Breaking music news · Upcoming shows · Venue Spotlight
Despite its pending sale, current owner Greg Gilmore tells Local Spins that Live Nation will keep operating the concert hall as it has since early 2017. Learn more in today’s update.
Best Music of the Year · Features · Videos
As always, the annual flood of new music can be overwhelming. But Local Spins writers have sifted through these releases to make their picks for best albums and songs of the year, including Silk Sonic, Kingfish Ingram, Bo Burnham, Deafheaven and more, plus local artists such as Patty PerShayla, Lazy Genius, Seth Bernard and Amoura. Enjoy.
Features · Music and Technology
Created by Kent District Library, the streaming platform launched this fall showcases dozens of West Michigan acts and pays artists an honorarium to boot. Learn more about KDL Vibes and check out its roster of artists.
Breaking music news · Features · Music and Technology
Created by a South Bend tech startup, the innovative app is being embraced by some West Michigan acts as a way of connecting with fans and monetizing their performances. Get the details at Local Spins.
Announcements · Upcoming shows
After a 2021 hiatus due to COVID-19, the community radio station will stage the popular event once again at The Intersection, with fans invited to vote for their “Artist of the Year.” The lowdown at Local Spins.
Local Spins once again is offering unique, Michigan-centric calendars that spotlight concert photos of Michigan artists and 2022 festival dates. They make perfect holiday gifts. Get ordering details and a list of artists featured in the new calendar.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
With new singles and an upcoming Thanksgiving weekend show, Les Creatif’s Dante Cope opened up about the Grand Rapids ensemble’s music for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted new tracks by several West Michigan artists.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
The Local Spins series showcasing music that influenced Michigan-bred musicians continues with hip hop’s Rick Chyme. Check out his picks; listen to tracks from all of the records.
Features · Top 10 Lists · Videos
As music moves indoors, Local Spins offers up lots to ogle while listening to new tracks by Michigan artists, including the premiere of a new song by Cameron Blake, a poignant tribute from Luke Winslow-King, some Halloween-appropriate creepiness and more gems. Plus, check out a couple of bonus videos from Billy Strings and The Accidentals.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
As head of a Grand Rapids rock band and concert booking guru for Calvin University, Jack Droppers has a unique impact on West Michigan’s music scene. And these are the albums that have impacted his life the most. Get the back story and listen to tracks from all of the recordings at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Perrin’s day-long Backyard Bash highlighted a weekend of crowd-pleasing shows from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo — captured in images at Local Spins. Relive the action in seven photo galleries.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
Best known for his work with Jack White and Steppin’ In It, bassist and Michigan native Dominic John Davis boasts an eclectic array of musical influences. He shares those today with readers at Local Spins.
The final week of summer and arrival of Grand Rapids’ ArtPrize brought a blitz of concerts to West Michigan, including Pat Benatar, Andy Shauf, May Erlewine, Alex G, The Deep Stare, Lady Ace Boogie and more. Here are Local Spins recaps and photo galleries.
A nearly 90-minute storm delay and venue evacuation didn’t entirely put a damper on the acts’ sunny outlooks, with Black Violin’s soaring strings and hip hop closing out an unpredictable evening, The Local Spins review and photo gallery.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
Frontman Caleb John Lawson revealed the backdrop for ‘A Different Gospel’ for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by August, Sterpher, Crooked Spires, The Shook, Steve Rivers, Alfie DaGreat, Feeding Grizzlies and much more. The Local Spins Artist Spotlight feature, plus this week’s radio show podcast.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
The two-day festival descending on Grand Rapids’ Belknap Park this weekend brims with some top names in electronic, hip hop and pop, including several Michigan faves. Get the preview and full festival schedule at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The first full week of August was full of live music in a host of West Michigan locations, indoors and out, from the return of Domestic Problems to the electric energy of Jax Anderson, JRob and Lipstick Jodi. Revisit the shows in images at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Emerging Detroit rapper and pop/R&B artist Tiny Jag performs tonight at Studio Park with Michigan alt-pop star Jax Anderson (formerly Flint Eastwood) in an event hosted by Michigan House. The Local Spins interview.
“Falling in love with the process”: Muskegon photographer Nathan Purchase helms the Music Portrait Project, a film-camera series showcasing regional music industry professionals. Learn more about this endeavor and browse a photo gallery at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Features
Local Spins’ series showcasing eastern Michigan talent focuses today on a Detroit educator, hip hop producer and community leader who leans on collaboration to grow talent and promote education. Learn more about Rod Wallace and listen to his music.
Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
The Grand Rapids Art Museum and WYCE will present three free summer shows in downtown Grand Rapids. Get details and view new concert series announced for Allendale, Big Rapids, Kalamazoo and more.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
From Grand Rapids to the lakeshore, bands and fans celebrated the return of live music to packed venues, many hosting their first concerts in more than a year. Browse the images from The Intersection, The Pyramid Scheme, Burl & Sprig, Listening Room/Studio Park and Grand Haven’s Waterfront Stadium at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
West Michigan’s 2021 Independence Day weekend proved to be far busier music-wise than the pandemic-impaired 2020, and Local Spins was there to capture the concert action in photos.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The West Michigan band which plays the Smiling Acres festival on Saturday debuted new music for Local Spins on WYCE, which also premiered tracks by Willamena, Wild Air, Travis Atkinson, John Piatek and more. Get the back story on this super-group and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Album reviews · Audio · Upcoming shows
Local Spins wraps up June with a look at six intriguing and diverse new releases by West Michigan artists. Plus, listen to tracks from all of the albums.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The state’s outdoor concert and festival flurry took an unexpected turn with the week’s unceasing rain and even tornado warnings, but indoor shows flourished at Listening Room and Tip Top Deluxe, along with a few outdoor sets across the region. Browse the photo galleries at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Playlists
In honor of today’s Juneteenth celebration, Local Spins Rewind revisits its compelling playlist from a panel of musicians who chose emerging black artists with great potential from the region who deserve a brighter spotlight. Check out the roster of artists and listen to their music at Local Spins.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
With chart-topping success for music from Lord Huron’s latest album, frontman Ben Schneider today reveals the recordings that have inspired him the most, from hip hop to vintage country to “shining” art rock. View his picks and listen to tracks from the albums at Local Spins.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
The ultra-collaborative, award-winning Kalamazoo musician has long been fascinated by the cello and orchestral music — and, yes, hip hop. Today, he reveals the albums that shaped his career.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Videos
In a wide-ranging conversation, Mikeyy Austin expresses his love of black culture, Lansing, tacos and more. Learn more about this emerging hip hop artist and listen to his music in this Local Spins Artist Spotlight by writer Enrique Olmos.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Grand Rapids band premiered a new single for Local Spins on WYCE, which also premiered tracks by DJ Blaze, Medicinal Groove, Dawning, Emma A. Ward, WOOTS, Biomassive and more. Get an update on The Bootstrap Boys and listen to this week’s full radio show podcast.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists · Videos
As recognizable as any current West Michigan rapper, Jeff “JRob” Robinson today reveals the three albums that shaped his own music. Check out and listen to his his picks, along with an artist at the top of his current playlist and JRob’s latest single.
Features · Live-Stream Concerts · Videos
From hip hop’s Mikeyy Austin to rock’s Patty PerShayla, the Grand Rapids recording studio has helped fill the pandemic void of live music by providing constant, creatively produced live-stream shows and videos starring Michigan acts. Learn more about Dogtown, watch recent videos and browse a photo gallery at Local Spins.
Album Releases · Album reviews · Audio
This early May roundup of new regional releases spotlights rock, hip hop, jazz, folk and more. Check out the reviews, listen to samples of music from all of the featured albums.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
After a one-year hiatus, the two-day electronic/pop festival at Belknap Park will also feature Gryffin, Madeon, Big Wild and Chelsea Cutler. Learn more about August’s Breakaway and July’s Upheaval festival, both being held at the Grand Rapids park, with organizers hoping COVID capacity restrictions will be eased.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
Regional stars The Bootstrap Boys, Patty PerShayla, Molly, Last Gasp Collective, Cabildo and more will perform outdoors at the Grand Rapids nature center starting in June. View the full schedule at Local Spins.
Audio · Features · Playlists · Videos
On what’s become an annual holiday for many, today’s special playlist from Agri-Med and Local Spins reveals the most popular cannabis-inspired tunes as chosen by readers in our 4/20 contest. Peruse the diverse 20+4 list and see which four readers won smoking-cool gift packs.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
The brand new, two-day festival hosted by Dobro whiz Mark Lavengood will limit capacity and feature sets by ‘a stronghold of West Michigan greats’ playing on a site with plenty of space for social distancing. Get details, ticket information and the full lineup at Local Spins.
This late March roundup of West Michigan releases ranges from rock and hip hop to synth-pop and folk. Check out the Local Spins reviews and listen to tracks from each featured artist.
Announcements · Contests · Features · Videos
West Michigan’s Agri-Med & Local Spins announce a contest asking readers for their favorite pot-flavored tunes to be revealed in a playlist on April 20. Plus, we feature several local artists who’ve paid tribute to marijuana in song and video.
The lion’s share of local and regional releases populating the February Hot Top 5 represent reentries in the chart due to WYCE’s celebration of past Jammie Award winners and potential nominees. Listen to tracks from all of this month’s featured artists, plus view a list of new local additions to the WYCE library.
Concert reviews · Local Spins Rewind · Photos · Videos
Thousands filled The Intersection on Valentine’s Day 2020 to celebrate the best regional music of the year with impressive performances on three stages. With this year’s edition of the Jammie Awards indefinitely postponed due to COVID, browse highlights from last year’s big night in words, photos and video.
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
Due to COVID, dozens of performers and thousands of fans won’t gather for the annual WYCE event that would have taken place Friday at The Intersection. But a revised Jammies is still possible. Get the lowdown at Local Spins.
If not for COVID, Grand Rapids radio station WYCE, Michigan artists and their fans would be getting ready for the Jammie Awards this week at The Intersection. Instead, let’s revisit last year’s big winners, with updates on what they’ve been up to — along with new music from some of them.
The first Michigan albums roundup for February hails releases from the Upper Peninsula to Detroit to Grand Rapids. Get the Local Spins take on these recordings and listen to tracks from each featured artist.
It’s Feb. 2, which means it’s time to honor groundhogs, “underground” musical gems we’ve dug up and, of course, that classic Bill Murray movie that most of us have replayed again and again and again. Check out this unique soundtrack at Local Spins.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
This week’s Local Spins playlist comes courtesy of the staff at Grand Rapids’ Wealthy Theatre, spotlighting songs that represent past concerts, theatre productions and popular film screenings. Listen to the tracks and get an update on the status of Wealthy Theatre at Local Spins.
Audio · Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
The Cedar Springs brewery that’s regularly hosted live music until COVID-19 shut things down offers up this week’s playlist, including many regional stars who’ve played the brewpub. ‘We’re missing everyone terribly,’ says owner David Ringler, who aims to restart entertainment as soon as possible.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Playlists
Over the last couple of months, Local Spins has debuted impressive music by new or little-known Michigan artists who deserve more attention. Here are 12 tracks by them that you shouldn’t miss, from Mark Huizenga to L. Supreme to Colt Snuffer & The Dead Horsemen.
Live-Stream Concerts · Upcoming shows
Sunday’s online birthday benefit will feature West Michigan hip hop stars Orlando, Kyd Kane, JRob, Dayz, Callab and others, raising money for targeted aid to the homeless. Learn more at Local Spins.
