Local Spins opens up its screening room to showcase a diverse collection of videos by Michigan artists with plenty to offer for the eyes as well as the ears. The Go Rounds, The Verve Pipe and Kari Lynch lead the way with compelling new videos, boasting some familiar settings and faces. Check out this October video roundup.
With a new album, an appearance on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” and a string of sold-out concerts in New York City and beyond, West Michigan native Garrett Borns may be on the verge of becoming a bona fide pop phenomenon. Read Local Spins’ exclusive back-stage interview and check out the photo gallery from a recent concert in The Big Apple.
Check out the updated Local Spins Weekend Photo Gallery, including images from the Dizzybird Records anniversary show. When it comes to live music, October’s midway point sparked some gems, with local and regional artists getting into the act, too: Organissimo, Lucas Wilson, Mid-Life Crisis, Josh Rose and others.
When it comes to live music, October’s midway point sparked some gems, with local and regional artists getting into the act, too: Organissimo, Lucas Wilson, Mid-Life Crisis, Josh Rose and others. Check out the colorful images.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Upcoming shows
With its expanded lineup, the band made a studio appearance for Local Spins on WYCE, will release a new single next week and plans to record a new album later this fall. Read the back story about this band that “reaches to all ends of the emotional and musical spectrum,” check out its new video and listen to the full radio podcast with new songs by a host of West Michigan bands.
In a ceremony Thursday at St. Cecilia Music Center, 10 Michigan songwriters and bands were honored in five categories of the competition, which included dozens of “busking” performances by contestants. And check out the photo gallery of some of ArtPrize 2015’s musical moments.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Commentary
Beyond the well-known breakout artists already stepping out nationally are a host of emerging, under-the-radar West Michigan bands and solo acts. Here’s 15 of them to check out in words and music, from Hollywood Makeout to hi-ker to J. Rob to Shane Tripp to Cardboard Swords to Brother Adams.
The Eddy music festival wrapped up with Bradley and his soulful band on Saturday, a day which also saw compelling performances from An Dro and bands playing the Hasting Roots Music Festival. Check out the images and a video at Local Spins, plus photos from Dopapod in Kalamazoo.
With separate public and critics’ awards, twice as many songwriters were honored by St. Cecilia Music Center in this year’s ArtPrize contest. Roger MacNaughton has won for the third time in four years. Check out the full list of winners, listen to the songs and check out the reaction of winners.
Artist Spotlights · Podcasts · Upcoming shows
The Grand Rapids singer who left Sweet Japonic several years ago has a new rock band, The Bad Disciples, which plans to release its debut album later this year. Wilson also plans to record a solo EP. Read the story, listen to the podcast and check out the video of a new Wilson song.
Outside the hoopla of ArtPrize and the new Eddy music festival, venues from the lakeshore to Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo hosted some special shows this past week. Check out the images and recaps at Local Spins.
Northern Michigan’s Joshua Davis got a hero’s welcome after his impressive run on “The Voice.” Tonight, he plays St. Cecilia Music Center in Grand Rapids. To warm up for his show, check out the songs that have influenced and inspired this singer-songwriter.
The first Local Spins on WYCE episode of October also featured a chat with Porterhouse Presents promoter Sam Porter and new tracks by Romance for Ransom, Max Lockwood and The Muteflutes. Listen to the podcast, watch the video of Fauxgrass’ in-studio performance.
With Michigan House running a pop-up ArtPrize venue to tout local music, art and products, Local Spins asked organizer Ted Velie for his Top 10 list of songs. Not surprisingly, they’re all Michigan acts, from Flint Eastwood to The White Stripes.
Breaking music news · Features · Videos
A Michigan country jamboree and The Avett Brothers kick things off this weekend, with Porterhouse Presents also offering up Charles Bradley, Ozomatli, Billy Strings, silent discos, food and beer on the site. Get the scoop on this new outdoor venue, and view (and save) the opening weekend schedule.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The week unfolded with the arrival of ArtPrize 7 in Grand Rapids and a special SpeakEZ Lounge show, but there was plenty more musical art to embrace across West Michigan. Check out all the photo galleries and concert recaps..
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Relocating recently from East Lansing, the band now plays every Monday night at the Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill, reveling in West Michigan’s fast-growing and collaborative jam-band scene. Check out the video and WYCE radio podcast.
Audio · Breaking music news · Features
With the band’s new single hitting download and streaming services today, the Grand Rapids alt-rockers don’t intend to release a new CD after all, but will ‘put out songs as we write them.’ Read the story and listen to The Verve Pipe’s new song, “If I Could Make You Feel.”
Breaking music news · Commentary
Less than three weeks after a rollicking, sold-out CD-release show for the duo’s brand new studio album, band members Josh Worsham and Jesse Ray have parted ways but remain amicable. Read more in the Local Spins story.
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
It launches tonight (Wednesday) at SpeakEZ Lounge with ArtPrize song entrants and continues with a new outdoor venue, Michigan House’s indoor space and 150-plus busking performances around Grand Rapids. Get the lowdown on all of the ArtPrize-related music options.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
This weekend’s inaugural music festival on the water boasts sets by more than 20 Michigan acts with unique amenities, including wine and music cruises. And more music events are planned for the northern Michigan site in 2016. Read the story and check out the schedule.
Commentary · Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts
Illustrated with photos by Local Spins photographer Anna Sink, the Dobro player who fronts the Mark Lavengood Bluegrass Bonanza offers his impressions of last weekend’s joyful musicians’ fest outside Lake City. Check out the resplendent images and recap of an unforgettable event.
Three Grand Rapids-area events dominated the landscape musically, but there was much more across West Michigan: Taking Back Sunday, Mustard Plug, Megan Dooley, Delilah DeWylde, Blake Elliott and Full Cord. Check out all the colorful photo galleries at Local Spins.
New ArtPrize musical offerings range from The Eddy outdoor venue to Michigan House’s intimate indoor performance space, plus more than 150 busking performances in five locations around the city. Check out the robust lineup of live music offerings during ArtPrize in this Local Spins roundup.
Two much-admired, inventive rock bands brought their respective, polished spectacles to West Michigan on Wednesday night. And Local Spins was there to document the impressive performances for packed houses. Read the reviews and scan the photo galleries from these mid-week concert gems.
For the 42nd year, Wheatland’s special vibe was on display last weekend, propelled by performances from Dervish, Bill Kirchen, Joshua Davis, Blind Boy Paxton and many more. Check out the colorful photo gallery from a special weekend.
Guest Column · Playlists · Upcoming shows · Videos
Guest columnist Mark Lavengood, better known as the resonator guitar whiz in Lindsay Lou & The Flatbellys, waxes eloquent about this weekend’s musician-rich Earthwork Harvest Gathering and why it’s a world-class affair. And listen to a Local Spins playlist of songs by Michigan artists playing this year’s festival.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Janet Jackson and Of Montreal brought their touring spectacles to Grand Rapids on Friday, but there were plenty of other fascinating shows this week to ogle as well, from Saturday’s Eastown Street Fair to Thursday’s Grand Rapids Harmonica Summit to Chase Rice — all captured in photos at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts · Videos
Parking lots and seating areas were jam-packed Friday as Michigan’s Wheatland Music Festival launched three days of folk, roots music and more outside Remus. Read the roundup of the festival’s first day, and check out the photo gallery and video.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The Sept. 11, 2015, edition of Local Spins on WYCE focused on regional bands performing at this weekend’s Wheatland and Eastown Street Fair events, including in-studio ska guests The Sailor Kicks. It also featured the debut of new tracks by The Lake Effects and Toby Bresnahan. Listen to the entire podcast.
It’s a one-two punch of regional music in Grand Rapids. On Saturday, Eastown Street Fair boasts sets by 15 bands on two stages. Meanwhile, Tip Top Deluxe hosts a Sunday showcase of hip hop, funk and R&B. Get the full schedules here at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
The weekend’s stunning array of shows by national and local acts paced an entire week of invigorating live music as Labor Day 2015 approaches. It’s all highlighted in a Local Spins recap, with photo galleries and videos.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
Local Spins on WYCE kicked off its second year with an in-studio performance by a harmonious Kalamazoo indie-folk duo and fresh tracks from Jesse Ray & The Carolina Catfish, Kim Vi & The Siblings and much more.
Playlists · Upcoming shows · Videos
Grand Rapids’ uber-energetic “black-tie garage rockers” have uncorked a new album. But Jesse Ray and Josh Worsham also have taken time to offer Local Spins their playlist of favorite tunes, including The Rolling Stones and Gary Clark Jr. and local faves such as The Crane Wives and Joe Hertler.
One of the final Meijer Gardens concerts of the summer boasted the return of a Maryland rock band which once again sold out the outdoor amphitheater and got plenty of ‘hands up’ in the process. Read the review and ogle the photo gallery from a hot night of music.
Artist Spotlights · Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
The ferocious Grand Rapids garage-rock duo is now performing as a foursome, itching to unleash its ‘fantastic’ new studio album and ready to tour the land. The Bangups play Founders on Saturday.
Artist Spotlights · Features · Videos
The 22-year-old singer-songwriter who grew up on the West Side has generated a major buzz for his recent single and video, with more to come as he works with a Grammy-winning recording engineer in the Windy City. Check out the video for his first single.
Commentary · Concert reviews · Summer Concerts · Weekend Photo Gallery
CD-release shows and late summer festivals dominated a wet and cool August week, along with a first-time country show in Ionia and a packed Wealthy Theatre tour stop by May Erlewine and The Moonlighters. Check out all the photos at Local Spins.
The Grand Rapids “black-tie garage rock” duo cranked up the volume in Studio X at WYCE, with sound therapist Geoff Lamden also making a guest appearance during Local Spins on WYCE’s one-year anniversary show. Check out the full podcast and the video.
Artist Spotlights · Live at River City · Podcasts · Videos
With release of a new album Saturday at Founders Brewing, the Grand Rapids folk-rock band is poised to build a national audience and live the dream. Check out the story and the exclusive in-studio performance via video and podcast. Consider it a sneak preview of Saturday’s show.
Concert reviews · Features · Photos · Videos
The Accidentals, with help from singer-songwriter and Michigan native Marshall Crenshaw, stole the show during the final Tuesday Evening Music Club show of the summer at Meijer Gardens. Check out the photos and video highlights from a night that celebrated regional music.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
Tonight’s final Tuesday Evening Music Club show at Meijer Gardens will be a star-studded affair. And Forest Hills Fine Arts Center has announced its four-show series for 2015-16. Check out the details at Local Spins.
“Girls can do anything” was the mantra for over two dozen girls last week at GR!GR with instructors’ encouraging positive motivation and empowerment for the budding musicians. Read the story and check out the photo gallery.
Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
The four-concert series already features bluegrass’ The Steel Wheels and singer-songwriter Shawn Colvin. Tickets for the Kottke and Escovedo shows go on sale today. Get details here.
Summer Concerts · Weekend Photo Gallery
Summer hasn’t started winding down just yet: Music is firing on all cylinders from Grand Rapids to Holland to Jackson County. Check out the images at Local Spins in The Weekend Photo Gallery.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts · Videos
With thousands of attendees reveling in sets by some of Michigan’s biggest stars, last weekend’s Hoxeyville was a true celebration of ‘the good stuff’ — most of it by regional acts. Read the story and check out the photos and video.
Concert reviews · Features · Photos · Videos
The Detroit area’s Third Degree Burns and Grand Rapids’ Roosevelt Diggs win the grand prizes in the unusual competition and music showcase. Read the story and check out the photo gallery and video from an event described as “music’s ArtPrize.”
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Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts
The charming music festival in the Manistee National Forest kicked off the weekend with one of its biggest crowds yet, and another ‘grass-idelic’ display by faves Greensky Bluegrass. Read the round-up of opening night and check out the photo gallery in a Local Spins exclusive.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The 50th edition of Local Spins on WYCE spotlighted the Holland singer-songwriter who’s had a fun and turbulent year. Read the story about this talented teen and listen to the radio podcast featuring her band’s in-studio performance.
Features · Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
With 60 bands vying to win a grand prize worth $10,000-plus, the Saturday afternoon bonanza of music takes over the lakeshore town. Get details and see how the second annual event has upped the ante.
