festivals Archives - Local Spins

Tagged: festivals

Avoid Coachella-like chaos: Bus Benefit kicks off Michigan’s home-grown festival flurry

April 15, 2025

One of the first music festivals of the summer season returns to Smiling Acres over Memorial Day weekend. Get the lineup and details at Local Spins.

Concert reviews · Festivals · Photos

Ann Arbor Folk Fest oozes camaraderie, ardor with Waxahatchee, Toad, Milk Carton Kids

January 27, 2025

The 48th annual two-day festival at Ann Arbor’s Hill Auditorium kept ‘the dream alive’ with sets by acclaimed headliners, plus Josh Ritter, Bruce Cockburn, Joy Clark and more. The review and photos at Local Spins.

Festivals · Summer Festivals

Michigan’s Magical Music Mecca: Local Spins’ 2025 guide to the state’s music festivals

January 1, 2025

Local Spins’ New Year’s Day tradition continues today with our rollout of the schedule for 2025 Michigan music festivals, from A to Z (or W) – Ann Arbor Folk Festival to Wheatland, and everything in between.

Contests · Features · Festivals · Venue Spotlight

Wheatland Music Festival, Tip Top Deluxe top readers’ lists of favorite festivals, venues

November 26, 2024

On Thanksgiving week, readers and music lovers were most thankful for more than a dozen Michigan music festivals and 30-plus concert venues. Check out their responses. SCROLL DOWN FOR[…]

Commentary · Festivals · In-Depth Report · Summer Festivals

Michigan’s Music Festival Downturn: Is the festival scene facing a major crisis?

November 3, 2024

Several Michigan music festivals called it quits after a “dismal” 2024 and others are reassessing their future. Local Spins takes a deeper dive into the emerging crisis with comments and analysis from festival organizers.

Festivals · Upcoming shows

Polish Pageantry: Pulaski Days set to engulf Grand Rapids in polkas, pierogi and parties

October 3, 2024

More than a dozen Polish halls across Grand Rapids will fire up dance floors, delectable food, beverages and more this weekend, celebrating the 52nd year of Pulaski Days.

Announcements · Contests

Introducing the first-ever Local Spins Fest poster contest for teen artists

March 2, 2024

Deadline Extended: Local Spins is looking for designs by young artists ages 12 to 18 that it will incorporate into its official poster for the 2024 Local Spins Fest taking place at Studio Park in Grand Rapids on May 18. The details at Local Spins.

Artist Spotlights · Festivals · Upcoming shows · Videos

Petoskey’s Michigan Rattlers set to bring ‘songs-forward rock ‘n’ roll’ to Ann Arbor Folk Fest

January 24, 2024

The Michigan-bred Americana band has morphed from an acoustic-driven sound to a more electric vibe while retaining its lyrical Midwest charm. Local Spins catches up with the band ahead of its Saturday folk fest appearance.

Concert announcements · Festivals

Rescheduled Winter Wheat festival to warm up The Intersection in February

January 23, 2024

After the one-day Jan. 13 festival was scrapped due to a snowstorm, the Wheatland Music Organization found a way to line up nine Michigan bands for a February soiree. Get the lowdown at Local Spins.

Festivals · Playlists

Sounds of the Zoo firing up Year 2 with 55 bands over 7 days in Kalamazoo

September 24, 2023

The ambitious week-long showcase of Michigan bands unfurls at eight different venues, plus some busking stations. Get the background, schedule and a playlist at Local Spins.

Features · Local Spins at SXSW

Mitten State Love (& Music) in Texas: Michigan acts share their SXSW 2023 experiences

March 20, 2023

For many Michigan bands, 2023’s South By Southwest festival was their first-ever Austin experience. They reveled in that experience — except for Nathan Walton & The Remedy’s broken-down van. Check out their takes and highlights in this special SXSW report.

Concert announcements · Summer Festivals

Summer Music Fest Update: Buttermilk lineup, Cowpie becomes Shagbark Music Fest and more

February 11, 2023

Welcome to another Saturday update to Michigan’s summer music festival season, from Cowpie returning under a new moniker, to Buttermilk and the Grateful Bear Campout lineups and ticket sales info for various festivals.

Festivals · Playlists · Upcoming shows

BanjoFest ‘barnstormer’ to kick off weekend’s star-studded return of Ann Arbor Folk Fest

January 24, 2023

Songwriter, banjoist and Michigan native Rachael Davis joins Valerie June at The Ark ahead of Saturday’s folk fest with Ani DiFranco, Patty Griffin, St. Paul & the Broken Bones & more. The preview and a festival playlist at Local Spins.

Upcoming shows · Videos

Paula Cole, Sophie B. Hawkins, Lucy Kaplansky to kick off inaugural Festival of the Arts series

September 13, 2022

A Friday concert and Saturday songwriting ‘master class’ at Forest Hills Fine Arts Center will launch the expansion of Festival’s mission to spread arts across West Michigan. Learn more about the weekend event and watch videos of the featured artists.

Festivals · Top 12 Stories Countdown

Buttermilk Jamboree cancels music festival for second year in a row due to COVID

April 7, 2021

Initial hopes for a ‘small Buttermilk’ in June were torpedoed by rising Michigan cases of the coronavirus, leaving organizers to look ahead to the fall for a possible mini-event or to June 2022 for the full jamboree. Learn more at Local Spins.

Concert announcements · Live-Stream Concerts

Spread the Music Festival set for March return; seeks performer applications for virtual sets

January 27, 2021

For the second year, the four-day spring festival will broadcast online sets via Facebook to raise money for the Michigan Artist Relief Fund to aid Michigan musicians. And sponsorships are available. Get details and see how bands can participate.

Live-Stream Concerts · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows

The 20th Earthwork Harvest Gathering steams forward online as ‘Harvest at Home’

September 16, 2020

Starting Thursday, this weekend’s virtual, season-ending celebration will feature live-streamed sets, videos of past performances, workshops and more. Get details and a full schedule of online performances at Local Spins.

Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows

The show must go on: After 26 Project to host sixth Depot Music Festival in Cadillac

July 23, 2020

The nonprofit organization that employs adults with developmental disabilities at its Cadillac cafe aims to move forward with the Aug. 1 event starring American Hotel System while following social-distancing rules. Find out more about this one-day festival and the workers it benefits.

Let’s Be Alone Together

April 4, 2020

An afternoon spent with four amazing artists looking to keep you company with live music while staying safe in your home. Featuring Matthew Fowler, Megan Slankard, Max Gomez, and The[…]

Let’s Be Alone Together

March 30, 2020

Let’s Be Alone Together is an online concert series presented by Yellow Couch Studio and created in partnership with Out Of The Box (OTB) Management. The series airs every Monday[…]