spins.
Best Music of the Year · Features · Videos
Last week, Local Spins writers piped in with their “best of” lists for 2021. Today, some West Michigan musicians and Local Spins readers reveal their favorite releases and concerts of the year, from Allison Russell, Nigel Hall and Jon Batiste to Billy Strings, Stratos and Michigan Rattlers. Check out all of the picks and listen to the music at Local Spins.
The guitarist and instructor’s “Familiar Places” concerts have unfurled at places ranging from a jewelry store to a printing shop, available for viewing by fans online amid the COVID pandemic. Get the back story, along with a link to watch a video of his performances.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Renowned folk/bluegrass siblings Sara and Sean Watkins play St. Cecilia Music Center on Thursday as part of the Acoustic Cafe Folk Series. The Local Spins interview, with videos of songs from their most recent release.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
A guitar icon (Leo Kottke), a regional pop fave (Matt Giraud) and heavy rock album-release (Tiny Tree) and more were part of West Michigan’s concert mix this past weekend. Browse eight photo galleries at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Amid the flurry of national tour stops firing up crowds from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo was an understated finale for a much-beloved West Michigan Celtic band that decided to end its long run. Check out the An Dro story along with 10 photo galleries from a hectic week of concerts.
The support for their releases makes them smile. The October chart ranking the top local and regional albums also features Desmond Jones, Lee Heerspink and Odd Space.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The Grammy-nominated, sister-fronted band embraced the unique surroundings for a rousing Halloween eve concert in Grand Rapids. Plus, check out photo recaps of weekend shows starring Chuck Prophet, The Way Down Wanderers, Stovepipe Stover, Emilee Petersmark, Mushmen, Wavves, Lisa Can’t Sing and more.
Album reviews · Audio · Upcoming shows
This mid-October roundup of new Michigan releases covers artists from Kalamazoo to Grand Rapids to Traverse City, including instrumental projects and a compelling collection inspired by loss. Browse the reviews and listen to tracks from all of the albums.
Concert reviews · Photos · Weekend Photo Gallery
In many ways, the weekend reflected a pre-pandemic flurry of live music with some rousing national tours and a sold-out, triumphant Sunday night return of a Grand Rapids native and budding star. A review and recaps in 10 photo galleries at Local Spins.
Features · Festivals · Upcoming shows
Saturday’s first-year event boasts a day of workshops, exhibits, performances and a keynote address by Djangophonique’s Andrew Brown. Get the details, ticket links and background at Local Spins.
