Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
To close out Women’s History Month, Local Spins recaps a special night in Grand Rapids: The “Music That Raised Us” concert at Listening Room starring some of West Michigan’s most dynamic female artists performing enduring, influential songs. Photos, video.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
Tonight, Michigan Music Alliance and Grand Rapids singer Sarena Rae stage “Music That Raised Us” at Listening Room — a tribute to influential black female artists. Before that, Sarena Rae shares a compelling soundtrack of female icons, from local favorites to internationally acclaimed stars.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
St. Patrick’s Day celebrations may have been the focus for many, but West Michigan’s live music week also delivered country, indie-pop, metal, blues, alt-country and world music charm. Browse all of the photo galleries at Local Spins.
Today, Local Spins takes a deep dive into six recent, varied releases by artists from across West Michigan — Kalamazoo to Grand Rapids to Traverse City to Albion. Listen to tracks from all of the recordings.
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.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
Meijer Gardens also plans to expand its Tuesday Evening Music Club Series, according to today’s teaser announcement. Get more details at Local Spins.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
The northern Michigan venue and arts academy today revealed the first two of its summer 2022 shows, with more in the offing. Details at Local Spins.
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.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
To help kick off Black History Month, Local Spins today profiles veteran singer Serita Crowley of Serita’s Black Rose, a mainstay on area stages with compelling, blues-fired new original music in the works. The Artist Spotlight feature and video.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The 21-year-old blues-rock phenom from Albion boasts a more mature sound on tracks featured for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted songs by Les Creatif, Au Gres, Fake Baseball, Y-Not, DL Rossi, Travis Atkinson, Emma Bieniewicz and more.
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.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Led by Zeeland’s Jennifer and Jared Adams, the band spotlighted its deeply personal music for Local Spins on WYCE, which also featured new tracks by J.Rob, Ada LeAnn, Dynaflo, Fiona Dickinson, The Hacky Turtles and more. Get the back story on Annagail, watch a documentary about the band’s arduous journey and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
In Memoriam · Local Spins Rewind · Top 12 Stories Countdown
Iconic West Michigan musician and singer Junior Valentine passed away on March 1 at age 66, leaving behind a legacy of polished performances and musical mentoring that touched a host of lives. Revisit the memorials to the beloved guitarist in the No. 3 story of the year.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Saturday’s concert in Whitehall is the biggest yet for an unusual project that places tombstones on unmarked graves of America’s influential blues musicians. Learn more about the Killer Blues mission, with details about the weekend benefit.
The legendary band from East L.A. played a pair of sold-out shows in the intimate confines of Grand Rapids’ Listening Room on Friday. The Local Spins review and photo gallery.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The Grammy-nominated, sister-fronted band embraced the unique surroundings for a rousing Halloween eve concert in Grand Rapids. Plus, check out photo recaps of weekend shows starring Chuck Prophet, The Way Down Wanderers, Stovepipe Stover, Emilee Petersmark, Mushmen, Wavves, Lisa Can’t Sing and more.
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.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
This week’s edition of “Albums That Changed the World” reveals the recordings that forever influenced young Michigan guitarist Jake Kershaw. Check out his picks and bend an ear to all of the recordings, along with a couple of Kershaw’s recent singles.
A nearly 90-minute storm delay and venue evacuation didn’t entirely put a damper on the acts’ sunny outlooks, with Black Violin’s soaring strings and hip hop closing out an unpredictable evening, The Local Spins review and photo gallery.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Grand Rapids-area music fans embraced a mix of audience-engaging concerts, including a triumphant tour stop by O.A.R. at Meijer Gardens and the final Blues on the Grand show of the summer. Browse the photo galleries at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
August’s final weekend featured a flurry of live music from Grand Rapids’ Breakaway festival and The Pyramid Scheme to the 28th Street Metro Cruise to Kalamazoo’s State Theatre. Revisit the action in images at Local Spins.
The band’s sold-out show Friday at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park was filled with soul and charisma on a muggy August night. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
West Michigan blues fans got an earful, with Ana Popovic revving up WLAV’s Blues on the Grand Thursday and a host of stars at Kalamazoo’s Old Dog Tavern Saturday. Plus, Keller Williams made a SW Michigan tour stop. Revisit the action in these exclusive photo galleries 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.
Wednesday’s sold-out show amid hot and muggy conditions brought a doubleheader of fan favorites to the outdoor amphitheater. The recap and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Umphrey’s McGree uncorked a jam-band spectacle the same night Luke Winslow-King fired up Studio Park & Laura Rain played the final GRAM on the Green. Revisit all three shows in recaps and photo galleries at Local Spins.
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.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Thursday night in Grand Rapids unfurled as a tale of two outdoor milestones: the first ‘Blues on the Grand’ show headlined by the Eric Gales Band and another full house at Studio Park with sets by Michigander and Lipstick Jodi. Check out the show recaps, browse the photo galleries and watch video highlights at Local Spins.
Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
The Grand Rapids Art Museum and WYCE will present three free summer shows in downtown Grand Rapids. Get details and view new concert series announced for Allendale, Big Rapids, Kalamazoo and more.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
Things aren’t quite back to normal with live music, but WLAV’s free Thursday night blues shows and live music in Founders’ beer garden means Grand Rapids fans will move closer to a pre-pandemic vibe. Get the details and the schedule at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
Tickets to Meijer Gardens summer concerts went on sale today to members who were antsy after a year off to embrace amphitheater shows: Seven sold out in two hours; nine by 5 p.m. The lowdown and links at Local Spins, along with this year’s concert schedule.
Features · Upcoming shows · Venue Spotlight
After barely surviving the pandemic, the ever-groovy and intimate Tip Top Deluxe celebrates a major milestone this weekend. The back story and Saturday’s schedule at Local Spins.
Concert Listings · Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Free community concerts boast a special vibe, with regional bands connecting with fans, families. Local Spins captured Tuesday’s James Reeser & The Backseat Drivers show in words and photos. Plus, view schedules for more outdoor series recently added to the summer lineup.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
It was the first big week of live music in the great outdoors across West Michigan with nightly offerings of regional stars from Kalamazoo to Allegan to Grand Rapids to Rockford. Relive the performances in images and a highlights video 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.
Albums that Changed the World · Playlists
Versatile Lansing keyboardist Jim Alfredson, a founding member of the jazz organ trio Organissimo, today reveals the albums that helped shape his career, along with some current favorites. Check out his picks and listen to tracks from all of the artists.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
With the American music icon hitting a major milestone today, Local Spins asked West Michigan singer-songwriter and Dylan devotee Nicholas James Thomasma to offer up a playlist for the ages. Listen to the tracks and see why these songs are on his Top 10 list, plus watch a brand new video of Thomasma & his band covering a Dylan classic.
Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
More than 200 free concerts have been added to the lineups of Michigan communities hosting shows by local and regional artists. View all of the schedules at Local Spins.
Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
More communities across West Michigan are re-entering the concert fray after a year that silenced live music due to COVID. View the schedules, from Monday night jazz at Walker’s Millennium Park Meadows to weekend rock and blues in several outdoor hot spots.
In-Depth Report · Photos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Amid capacity restrictions and limited ticket sales, bands and solo artists must adjust to an altered financial landscape as live music returns. Local Spins presents an in-depth report on the impact the pandemic has had on musicians’ livelihood.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Features · Playlists
The esteemed Michigan singer and guitarist reveals the artists and albums which most shaped his musical passion and his career, along with a current favorite. Find out why they were so influential and listen to tracks from each recording at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Live-Stream Concerts · Upcoming shows
Cadillac native Luke Winslow-King and Italian slide guitarist Roberto Luti unleash a multi-camera, online concert from Spain on Saturday, with a new album and Michigan shows on the way in 2021. The Local Spins interview, with details about the upcoming live-stream.
Jason Singer’s latest pop collection, “Everything Will Be Ok Eventually,” wasted little time getting attention and airplay at WYCE, along with several other new releases from Michigan artists — The Whiskey Charmers, Emma Bieniewicz, The Wild Honey Collective and Big House Blues Band. Listen to tracks from each album.
Junior Valentine passed away earlier this week at age 66, leaving behind a legacy of polished performances and musical mentoring that touched a lot of lives. Read more at Local Spins.
