As one of the busiest bar nights of the year, Wednesday’s pre-Thanksgiving celebration lit up stages with live music gems from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo. The photo roundup at Local Spins, including Tuesday’s wild Ski Mask the Slump God tour stop at 20 Monroe Live.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Sav and Katie of The Accidentals, Megan Slankard and Stephie James delivered a moving, personal and intimate “Time Out” showcase of their music on a night that also featured the official release of a new Michigan-focused double-album for a good cause. Relive the evening in this Local Spins review, with photos and video.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The first Michigan Mondays show at Listening Room with members of The Accidentals kicks off a party-up holiday week in West Michigan that also features concerts by Henhouse Prowlers, Mike Mains, Luke Winslow-King, Merkules and much more. Browse this week’s featured live music selections and the always-intriguing Under-the-Radar Picks.
Sold-out, jam-packed shows — national and local — filled venues across West Michigan in mid-November, including the International Wine, Beer and Food Festival at DeVos Place. Ogle all of the the action-filled images at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
The double-album with 30-plus tracks by Mitten State artists raises funds for the Bowles family. It gets released Monday at Grand Rapids’ Listening Room when members of The Accidentals and two other songwriters play a new Local Spins concert series. Listen to songs from the album, get details about this special Michigan-centric project at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Brent Shirey of Valentiger unfurled new songs on-air for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted music by Catfish & The Man, Aspen Jacobsen, Edison Kitt, Jack Droppers and more. Peruse the story, podcast and video at Local Spins.
Watch the inventive video exclusively at Local Spins — the latest from Jack Droppers & The Best Intentions. And learn more about Droppers’ upcoming new role as director of Calvin University’s Student Activities Office, which oversees the university’s concert series and other programs.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The St. Joseph multi-instrumentalist is more than halfway through his challenging beer tour. He’s playing Rockford Brewing tonight. Learn the back story about St. Joe Jack’s wild tour and watch a video from one of his recent performances.
Local Spins writer Ricky Olmos attended David Bazan’s weekend concerts at Listening Room and he spent time with the noted singer-songwriter. This is his report, with photos by Kendra Petersen-Kamp.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Grand Rapids singer and musician released her new EP on Friday, previewing songs for the radio show which also debuted music by Overdrive Orchestra, Pretoria and more. The story, the podcast and video at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
The acclaimed and controversial singer-songwriter plays twice this weekend at Grand Rapids’ Listening Room, with screenings of the documentary about him, “Strange Negotiations,” before each show. The Local Spins interview with director Brandon Vedder about this incredible film and the difficult journey of the artist that it portrays.
The ‘Mexo-Americana’ group and singer-songwriter Heather Maloney earned a warm welcome from fans who braved early season snow to attend Wednesday night’s concert at the downtown venue. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Podcasts
There are compelling stories behind each of the West Michigan artists featured on this month’s edition of Local Spins on Michigan Radio’s “Stateside.” Listen to the podcast, get the back story on these three acts.
The Grand Rapids singer-songwriter topped a chart of most-played local albums on WYCE that also features new releases by Last Gasp Collective, May Erlewine and The Skinny Limbs. See the full chart, listen to songs by all of the featured artists and browse a list of new regional releases.
Led by Jeff Tweedy, the band made the most of its 20 Monroe Live debut on Monday as it tours behind a new album while giving a nod to Wilco classics. The review, photo gallery and set list at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
A busy week of West Michigan concerts includes Thank You Scientist, Willy Porter, Tunde Olaniran and more. And check the roster of bracing Under-the-Radar Picks for the week.
Formed by Grand Haven’s David Palmer, Five Strand Fusion recently selected Ada’s Skylar Mayton as its lead vocalist via an ‘American Idol’-styled audition. Get the back story on this emerging young band, which hopes to play its first concert next year.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Rings of Saturn gets Halloween week started, with Nobuntu, Blue Water Ramblers, Michigan-I-O, The Crane Wives, Andreas Kapsalis and some horrifically good Under-the-Radar Picks on tap, too. Check out all of this week’s live music selections at Local Spins.
Halloween parties galore filled the weekend, including 20 Monroe Live’s wild Monsters Ball, but the week also featured Michigan tour stops by San Fermin, Trey Anastasio, Luke Bryan, Ben Folds, TAUK and more, including an album-release show by Borr McFerrin. The photo galleries at Local Spins.
The piano-pounding phenom brought his always-unique, one-of-a-kind spectacle to State Theatre in Kalamazoo on Wednesday. Get the concert recap, photos and set list at Local Spins.
Announcements · Kalamazoo · Upcoming shows
Performers have until Nov. 1 to apply, with the top three ensembles and solo artists taking part in a Jan. 10 play-in contest for two paid slots at the March festival. Get details and a link to the online application at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Los Straitjackets, J.S. Ondara, Jon Langston, Lazer Lloyd, The Japanese House, Erin Zindle, a Folk Alliance gathering and tons of Halloween parties are also on the agenda this week. The Under-the-Radar Picks also feature a rescheduled Luke Bryan show, an album-release show and the closing event for ArtPrize’s Project 1.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The music weekend began with Joshua Davis’ debut at Grand Rapids’ new Listening Room and continued with a host of crowd-pleasing regional and national concerts from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo to Rockford. Browse all of the colorful images at Local Spins, including images from a two-night stand by Joe Hertler and a brewery’s anniversary bash.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The Oct. 18 edition of Local Spins on WYCE — on the last day of the Fall Fund Drive — was full of new regional music, including John Sanger, Stone Hands, Dean Madonia, Jeremy Ensley and much more. Listen to the podcast at Local Spins.
Album reviews · Audio · Videos
Fall brings with it some frightfully good new regional music, including the latest from Michigan-bred bluegrass hero Billy Strings, a popular hip hop collective, fetching fiddle music and scary-cool Halloween gems. Check out the reviews, sample the new music at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
The monthly series showcasing stars from across the Great Lakes State kicks off Nov. 25 with a ‘Time Out’ show featuring Savannah and Katie of The Accidentals, paired up with two other up-and-coming female songwriters. Get the lowdown on this new series in the much-buzzed-about Listening Room, and check out the lineup of other local shows on tap at the venue starting this week.
Ghost gets things started in a week that also boasts the first shows at the Listening Room in downtown Grand Rapids, Jinjer, Tyrone Wells, Faren Strnad, Fred Hersch and much more. Plus, see how you can win tickets and a special prize package to an upcoming TAUK concert in Kalamazoo.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
A country star at a historic church, alt-rock heroes at a downtown nightclub, regional folk-rock faves and an emerging Michigan pop star wrapping up a tour behind a new EP. All of them are featured in our glorious weekend photo galleries.
Breaking music news · Festivals
After operating for years as a unique Eastown house-concert fest, Lamp Light – which moved to Wealthy Theatre last year – is on hiatus and the future is uncertain. Learn why the festival won’t be taking place.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Upcoming shows
The Chris Michels Band, which plays SpeakEZ Lounge on Wednesday, boasts a rotating cast of talented musicians, led by a songwriter about to release a new solo album and determined to squeeze “as much music” as he can into his life. Get the back story on Michels and listen to his new singles at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Country star Eric Church played two straight nights at Van Andel Arena, giving lots of shout-outs to GR, with Shinedown and other stars also unleashing fan-pleasing shows across West Michigan, which is celebrating fall in festive fashion — including Pulaski Days at Grand Rapids clubs. The Eric Church concert recap, plus a full photo roundup at Local Spins.
Thursday night’s concert offerings in Grand Rapids boasted fan-pleasing shows by an acclaimed singer, a revered guitarist, and Colorado and U.K. indie-rock faves. Get the recap of this special Thursday at three different venues in recaps and photo galleries at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The West Michigan band celebrated its new album Friday with a stop at Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Laurel Premo, Last Gasp Collective, Jack & The Bear, Dante Cope, The Bootstrap Boys and more. Check out the in-studio video, the Daves at 7 back story and the full radio show podcast at Local Spins.
Album Releases · Audio · Hot Top 5
The latest chart of most-played local and regional albums on Grand Rapids’ WYCE-FM also featured the debut of a new album by hip hop’s Dante Cope. See the full chart, listen to music from the featured artists.
Album reviews · Audio · Podcasts
From established stars (May Erlewine) to up-and-coming Grand Rapids acts (Patty PerShayla, The Skinny Limbs), this month’s edition of Local Spins on ‘Stateside’ showcased some Michigan-bred music that’s begging to be heard. Listen to the podcast and interview, check out songs from the featured artists.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
This week’s edition of the radio show also featured new regional music from Patty PerShayla, Lifeline, Donny Zuzula and more. Read more about Max Lockwood, watch the in-studio video of his performance, listen to the Local Spins on WYCE podcast and interview.
Led by Timothy Showalter, the Philly-based band made a memorable tour stop at The Pyramid Scheme in Grand Rapids, with Showalter’s mom even making a guest appearance. Find the review and photo gallery, only at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Big Sandy gets the week started, with Witt Lowry, Greyhounds, Yuno, Mdou Moctar, Pistil Whips, Mustard Plug, Rockford Harvest Festival, Flat River Songwriter Showcase and Grand Rapids Symphony’s Queens of Soul also on the bill. And see how you can win tickets to see BoomBox or Witt Lowry at Elevation inside The Intersection.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
From Grand Haven to Kalamazoo to Grand Rapids, and from electronic music to hip hop to blues-rock and funk, it was another entertaining week of live music in West Michigan. Browse the images at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
The season-ending Lake City-area music festival drew hundreds of musicians and thousands of revelers for an opening salvo of magical experiences. Check out the first-day highlights and a photo gallery at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Grand Rapids hip hop artist unfurled new songs in-studio for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by 10 other West Michigan acts. Read the story of JRob, watch a video of his in-studio performance and listen to the entire radio show podcast at Local Spins.
This mid-September sampling of new local and regional releases offers everything from boundary-pushing folk-punk to socially conscious hip hop. Check out the reviews and listen to the music, exclusively at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
Students, alumni and staff rallied to save the program. Now, ‘the future of SAO is bright,’ with the campus concert series kicking off later this month. Get the back story on how the program was rescued and what it means for Calvin University and concertgoers.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The week starts with the roar of GWAR, but there are also big shows starring JRob, The Accidentals, Pink Sky, Earth Radio, Delbert McClinton and way more firing up stages in West Michigan. Get the complete concert lowdown at Local Spins along with this week’s Under-the-Radar Picks.
Summer Concerts · Weekend Photo Gallery
The West Michigan music week that was welcomed indie-folk, blues, hip hop, electronic music, rock and more to indoor and outdoor stages, including the Blue Bridge over the Grand River and the final blast at Bell’s Brewery Beer Garden. Peruse the images at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
Saturday’s Backyard Bash outside the Comstock Park brewery drew thousands for sets by Jake Kershaw, The Hacky Turtles, Paradise Outlaw, Hollywood Makeout and Kozmic Mama. Browse the photos at Local Spins.
Two Michigan artists earned acclaim this week, with Albion’s The War and Treaty winning the Americana Music Association’s “Emerging Act of the Year” in Nashville and Nathan Walton getting a thumbs up in a Detroit audition for ‘American Idol.’
This mid-September round-up of new regional releases spans several genres in fetching fashion with bands based in Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids. Check out the reviews, see where you can see the artists live and listen to their music at Local Spins.
With a politically conscious new record releasing in four weeks, the North Carolina folk/rock band was ready to connect with a modest-but-enthused audience. Check out the review of Friday night’s show at Local Spins. along with a photo gallery.
Album Releases · Audio · Hot Top 5
A new slate of regional albums made a splash on WYCE-FM in August. Check out the full chart, listen to the featured artists and check out the roster of new local releases.
