From Kalamazoo to Grand Rapids and beyond it was another simmering summer week of concerts, including Celeste Allison, Chris Canas, Luke Winslow-King, a songwriters’ fest and more.
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.
The band led by Jakob Dylan made a tour stop at Meijer Gardens on Thursday amid brilliant sunshine in front of a full house. The Local Spins review by Nicholas James Thomasma.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
This week’s Local Spins on WYCE radio show debuted new tracks by some Michigan favorites as well as emerging artists, while also spotlighting bands performing at outdoor concerts and festivals. Listen to the podcast.
On a holiday weekend, Local Spins took to the road to catch the first Free Fridays show in Grand Haven and a legendary band at The Acorn in Three Oaks. Browse the photo galleries.
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.
Concert reviews · Summer Festivals · Weekend Photo Gallery
Summer concerts continued to heat up West Michigan over the past week, with national touring acts stopping in Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo. Local Spins has the photos, recaps, set lists, including a gallery from the final day of Smiling Acres 2024.
The first full week of June was full of musical merriment, from Grand Rapids to Otsego to Paw Paw to Kalamazoo, recapped in photos at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
From one end of Michigan to the other, the weekend kicked off with a celebratory flair, featuring a star-studded christening of an iconic building and the return of a GR institution. Get the recaps, photo galleries and a video at Local Spins.
he booming baritone’s sold-out performance Wednesday night kicked off a busy, 33-show season at Meijer Gardens’ amphitheater replete with cowboy hats, glitter and a little bit of giddy-up.
Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows · Venue Spotlight
With everything from The Verve Pipe, Larry McCray and Afroman on the bill to Myron Elkins and other local heroes, the Allegan County site will host more than five dozen acts on Friday and Saturday nights, starting May 24. Get the full schedule and details at Local Spins.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts · Videos
Launching with The Wood Brothers on July 12, the seven-show series in downtown Grand Rapids also features Michigan’s own May Erlewine, Spin Doctors and The Lone Bellow. Get the schedule at Local Spins.
West Michigan’s concert week boasted opening nights for two outdoor summer concert series, tour stops by metal, blues & EDM faves, and some regional stars, including Pocket Watch and The Marsupials. 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 · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
This week’s guest for Local Spins on WYCE talked about the West Michigan band’s latest project. The show also debuted tracks by Eric Engblade, Tunde Olaniran, Levitator, The Heiden Underground, Tommy Schichtel, Elroy Meltzer and more. Get Kyle Brown’s back story and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
The latest round-up of free community concerts staged across Michigan this summer boasts a bevy of regional stars and swells our Local Spins guide to more than 120 series — from Allegan to Traverse City.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins Fest
As Local Spins counts down to the May 18 celebration of its 12th anniversary at Studio Park in Grand Rapids, we’re profiling the festival’s featured artists in Q&As. First up, learn more about Elijah Russ and check out his music via video.
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.
Emerging Artists to Watch · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
This week’s all-new-Michigan-music edition of Local Spins on WYCE featured new, emerging artists: Anaia Lachelle, Metzfire, Future Things, Ryan Cassidy and 56 Tornadoes, along with tracks by established acts such as The Accidentals, Earth Radio and Lipstick Jodi. Learn more and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Traverse City-bred band will play five Michigan shows this month promoting the trio’s new “Cover Art” album. Get the back story on this new project and listen to new tracks at Local Spins.
The alt-rock/pop band took home three awards at Marshall’s Franke Center on Saturday, including video of the year, but a half-dozen other bands and filmmakers won honors, too, including Kalamazoo’s Basic Comfort and Detroit’s Nadim Azzam and Louie Lee among others. View the full list of winners.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
The summer series at the popular northern Michigan venue boasts will expand with ‘a wider variety of genres’ and bands. View the schedule at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Weekend Photo Gallery
The arrival of spring brought more than unseasonable snow to the region: It also featured tour stops by international favorites, local bands battling for finals in two different contests, an intimate concert by a beloved Michigan songbird and more — all recapped in photos by Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The multi-instrumentalist who’s run Rockford’s Planet Sunday for 12 years is featured for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by The War & Treaty, Caliko, Ryn Scott, Harry Dean & The Dusty Boys, Mama’s Hot Sauce, Glassfield and more. Get Joel Ferguson’s back story and listen to today’s Local Spins on WYCE radio show podcast.
Album reviews · Audio · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
This month’s round-up recapping new Michigan releases also takes a sneak peek into recordings by Laddermatch, Ryan Lynch and The J Hawkins Band. Plus, listen to tracks from all of the releases
It was a tale of two intense shows within blocks of each other on Monday night. Local Spins has recaps of Gary Numan’s mesmerizing show at Elevation and Avenged Sevenfold’s Van Andel Arena tour stop. Browse the photo galleries and set lists.
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.
Announcements · Upcoming shows
The month-long competition kicks off in Grand Rapids on Saturday and boasts 20 Michigan bands and artists. The lineup and more at Local Spins.
Albums that Changed the World · Artist Spotlights · Playlists
Pearl Jam, The Band, Bob Dylan all figure into Lockwood’s biggest influences, along with an under-the-radar artist. Check out the latest edition of this popular series and listen to tracks from the albums, along with songs from Lockwood’s latest studio recording.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
Today’s ‘sneak-peek’ announcement of three concerts booked for the popular amphitheater series boasts impressive double bills. Meijer Gardens also has revealed a new ticketing provider for 2024. Get the details at Local Spins.
Concert announcements · Playlists · Upcoming shows
Already hosting Sunday night jazz jams and Local Spins Wednesdays shows, the cozy downtown Grand Rapids venue starts up Friday offerings in March. Get the full upcoming schedule at Local Spins, along with a playlist of SpeakEZ performers.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
West Michigan’s live music weekend boasted more than just the Jammie Awards, with a Sam Hunt tour stop, an album-release show, a benefit for music programs, the launch of a new pop-up concert series and more — all recapped in Local Spins photos and videos.
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.
Breaking music news · Concert reviews · Photos
The Friday night celebration of Michigan music boasted a packed house at The Intersection, diverse sets and awards given out in 18 categories. Get a recap, browse photos and see the full list of winners.
Concert announcements · Features · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
Part of a global trend, Sofar doesn’t announce concert lineups or details until the day of the show. Learn more in this story and today’s Local Spins on WYCE podcast — a podcast hat also previews the Jammie Awards and debuts tracks by Steven Malcolm, Von May, The J Hawkins Band and more.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Upcoming shows
Our preview of Friday’s mammoth WYCE Jammie Awards focuses on several emerging acts who’ve never played the event. Learn more about these bands, listen to their music and check out the complete performance schedule.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows
West Michigan duo frontman Lynn Thompson who plays the Sunday festival has another album on the way. Plus, Local Spins debuts tracks by several other Michigan artists, including Tommy Schichtel, Ficus, The Inn, Samil, Brother Wolf, Natalie Gaza, Troy Ceasar, Aaron James Wright and more.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The week leading up to Fat Tuesday had a whale of a lot to offer musically in West Michigan: Great Lakes Brass bringing NOLA to Kalamazoo; The Verve Pipe’s homecoming bash; Frank Sinatra and Steely Dan tributes; Walker & Royce, Dylan Marlowe, Willi Carlisle, Josh Meloy and more. Browse the photos at Local Spins.
This mid-January round-up of Michigan albums also features Local Spins takes on a special re-release from Overdrive Orchestra as well as an ‘esoteric’ collection from Kalamazoo’s Handturner. Listen to tracks from all of the releases.
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.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Hot Top 5
The popular singer’s latest album topped an all-new December chart of Michigan releases which also included debuts by Short Panic, Space Bar, LVRS and Ben Traverse & Nick Veine. View the chart and listen to tracks from all of the releases at Local Spins.
Audio · Best Music of the Year · Videos
Music of every ilk burst out of the gates in early 2023 and never stopped turning heads. Today, the first round of Local Spins writers reveal picks for the best albums and concerts of the year, from international stars such as Paramore to local faves like Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Photos
After wrapping up a robust fall slate of mid-week shows, Local Spins today announces the roster of concerts for winter 2024, including the return of “Tribute Month” in February. Michigan artists on tap includes Blue Water Ramblers, Sophia McIntosh, Nicholas Thomasma, Selkie, Cole Hansen, John Sanger, Josh Rose and more.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Unusual, eclectic, electric and elating concerts heated up venues from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo to Rockford this week, all covered in images at Local Spins — from an Out of Favor Boys anniversary to an ‘Ugly Sweater’ affair and more.
The all-new Local Spins Hot Top 5 Chart for November also features new albums from Free Hat, Full Cord, Liz Townsend and Roosevelt Diggs. Listen to tracks from all the releases.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Beyond a flurry of football, the long Thanksgiving weekend cooked up a buffet of rock, hip hop, bluegrass, Americana and jam-band charm at venues from Grand Rapids to Holland to Kalamazoo.
As Thanksgiving approaches, Local Spins unfurls its takes on a half-dozen new releases by artists from across Michigan, covering Americana, hip hop, folk, jazz and electronic music. Check out the reviews and listen to tracks from all of the releases.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The weekend produced some fascinating performances from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo, including metal band If He Dies He Dies’ reunion show at The Pyramid Scheme and Mariachi Herencia De Mexico at Kalamazoo State Theatre. Browse all the photo galleries at Local Spins.
In 2023, Local Spins asked readers a ‘Question of the Week’ about favorites in a lot of categories. Here are the top questions and responses. Plus, we’ve got fresh year-end queries that could score you a gift.
