Summer Festivals · Top 10 Lists
Summer festival season officially is here, so we’ve rounded up the most captivating musical celebrations in the Great Lakes State – some well-known, some off the beaten path, all worth exploring. And check out the under-the-radar picks, too.
Thousands of West Michigan performers will pack stages in downtown Grand Rapids this weekend. It’s a lot to soak in. So once again, Local Spins asks some well-known musicians and its staff of writers to pick “The Best of Fest.” Check out their diverse selections in this guide to Festival 2016.
Album reviews · Upcoming shows · Videos
After three years, the Traverse City trio finally releases a new studio recording this week. Like the musicians themselves, it’s buoyant and fresh – and will likely earn them even more acclaim. Read the Local Spins review and sample some of the music in new videos from The Accidentals.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Wild, raucous and resplendent all describe West Michigan’s live music assault for the last week of May with national and regional acts firing up stages for big crowds. Check out the Local Spins photo galleries from some of those high-energy shows.
Announcements · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
The first-time festival at the Harris Building on June 25 will feature Vox Vidorra, The Legal Immigrants, Lady Ace Boogie, Ty Beat, Valentiger and more. Radi8er plans similar events in other cities, too. Read the details and see the full lineup for the Grand Rapids event.
Seeking the perfect tracks for kiddie-pool beer, hippie camping, crashing weddings, fireworks, power tools, age-inappropriate partners and buying rounds? Well, this Local Spins pundit has you covered. Check out Troy Reimink’s Top 10 songs for the season in words, video and Spotify glory.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
Not quite sold out after all: A few tickets to see the Tedeschi Trucks Band, Ben Folds, Grace Potter and a few other summer series shows available this week. But the opening Tears for Fears show has been postponed altogether after the band announced it was putting off its summer U.S. tour. See which shows still have tickets up for sale.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
The popular Grand Rapids psychedelic garage rockers release a new album in August. Before that, they’ll headline Friday’s party, which includes release of Local Spinsation Ale and giveaways. Get details about Friday’s celebration and the band’s summer plans.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The Florida metalcore/pop-punk band provoked fan fervor the same week that saw lively West Michigan shows by Mustard Plug Hannah Rose Graves, Graffiti, Vetiver, Small Brown Bike and much more. Check out the show recaps and photo galleries.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The Grand Rapids electronic musician performed and discussed his growth as an artist as this week’s guest for Local Spins on WYCE, which also premiered tracks by Michael Dause, The Soil & The Sun, Sligh and Silverstiles. Read the story, listen to the podcast.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Cage the Elephant and Portugal. The Man highlighted a week of live music in West Michigan that also featured Aaron Diehl, Big Dudee Roo and others. Check out all the photo galleries at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
Led by multi-instrumentalist and singer Ryan Williams, the new Grand Rapids band rocked this week’s edition of Local Spins on WYCE, which also featured the debut of tracks by Emma Loo, Graffiti, Darkly, The Eggtones and Downie. Listen to the podcast and check out a video of a song from the upcoming new album by The Change.
Artist Spotlights · Podcasts · Upcoming shows · Videos
With a new EP catching fire, the Grand Rapids band talked about its music for Local Spins Live, and performed on the air (and in a bank) as it prepares for Local Spins’ 4th anniversary show at Long Road Distillers on Saturday. Listen to the radio podcast and watch the videos.
Announcements · Upcoming shows
Although 24 of 30 Meijer Gardens concerts sold out by noon Monday, Interlochen, Freedom Hill, Ann Arbor’s Michigan Theater and other nearby venues have booked some of the same artists this summer. Find out where these acts are playing and get links to ticket sales.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
It was a week of series debuts, CD-releases, homecomings, national tour stops and an anniversary party for Short’s Brewing, with Drew Nelson, GR Live, Protomen, Slumlord Radio, The Go Rounds and much more captured in images at Local Spins. Check out all the photos and mini-reviews.
Breaking music news · Summer Concerts
The June 27 Jackson Browne concert sold out in mere minutes Saturday morning, with Diana Ross, O.A.R., Bonnie Raitt, Gavin DeGraw, Goo Goo Dolls, Of Monsters & Men, America and Ben Folds quickly following suit. By noon Monday, 24 of the 30 concerts had sold out to members. See the entire list of sellouts.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The Grand Rapids band working on its second EP performed during the Local Spins radio show, which also debuted tracks by Bill Ellingboe, Channing & Quinn, Watching for Foxes and more. Read the story, listen to the podcast.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
From Bob Marley to Macklemore to Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers, Local Spins writer Ricky Olmos fashions a playlist to get folks dreaming of summer and sunny skies. Watch the videos, listen to the full Spotify playlist.
Announcements · Local Spins Exclusives · Upcoming shows · Videos
May’s Local Spins Month celebration boasts special parties and swag at Rockford Brewing, Long Road Distillers and SpeakEZ Lounge, plus a first-ever Muskegon event. Read the story to see how you can enter to win Local Spins anniversary gift packages with swag, concert tickets and more.
Announcements · Summer Concerts
This summer’s showcase of Michigan acts will feature La Famiglia, Zion Lion, Mark Lavengood, Delilah DeWylde, Brother Adams, Nicholas James, Ralston Bowles and more. See the full lineup and details about this year’s special local and regional series.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
On a weekend with resplendent spring weather, West Michiganders couldn’t go far without bumping into live music of all varieties — documented in images at Local Spins. Check out the show recaps and photo galleries, from Record Store Day to Kiefer Sutherland.
Falling on a busy and beautiful Saturday in Grand Rapids, the 12th annual festival at Wealthy Theatre showcased West Michigan bands of every ilk and raised thousands for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. (Review, photo gallery)
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE
Performing frequently with Sam Kenny, the Grand Rapids singer-songwriter has a solo album on the way. This edition of the show also featured new songs from Kari Lynch, Vox Vidorra and Jack & The Bear. Listen to the podcast, read the story about Emma Loo.
Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
On Saturday, Vertigo Music, Dodds Record Shop, Corner Record Shop, Green Light Music and more across West Michigan will celebrate their independence like never before. Find out why this is such a big day for music lovers and check out the live music schedules.
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.
Upcoming shows · Venue Spotlight · Videos
Kalamazoo’s oldest bar houses Louie’s Back Room, which boasts live entertainment five days a week. Read more about it in the latest entry in this Local Spins series spotlighting unique music venues, and take a video tour of Louie’s.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE
The April 1 edition of the radio show also featured new songs by The Change, Organissimo, Rachel B, Andy & The Pandy’s and Charlie Darling. Read the story, listen to the podcast.
Album reviews · Upcoming shows
No fooling, the April 1 batch of new local and regional albums is a blast of fresh air, starting with The Crane Wives who host a CD-release show Saturday at Founders Brewing. Check out the reviews, including video and audio clips of new songs by six regional artists.
Breaking music news · Features · Upcoming shows
Created in Grand Rapids, the radical new music platform that will start beta testing next month will allow users to zoom in to neighborhoods, even areas around venues, to pinpoint their musical vibe. Those spearheading the music discovery system say it will help showcase local artists and grow the music scene.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The holiday week bloomed with shows of every ilk: from indie-folk’s The Lone Bellow to a star-heavy musical to a Maynard James Keenan homecoming to rap and blistering guitar rock. Check out all the Local Spins images and a video from singer-songwriter night at Richard App Gallery.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Photos · Podcasts
The fresh Grand Rapids rock trio revved up Local Spins on WYCE, which also featured an interview with Radi8er creators and new tracks by CrossBow, Lloyd Braun, The Zannies, Jake Down and more. Listen to the podcast, read the story.
Announcements · Features · Upcoming shows
In its third year, Walk the Beat is seeking 70 bands to play 35 venues and will host another song contest, with $12,500 in prizes for musicians at stake. Check out the back story about this unusual annual event and find links to sign up.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
While thousands of Irish-for-the-day revelers continued to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on Saturday, others rapped for a good cause. It was part of a busy week that also included shows by G. Love & Special Sauce, Jim Shaneberger, Parmalee, Nick Carter, Stylust Beats, Big Dudee Roo and a “Kalamazoo Strong” benefit — all captured in images at Local Spins.
Audio · Local Spins at SXSW · Photos
From Detroit to Grand Rapids and beyond, Michigan bands unleashed new music in special recording sessions at Michigan House-Austin during SXSW. Local Spins was there to capture the vibe. Listen to the tracks, experience Mitten music.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
National and local acts revved up fans in venues large and small this week, including performances by The Go Rounds, Rival Maps and others. Check out all the Local Spins images in these photo galleries from the live music week that was.
The Midwest pop-punk band brought its signature hits, an uplifting message and indoor snow to Van Andel Arena to pump up fans as it prepares to take a hiatus from the road. Read the review and check out the Local Spins photo gallery.
Photos · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
West Michigan’s week of live music featured a rousing CD-release party, a rambunctious homecoming, an epic pop-meets-rock show and the fifth anniversary of a unique listening room. Check out all the photos and some video highlights.
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
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.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins Live · Videos
With an EP and full-length album under its belt, the Grand Rapids band kicks off a Midwest tour with a show Thursday night at The Pyramid Scheme and “high hopes” for the future. Read the story, listen to the podcast from this week’s Local Spins Live radio interview and check out the videos.
Audio · Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
The early March music news roundup takes a look at frontman R.J. Nordlund’s departure from an emerging West Michigan rock band and a first-ever U.S. tour for a youthful Grand Rapids pop and hip hop artist. Get the lowdown at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
The week that was had it all: Country from Kacey Musgraves in Kalamazoo, electronic jam-band fun from Lotus in Grand Rapids, an instrumental rock debut, hip hop meshed with indie-folk, and a giant outdoor festival of beer. It was all captured in images at Local Spins, with video highlights from Saturday’s Rick Chyme and The Accidentals show at Founders Brewing.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
For Episode No. 77 of Local Spins on WYCE, members of Michigan super-group Public Access chatted about their new album and tour, plus new tracks from Alexander Lynch, The Lippies, Stovepipe Stover and plenty more. Listen to the full radio podcast.
Album reviews · Upcoming shows
The February roundup of new local and regional albums boasts a resplendent mix, including punk, experimental rock, jazz, folk, rock, pop, Celtic music and more. Check out the reviews and listen to samples of the artists’ music.
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.
Announcements · Upcoming shows
The amphitheater this week revealed four shows for its 2016 lineup, with remaining concerts to be announced in mid-April. Tickets go on sale to Meijer Gardens members on April 30. Check out details and dates in this Local Spins story.
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.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The 75th edition of Local Spins on WYCE featured an in-studio performance by The Bootstrap Boys, tracks from a host of Jammie Award nominees and new music from Rip VanRipper and Reviving the Era. Listen to the radio podcast and check out an exclusive performance of a new, unreleased song by The Bootstrap Boys.
Breaking music news · Features
With nearly 70 Michigan and national acts — Taking Back Sunday to Fine Fine Titans — on board, the Flint musician who launched the digital project aims to raise money to help affected children with ‘diversity and dynamics.’ Read about the “shock and anger” that rallied bands to the cause and how you can purchase the recording.
