Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Mid-March also brings us In the Valley Below, LadyFest GR, Pink Sky, Lady Ace Boogie, Dan Rickabus, Desmond Jones, Trevor Hall and much more. And see how you can win concert tickets to two different shows at The Pyramid Scheme this week.
Explore some of the latest regional releases, listen to tracks from each of the featured artists and revel in a Local Spins exclusive: a sneak peek into the full new album by Grand Rapids’ The Soods prior to its official release.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
The charming island festival also pumps up July with regional faves Jesse Ray & The Carolina Catfish, The Hacky Turtles, Escaping Pavement, The Bootstrap Boys, Loren Cole and many more. And another island festival will take place in September. Get details and ticket links at Local Spins.
Festivals · Kalamazoo · Photos · Videos
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.
The California indie-folk duo — backed by a three-piece band — regaled a near-capacity crowd with harmony-driven magic and their trademark sense of humor on Thursday in Grand Rapids. The review and photos at Local Spins.
Festivals · Kalamazoo · Upcoming shows · Videos
The festival kicks off Friday night with a concert by Shari Kane and Dave Steele at Kalamazoo Valley Museum, followed by Saturday’s day-long affair with 15 acts on three stages, vendors, workshops and “pop-up” shows. Get the lowdown and the full Saturday schedule at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Playlists · Upcoming shows · Videos
The California folk duo brings a full band – and some beautiful, sad songs – to Grand Rapids’ St. Cecilia Music Center on Thursday. Read the Local Spins interview with band co-founder Joey Ryan, check out videos and listen to a Spotify playlist created by Ryan exclusively for Local Spins.
Festivals · Traverse City · Upcoming shows
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.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Gungor kicks off the week in Holland, with Laith Al-Saadi, Michigander, Max Lockwood, That Beatles Thing, Mark Lavender, The Holy Warheads and more also featured on The Big List.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
After taking a year off, the popular and unusual competition featuring dozens of West Michigan acts playing a host of different venues on a single day is back. And Walk the Beat is hosting a benefit concert on Friday. Get the lowdown on the return of Walk the Beat at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
“It was crazy.” That was one description of Friday night’s 20th annual Jammie Awards show hosted by WYCE-FM at The Intersection which drew 1,600 people for show-stopping sets by Tunde Olaniran, The War and Treaty, Heavy Color, The Hacky Turtles and more. Check out the highlights in words, photos and video at Local Spins
Breaking music news · Concert reviews · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The 20th Jammie Awards show on Friday evening at The Intersection drew lively crowds for award presentations and 30-plus performances. See the full winners’ list and a photo gallery at Local Spins, along with a special Jammies edition podcast of Local Spins on WYCE.
Breaking music news · Local Spins at SXSW · Upcoming shows
Ten artists were selected from 300-plus entries to play an official showcase in Austin, with Flint Eastwood, Seth Bernard and Jordan Hamilton playing other Michigan House shows. And Local Spins will host an SXSW preview show in Grand Rapids featuring Brother Elsey and Droppers on March 6. See who else was chosen and listen to music from all of the Michigan House acts.
WYCE-FM hosts the 20th Jammies show Friday at The Intersection, with 34 acts on stage and tons of awards doled out. Browse — and save — the jam-packed schedule and see who some of last year’s winners have chosen as their ‘best artists of the year.’
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The Jammies are the big show of the week, but the concert lineup also features Red Tail Ring, Joey DeFrancesco, Kathy Lamar, Xavier Davis, Frankie & Myrrh, Flexadecibel and the annual West Michigan Luthier Concert. Plus win tickets to Political Lizard’s album-release show — and check out the Under-the-Radar Picks.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
West Michigan’s great weekend thaw was accompanied by face-melting shows covering rock in all its many forms from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo. Check out the photo galleries at Local Spins, including concerts starring local and national acts.
Album reviews · Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
With elements of intoxicating pop and airy vocals, Max Lockwood’s sophomore solo recording officially gets released Friday night at The Pyramid Scheme with the singer-songwriter backed by an all-star band. Get the story behind this project and watch videos for two of Lockwood’s new songs.
In what proved to be the perfect venue for the ‘dark and peaceful sadness’ of his music, Isakov and his fans reveled in the beauty of the Grand Rapids church on Saturday night. Read the Local Spins review, browse the photos.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
The lineup for August’s Hoxeyville Music Festival in the northern Michigan woods also boasts returning faves Lindsay Lou, May Erlewine plus earlier-announced acts The Crane Wives, Airborne or Aquatic and The Ragbirds. More details at Local Spins along with links to ticket sales.
Album reviews · Audio · Upcoming shows
Check out the latest batch of Michigan releases being showcased at Local Spins — from high-profile acts to under-the-radar artists — and sample tracks from the featured albums, including recordings by Blueflowers and The Dead Shepherds.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
With two concerts this weekend, the seasoned artist and bassist Ian Grant performed new songs in-studio for the latest edition of Local Spins on WYCE, which also boasted new music from Max Lockwood, the Samsara Music Collective, Hundo and more. Learn more about Lynn Thompson, listen to the podcast, watch the in-studio video.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Now based in Traverse City, the indie-folk duo will headline a “homecoming” show Thursday at Bell’s Brewery in Kalamazoo and play the Fretboard Festival in March, before mounting a three-week tour of Australia. Catch up with Red Tail Ring in this Local Spins Artist Spotlight feature.
Concert reviews · Festivals · Photos · Videos
The 10th annual mini-festival in Grand Rapids on Saturday convened veterans and newcomers for a celebration of bluegrass, folk, country and roots music. Relive the day-long event in this Local Spins exclusive, with three photo galleries and video highlights.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Podcasts
The first Local Spins segment of 2019 showcases new music from “The Michigan Songbird,” a Grand Rapids psych-rock powerhouse and the first solo album from an in-demand sideman. Listen to the podcast and the artists’ featured songs.
Breaking music news · Festivals · Photos · Videos
Friday night’s band and solo artist battle at Kalamazoo Valley Museum determined the final two performance slots for the March festival. Check out photos and video from the play-in contest, and browse the rest of the 2019 lineup for the Fretboard Festival.
Features · Top 10 Lists · Videos
After critics and musicians had their say earlier in the month, Local Spins on New Year’s Eve lets readers pipe in with their favorite releases of the year (with a few musicians in the mix, too). And their diverse picks balance regional stars with national acts.
As Christmas approaches, national and local acts this week gave their performances a holiday hue, captured in images at Local Spins. Check out the photo galleries from jolly shows in Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo, from Conrad Shock to Megan Dooley and more.
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.
