Concert reviews · Festivals · Photos
From Spanish-infused rock to soul to folk to hip hop, the inaugural music festival reveled in good weather and an upbeat vibe. The recap and photo galleries at Local Spins.
Features · Local Spins Rewind · Summer Festivals · Top 10 Lists
As we dive into October, it’s time to look back at the Local Spins stories and reviews which got the most attention from readers over the summer.
Album reviews · Audio · Upcoming shows
After an insanely busy summer, Local Spins is back with a batch of reviews of 2022 releases by Michigan artists, from dark rock to folk to Gypsy swing to jam-band glory, plus a look at projects by Wild Honey Collective and Jeremy Ensley. Learn more about these diverse recordings and listen to tracks from each release.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Revisit more than a half-dozen live shows in vibrant images at Local Spins, including Joe Hertler, Overdrive Orchestra, DJ Mel V, Lipstick Jodi, Melvins and more. Photo galleries you’ll only find at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
The kickoff to autumn 2022 had it all: country, folk, symphonic metal, Americana, soulful pop and German party music. Local Spins revisits the action in words and photos.
GR Symphony opened its season with passion, a premiere and one of the final concerts for a beloved percussionist, on the same night that iconic songwriters held court for a new series in Forest Hills. The concert reviews and photo galleries at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
The return of the beloved Wheatland Music Festival for the first time in three years outside Remus last weekend electrified fans and bands alike. Revisit the action in words, photos and video.
The brainchild of Jennifer Hudson-Prenkert, the week-long affair at several venues in downtown Kalamazoo will boast vastly diverse performances and a collaborative vibe. Learn more about this first-year event, view the full schedule and listen to a playlist of performers.
New releases by a diverse group of Michigan artists all made their Local Spins Hot Top 5 Chart debut in August and captivated listeners as well as radio programmers at WYCE (88.1 FM). View the chart, listen to music from all of the releases at Local Spins.
Playlists · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
For the first time since the pre-COVID days of 2019, the beloved Michigan festival revs up next weekend with revered touring acts and Michigan stars. The preview, main stage schedule and a playlist at Local Spins
Artist Spotlights · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows · Videos
The boundary-pushing, ‘groove-heavy,’ bilingual artist from Asheville, N.C., headlines the inaugural All Call Music Festival taking place in Traverse City on Sunday. The Local Spins interview, plus Helado Negro’s latest music videos.
Last weekend’s cozy music festival in Free Soil left attendees raving about the regional bands and solo artists, as well as the atmosphere of the third-year event. The recap at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The emerging Rockford indie-folk/pop artist with a release show next week lit up Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted new music by Cameron Blake, Low Phase, Martyr for Madison and much more. Learn more about Izubel and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
The Frontier Ruckus co-founder sat down with Local Spins writer Enrique Olmos to explore his passion for Detroit, and balancing music creation with a financially secure day job. He plays a Detroit festival on Sept. 10.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
The next-to-last Tuesday Evening Music Club show of the summer featured Grand Rapids singer-songwriter Ralston Bowles and an all-star lineup performing amid splendid weather. The recap, video highlights and photos at Local Spins.
Features · Playlists · Upcoming shows
The second-year West Michigan Songwriter’s Festival hosted by Rockford singer-songwriter Dan Terry takes place this weekend in Belmont, starring several respected Nashville tunesmiths, including Grammy winner Steve Leslie. The details and a playlist at Local Spins.
Thousands of revelers embraced the rootsy, bluegrass-hued festival in the Manistee National Forest over the weekend. Local Spins has highlights, a photo gallery and a video recapping the action.
The week leading up to a hectic weekend of live music boasted a dizzying array of styles and approaches, from indie-folk to prog-pop to R&B and soul. Revisit the action in images at Local Spins.
The return of The Decemberists ignited a sold-out crowd at the Grand Rapids amphitheater with the indie/alt-rock band unleashing songs old and new on Wednesday. Local Spins asked a member of The Crane Wives — who were inspired, in part, by The Decemberists — to offer her take on the show. The review, photos and set list.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists · Summer Festivals
Beyond high-profile festivals this weekend such as Hoxeyville and Breakaway is northern Michigan’s LivelyLands, oozing ’boutique’ intimacy. Learn more about it and see which albums have most influenced founder Emily Lively.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Despite rain and unseasonable temps, The Crane Wives played their first show in more than two years in Grand Rapids, while on the east side of Grand Haven, solo performer Ryan Lynch won a wet edition of Walk the Beat. Get the recaps, browse the photos and watch the videos at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows · Videos
The singer-songwriter with an album-release show tonight was featured for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by DL Rossi, Matisse Zuzu, Upon Wings, Leif(kolt), FINKEL, Steven Malcolm and others. Find out more about Kait Rose, watch her new music video and listen to the full radio show podcast.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Two-and-a-half years after last gracing a stage, the folk-rock band plays a much-anticipated show Saturday at Studio Park. What led to the hiatus? What can fans expect this weekend? The back story and more at Local Spins.
Amid weather that could only be described as “perfect,” three outdoor shows and one indoor spectacle lit up Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo on a summer Tuesday. The recaps and photo galleries from a busy night at Local Spins.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
The Upper Peninsula offers a remote but unique setting for a surprising variety of music festivals, worthy of a trip across the bridge. Here’s a look at this U.P. experience, with previews of upcoming events.
Along with opener Meshell Ndegeocello, the virtuosos sharing the bill on the delayed ‘Outside Problems’ tour enchanted a sold-out crowd on Friday. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Hot Top 5
The indie-folk artist credits the work of his producer and studio musicians for enhancing his milestone new recording. View the rest of the chart at Local Spins and listen to tracks from all of the regional releases.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
Today, Local Spins digs into the artists and music that have most influenced “Farmer” John Crissman, founder of southern Kent County’s Cowpie Music Festival, which returns this weekend. Learn the back story behind his picks and listen to the music at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
Fans couldn’t have asked for a better weekend to soak in live music in the great outdoors, especially at cozy festivals in Morley and Allegan. Plus, Blackberry Smoke sizzled in its Kalamazoo tour stop. Browse the photos at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
The live music parade started on Monday with a farewell concert by mewithoutyou in Kalamazoo and continued through a resplendent week of weather with outdoor shows in Rockford and at Meijer Gardens, Studio Park and Bell’s Beer Garden. The photo recaps exclusively at Local Spins.
Led by Dewey Bunnell and Gerry Beckley, the band bathed a sold-out Meijer Gardens crowd in nostalgia on Wednesday with a bevy of familiar hits. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss could be considered an uber-fan of music, often seen at area concerts and festivals. So, Local Spins asked her Honor to reveal her list of faves, including some local legends. Listen to the tracks and get the back story.
The weekend got an early start with live music indoors and out, from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo. View the images from several shows at Local Spins.
Photos · Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
Dozens of free summer concerts unfold every night across the state, spotlighting everything from rock to jazz to blues. Local Spins explores why they’re so popular as a seasonal pastime. Plus, view photos from several of these series.
Grand Rapids Art Museum and WYCE (88.1 FM) review the popular free series this week. The weekly, four-concert affair also will feature Andrea von Kampen, Brie Stoner, Rachel Brooke, Jesse Ray and more.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
The Accidentals, Hannah Rose Graves, The Ragbirds and more delivered a 20th anniversary edition of the festival that attracted new fans as well as returnees. Recap, highlights and photos at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The West Michigan band has a busy summer with two new albums on the way. The Artist Spotlight and Local Spins on WYCE radio show podcast featuring new music by Heartsick, Chirp, Lokella, Whorled, The Verve Pipe and more.
Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
The upcoming season of the Acoustic Café Folk Series at the Grand Rapids venue will feature stars spanning generations and styles. Get the details at Local Spins.
After a long hiatus, Blissfest returned to northern Michigan last weekend with a bevy of roots and folk stars. Revisit the musical fun via these highlights in words and photos.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The Petoskey native who now lives in Grand Rapids was the featured guest for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Desmond Jones, Seth Bernard, The B-Sides, The Blueflowers, The Wild Honey Collective, The Soods and more. Get Sean Miller’s back story and listen to the full radio show.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Stars Shawn Colvin, Leftover Salmon, Laith Al-Saadi, Donna the Buffalo and more bolster the lineup for the first Blissfest since 2019 north of Harbor Springs. The preview at Local Spins.
After COVID delays, West Michigan’s biggest night for music returns Saturday with a full day celebrating regional music. Local Spins checked in with WYCE Music Director Shane German ahead of the very big day, plus get the full performance schedule.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
With Buttermilk Jamboree set to fire up Circle Pine Center for the first time since 2019, Local Spins asked the festival’s director to reveal the recordings that have influenced her life the most. View her picks, listen to the music.
Playlists · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
On hiatus since 2019 due to COVID, the popular, family-friendly festival south of GR hosts 40-plus regional acts on four stages over the weekend. Get the schedule and preview the music with a Local Spins Playlist.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
After a long COVID hiatus, the much-beloved Mio festival featuring more than 30 regional acts kicks off Friday. Get the preview, the inside story and the full schedule at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Hot Top 5 · Videos
May was, well, a big month for May, who released a new album last month that instantly captivated audiences. Get the back story, view the rest of the all-new Hot Top 5 Chart and listen to tracks from all of the releases by Michigan artists.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
Thursday’s opening salvo of the music festival being held at southern Kent County’s Shagbark Farm boasted happy fans, rousing sets and perfect weather. Get the recap, browse the photo gallery and watch video highlights at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
After laying down his violin 15 years ago, the celebrated Grand Rapids singer-songwriter will play a classical concert at St. Cecilia Music Center this weekend while also wrapping up work on a new EP. Learn the story behind the concert and watch a music video for the title track from his forthcoming release.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
The first Festival of the Arts since 2019 kicks off Friday in downtown Grand Rapids with more than 140 performances on five stages. Get the lowdown and the full performance schedule at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Lansing artist and one-time ‘American Idol’ contestant premiered new songs for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted music by Isaac Ryder, Dynaflo, The American Hotel System, Joshua Rilko, Pink Sky, Jax Anderson and more. Get the lowdown on Rachel Curtis, watch her new music video and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
