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.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Thanksgiving weekend gave West Michigan music fans plenty to be grateful for, including some jam-packed homecoming shows in Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo. Check out the show recaps and photo galleries, only at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The Grand Rapids outlaw country act performed two new songs during Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by JRob, A&E, May Erlewine, Blue Soul Express and more. Read the story, listen to the podcast.
In what’s become a Thanksgiving tradition, Local Spins asked some West Michigan musicians to cite what they’re thankful for and the artists who inspire them — and they include Seth Bernard, Rick Chyme and many more.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins Live · Videos
The Grand Rapids singer was joined by guitarist Justin Wierenga and bassist Justin Avdek for this week’s edition of Local Spins Live on radio. Watch a video of the trio’s in-studio performance, a preview of their farewell show Wednesday night at SpeakEZ Lounge.
Artist Spotlights · Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
Chance Jones and Lazy Genius will combine forces at Long Road Distillers to raise money for beloved barber Jazz Johnson, who suffered a serious back injury and faces mounting bills. Read about Burge, his current acting projects and the upcoming reunion show — only at Local Spins.
Announcements · Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
The shows featuring regional stars kicks off in December, with The Crane Wives, Brian Vander Ark and Channing & Quinn also set to perform in the cozy venue. Get the full story and upcoming concert schedule at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Features · Videos
Local Spins rewind: The top story of the past week profiles Level Up, a sprawling S. Division Avenue studio and rehearsal space that already has Ultraviolet Hippopotamus, Desmond Jones, Watching for Foxes and more laying down tracks for new projects. Watch the video, check out photos of the studio.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The weather has changed dramatically, so heat up with these hot images from another week of sizzling live music across West Michigan — from local gems to touring titans, from final flourishes to dynamic debuts.
Album reviews · Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE
The Michigan trio stopped at WYCE this week as part of a CD-release tour that touts new songs with Celtic, rock, classical, bluegrass and pop hues. The show also debuted new music from Jesse Ray & The Carolina Catfish, Lapdogs, Conrad Shock & The Noise and more. Listen to the podcast, watch the video, check out the story.
Breaking music news · Features · Videos
The sprawling S. Division Avenue studio and rehearsal space already has Ultraviolet Hippopotamus, Desmond Jones, Watching for Foxes and more working on new projects. Read the Local Spins story, watch the video, browse the photo gallery.
Local Spins Live · Upcoming shows · Videos
The fast-growing international wine, beer and food sampling event starts Thursday in Grand Rapids and boasts three days of local and regional music, with 20,000 expected to attend. Get details and the full entertainment schedule at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
With a blend of rock/folk/pop, Langhorne Slim opens a series Thursday that will now also feature Los Lonely Boys, Pokey LaFarge, Margo Price and Marc Cohn. Read the Local Spins interview with Langhorne Slim and get series details.
Announcements · Upcoming shows · Videos
The concert hall next to The B.O.B. opens in February with a wide range of bookings: The Verve Pipe, Lauryn Hill, Pop Evil and more. Tickets go on sale Friday. Check out the first slate of concerts booked for the venue.
The always-energetic Avett Brothers brought their national tour to Grand Rapids, unfurling a 28-song, career-spanning affair for a non-capacity but enthusiastic audience. Check out the review, browse the photo gallery, scan the set list.
Album reviews · Audio · Videos
his November round-up of new local and regional releases covers the retro-rock of The Concussions and The JetBeats, plus fresh music from Diff & Dudley, Plain Jane Glory and Four Lincolns. Check out the reviews and listen to some samples of music from the new albums.
Amid the vitriol of this year’s presidential campaign, Local Spins presents an Election Day playlist for the ages. Go vote, then relieve your stress and immerse yourself in some great songs via video and Spotify. And do some balloting of your own by suggesting additions to this soundtrack.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
An all-star cast of Michigan musicians is paying tribute to icon John Prine in a week that also saw high-profile shows by The Mainstays, The Accidentals, Rusted Root and more. Check out all the colorful, action-filled images from West Michigan’s week of live music.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The fifth year of a unique Grand Rapids house show festival has unfurled this weekend in four Eastown neighborhood homes, boasting a diverse mix of acts and performances. Check out the Local Spins story and photo gallery.
The uber-popular fall house show fest returns this weekend to “enrich” Eastown in Grand Rapids, but only in living rooms and an attic (not basements). Get the story, artist lineup and the full schedule of intimate shows at Local Spins.
he week and the weekend in music was mostly about Halloween, with bands diving into the macabre madness with vigor. Check out the Local Spins photo galleries of concerts, parties and more.
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
The award-winning atmospheric folk-rock band from Grand Rapids called it “a difficult announcement,” but says it’s time to “close out this chapter.” Read the story at Local Spins and revisit a video from a recent in-studio performance.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The Grand Rapids band which unleashes its sophomore album on Sunday at The Pyramid Scheme cranked it up on the radio show, which also debuted new songs by Murder Party, Ars Nova, The Sauce, Cartorson, Trash Hounds, The Boulevard Billies and more. Read the story and listen to the podcast at Local Spins.
Halloween falling on a Monday just gives folks an excuse to extend the weekend and party like zombies four nights in a row. Local Spins has your guide to West Michigan’s haunting musical maelstrom of fun. Make your plans by checking out this mega-roster of Halloween bashes.
The debut of the Cold Creek Campout on property near Fremont featured nine West Michigan bands bringing their “A-game” on Saturday, playing for a small but enthused cadre of fans. Check out the photo gallery from this new autumn music festival.
October’s autumn splendor came in the form of an eclectic blend of West Michigan concerts by touring national acts and much-beloved local stars. Check out all of the images at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
Forced to move from Hart earlier this week due to a miscommunication regarding use of the property, the organizer has shifted the first-time festival to eight acres of rural land outside Fremont. Check out details of this free event and a full schedule at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
A songwriting challenge produced many of the tracks that appear on Wicks’ new album, which officially gets released Sunday. He performed with guitarist Eric Boyea for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted new tracks by regional artists. Listen to the full radio podcast.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
For this week’s concert roundup, Local Spins chose a mix of regional acts and those performing at Founders Brewing Co.’s 13th annual Harvest Party in Grand Rapids, Spring Lake’s Seven Steps Up and Bell’s Brewery in Kalamazoo. Check out the images in these photo galleries.
Live at River City · Podcasts · Videos
The Grand Rapids indie folk-rock ensemble talks about its growth as a band and performs in-studio for the latest edition of HopCat presents Local Spins Live. Check out the story, listen to the podcast and watch the video from this intimate interview and concert.
In recent months, some of West Michigan’s most promising bands have turned their songs into visually fetching videos. Here are nine to ogle, courtesy of Local Spins, from rock to hip hop to harmony-hued folk.
The week in photos includes a big ArtPrize viewing party, some national tour stops, CD-release shows and rousing sets by regional acts from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo: Skillet, Beats Antique, Chris Robinson Brotherhood, Suzies, Trash Hounds, Mustard Plug, The Legal Immigrants, The Whigs, The Suffers.
A ‘hell of a party’: Ten music entries won $1,000 each in this year’s separate ArtPrize song contest, including Robin Connell, Rachael Claire Eid-Ries and Jessey Jansen. See the full list of this year’s winners and listen to their songs.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE
The Grand Rapids guitarist for Hannah Rose & The GravesTones is at work on a riveting new solo project. He performed for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted some ArtPrize-related songs from Caffein, Four Lincolns, Brian Criner and more.
Acclaimed Americana artist Jason Isbell, touring behind his latest album, “Something More Than Free,” left the DeVos Performance Hall crowd mesmerized on Monday night. Read the review, browse the photo gallery and check out the set list at Local Spins.
