Our mid-July roundup of new West Michigan releases covers fresh entries in rock, jazz, pop, folk and Western swing. Check out the reviews; listen to tracks from each artist.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Start your week with a look at the first live music events in months at bars, breweries and eateries across West Michigan, amid health warnings that we must follow the rules to stay safe. Check out the roster of concerts — many of them outdoors — as well as other details about restarting live music at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Grand Rapids singer-songwriter rolled out his latest gems for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted new tracks by The Gasoline Gypsies, Lipstick Jodi, Adam Main, Jess, Darcy Wilkin and more. Learn more about Thomasma’s new album, watch a video of his performance and listen to this week’s full radio show podcast at Local Spins.
More new releases from Michigan artists are on tap in this week’s Local Spins roundup, including a female super-group, a VW bus-loving singer-songwriter, a Detroit-area alt-country band and a Traverse City funkster. Check out the reviews and listen to tracks from all of the featured albums.
Announcements · Breaking music news · Features
The longtime Michigan music collective re-emerges today after a two-year overhaul with a revamped organizational structure, a slate of new artists and some live-stream performances. Get the full story at Local Spins along with some videos of Earthwork artists.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
Allison was this week’s guest for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted music by Silent Spirit, Andy Baker, The Accidentals, Martyr for Madison, The Ryne Experience and The American Hotel System. Learn more about Allison and listen to the full radio show podcast at Local Spins.
Concert announcements · Live-Stream Concerts
Different online Michigan music events fire up May, including Chris Good’s Sing Me Home Festival shows, an Earthwork Harvest Gathering/Hoxeyville series and five straight nights of regional stars and culinary experts hosted by Pure Michigan, MLive and PBS’ ‘Under the Radar.’
Features · Weekend Photo Gallery
Local Spins continues its “concert photo rewind” series spotlighting the stellar work of its photographers, this time focusing on our Kalamazoo live music honcho: Derek Ketchum. Here are his favorite photos and the stories behind these colorful, action-packed shots.
Local Spins rolls out eight new Michigan-bred music videos for those trying to stay entertained during a pandemic that’s quarantined many and gotten us antsy for fresh material — including another COVID-19 parody. Check out the musical action from a diverse set of artists.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Although he doesn’t want to “lose the blues,” the 19-year-old Kershaw showed off another side to his music for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted new tracks by several Michigan artists, including Desmond Jones, Chris DuPont, Dawning, Chris Canas, Vagabonds, Justin Wierenga and more. Learn more about Kershaw, watch a video of him performing a new song and listen to the full radio show podcast at Local Spins.
With Earth Day approaching, Grand Rapids singer and multi-instrumentalist Patty PerShayla created a special soundtrack of songs to get us contemplating the state of our environment. Welcome to Tuesday’s Local Spins Playlist. Watch the videos, listen to the riveting songs at Local Spins.
Round 2 of Local Spins’ spotlight on the amazing work of its concert photographers continues with Jamie Geysbeek. Browse some of his favorite photos, including images of Skillet, Black Veil Brides, Chris Thile, NF, Slash, Lauren Daigle and more, with stories behind the shots.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Grand Rapids singer-guitarist chatted about his music and performed for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted new tracks by Wuzee, Lybrandt, Celeste Allison, Further Closer, Analog Kid and more. Learn more about Weber, check out a video of his performance and listen to this week’s Local Spins on WYCE radio show podcast.
Smack dab in the middle of a COVID-19 shutdown, Local Spins presents an early April roundup of new West Michigan album releases. Read the reviews, listen to selected tracks from the featured albums.
It’s actually the perfect talent show contest for a coronavirus pandemic: Hundreds of bands from across the country are submitting videos from their own homes in NPR’s annual competition, with a big Great Lakes State contingent. View more than 30 video entries from Michigan bands and solo artists at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Features · Photos
The Crane Wives’ Emilee Petersmark hosted a “Stay in Your House Show” with a handful of W. Michigan acts on Friday — all streaming sets from home. Local Spins was there to capture the vibe of the ‘new normal’ when it comes to the live music that we’ve got these days. Browse a photo gallery from the live-stream setup.
Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
With concert venues shut down due to COVID-19, the Holland-based brewery will present three live-streamed concerts each week. See who’s playing the first week of the “Gezellig” series and get more details at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows · Videos
The coronavirus pandemic that’s canceled hundreds of concerts has sparked a flood of online shows by artists who play for at-home audiences. And Local Spins has started a new calendar listing to spotlight those shows. Get the lowdown on this growing trend and watch some recent live-streamed shows.
Announcements · Breaking music news
With hundreds of concert cancellations and today’s statewide bar closure order dealing a blow to bands, the new relief fund is seeking donations which will help Michigan musicians who qualify via applications to recover some financial losses. The lowdown at Local Spins, with links to donate or apply for assistance.
This edition of our concert week-in-review spotlights some W. Michigan tour stops by fan favorites — from metalcore to indie-folk to bluegrass to a funky jam band. Browse all of the images at Local Spins.
The 15th annual edition of the Fretboard Festival brought a couple thousand people to Kalamazoo Valley Museum on Saturday for performances by 19 regional artists, plus workshops and instrument vendors. The recap, photo gallery and video highlights, exclusively at Local Spins.
Chris Thile’s sold-out show Tuesday at St. Cecilia Music Center was an uplifting, mutual love affair between the performer and his fans. “Your town is crushing it,” Thile raved at one point. The review and photo gallery, exclusively at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Amid sold-out shows this week, the super-group of May Erlewine, Rachael Davis and Lindsay Lou took time out to reflect on the “real magic” of their project for Local Spins. Learn more about this Michigan-bred phenomenon and the group’s upcoming album, and watch a video of a recent a cappella performance.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Boosie Badazz, Heaters, The Marsupials, Harper & Midwest Kind, GR Soul Club, Drinking Mercury, Chirp, Michigan’s 183rd Birthday Party and much more are also on tap across West Michigan this week. And check out the Under-the-Radar Picks, plus this week’s ticket giveaway for Fruition.
Photos · Upcoming shows · Venue Spotlight
The cozy West Michigan restaurant and concert venue has hosted a who’s who roster of regional stars over the years and aims to continue that mission. Get the back story on this special performance space, along with a photo gallery.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Sav and Katie of The Accidentals, Megan Slankard and Stephie James delivered a moving, personal and intimate “Time Out” showcase of their music on a night that also featured the official release of a new Michigan-focused double-album for a good cause. Relive the evening in this Local Spins review, with photos and video.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The hometown boy with roots in Ionia and Traverse City can’t wait to play a sold-out New Year’s Eve show at The Intersection in Grand Rapids after a “crazy,” award-winning, chart-topping year. Part 1 of a revealing, on-the-road Local Spins interview with William Apostol, aka Billy Strings.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
The Grammy-nominated band of virtuosos made a tour stop Wednesday at Grand Rapids’ Listening Room, impressing a small but approving crowd. They play Petoskey, Interlochen and Ann Arbor next. Peruse the review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Podcasts
There are compelling stories behind each of the West Michigan artists featured on this month’s edition of Local Spins on Michigan Radio’s “Stateside.” Listen to the podcast, get the back story on these three acts.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
A busy week of West Michigan concerts includes Thank You Scientist, Willy Porter, Tunde Olaniran and more. And check the roster of bracing Under-the-Radar Picks for the week.
Hundreds of folk-hued artists in town for the Folk Alliance Region Midwest conference have created an ear-pleasing smorgasbord of music. Local Spins’ Ricky Olmos sampled some of the offerings.
Announcements · Kalamazoo · Upcoming shows
Performers have until Nov. 1 to apply, with the top three ensembles and solo artists taking part in a Jan. 10 play-in contest for two paid slots at the March festival. Get details and a link to the online application at Local Spins.
For the second year, the Folk Alliance Region Midwest conference will host seminars and performances by hundreds of touring musicians in Grand Rapids. Get the Local Spins preview, schedules of performances and details about this week’s “truly real” event.
Concert announcements · Videos
The day after folk icon Judy Collins regaled a capacity crowd, St. Cecilia announced the addition of two Grammy-winning artists to its Acoustic Cafe series, joining Chris Thile, Infamous Stringdusters and Rosanne Cash. See the full lineup, check out videos of featured artists and peruse a photo gallery from Judy Collins’ Sunday night concert at St. Cecilia.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
The monthly series showcasing stars from across the Great Lakes State kicks off Nov. 25 with a ‘Time Out’ show featuring Savannah and Katie of The Accidentals, paired up with two other up-and-coming female songwriters. Get the lowdown on this new series in the much-buzzed-about Listening Room, and check out the lineup of other local shows on tap at the venue starting this week.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
In one of his first public performances in six months, the veteran musician and singer played new songs for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Michigander, Emma Bieniewicz, Josie Kenyon and more. Learn more about Sanger’s journey, watch his in-studio performance and listen to the radio show podcast at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Michigander, a Horsefeather reunion, Messer Chups, May Erlewine, Jack & The Bear, Seth Glier, Chris Michels, Stovepipe, Kari Lynch, GTG Fest and more fill out the week of live music in West Michigan. Browse this week’s featured concerts and the fascinating Under-the-Radar Picks, and see how you could win tickets to one of three different Tip Top Deluxe shows.
Concert reviews · Features · Kalamazoo · Photos
The third annual Great Lakes Music Camp along the Lake Michigan shoreline drew dozens of ‘pupils’ for workshops and even more acoustic music fans for a packed Saturday night concert starring instructors. In Kalamazoo, meanwhile, the Great Lakes Acoustic Music Association also celebrated acoustic glory at its GLAMA-versary event. Story and photos at Local Spins.
Despite a few imperfect moments and an early departure by some attendees, Wednesday’s collaborative performance served up fresh and captivating songs. Get the review and a photo gallery, exclusively at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
The 46th edition of this much-admired Michigan music festival rolled out last weekend with a hefty slate of national and regional roots music stars. The recap by Local Spins’ Ricky Olmos, with photos by Anna Sink.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
Kicking off in December, the series will also feature Way Down Wanderers, Roosevelt Diggs, Earth Radio and a songwriters-in-the-round show. Details at Local Spins. SCROLL DOWN FOR SPOTIFY PLAYLIST[…]
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The second week of August also boasts Beach House, JD McPherson, Bass Country, Low Cut Connie, Grasshoppah, Tommy Tutone, Farmfest, I Prevail, likemelikeyou, a John Prine Tribute, Sparta Celtic Fest and more. Plus, win tix to Tutone and Cowpie.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
Check out a live performance by the all-female string band Nobody’s Darlin’ and the debut of tracks by Dennie Middleton, Porter Kenyon, Beaver Xing, August, Aspen Jacobsen and more. Listen to the full radio show podcast.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts
A weekend of impeccable weather came to an end with rain Sunday, but it didn’t deter the phenoms or their fans from reveling in dazzling, acoustic guitar-driven rock. And they even gave an unusual local musician some stage time. Check out the review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Features · Videos
Local Spins updates construction of “Listening Room by Studio C,” which will be part of the impressive Studio Park project south of Van Andel Arena. Get the back story and check out the photos, video and an artist’s rendering of the new venue.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
The lineup for the August music festival on a Jackson County farm features a who’s who roster of regional favorites. Check out the full list of performers and other details about the 2019 event.
Outdoor music abounds in summertime in communities across West Michigan and today’s lineups feature bands playing free shows along the lakeshore. Check out the schedules for a half-dozen series at Local Spins.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
The charming island festival also pumps up July with regional faves Jesse Ray & The Carolina Catfish, The Hacky Turtles, Escaping Pavement, The Bootstrap Boys, Loren Cole and many more. And another island festival will take place in September. Get details and ticket links at Local Spins.
The California indie-folk duo — backed by a three-piece band — regaled a near-capacity crowd with harmony-driven magic and their trademark sense of humor on Thursday in Grand Rapids. The review and photos at Local Spins.
Festivals · Kalamazoo · Upcoming shows · Videos
The festival kicks off Friday night with a concert by Shari Kane and Dave Steele at Kalamazoo Valley Museum, followed by Saturday’s day-long affair with 15 acts on three stages, vendors, workshops and “pop-up” shows. Get the lowdown and the full Saturday schedule at Local Spins.
