Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
Veterans Day is Wednesday, so this week’s playlist at Local Spins unfurls some classic tracks that commemorate those in the military and the sacrifices they’ve made in spite of the politics involved. Watch the videos, listen to the Top 10 on Spotify.
Concert reviews · Local Spins Rewind · Photos
A year ago this week, Local Spins published one of the most-read stories of the year — featuring emerging Michigan country artist Sadie Bass — and hailed the long-awaited, official opening of Listening Room. Check out reviews and photo galleries from those November 2019 events, plus several major West Michigan tour stops.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
As West Michigan eases into November 2020, the indoor live music scene is much different and more restricted than it was last November. Local Spins rounds up the musical happenings amid what’s expected to be a turbulent election week.
A year ago this week, country, pop, jam band, rock and folk fans were in the thick of memorable West Michigan performances and events — oblivious to the approaching COVID pandemic. Relive the week in words and photos courtesy of Local Spins Rewind.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Frontman Alex Austin spotlighted his band’s new music for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by The Accidentals, The Crane Wives, Laine Rex, The Concussions, Brother Wolf, VASE and more. Learn more about Deerfield Run, check out a video performance by the band and listen to this week’s radio show podcast at Local Spins.
From Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo to Port Huron, this week’s batch of album reviews covers a half-dozen new releases from Michigan artists covering a wide spectrum of genres. Learn more about these recordings and listen to tracks from each of the featured artists at Local Spins.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
Grammy Award-winning stars from folk, country, jazz and classical music light up this special Tuesday playlist compiled by Cathy Holbrook, director of the historic Grand Rapids concert venue. Check out the songs, watch the videos.
Concert reviews · Local Spins Rewind · Photos
When live music was still at the entertainment forefront (pre-Covid) October 2019 boasted memorable highlights of the local and national variety, from sold-out tour stops to big announcements. A look back at a busy week in words and photos.
The ‘Year of COVID’ has wiped out months of performances in a 2020 that started with such promise. But before all that, October 2019 rolled out concerts and big events on a nightly basis. Local Spins looks back on a robust week of shows in words, photos and videos.
Album reviews · Audio · Videos
A half-dozen new releases by Michigan artists — from Detroit’s The Messenger Birds to the U.P.’s John Davey — are showcased via reviews, audio samples and more at Local Spins. It’s an eclectic bunch of albums, from jazz to prog-pop to soulful Americana to vintage country.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
Red Hot Chili Peppers, Styx, Charlie Daniels, Greensky Bluegrass, Frankie Ballard, Goo Goo Dolls, Styx and more populate this week’s soundtrack courtesy of State Theatre. Check out the videos and listen to the Top 10 playlist on Spotify.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Musicians have made the most of a pleasant September after a COVID-impaired summer of live music. Sadie Bass, Jake Kershaw, Edison Kitt, Hayes Griffin, Josh Rose, Kyle Rasche, FlyLiteGemini, Out of Favor Boys, Jack Leaver and more light up our weekend photo galleries.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Upcoming shows
Ladysmith Black Mambazo, The Verve Pipe, Waldo, The Bad Plus and more impressive, eclectic acts played Grand Rapids’ Listening Room before the COVID shutdown. Here’s a sampling of the venue’s favorites. Check out the videos and the Spotify playlist at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Mid-September and the final week of summer offers intriguing live music options across West Michigan, from outdoor decks to drive-in shows. Make your plans with the show lowdown at Local Spins.
Summer Concerts · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
The summer has been mostly silent, but September fires up a bevy of unusual concerts across West Michigan – from drive-in shows to online festivals. See the roster of options at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming Album Releases
Eight years after her last album sparked national media attention, the Lovells singer is back with her “Michigan twang” and more vintage charm via “The Loneliness in Me.” Get the back story on Rachel Brooke and listen to a new track exclusively at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Gobles-based artist who’s a finalist in two songwriting competitions was this week’s guest for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted music by Madelyn Grant, Brett Mitchell, Ghosts of Sunset and more. Learn more about Andy Baker, watch one of his music videos and listen to this week’s radio show podcast at Local Spins.
Grand Rapids’ Nicholas James Thomasma and Ian Thompson return to the chart for the second month in a row, too. Listen to tracks from all of the featured albums at Local Spins.
Check out this robust bunch of genre-spanning music videos by Michigan artists — plus a video plea to support bills that would help rescue concert venues ravaged by COVID-19.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts · Weekend Photo Gallery
Performing sets Saturday on a wheeled flatbed trailer, the Grand Rapids band hit different West Michigan sites for an unusual “Traveling Road Show.” Check out this week’s live music photo galleries, including photos from Thursday’s performances by the Oat Bran Boys in Cutlerville and Megan Dooley in Kalamazoo.
With 2020’s festival canceled due to COVID-19, Local Spins looks back at a 2019 country music celebration in Jackson County that drew more than 40,000 fans for sets by Keith Urban, Toby Keith, Zac Brown and more. Check out the photo galleries and recaps of last year’s performances.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Innovative ideas for outdoor concerts populate this week’s concert guide as the region continues to struggle with recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. See who’s playing where this week across West Michigan.
The most-played regional albums in June at WYCE came from some veteran West Michigan musicians. Learn more about the “crazy” fan reaction to Griffin’s Western swing album, view the full chart and listen to songs from all the featured artists. Also, check out the list of new local/regional additions to the WYCE library.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Grand Haven-area country artist was this week’s guest for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted music by Public Access, BoneHawk, Woody Mac and more. Learn more about Rivers, watch a video of his performance for the show and listen to the full radio show podcast at Local Spins.
The Grand Rapids Southern rock and country band will trailer a stage to five different parking lots in Grand Rapids, Marne and Wyoming on July 18 to play its first shows since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Get details about this “Traveling Road Show” and the schedule at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Grand Rapids singer-songwriter rolled out his latest gems for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted new tracks by The Gasoline Gypsies, Lipstick Jodi, Adam Main, Jess, Darcy Wilkin and more. Learn more about Thomasma’s new album, watch a video of his performance and listen to this week’s full radio show podcast at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Features
One of music’s most unusual, transatlantic partnerships – two songwriters in Michigan and the Netherlands who’ve never met – has spawned an eerie Gothic Americana single with more to come. Learn more about how these two talented artists met online and forged a songwriting partnership, then listen to their haunting track.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Wicks performed two new songs for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted fresh tracks by In the Valley Below, Steve Rivers, Full Cord, August, Kanin, Stephie James and more. Listen to the radio show podcast, learn more about Dale Wicks and his new album.
Audio · Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
Popular Grand Rapids jam band Desmond Jones whipped up a Top 10 roster of group members’ favorite songs during the current coronavirus pandemic, from D’Angelo to Thundercat. Watch the videos, listen to the Local Spins playlist on Spotify.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts · Summer Festivals
Scrapped due to COVID-19, the popular northern Michigan series at Interlochen is among numerous live music events slated for summer 2020 across the state that are being dropped, postponed or revised. Get details and see an updated list of festival cancellations at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
Allison was this week’s guest for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted music by Silent Spirit, Andy Baker, The Accidentals, Martyr for Madison, The Ryne Experience and The American Hotel System. Learn more about Allison and listen to the full radio show podcast at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Videos
In an interview with Local Spins writer Ricky Olmos, Nathan Kalish opens up about his new album, cooking for himself, and the way the coronavirus has ravaged the music industry. Learn more about the West Michigan-bred Kalish and listen to songs from his latest release. And he plays a live-stream concert tonight.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
Grand Rapids’ Jammie Award-winning Bootstrap Boys put their heads together (virtually) for this week’s Local Spins playlist to pay homage to John Prine, Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers, Johnny Cash and a few unexpected artists like Orville Peck. Check out the videos and listen to all the songs via Local Spins’ Spotify playlist.
Local Spins rolls out eight new Michigan-bred music videos for those trying to stay entertained during a pandemic that’s quarantined many and gotten us antsy for fresh material — including another COVID-19 parody. Check out the musical action from a diverse set of artists.
Big List Concert Guide · Concert announcements · Concert Listings
With venues shut down and Michigan’s stay-at-home order extended, here are the rescheduled dates for some April and May shows you might be wondering about.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
The mammoth, one-day country music celebration hosted by radio station B-93.7 was to take place on June 20, but will be pushed back due to the coronavirus pandemic. Get details at Local Spins.
In Memoriam · Playlists · Videos
After a battle with COVID-19, folk and Americana icon John Prine passed away on Tuesday. This is Local Spins’ musical tribute to one of the country’s most influential artists. Listen to some of his most memorable songs; watch videos of his performances.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
March roars in like a lion music-wise with Gaelic Storm, Cowboy Junkies, Shiba San, Scotty McCreery, Will Sexton, The Accidentals, Distant Stars and more on the docket. Plus, Local Spins’ Big List has ticket giveaways for three different concerts this week.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
February closes out with We Were Promised Jetpacks, Symphony With Soul, Winter Delights Fest, Dave Bruzza, Excision, The Go Rounds, a much-buzzed-about Rush tribute and much more. Browse our Under-the-Radar Picks and check out the “Big List Spotlight” on a new concert series kicking off on Grand Rapids’ North Side.
Accompanied by her husband, John Leventhal, the iconic singer-songwriter unfurled classics new and old during the sold-out Acoustic Cafe Folk Series show at St. Cecilia Music Center on Wednesday. The concert review and photos at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
A week spotlighted by the Jammie Awards also boasted a varied set of tour stops: country, metal, pop, hip hop, Americana, singer-songwriter and more. Browse The images at Local Spins, including SupeDre’s Sunday launch party for Fourtifeye that features a host of special performances.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Sweet Water Warblers, John Doe/Kristin Hersh/Grant-Lee Phillips, Mike Doughty, American Authors, Whitney and more fill out a busy concert week. And check out this week’s ticket giveaways and the tantalizing Under-the-Radar Picks.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The 19-year-old and his band (who play Tip Top Deluxe on Saturday) made their debut for Local Spins on WYCE, which also premiered new tracks by Mannhattan, Ernie Clark, Gasoline Gypsies and more. Learn more about this emerginc act, watch the in-studio video and listen to this week’s radio show at Local Spins.
Audio · Hot Top 5 · Top 10 Lists
Check out the final roster of local and regional albums which earned the most airplay at WYCE-FM last year, topped by a Michigan bluegrass powerhouse. Then, listen to tracks from all of the featured artists.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The band led by a Reed City-area singer-guitarist just released its debut album and stopped by Local Spins on WYCE on Friday, which also debuted new music by Cousin Avery, Max Lockwood, Leland Blue, Pack Sounds and more. Listen to this week’s podcast, watch the in-studio video and read the back story about Clark and company.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The Fretboard Festival Play-In Contest and shows by Tomas Esparza Blues Band, Erin Zindle & The Ragbirds, The Fast Hands Band album-release and more are also on tap. And check out this week’s ticket giveaways for shows at Listening Room.
Local Spins Rewind · Photos · Videos
Even country star Brantley Gilbert calls her a ‘badass’ singer. Local Spins’ spotlight on the mid-Michigan favorite with a bright future proved to be among the most-read stories of the year. Revisit the story, photo galleries and videos at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The holiday week keeps the live music rolling with Jesse Ray & The Carolina Catfish, The Bootstrap Boys, Coldville, Steve Talaga, Rachael & Dominic Davis and more on tap. Browse all of this week’s live music picks.
Photos · Upcoming shows · Venue Spotlight
The cozy West Michigan restaurant and concert venue has hosted a who’s who roster of regional stars over the years and aims to continue that mission. Get the back story on this special performance space, along with a photo gallery.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The Gasoline Gypsies kick off a holiday-hued week that also features Pink Sky, Tammi Savoy, Full Cord, Roosevelt Diggs, American Hotel System, Sullivan King, Earth Radio and more. See this week’s featured concerts, plus the Under-the-Radar Picks.
