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Artist Spotlights · Podcasts · Upcoming shows · Videos

Broken leg be damned, The War & Treaty ooze Michigan love, ‘true vocal power’ on new LP

• March 10, 2023

Michael and Tanya Trotter of The War and Treaty discuss their major label debut, touring and a recent on-stage calamity for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Protomartyr, May Erlewine, Earth Radio, Boundarywater Trio and more. Discover The War and Treaty’s biggest milestones of the past year, watch a video and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.

Concert reviews · Festivals · Photos · Videos

‘Such a unique event’: Kalamazoo Fretboard Festival strums up eclectic Saturday of music

• March 5, 2023

Saturday’s free event at Kalamazoo Valley Museum drew hundreds of fans, luthiers and musicians, including guitar virtuosos Fareed Haque & Goran Ivanovic. The recap, photo gallery and video at Local Spins.

Features · Upcoming shows · Videos

The Accidentals bring latest ‘mind-bending’ cadre of Time Out songwriters to Michigan

• March 2, 2023

Starting their Michigan run with two shows at Grand Rapids’ Midtown, the indie-folksters join Georgia Middleman, Gary Burr and Mary Bragg for the latest iteration of their ‘in-the-round’ concerts. Learn more about the tour and listen to a new Accidentals single at Local Spins.

Festivals · Upcoming shows

Kalamazoo Fretboard Festival to unfurl this weekend with live music, guitar fanfare

• February 27, 2023

It’s been three years since the Kalamazoo Valley Museum has hosted the festival as an in-person event. Get the lowdown and the performance schedule at Local Spins.

Announcements · Emerging Artists to Watch · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos

Local Spins 2023 Emerging Artist of the Year: Americana’s Myron Elkins

• February 24, 2023

Raised in Allegan County, the country singer-turned-Americana-rock artist boasts a bright future, propelled by a new album on a Nashville record label. He’s the latest winner of the Local Spins award. Read more about Elkins, listen to this week’s Local Spins on WYCE radio podcast with a special Jammie Awards preview and watch some of Elkins’ latest videos.

Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery

Toasting John Prine, HARDY, Big Gigantic, Jon Hayes, Great Lakes Brass: Concert Recaps

• February 19, 2023

Jam-packed concerts rolled out as the primary theme across West Michigan this week at venues in Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo. View the photos and videos; revel in the reviews at Local Spins.

Concert announcements · Festivals · Upcoming shows

Kalamazoo Fretboard Fest back as in-person event; ‘Songwriter’s Night’ set to debut in GR

• February 1, 2023

West Michigan music fans have a couple of fresh events to embrace this winter: Stovepipe hosts the first singer-songwriter show next week at The Pyramid Scheme and Kalamazoo Valley Museum returns with its Fretboard Fest in early March. Details at Local Spins.

Concert reviews · Photos

‘No Bad News’: Patty Griffin ends weekend with poignant St. Cecilia sellout show

• January 30, 2023

The award-winning singer-songwriter performed as part of a trio on Sunday night, with Parker Millsap getting the evening started. The review and photos at Local Spins.

Concert reviews · Festivals · Weekend Photo Gallery

A ‘Winter Wonderland’ of live music: Perrin Ice Jam, Umphrey’s McGee, A2 Folk Fest & more

• January 29, 2023

Michigan’s wintry weekend delivered more than snow: Bands heated up stages from Grand Rapids to Comstock Park to Kalamazoo to Ann Arbor. The photo galleries and recaps at Local Spins, including coverage of The Floozies, Buku, Hail Your Highness, Lucius Fox and much more.

Album reviews · Audio · Upcoming shows

Album Reviews: Annie Capps, Rosewood 2055, Moon Orchids, Hominian & more

• January 26, 2023

Another January round-up of fresh releases by artists from across the Great Lakes State also includes our takes on new offerings from Flint’s Heat Above and Detroit’s Superego. Check out our takes on these releases and listen to tracks from all of the recordings.

Festivals · Playlists · Upcoming shows

Perrin Ice Jam rolls out Saturday to heat up January with ‘all-star’ band lineup

• January 25, 2023

After the 2022 event was canceled, the outdoor mini-fest and 5K run aims to rock Comstock Park again while raising funds for Kids’ Food Basket. The lowdown, set times and an Ice Jam playslit at Local Spins.

Festivals · Playlists · Upcoming shows

BanjoFest ‘barnstormer’ to kick off weekend’s star-studded return of Ann Arbor Folk Fest

• January 24, 2023

Songwriter, banjoist and Michigan native Rachael Davis joins Valerie June at The Ark ahead of Saturday’s folk fest with Ani DiFranco, Patty Griffin, St. Paul & the Broken Bones & more. The preview and a festival playlist at Local Spins.

Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery

Winter Wheat fest stays ‘hot all day’; Myron Elkins packs house for album-release show

• January 15, 2023

Saturday’s musical revelry on three stages at The Intersection highlighted a weekend that celebrated Michigan-made bands. Photos, recaps at Local Spins, including a Kalamazoo show led by Celestial.

Album reviews · Upcoming shows · Videos

Album Review: Otsego-bred Myron Elkins’ brutally honest, Americana masterstroke

• January 14, 2023

The Allegan County native who now resides in Nashville hosts his album-release show in Grand Rapids tonight. Today, Local Spins reviews his impresses debut collection, plus view his latest music video.

Festivals · Playlists · Upcoming shows

Incredible Feeling: Winter Wheat returns Saturday with potent lineup, ‘Wheatland magic’

• January 12, 2023

Eleven diverse bands will play two stages at The Intersection in the first Winter Wheat fest since early 2020. The back story, the schedule and a playlist at Local Spins.

Upcoming shows · Venue Spotlight

Grand Rapids’ new Küsterer Brauhaus to launch Sunday world music concert series

• January 3, 2023

The “communal” hangout on Bridge Street NW kicks off its new live music series with Selkie on Jan. 8. Get details and the full schedule at Local Spins, along with information about a new Latin jazz series in Kalamazoo.

Announcements · Local Spins on WYCE · Top 10 Lists

Brie Stoner, Debra Perry, Greensky Bluegrass boast the top Michigan songs of 2022

• December 30, 2022

Based on radio airplay at WYCE (88.1 FM), Local Spins reveals the Top 10 list of songs by Michigan artists that made the biggest impact on listeners and programmers in 2022. Listen to this week’s Local Spins on WYCE radio podcast and see how you can win tickets to see Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers at The Pyramid Scheme this weekend.

Album reviews · Audio

Album Reviews: The Concussions, Bronze Nazareth, Nathan Walton, Crazy Chestur, more

• December 18, 2022

With Christmas just ahead, we review six new Michigan releases you might want to add to your shopping list, including fresh collections from Silver Creek Revival and The Dangling Participles. Delve into the recordings and listen to tracks from all of the releases.

Concert reviews · Photos

From ‘Exit Wounds’ to ‘One Headlight,’ The Wallflowers drive it home in Grand Rapids

• December 16, 2022

Jakob Dylan and company brought the tour behind their latest album to GLC Live at 20 Monroe on Thursday, with Michigan’s own Brother Elsey getting the night started. The review and photos at Local Spins.

Concert reviews · Photos

Seven Steps Up ends run with ‘bittersweet’ finale by songwriter Stephen Kellogg

• December 11, 2022

Celebrating a great final ‘adventure’: The Spring Lake listening room hosted its last concert on Saturday, an emotional sold-out affair staged now that the building has been sold. Check out the recap and browse photos at Local Spins.

Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos

The Accidentals’ Sav Buist on winning national songwriting contest: ‘Completely mind-blowing’

• December 9, 2022

The grand prize winner of the USA Songwriting Competition tells her back story for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by The Gasoline Gypsies, Matt Lenny, Silver Creek Revival, Missing Days and more. Learn more about Sav Buist and The Accidentals, and listen to her winning song and this week’s radio show podcast.

Features · Photos · Upcoming shows · Videos

A ‘Beacon of Hope’ Extinguished: Seven Steps Up hosts final concerts this weekend

• December 7, 2022

After 11 years in Spring Lake, owner Michelle Hanks will close the much-beloved listening room following sold-out shows Friday and Saturday, ending a too-brief era of memorable live music. The back story, videos and photos at Local Spins.

Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery

Greensky Bluegrass rocks in ‘badass’ fashion + Desmond Jones, Wayland, Peekaboo & more

• November 27, 2022

The liveliest Thanksgiving weekend for live music in three years delivered everything from country to rock to electronic music to jamgrass for West Michigan fans — from a packed house at Rockford Brewing to two straight nights of a bluegrass homecoming in Kalamazoo. The photos at Local Spins.

Audio · Concert announcements · Upcoming shows

GR’s ArtRat Gallery to launch ‘Americana Sundays’ concert series with regional stars

• November 23, 2022

It’s a singer-songwriter double-header this Sunday: ArtRat’s first show featuring Darcy Wilkin precedes the evening return of ‘Songtellers’ at Midtown. Get the details and upcoming schedule at Local Spins.

Upcoming shows

Busiest Bar Nights Ever? Live music set to make epic return for Thanksgiving weekend

• November 21, 2022

From tour stops by Greensky Bluegrass, Straight No Chaser, Daryl Hall and Todd Rundgren to Thanksgiving eve parties starring Desmond Jones, Hannah Rose Graves and more, it’s a jam-packed week. Get the lowdown and a list of shows at Local Spins.

Concert announcements · Festivals

In-person Ann Arbor Folk Fest returns with ‘modified format’; Hoxeyville reveals lineup

• November 18, 2022

Ani DiFranco, St. Paul & The Broken Bones, Patty Griffin lead a one-day Saturday event with a cozy ‘BanjoFest’ at The Ark on Friday. And Hoxeyville 2023 will feature Wood Brothers, Keller Williams and more. Get the lowdown at Local Spins.

Concert announcements · Upcoming shows · Venue Spotlight

COVID Comeback: Salt of the Earth resumes live music in cozy, ‘amazing atmosphere’

• November 15, 2022

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.

Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts

Brother Elsey ‘blows away expectations’ with rock-hued Americana, tour, growing fan base

• November 11, 2022

After relocating from Grand Rapids to Nashville, the band plays two big homecoming shows this fall. Local Spins on WYCE also debuted tracks by Molly, Austin Benzing, Dede & The Dreamers and more. Read more about Brother Elsey and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.

Artist Spotlights · Emerging Artists to Watch · Photos · Videos

Artist to Watch: West Michigan’s Myron Elkins emerging as intriguing new voice of Americana

• October 27, 2022

The Otsego product now based in Nashville has signed with Elektra Records, toured with Kaleo and Lucero, and aims to release a new album in early 2023. Get the back story on Elkins and watch a video of him performing his latest single. He plays Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill in Grand Rapids on Friday.

Artist Spotlights · Videos

Michigan ‘Native Americana’ tunesmith Jetty Rae takes journey of hope, grief on new album

• October 13, 2022

With her new release, ‘Time Traveler,’ making waves, the Charlevoix-based singer-songwriter opens up to Local Spins about her music and her love of northern Michigan. Get the back story on Rae’s musical voyage and watch two of her latest music videos.

Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery

I Prevail leads lively music assault along with Lokella, Kaivon, Mustard Plug & beyond

• October 9, 2022

When Michigan-bred post-hardcore band I Prevail revved things up at GLC Live at 20 Monroe on Saturday, it capped a week of fan-pleasing music from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo. The recaps and photo galleries at Local Spins.

Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Videos

Moving forward through ‘rough’ patches: Lighting Matches fires up sophomore album

• October 8, 2022

Led by Rachel White and Matt Plessner, the Grand Rapids rock band releases ‘Past Forward’ next week. The back story on the group’s new album, a video and the latest Local Spins on WYCE podcast.

Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos

The Hacky Turtles tackle mental health with catchy, funky and hopeful new singles

• October 7, 2022

After a busy summer, the Grand Rapids band is hunkering down to promote two new songs and prepare for a 2023 record. The Artist Spotlight feature and this week’s Local Spins on WYCE podcast, which also featured Lighting Matches and debuted new tracks by Michigan artists.

Features · Upcoming shows

Great Lakes Music Camp returns this weekend with slate of star-studded instructors

• October 5, 2022

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

Funk, hip hop, rock light fuse for first-ever Sounds of the Zoo festival in Kalamazoo

• September 27, 2022

The Mainstays, DC, DJ Boogie and The Incantations made it a manic Monday at Bell’s Brewery, kicking off the inaugural Sounds of the Zoo with an eclectic blast. View the photo galleries at Local Spins.

Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery

Lucinda Williams, Tall Tall Trees, Peach Pit, Marcus King, Old 97’s ignite West Michigan

• September 25, 2022

Revisit more than a half-dozen live shows in vibrant images at Local Spins, including Joe Hertler, Overdrive Orchestra, DJ Mel V, Lipstick Jodi, Melvins and more. Photo galleries you’ll only find at Local Spins.

Concert reviews · Photos · Videos

Keith Urban, Apocalyptica, Joe Hertler, Mary Gauthier, Oktoberfest fire up fall (Photos)

• September 24, 2022

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.

Breaking music news · Features

Billy Strings, The War and Treaty win major Americana Music Association awards

• September 15, 2022

The Michigan artists landed major awards on Wednesday night in Nashville. See what prestigious honors they walked away with and their reaction at Local Spins.

Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos

‘Sacred Ground’: Highlights from Wheatland 2022’s revelry, energy, musical prowess

• September 13, 2022

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

Biggest Eastown Street Fair in six years rolls out Saturday: Schedule & Local Spins playlist

• September 6, 2022

More than 20 bands playing three different stages highlight the Grand Rapids Eastown community’s upcoming weekend celebration, which will also feature vendors, food trucks, beer. art and the WYCE CD & Record Sale. View the performance schedule, listen to a playlist of performers and get the complete Eastown Streetfair lowdown at Local Spins.

Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery

Live Music Recap: Kamasi Washington, Keller Williams, Izubel, Magic City Hippies, Emmylou

• September 5, 2022

The week leading up to Labor Day brought a diverse mix of artists — national and local — to area stages. Local Spins was there to document the late-summer revelry in photos.

Playlists · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows

The beautiful, internationally traditional ‘holy grail’: Wheatland Music Festival set for return

• September 4, 2022

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

Concert reviews · Photos

‘Red Dirt Girl’ Emmylou Harris finds green pastures with beguiling eve at Meijer Gardens

• September 2, 2022

Legendary country and Americana singer Emmylou Harris returned to Grand Rapids on Thursday with renowned singer-songwriter Mary Chapin Carpenter opening the show. Browse the photo gallery at Local Spins.

Photos · Summer Festivals

‘Doesn’t get any better’: Forest Trail Music Festival 2022 revisited in words and photos

• August 29, 2022

Last weekend’s cozy music festival in Free Soil left attendees raving about the regional bands and solo artists, as well as the atmosphere of the third-year event. The recap at Local Spins.

Concert reviews · Summer Festivals · Weekend Photo Gallery

Weekend Recap: Kehlani, Re(turn) to the River Fest, Disco Biscuits, Morgan Evans & more

• August 28, 2022

August’s final weekend was chock full of sizzling live music, from national touring acts like Clownvis Presley and Michigan Rattlers to local favorites, all reflected in images at Local Spins. Get the recaps and check out more than a half-dozen photo galleries.

Concert reviews · Photos

Tantalizing Tuesday: Hanson, Pokey LaFarge, The Accidentals, Charley Crockett rev up fans

• August 10, 2022

Amid weather that could only be described as “perfect,” three outdoor shows and one indoor spectacle lit up Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo on a summer Tuesday. The recaps and photo galleries from a busy night at Local Spins.

Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows

Just a peninsula – and another world – away: The tasty buffet of eclectic U.P. music festivals

• August 10, 2022

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.

Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists

Hoxeyville’s Jake Robinson: ‘Albums that Changed My World,’ The Band to Bob Marley

• August 9, 2022

The Hoxeyville Music Festival gets unleashed once again in the Manistee National Forest later this month. Today, festival founder Jake Robinson reveals the albums that have influenced him most. Learn more about the festival and listen to tracks from his favorite recordings.