Breaking music news · Features
The celebrated bluegrass guitarist and Ionia County native was featured on the nationally televised evening spectacle, but lost out in two categories to fellow nominees Bela Fleck and Jon Batiste. Learn more at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Cinematic rock, indie-folk, lively bluegrass, funk-rock: All of it and more was on display this past week in Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo, recapped in photos at Local Spins.
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.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Local Spins’ 10th anniversary celebration will light up a half-dozen Grand Rapids venues with a diverse mix of performers and feature an outdoor mini-fest headlined by The Accidentals. Check out the schedule and full lineup for this milestone event.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
The 2022 edition of the northern Michigan music festival will also boast appearances by Lindsay Lou, May Erlewine, Larry Keel Experience, Mark Lavengood, Full Cord, Airborne or Aquatic and more. Learn more at Local Spins.
Local Spins’ February chart based on WYCE airplay features repeat entries by three strong releases from Greensky Bluegrass, Kanola Band and Normal Mode. Listen to tracks from all of the charted albums.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
The Grand Rapids heavy metal festival announced its lineup this week – from Three Days Grace to Heartsick. June’s long-running Charlotte Bluegrass Festival also revealed its roster. Get details at Local Spins.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
After previously being held in northern Michigan, the festival hosted by Greensky Bluegrass will relocate to “a stone’s throw from Grand Rapids.” Get the lowdown at Local Spins.
The Kalamazoo-bred progressive bluegrass band soared straight to the top of the WYCE chart with its eighth studio album. Listen to tracks from all of the charted albums.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
This week’s roundup of concert photos actually starts last weekend with the return of live music to Founders, plus the first West Michigan shows in quite some time starring some compelling bands. Browse all of the photo galleries at Local Spins.
Album reviews · Audio · Upcoming shows
This late January round-up of new releases by Michigan artists ranges from the latest by a national bluegrass powerhouse to the debut of a new Grand Rapids project to a heavy metal fusillade from Detroit. Browse the reviews and listen to tracks from all of the releases at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
In an interview with Local Spins, guitarist and Kalamazoo native Dave Bruzza opens up about the new album and 2022 touring. Listen to tracks from the new album and the full interview as well as this week’s Local Spins on WYCE podcast, with the debut of several new tracks by Michigan artists, including Chirp, Pajames, Big Timmy & The Heavy Chevys, John Piatek and more.
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows · Videos
Rising cases sparked by the Omicron variant led the Grand Rapids community radio station to delay the popular multi-band celebration at The Intersection for four months. Get the details at Local Spins.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
The first “Albums That Changed the World” feature for 2022 stars Full Cord bluegrass mandolinist Brian Oberlin, who reveals influences with an acoustic, bluegrass and classical bent. Check out his selections and listen to the music at Local Spins.
Features · Top 12 Stories Countdown · Videos
The acclaimed Michigan-bred guitarist’s remarkable rise to stardom and acclaim topped all other news items as the most-read story of the year. And he’s since been nominated for two more Grammy Awards, making him Local Spins’ “Newsmaker of the Year.” Revisit the story and get an update on Billy Strings’ other attention-getting milestones from 2021.
Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
At least 10 West Michigan concerts scheduled for this week have been canceled due to COVID concerns, making it a relatively quiet celebration of New Year’s. Get the lowdown on what’s happening and what’s not at Local Spins.
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.
Albums that Changed the World · Summer Festivals · Top 12 Stories Countdown
No. 7 in our countdown is a combo affair: The much-ballyhooed story of Greensky Bluegrass’ debut at Shagbark Farm in July and mandolinist Paul Hoffman’s picks for ‘Albums that Changed His World.’ Revisit these stories and browse a photo gallery from the mini-festival.
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.
Hometown heroes Greensky Bluegrass revved up two nights of fun at State Theatre for fans in Kalamazoo, with banjo phenom Bela Fleck lighting up a smaller crowd with an all-star crew at Grand Rapids’ DeVos Performance Hall. The recaps and photos.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Rockford native and one-time contestant on ‘The Voice’ performed a holiday classic and an original for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Joshua Rilko, Zebra 3, The Blue Pines, Vert Terms, Cal in Red and more. Get the back story about Sinclair and his upcoming show, and listen to this week’s radio podcast.
Announcements · Breaking music news
The nominations announced today stem from his latest, chart-topping studio album, “Renewal.” Billy Strings’ national tour hits Grand Rapids in late December, with fellow Grammy nominee Bela Fleck playing Grand Rapids this Saturday. Learn more about both nominees, with the Grammys set to be doled out on Jan. 31.
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 reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Amid the flurry of national tour stops firing up crowds from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo was an understated finale for a much-beloved West Michigan Celtic band that decided to end its long run. Check out the An Dro story along with 10 photo galleries from a hectic week of concerts.
The support for their releases makes them smile. The October chart ranking the top local and regional albums also features Desmond Jones, Lee Heerspink and Odd Space.
Wednesday’s kickoff to the Grand Rapids venue’s Acoustic Café Folk Series boasted a celebratory, rootsy, communal vibe. The Local Spins review and photo gallery from a night of genre-melding bluegrass.
Breaking music news · Commentary
The Ionia County native is changing the face of bluegrass and bringing mainstream attention to an important American genre. A Local Spins commentary.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
The multi-award-winning musician brings his band to Grand Rapids’ St. Cecilia Music Center next week. Learn more about Sam Bush in this Local Spins interview and watch his performance videos.
Album reviews · Upcoming shows · Videos
The award-winning, Michigan-bred bluegrass star takes another impressive step forward on his latest, super-lengthy studio release. Delve into this 16-track collection, listen to the jammiest track and check out his latest music video.
The special collection of live Manitou Music Festival performances is a testament — and a tribute — to the talents of longtime Traverse City sound engineer Jack Conners, who has been battling cancer. Read more about Conners and the project at Local Spins.
Joined by The String Wizards, the legendary John McEuen makes a tour stop Friday at Listening Room when fans can expect entertaining tales, new material and Nitty Gritty classics. And Local Spins is giving away tickets to a couple of lucky readers.
The ever-engaging Americana/bluegrass/country Nashville-based, Virginia-bred band enthralled a sold-out Meijer Gardens audience in its welcomed return to Grand Rapids on Sunday. The review, photo gallery and set list at Local Spins.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
This weekend’s festival outside Empire will feature Joshua Davis, Laura Rain, Dana Falconberry, Jordan Hamilton, Mark Lavengood and more. Learn more about this boutique festival and view the full weekend schedule.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
Not surprisingly, multiple performances by Michigan-bred bluegrass hero Billy Strings topped the roster of memorable moments at a northern Michigan festival that returned after a one-year hiatus. Browse the weekend highlights, pore over the photos and view videos from an action-packed Hoxey.
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.
The band formerly known as Mandolin Orange unfurled fresh songs from an album due out next week during its Meijer Gardens tour stop on Thursday. The review and photos at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
One of the busiest music weeks of summer 2021 brought big crowds to venues across West Michigan, including the second day of revelry at Belknap Park and Shagbark Farm. The photo galleries, festival recaps and video highlights at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
Playing the first of three nights at the Caledonia-area ranch, the Michigan-bred progressive bluegrass powerhouse earned a rousing welcome from fans. The Local Spins review, with photos and video highlights from Night No. 1.
Artist Spotlights · Summer Concerts · Summer Festivals · Videos
The progressive bluegrass powerhouse with roots in Kalamazoo plays three nights at Shagbark Farm south of Grand Rapids starting Friday. The Local Spins interview with banjoist Michael Arlen Bont, plus videos and ticket links.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
West Michigan’s 2021 Independence Day weekend proved to be far busier music-wise than the pandemic-impaired 2020, and Local Spins was there to capture the concert action in photos.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
’Finally, the music is back.’ The inaugural festival in Trufant reveled in good weather, camaraderie and the return of live performances. Get the recap, photos and video highlights at Local Spins.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows · Videos
After a silent 2020, the iconic, three-day music festival this weekend at Eaton County Fairgrounds has organizers and fans ‘super-excited.’ Learn more about this event and view the full performance schedule at Local Spins.
Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Local Spins celebrates the first day of summer and Father’s Day with a photo gallery of live music that heated up outdoor stages in Lowell, Grand Rapids, Three Rivers, Jackson and Rockford. Browse the images and a video from these concerts.
Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
We’ve got 10 more summer series starring regional acts unfolding in communities from Buchanan to Canadian Lakes, with several of these kicking off this coming week. The lineup at Local Spins.
The abbreviated summer series at northern Michigan’s Interlochen Center for the Arts will feature six August shows. Get details and the full schedule at Local Spins.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Unable to pull off Camp Greensky in June, the national bluegrass powerhouse instead will regale fans July 16-18 with Railroad Earth, Steppin’ In It and Sierra Hull. Details at Local Spins.
Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
As summer kicks into full gear, so do outdoor concerts hosted by communities across West Michigan. Learn more about the return of these shows and get the latest update to Local Spins’ comprehensive listings of music in the great outdoors.
The two Traverse City bands released new EPs this spring that earned them lots of attention and lots of radio airplay at WYCE-FM. Check out their reaction to the news, discover what other albums made the May chart and listen to songs from the featured artists.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Band members opened up about their upcoming new album and their ‘present-day sound’ for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Chain of Lakes, Chuck Bob Carnes, Mechavillain, The Olllam, Chris Cranick, Brian Mulder, Jake Lindell, The Down & Goers and more. Podcast, video and story all part of today’s Artist Spotlight.
