Thursday’s passing storm that caused temporary evacuation of the Meijer Gardens amphitheater didn’t prevent either seasoned artist from regaling fans with career-spanning selections. The review, photos at Local Spins.
Photos · Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
Dozens of free summer concerts unfold every night across the state, spotlighting everything from rock to jazz to blues. Local Spins explores why they’re so popular as a seasonal pastime. Plus, view photos from several of these series.
Grand Rapids Art Museum and WYCE (88.1 FM) review the popular free series this week. The weekly, four-concert affair also will feature Andrea von Kampen, Brie Stoner, Rachel Brooke, Jesse Ray and more.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
The Accidentals, Hannah Rose Graves, The Ragbirds and more delivered a 20th anniversary edition of the festival that attracted new fans as well as returnees. Recap, highlights and photos at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
Dominated by a packed heavy metal spectacle in Grand Rapids, the West Michigan weekend also boasted shows by Chloe Kimes, The Insiders, The Verve Pipe, Chuck Mead and more. The photo galleries and recaps at Local Spins.
The ‘Listening Lawn’ show in downtown Grand Rapids on an exquisite night displayed Earle and band at their best. Check out our in-concert conversation between two Earle buffs, plus a recap — with photo gallery — of Five for Fighting’s sold-out show with Grand Rapids Symphony at Meijer Gardens.
Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
The upcoming season of the Acoustic Café Folk Series at the Grand Rapids venue will feature stars spanning generations and styles. Get the details at Local Spins.
After a long hiatus, Blissfest returned to northern Michigan last weekend with a bevy of roots and folk stars. Revisit the musical fun via these highlights in words and photos.
Artist Spotlights · Playlists · Upcoming shows
With Steve Earle & The Dukes playing a much-anticipated show for ‘Listening Lawn’ at Grand Rapids’ Studio Park on Wednesday, Local Spins compiled a ‘transcendent’ soundtrack of songs spanning his remarkable career. Learn more about Earle, with details about this week’s concert.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The Petoskey native who now lives in Grand Rapids was the featured guest for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Desmond Jones, Seth Bernard, The B-Sides, The Blueflowers, The Wild Honey Collective, The Soods and more. Get Sean Miller’s back story and listen to the full radio show.
Sunday night’s tour stop at Meijer Gardens was Sheryl Crow’s second Michigan show in as many days and she delivered a bevy of her most popular songs for a packed amphitheater with Allison Russell opening. The Local Spins review, photo gallery and set list.
Friday’s opening salvo of the Trufant festival had folks smiling thanks to sets by Barbarossa Brothers, Nathan Walton & The Remedy, The Bootstrap Boys, Local Commuters and more. The recap and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Summer Festivals · Weekend Photo Gallery
Saturday’s brilliant weather offered an ideal backdrop for three diverse festivals: country’s B93 Bash at LMCU Ballpark, GR Pride Festival downtown and the second day of music at Circle Pines Center. Browse the photos at Local Spins.
Playlists · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
On hiatus since 2019 due to COVID, the popular, family-friendly festival south of GR hosts 40-plus regional acts on four stages over the weekend. Get the schedule and preview the music with a Local Spins Playlist.
West Michigan’s weekend kicked off with a musical bang, thanks to a much-anticipated Chvrches tour stop, not to mention Trixy Tang, Desmond Jones, Bronk Bros. & Roosevelt Diggs revving up Rockford and a Listening Lawn tribute to Tom Petty.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
After a long COVID hiatus, the much-beloved Mio festival featuring more than 30 regional acts kicks off Friday. Get the preview, the inside story and the full schedule at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Hot Top 5 · Videos
May was, well, a big month for May, who released a new album last month that instantly captivated audiences. Get the back story, view the rest of the all-new Hot Top 5 Chart and listen to tracks from all of the releases by Michigan artists.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
Thursday’s opening salvo of the music festival being held at southern Kent County’s Shagbark Farm boasted happy fans, rousing sets and perfect weather. Get the recap, browse the photo gallery and watch video highlights at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
A cool but welcoming atmosphere returned to Camp Blodgett for Buses by the Beach’s first Memorial Weekend festival since 2019. The recap and photos at Local Spins.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Patty Pershayla, Roosevelt Diggs, Nicholas Thomasma, Elijah Russ, Nathan Walton, Josh Rose and more will heat up the lakeshore for the resumption of the popular festival. View the schedule and get details at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
When Grand Rapids singer Hannah Rose Graves plays Local Spins Fest on Saturday, she’ll lean on her popular, throwback approach. The Artist Spotlight and Local Spins on WYCE podcast, including brand new tracks by Entransient, Kyle Brown and more.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
The first two concerts celebrating Local Spins Week at Listening Room attracted an all-ears attitude from fans enamored of the performers’ story-telling charm and top-shelf musicianship. Check out the recaps, photos and videos from Monday and Tuesday’s 10th anniversary kickoff.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Fan fervor took many forms over the past week at concerts across West Michigan, from fist-pumping glee to pin-drop-quiet intensity. Revisit the concerts in vibrant images at Local Spins.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts · Videos
Slated to run June through August, the weeknight series will feature Molly, Melophobix, Jordan Hamilton, The Accidentals, Myron Elkins, Ralston Bowles, Elijah Russ and more. View the full schedule at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
A dozen shows from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo are recapped today in Local Spins photo galleries, including Megadeth, Elijah Russ, Echoes of Pink Floyd, Tambourina, Fake Baseball, Grace Theisen & a tribute to Motown. Browse all of the photos — and video highlights of Jesse Ray & The Carolina Catfish’s return to the stage — at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Photos · Videos
Local Spins revisits the Michigan native and bluegrass star, as writer Enrique Olmos and photographer Loren Johnson join Lindsay Lou for a sunny afternoon of thrift shopping and songwriter talk in Nashville. The Artist Spotlight and photo gallery.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Emerging and veteran jazz stars lit up stages this past week, with folk, Americana and rock artists adding to the musical groove from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo. Browse the images at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE
The all-star band playing Listening Room next week was featured for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted new music by Whorled, Chain of Lakes, Laura Rain, Pieces, The Mulberry Wolves and more. Learn more about Big Fun and listen to this week’s radio show podcast at Local Spins.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
View another batch of free community concerts being hosted on weeknights across the state in summer 2022, with a wide range of regional acts performing at 11 different series. […]
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
The series announced today features a record 33 shows, including the return of Sheryl Crow, Elvis Costello, Goo Goo Dolls and The Decemberists. Fans can expect higher ticket prices, too. View the full schedule and get details at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Michigan-bred artist plays West Michigan this week with a new album on the way. Learn more about Nathan Kalish and listen to this week’s Local Spins on WYCE show which also spotlighted Jack White bassist Dominic Davis and debuted tracks by several regional acts.
Familiar names populate the March Hot Top 5 Chart, but the resurgence of the Kalamazoo hip hop cellist’s year-old instrumental album also mirrors his comeback from a devastating accident. Get the back story at Local Spins and listen to tracks from all of the charted albums.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Touring behind his latest album and single, the up-and-coming singer-songwriter plays Grand Rapids’ Listening Room on Friday. The Local Spins interview, with samples of his latest music. Plus, see how you can win tickets to see Tré Burt in concert.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The Kalamazoo singer-guitarist’s latest album is spotlighted by Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuts tracks by Larry McCray, Avalon Cutts-Jones, Chirp, DL Rossi, Steve Rivers, Carrie McFerrin, The Soods & more. Learn more about Brian Koenigsknecht’s new project and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
The early June festival at Shagbark Farm south of Grand Rapids will feature Greensky Bluegrass, Peter Rowan, The Wayword Sons and more. Plus, Memorial Day weekend’s Buses by the Beach has revealed its lineup of regional stars, too. Get the lowdown and ticket information at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Photos · Videos
The multi-instrumentalist and Michigan native has found a life-changing groove with Albion’s Michael and Tanya Trotter, who lead the fast-rising, Nashville-based band earning accolades while touring the globe. The interview, photos and videos at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
Releasing a new ‘Time Out’ EP today, the Traverse City-bred musicians play Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo this weekend with three iconic fellow songwriters. Local Spins on WYCE spotlights the new project and debuts tracks by several other Michigan bands. Learn more about the ‘Time Out’ project and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Videos · Whatever Happened To
A rising West Michigan mainstay more than a decade ago, the folk-driven Potato Moon hints that its first album in 10-plus years may be in the works. Find out what band members are up to now in the latest installment of our “Whatever Happened To” series revisiting once prominent regional acts.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
With her tour stopping at Fountain Street Church on Saturday, Waxahatchee’s Katie Crutchfield opens up to Local Spins writer Enrique Olmos about her sobriety, cooking, astrology and songwriting. Learn more about Waxahatchee and watch her videos at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Videos
The busy northern Michigan artist just released a new album, with plans for another release later this year. Local Spins catches up with country/roots rocker Drew Hale in today’s profile and showcases some of his latest tracks.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
With a new record on the way, ‘Michigan Songbird’ May Erlewine plays St. Cecilia Music Center in Grand Rapids on Feb. 17. Today, she reveals that albums that have influenced her the most. Bend an ear to the recordings, along with songs from Erlewine herself.
A year ago this weekend, The Ark staged a successful online-only version of its popular folk festival with a host of national and regional stars. Tonight, it goes virtual again with a Michigan tribute to songwriter Nanci Griffith featuring performances by The Accidentals, May Erlewine, Annie and Rod Capps and many more. Get details and revisit last year’s event here.
Artist Spotlights · Whatever Happened To
Once the frontman for Grand Rapids folk-rock outfits Watching for Foxes and Winnow, Joey Frendo has since moved to Oklahoma where he’s carving out a career as a solo artist. The Local Spins interview.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
With a brand new single, upcoming shows this weekend and a soon-to-be-released EP, Grace Theisen is poised for a breakout year with her “exciting” and “upbeat” Americana-hued music. The profile and music video at Local Spins.
Welcome to the first album review roundup of 2022, with a half-dozen new releases by West Michigan artists encompassing rock, country, electronic music, folk, pop and more. Check out the reviews and listen to tracks from all of the releases.
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
January’s roundup covers a lot of territory, from a weekend competition to the return of a Hudsonville fundraiser to news about a Michigan tour stop for The Eagles. The lowdown at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Top 12 Stories Countdown
The final night of the legendary acts’ joint touring run on Aug. 8 delighted a sold-out crowd at Meijer Gardens. The review was No. 4 in Local Spins countdown of top 2021. Revisit the recap and photos from the memorable concert.
Best Music of the Year · Features · Videos
Last week, Local Spins writers piped in with their “best of” lists for 2021. Today, some West Michigan musicians and Local Spins readers reveal their favorite releases and concerts of the year, from Allison Russell, Nigel Hall and Jon Batiste to Billy Strings, Stratos and Michigan Rattlers. Check out all of the picks and listen to the music at Local Spins.
Summer Concerts · Top 12 Stories Countdown
Pent-up demand for live music propelled the announcement of a new Friday night summer concert series in Grand Haven to the No. 8 spot in Local Spins’ countdown of 2021’s most-read stories. Revisit the June article and get an update on plans for the 2022 series.
In the midst of the holiday rush, Local Spins today spotlights six new releases by Michigan artists that deliver thought-provoking, compelling and sometimes surprising music. Read the reviews, listen to the music.
