Weather conditions weren’t ideal for the debut of this two-day festival on a downtown pedestrian bridge, but those ArtPrize visitors who braved the elements were rewarded. Check out the recap and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins Live · Local Spins on WYCE
One artist is trying to make waves in country music. The other is drawing attention for dreamy, pop-tinged soft rock. Local Spins spotlighted each of them on the radio this week. Listen to both radio podcasts, with plenty of new regional music to soak up.
Local Spins occasionally rounds up festivals and events, interesting people and intriguing musical projects at West Michigan colleges and universities. Today, we spotlight a few of those coming up at Ferris State University, Grand Valley State University and Grand Rapids Community College.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
Room Full of Elephants has taken its roots-based rock music to the next level, with members pushing comfort levels to create “a new different sound.” The band makes its SpeakEZ Lounge debut in Grand Rapids on Wednesday. Get an inside look at this up-and-coming lakeshore act.
From Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo, Middleville to Grand Haven, weekend — and mid-week — warriors were on the march musically, from rock to hip hop to folk to punk and beyond. The action, of course, was captured in images at Local Spins.
Features · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows
Saturday’s day-long event at Grand Armory Brewing showcases musical talent, poetry and more. Learn more in the Local Spins on WYCE podcast with Ladyfest performers and the debut of new tracks by regional artists. And check out the full Ladyfest schedule at Local Spins.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Being staged this year at Sesquicentennial Park in Middleville, Saturday’s day-long festival will feature sets by Seth Bernard, Big Dudee Roo, Megan Dooley, Peter Madcat Ruth and more. Local Spins has the full schedule for Saturday’s event.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
The Michigan indie-rocker has tasted some success while experiencing the joy — and grueling trials — of his trade. His house show tour makes a Grand Rapids stop this week as he eyes returning to a Detroit studio to record a new album. Read the back story behind this engaging songwriter and musician.
Commentary · Festivals · Photos
The 16th Earthwork Harvest Gathering unfurled last weekend outside Lake City with what many call a “magical celebration” of Michigan’s collaborative music scene. Musician/singer Megan Dooley describes why it was so special in this Local Spins column, with images by Anna Sink.
Heaters, Flint Eastwood, The Go Rounds, Kari Lynch, JRob and other regional acts will play the free Sept. 30-Oct. 1 event on the pedestrian bridge over the Grand River. See how it all came together and check out the full performance schedule.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The week started with legendary performers NRBQ and Los Straitjackets at a packed Tip Top and continued with a bevy of stars and festivals: Julien Baker, Of Montreal, Billy Talent, Over the Rhine, Michael Dause & Band of Bros, plus the Fallasburg Fall Festival and Arcadia Ales’ anniversary. Check out all the images and a video at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
The first volley of the three-day festival was an impressive one, with more than two dozen performances and an unparalleled musical spirit. Check out the story, video highlights and photo gallery. Check out the recap, video highlights and photo gallery from the opening salvo of this beloved northern Michigan music festival.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
With a new album, “Fall Away Blues,” the Kalamazoo musicians are touring the Midwest, stopping by Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted new tracks by Public Access, Michael Robertson and more. Check out the Local Spins Artist Spotlight story, videos and the full radio show podcast.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Several hundred Michigan musicians – among them Seth Bernard, The Accidentals, The Crane Wives, Joshua Davis and many more – will gather this weekend outside Lake City to celebrate and share their art. Check out the preview of this year’s momentous season-ending event.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Oozing an alt-rock, pop and prog-rock sheen, Dause and his Band of Bros play SpeakEZ Lounge this week as the multi-instrumentalist promotes a new studio album. Read more about this talented musician and his hectic performing schedule with The Accidentals, as well as his own band.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
The granddaddy of Michigan music festivals unfurled outside Remus over the weekend, dodged a little rain and fired up fans with help from The Go Rounds, Molly Bouswma Schultz, Mike + Ruthy, drum circles and more. Check out the Local Spins recap and photo gallery.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
From Eastown Streetfair and Tribute on the Grand in Grand Rapids to a Courtyard Concert in Spring Lake to Crime Funk and more in Kalamazoo, it was a September weekend to remember — and revisited in photos at Local Spins.
Album reviews · Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Upcoming shows
The prolific indie-rock band releases the first of two 2016 EPs, plays Wheatland for the first time this weekend, embarks on a Western tour this fall and lays plans for another full-length album. Read the back story of The Go Rounds’ newest “psychedelia heavy” recording and check out the Local Spins review of the EP.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
This weekend’s Wheatland Music Festival boasts Asleep at the Wheel, Charlie Musselwhite and scores of Michigan musicians — from May Erlewine to The Go Rounds — for the ‘precious’ 43rd anniversary event outside Remus. Peruse the schedule and save it on your smartphone.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The Labor Day weekend and the week leading up to it rolled out an eclectic mix of national and regional acts — captured in images at Local Spins, from Red Tail Ring, Keller Williams and UV Hippo in Kalamazoo to Gringo Star, Hannah Rose Graves, The Suzies and more in Grand Rapids.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts
The Maryland rock band brought its 20th anniversary tour to Meijer Gardens on Thursday, earning a rousing welcome from the capacity crowd of fans. Check out the Local Spins photos by Anthony Norkus.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
The Grand Rapids band performs tonight at SpeakEZ Lounge to promote its upcoming EP due this fall. Boy From School released a single in July and plan to release another song in coming weeks. Read the story about this up-and-coming indie-pop/rock group by Local Spins writer Adrianna Walker.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts · Videos
Ralston Bowles orchestrated a rousing Grand Rapids variety show of talent for the summer-ending show, including Maurice Townsend, Channing & Quinn, Eric Engblade and more. Peruse the recap and photo gallery from Tuesday night’s show.
Appealing to both the daytime coffee shop crowd working on laptops and evening music and craft beer devotees, Grand Armory Brewing and the other businesses occupying this downtown Grand Haven building make this a fun spot to meet up and relax — and soak up top-notch regional bands and solo artists.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
More than five dozen regional acts played over three days at this mid-Michigan festival held on an organic vegetable farm. Check out images from last weekend’s Holler Fest 10.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The 101st edition of Local Spins on WYCE (Aug. 19, 2016) featured an in-studio chat with jazz musicians Steve Hilger and Charlie Hoats, plus the premiere of new tracks by The Concussions, Red Tail Ring, Greensky Bluegrass, London & Rome, The Legal Immigrants and more. (Due to technical glitches, this podcast was delayed a week.)
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The psychedelic Grand Rapids rock band pared back its sound during an in-studio visit for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted new tracks by London & Rome, Eric Engblade, The Muteflutes and other West Michigan acts. Listen to the podcast, watch the video, read the story.
Artist Spotlights · Live at River City · Podcasts · Videos
Grand Rapids uber-talented folk-rock band talks about songwriting, jelling as a band and feta dips – and rolls out new songs for a small studio audience. The band’s intimate performance and interview was captured via video and podcast.
Album reviews · Audio · Videos
From folk to country to metal and more, this August round-up of new releases by Michigan artists covers the gamut. Check out reviews of the recordings, audio samples and see where you can catch these performers live.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
This three-day festival unfolding this weekend on Frog Holler Farm in southern Jackson County is an out-of-the-way affair featuring bands from across the state, including West Michigan acts Vox Vidorra, Watching for Foxes and Olivia Mainville. Check out the full schedule for the 10th anniversary of this rootsy festival.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts
The crush-worthy Boston band’s return to Meijer Gardens was nothing short of an energetic, crowd-pleasing spectacle — amid perfect weather after the threat of storms in a packed amphitheater. Read the review, peruse the photo gallery from another sold-out show.
Michigan’s most famous island offers more than fudge, horses and a rich history. Summertime and early fall boast a hotbed of live music with a unique milieu, some of it after-hours. Local Spins takes a gander at Mackinac music in words, pictures and video.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
Last weekend’s Hoxeyville festival drew thousands to the northern Michigan woods near Wellston for sets by dozens of artists, including Greensky Bluegrass, Seth Bernard, Billy Strings, Ralston Bowles and more. Check out the recap of this memorable musical soiree.
The Girls Rock! GR summer camp aimed at empowering girls through music culminated Sunday with sets by eight enthusiastic young bands making their stage debut, rocking the theater for impressed fans. Peruse the story about these fledgling musicians’ remarkable week and browse the photo gallery.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Rain, a tornado and generally fickle weather couldn’t stop the rock, jazz, EDM and more from churning out across West Michigan on Saturday and throughout the week. Overall, it was another slate of big shows indoors and out, captured in images at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
Despite early afternoon rain that wiped out some performances, dozens of regional acts played dozens of Grand Haven venues as fans strolled the streets and voted for their favorites. And a raffle raised upwards of $40,000 to support musical ventures for those in need. Check out the story, photo gallery and video highlights.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
The opening day of this weekend festival kicked out the jams impressively amid the Manistee National Forest with some big names still to come. Check out the recap, photo gallery and video.
Album reviews · Audio · Upcoming shows
This August batch of album reviews covers an eclectic mix of genres, including releases from Jeremy Ensley, Bill Ellingboe, KidsonFire and The Preservers. Check out these new releases by regional artists, with audio samples to boot.
Local Spins Live · Podcasts · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Saturday will mark the third year for this unusual benefit that showcases regional artists vying for thousands in prizes, with concertgoers getting a chance to win, too. See the roster of performers and Grand Haven venues, lists which you can save on your smartphone.
Artist Spotlights · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Along with fellow headliner Railroad Earth, Greensky Bluegrass will join more than 30 other acts at this weekend’s Hoxeyville music festival in Wellston in the Manistee National Forest. Check out the full lineup/performance schedule and listen to a new Greensky tune.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
Some jaw-dropping, lively sets marked the second day of Cowpie Music Fest, not to mention more comfortable, sunny weather that even had Shagbark Farm’s cows , quite literally, mooing their approval. Check out the photo gallery and recap of the second day of action at this rootsy festival in southern Kent County.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
Led by Nick Stevenson, the new Grand Rapids band started recording a new EP this week and plays Cowpie Music Festival on Saturday. The band uncorked two songs for Local Spins on WYCE, which also premiered tracks by LVNMUZIQ, Antilogical, Fauxgrass, Plain Jane Glory and Jonny Carroll. Listen to the full podcast.
Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
Following a successful first season, the Tri-Cities Historical Museum in downtown Grand Haven will once host another series of monthly concerts in its Centennial Room featuring stars from across the region. See — and save — the full schedule, and read the intriguing back story of this popular venture.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
This weekend’s regional music fest on Shagbark Farm in southern Kent County embraces the tradition of a friendly atmosphere, with more than a dozen acts on stage, including Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers, Strange Arrangement and more. See the full schedule and save it on your smartphone.
Summer Festivals · Weekend Photo Gallery
From the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival to the Kalamazoo Ribfest to Ottawa County’s Marnia, summer festival season marched on. But there were fun indoor shows last week, too, from Dave Hardin to Desmond Jones to Delilah DeWylde to Cheap Girls. Check out all the images from the past week in Local Spins’ weekend photo galleries.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The Grand Rapids producer and multi-instrumentalist who hosts an album-release show Saturday performed during Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted new music from The Legal Immigrants, Holloway, Melophobix, Silverstiles, Bradley Sinclair and more.
Each with its own character, a few West Side establishments have started showcasing live music, offering West Michigan acts and Grand Rapids music lovers new settings and experiences. Sample them in this feature story by Local Spins writer Ricky Olmos.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts
The singer and multi-instrumentalist’s return to Meijer Gardens not only showcased the pop flavors from her most recent album, but plenty of rollicking, fan-pleasing rock. Local Spins was there to document the tour stop in words and photos.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
To rev up August, Local Spins writer Matt Marn went heavy on Mitten artists — from The Accidentals to Channing & Quinn to Hannah Rose Graves — in between tracks from Trombone Shorty, Sturgill Simpson and James Vincent Morrow. Check out the videos and Spotify playlist.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
A rock band’s farewell tour rolled into West Michigan, plus some bracing indoor and outdoor rock, blues and folk shows dominated the landscape in the Grand Rapids area this week. Check out the concert recaps and photo galleries.
