Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
A week that saw arrival of a new Grand Rapids venue also boasted tour stops by Tyler Farr and AJJ, a Buddy Holly tribute, the Grand Rapids debut of The Boulevard Billies and Roger Brown Band, and Kalamazoo’s Cooper’s Glen music festival. Check out the week-in-review roundup of West Michigan shows and browse the photo galleries.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
This week’s edition of Local Spins on WYCE saw two popular West Michigan musicians paying homage in-studio to Buddy Holly, not to mention the premiere of new tracks by emerging Grand Rapids acts. Listen to the radio podcast and watch videos of Delilah DeWylde and Jack Leaver performing in-studio.
The fun and diverse National Public Radio competition has drawn even more attention from Mitten State artists this year. Check out some of the video entries here, from popular West Michigan acts to obscure emerging artists.
Concert announcements · Music on Campus · Upcoming shows
The FSU Music Industry Management Association series kicks off this week with Wisconsin’s The Millennium. Chicago’s Marina City and Grand Rapids’ likemelikeyou also perform in February. Get the details and full schedule for the series being held on the Big Rapids campus.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Check out images and videos of concerts from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo, including the fifth anniversary of Grand Rapids Soul Club, in Local Spins’ latest week-in-review roundup.
Festivals · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The first-ever winter festival takes place Saturday with five bands performing. One of those, punk rock’s I Believe in Julio, was the featured artist during this week’s edition of Local Spins on WYCE. Listen to the podcast which features the debut of new songs by Michigan bands and check out the festival schedule.
With much-respected artists Andrew Bird and Margaret Glaspy getting things started, The Lumineers brought their “Cleopatra” world tour to Van Andel Arena on Thursday. Browse the photo gallery at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
The popular mid-Michigan band has wrapped up work on its first studio album in years and is eager to be the first act to play 20 Monroe Live next week. Check out the exclusive Local Spins interview and Hertler’s view of the new Grand Rapids venue.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins Live · Upcoming shows · Videos
The project of Kalamazoo singer-songwriter Jason Singer, Michigander has its sights set on a busy and productive 2017 with shows, festivals and a new EP. Check out the Local Spins Artist Spotlight feature, along with a video and radio podcast.
Breaking music news · Features · Music on Campus · Top 10 Lists
The new rankings by MusicSchoolCentral.com cited Kalamazoo for its ‘artistic intrigue, hip music scene’ and top-notch jazz program. See the entire list of top schools.
Announcements · Upcoming shows
This battle of the bands contest that started in northern Michigan last weekend will see 20 bands competing to land a paid set during Short’s 13th anniversary celebration this spring. Get details here, with a list of the acts competing the next several weeks.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
It was spring-like outside, but things warmed up indoors, too. Check out the photo galleries and show recaps from a week that featured national touring acts and local gems firing up venues from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo to the lakeshore.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
This week’s edition of Local Spins on WYCE boasted an in-studio performance by the emerging duo, plus the debut of new songs by Seth Bernard, Truth In Fiction, The Turnips and other Michigan artists. Read the story, listen to the podcast, watch the video.
Album reviews · Artist Spotlights · Local Spins Live · Videos
With roots in Big Rapids — and links to Ultraviolet Hippopotamus – the Michigan band is happily touring behind its sophomore studio album and embracing its eclectic approach. Read the story and album review, listen to the radio podcast, watch the video.
For more than a year, Valentiger’s Scott Rider has hosted open conversations on various topics affecting Grand Rapids’ music community. Local Spins asked him to reflect on what he’s learned in this guest column and describe what’s in store for 2017.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Call it coming-out-party week: The arrival of Conrad Shock & The Noise, a Winspear Records showcase of electronic-hued artists, a ‘Plan B’ benefit and much more captured in Local Spins photo galleries.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Videos
With deep roots in West Michigan, Midnight Pilot band members are finding key connections in ‘the center of the music universe’ as they create some engaging indie-rock/Americana music. Read the story, listen to the new EP, watch a video.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins Live · Videos
The up-and-coming Grand Rapids band stages a CD-release show Thursday at The Pyramid Scheme after its frontman spent two ‘grueling’ years recording the album. Check out the story and a pair of videos from this week’s in-studio radio appearance.
Saturday’s 12-hour musical marathon at The Intersection in Grand Rapids boasts sets by K. Jones & The Benzie Playboys, Drew Nelson, Fauxgrass, Stella, Madcat Midnight Blues Journey and other regional roots music stars. See the full lineup.
Announcements · Breaking music news · Videos
The much-buzzed-about Traverse City band has inked a highly anticipated contract with the eclectic and respected label. The group’s Sony Masterworks debut recording is set for release in the spring. Read the story and check out a video message from the band.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
From Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo, West Michigan bands and touring acts – including Nathan Kalish, Delilah DeWylde, Mark Lavengood, Analogue Earth and Gina Sicilia – kicked off the first week of January with hot, audience-pleasing shows at The Pyramid Scheme, Bell’s Brewery, Founders Brewing and Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill.
Breaking music news · Photos · Videos
The bands were among 11 acts competing for two slots in the March Fretboard Festival festival at Kalamazoo Valley Museum. Friday’s event drew a packed house and boasted lively performances. Check out the story, photo gallery and videos.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Grayling brother-and-sister duo brings its fetching approach to Grand Rapids on Thursday after releasing an album of originals in 2016, with plans for extensive touring this year. Read the Local Spins Artist Spotlight feature and watch a video, then catch them this week at their West Michigan show.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
Veteran acts will join first-time performers at West Michigan’s ‘biggest night for music’ in February at The Intersection. See the initial lineup of acts playing the event, with links to their music, only at Local Spins. And check out a link to see the long roster of 2017 Jammie nominees.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
The Michigan festival will expand to two days in October and feature sets by Desmond Jones, Jesse Ray & The Carolina Catfish, Melophobix, Watching for Foxes, Devin & The Dead Frets and several more acts. Check out the initial lineup and a link to early-bird ticket sales.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
West Michigan ushered in 2017 in style with performances by UV Hippo, The Go Rounds, The Crane Wives, Seth Bernard, La Famiglia, Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers, Vox Vidorra, The Mainstays and plenty more — and Local Spins has the photos and some videos to prove it.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Happy New Year from Local Spins! Listen to this holiday troika of podcasts, featuring two Local Spins on WYCE broadcasts and this week’s edition of “GR Live” to wrap up 2016 on an upbeat musical note. Featured artists include Vox Vidorra, Eric Engblade, Phil Stancil and many more.
Not all parties are created equal. If you’re looking for an excuse to get out this New Year’s Eve, Local Spins has the perfect guide to get your party started. Check out some of the biggest — and grooviest — parties in West Michigan.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The in-demand Grand Rapids multi-instrumentalist who’s performed with Hannah Rose Graves, Northern Skies, The Change, Bigfoot Buffalo and many more unleashed a rootsy new album in 2016. He plays “GR Live” later today at The B.O.B. and Rockford Brewing’s New Year’s Eve party on Saturday. (Story, radio podcast, video)
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins Live · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
Matt Plessner, this week’s in-studio radio guest for Local Spins Live, performed two songs as his band prepares to perform for Local Spins Wednesday at SpeakEZ Lounge. Check out the podcasts and videos.
Commentary · Top 10 Lists · Videos
It’s time to tune in to what Michigan musicians were listening to in 2016. Local Spins asked a bunch of ’em from the Great Lakes State to choose the best music and concerts of the year. Their choices are intriguing to say the least. Check out the lists and listen to the music.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
The holiday week took on a homecoming-styled festive flair, from Morgan Haner, Max Lockwood and Dan Rickabus’ “songwriters’ night” to Jesse Ray & The Carolina Catfish’s rockabilly romp and more, all captured in Local Spins images. Check out the photo galleries and videos.
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
After the city steps in due to capacity and zoning concerns, the Rockford tavern’s “Cool Beats @ The Corner” series scraps three concerts that were planned for early 2017. Refunds will be issued to those who bought tickets to see The Ragbirds, The Crane Wives and Brian Vander Ark.
Commentary · Top 10 Lists · Videos
Beyonce, Bon Iver, The Crane Wives, David Bowie, Angel Olsen, Of Montreal, Angel Olsen and Childish Gambino made the grade with Local Spins writers in 2016. See who else impressed our critics this year and listen to the music that turned their heads.
Audio · Features · Local Spins Live · Podcasts · Upcoming shows
The Outer Vibe releases a new EP this week at a Grand Rapids homecoming show. The band reflects on its recent move to Nashville where the rock/pop band stands out from the country pack. Learn about the band’s experiences in Nashville thus far and listen to a new single.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The week included small and rousing shows (Roosevelt Diggs, Adrian+Meredith), revved-up capacity affairs (Gunnar & The Grizzly Boys, The Crane Wives) and eclectic jam-band jams (Mungion, Dopapod, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong). Ogle all of the resplendent concert images in this week’s photo galleries.
Artist Spotlights · Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
Break out the sweatpants, a jam-band attitude and shed a tear: After more than 50 shows, Grand Rapids’ Desmond Jones will play its final Monday night residency gig at the West Side’s Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill this week. Read the back story, including the wacky things that have happened on Monday nights in this Grand Rapids watering hole.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Grand Rapids guitarist and singer chatted and performed during this week’s Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted new tracks by The Turnips, Everyday Junior, Monte Pride and more. Check out the Local Spins Artist Spotlight story, podcast and video.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
The tented event outside Perrin’s Comstock Park taproom will serve as a preview to WYCE Jammie Awards show and raise money for Kids’ Food Basket. Read more about this inaugural one-day music festival and get the links to pre-sales.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins Live · Podcasts
With roots in Michigan’s folk community and Washington D.C.’s punk scene, the Nashville-based duo creates a unique musical buzz. Adrian+Meredith’s tour stops at Grand Rapids’ SpeakEZ Lounge tonight (Wednesday) and in Kalamazoo Thursday. Check out the podcast and video of their radio appearance for Local Spins Live.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
The world music-infused Ann Arbor indie-folk band continues to tour behind “The Threshold and The Hearth,” with upcoming stops in Petoskey, Traverse City and Rockford. Learn more about The Ragbirds in this “Local Spins Rewind” feature and check out a brand new video for “Breakdown.”
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The week was packed with national tour stops and local showcases. Check out the colorful photo gallery that also features The Sauce, Chris Andrus, Jim Lauderdale, Ramblin’ Rose’s Grateful Dead tribute, Devil Elvis, Dede Alder and more, from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo to the lakeshore.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Grand Rapids band is hosting an EP-release show and stopped earlier in the day to visit Local Spins on WYCE, which also spotlighted new regional tracks by The War Between, Boy From School, Lambo and much more. Listen to the podcast and watch the video, only at Local Spins.
Album reviews · Artist Spotlights · Local Spins Live · Videos
The six-piece Grand Rapids band is spreading its wings as it builds upon a new EP with a catchy mix of soulful originals and unique covers. Read more about The Sauce and check out a video from the group’s performance this week for Local Spins Wednesday at SpeakEZ Lounge.
Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
The Grand Rapids Public Museum’s Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium will host a ‘really magical’ new concert series starting in January with Joshua Tree & Nate Eizenga, followed by Janga, Mishigami and Emma Loo & Sam. Get the lowdown about this unusual series in an unusual space at Local Spins.
The band headlines a big New Year’s Eve show in Kalamazoo, then heads back into the studio later this winter to record a long-awaited, much-talked-about new album. Check out the story as Local Spins revisits some West Michigan artists featured in the new 2017 Local Spins wall calendars. Grand Rapids’ UV Hippo is the September cover.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
“You had to be there.” That was the theme for concerts across West Michigan this week, with special shows by The Accidentals, Chris Lane, Jesse Ray & The Carolina Catfish, Fauxgrass, Rooney, Penny & Sparrow, Conrad Shock & The Noise and much more. Check out the images and recaps at Local Spins.
It’s a highway soundtrack for the ages. By making a 2,500-mile journey to California — and back — in his ’73 VW bus, Grand Rapids singer-songwriter Nicholas James Thomasma had plenty of time to craft the perfect playlist for a road trip. Check out the songs, watch the videos, listen to it on Spotify.
Once again, Local Spins is offering dynamic wall calendars that not only showcase Michigan artists but also help you track 2017 music festivals. The calendars are available for shipping starting today; order now to ensure arrival by the holidays.
Album reviews · Audio · Local Spins Live · Videos
Rev up December in style — and get a headstart on your Christmas CD shopping — with this Local Spins round-up of local and regional releases, which also spotlights new CDs from Murder Party, Bet on Rats and Cousin Avery, along with audio samples from the bands.
