Concert reviews · Top 10 Lists · Top Stories of the Year Countdown
Our countdown of Local Spins’ most-buzzed-about stories of the year continues with a review of legendary trumpeter Herb Alpert’s May tour stop at DeVos Performance Hall that drew robust standing ovations.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The week started and ended with a bang … at different ends of the musical spectrum. Maddy O’Neal, The Claudettes, Cold Leather Seats, Ghost-Note and Miki Yamaka are also part of the Local Spins live music-in-review roundup. Browse all of the photo galleries.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Winter arrived in Michigan with a snowy bang over Thanksgiving weekend, but bands from Kalamazoo to Traverse City heated up stages in spite of the weather, including Desmond Jones’ traditional day-before-Thanksgiving romp. View the photos at Local Spins.
With the holidays fast approaching, Local Spins recaps several new releases by Michigan artists — not only to showcase their varied music, but give you ideas for the music lovers on your shopping list. Listen to tracks from all of the releases.
Emerging Artists to Watch · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The Thanksgiving weekend edition of the Local Spins Michigan Music Showcase boasts fresh tracks by a diverse set of artists, plus some enduring music from Jack White and Organissimo. Listen to the full radio show podcast.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The soulful jazz trio formed by organist Jim Alfredson and drummer Randy Marsh will play two star-studded shows to celebrate its birthday. Learn about Organissimo’s history and listen to its music at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Saturday night’s benefit for Sullivan Field drew a robust crowd for Joe Hertler and The Hacky Turtles. Plus, view photos from tour stops by Thomas Dolby, SoDown, Bobby Watson and YDG, with regional favorites Ghost Bunnies, Jake Simmons and more in our concert photo gallery roundup.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
The renowned Traverse City mandolinist Don Julin has formed a new super-trio with bassist Tom Knific and guitarist Hayes Griffin, with upcoming shows at The Alluvion, The Ark and beyond. The back story at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Country singer Ryan Hurd, jam band Dogs in a Pile, Here Come the Mummies and more filled up a weekend of live music that also included the second annual GIG conference in Jackson. Browse the photo galleries.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio
Josh Kaufman, producer and owner of Grand Rapids’ Local Legend Recording, reveals the three albums that have influenced him the most. Learn more about Kaufman and listen to tracks from all of his selections at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Kathleen Edwards, Neon Trees, John Morgan, Lindsay Lou, Lower Leisure Class, Candid Antics, The Local Commuters and Garbage Angel highlighted the week of live music from Kalamazoo to Grand Rapids to Traverse City, recapped in Local Spins photos.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows
Local Spins spotlights the hot Grand Rapids jazz fusion band, which hosts its album-release show Saturday. And listen to this week’s Michigan Music Showcase podcast that debuts tracks from several Michigan artists, including May Erlewine, Silverstiles, 84 Tigers, Alex Austin, Von Kaiser and more.
Album Releases · Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The Grand Rapids super-group led by Michael Doyle plays SpeakEZ Lounge on Sunday with a new album on the way. Plus, this week’s radio show podcast with fresh tracks by Michigan artists, including Greg Nagy, Steven Malcolm, Don Was, Luke Winslow-King, Greensky Bluegrass and more.
Album Releases · Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
Today’s music news box score: Billy Strings is releasing a Third Man Records compilation, All Time Low — with Michigan stops ahead — is battling some health issues, Traverse City boasts riveting fall concerts and West Michigan has several intriguing benefit shows on the horizon.
Touting their debut studio album, Don Was & The Pan-Detroit Ensemble revved up the intimate confines of The Alluvion listening room with two sold-out shows on Wednesday. The review and photos exclusively at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The legendary Motor City musician and producer leads the new top-shelf ensemble releasing its debut album next month, with tour stops in Traverse City, Lansing and Detroit. The Local Spins interview.
Concert reviews · Local Spins on WYCE · Photos · Podcasts · Summer Festivals
The first four days of Kalamazoo’s week-long musical celebration have covered a lot of bases. Get the recap, photos and listen to this week’s radio show podcast featuring tracks by more than a dozen Michigan artists.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows · Videos
The fourth-year, week-long Sounds of the Zoo music festival will unfold on eight stages over seven days starting Monday with more than four dozen bands and solo artists. Get the preview and schedule at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows
Local Spins spotlights Vining who has a pre-release show at The Stray tonight (Saturday), plus debuts new music by Don Was, Pablo Eskobear, Alex Austin, Celeste Allison, Just Magnetic and more. Learn more about Vining and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Grand Rapids’ SpeakEZ Lounge kicks off regular jazz jams hosted by the saxophonist starting Sunday, with area musicians invited to join the fun. Learn more about Pancy and these sessions.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The renowned French musician brings music from his heralded career to Michigan’s Tip Top Deluxe, Chalfonte Theatre and The Ark this week. The Local Spins interview, with a music video.
Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
Beyond the lineup of diverse Wednesday and Friday shows starring Michigan acts, Grand Rapids’ SpeakEZ Lounge will take over Tommy Pancy’s Sunday jazz jams after Turnstiles closed its doors. View the full schedule of upcoming shows.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Saturday’s return of the popular Michigan festival and band competition will rev up two dozen venues on Grand Haven’s East Side. The lowdown and schedule at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts
More than 150 communities across the state host summer concerts in parks every night of the week — free shows with a family-friendly milieu. Local Spins takes a closer look at this phenomenon.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists · Upcoming shows
With The War and Treaty returning to Meijer Gardens on Friday to perform with Grand Rapids Symphony, we asked guitarist/production manager Max Brown to reveal his most treasured musical influences, along with a current favorites. View and listen to his picks; get details about the Grand Rapids show at Local Spins.
The multi-instrumentalist and his Orleans Avenue band brought a jazzy Mardi Gras atmosphere to a packed Meijer Gardens venue for a high-energy Sunday of favorites. The Local Spins review and photos.
The jazz singer and pianist unfurled a beautifully ‘brooding’ set in her Monday tour stop, with Michigan’s Abigail Stauffer opening. The review and photos at Local Spins.
The 90-year-old trumpeter made a Sunday tour stop at Grand Rapids’ DeVos Performance Hall and drew standing ovations for he and his band’s performance. The Local Spins review.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The iconic trumpeter, pianist, composer, producer and co-founder of A&M Records is on tour with a stop Sunday at DeVos Performance Hall. He insists: ‘It gives me energy to play.’ The Local Spins interview.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The eclectic West Michigan band releasing a new recording later this year makes it SpeakEZ Lounge debut in Grand Rapids on Friday. Learn more about the band in this Artist Spotlight feature.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
From Traverse City to Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo, the unseasonable heat wave sparked sizzling concerts by veterans and emerging artists alike. The recaps and images at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Upcoming shows
The celebrated pianist and saxophonist play a sold-out show at Traverse City’s The Alluvion on Thursday, kicking off a U.S. tour behind a new recording, “Just Us.” The Local Spins interview.
Artist Spotlights · Emerging Artists to Watch · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The band which plays Billy’s Lounge, Founders, Chicago Beef Joint and Park Theatre in coming weeks joined other Michigan artists in debuting music for Local Spins: Mary Beth Orr, Deerfield Run, Stanley & Quiggle and more.
Breaking music news · Venue Spotlight
The roster of festivals and music venues disappearing over the past several months continues to grow with the announcements by a Christian music fest and downtown GR restaurant.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The week’s concert lineup also boasted a Jackson Browne/Linda Ronstadt/Warren Zevon tribute, Mark Lavengood and a musical Winter Beer Fest romp. The images and more at Local Spins.
Announcements · Breaking music news · Podcasts
Starting this weekend, northern Michigan radio listeners will get an earful of music by Michigan artists as part of Local Spins’ weekly program. Learn more in today’s announcement.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
The station manager for the Traverse City radio station has been inspired by a wide swath of artists since growing up in Philly. Listen to tracks from all of his selections at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Summer Festivals · Venue Spotlight
Two popular destinations for fans of different genres in different Michigan cities — Grand Rapids and Brooklyn — made the sad announcements over the past 24 hours. The back story at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The Grand Rapids band with two shows over the next week and a live album on tap lights up Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by The Local Commuters, Sixman, Elisabeth Pixley-Fink and more.
Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
Today, Local Spins announces the winter/spring concert series at the downtown club and restaurant, showcasing Michigan acts and tribute bands. View the full schedule.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Upcoming shows · Videos
With a new band member adding dynamic vocals to its jazz-fueled approach, Third Coast Swing views its latest album as “a real stepping stone.” Get the back story, listen to a track from the new recording at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The celebrated Chicago brass ensemble that blends funk, jazz, hip hop and soul into its lively approach plays Grand Rapids’ Midtown tonight. The Local Spins interview.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Grand Rapids band releasing ‘Pollinator’ next week talks about its new project for Local Spins, which also debuted fresh tracks by The War and Treaty, Spencer LaJoye, Crystal Trench, Melanie Pierce, The Crane Wives, Patty PerShayla, Joel Mabus, Hunter Noll Bell & more.
Concert reviews · Festivals · Weekend Photo Gallery
From Grand Rapids to Chesaning to Clarkston, the early October flurry of Michigan music made an impact amid summer-like weather. View the photo galleries and recaps at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Chicago quartet returns to Michigan for bluesy, jazzy, rollicking shows led by piano-pounder Johnny Iguana and dynamic singer Rachel Williams. The Local Spins interview, with videos and ticket links.
Concert reviews · Festivals · Photos
Hawks and Owls delivered a tantalizing first chapter in a new Grand Rapids concert series, while eclectic bands from across the state closed out Kalamazoo’s week-long music festival. The images from both events at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Festivals · Photos
The last week in September uncorked hard rock, pop-punk, pop-soul, jazz, hip hop, Americana and more from Grand Rapid to Kalamazoo. Revisit the early-week shows in words and photos at Local Spins.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio
Grand Rapids musician, artist and Mexicains Sans Frontieres curator reveals the albums and artists that influenced him most, from the obscure to the legendary. Check out his picks.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Meijer Gardens wrapped up its final summer concert on Sunday with an esteemed Cuban ensemble, closing out a weekend that also featured Lettuce, the Kalamashoegazer Festival, a One Well block party and the Fallasburg Arts Festival. Check out the recaps and photos at Local Spins..
Friday’s Grand Rapids lineup boasted two sold-out shows: Indie-folk/bluegrass/jazz artist Sierra Ferrell made her Meijer Gardens debut while Michigan’s Crave Wives lit up The Intersection. The recaps and photos exclusively at Local Spins.
