Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Saturday’s wet weather kept throngs away, but those that endured the raindrops were treated to some rousing sets by some intrepid regional bands. It capped a week of rollicking concerts including Greensky Bluegrass’ three-night run at Bell’s in Kalamazoo. Check out all of the show recaps and photo galleries.
Some rabid fans camped out overnight in line for the sold-out Van Andel Arena show and Ohio’s Twenty One Pilots rewarded them Saturday with a show for the ages. Read the review and check out the photo gallery from a wild night.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
‘Loving the vibe and loving the music’: That was the theme of Festival of the Arts on Friday as thousands of attendees jammed streets in downtown Grand Rapids for dozens of performances. Check out the recap and photo gallery from a hectic first day of the 47th annual event.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Grand Rapids folk-rock band rocked Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted new material from Red Sea Pedestrians, The Muteflutes, Dead Eye Zack, Matt Gabriel and more. Read the feature story, listen to the podcast and check out the video of The Crane Wives’ in-studio radio performance.
Artist Spotlights · Live at River City · Podcasts · Videos
The spring edition of HopCat presents Local Spins Live at River City Studios featured an up-and-coming West Michigan band with eclectic, diverse instrumentation and ever-changing rhythms. Check out the interview and performances by this unique ensemble in podcast, video and photos.
Summer Festivals · Top 10 Lists
Summer festival season officially is here, so we’ve rounded up the most captivating musical celebrations in the Great Lakes State – some well-known, some off the beaten path, all worth exploring. And check out the under-the-radar picks, too.
Thousands of West Michigan performers will pack stages in downtown Grand Rapids this weekend. It’s a lot to soak in. So once again, Local Spins asks some well-known musicians and its staff of writers to pick “The Best of Fest.” Check out their diverse selections in this guide to Festival 2016.
Album reviews · Upcoming shows · Videos
After three years, the Traverse City trio finally releases a new studio recording this week. Like the musicians themselves, it’s buoyant and fresh – and will likely earn them even more acclaim. Read the Local Spins review and sample some of the music in new videos from The Accidentals.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Wild, raucous and resplendent all describe West Michigan’s live music assault for the last week of May with national and regional acts firing up stages for big crowds. Check out the Local Spins photo galleries from some of those high-energy shows.
Concert reviews · Features · Summer Festivals
The 14th annual festival along Lake Michigan between Grand Haven and Holland kicked off the holiday weekend with live music, a family vibe and VW buses. Read the story and check out the opening-day photo gallery.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows · Videos
Grand Rapids’ progressive bluegrass band Fauxgrass unveiled a new original and a new cover in the studio for Local Spins, which also debuted new music by The Accidentals and other Michigan artists. Listen to the podcast, watch the video of an in-studio performance.
Announcements · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
The first-time festival at the Harris Building on June 25 will feature Vox Vidorra, The Legal Immigrants, Lady Ace Boogie, Ty Beat, Valentiger and more. Radi8er plans similar events in other cities, too. Read the details and see the full lineup for the Grand Rapids event.
Artist Spotlights · Features · Local Spins Live
On his latest EP, “Fiction,” the Grand Rapids singer-songwriter aimed to “write something different” and he has plenty more compelling material where that came from. He’ll be sharing that music with lakeshore audiences in coming weeks. Read the Local Spins profile and check out his performance schedule.
Seeking the perfect tracks for kiddie-pool beer, hippie camping, crashing weddings, fireworks, power tools, age-inappropriate partners and buying rounds? Well, this Local Spins pundit has you covered. Check out Troy Reimink’s Top 10 songs for the season in words, video and Spotify glory.
Concert reviews · Photos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Metalcore, folk, indie-rock, bluegrass, psychedelic rock, pop and deliciously indescribable music captivated West Michigan audiences over the past week. Check out all of the images at Local Spins, including some special musical celebrations and tributes.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The performers became fast friends after battling each other in a hip hop competition. The duo is releasing its debut album, “The Great Ones,” on Saturday at Long Road Distillers in Grand Rapids. Read the story and listen to the Local Spins on WYCE podcast which also includes the premiere of tracks by Bangups, Heaters, Elroy Meltzer, Kari Lynch and more.
Announcements · Breaking music news
After taking the reigns of the community radio station in fall 2014, Paschka is moving on to a new job but expresses love for — and a continued commitment to — WYCE’s mission, much of which includes showcasing the local and regional music scene.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
Not quite sold out after all: A few tickets to see the Tedeschi Trucks Band, Ben Folds, Grace Potter and a few other summer series shows available this week. But the opening Tears for Fears show has been postponed altogether after the band announced it was putting off its summer U.S. tour. See which shows still have tickets up for sale.
Artist Spotlights · Features · Summer Festivals
The emerging punk act will share stages with some “heavy hitters” on its current tour, with more big festival appearances and a special vinyl release on the docket for 2016. Read the story about this Grand Rapids band and check out its performance schedule.
The Traverse City singer-songwriter who finished third on the NBC show last year has been following the Ann Arbor blues guitarist’s run and calls his national exposure ‘incredible.’ Read the story about Joshua Davis’ take on another veteran Michigan musician finding success on “The Voice.”
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The Florida metalcore/pop-punk band provoked fan fervor the same week that saw lively West Michigan shows by Mustard Plug Hannah Rose Graves, Graffiti, Vetiver, Small Brown Bike and much more. Check out the show recaps and photo galleries.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The Grand Rapids electronic musician performed and discussed his growth as an artist as this week’s guest for Local Spins on WYCE, which also premiered tracks by Michael Dause, The Soil & The Sun, Sligh and Silverstiles. Read the story, listen to the podcast.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
With their new album, Channing Lee and Quinn Mathews have added a Great Lakes State perspective to their unique indie-folk — crowd-pleasing material that comes to life next week in concert at SpeakEZ Lounge in Grand Rapids. Read about this couple’s new studio project.
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
The popular West Michigan jam band will introduce new guitarist Andy Kirby at The Intersection concert, after Olmsted announces he’s stepping down to pursue other goals. The guitarist tells Local Spins it’s been a life-changing ride.
Longtime Local Spins contributor, reviewer and WYCE ‘New Standards’ co-host Tricia Woolfenden offers up Joy Formidable, INXS, Santigold, Youth Lagoon, Tunde Olaniran and more to heat up the spring. Check out this eclectic roster and videos, along with a Spotify version of the playlist.
Breaking music news · Features
Complaints about alcohol use around the Comstock Park venue sparked a review that revealed the skate park doesn’t have a permit for live music. It will be closed at least through summer and owners might seek a new location that allows concerts.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Cage the Elephant and Portugal. The Man highlighted a week of live music in West Michigan that also featured Aaron Diehl, Big Dudee Roo and others. Check out all the photo galleries at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
Led by multi-instrumentalist and singer Ryan Williams, the new Grand Rapids band rocked this week’s edition of Local Spins on WYCE, which also featured the debut of tracks by Emma Loo, Graffiti, Darkly, The Eggtones and Downie. Listen to the podcast and check out a video of a song from the upcoming new album by The Change.
The highly acclaimed rock and Americana artist brought his trio and a powerful set of music to historic Royce Auditorium for the final Acoustic Café show of the season. Read the review of Thursday’s show and check out the photo gallery.
Artist Spotlights · Podcasts · Upcoming shows · Videos
With a new EP catching fire, the Grand Rapids band talked about its music for Local Spins Live, and performed on the air (and in a bank) as it prepares for Local Spins’ 4th anniversary show at Long Road Distillers on Saturday. Listen to the radio podcast and watch the videos.
Artist Spotlights · Playlists · Upcoming shows
The renowned Texas alt-country, roots rock and Americana artist plays Grand Rapids’ St. Cecilia Music Center this week as he wraps up work on a studio album with R.E.M.’s Peter Buck. Read the Local Spins interview with this iconic singer-songwriter and listen to a playlist of Escovedo’s songs.
Announcements · Upcoming shows
Although 24 of 30 Meijer Gardens concerts sold out by noon Monday, Interlochen, Freedom Hill, Ann Arbor’s Michigan Theater and other nearby venues have booked some of the same artists this summer. Find out where these acts are playing and get links to ticket sales.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
It was a week of series debuts, CD-releases, homecomings, national tour stops and an anniversary party for Short’s Brewing, with Drew Nelson, GR Live, Protomen, Slumlord Radio, The Go Rounds and much more captured in images at Local Spins. Check out all the photos and mini-reviews.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The Grand Rapids band working on its second EP performed during the Local Spins radio show, which also debuted tracks by Bill Ellingboe, Channing & Quinn, Watching for Foxes and more. Read the story, listen to the podcast.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
From Bob Marley to Macklemore to Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers, Local Spins writer Ricky Olmos fashions a playlist to get folks dreaming of summer and sunny skies. Watch the videos, listen to the full Spotify playlist.
Announcements · Upcoming shows
Every Thursday for 19 weeks, the free one-hour show hosted by Quinn Mathews will spotlight the music scene and preview upcoming area concerts. John Shea, Michigander and Sleep Cheaters play the first event this week in downtown Grand Rapids. Check out the schedule.
Saturday’s celebration will fill the streets of Bellaire with thousands of revelers in what the drummer for The Crane Wives calls “a magical place.” See what’s planned for the anniversary event outside the popular northern Michigan brewery.
Breaking music news · Features · Videos
The young Traverse City indie-folk trio continues to make waves, earning widespread attention for its latest, ultra-catchy single as it eyes release of a new EP in June. Read the back story, watch the video and download the song for free.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Jazz and blues icons topped a week of live music that also included The Pyramid Scheme’s two-night anniversary party, a Stones tribute, Roosevelt Diggs, Hannah Rose Graves and Megan Dooley, and the kickoff to Kalamazoo’s “Music Hop.” Peruse the show recaps and view the photo galleries at Local Spins.
Features · Photos · Top 10 Lists · Upcoming shows · Venue Spotlight
The Pyramid Scheme stages its fifth anniversary shows this weekend. Read how this mid-sized venue has become ‘a special place’ in Grand Rapids and check out owner Jeff VandenBerg and manager Nicole LaRae’s lists of favorite concerts. Plus ogle a photo gallery of images from the first five years.
Announcements · Local Spins Exclusives · Upcoming shows · Videos
May’s Local Spins Month celebration boasts special parties and swag at Rockford Brewing, Long Road Distillers and SpeakEZ Lounge, plus a first-ever Muskegon event. Read the story to see how you can enter to win Local Spins anniversary gift packages with swag, concert tickets and more.
Announcements · Summer Concerts
This summer’s showcase of Michigan acts will feature La Famiglia, Zion Lion, Mark Lavengood, Delilah DeWylde, Brother Adams, Nicholas James, Ralston Bowles and more. See the full lineup and details about this year’s special local and regional series.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
On a weekend with resplendent spring weather, West Michiganders couldn’t go far without bumping into live music of all varieties — documented in images at Local Spins. Check out the show recaps and photo galleries, from Record Store Day to Kiefer Sutherland.
Falling on a busy and beautiful Saturday in Grand Rapids, the 12th annual festival at Wealthy Theatre showcased West Michigan bands of every ilk and raised thousands for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. (Review, photo gallery)
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE
Performing frequently with Sam Kenny, the Grand Rapids singer-songwriter has a solo album on the way. This edition of the show also featured new songs from Kari Lynch, Vox Vidorra and Jack & The Bear. Listen to the podcast, read the story about Emma Loo.
Folk music of different stripes in different places ruled Grand Rapids Thursday, with The Mountain Goats unfurling musical tales at Calvin College and Kottke regaling a sold-out St. Cecilia Music Center. Read the Local Spins reviews by Tricia Woolfenden and Charley Honey.
Announcements · Breaking music news · Commentary
Ziggy Marley, Bonnie Raitt, Gavin DeGraw, O.A.R., Toto, Lake Street Dive, Grace Potter, America, even Jay Leno are part of the 30-show series, with tickets on sale to Meijer Gardens members on April 30. See the entire 2016 lineup and find out how ticket prices have changed from last year.
Announcements · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Founders Fest will pump up the streets around the brewery on June 18 with ‘an extra special’ edition of the festival, and Local First Street Party returns for its 13th year on June 4. Check out the full lineups for both of these giant outdoor celebrations.
Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
On Saturday, Vertigo Music, Dodds Record Shop, Corner Record Shop, Green Light Music and more across West Michigan will celebrate their independence like never before. Find out why this is such a big day for music lovers and check out the live music schedules.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Sunday’s 22nd anniversary Feedback benefit heated up Founders Brewing Co. with performances by The Accidentals, The Soul Syndicate and The Honeytones, and raised thousands for Access of West Michigan. Check out the recap and photo gallery.
