Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Photos · Podcasts
Today, check out two showcases of local and regional music: The weekly Local Spins on WYCE radio show podcast and photos from this week’s Sounds of the Zoo festival in Kalamazoo.
Concert announcements · Playlists · Upcoming shows
Kicking off next Wednesday, the mid-week concerts will feature Lighting Matches, Hannah Rose Graves, Roosevelt Diggs, Evidence Jazz and more. View the schedule, listen to a playlist and get details at Local Spins.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Well worth the trip to Michigan’s East Side, two big music festivals unfold over Labor Day weekend, with some giants of jazz in the Motor City and 200-plus diverse acts in Royal Oak. Info and schedules at Local Spins.
Announcements · Photos · Summer Festivals
The up-and-coming, jazz-fueled Grand Rapids band outpolled more than 50 other Michigan acts performing on Saturday while music lovers strolled outdoor venues in the lakeshore town. The story and photos.
Meijer Gardens favorite and trombone/trumpet player extraordinaire Trombone Shorty kept the capacity amphitheater crowd on its feet Wednesday with an entrancing set of funk/jazz/blues. Review and photos at Local Spins.
Playlists · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
One of Michigan’s youngest music festivals has quickly become a favorite, lighting up Fourth of July weekend for the third year in Trufant. Get the lowdown and listen to music from this year’s performers.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Summer heated up over the past week, with energetic tour stops, a superstar tribute to female artists, the christening of a new stage, jazz in the park, a blues fest and blues on the river and more captured in images at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Videos
The avant-fusion, experimental jazz group was spotlighted for Local Spins on WYCE, which also featured new music by Lipstick Jodi, American Hotel System, Overdrive Orchestra and more. Get the back story on Space Bar, watch a video of their performance and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
The mid-sized, riverfront concert space has impressed musicians and fans alike during its spring ‘preview mode,’ with more to come. Get the back story, plus photos and a video.
Album reviews · Audio · Upcoming shows
This May roundup of new releases by Michigan artists also features a look at recordings by Signal Quartet, The JR Band and Wowza in Kalamazoo. Listen to tracks from all of the releases and find out where these artists are performing.
The soulful Americana duo originally hailing from Michigan found favor with WYCE listeners and programmers when it comes to their latest studio album. View the full chart at Local Spins and listen to tracks from all of the releases.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
Kicking off June 12, the popular free series will feature a host of jazz favorites, including Mary Rademacher, Steve Talaga, Big Band Nouveau, Andrew Rathbun and more. Get the full schedule at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins Fest · Summer Festivals · Videos
Today, we announce the sixth act on the bill for May 20’s Local Spins Fest at Studio Park — and Earth Radio responds by answering our seven-question countdown to the one-day festival. Check out the compelling answers and view the final schedule at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
Later this spring, the renowned trumpeter and music educator will be honored in a ‘magical evening’ hosted by the society. Here’s the back story of Sawyer’s lifelong dedication to jazz. Also, get details on the West Michigan Jazz Society’s upcoming announcement of its summer concert series.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
The jazz maven and longtime assistant general manager of DeVos Place, DeVos Performance Hall & Van Andel Arena today reveals the records that have inspired him. Check out his picks and listen to songs from all of the albums, along with one of his current favorites.
The Grammy-winning outfit gave fans at State Theatre a visually enhanced dose of boundary-pushing charm, plus check out our photo recaps of weekend shows ranging from heavy metal to EDM to post-punk and more. The Snarky Puppy review and concert photo galleries at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The universally acclaimed band revered by other musicians plays Kalamazoo State Theatre on Sunday. The Local Spins interview and preview, with a music video and details about the Michigan tour stop.
Breaking music news · Photos · Videos
The band formed by Grand Rapids Community College music students outpolled West Michigan’s Cordero and Pocket Watch during Saturday’s finals to take home the crown. The recap, photo gallery and some video highlights at Local Spins.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists · Upcoming shows
This week’s edition of our popular series focuses on albums and artists that influenced the renowned Interlochen jazz musician and composer. Get his back story and listen to the music at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Features · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Talk about a robust week of live music in West Michigan: With an early start to the weekend, it was all about the fans at shows packing venues big and small across West Michigan, including album-release concerts by Michigan artists. The recaps and photos from 10 shows at Local Spins.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
With Earth Radio’s Justin Avdek playing with three different artists at Friday’s Jammie Awards, Local Spins asked the multi-instrumentalist to reveal albums that have impacted him most. Check out his picks and listen to tracks from all of the albums.
New York’s all-female jazz ensemble delivered a rare, awe-inspiring set Thursday night at St. Cecilia Music Center. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
More than 20 regional acts will perform during the Feb. 24 celebration at The Intersection, described as the ‘premier music event of the season.’ View the lineup and get reactions from some performers, plus a link to the list of award nominees and the public vote for album and artist of the year.
Our second January roundup of new albums and EPs by Michigan artists ranges from hip hop to jazzy indie-folk to rock, including Kings of Strings, Nathan K. and Big B & The Actual Proof. Listen to tracks from all of the releases.
Audio · Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
After a hiatus of nearly three years due to COVID, the popular series will spotlight a wide spectrum of Michigan-based bands and solo artists twice a month. Check out the schedule, plus listen to music from some of the featured acts.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
A pair of new global music concert series kicked off on Sunday in Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo, with a healthy helping of blues to boot in both cities. The photos and more at Local Spins.
Upcoming shows · Venue Spotlight
The “communal” hangout on Bridge Street NW kicks off its new live music series with Selkie on Jan. 8. Get details and the full schedule at Local Spins, along with information about a new Latin jazz series in Kalamazoo.
Artist Spotlights · Photos · Videos
The band officially released its new studio album Friday night with a performance at Lansing’s UrbanBeat. Get the back story on the quartet, view a music video and browse photos at Local Spins.
From tour stops by Greensky Bluegrass, Straight No Chaser, Daryl Hall and Todd Rundgren to Thanksgiving eve parties starring Desmond Jones, Hannah Rose Graves and more, it’s a jam-packed week. Get the lowdown and a list of shows at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Upcoming shows
Touring behind “Powerful,” their first album since 2015, the Michigan band led by Dede Alder plays Midtown in Grand Rapids tonight. Get the back story and listen to a track from the release.
Beyond a revved-up full house at The Pyramid Scheme, the weekend launched with a Kalamazoo tour stop by Ani DiFranco, a jazz duo at St. Cecilia and a music release by Second Hand Drugs. View the photo galleries at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
After a busy summer, the Grand Rapids band is hunkering down to promote two new songs and prepare for a 2023 record. The Artist Spotlight feature and this week’s Local Spins on WYCE podcast, which also featured Lighting Matches and debuted new tracks by Michigan artists.
Album reviews · Audio · Upcoming shows
This early October round-up of releases by Michigan artists features new collections covering rock, pop, hip hop, jazz and Grand Rapids singer-songwriter Cameron Blake’s return to the violin. Check out the reviews and listen to tracks from all of the releases.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
A spectacular September weekend covered a lot of bases outdoors and in: indie-rock, country, funk, jazz, psych-rock and more. Get the recaps in words and photos at Local Spins.
New releases by a diverse group of Michigan artists all made their Local Spins Hot Top 5 Chart debut in August and captivated listeners as well as radio programmers at WYCE (88.1 FM). View the chart, listen to music from all of the releases at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The week leading up to Labor Day brought a diverse mix of artists — national and local — to area stages. Local Spins was there to document the late-summer revelry in photos.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
After a COVID hiatus, the festival led by musician Alexander Zonjic pumps up Muskegon’s Heritage Landing Friday-Sunday with Maysa, Najee, Lin Roundtree and more. The lowdown and the full weekend schedule at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Summer Festivals · Weekend Photo Gallery
Michigan’s music weekend ramped up with 40,000-plus country revelers at Faster Horses in Brooklyn, a capacity crowd at Bell’s Beer Garden, the debut of White Lake’s Walk the Beat, an outdoor Elton and Buble tribute in GR and the debut of the unique ‘Whatzit Hour’ in Kalamazoo. View the action-packed photo galleries at Local Spins.
The weekend got an early start with live music indoors and out, from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo. View the images from several shows at Local Spins.
Photos · Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
Dozens of free summer concerts unfold every night across the state, spotlighting everything from rock to jazz to blues. Local Spins explores why they’re so popular as a seasonal pastime. Plus, view photos from several of these series.
The acclaimed pianist and singer celebrated the 20th anniversary of “Come Away With Me” and more at the Grand Rapids amphitheater on Sunday night. The review and photos at Local Spins, with bonus coverage and images from the sold-out Japanese Breakfast show on Sunday in Kalamazoo.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
The return of Festival to downtown Grand Rapids on Friday after a long, COVID hiatus attracted families and fans of live music, food and art. Check out the opening-day highlights, photos and video at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
It was a rousing return of Local Spins Wednesdays for SpeakEZ Lounge in celebration of Local Spins’ 10th anniversary, with an enthusiastic, capacity crowd on hand. Get the recap, browse the photos, watch the video.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Grand Rapids band with a hectic 2022 ahead chatted about its unique approach for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Melissa Dylan, Wild Honey Collective, Ben Traverse and more. Learn more about Earth Radio and where it will be performing, watch a band video and listen to the full radio show podcast at Local Spins
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Emerging and veteran jazz stars lit up stages this past week, with folk, Americana and rock artists adding to the musical groove from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo. Browse the images at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE
The all-star band playing Listening Room next week was featured for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted new music by Whorled, Chain of Lakes, Laura Rain, Pieces, The Mulberry Wolves and more. Learn more about Big Fun and listen to this week’s radio show podcast at Local Spins.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
Tonight, Michigan Music Alliance and Grand Rapids singer Sarena Rae stage “Music That Raised Us” at Listening Room — a tribute to influential black female artists. Before that, Sarena Rae shares a compelling soundtrack of female icons, from local favorites to internationally acclaimed stars.
Albums that Changed the World · Playlists
This week’s installment of ‘albums that changed the world’ for Michigan musicians spotlights the recordings that have most influenced in-demand percussionist Michael Shimmin. Listen to tracks from his picks and learn more about this Michigan musician.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Frankenmuth’s favorite sons in Greta Van Fleet continued their Michigan homecoming assault at DeltaPlex on Saturday, plus browse photos from a diverse set of shows in Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids, including Lady Ace Boogie, Jordan Hamilton, Cabildo, Djangophonique, Dee Dee Bridgewater and Between the Buried and Me.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
This week, Local Spins asked Grand Rapids saxophone icon John Gist to reveal the recordings that most influenced him as a musician, starting with the legendary Stanley Turrentine. Check out his picks, plus a current favorite that’s a ’60s classic.
