Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The band led by a Reed City-area singer-guitarist just released its debut album and stopped by Local Spins on WYCE on Friday, which also debuted new music by Cousin Avery, Max Lockwood, Leland Blue, Pack Sounds and more. Listen to this week’s podcast, watch the in-studio video and read the back story about Clark and company.
January’s second batch of albums reviews at Local Spins spotlights the latest releases by several artists from Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo. Check out the reviews, listen to the music, find out where some of these artists are performing.
Artist Spotlights · Festivals · Upcoming shows · Videos
The emerging Plymouth-based band is one of only two Michigan acts on this year’s impressive Folk Festival bill. Discover more about the quartet in this Local Spins Artist Spotlight, listen to the band’s music and watch videos of Cold Tone Harvest performances.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
DJ Faren Strnad kicks off a week that also features Small Glories, Garcia Peoples, Toth, Cousin Avery, Paradise Outlaw, Pink Sky, How to Live Together, Leland Blue, Henhouse Prowlers, Lady Ace Boogie’s birthday bash and much more. And check out this week’s ticket giveaways.
The Wheatland Music Organization’s 11th annual soiree will pack Grand Rapids’ Intersection this weekend with performances by more than a dozen roots music and folk artists on two stages. Details, schedule at Local Spins.
Features · Top 10 Lists · Videos
As the year draws to a close, Local Spins asked some West Michigan musicians and readers to make their picks for the best albums and songs of 2019 — a diverse roster covering rock, hip hop, jazz, R&B, folk and more. And listen to music from all of the featured artists.
Artist Spotlights · Features · Upcoming shows
Maintaining mental health and dealing with “a lot of pressure” represent real challenges for touring musicians, especially road warriors such as The Accidentals and Billy Strings, who plays a sold-out New Year’s Eve show in Grand Rapids. In Part II of its interview with Billy Strings, Local Spins delves into the issues that have become a growing concern for many bands.
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 · Weekend Photo Gallery
West Michigan skated into mid-December with holiday fare, rock ‘n’ roll and more — from Turkuaz to Wayland to Sons of F.U.N.K. to The Bootstrap Boys — captured in images and videos (as usual) at Local Spins. Browse the photo galleries, videos and show recaps.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
The Grand Rapids band plans an energetic ‘wave of emotion’ at Saturday’s Pyramid Scheme show. The in-depth and revealing Local Spins interview with lead songwriter Brady Stablein, with an exclusive performance video.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
After ‘an eventful year,’ the Port Huron-bred, Detroit-based rock and roots band plays Local Spins’ new Michigan Mondays series in Grand Rapids next week, with new music set for release by the group in 2020. Learn more about the band, get details about Monday’s show and watch a video at Local Spins.
With December’s holidays fast approaching, here’s a Local Spins roundup of recent Michigan releases that make perfect stocking stuffers — and just plain satisfying listening. Browse the reviews and listen to tracks from each of the featured albums.
Audio · Features · Upcoming shows
Grand Rapids singer and guitarist J. Oscar Bittinger is ‘rebooting’ the once-popular holiday concert at Listening Room on Sunday. Get the back story about this unique event and see the full lineup at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Mid-December also heats up with May Erlewine, Dalmatian Stone, Wayland, Mary Gauthier, Brother Elsey, A Winter’s Tune, Tuba Christmas and more. Peruse this week’s featured concerts, check out the Under-the-Radar Picks, and win tickets to shows at The Pyramid Scheme.
Calvin University’s ‘house band’ returned to Grand Rapids on Friday for a moving show that was all about honoring Heffner, who’s retiring as student activities director and Calvin’s concert honcho. The review and photos at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
This week’s Local Spins Artist Spotlight showcases the “character stories” of the Rockford singer-songwriter. Plus, Local Spins on WYCE debuted new tracks by Stevie Reidz, Fukushima Daisies, Medicinal Groove, Last Gasp Collective and more. Listen to the podcast, watch the in-studio video.
For the third year in a row, a new album featuring singer May Erlewine has jumped to the top of the Local Spins Hot Top 5 chart at WYCE-FM, with Borr McFerrin and Jack Droppers making their first appearance. Check out the chart, listen to songs and watch videos from all of the featured artists at Local Spins.
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 · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Brent Shirey of Valentiger unfurled new songs on-air for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted music by Catfish & The Man, Aspen Jacobsen, Edison Kitt, Jack Droppers and more. Peruse the story, podcast and video at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Detroit-area roots/folk/Americana band made its debut for Local Spins on WYCE, which also premiered new tracks by Blueflowers, Porter Kenyon, Jeff Karoub, Drinkard Sisters and more. Listen to the radio show podcast, watch the in-studio video, get the back story on Remnose at Local Spins.
The ‘Mexo-Americana’ group and singer-songwriter Heather Maloney earned a warm welcome from fans who braved early season snow to attend Wednesday night’s concert at the downtown venue. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
The Grand Rapids singer-songwriter topped a chart of most-played local albums on WYCE that also features new releases by Last Gasp Collective, May Erlewine and The Skinny Limbs. See the full chart, listen to songs by all of the featured artists and browse a list of new regional releases.
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.
The two-day winter fundraiser for The Ark will also boast sets by Ingrid Michaelson, The Lone Bellow, Bettye Lavette, Molly Tuttle, Cedric Burnside, Rainbow Girls and more. Get details 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.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The music weekend began with Joshua Davis’ debut at Grand Rapids’ new Listening Room and continued with a host of crowd-pleasing regional and national concerts from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo to Rockford. Browse all of the colorful images at Local Spins, including images from a two-night stand by Joe Hertler and a brewery’s anniversary bash.
Album reviews · Audio · Videos
Fall brings with it some frightfully good new regional music, including the latest from Michigan-bred bluegrass hero Billy Strings, a popular hip hop collective, fetching fiddle music and scary-cool Halloween gems. Check out the reviews, sample the new music at Local Spins.
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.
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.
Thursday night’s concert offerings in Grand Rapids boasted fan-pleasing shows by an acclaimed singer, a revered guitarist, and Colorado and U.K. indie-rock faves. Get the recap of this special Thursday at three different venues in recaps and photo galleries at Local Spins.
Album Releases · Audio · Hot Top 5
The latest chart of most-played local and regional albums on Grand Rapids’ WYCE-FM also featured the debut of a new album by hip hop’s Dante Cope. See the full chart, listen to music from the featured artists.
Features · Podcasts · RSVP Music Chat · Venue Spotlight
On Thursday night, Grand Rapids’ St. Cecilia Music Center kicks off its folk series with country and Americana singer Lee Ann Womack. Listen to the podcast with venue honcho Cathy Holbrook to learn why St. Cecilia stands out as a concert hall and discover the journey that led her to the helm of this organization.
Saturday’s day-long event at Kalamazoo Valley Community College will feature numerous workshops and an evening concert starring folk icons Robin & Linda Williams and fingerstyle guitar whiz Pat Donohue. Get the details at Local Spins.
Album reviews · Features · Videos
Michigan’s leading folk-singer activist this week mounts a Michigan tour behind a powerful and political new album. The Local Spins interview, with review of the new album and a new video for the single, “Whole Again.”
Album reviews · Audio · Podcasts
From established stars (May Erlewine) to up-and-coming Grand Rapids acts (Patty PerShayla, The Skinny Limbs), this month’s edition of Local Spins on ‘Stateside’ showcased some Michigan-bred music that’s begging to be heard. Listen to the podcast and interview, check out songs from the featured artists.
Artist Spotlights · Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
The acclaimed singer and songwriter plays Grand Rapids on Thursday to launch the Acoustic Cafe Folk Series. She shared her views on the state of mainstream country, the joy she’s experiencing in performing live and more in a Local Spins interview. Plus, watch videos of songs from her most recent albums.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Big Sandy gets the week started, with Witt Lowry, Greyhounds, Yuno, Mdou Moctar, Pistil Whips, Mustard Plug, Rockford Harvest Festival, Flat River Songwriter Showcase and Grand Rapids Symphony’s Queens of Soul also on the bill. And see how you can win tickets to see BoomBox or Witt Lowry at Elevation inside The Intersection.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The week starts with the roar of GWAR, but there are also big shows starring JRob, The Accidentals, Pink Sky, Earth Radio, Delbert McClinton and way more firing up stages in West Michigan. Get the complete concert lowdown at Local Spins along with this week’s Under-the-Radar Picks.
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.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The week also features Reverend Raven, Sebastian Bach, Patty PerShayla, Laith Al-Saadi, Langhorne Slim, Deerfield Run and Project 1’s first-ever Blue Bridge Amplified. Get the complete concert lowdown in this week’s Big List Concert Guide at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
The Way Down Wanderers and Arkansauce also performed Saturday at the Earth’s Edge/Courtyard Concerts event in Mill Point Park. Get the recap and browse a photo gallery at Local Spins.
With a politically conscious new record releasing in four weeks, the North Carolina folk/rock band was ready to connect with a modest-but-enthused audience. Check out the review of Friday night’s show at Local Spins. along with a photo gallery.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows · Videos
The “adventurous” event at Mill Point Park also stars The Way Down Wanderers and Arkansauce. Get the lowdown about this first-time event at Local Spins and watch videos of the featured performers.
Concert reviews · Features · Photos
The North Carolina indie-folk group made its Meijer Gardens debut on Wednesday, touring behind its latest studio album. Check out the review and a photo gallery, plus a Local Spins Q&A with the band.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Among the national and international folk/roots music stars at next weekend’s 46th Wheatland will be several Michigan acts who will treasure their time in the spotlight. See why it’s special for them and check out the full Main and Centennial stage schedules.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
The third year of the regional music fest unfurled last weekend in Sidney north of Grand Rapids. Local Spins asked some of the performers to pick their favorite experiences, with a photo gallery 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[…]
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Funk, rock, Americana, jam-band fun, indie-folk, country, blues, you name it, it was on display on stages across West Michigan this past week, including Muskegon’s Moose Fest and a rousing Joe Cocker tribute. Browse the images and show recaps at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The St. Louis-based musician, songwriter and Cornerstone University alum soaked up elements of rock while playing in Grand Rapids bands. She’s home this week to perform in support of “Evergreen.” Read the Local Spins interview, watch her new music video and listen to the title track from her new album.
