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.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
The Sweet Water Warblers, Joshua Davis, Hoots & Hellmouth, Billy Strings & Don Julin, Luke Winslow-King and other favorites pump up the intimate Fennville venue’s Local Spins playlist. Ogle the videos, listen to the featured songs on Spotify.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Milder October weather will greet music fans this week for an assortment of outdoor shows featured on The Big List, including a one-day music festival near Morley and another Cherry Park Live show in Grand Rapids. See the full list of concerts at Local Spins.
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.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Set to play Belknap Park on Saturday, the GR rock band was showcased for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by The War and Treaty, Jack Droppers, Jake Allen, Julianne Ankley, John Davey, Laura Rain & The Caesars, Shawn Butzin and more. Get the update on The Legal Immigrants, watch a video of a new song and listen to the radio show podcast at Local Spins.
Live-Stream Concerts · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
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.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
A busy September lineup of concerts after a mostly quarantined summer kicked off over Labor Day weekend with small but vibrant shows from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo. Browse the photo galleries 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.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
On another pleasant summer evening, The Verve Pipe frontman regaled fans Thursday with songs new and old as part of Listening Room’s ‘Listening Lawn’ series in downtown Grand Rapids. The review, photo gallery and video highlights at Local Spins.
Live-Stream Concerts · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
With the usual, much-beloved Wheatland festival canceled this year due to COVID-19, organizers have assembled three days of performance videos by a slew of familiar artists — from Jill Jack and Seth Bernard to Blue Highway and Lunasa. Get details and a full schedule for the September event at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Officially, the odd summer of 2020 enters its final month this week — just as live music options ramp up to take advantage of the warm Michigan weather. See what’s on tap via this week’s show listings at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The guitarist was the featured guest for this week’s expanded Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted music by Earth Radio, Dalmatian Stone, Brothers Crunch, Stone Soup & the Broken Teeth and more. Read the Local Spins Artist Spotlight feature and listen to this week’s radio show.
Local Spins delves into some brand new Michigan-made releases — from a jazzy and soulful new Erlewine project to a Lansing band hitting its stride. Read the reviews, listen to songs from each of the featured albums.
Features · Local Spins on WYCE · Upcoming shows
To celebrate Great Lakes State artists, the Grand Rapids station will exclusively play Michigan music during a special 36-hour drive with a goal of raising funds to make up for a $36,000 shortfall during a COVID-impaired year. Get the details at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Live music in the great outdoors took several different forms across the region — from Benton Harbor to Grand Rapids to a farm east of Gaylord, with performances by Mark Lavengood, Jenna Mammina and many more. Local Spins traveled hundreds of miles for images of what’s become a rarity this summer due to COVID-19: Live music.
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.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
In what would have marked the halfway point in another robust amphitheater series except for COVID-19, Meijer Gardens’ John VanderHaagen offers up a Top 10 playlist of artists who’ve played the summer series — and one act he’d love to see there. Check out the list and listen to songs from each of the featured performers.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Kalamazoo singer-songwriter’s new album was featured for this week’s Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Distant Stars, From Big Sur, Joel Comstock, The American Hotel System and more. Get Koenigsknecht’s back story and watch one of his music videos; listen to this week’s radio show podcast 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 · Upcoming shows · Videos
Tuesday’s kickoff to a driveway concert series is just one way West Michigan has returned to live music, with shows unfurling at parks, parking lots and farms. Check out photos and a recap of Tuesday’s concert, and see what other outdoor shows are on the horizon at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Michigan’s songbird shared thoughts on her fun new studio album and finding peace in a pandemic while debuting a new single for Local Spins on WYCE. The show also showcased new music from Earth Radio, xRBG, Shadow Forest, Barrel Bones, Tom Hymn and more. Learn more about Erlewine’s new album project and listen to the full radio show podcast at Local Spins.
Our mid-July roundup of new West Michigan releases covers fresh entries in rock, jazz, pop, folk and Western swing. Check out the reviews; listen to tracks from each artist.
Local Spins Rewind · Playlists · Podcasts · Videos
In mid-July 2017, a little-known, soulful group from Albion stuffed its gear into a radio studio for Local Spins on WYCE and blew everyone away. Not surprisingly, they’ve since soared to prominence and become national stars. Relive their debut via words, video and radio show podcast. Plus check out the Tuesday Local Spins Playlist of Top 10 War and Treaty songs.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
One of the first acts to appear on the broadcast, Channing & Quinn, helped commemorate the milestone 300th edition of the radio show, which also looked back at regional music from 2014 and debuted tracks by May Erlewine, Laddermatch, Ttypes + PAWL, Amy Love and more. Check out the interview with Channing & Quinn, watch a video of their performances and listen to the special anniversary show.
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.
Concert announcements · Live-Stream Concerts · Summer Festivals
One of northern Michigan’s most popular music festivals canceled its in-person gathering near Harbor Springs due to COVID-19, so artists such as Thornetta Davis, Desmond Jones and Rainbow Girls will instead perform online. Get more information and a schedule at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
As July continues to heat up, this week’s concert guide features another West Michigan drive-in concert and some outdoor options for live music — plus recommendations for safely attending shows.
Freedom has never seemed more important than it does today: July 4, 2020. Local Spins has compiled an Independence Day soundtrack that will uplift you and make you think, from Common and John Legend to Neil Young and Jimi Hendrix.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The northern Michigan musician and activist opened up about his DIY project and more for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Molly, Callab, August, Birdie Country, The Bronk Bros., Jake Kershaw, The American Hotel System and other Michigan artists. Read the Local Spins Artist Spotlight story, watch a video Bernard’s performance and listen to the full radio show podcast.
Plan your week with a sampling of live music events at bars, breweries and eateries across West Michigan — including the return of Grand Rapids’ Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill, with new health precautions amid the COVID-19 pandemic. There’s even a parking lot jazz performance to check out. Details at Local Spins.
Some familiar names and chart veterans ranked among the most-played Michigan artists on WYCE (88.1 FM) last month, representing new and old releases from Grand Rapids to Ann Arbor to Kalamazoo. Check out the latest chart and listen to tracks from all of the featured artists at Local Spins.
This video roundup also features northern Michigan students performing an Andy Grammer classic and a peek at the first live concert in the Grand Rapids area in three months. Watch the videos, along with background information about the projects.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
Michigan’s hallowed Wheatland in September is bowing to COVID-19 out of safety concerns. But organizers of a mid-July festival on an island in northern lake Michigan still plan a mini-event with limited crowds. Get details about both festivals 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.
Album Releases · Artist Spotlights · Videos
Amid the current crisis, Mulder’s collaborative “The World Around the Bed” not only serves as an instrument of hope for hospice patients, but also those affected by COVID-19. Get the back story at Local Spins.
Today’s video roundup is topped by Friday’s furious night of fundraising blues at the Tip Top Deluxe, plus songs by Sweet Water Warblers, Full Cord Bluegrass, American Hotel System and Upon Wings. Check out all the videos in this week’s edition of “music on the silver screen.”
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.
May’s second round of Local Spins album reviews focuses on artists from across the Great Lakes State, from Grand Rapids hip hop and electronic acts to singer-songwriters in Detroit, Saginaw and Petoskey. Scrutinize the reviews and listen to song selections from each featured artist.
The historic downtown Grand Rapids venue today announced a record-setting lineup of folk, jazz and chamber music concerts starting this fall. See the full lineup and details about the post-pandemic challenges facing venues such as St. Cecilia Music Center.
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.
Celeste Allison Trio, Dale Wicks and The Ryne Experience also are part of this early May roundup of new Michigan-propelled releases. Learn more about the albums and listen to songs from each of the featured artists at Local Spins.
Concert announcements · Live-Stream Concerts
Different online Michigan music events fire up May, including Chris Good’s Sing Me Home Festival shows, an Earthwork Harvest Gathering/Hoxeyville series and five straight nights of regional stars and culinary experts hosted by Pure Michigan, MLive and PBS’ ‘Under the Radar.’
The current COVID-19 crisis hasn’t silenced West Michigan artists, who’ve been busy releasing new albums. Here are five to check out, including a tour de force from Jake Kalmink’s Further Closer and a much-anticipated sophomore release by Political Lizard. Listen to tracks from all of the featured artists at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Features · Venue Spotlight · Videos
The well-known radio personality has partnered with Big Event Studios to showcase videos of regional and national stars in a rustic freight elevator, starting with local legend Bobby Haggard. The story and video 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.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Hot Top 5 · Videos
The album inspired by iconic jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt topped an all-new roster of popular Michigan releases, which also included Via Mardot, Pink Sky, Darcy Wilkin and Seth Beck. Learn more about Djangophonique, view the complete chart and listen to songs from all of the featured artists.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The indie-rock/pop group was showcased for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted music by Nathan Kalish, Further Closer, Nathan Walton, Basic Comfort, Bedroom Ceilings, Michael Beauchamp-Cohen & Brian Koenigsknecht, Stevie Reidz and Archie & The One Hits. Learn more about Political Lizard and listen to the radio show podcast at Local Spins.
