Outpolling three other West Michigan bands. Grand Rapids’ The Zannies won the last performance slot for August’s Cowpie Music Festival during Friday’s finals at The Intersection. Check out a recap of the event along with video highlights.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Grand Rapids’ Bello Spark debuted two new songs on the air, Ling hawked his Grand River Water Festival that takes place Saturday and the show premiered new tracks by The Gorgeous Oranges, Pink Sky and Barrel Bones. Listen to the podcast, watch a video of Bello Spark’s fetching in-studio performance.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
From the wild, fan-involving antics of Andy Frasco to the throbbing beats of Green Velvet and Keys N Krates to the lengthy jams of host String Cheese, it was a memorable opening day and night in Rothbury. Browse the photo gallery, take a video tour of Electric Forest as it morphs from day to night and check out the list of top Local Spins highlights from Day 1.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The Charlotte Bluegrass Festival, Lanco, Shawn Mullins, Rebirth Brass Band, Priests and Tip Top Deluxe’s seventh anniversary show are all part of this week’s live music lineup. Check out all of the West Michigan concert picks, including Langhorne Slim with The Accidentals and Roosevelt Diggs at St. Cecilia Music Center.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
A somewhat lower turnout at Founders Fest amid steamy weather didn’t Dead-en the enthusiasm for Saturday’s headliner not to mention five other acts who jammed and powered up sets on a relocated stage for the annual street party. Browse the photo galleryand watch video highlights from Saturday’s big party at Local Spins.
The unique new music venue is part of the $180 million theatre, retail and housing project opening south of Van Andel Arena in 2019. Quinn Mathews will lead the venture and curate the listening room, stepping down as WYCE manager late this summer.
Perfect temperatures and a receptive, sold-out crowd at Meijer Gardens set the stage for an evening of emotional but uplifting folk rock. Check out the Local Spins review by Tricia Woolfenden and photo gallery from Kendra Kamp.
Concert announcements · Playlists · Summer Concerts
The Thursday night series on the Grand Rapids Art Museum terrace boasts seven weeks of performances by Michigan stars, including Yolonda Lavender, Organissimo, Fauxgrass, Earth Radio and others. See the full schedule at Local Spins and check out a Spotify playlist of songs from GRAM on the Green artists.
This month’s Local Spins segment on Michigan Radio’s “Stateside” lent an ear to a rising Southwest Michigan star and two psych-rock bands from Grand Rapids. Listen to the podcast and more from Dacia Bridges, Lazy Genius and Suzies.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Summer festival season is in full gear, plus there are riveting shows this week featuring Reverend Horton Heat, Trevor Hall, Davina & The Vagabonds (this week’s Local Spins ticket giveaway), some terrific local music showcases and the kickoff of several outdoor concert series. Get the lowdown on this week’s West Michigan concerts, plus some tantalizing Under-the-Radar Picks.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Local Spins’ photo recap of the week in music also features Brena at the summer’s first Garage Bar Block Party, Kalamazoo’s Pride celebration, Jack Droppers and Nathan Kalish at SpeakEZ Lounge, Brian Koenigsknecht and Mark Lavengood at Old Dog Tavern and much more. Browse 10 colorful photo galleries, only at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Kalamazoo · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The singer, songwriter and musician with success in everything from heavy metal to dance music has re-established herself in Southwest Michigan as a rising star while fronting the Dacia Bridges Project all-female super-group. Read the back story about this remarkable artist, listen to the full Local Spins on WYCE radio show podcast featuring her in-studio performance and new music from other regional acts, and check out Dacia Bridges videos at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The popular Grand Rapids folk-rock heroes kick off Sparta’s Concerts in Rogers Park series on Wednesday night and play East Lansing and Allegan later this week — part of a busy summer touring schedule for the band. Get the latest about The Crane Wives and watch their videos.
The Portland folk-rock heroes enthusiastically powered through an engaging set of old hits and new at Meijer Gardens on Monday, in spite of frontman’s recent vocal strain. Read the review and ogle the photo gallery at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The first full week of June also boasts Jackson Browne, The B-52s, Steeldrivers, Red Elvises Callaghan, Magic Giant, Stephen Marley & Matisyahu, Nathan Kalish, Rockford Start of Summer Celebration , Scott Pellegrom’s “Dream Hang” and much more. And win tickets to see The Record Company at Elevation inside The Intersection. Get the lowdown on all of this week’s big shows on The Big List.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The week after Memorial Day brought a slew of summer musical marvels to West Michigan, including the kickoff to outdoor concert series in Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo and tour stops by national touring acts. Browse 10 photo galleries — from Kalamazoo’s HippieFest to Grand Rapids’ Festival of the Arts — at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
‘A great place to share peace and love and spread music’: An apropos theme for the opening day of a revamped Festival of the Arts 2018 in downtown Grand Rapids. Check out the Local Spins story, photo gallery and some video highlights from the first day’s performances.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Go Rounds play this weekend’s inaugural Camp Greensky in Wellston, with frontman Graham Parsons touting his Upper Peninsula Farm Block Fest & Reunion come July with an “improbable” roster of stars. Get the lowdown and lineups for both festivals at Local Spins.
This weekend’s Festival of the Arts will pack downtown Grand Rapids for regional music on a half-dozen stages. And once again, Local Spins asked musicians and writers to spotlight some must-see acts. Use the ‘Best of Fest’ picks as a starting point to guide your Festival exploration.
Tied up or out of town for Memorial Day weekend? Here’s a recap of some musical magic you may have missed, courtesy of Local Spins and media outlets elsewhere across Michigan. Check out links to coverage of Movement, Bled Fest and more.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
This week’s packed lineup also features Andrew McMahon, Gladys Knight, Phillip Phillips, The Menzingers, BoDeans and more, plus win tickets to see the Gin Blossoms and Valentiger. Get the complete lowdown in this week’s Big List, plus some riveting Under-the-Radar Picks.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
The Memorial Day weekend music fest in West Olive hosted by Buses by the Beach kicked off Friday with gorgeous weather, eclectic music and VW bus camaraderie. Get the recap and browse the photo gallery at Local Spins, where you can also find the music schedule for Saturday and Sunday.
Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
Temperatures are heating up and so are outdoor concerts in communities across West Michigan. Here’s the latest Local Spins roundup of schedules for several free series starring regional acts from the lakeshore to Lansing.
Artist Spotlights · Kalamazoo · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Marcus King Band plays Kalamazoo’s State Theatre on Thursday, part of the group’s ceaseless touring as it builds its audience and impresses critics with its frontman’s eye-popping musicianship. Read the Local Spins interview with this guitar sensation and check out videos of his performances.
The May edition of the Local Spins music news round-up focuses on a new name and direction for a popular folk-rock band and striking new videos from groups on opposite ends of the music spectrum. Listen to the latest EP from Winnow/Watching for Foxes and watch videos by The Go Rounds, Hollow Front and those talented Shay Elementary School fourth-graders.
Concert announcements · Kalamazoo · Summer Concerts
Local Spins’ latest round-up of free community concert series across West Michigan puts the spotlight on outdoor shows in the Kalamazoo area. Take a gander at the diverse band lineups, then grab a lawn chair and go.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The week leading up to Memorial Day is jam-packed with music and fun in the sun, from Evidence Jazz to Earth Radio to I Believe in Julio to Michigan Rattlers to the Local Spins Summer Kickoff outside HopCat in Grand Rapids. Get the scoop on all of this week’s live music highlights, plus some stellar Under-the-Radar Picks at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Local Spins’ week-in-review photo roundup also features images from the Bona-Who? fest outside Cedar Springs, Chain of Lakes, Brian Koenigsknecht and Kate Pillsbury playing SpeakEZ Lounge, another Local Showcase at The Pyramid Scheme, the Barley BBQ & Beats event at Van Andel Arena, Bigfoot Buffalo at Tip Top Deluxe and more. Check out all the photos from a lively week of music at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The band unleashed two robust new songs this week for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted new tracks by Suzies, The Extra Texture, Shanf, Minor Element, JRob and more. Listen to the full radio show podcast, watch the video of Conrad Shock + The Noise’s in-studio performance. The band plays the Local Spins Summer Kickoff in Grand Rapids on May 27.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
The Accidentals, The Ragbirds, Appleseed Collective, Mark Lavengood, May Erlewine and many more regional stars have been booked to perform along the shores of Lake Leelanau in northern Michigan. See the full summer schedule of concerts at this picturesque resort.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
The all-day free event outside Cedar Springs this weekend boasts an eclectic lineup of young and experienced Michigan acts. See the full schedule and get details at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
The beloved band featuring Joshua Davis and Dominic John Davis revved up enthused sold-out crowds in the first two nights at the legendary Green Door with several more shows across the state still to come this week. Read the Local Spins review by Ryan Boldrey, browse the photo gallery by Jon Rosenberger, check out some video highlights.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The week kicks off with Big Sandy and closes out with Steve Martin & Martin Short’s Grand Rapids tour stop, with plenty of musical action in between, including special SpeakEZ shows, Hip Hop Appreciation Week, the Bona-Who? festival, Thunder Chicken, The Extra Texture and Stryper. Plus, see how you can win tickets to see Granger Smith.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
The first-year festival outside Stanton has delivered sets by dozens of Michigan bands. Browse the Local Spins photo gallery and check out the video of the festival site.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The May 11 edition of Local Spins on WYCE boasted an in-studio visit by Melophobix, plus the on-air premiere of new songs by Coffin Problem, Brant Satala, Brian Koenigsknecht, Act Casual, Andrew Starr and more. Read about Melophobix, watch an in-studio video and listen to the full radio show podcast at Local Spins.
Album reviews · RSVP Music Chat · Videos
RSVP Music Chat sat down with Michigander for an in-depth and upbeat conversation about his music, his touring, his quest as a career artist, his favorite coffee and why it isn’t “Michiganian” or “Dad Jokes.” Listen to the podcast, read a review of Michigander’s new EP.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
The free weeknight music series showcase a wide range of regional bands. See and save the schedules for several community concert series in cities along the Lake Michigan shoreline. It’s Local Spins latest round-up of summer shows.
Recorded in front of a live studio audience, this month’s Local Spins segment on Michigan Radio’s “Stateside” showcased two celebrated acts from Grand Rapids and two from Kalamazoo. Listen to the podcast and a Spotify playlist of the featured tracks.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Holland’s Tulip Time kicks May into full gear but there’s plenty more music on the docket: Lipstick Jodi, Coffin Problem, Rebecca Loebe, Hank Mowery, Marc Scibilia and a John Prine Tribute, plus win tix to see Chris Lane or Rival Sons. See all of this week’s music picks at Local Spins, plus some intriguing Under-the-Radar Picks and a look ahead to shows later this month.
The latest from the Michigan-bred bluegrass outfit led by singer Lindsay Lou Rilko topped all other acts for regional airplay at WYCE, with Vox Vidorra and Lazy Genius also making their chart debut. See the entire Hot Top 5 and listen to tracks from all of the featured artists at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Upcoming shows
Local Spins sat down with the eclectic Grand Rapids band, which just released a new single, has an album in the works and is playing a series of May shows, including the Local Spins Wednesdays series at SpeakEZ Lounge tonight (Wednesday). Check out the Q&A with The Hacky Turtles and listen to the single, “Grace.”
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Local Spins’ week-in-review boasts images from a rock-hued fundraiser, a bass-and-comedy spectacle, the country twang of Maddie & Tae, a “Reggaefest,” another anniversary celebration for The Pyramid Scheme and more. Check out all of the images and photos at Local Spins.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
Two outdoor events announced today will help launch a summer of music festivals across West Michigan. The Local Spins Summer Kickoff on Memorial Day weekend with The Accidentals and Conrad Shock is also the post-party for HopCat’s Beer Me! 5k Race in downtown Grand Rapids; Perrin is hosting its inaugural Can’d Aid Concert for a good cause. Get the details about both events at Local Spins.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
Local Spins has rounded up another batch of free community concert series being staged across West Michigan this summer, including the return of the West Michigan Jazz Society’s Monday concerts in Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids. Check out the lineups for a half-dozen summer series, only at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Regional acts rule the roost, too, with Cameron Blake, The Legal Immigrants, Indika Reggae Band, Exposure Therapy, The Zannies and more, plus a three-band Feedback benefit Sunday at Founders Brewing, which also hosts shows earlier in the week by Big Dudee Roo and Valentiger. Get the lowdown on all of this week’s live music events via The Big List.
Saturday’s celebration of independent record shops even drew a pair of newlyweds into the happy fray during a West Side parade, with stores from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo boasting mobs of vinyl-loving shoppers and in-store performances. Browse the photos at Local Spins and watch video highlights from Saturday’s short but exuberant procession outside Dodds Record Shop.
Michigan native Ben Schneider and his band created trippy soundscapes during Friday’s sold-out show at Grand Rapids’ 20 Monroe Live — a concert marred briefly by an altercation between some fans that was quickly taken care of by security. Get the recap in the Local Spins review and browse the photo gallery.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
The 11th annual street party on June 16 boasts a Grateful Dead cover band and emerging indie acts with Desmond Jones and FBC All-Stars adding local flavor. Get the lowdown and ticket links — plus check out videos of the featured bands — at Local Spins.
On the eve of Jack White’s buzzed-about Grand Rapids show, the Local Spins “countdown” assesses his bold new album, along with regional releases by a diverse mix of Michigan artists. Read the reviews, listen to audio samples from the albums.
Artist Spotlights · Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
The iconic Michigan band of musical “brothers” featuring Joshua Davis and Jack White bassist Dominic John Davis will relive its glory days in Lansing and more during a seven-night run of shows. Get the back story at Local Spins and see where Steppin’ In It will be performing, plus get some insights into White’s tour and new album.
