Albums that Changed the World · Audio
Tommy James, R.E.M. and Bruce Springsteen have shaped multi-instrumentalist and studio owner Greg Baxter, today’s featured artist in our popular series. Learn more about Baxter and check out his album picks at Local Spins.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
This week’s edition of “Albums That Changed the World” focuses on the artists and recordings that influenced the West Michigan frontman for Irish folk favorites the Conklin Ceili Band. Learn more about Mick Lane and listen to tracks from his favorite albums.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio
Today, Local Spins’ “Three Albums That Changed the World” series features Prof. Paul Kwant, a guitarist who runs FSU’s Music & Entertainment Business Program. Check out — and listen to — his fun, guitar-driven rock picks and learn more about Ferris’ music business education track.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio
Today, Local Spins’ popular series exploring the recordings that have impacted musicians, celebrities and various leaders spotlights the Michigan governor’s picks — and Great Lakes State artists play a starring role. Check out her picks and listen to the tracks at Local Spins.
Albums that Changed the World · Artist Spotlights · Audio
Local Spins kicks off the 2024 edition of its popular ‘Albums That Changed the World’ series with a look at the recordings that inspired the renowned Kalamazoo saxophonist. Check out his picks; listen to tracks from all of the albums.
Concert reviews · Photos · Top Stories of the Year Countdown
Ringo and His All Starr Band unleashed a cavalcade of hits for a capacity crowd at DeVos Performance Hall in early October. The review snagged the No. 5 spot in our year-end countdown. Revisit the concert recap, photos and set list.
Concert reviews · Local Spins Rewind · Photos · Top Stories of the Year Countdown
At No. 6 in our Top 20 of ’23 countdown: The review of classic rock guitarist Peter Frampton’s tour-starting June show at Meijer Gardens that came five decades after his first West Michigan appearance. Revisit the review and photo gallery on Christmas Day.
In Memoriam · Top Stories of the Year Countdown
After battling cancer, the groundbreaking radio DJ who pushed WLAV into national prominence in the 1970s died in February at age 73. Tributes poured in, making it one of the top stories of the year.
Dec. 8 marks 43 years since the world lost John Lennon of The Beatles to a brutal assassination. The world still reveres his music, still mourns his loss — with The Beatles even recently releasing one of his songs for the Fab Four’s final track. Listen to Local Spins’ Ultimate John Lennon Playlist.
In 2023, Local Spins asked readers a ‘Question of the Week’ about favorites in a lot of categories. Here are the top questions and responses. Plus, we’ve got fresh year-end queries that could score you a gift.
Ringo and His All Starr Band unleashed a cavalcade of hits for a capacity crowd at DeVos Performance Hall on Tuesday night. The Local Spins review and photo gallery.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
“I love to play.” Performing next Tuesday at Grand Rapids’ DeVos Performance Hall, the one-time Beatle and his fellow rock icons reveal the secrets to their zeal in continuing to pump out classic hits in a recent interview.
The enduringly popular 1970s band delivered a cavalcade of hits — and one new song — during their return Sunday to Meijer Gardens, led by 80-year-old Danny Hutton. The review, photo gallery and set list at Local Spins.
Tie-dyes, classic Grateful Dead jams. and a long (not-so-strange) trip. That was the order of the evening at Meijer Gardens on Thursday as Dark Star Orchestra paid tribute to the iconic rock band and more. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Albums that Changed the World · Playlists
Local Spins’ mid-summer edition of the “Albums that Changed the World” series focuses on recordings that shaped producer and multi-instrumentalist Michael Crittenden. With Troll for Trout set to play a Grand Rapids show on Friday, view his picks and listen to tracks from all of the albums at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
Ludington’s 10th — and possibly final — two-day music festival at Waterfront Park raised money for a good cause and rocked thousands along the lakeshore. Photos, video.
Local Spins Rewind · Summer Concerts · Summer Festivals
Our review of the legendary rock guitarist’s June 19 tour-opening show in Grand Rapids drew readers from across the globe. At the year’s halfway point, Local Spins revisits its Top 3 most-read stories.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Summer heated up over the past week, with energetic tour stops, a superstar tribute to female artists, the christening of a new stage, jazz in the park, a blues fest and blues on the river and more captured in images at Local Spins.
The once curly-haired, golden boy of rock ’n’ roll returned to Meijer Gardens for a sold-out, tour-starting show Monday – nearly five decades after his first West Michigan appearance. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The much-admired Pink Floyd tribute band returns to DeVos Performance Hall on Monday. The Local Spins interview with the group’s frontman and a look at why tribute bands have soared in popularity.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
From a homecoming show for alt-country’s Michelle Billingsley to a “Candlelight Concert” tribute to Taylor Swift to a school shootings vigil, West Michigan’s live music covered a lot of bases. Browse all of the photo galleries of the concert action and view a video at Local Spins.
Book Reviews · Features · Upcoming shows
Veteran Michigan music writer Gary Graff (Billboard, Oakland Press) toasts Alice Cooper’s 75th with a devastatingly entertaining recap of an illustrious career. Cooper’s U.S. tour kicks off Friday in Michigan. Check out the Local Spins review of this tantalizing biography.
Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
A hot summer indeed. Big stars and regional favorites will fire up outdoor stages throughout the state this summer. Today, Local Spins launches the first round of its annual “Outdoor Summer Concerts at Michigan Venues” listing, with more to come as show announcements filter in. Check out rosters at Pine Knob, The Deck in Muskegon and many more.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
Popular northern Michigan singer-songwriter Miriam Pico today reveals the artists and recordings that shaped her own music and career. Learn more about this Traverse City chanteuse and listen to her music picks at Local Spins, along with tracks of her own.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
Northern Michigan’s Interlochen Center for the Arts has revealed more than a dozen concerts thus far for its summer ‘Arts Festival,’ with Styx, The Temptations, Lindsey Stirling, Train, Five for Fighting, The Beach Boys and more on tap. View the lineup at Local Spins.
Saturday’s greatest hits display by the Chicago tribute band uncorked old favorites from the platinum-selling classic rock group in symphonic fashion. The concert recap and photos at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
Emulating the ‘style, notes, energy’ of Chicago, Brass Transit aims to play ‘hit after hit’ aided by GR Symphony in the weekend concert at DeVos Performance Hall. The Local Spins interview and details about Saturday’s show.
Features · Photos · Upcoming shows · Videos
Recorded at Grand Haven’s Third Coast Recording, the cover of the iconic song features 14 female singers and musicians from across the state. Get the back story, watch the video and browse the photo gallery at Local Spins.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio
After playing a much-celebrated set at the WYCE Jammie Awards on Friday, Grand Rapids guitarist and songwriter Elijah Russ today reveals the recordings that have impacted him most.. Get his back story and listen to tracks from all of the recordings at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · In Memoriam · Summer Festivals
The death of the Crosby, Stills & Nash co-founder — who addressed his mortality in a recent interview — has sparked memorial tributes across the globe. Plus, a northern Michigan festival has announced its roster of regional performers
Albums that Changed the World · Audio
As the band carrying his moniker prepares to play Rockford Brewing Co. on Thursday, Local Spins asked the Grand Rapids guitarist to reveal the recordings that influenced him most. Listen to tracks from all of the albums.
Audio · Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
After a hiatus of nearly three years due to COVID, the popular series will spotlight a wide spectrum of Michigan-based bands and solo artists twice a month. Check out the schedule, plus listen to music from some of the featured acts.
Concert reviews · Photos · Top 12 Stories Countdown
The first stop on the legendary British rock artist’s U.S. tour got plenty of attention from fans across the globe in August, making it the No. 2 most-read story of the year at Local Spins. Revisit that special opening night, view a photo gallery and browse the set list.
Concert reviews · Local Spins Rewind · Photos · Top 12 Stories Countdown
The No. 3 story of the year at Local Spins was our review of a much-delayed, much-anticipated concert: Journey’s return to Van Andel Arena in early May. Revisit it today.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins Rewind · Top 12 Stories Countdown
Our top-stories-of-the-year countdown continues today with No. 11: The Local Spins interview with the legendary Daryl Hall and Todd Rundgren, who played Grand Rapids in November.
This pre-Thanksgiving round-up of new releases by West Michigan artists also features Lisa Can’t Sing and The Good Old Days. Listen to tracks from all of the recordings at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Nasty, snowy weather didn’t cancel everything over the weekend. Several shows heated things up from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo, captured in images at Local Spins — from a Fleetwood Mac tribute to the Michigan return of a regional rock favorite.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
Local Spins chats with two legendary artists — Hall of Hall & Oates fame and Rundgren — as the icons prepare to play DeVos Performance Hall. Get the inside story on this unique tour in this exclusive Local Spins interview with both artists.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
From decades-old classics to music by emerging stars, the region’s week of live music boasted some intriguing tour stops beyond just the return of Michigan’s Billy Strings. Browse the weekend photo galleries at Local Spins.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Upcoming shows
The Serita’s Black Rose duo is the latest set of West Michigan artists to reveal the recordings that have most influenced them over the years. Listen to their picks at Local Spins.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
The frontman for Michigan’s Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers boasts a fascinating set of musical influences and a surprising current favorite. Check out his picks and listen to the music at Local Spins.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
With renowned jazz saxophonist Timothy McAllister joining GR Symphony this week, Local Spins asked the symphony president to reveal the music and artists who’ve impacted her most — including a band that’s driven by horns and saxophones.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
A member of The Concussions, The B-Sides and Zebra 3, Stanton is a West Michigan mainstay with a love for The Beatles and bands who produce short, catchy pop classics. View his picks and listen to tracks from all of the albums.
Features · Local Spins Rewind · Summer Festivals · Top 10 Lists
As we dive into October, it’s time to look back at the Local Spins stories and reviews which got the most attention from readers over the summer.
Playing amid mild temperatures and regaling a sold-out crowd, classic rock’s Foreigner delivered the outdoor amphitheater’s final punch of summer. The review, photo gallery and set list at Local Spins.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
The Hoxeyville Music Festival gets unleashed once again in the Manistee National Forest later this month. Today, festival founder Jake Robinson reveals the albums that have influenced him most. Learn more about the festival and listen to tracks from his favorite recordings.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
Today, Local Spins digs into the artists and music that have most influenced “Farmer” John Crissman, founder of southern Kent County’s Cowpie Music Festival, which returns this weekend. Learn the back story behind his picks and listen to the music at Local Spins.
Albums that Changed the World · Podcasts
This week’s special edition of the radio show focuses on Michigan music with a twist: We play tracks from albums that a dozen local and regional artists say have influenced them the most, from Kanye West to The Beatles. Get the back story and listen to the full radio show podcast.
Led by Dewey Bunnell and Gerry Beckley, the band bathed a sold-out Meijer Gardens crowd in nostalgia on Wednesday with a bevy of familiar hits. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss could be considered an uber-fan of music, often seen at area concerts and festivals. So, Local Spins asked her Honor to reveal her list of faves, including some local legends. Listen to the tracks and get the back story.
