Artist Spotlights · Features · Videos
Local Spins profiles the in-demand keyboard player who’s bolstered the likes of Joshua Davis, May Erlewine, Jack White and Larry McCray, not to mention Steppin’ In It, The Lash and more. Read the back story about this much-respected musician and watch videos of him performing with a variety of Michigan artists.
Local Spins Rewind · Photos · Videos
Local Spins today starts its countdown of the most-read stories of 2018, starting with a wild night of music that boasted capacity crowds in three Grand Rapids venues to close out 2017. Revisit the No. 10 story of the year, along with photos and videos.
From country to metalcore, soul to swing, this roundup of West Michigan shows over the past week delivers a potpourri of concert images: The Devil Wears Prada, Scotty McCreery, May Erlewine, Jake Kershaw and more. Check out all the photo galleries at Local Spins.
Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
The upcoming year boasts some live music in non-traditional venues – namely museums – to help get you through the winter, with Fiona Dickinson kicking off 2019’s Concerts Under the Stars series, May Erlewine and Crystal Bowersox playing Grand Haven’s Music at the Museum and more. Here’s a look at a few of them with schedules to help you make your plans for early 2019.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The approaching holidays heat things up on the music scene this week with Red Legs, The Crane Wives, Junior Valentine & Hank Mowery, Dalmatian Stone, Jake Kershaw, ‘The Nutcracker,’ Schubert Male Chorus, a ‘Roaring ’20s Holiday Ball’ and much more. Plus win concert tickets to see The Devil Wears Prada or Morgan Wallen via The Big List.
Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Beyond a host of national acts, the week boasted crowd-pleasing local shows by The Concussions, Kaitlin Rose, The Moxie Strings, Nathan Walton and more. Browse photos and video snippets exclusively at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Harry Connick Jr. launches a week that also features San Holo, The Midnight Hour, Rodney Atkins, Marcus King Band, The Hill People, Weezil Malone and much more. Plus, see how you can win tickets to see Bishop Briggs.
Sunday wrapped up West Michigan’s music week with fan-engaging, song-centered concerts in Kalamazoo (David Crosby) and Grand Rapids (Beth Nielsen Chapman, May Erlewine, The Accidentals), following musical revelry that got the whole holiday weekend started. The images and recaps at Local Spins.
Concert announcements · Upcoming shows · Videos
One of Michigan’s hottest folk-hued bands, Albion’s gospel-fired The War and Treaty, will play the Acoustic Cafe folk series on Feb. 24, with The Lone Bellow pumping up the series this week. Get background and ticket information at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
It’s a busy holiday stretch with a host of rock icons playing West Michigan this week, plus lively appearances by Desmond Jones, Hannah Rose Graves, The Soul Syndicate, The North 41 and much more. And see how you can win tickets to see Billy Strings.
Artist Spotlights · Features · Upcoming shows
The erudite foursome with an eclectic approach that regaled audiences in the 1980s is back together, set to play One Trick Pony and Winter Wheat. Get the back story about this acoustic group’s journey return to the stage at Local Spins.
This mid-November roundup of Michigan releases boasts a Petoskey-bred band’s full-length debut, plus gems from Conrad Shock, Roosevelt Diggs, Elizabeth Landry and Brotha James, who plays SpeakEZ Lounge tonight (Wednesday). Check out the Local Spins reviews, listen to music from the featured artists.
This mid-November roundup of regional music videos boasts lots of poignant imagery and messages — and some head-turning music. Check out more than a half-dozen new videos at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Coheed & Cambria and Rising Appalachia get things started in a week that also features The Tallest Man on Earth, Lara Hope, Coldville, Lady Ace Boogie, Brotha James, Yonder Mountain String Band and much more. Plus, see how you can win tickets to the big Wine Beer & Food Festival at DeVos Place.
Live at River City · Podcasts · Videos
The fast-rising band led by Albion’s Michael and Tanya Trotter stopped by River City Studios for a scintillating Sunday session, 10 days before they open for Bob Seger at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids. Watch the video of their inspiring in-studio performance, read the story, browse the photo gallery.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The West Michigan Americana/bluegrass/folk-rock band unfurled live versions of new songs for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted new tracks by Guero Brown, Valley Girl, Thunderwude and more. Listen to the podcast, watch the video.
RSVP Music Chat unearthed revealing, frank advice about the music business in conversations with Ann Arbor artist manager David Tamulevich and Lansing singer-songwriter Jen Sygit. Listen to the podcasts, learn from these pros.
Hard to believe, but there may be more duplicity and rancor today than there was during the 2016 presidential campaign. But we’ve got some new songs on a Top 10 Local Spins playlist to make you smile at the polls.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
As part of the 50th anniversary tour behind Arlo Guthrie’s “Alice’s Restaurant” which hits Kalamazoo State Theatre tonight, Sarah Lee Guthrie is performing and enjoying her family time on the road. The Local Spins interview.
Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
Seth Bernard, Mark Lavengood, Dede Alder, Nicholas James Thomasma and more than a dozen other artists play five cities in six days next week, including Grand Rapids’ Wealthy Theatre, Spring Lake’s Seven Steps Up. Get the lowdown on this unusual tour at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Kalamazoo · Upcoming shows · Videos
The iconic folk singer will bring his 50th anniversary “Alice’s Restaurant Tour” to Kalamazoo’s State Theatre on Friday. Arlo Guthrie chatted with Local Spins about the song, his tour and the state of folk music in the New Millennium — and in an age of divisiveness.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Alice Cooper gets Halloween week started on a scary foot but there’s more: Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers, MewithoutYou, Kenny Barron, Sister Sparrow, Nobody’s Girl, Black Jake and much more. And see how you can win tickets to see Kenny Barron at St. Cecilia Music Center.
Artist Spotlights · Kalamazoo · Videos
The acclaimed West Michigan jazz-folk artist took a ‘no-holds-barred’ approach on ‘People are Fragile.’ Ashley Daneman will preview the powerful album with her band Thursday at Bell’s Brewery Eccentric Cafe. Get the back story and watch her videos at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Local Spins Rewind · Photos
In late December 2017, three downtown venues hosted capacity crowds for a Saturday night of fan-pleasing spectacles, each with its own story line and passionate vibe. In the first of a series recapping the biggest Local Spins stories of 2018, relive the evening in words, photos and videos at Local Spins.
The northern Michigan musician known as Dobro Joe made his most recent album a showcase for ‘elite instrumentalism in acoustic music.’ It’s why Joe Wilson has worked with a host of other Michigan acts. Read about this respected musician and watch videos of his performances.
The inaugural Benton Harbor festival offers up three two-set shows from national touring acts, showcases local artisans and more on Saturday at Lake Michigan College. Get the lowdown and schedule at Local Spins, plus view videos of the featured acts.
Held along Lake Michigan south of Grand Haven, last weekend’s classes, workshops, performances and jams by all-star musicians at the Great Lakes Music Camp brought a rootsy flavor to Camp Blodgett and raised money for a good cause. Check out the recap and a photo gallery at Local Spins.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
This week’s edition of Local Spins on WYCE not only kicked off the radio station’s Fall Fund Drive, but was chock full of new music from a diverse blend of Michigan artists. Listen to the full podcast, check out the Vulfpeck video that’s generating a huge buzz.
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
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.
Anchored in Grand Rapids through 2020, the Crowne Plaza Airport Hotel confab will draw hundreds of industry pros for sets by Sons of the Never Wrong, Jen Sygit and numerous regional acts, panels and a speech by music historian Rev. Robert B. Jones Sr. Get the lowdown on this important musical gathering at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The week of live music kicks off with the return to West Michigan of Fleetwood Mac, but also boasts Royal Wood, Earth Radio, Elizabeth Landry, Wayland, Golf Clap, Anne Heaton, Jen Sygit, Founders’ Harvest Party and more. Make your entertainment plans with help from The Big List Concert Guide at Local Spins.
Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
The five-concert series at Grand Haven’s Tri-Cities Historical Museum kicks off in December with regional stars. See the full schedule and ticket sales information at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
With a Grand Rapids tour stop at Wealthy Theatre tonight, the guitarist performed in-studio on this week’s radio show, which also debuted new tracks by several Michigan artists, including The Blueflowers, Lexi Schaub, Charlie Walmsley, Carrie McFerrin and more.
With a full slate of campers and well-known instructors, the second edition of the weekend at Camp Blodgett Oct. 11-14 boasts workshops, special performances, a benefit concert and plenty of jamming. Get details and ticket links at Local Spins.
The fifth annual celebration in this beautiful lakeshore town gives folks a great excuse to travel to northern Michigan, with performances by five bands and plenty of Michigan brews on tap. Get the schedule, ticket links and more at Local Spins.
The October edition of Local Spins on Michigan Radio’s ‘Stateside’ showcased new music from a diverse set of Grand Rapids artists: Big Dudee Roo, Steven Malcolm and Ford Turrell. Listen to their music, read their back story.
Kicking off Friday with a concert by The Accidentals, the festival follows this on Saturday with 46 Michigan performers playing various stages and vying for a $3,000 prize. Get details at Local Spins about this spinoff of the original Grand Haven Walk the Beat.
Festivals · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Festival season didn’t slow down for fall as Local Spins’ weekend photo galleries prove, along with some fun indoor shows like Blue October, Butch Walker, Margaret Glaspy and Mustard Plug. Recap another active week in music. Browse the images, watch the videos exclusively at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Videos
The Grand Rapids singer-songwriter talked about his first album in 11 years – a poignant gem – during Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted songs by Big Dudee Roo, The Soods and more. Listen to the podcast, watch a video of Turrell’s in-studio performance.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
Big Dudee Roo, May Erlewine, Chris Dorman, Jordan Hamilton and more were among highlights cited by musicians and attendees for one of the final, treasured festival blasts of the season. Relive the weekend in words and photos at Local Spins.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
The second-year festival an hour northeast of Grand Rapids will heat up the final weekend of September with regional stars and much more. See the full schedule.
Concert reviews · Festivals · Photos
Day 2 of Kalamazoo’s Audiotree Music Festival drew even bigger crowds who cheered the likes of Grand Rapids’ Major Murphy plus Chicano Batman, Real Estate, Slow Mass, Blitzen Trapper, REZN, Lume and headliner Father John Misty. Read the Local Spins review, ogle the photo galleries from Sunday’s finale.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
SYML kicks things off at Calvin College in a week that also boasts concerts by Joshua Powell, Amanda Brown, Aaron Neville, The Ragbirds, Lil’ Smokies and Bullet for My Valentine. Check out all of this week’s live music picks at Local Spins.
Playlists · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
This weekend’s season-ending celebration on Earthwork Farm outside Lake City will attract thousands, many of them musicians. Singer-songwriter Brian Koenigsknecht offers up his Top 5 reasons to attend. And listen to a Local Spins playlist of songs by festival performers.
Concert reviews · Festivals · Photos
Attendees to the 45th Wheatland Music Festival filled the site outside Remus and found warmth amidst chilly temps as they celebrated one of Michigan’s finest festival traditions.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The September music cruise shifts into full gear with the Fallasburg Arts Festival, John Mark McMillan, Harry Fest, Red Legs, a Kathy Lamar birthday celebration and more. Get the lowdown on the Big List, along with our Under-the-Radar Picks.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Lansing singer-songwriter turns from ‘sideman’ to star with songs from ‘It’s About Time’ during this week’s radio show, which also featured the premiere of tracks by Red Legs, Lushh and Jacob Simons, plus the Hot Top 5 countdown. Listen to the podcast, watch the in-studio video.
The Albion duo of Michael and Tanya Trotter — The War and Treaty — has impressed critics with its new album, which led the way on a chart that also featured four more new entries, including Peace to Mateo and Joshua Davis. Listen to tracks from all five releases.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
National stars may get top billing, but plenty of local favorites — from Nicholas James Thomasma to Steppin’ In It — aim to make Wheatland 2018 a festival to remember this weekend. See the schedule at Local Spins.
