Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows

The Big List (May 7-13): Brantley Gilbert, Tony Bennett, Beach Boys, Devil Makes Three, Chris Lane, Andrew W.K., White Birch festival

• May 7, 2018

Holland’s Tulip Time kicks May into full gear but there’s plenty more music on the docket: Lipstick Jodi, Coffin Problem, Rebecca Loebe, Hank Mowery, Marc Scibilia and a John Prine Tribute, plus win tix to see Chris Lane or Rival Sons. See all of this week’s music picks at Local Spins, plus some intriguing Under-the-Radar Picks and a look ahead to shows later this month.

Features · Photos · Videos

West Michigan’s Record Store Day spins vinyl fervor with big throngs, bands, Rolling Record Store and a goofy parade

• April 22, 2018

Saturday’s celebration of independent record shops even drew a pair of newlyweds into the happy fray during a West Side parade, with stores from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo boasting mobs of vinyl-loving shoppers and in-store performances. Browse the photos at Local Spins and watch video highlights from Saturday’s short but exuberant procession outside Dodds Record Shop.

Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery

Wintry mix of West Michigan music: Local Spins Week-in-Review Concert Photos, Videos

• April 15, 2018

It was a storm of eclectic shows: The Accidentals, Ministry, Julien Baker, Kevin Jones Quintet, Asleep at the Wheel, John Sebastian, Go Rounds, Wailin’ Jennys, Tauk, Mustard Plug and more in Local Spins images.

Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts

Nicholas James Thomasma’s banner year and new songs from The Go Rounds, E Minor, Hacky Turtles, Entransient, Brian Koenigsknecht

• April 14, 2018

This week’s edition of Local Spins on WYCE featured an in-studio performance by very busy Grand Rapids singer-songwriter Nicholas James Thomasma who’s headed to Spain with the FBC All-Stars, plus riveting new regional music by more than a half-dozen artists. Listen to the radio show podcast.

Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows

The Big List (April 2-8): Brad Paisley, Dashboard Confessional, Over The Rhine, Robin Trower, MercyMe, Jake’s Music Festival

• April 2, 2018

April also heats up across West Michigan with Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band, Wild Child, We Came as Romans, Kayzo, Olin Clark and more. Check out this week’s live music picks for the region — including Saturday’s Starkbierfest — and see how you can win tickets to Jake’s Music Festival at Elevation in Grand Rapids on Friday,

Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos

An Dro’s ‘great spirit’ and instrumental Celtic glory (minus ‘The Unicorn Song’): Local Spins on WYCE

• March 10, 2018

An Dro performed for this week’s Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted local and regional tracks by Luke Winslow King, Mat Churchill, Mark Harrell, Steve Hilger Jazz Quintet, The Bootstrap Boys, Wing Vilma and more. Listen to the podcast, watch the video.

Album reviews · Local Spins Live · Podcasts

Local Spins on Michigan Radio: New music by Joel Mabus, Earth Radio, Nathan Kalish

• March 7, 2018

Local Spins’ March segment on Michigan Radio’s “Stateside” unveiled new releases from veteran, road-tested and emerging artists. Listen to the podcast and get details about all of the featured acts.

Concert reviews · Photos · Videos

May Erlewine, The Go Rounds lead top-drawer sets at Kalamazoo Fretboard Festival

• March 4, 2018

Saturday’s day-long festival at Kalamazoo Valley Museum drew more than 1,000 people for performances by regional acts on three stages, vendors, luthiers and workshops. Get the recap, browse the photo gallery and watch a video of highlights, exclusively at Local Spins.

Festivals · Upcoming shows · Videos

Kalamazoo Fretboard Festival poised to once again celebrate ‘the amazing community’ of instrument builders and players

• February 28, 2018

The 13th annual Fretboard Festival, being held this weekend at Kalamazoo Valley Museum, will boast workshops and sets by May Erlewine, The Go Rounds, The Moxie Strings, Mark Lavengood Band, Channing & Quinn and more. See the full schedule and festival details at Local Spins.

Concert reviews · Photos · Videos

Jammie Awards 2018 revisited: ‘So much’ talent, energy and fun boost West Michigan’s biggest night for music

• February 10, 2018

Take a gander at Local Spins’ exclusive, expanded coverage of the WYCE Jammies with a robust photo gallery, video and reactions from winning bands recapping the 19th edition of ‘West Michigan’s biggest night for music.’

Audio · Hot Top 5 · Videos

Hannah Rose & The GravesTones soar to top of January’s Hot Top 5 chart of regional releases

• February 9, 2018

The Grand Rapids blues-soul band is joined by several other new entries on 2018’s first monthly chart of local and regional airplay at WYCE-FM (88.1). Listen to songs from the featured albums, check out the videos. See who else made the chart.

Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows

The Big List (Feb. 5-11): Marilyn Manson, Luke Combs, The Verve Pipe, Public Access, Robbie Fulks, The Jammie Awards, NF, Avatar

• February 5, 2018

Christian rapper NF kicks off the week with another sold-out show at 20 Monroe Live, but there’s more, including Albert Lee, Hippo Campus, Edye Evans Hyde, Old Salt Union, Lady Ace Boogie, The Jetbeats, That Beatles Thing and more. And see how you can win tickets to The Verve Pipe.

Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery

Super Bowl Sunday Photo Galleries: Cooper’s Glen Fest, George Clinton, Winter Punk Fest, Blues Traveler, Trampa, Judy Collins

• February 4, 2018

Super Bowl weekend is about more than just a big football game: West Michigan boasted a couple of music festivals and tour stops by George Clinton, Blues Traveler, Trampa, Judy Collins, Morgan Wallen and more. Check out all of the resplendent photo galleries at Local Spins — the perfect pre-game entertainment.

Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos

Local Spins on WYCE: The Founding takes Irish tradition up a notch, plus new tracks by Molly, El Brandino and more

• February 2, 2018

This week’s edition of the radio show also featured music from Sleep Cheaters, LVRS, Jeremy Ensley, Lushh, Skyking, Ttypes and An Dro. Listen to the full podcast, watch the in-studio video of The Founding’s performance.

Festivals · Upcoming shows · Videos

Cooper’s Glen Festival in Kalamazoo aims to ‘blow the roof off the place’ with acoustic fire

• January 31, 2018

Hosted for the 16th year by the Great Lakes Acoustic Music Association, Saturday’s affair boasts workshops and sets by Tom Paxton, Michael Cleveland, Don Julin and much more. See the full schedule for this year’s one-day festival.

Album Releases · Artist Spotlights · Audio · Upcoming shows

Holland’s Marcel & Janelle set to release new EP during hopeful, ‘heartfelt’ show at Park Theatre

• January 16, 2018

Recently relocating to West Michigan from Denver, the indie-soul duo has turned the pain of a losing a child into a healing, uplifting experience through music, while aiding charities along the way. Read more about this couple’s journey and listen to their music at Local Spins.

Concert reviews · Photos · Videos

Winter Wheat cultivates summery, Michigan-bred charm for rootsy, all-day festival

• January 14, 2018

Saturday’s ninth annual benefit for the Wheatland Music Organization boasted more than a dozen performances, including sets by Joshua Davis, K. Jones & The Benzie Playboys, Gasoline Gypsies and more. Check out video highlights and a photo gallery, only at Local Spins.

Festivals · Upcoming shows

Winter Wheat set to heat up season with more than a dozen acts at all-day Grand Rapids fest

• January 9, 2018

The ninth annual fundraiser for the Wheatland Music Organization will take over The Intersection on Saturday with sets by Joshua Davis, Benzie Playboys, Gasoline Gypsies with Native Howl, Jimmie Stagger and others. Get the lowdown on this beloved event and the full schedule.

Breaking music news · Concert reviews · Photos · Videos

Cosmic Knot, Sarah Lynn win Kalamazoo Fretboard Festival 2018 play-in contest

• January 6, 2018

The Kalamazoo country songstress and eclectic Grand Rapids jam band topped six acts competing for slots at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum’s March festival. Check out photos and a video from Friday’s event, along with details and the lineup for the March festival.

Hot Top 5 · Videos

May Erlewine, Billy Strings retain peak positions on December’s Hot Top 5 chart

• January 5, 2018

For the second month in a row, the latest albums by May Erlewine and Billy Strings dominated local/regional airplay on WYCE-FM (88.1). See who else made the Top 5 with videos/audio samples of all the artists on the latest chart.

Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows

The Big List (Jan. 2-7): Luke Winslow King, The Howlers and Shane Tripp, Jocelyn and Chris Arndt, Tyler Hilton, plus tributes to Elvis Presley, Tom Petty, GNR

• January 2, 2018

It’s a triumphant start to 2018: Local acts rule The Big List, with The Hacky Turtles, Hey Marco!, Dave Palmer, Bruce Matthews and a bunch of “Under-the-Radar” gems, plus the Winter Jam tour stopping at Van Andel Arena and a Boy Band revue at 20 Monroe Live. And see how you can win tickets to the Elvis tribute and Harper & Midwest Kind at the Tip Top Deluxe.

Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos

Mark Lavengood, Kaitlin Rose get busy, get inspirational for holidays: Local Spins on WYCE

• December 23, 2017

Lavengood and Rose performed on air, with Local Spins on WYCE also debuting new tracks by Dayz, John Proulx and more during this week’s show. Watch the videos, listen to the podcast.

Album reviews

Michigan Album Reviews: Hannah Rose, hi-ker, Charles the Osprey, Dori, Tired Blood, River City Narrative, Jeremy Hoekstra

• December 19, 2017

This pre-Christmas batch of regional releases covers a lot of ground, with some much-anticipated new albums in the mix. Read the reviews, listen to the music.

Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows

The Big List (Dec. 11-17): Matisyahu, Mannheim Steamroller, Bill Kirchen, People’s Blues of Richmond, Ginuwine, Granger Smith

• December 11, 2017

Chevelle kicks off the week, but there’s plenty of diversity – nationally and locally – crammed into this week’s Big List Concert Guide. And see how you can win tickets to see Matisyahu.

Hot Top 5 · Videos

Singer-songwriter May Erlewine leapfrogs to No. 1 on November’s Hot Top 5 radio chart

• December 8, 2017

The Earthwork Music artist’s latest album, “Mother Lion,” led a reshuffling of chart positions last month for local and regional albums which previously have appeared in the Top 5 at WYCE-FM. Check out the latest chart and watch videos of the featured artists.

Features · Videos

West Michigan Music Video of the Week: Jim Spalink’s stunning ‘eulogy for an old piano’

• December 6, 2017

The Rockford multi-instrumentalist from Celtic/world music’s An Dro moved an old piano into his garden and created an amazing video montage filmed over a year, enhanced by an original composition. Watch this incredible video, along with another Spalink project where he burned instruments that were no longer playable.

Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery

UV Hippo, Over the Rhine, Tommy Emmanuel, Brett Young, May Erlewine, The Outer Vibe, 1997 and Tom Waits Tributes: Recaps, photos

• December 3, 2017

Another eclectic week of live music across West Michigan: Check out reviews of Over the Rhine and UV Hippo, plus photo galleries from fan-pleasing shows by Brett Young, Tommy Emmanuel, The Outer Vibe, May Erlewine and super-groups reprising 1997 and paying tribute to Tom Waits. You’ll find this flurry of photos and videos only at Local Spins.

Features · Videos

West Michigan Music Video of the Week: Grand Haven singer-guitarist Dave Palmer’s ‘Burn’

• November 29, 2017

This week’s featured music video at Local Spins focuses on something new from the founder of the Walk the Beat festival. Check out Dave Palmer’s “Burn,” then see how he’s raising money for a special cause in Haiti through his upcoming performances.

Features · Kalamazoo · Top 10 Lists

Local Spins Top 10 Rewind: Kalamazoo’s Heritage Guitar restoring the Gibson legacy by renovating historic plant

• November 28, 2017

Check out the latest entry in the “Local Spins Top 10 Rewind Series,” recapping the biggest stories of 2017. This feature about Kalamazoo’s Heritage Guitar aiming to restore the luster of the Gibson factory to make it a destination for devotees of handcrafted guitars drew lots of attention from musicians and history buffs. And find links to follow-up stories, too.

Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows

The Big List (Nov. 27-Dec. 3): Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Over The Rhine, Brett Young, UV Hippo, Tommy Emmanuel, Guttermouth

• November 27, 2017

The week also features the Brad Mehldau Trio, Fall Flannel Folk Fest, Kris Delmhorst, the return of The Outer Vibe, Asamu Johnson & The Associates of the Blues and much more. Browse all the live music selections for the week, plus the intriguing Under-the-Radar Picks.

Features · Top 10 Lists · Videos

Local Spins Top 10 Rewind: Dozens of Michigan musicians rally to support Ralston and Cindy Bowles at Intersection benefit

• November 25, 2017

The ‘Local Spins Rewind Top 10’ continues with a heartwarming story: This March feature that came in at No. 8 on the countdown announced a concert raising money for the couple’s medical bills — an event boasting a who’s who roster of acts, including Troll for Trout, Larry McCray, The Soul Syndicate, Drew Nelson, Hannah Rose Graves and more. Check out the story, with a photo gallery and video highlights from the successful event itself.

Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows · Videos

Fall Flannel Folk Festival to showcase singer-songwriters as part of ‘Giving Tuesday’

• November 24, 2017

The Tuesday benefit for WGVU at SpeakEZ Lounge will feature performances by half-dozen solo artists, including Michael Riley, who was featured on this week’s Local Spins on WYCE. Get the lowdown and listen to the full radio podcast featuring new local and regional music and an in-studio performance by Billy Strings and his band.

Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery

Weekend Photo Gallery: Hair-raising stuff from Dubloadz, Odesza, Christian McBride, Conklin Ceili Band, Loaves & Fishes benefit

• November 19, 2017

It was a live music week of rock, EDM, folk, bluegrass, jazz and Celtic charm to remember. Relive the week in concert images and videos at Local Spins, from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo.

Artist Spotlights · Kalamazoo · Upcoming shows

Kalamazoo’s The Founding sheds Blarney Castle moniker to reflect ‘new style’ of Celtic music with release of first full-length album

• November 14, 2017

The young, award-winning, up-and-coming West Michigan band already has become a staple at top-tier Irish music festivals and has honed a unique sound for its Celtic-driven music. It plays a Grand Rapids CD-release show Thursday night. Learn more about The Founding and watch videos of its songs.

Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows

The Big List (Nov. 13-19): Dubloadz, Styx, Joshua Davis, Front Country, Descendents, Christian McBride, Wine, Beer & Food Festival

• November 13, 2017

Odesza starts the week with a sold-out show, but there’s more: Kerosene Stars, The Ragbirds, Brubeck Brothers, The Contenders, The Krank Daddies, Conklin Ceili Band and a Simon & Garfunkel tribute. And see how you can win free tickets to the mammoth International Wine, Beer and Food Festival.

Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery

Aaron Lewis, New Found Glory, Borgore, Needtobreathe, Mister Heavenly, Joshua Davis, Take Hold Fest pump up West Michigan: Week-in-Review Photo Galleries

• November 13, 2017

This edition of the week-in-review also boasts a tour stop by The Yawpers, a Tom Petty tribute and local showcases featuring the likes of Great Black Night, Lapdogs and more. Browse the photos, watch the videos.

Breaking music news · Festivals · Podcasts

Fretboard Festival seeks play-in contest bands; Revolve Records moves; November’s Local Spins on Michigan Radio podcast

• November 10, 2017

November’s music news roundup: a call for bands to enter a Fretboard Fest play-in contest, a Grand Rapids record store move and this month’s Local Spins podcast on Michigan Radio showcasing new West Michigan releases. Get the lowdown and listen to the podcast at Local Spins.

Hot Top 5 · Videos

Billy Strings snags No. 1 on Hot Top 5 chart for October, plays Grand Rapids Nov. 24

• November 8, 2017

The bluegrass guitar whiz and Michigan native bumped The Accidentals from the top slot last month, with four new regional album entries coming in right behind. See the full chart and listen to music from some of the featured artists.

Festivals · Upcoming shows

Lamp Light Music Festival set for sixth year of illuminating creativity, culture, community

• October 31, 2017

The unique Grand Rapids house concert festival will showcase 29 acts over three days in three Eastown neighborhood homes, spotlighting emerging and well-known acts from across the region. Get the lowdown on this weekend’s festival and a schedule at Local Spins.

Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows

The Big List (Oct. 30-Nov. 5): Janet Jackson, Periphery, Animals As Leaders, Chris Stapleton, Jeff Daniels, Regina Spektor, Lamp Light Music Fest, Colin Hay, The Used

• October 30, 2017

Irma Thomas, Blind Boys of Alabama and Preservation Hall Legacy Quintet jumpstart the week of live music in West Michigan, but this week’s live music picks at Local Spins also feature Cold Hard Cash, Kalamashoegazer Fest, Elephant Revival, Jake Kershaw and some must-see local showcases.

Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts

Local Spins on WYCE: Bigfoot Buffalo and new music from Venson Dix, Josiah Zittel and more

• October 27, 2017

With guest host Nicholas James Thomasma on the mic, this week’s edition of Local Spins on WYCE featured an in-studio performance by roots rock’s Bigfoot Buffalo and tracks by a host of regional bands, including Josiah Zittel, Venson Dix, The Concussions, Ralston Bowles, The Bootstrap Boys, The Crane Wives, Fauxgrass and more.

Features · Music on Campus

GRCC’s new Linn Maxwell Keller Recital Hall touts ‘beautiful’ acoustics, empowering space to create art

• October 26, 2017

Dedicated last week, the ‘completely transformed’ hall is part of an $8.5 million renovation of the Grand Rapids college’s music center, giving students and musicians an acoustically fetching performance space. Get the back story about this project in this Local Spins Q&A.

Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows

The Big List (Oct. 16-22): O.A.R., 311, Steely Dan, Gavin DeGraw, Ghostface Killah, Jake Kershaw, Space Jesus, Kris Allen

• October 16, 2017

Another week of eclectic music unfolds, from Surfer Blood to Kari Lynch, Mary Chapin Carpenter to CARE, Adam Rudolph to Chris Ayer, Bex Marshall to Lindsay Lou. Get the lowdown with The Big List and this week’s Under-the-Radar Picks, and see how you can win tickets to see 311 or blues-guitar phenom Jake Kershaw.

Album Releases · Audio · Hot Top 5 · Videos

The Accidentals top Hot Top 5 for second straight month with Jake Kershaw and Billy Strings right behind

• October 5, 2017

Call it the youth movement. Traverse City indie-folk faves The Accidentals once again hit No. 1 for regional airplay on WYCE, with teen guitarist Jake Kershaw and bluegrass phenom Billy Strings debuting in the Top 5. Check out videos, audio of the Top 5 artists, along with a listing of new local and regional releases.

Album reviews · Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos

Michigan folk’s ‘Mother Lion’: May Erlewine releases tender, vulnerable new album with new band on the road

• October 4, 2017

The much-respected Earthwork Music artist is releasing her new recording exclusively for Michigan fans first, playing a series of album-release shows in Grand Rapids, Spring Lake, Kalamazoo, Ann Arbor and beyond. Get the back story behind this new project, check out a Local Spins review of the album, listen to the first single.

Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Vintage Gigs

Chain of Lakes flows beyond solo project for ‘sweetest evolution’ of indie-folk music

• September 29, 2017

This week’s edition of Local Spins on WYCE featured an in-studio performance by Kyle Rasche and Dana Jackson of Chain of Lakes, plus the premiere of new tracks by Bigfoot Buffalo, Deerfield Run, Organissimo and Cameron Blake. Listen to the full podcast and watch the video.

Festivals · Upcoming shows

Willowsong Music Festival prepares to play its first note Saturday north of Grand Rapids

• September 27, 2017

The brand new music festival on a Sidney farm will features performances by a dozen regional acts, including Red Legs, Nicholas James Thomasma, Eric Engblade, Patty PerShayla, Deerfield Run, Stovepipe Stover and more. Learn the details about this inaugural event at Local Spins.

Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows

The Big List (Sept. 18-24): Bob Seger, Scott Stapp, Steve Earle, The Birthday Massacre, Com Truise, Audiotree Music Fest, El Ten Eleven

• September 18, 2017

Iconic singer Gordon Lightfoot gets the week started, with LZ Michigan/Freedom Cruise, Rockford Harvest Festival, Luke Winslow King, Jessica Hernandez, Weyes Blood, a Fleetwood Mac tribute and more on tap. Plus, see how you can win tickets to see Pegi Young at the Tip Top or Scott Stapp at 20 Monroe Live (part of the Make America Rock Again tour).

Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows

The Big List (Sept. 11-17): Of Montreal, Thomas Rhett, Harvest Gathering, Fallasburg Festival, Funtcase, The Verve Pipe, Greta Van Fleet, Alabama, Michigan Irish Music Fest

• September 11, 2017

The last big festival week of the summer also boasts tour stops by State Champs, San Fermin, P.O.S, Apocalypta, Elliott Brood, Marisela, Ben Sollee, some riveting local shows, the Cottage Bar Chili Cook-Off and the Knickerbocker’s first anniversary. See all the featured live music listings, plus the Under-the-Radar Picks. Plus, see how you can win tickets to see Nick Moss.

Hot Top 5 · Videos

The Accidentals soar to top of Local Spins Hot Top 5 chart for August

• September 8, 2017

The Traverse City trio’s new Sony Masterworks album was the most-played regional recording on WYCE last month, with other local faves close behind. Check out the chart, videos of the Top 5 acts and a list of new regional releases.