Spread the Music Festival: Amy Love
JOIN US FOR A VIRTUAL MUSIC FESTIVAL! Your favorite Michigan based artists, streaming live from the Michigan Music Alliance Facebook page on the hour, March 26-29, 2020. The purpose of[…]
Tagged: festivals
Spread the Music Festival: Jake Allen
JOIN US FOR A VIRTUAL MUSIC FESTIVAL! Your favorite Michigan based artists, streaming live from the Michigan Music Alliance Facebook page on the hour, March 26-29, 2020. The purpose of[…]
Spread the Music Festival: Birds of Prey
JOIN US FOR A VIRTUAL MUSIC FESTIVAL! Your favorite Michigan based artists, streaming live from the Michigan Music Alliance Facebook page on the hour, March 26-29, 2020. The purpose of[…]
Spread the Music Festival: Treeskin
JOIN US FOR A VIRTUAL MUSIC FESTIVAL! Your favorite Michigan based artists, streaming live from the Michigan Music Alliance Facebook page on the hour, March 26-29, 2020. The purpose of[…]
Spread the Music Festival: Erin Zindle & the Ragbirds
JOIN US FOR A VIRTUAL MUSIC FESTIVAL! Your favorite Michigan based artists, streaming live from the Michigan Music Alliance Facebook page on the hour, March 26-29, 2020. The purpose of[…]
Spread the Music Festival: Political Lizard
JOIN US FOR A VIRTUAL MUSIC FESTIVAL! Your favorite Michigan based artists, streaming live from the Michigan Music Alliance Facebook page on the hour, March 26-29, 2020. The purpose of[…]
Spread the Music Festival: Mark Lavengood
JOIN US FOR A VIRTUAL MUSIC FESTIVAL! Your favorite Michigan based artists, streaming live from the Michigan Music Alliance Facebook page on the hour, March 26-29, 2020. The purpose of[…]
Spread the Music Festival: Act Casual
JOIN US FOR A VIRTUAL MUSIC FESTIVAL! Your favorite Michigan based artists, streaming live from the Michigan Music Alliance Facebook page on the hour, March 26-29, 2020. The purpose of[…]
Spread the Music Festival: Alex Mendenall
JOIN US FOR A VIRTUAL MUSIC FESTIVAL! Your favorite Michigan based artists, streaming live from the Michigan Music Alliance Facebook page on the hour, March 26-29, 2020. The purpose of[…]
Spread the Music Festival: Stormy Chromer
JOIN US FOR A VIRTUAL MUSIC FESTIVAL! Your favorite Michigan based artists, streaming live from the Michigan Music Alliance Facebook page on the hour, March 26-29, 2020. The purpose of[…]
Spread the Music Festival: Nathan Walton
JOIN US FOR A VIRTUAL MUSIC FESTIVAL! Your favorite Michigan based artists, streaming live from the Michigan Music Alliance Facebook page on the hour, March 26-29, 2020. The purpose of[…]
Spread The Music: Diana Ladio of the Moxie Strings
JOIN US FOR A VIRTUAL MUSIC FESTIVAL! Your favorite Michigan based artists, streaming live from the Michigan Music Alliance Facebook page on the hour, March 26-29, 2020. The purpose of[…]
Spread the Music Festival to feature dozens of Michigan stars for online performances
The star-studded, March 26-29 live-streamed festival is hosted by Michigan Music Alliance as way to raise donations for the Michigan Artist Relief Fund that’s assisting musicians hurt by the COVID-19 crisis. See the full schedule at Local Spins.
Great Indoor Folk Festival brings folk scene’s ‘movers and shakers’ to Traverse City
Sunday’s festival in the Village at Grand Traverse Commons will boast sets by more than 75 Michigan artists in the corridors of Building 50 and beyond. Get the lowdown about this long-running event and the schedule at Local Spins.
Summer Festivals · Top 10 Lists
Michigan’s Top 10 Music Festivals: Results of the Local Spins 2019 Readers’ Poll
The votes are in, with Blissfest and Earthwork Harvest Gathering topping the list of Michigan’s most beloved music festivals in this year’s readers’ poll. See what other festivals made the Top 10, along with some honorable mentions and links to all of the events.
Local Spins at SXSW · Photos · Top 10 Lists
The Best of SXSW 2019: Local Spins’ Top 10 experiences in Austin
With the mammoth South by Southwest festival wrapping up in Texas over the weekend, Local Spins writer Ricky Olmos looks back at event highlights — some with a Michigan flair.
Festivals · Kalamazoo · Photos · Videos
Fretboard Festival unwraps musical ‘gift to the community’ with memorable, upbeat sets
Saturday’s day-long event at Kalamazoo Valley Museum unfurled everything from folk to hip hop to blues courtesy of Red Tail Ring, Jordan Hamilton, Chris Canas and more. Read the event wrap-up, check out photos and a video at Local Spins.
Festivals · Traverse City · Upcoming shows
Traverse City’s Great Indoor Folk Festival returns for 11th year of corridor crooning
Taking place in the historic Village at Grand Traverse Commons, more than 100 Michigan musicians will perform in a single afternoon, with some of them considering it a “reunion” of sorts. Get details about this northern Michigan tradition at Local Spins.
Announcements · Breaking music news · Local Spins at SXSW
Michigan House seeking Michigan bands to play South by Southwest in 2019
For the pop-up venue’s fifth year, Michigan House is partnering with Detroit’s Opnr to take applications online from Great Lakes State artists, with 10 selected to perform in Austin. Get details and a link to apply at Local Spins.
Winter Wheat 2019: Don Julin, Black Jake, Mark Lavengood, Benzie Playboys to heat up January
The 10th annual fundraiser for the Wheatland Music Organization will take over The Intersection on Jan. 12 with a host of rootsy bands and the reunion of The Hill People. Check out the lineup, see the full schedule at Local Spins.
Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
Lamp Light Fest 2018 to move from Eastown homes to Wealthy Theatre, other public venues
Cabildo, Last Gasp Collective, Tom Hymn, Breathe Owl Breathe and more pump up the festival bill in early November, but the big news is it’s no longer a house concert event. Find out why organizers have changed things up and see the full festival lineup at Local Spins.
Festivals · Photos · Playlists · Upcoming shows · Videos
Father John Misty, Local Natives and more to flood Arcadia Creek with sound and soul
Audiotree gives regional acts such as Michigander, Lushh, Moss Jaw and Jake Simmons WIDR platform with a brand new second stage; brings top tier national talent to Kalamazoo this weekend. Check out the complete schedule, videos, a playlist and more.
Commentary · Local Spins at SXSW · Photos
The Best of SXSW: Local Spins’ Top 5 performances from Austin 2018
Local Spins writer Ricky Olmos ventured into the giant South by Southwest fest for the first time this year. Here are his highlights, plus images by photographer Anna Sink of some of her favorite SXSW sets.
Local Spins at SXSW · Photos · Videos
West Michigan musicians’ ‘freaking incredible’ experience at SXSW (Story, photos, videos)
Mark Lavengood, Seth Bernard, Lady Ace Boogie, Alexander Lynch, The Accidentals, Billy Strings, Major Murphy and more are embracing SXSW 2018, enamored of Austin’s rousing environment, its tacos and all the musical action. Discover their impressions of the gargantuan festival and conference, ogle the photos, watch the videos.
RSVP Music Chat: Should bands bother to spend the money and time to attend SXSW, Folk Alliance and other major conferences?
Thousands of people are in Austin this week for SXSW, aka South by Southwest, and hundreds of bands are vying for their attention. This week’s podcast assesses the value of attending these major events for networking, education and as life experiences.
Festivals · Local Spins at SXSW · Upcoming shows
A ‘powerful music scene’ on the rise: Michigan bands ready to shine at SXSW in Austin
Dozens of Michigan acts – from The Accidentals to Seth Bernard to Tunde Olaniran to Oliver Houston – are headed to Texas to strut their stuff, with Michigan House set to showcase Great Lakes State music, expertise and more. Read about the impact they’re hoping to make and see a list of bands who will be performing in Austin next week.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Winter Wheat cultivates summery, Michigan-bred charm for rootsy, all-day festival
Saturday’s ninth annual benefit for the Wheatland Music Organization boasted more than a dozen performances, including sets by Joshua Davis, K. Jones & The Benzie Playboys, Gasoline Gypsies and more. Check out video highlights and a photo gallery, only at Local Spins.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
White Birch Music Festival to debut in May outside Stanton; Greensky Bluegrass hints at new Michigan festival
More than two dozen regional acts will play the White Birch event at the Morelands Motocross Park; Greensky hasn’t yet revealed the location of its new festival. See the lineup and details for the White Birch fest.
Terrorism, guns, security, fear, stolen gear and live music: RSVP Music Chat
In the sixth episode of Ralston and Sink’s Virtual Podcast, our intrepid music commentators delve into the scary world of mass mayhem that’s rocked major public concerts and festivals, plus event security in general. Listen to the full RSVP Music Chat podcast.
Festivals · Upcoming shows · Videos
‘Roaming,’ unique Patchwork Festival in Saginaw, Bay City and Midland stitches artists together from all across The Mitten
Starting Thursday, the 10-day event boasts bands from West Michigan, the east side of the state and more, with poetry slams and films also part of the festival that oozes intimacy and an all-ages vibe like Grand Rapids’ The DAAC. Get details in this Local Spins story.
Commentary · Festivals · Photos
Earthwork Harvest Gathering 2016 Revisited: Fun, respectful, with incredible music ‘unlike anything’ else (Recap, photo galleries)
The 16th Earthwork Harvest Gathering unfurled last weekend outside Lake City with what many call a “magical celebration” of Michigan’s collaborative music scene. Musician/singer Megan Dooley describes why it was so special in this Local Spins column, with images by Anna Sink.
Artist Spotlights · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Vox Vidorra embraces ‘Sound of the City,’ musical diversity and band camaraderie to grow fan base
The Grand Rapids soul-rock band kicks off the first-ever Sound of the City festival in Grand Rapids on Saturday, followed by regular touring across the Midwest. Read about Vox Vidorra’s growth as a popular West Michigan band and see Saturday’s full festival schedule of performances by regional acts.
Announcements · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Sound of the City festival to showcase Grand Rapids bands, draw attention to new radi8er music platform
The first-time festival at the Harris Building on June 25 will feature Vox Vidorra, The Legal Immigrants, Lady Ace Boogie, Ty Beat, Valentiger and more. Radi8er plans similar events in other cities, too. Read the details and see the full lineup for the Grand Rapids event.
Jake’s Music Festival rocks Wealthy Theatre with upbeat bands, high energy, worthy cause
Falling on a busy and beautiful Saturday in Grand Rapids, the 12th annual festival at Wealthy Theatre showcased West Michigan bands of every ilk and raised thousands for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. (Review, photo gallery)
Audio · Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
Lamp Light Music Festival set for ‘incredibly spirited’ weekend of intimate house concerts
The extraordinary, unique event returns to Eastown with 33 diverse performances, plus classes and workshops, all unfolding in three homes. Get the lowdown here and check out Local Spins’ “five acts to catch” at Lamp Light 2015.
Breaking music news · Features
Grand Rapids Festival of the Arts deadline for performance applications is Jan. 15
Organizers say this year’s all-online application system will make it easier for bands and performers to apply, and speed up scheduling. But the entry fee has doubled to $10.
Grand Rapids’ Festival 2013: Some Local Spins picks to peruse
From emerging act Spence & Friends to longtime fave Mid-Life Crisis, Festival covers the gamut of musical styles and sounds. But can a 13-year-old steal the show? At 13,[…]
Grand Rapids’ Latin-infused Cabildo: The Local Spins Artist Spotlight
Inspiring dance-happy fans wherever it plays, the eight-piece ensemble will fire up its “cumbia machine” this summer, starting with a Festival performance on Saturday. (Video, podcast) As an international[…]
Grand Rapids’ Festival of the Arts: ‘One of the best performance opportunities in town’
Veteran Festival bands and solo artists like The Mines and 13th Hour know the magic of growing an audience and strutting their stuff for giant throngs reveling in the weekend[…]
Breaking music news · Features
Michigan Stage Monitor: Limp Bizkit, The Breeders, Traverse City blues and other Mitten music news
Michigan music news this week ranges from a feature on Traverse City’s Peter, Paul & Mary Remembered to an interview with The Breeders to a limp Limp Bizkit, performing in[…]
Breaking music news · Concert announcements
Rock the Rapids festival to leave downtown and return to Fifth Third Ballpark in August
After staging the festival in downtown Grand Rapids the past two years, organizers say moving the three-day 2013 event back to the ballpark gives them time to explore options. […]
Friday’s Bucket List: Three West Michigan concerts/festivals you might have overlooked this weekend
ArtPrize hoopla aside, the Grand Rapids area is teeming with polkas, jazz, rock and hip-hop to help you get through the weekend. Oh sure, you’ve seen The Big List: From[…]
Concert announcements · Upcoming shows · Videos
West Michigan concert guide: Wynton Marsalis, Soul of the City, Ralston & Peter Mulvey, Labor Fest
West Michigan concert hoopla continues in earnest as Labor Day approaches with Grand Rapids’ Soul of the City, Wynton Marsalis, Ralston and more. Ralston & Friends, Peter Mulvey: Tuesday Evening[…]
Concert reviews · Features · Videos
Rockford Barnstormer: A barnload of riveting West Michigan music for a worthy cause (video)
The first Rockford Barnstormer showcased bands Potato Moon, Hannah Rose, Nicholas James & The Bandwagon and many more, family fun and a good cause: aiding area refugees. It may[…]
Concert reviews · Features · Videos
Cowpie Music Festival pumps up fans with Michigan-bred bands
Expanded Cowpie fest on Shagbark Farm south of Grand Rapids survived rainy opening night; thrives Saturday with fine mix of Michigan bands. Video, photos From Mudpie to Cowpie … just[…]
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
Snakes, alligator, contortionist, Boyz II Men part of 2012 Rock the Rapids
Rock the Rapids in late August will bring six days of concerts and some unusual street entertainment to downtown Grand Rapids. Alice Cooper, one of Rock the Rapids’ 2011 headliners,[…]
The hottest Fourth of July show ever: Donald Kinsey, Kari Lynch, Garrett Borns, The Outer Vibe fire up downtown Grand Rapids (video)
It was a Fourth of July to remember. On the hottest day of the year thus far, with the temperature reaching a searing 99 degrees, thousands flooded the banks of[…]
Electric Forest: The groovy musical weekend escape in review (videos, photos)
For four days or so, Electric Forest was an escape from the real world. More than 25,000 jam-band and electronic music fans – the more outrageously colorful and silly the[…]
Electric Forest goes wild: The music festival by day and by night (photos, videos)
Everything is different in the dark. Way different. In daylight, Electric Forest sweats with a sun-splashed milieu that sort of celebrates Michigan’s great outdoors – concertgoers gyrating and hula-hoopers hooping[…]
Breaking music news · Concert reviews · Videos
Electric Forest revisited: 2012’s adventure begins on sunny, steamy, Woodstock-like note (video)
Gary Clark Jr. made it all worthwhile. Cranking out the raw blues-rock of “Bright Lights” in the brilliant sunshine at Double JJ Resort in Rothbury with undulating, brightly bedecked Electric[…]
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