Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Series host Ralston Bowles showcased a roster of Michigan stars — including Brian Oberlin, Nik Carman and Eric Engblade — for a full Meijer Gardens amphitheater to close out the summer. Check out video highlights, photos and a recap of Tuesday’s show.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
For the 11th year, this mid-Michigan music festival will unfurl on a working organic vegetable farm with weekend sets by Breathe Owl Breathe, The Whiskey Charmers, Appleseed Collective and many more regional acts. Learn more about how this charming festival has grown and download the full weekend schedule on your smartphone.
The New Jersey newgrass ensemble was joined on its buoyant return to Meijer Gardens by Vermont’s Twiddle, ensuring a night of positive energy and boundless talent. Pore over the Local Spins review and photo gallery from Monday’s show.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Railroad Earth & Twiddle get things started, with the Shoreline Jazz Fest, Conrad Shock, Emma Loo & Sam, Holler Fest and a new Quinn & Tuite’s concert series in the mix. Check out all the live music selections and Under-the-Radar Picks for the week.
Features · Kalamazoo · Summer Festivals · Videos
The nonprofit group will host the Riverfront Music Festival in Allegan this Sunday featuring B&F Union Railroad, Four Got to Shave and more. Explore the back story about this group that nurtures musicians.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
The 15th anniversary festival boasts sets by Greensky Bluegrass, Billy Strings and Charles Bradley & The Extraordinaires, and features a supporting cast of national and regional acts. Read why bands love this annual celebration so much and see the full performance schedule for the weekend.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
This year’s three-day edition of Cowpie on a Kent County farm wrapped up Saturday with more jam-heavy, genre-bending magic courtesy of moo-ving regional stars. Experience a photo-laden recap of the weekend at Local Spins.
Album reviews · Audio · Hot Top 5 · Videos
The War & Treaty’s debut EP topped July’s Hot Top 5 for WYCE airplay, with Crane Wives drummer Dan Rickabus’ solo CD right behind. Check out a review of that album and other new Michigan releases.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
This weekend’s festival boasts performances by Zoso, Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers, May Erlewine, That 1 Guy, G-Snacks, Brotha James, Andrew Sturtz, Biomassive and more. Get the lowdown on this northern Michigan event at Local Spins.
Local Spins Live · Podcasts · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
More than 20 bands and thousands of festival-goers will descend on Shagbark Farm in southern Kent County for an expanded three-day celebration of regional music. See the full weekend schedule and save it on your smartphone to take along.
Album reviews · Audio · Videos
opping the early August batch of new releases is the Sony Music Masterworks debut for a popular Traverse City trio, plus fresh recordings from an eclectic bunch of West Michigan artists. Check out the reviews, listen to samples of the new music.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The Beach Boys, a “Women Rock” Picnic Pops tribute, Mike Mains, Farm Block Fest and The Menzingers also fire up the week. And check out the splendid Under-the-Radar Picks.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Sultry July weather didn’t hinder Michigan’s music train, which steamed through country stars in Jackson County, regional stars at Arcadia Ales in Kalamazoo, indie-folk along the water in South Haven and rock ‘n’ roll in Grand Rapids and more. Browse all the images and read the recaps at Local Spins.
Separated by 47 miles, two highly revered rootsy acts — one leaning toward folk and soul, the other toward alt-country and Southern rock — ignited capacity crowds at outdoor West Michigan venues on Friday, amid some wet weather. Read the reviews and browse the photo galleries.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The July 21 episode of the Local Spins on WYCE radio show boasted two in-studio performances and lots of new tracks by Michigan artists. Listen to this week’s podcast and watch the videos.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
This unusual Michigan music festival on Lake Michigan’s biggest island officially kicks off Thursday with a star-studded lineup of regional acts. Get the lowdown at Local Spins.
This special Local Spins “Sunday Feature” spotlights Kalamazoo recording engineer and producer Ian Gorman’s ‘super comfy’ recording studio that’s attracted a bevy of Michigan’s musical stars. And check out the videos and photos.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
With a back story that involves Saddam Hussein’s piano and gospel roots, this Albion duo and backing band are creating a buzz with passionate performances and a new soulful, upbeat album. Plus, the debut of new music by Cosmic Knot, Gifts or Creatures, The Out of Favor Boys and more. Read the story, listen to the podcast, watch the video of The War & Treaty’s in-studio performance.
The popular Grand Rapids vintage blues/jazz trio appeared on Local Spins Live and officially released its new album at SpeakEZ Lounge this week. Listen to the podcast, watch the video.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals · Videos
The Native Howl, The Gasoline Gypsies, Watching for Foxes, Desmond Jones, Biomassive, The Change and more play this “beautiful” northern Michigan site July 21-23. Get details and ticket links, and watch videos of some of the festival’s featured bands.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
This week’s national tours are balanced by shows from Michigan-bred acts B-Side Growlers, Michigan Rattlers, Theatre Bizarre Orchestra, KJ & The Good Time Family Band, Comments of Aether, a Picnic Pops Abba tribute and more.
Breaking music news · Hot Top 5 · Videos
The Local Spins compilation boasting live tracks by 12 West Michigan artists racked up the most spins among regional acts at WYCE-FM in June, followed by solo CDs from Mark Lavengood and Dan Rickabus. And see what new regional music has been added on the air.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins Live · Podcasts · Upcoming shows
The Americana duo with deep Michigan roots is eyeing a new studio album as it continues to travel the country building an audience for its unique music. Read the Local Spins interview with these Petoskey natives and watch a rare video from a performance at South by Southwest 2017.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The Independence Day holiday doesn’t mean taking time off from live music, with Tuesday Evening Music Club kicking off on the Fourth of July, followed by much more to occupy your week. See all of the live music selections for the week, plus some amazing Under-the-Radar Picks.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The final Local Spins on WYCE radio show for June also featured tracks from Detroit bands Flint Eastwood, Talking Ear and Saajtak, as well as music from West Michigan acts Flushed, The Extra Texture, Ty Beat, Parlor Voice, Mark Lavengood and Hey Marco! Listen to the full podcast.
Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
A sun-splashed weekend of festivals wrapped up a lively week of music from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo. Check out the photo galleries and videos at Local Spins.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows · Videos
With sets by Madcat Midnight Blues Journey, Fauxgrass, May Erlewine and more, this fest has expanded for 2017 with a beer tent, children’s area and lots of info about ‘healing our waters.’ Check out the Saturday schedule at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
Two major music festivals unfurled south of Grand Rapids on the same weekend with distinctly different vibes: Country music’s B93 Birthday Bash in Martin and the eclectic Buttermilk Jamboree in Delton. Browse photo galleries from both events that took place just 14 miles apart.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
With May Erlewine, Oh Brother Big Sister, Olivia Mainville, Watching for Foxes, The Change, Seth Bernard Trio, workshops and much more on tap, the festival east of Gaylord has expanded for 2017. See the band lineup for this unique August event.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
New York’s Slambovian Circus of Dreams leads a lineup of more than four dozen acts playing several stages this weekend in a scenic setting south of Grand Rapids. Get the schedule and details at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
Members of Grand Rapids’ Latin-infused Cabildo turned up their Cumbia-fueled charm for Local Spins on WYCE, which also featured new music from Barbarossa Brothers, Jared Sjoblom, Hollywood Makeout and The Underground Circus. Read the story, listen to the radio podcast.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Hosted by The Go Rounds’ Graham Parsons, the 10th anniversary “reunion” in late July in the Keweenaw Peninsula boasts performances by Vox Vidorra, Kansas Bible Co., Seth Bernard, Turbo Pup, Mark Lavengood and more. See who else is playing this year’s festival and get details at Local Spins.
Commentary · Festivals · Upcoming shows
This weekend’s Grand Rapids festival will have fewer stages and performances, a revamped layout and plenty of eclectic acts from which to choose. We’ll help on the choosing part: Local Spins once again has asked its writers and some West Michigan musicians to pick “The Best of Fest.”
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
The award-winning, Minnesota-based folk singer plays Cadillac, Whitehall, Suttons Bay and Boyne City this week. Read the Local Spins interview and listen to his music.
Concert announcements · Kalamazoo · Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
The Kalamazoo area boasts tons of opportunities to revel in live music in the great outdoors this summer, from park bandshells to HopCat’s beer garden. Check out the lineups for more than a half-dozen series that kick off in June.
Audio · Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
The festival’s opening night at Camp Blodgett along the lakeshore between Grand Haven and Holland boasted sets by The Waverlys and Nicholas James & The Bandwagon, plus the usual VW bus-inspired camaraderie. Check out the photo gallery and audio clips from this kickoff to Memorial Day weekend.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
The cozy Memorial Day weekend festival along Lake Michigan will boast sets by The Giving Tree Band, Melophobix, Fauxgrass, Roosevelt Diggs, Nicholas James & The Bandwagon and many more. See the full schedule at Local Spins and save it on your smartphone to take with you.
Concert announcements · Kalamazoo · Summer Concerts
The new outdoor venue will host four one-day outdoor “festivals,” from June to September, on a new stage in Arcadia Ales’ cozy patio space next to the Kalamazoo River. Check out the lineups, with videos of some of the featured bands.
Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
From national tour stops by pop, hip-hop and bluegrass acts to jam-packed local showcases, West Michigan’s week of live music kept May hopping. Check out the images and videos at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Kalamazoo · Local Spins on WYCE · Upcoming shows · Videos
The veteran artist releases his CD at Louie’s Back Room Friday night, previewing the show during Local Spins on WYCE, which also featured new tracks by Mid-Life Crisis, Willamena, J. Snell, Jake Kershaw, Mark Lavengood, Tail From the Crypt and more. Read the feature story, listen to the podcast, watch the video of Koenigsknecht’s in-studio performance.
Artist Spotlights · Kalamazoo · Videos
Bob Rowe is a West Michigan music icon. Discover the story behind the veteran country and gospel singer-songwriter’s latest project — his 24th album overall — and listen to the new single. (Story, audio, videos)
Summer is right around the corner and communities across West Michigan once again are hosting free weeknight concerts featuring regional acts, from Lindsay Lou & The Flatbellys to The Crane Wives to Union Guns and more. Get out your calendar and scan the lineups for seven of these concert series at Local Spins.
Festivals · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
It was a week of familiar bands in new locations, familiar events with new faces, and new events with familiar faces. Check out all the concert images — from Hunter Hayes on Thursday to Flint Eastwood on Sunday night — along with the “Grand Rapids: A Musical Day in the Life” video at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
With much of the band now based in Nashville, the popular Michigan-bred bluegrass quartet plays Grand Haven on Friday and has a hectic 2017 ahead. Members also are flourishing with a variety of side projects, including Sweet Water Warblers and the Mark Lavengood Bluegrass Bonanza. Check out the Local Spins interview and band videos.
Concert announcements · Festivals
About 3,000 revelers are expected to once again attend the northern Michigan brewery’s anniversary bash on April 29, with Short’s Brewing also announcing the winner of its first battle of the bands contest. Get details and ticket links in this Local Spins story.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
In what may be Founders’ biggest street party yet, the June 17 festival will tap a mix of regional and national stars, along with plenty of beer. Scroll down for concert videos of the featured bands and check out details about this year’s Founders Fest.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins Live · Podcasts · Videos
The Midland singer-songwriter released his first solo album, “All My Stories,” last year and is transitioning to the Grand Rapids area. He plays SpeakEZ Lounge tonight. Listen to the radio podcast and watch the video of his in-studio performance.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Sunday’s seven-hour showcase of West Michigan talent drew hundreds of people to The Intersection to show support for Ralston and Cindy Bowles and help pay their medical bills. Check out the Local Spins story, video highlights and a photo gallery.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows · Videos
The March 10 edition of the radio show also featured new music from The Accidentals, Alex Mendenall, The Go Rounds, Stef Chura, Michigander and Frontier Ruckus. Check out the podcast, video and story.
Announcements · Audio · Breaking music news · Local Spins at SXSW
To mark their return to South by Southwest, Traverse City’s The Accidentals released the first single from their upcoming new album today. And five other Michigan acts headed for a Michigan House-Austin showcase have recorded fresh songs for SXSW and ArtPrize. All six premiere here at Local Spins. Listen to the songs, read the back story.
