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.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Renowned folk/bluegrass siblings Sara and Sean Watkins play St. Cecilia Music Center on Thursday as part of the Acoustic Cafe Folk Series. The Local Spins interview, with videos of songs from their most recent release.
Hard to envision a more contrasting set of shows unfurling in West Michigan over the weekend: swing revival, folk, a metal-EDM hybrid, Americana, blues, you name it — all showcased in photos at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The band led by Boyne City’s Mark Blaauw-Hara spotlighted tracks from its debut album for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted music by The Wire Monkeys, Saajtak, Roots Asylum and more. Learn more about The Lonely Lovers and listen to this week’s full radio show podcast.
Three new releases by Grand Rapids artists made a splash on the November chart at WYCE, with Heerspink’s jazz-fueled “Monsters’ Impromptu” swapping places with Billy Strings. View the chart, listen to tracks from all of the albums at Local Spins.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
Recordings by The Rolling Stones, Gillian Welch and Sonic Youth had a big impact on studio owner Ian Gorman, who also revealed his penchant for the latest album by West Michigan’s own Patty PerShayla. Check out his album picks, plus listen to a couple of tracks from the band in which he’s been a member for 15 years.
Local Spins once again is offering unique, Michigan-centric calendars that spotlight concert photos of Michigan artists and 2022 festival dates. They make perfect holiday gifts. Get ordering details and a list of artists featured in the new calendar.
Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
The festival presented by The Ark is back again as an in-person event for 2022, with Punch Brothers and the Michigan-bred Sweet Water Warblers also on the bill. See the full lineup and ticket details at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The Americana icon regaled fans at St. Cecilia Music Center amid a week filled with varied musical spectacles at West Michigan venues. Browse all the photo galleries at Local Spins, from Jinjer to Zach Bryan to Dixon’s Violin to Major Murphy and more.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Grammy-winning singer-songwriter plays Grand Rapids’ St. Cecilia Music Center on Friday night, touring behind a highly praised new studio album. The Local Spins interview.
For diehard fans of two well-known touring bands, it proved to be a far different concert experience this weekend in Grand Rapids. The recaps and photo galleries at Local Spins.
Features · Top 10 Lists · Videos
As music moves indoors, Local Spins offers up lots to ogle while listening to new tracks by Michigan artists, including the premiere of a new song by Cameron Blake, a poignant tribute from Luke Winslow-King, some Halloween-appropriate creepiness and more gems. Plus, check out a couple of bonus videos from Billy Strings and The Accidentals.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The roots-rocking, bluesy, fast-rising, Nashville-based band plays Fountain Street Church in Grand Rapids on Saturday, part of a tour that’s crisscrossing the country. The fronting sister duo of Rebecca and Megan Lovell chatted recently with Local Spins writer Enrique Olmos.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
All Time Low’s Saturday night tour stop at Grand Rapids’ GLC Live at 20 Monroe wrapped up a week of wildly disparate live music. Browse the photo galleries at Local Spins.
Album reviews · Audio · Upcoming shows
This mid-October roundup of new Michigan releases covers artists from Kalamazoo to Grand Rapids to Traverse City, including instrumental projects and a compelling collection inspired by loss. Browse the reviews and listen to tracks from all of the albums.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The frontman for The Hacky Turtles tilts toward country as Hutch Green, spotlighted for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Kari Lynch, Lazy Genius, Odd Space, Adam Main and more. Learn more about Hutch Green and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Features · Playlists · Uncategorized · Upcoming shows
The acclaimed singer-songwriter and guitarist plays Grand Rapids’ Listening Room on Saturday as he returns to the road. The Local Spins interview, plus see how you can win tickets to the show.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
West Michigan’s weekend of live music had a rootsy, country and folk-flavored charm, with a couple of national tour stops and a new open-mic night at a high-profile venue. Browse the images at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The frontman for Edison Kitt & The Strangers talked about his new solo album for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Joey Frendo, Lee Heerspink, Bond Girl, Dick Chiclet, The Krelboynes, Tail from the Crypt, Pieces, Blondfire and more.
The Traverse City alt-folk band brings its tour behind “Vessel” to Grand Rapids and other Michigan cities this week. Find out what concertgoers can expect, view the latest Hot Top 5 chart of new local and regional releases and listen to tracks from all of the albums.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio
The northern Michigan drummer and guitarist today reveals the rock, jazz, soul, alt-country and funk influences which helped shape his own music, plus some artists he’s listening to these days. Bend an ear to tracks from all of the albums, plus songs from Mitchell’s latest release.
Concert reviews · Top 10 Lists
Fall has arrived, so Local Spins columnist John Sinkevics offers up his Top 10 favorites shows or live music events that he attended this summer. We also list some readers’ picks of best concerts. What are yours?
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The Grand Rapids Americana/indie-rock band releases its new project today, with Local Spins on WYCE also debuting tracks by The Verve Pipe, The Accidentals, Luke Winslow-King and more. Get the back story of Brother Elsey’s latest release and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
Best known for his work with Jack White and Steppin’ In It, bassist and Michigan native Dominic John Davis boasts an eclectic array of musical influences. He shares those today with readers at Local Spins.
The final week of summer and arrival of Grand Rapids’ ArtPrize brought a blitz of concerts to West Michigan, including Pat Benatar, Andy Shauf, May Erlewine, Alex G, The Deep Stare, Lady Ace Boogie and more. Here are Local Spins recaps and photo galleries.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The co-leader of Benzing-Graves Collective drops his solo debut next week. He was featured this week for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Bradley Sinclair, Syd Burnham, Lady Ace Boogie, Phabies and more. Learn more about Benzing and listen to this week’s radio show podcast at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Hot Top 5 · Videos
The northern Michigan folk-rockers’ latest release soared to the top spot at WYCE-FM in the midst of their national tour. See who else made the August chart and listen to tracks from all of the albums.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
Frontman Caleb John Lawson revealed the backdrop for ‘A Different Gospel’ for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by August, Sterpher, Crooked Spires, The Shook, Steve Rivers, Alfie DaGreat, Feeding Grizzlies and much more. The Local Spins Artist Spotlight feature, plus this week’s radio show podcast.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
When rain didn’t materialize, Ralston Bowles & Friends and the Elijah Russ Collective uncorked a lengthy, thoroughly entertaining night of soulful rock and Americana at Meijer Gardens. The roundup, photo gallery and video highlights at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Muskegon band with a new album on the way was this week’s guest for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Desmond Jones, Dani Darling, marsfade & more. The Artist Spotlight feature and the full radio show podcast.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
Memories of Farmfest 2021 – the final edition of the northern Michigan festival – will linger for a long time after a utopian weekend of music. Relive some of the festival highlights in words and images at Local Spins.
As August continues to heat up, Local Spins spotlights six new releases by West Michigan artists, from compelling Americana to lively indie-pop to reimagined punk. Check out the reviews, with audio samples from each album.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows · Videos
It’s back for 2021 in the Manistee National Forest this weekend with national headliners and regional favorites, including a bluegrass singer who adores Hoxey and all it entails. An interview with Lindsay Lou, along with the festival schedule.
Albums that Changed the World · Playlists
Michigan native Luke Winslow-King plays Grand Rapids on Thursday and two northern Michigan music festivals this weekend. Today, he reveals the recordings that helped shape his own career. Listen to tracks from all of the albums at Local Spins and see how you can win tickets to see his ‘Listening Lawn’ show at Studio Park this week.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
After taking 2020 off due to COVID, Saturday’s afternoon event will boast performances by 46 bands in ‘some pretty unconventional places.’ Get the preview and schedule at Local Spins.
The final night of the legendary acts’ August joint touring run enchanted a sold-out crowd Sunday at Meijer Gardens. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
On the heels of releasing two new singles, the band was this week’s guest for Local Spins on WYCE, which also featured new tracks by Phabies, Mannhattan, Superfluiid,Michigan Rattlers and more. Get the back story on Paradise Outlaw and listen to this week’s radio show podcast at Local Spins.
The soulful, award-winning Detroit act led July’s roster of regional artists earning the most airplay at WYCE, just ahead of Michigan Rattlers, Patty PerShayla, Seth Bernard and Lipstick Jodi. Read more about Laura Rain, who plays Grand Rapids later this month, and listen to tracks from all of the new releases at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Features · Weekend Photo Gallery
For artists such as Joshua Davis and Troll for Trout, the return to stages in Grand Rapids this summer after more than 16 months of COVID silence has created a peculiar but welcome feeling. Get the back story of their experiences and recaps of their shows, along with photo galleries that also include images of Djangophonique at Grand Rapids Art Museum and Pink Martini with Grand Rapids Symphony at Meijer Gardens.
As we move into the final week of July, Local Spins spotlights new releases from some familiar Michigan artists representing a wide swath of styles, from Seth Bernard to Lauren Pearson. Browse the reviews, listen to tracks from all of the albums at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
After a silent 2020, Beaver Island last weekend again hosted its unique music fest with The Hacky Turtles, Benzing Graves Collective, Patty PerShayla & The Mayhaps, The Gasoline Gypsies and other regional stars. The Local Spins recap in photos — and in the words of the performers themselves.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows · Videos
The remote, cozy festival in northern Lake Michigan will feature a host of Michigan stars this weekend, including The Gasoline Gypsies, Hacky Turtles, Patty PerShayla & The Mayhaps, The Founding and more. Learn more about this year’s event and watch videos of some of the featured bands at Local Spins.
