Local Spins at SXSW · Photos · Top 10 Lists
With the mammoth South by Southwest festival wrapping up in Texas over the weekend, Local Spins writer Ricky Olmos looks back at event highlights — some with a Michigan flair.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
West Michigan’s week in live music included crowd-pleasing shows from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo, from blues to pop, and rock to Celtic beauty, captured in images at Local Spins. Check out all the photo galleries and videos.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Grand Rapids jam band talked touring and played new songs for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by The Crane Wives, Accidentals, Antighost, Jack Droppers and Mark Lavengood.
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 reviews · Local Spins at SXSW · Photos · Videos
Brother Elsey, Jordan Hamilton, Jack Droppers, Michigander, Stef Chura, Steppes and more closed out the Michigan House run in Texas with a diverse showcase Monday at an Austin nightclub. Get the recap, photo gallery and video highlights at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
St. Patrick’s Day revelry is everywhere, but the week also sizzles with Tab Benoit, Kyle Hollingsworth, Blackberry Smoke, The Flesh Eaters, Vienna Boys Choir, Amy Lavere, Mustard Plug, The Outer Vibe, Domestic Problems and more. See how you can win tickets to the giant Irish on Ionia party and peruse our riveting Under-the-Radar Picks.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
To celebrate International Women’s Day, Friday’s radio show welcomed Olivia Mainville in-studio and featured tracks by Bermudas, Canceled Plans, Kaitlyn Zittel, May Erlewine, Hannah Rose, Lipstick Jodi, Lindsay Lou and more. Watch the video, read the back story and listen to the podcast starring inspiring music by female artists from across Michigan.
Features · Local Spins at SXSW
Heading on tour? Trying to survive SXSW? We asked Michigan musicians heading to Austin to list the tour necessities they won’t leave home without. Their answers are revealing and entertaining.
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.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
More than a dozen Michigan acts will face off in four cities this spring, vying for a performance slot in August’s Cowpie Music Festival. Get the full lineup and contest schedule at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Podcasts
The March Local Spins segment on Michigan Radio’s ‘Stateside’ showcased new music from four attention-getting West Michigan acts from different ends of the musical spectrum: pop to country to soft indie-rock to funky blues. Listen to the ‘Stateside’ podcast as well as full versions of new songs by the featured West Michigan artists.
Audio · Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
The seventh edition of the annual festival on July 27-28 will also boast sets by Kali Uchis, Lizzo, King Princess, The Story So Far, Noname and more. Tickets go on sale Friday. Check out details and listen to a playlist of Mo Pop artists at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The concert week also features Moneybagg Yo, The Crystal Method, Brother Elsey & Jack Droppers in a pre-SXSW preview show, Gibbz, Runa and much, much more. Plus, see how you can win tickets to see Local H, with Valentiger and Slumlord Radio.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
This edition of the weekend concert wrap-up focuses on a trifecta blend of locally bred lo-fi, pop and rock that fired up a near-capacity Grand Rapids crowd and images from Liquid Stranger’s Swedish-bred electronic magic, plus photo galleries from other West Michigan shows.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
With the California alt-rock band making a Grand Rapids tour stop Saturday, Local Spins chatted with bassist Tim Foreman about the group’s early days, its recent hiatus, the new studio album, the process of healing and connecting with fans. And check out the band’s video for “Native Tongue.”
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.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Amid national tour stops are a host of intriguing local shows this week, including FlyLite Gemini, Heaters, Bronze Wolf, FADE, Silverstiles, Peat in the Creel, an Elton tribute and much more. And see how you can win tickets to see Heaters, Major Murphy and Ghost Orchard at The Pyramid Scheme.
Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
This week’s concert images also spotlight Kalamazoo shows by Tambourina and Kate & Emilee of The Crane Wives, plus images of Hank Mowery, Rochelle & The Spoilers, The Turnips, Needtobreathe, Alan Jackson and more.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Local Spins kicks off a new monthly feature on Detroit- and Ann Arbor-area artists with a look at the music of Alyssa Midcalf, also known as Primer, who plays a Grand Rapids album-release show on March 1. Get the back story about this innovative artist, watch a video and listen to a track from her album.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The rockabilly and raw blues duo performed in-studio for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted new tracks by Jack Droppers & The Best Intentions, Zach Vinson, Throwaway, Primer and more. Read the story, watch the in-studio video and listen to the podcast.
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.
Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
The “John Mellencamp Show” closed out the weekend, part of the Local Spins wrap-up of Grand Rapids concerts which includes everything from a video montage of an impressive Doors tribute to photo galleries of national tour stops by wildly popular artists, new and old.
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.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Now a six-piece band, Deep Greens & Blues releases its new album Friday night. A trio version of the band previewed the release show for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted new tracks by several artists, including Sherman Gepherd, The Strapping Owls, Dawning, Bermudas and more.
This February roundup of releases by Michigan artists also takes a look at new recordings by Andrew Saliba, Kaitlyn Zittel and The Aquaerials. Check out the reviews, listen to tracks from all of the artists.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
May Erlewine, Samantha Crain, Billy Davis, Earth Radio, Seth Bernard, Jordan Hamilton and other regional stars will play the mid-June festival south of Grand Rapids. Check out the roster of more than three dozen Buttermilk acts and get links to early-bird tickets at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The Go Rounds, John Gorka, Candlebox, Insane Theatre, Cabildo, Deep Greens & Blues, Strapping Owls, Sherman Gepherd, Desmond Jones and Taste of Soul Sunday round out a busy week. Get the complete lowdown in The Big List Concert Guide and win tickets to see the Deep Greens & Blues’ album-release show.
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.
Artist Spotlights · Breaking music news · Videos
The sky’s the limit: The Grand Rapids neo-soul/rock super-group is set to release its second album in May and will be honored by Local Spins at Friday night’s Jammie Awards. Read more about the band and watch a video at Local Spins.
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.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Rockford-based duo turned full band unfurled new songs during this week’s Local Spins on WYCE, which also premiered music from Chandler Reed & The Sticky Keys, Alien Dogs, Joel Mabus, SIlverstiles and Bermudas. Learn more about Political Lizard, watch the in-studio video, listen to the radio show podcast.
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.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
This week’s concert docket also features The Crane Wives, Josh Powell, Max Lockwood, Ty Zhang, Dan Rickabus, Mike Stud, How to Live Together, Bermudas and a pair of special tribute shows. Plus, win tickets to see Lindsay Beaver and Hank Mowery at Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill.
Featuring Sublime with Rome, Melophobix, Walk the Moon and more, dive into another photo and video recap of several concerts across West Michigan, from pop to electronic music to rock and more — from The Intersection to 20 Monroe Live to Bell’s Brewery to The Pyramid Scheme to Old Dog Tavern.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Grand Rapids musician was this week’s guest for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted new tracks by Joshua Davis, How to Live Together, Tiger and Frame, Syd Burnham and more. Learn more about Jes Kramer’s latest project, watch the in-studio video, listen to the full radio show podcast.
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.
Album reviews · Upcoming shows
The mid-January roundup of releases features the brand new, long-awaited full-length debut by Melophobix and five other Michigan gems. Check out the reviews, listen to tracks from each of the featured artists.
Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
WYCE-FM’s record-setting Jammie Awards show in February just got bigger with the addition of the nationally acclaimed Albion band, which also plays a full concert later that month at St. Cecilia Music Center. Learn more about both upcoming performances at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · On Campus · Weekend Photo Gallery
This weekend’s West Michigan concert photo recap showcases an A-Cappell-Off contest in Allendale, country stars led by Lee Brice playing the DeltaPlex, a Creston Brewery show featuring Advance Base and more, and the latest from “Music at the Museum” in Grand Haven.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The Grand Rapids DJ and electronic music producer debuted the new project for Local Spins on WYCE, which also premiered tracks by Melophobix, Jonn-e, The Journeymen, Phabies, Sundry and more. Listen to the podcast and watch a video of the Ty Beat/Graves in-studio performance.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
After six years in Kalamazoo, organizers announced that the Audiotree Music Festival won’t take place this year, with Audiotree instead holding a series of special shows in Chicago. Get details at Local Spins, along with links to coverage of the 2018 festival.
Announcements · Upcoming shows
Lady Ace Boogie, Tunde Olaniran and Seth Bernard will be joined by 23 first-timers at the February event being held in all four venues inside Grand Rapids’ The Intersection. Check out the list of all the performers at Local Spins, along with details about the upcoming awards show.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
A robust week of live music also features Way Down Wanderers, Roger Brown, Rob Reider, Gasoline Gypsies, Earth Radio, Big Trouble and lots of Under-the-Radar Picks. Browse West Michigan’s most comprehensive weekly concert guide.
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.
Concert announcements · Festivals
Perrin’s late-January festival will feature The Go Rounds, The Legal Immigrants, The Turnips and Syd Burnham. And the Great Lakes Acoustic Music Association cites rising costs and concerns about attendance for the Cooper’s Glen hiatus in 2019. Get the lowdown about both festivals at Local Spins.
