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.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Over the Rhine, Still Remains, Why?, Stephen Marley, Domestic Problems, Allah-Las, Boy From School and much more are also on the docket. And see how you can win tickets to the first-ever Arcfest in Watervliet.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Prettymuch, Corrosion of Conformity, The Beach Boys, Gaelic Storm, The Menzingers, the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival and much more are also on the docket. Check all of this week’s featured concert selections, Under-the-Radar Picks and win tickets to see Badfish: A Tribute to Sublime at The Intersection’s Rock The Lot.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
West Michigan’s musical weekend featured some beloved icons (Lyle Lovett, The Temptations, Righteous Brothers) plus tour stops by Marcus Rezak, Sir Mix-a-Lot and Murder by Death. Peruse all of the colorful concert images at Local Spins.
With decades of robust music under their belts, the two iconic bands brought a dance party to the amphitheater on a blessedly perfect summer night. The review and photo gallery, exclusively at Local Spins.
The late-July roundup of new releases by local and regional artists covers the gamut of styles and genres. Check out the reviews, audio samples and upcoming performance dates at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Mo Pop, Dunesville and Farm Block fests are also on tap, along with Lyle Lovett, Jason Bonham, Marcus Rezak, ERoy, Sir Mix-A-Lot, Murder by Death and more. See all of the featured concerts as well as this week’s Under-the-Radar Picks.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
The 2019 edition of the festival staged on an island in northern Lake Michigan unfurls Thursday for three days of live music by national and regional acts. See and save the main stage schedule and get festival details at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Kicking off with Amos Lee, the live music week in West Michigan also boasts Static X, Lady Ace Boogie’s hip hop showcase, Chuck Mead & Jim Lauderdale, South Haven’s Rhythm on the River, The Gipsy Kings, Gunnar & The Grizzly Boys, Cabildo and more. Plus, win tickets to see Poco, Firefall and Pure Prairie League in Grand Haven.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Petoskey-bred alt-country act is still basking in the glow of its brush with Seger hoopla as it prepares for a half-dozen home state appearances and unveils new music on the road. Get the back story and photos at Local Spins, and see where you can catch the band on its Michigan tour later this month.
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
The high-profile addition to St. Cecilia’s Acoustic Cafe Folk Series will bring the Grammy Award-winning country artist and daughter of the legendary Johnny Cash to Grand Rapids, along with her musician husband, John Leventhal. Details and a video at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Johnnyswim starts a week that also boasts the GR Symphony Picnic Pops, Muskegon’s birthday bash, Winnow, GRAM on the Green, Gringo Star, Between the Buried and Me, Tuesday Evening Music Club and more. Plus, win tickets to the upcoming Poco/Nightfall/Pure Prairie League concert in Grand Haven.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Reoriented as a duo, Winnow releases a new EP this month and performed during this week’s Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted new tracks by As Am I, Ghost-Orchard, Free Hat, The Accidentals and more. Watch the video, read Winnow’s back story and listen to the full radio show podcast at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
The four-day festival in Lansing reveled in summer weather and a rock vibe, with hip hop, country and electronic music still to come. Check out the opening-day recap and Local Spins photo gallery featuring Brandi Carlile, Robert Randolph and City and Colour.
With a chill, laid-back atmosphere, the 10th edition of the Grand River Water Festival spilled out along the Grand River in Grand Rapids on Saturday. Get the recap and browse the photo gallery at Local Spins.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Saturday’s day-long affair in Riverside Park will once again blend music with water education. See the full schedule for Grand River Water Festival 2019 and a festival playlist at Local Spins, and find out why this is such a beloved event for many Michiganders.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The all-star trio of Michigan-bred singers — May Erlewine, Lindsay Lou and Rachael Davis — launch a four-show run through the Mitten at Bell’s in Kalamazoo on Wednesday, and are eyeing a really big year for Sweet Water Warblers in 2020. Learn more about the group, watch videos of their performances at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Buddy Guy and Kenny Wayne Shepherd start a week that also features big community concerts, the Ronnie James Dio hologram tour, Grand Rapids Pride Festival, Trampled by Turtles, Rockford’s Start Of Summer, LAV’s Summertime Blues and more. And see how you can win tickets to Thank You Scientist or Synth Night.
Audio · Features · Summer Festivals
Working with Joshua Davis, Greensky Bluegrass and others, the Grayling songwriter has become a go-to collaborator whose songs likely will be heard at this weekend’s Camp Greensky Music Festival in Wellston. Get the back story about this artist from Local Spins writer Ryan Boldrey, listen to his music and find details about this weekend’s festival.
Breaking music news · Features · Videos
Local Spins updates construction of “Listening Room by Studio C,” which will be part of the impressive Studio Park project south of Van Andel Arena. Get the back story and check out the photos, video and an artist’s rendering of the new venue.
Concert reviews · Kalamazoo · Photos
Steppin’ In It with friends and May Erlewine & The Motivations moved a Bell’s Brewery crowd while Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers funked up Old Dog Tavern in outdoor shows. Check out the recap of both summer-opening spectacles by Ryan Boldrey, with photo galleries by Derek Ketchum.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
The Go Rounds, Legal Immigrants, Gasoline Gypsies, Political Lizard, Nicholas James & The Bandwagon, Roosevelt Diggs and more are set to roll at Camp Blodgett south of Grand Haven. See the full schedule at Local Spins and save it on your smartphone to take along for the holiday weekend.
Mid-May proved to pump up West Michigan with a lively mix of concerts, from high-profile tour stops to local shows. Find the images in these photo recaps at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Features · Videos
The popular band led by Albion’s Michael and Tanya Trotter joins some renowned artists who are nominated for awards being presented in September. Read more about it and their reaction to the honor at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Led by songwriters Matt Plessner and Rachel White, the Grand Rapids band releases its new album next week. Get the Lighting Matches back story and watch the band’s music video at Local Spins.
Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
Some of the most popular outdoor — and free — concert series of the summer in West Michigan communities have revealed their lineups of regional performers. Get the schedules at Local Spins and make your plans for music-filled summer evenings.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
The lineup for the August music festival on a Jackson County farm features a who’s who roster of regional favorites. Check out the full list of performers and other details about the 2019 event.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Michigan-bred, Nashville-based singer and her band previewed the milestone recording in performances at WYCE and River City Studios this weekend. Watch the video of their River City session, learn more about the group’s recording project, listen to their new songs and the Local Spins on WYCE radio show podcast.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts · Summer Festivals
Michigan’s outdoor summer fun includes a charming series starring regional acts on the Wildwood Family Farms. But the second year of a Lansing street fair has been canceled. Get the lowdown on both at Local Spins.
Local Spins kicks off May with another roundup of releases by local and regional acts, from Grand Rapids to Petoskey to Kalamazoo. Check out the reviews and listen to songs from each artist.
Outdoor music abounds in summertime in communities across West Michigan and today’s lineups feature bands playing free shows along the lakeshore. Check out the schedules for a half-dozen series at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Videos
The Zeeland-based Americana/rock band revealed a compelling back story and performed during Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted new tracks by several Michigan artists, including The Howlers, The Real Ingredients, Eliza Thorp and more. Learn more about Annagail, watch a video of the band’s in-studio performance, listen to the full radio show podcast.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
Staged in the U.P.’s Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, the 15th annual festival aims to leave visitors with “a little bit of the Porkies in their soul.” See the lineup at Local Spins and learn more about this music festival that was the first to be held in a Michigan State Park.
Local Spins presents another roundup of summer concerts taking place across West Michigan, many of them featuring an impressive lineup of regional stars. Peruse the schedules for these free shows.
This late April roundup features recent releases from artists in Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo and Traverse City. Read the Local Spins reviews, listen to songs from the albums.
