The wild and woolly week started with hip-pop’s Aaron Carter, continued with the Acoustic Cafe Folk Series debut, some jazz and ended with true rock ‘n’ roll mania. All captured in images at Local Spins.
This year’s ArtPrize song contest winners officially got their rewards Tuesday, so Local Spins wanted to reward readers with a special playlist, from Edye Evans Hyde to Nick Drake.
Pop’s American Wi-Fi, classical composer Matthew Fisher and folk’s Channing and Quinn also snag $2,000 awards as determined by ArtPrize 2014 voters. Listen to the winning songs here.
Artist Spotlights · Podcasts · Videos
With a new studio album on the way, the Grand Rapids jazz quartet is growing its audience and exploring side projects at the same time. (Story, podcast, video).
As Grand Rapids’ ArtPrize kicks into full gear, Local Spins asked the guy who came up with the idea of songs as ArtPrize entries to submit his playlist of current favorites, from the classic to fresh-out-of-the-box.
With Grand Rapids’ ArtPrize officially launching today, Local Spins asked a chief architect of the drive to include music entries in the competition to offer her playlist of current favorites. Can you say “eclectic”?
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
From the rootsiness of farm-fed music fests boasting some of Michigan’s best bands to dance-fueled electro-pop at Grand Rapids’ biggest taproom and metal at the DeltaPlex, summer said goodbye in style.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
A bit o’ rain and an unseasonable chill didn’t deter revelers from Allegan to Grand Rapids this weekend, with Guided by Voices and Wavves heating things up indoors.
After a spirited opening set by Lowdown Brass Band, Lake Street Dive delivered one of the true musical highlights of the summer. (Review, photo gallery)
From the swing of Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra with Edye Evans Hyde to the “incredible” pop-hued trumpet playing of Rick Braun, the third GRandJazzFest lit up Rosa Parks Circle with an eclectic mix of jazz on Saturday.
Even brain surgery couldn’t slow down the popular Grand Rapids jazz singer who performs Saturday with the Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra at GRandJazzFest.
With headliners Rick Braun and Alexander Zonjic, plus local jazz favorites, the free third year festival aims to makes its biggest splash yet this weekend.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements
Fountain Street’s “Jazz in the Sanctuary” series kicks off with Robin Connell and Bill Huyge playing “magnificent” grand pianos; Intersection ramps up employment for hectic concert season.
For the ninth summer in a row, the engaging Texas singer-songwriter sold out his appearance at the outdoor Grand Rapids amphitheater.
While jazz fusion’s Pat Metheny Unity Group entertained a sold-out Meijer Gardens crowd (with many leaving early), rockabilly legend Bill Kirchen had folks dancing and grinning at an Ada restaurant. (Review, photo gallery)
In the wake of the “Meijer Gardens Meltdown” courtesy of Ray LaMontagne, there were compelling, less-controversial concerts and tour stops to behold this weekend, captured in images at Local Spins.
A couple of days after Ray LaMontagne’s tantrum and stage walk-off at Meijer Gardens, singer Michael Buble proved that nice guys finish first, playing to an adoring crowd at Van Andel Arena. (Photo gallery)
After eight years at the helm of the community radio station, the avid supporter of Grand Rapids’ music scene and ‘Barry Sanders of station managers’ is going back to the land. (Video)
Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band, Dar Williams, Steppin’ In It, Rootstand, Drew Nelson, Lindsay Lou & The Flatbellys, Edye Evans Hyde among 30-plus acts playing weekend festival south of Grand Rapids.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
It was a weekend for parties and CD-release celebrations, along with the usual musical mayhem from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo, captured in images at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
West Michigan welcomed summer early by turning amps to 11 with help from surf-rock’s Concussions, jazz pioneers Richard Pinhas and The Moon, metal’s Mushroomhead, blues’ Rusty Wright and a bunch of fun-loving VW bus owners, captured in images at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
The Celadon Summer Concert Series is back, adding to a long list of free outdoor summer shows across West Michigan. And today’s the deadline for bidding on some bracing house concerts by acclaimed Michigan bands.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The weekend started early with some soulful Fitz and continued with rousing celebrations: Seven Steps Up’s 100th show, GR Songwriters Alliance’s 10th anniversary and Local Spins’ rollicking second anniversary rock show.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
From all-out rock shows to soul and funk to EDM to jazz to acoustic guitar wizardry, the weekend unfurled in eclectic fashion across West Michigan, captured in photos at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements
The summer of live music gets ever more jam-packed in the Grand Rapids area. Check out the lineup for GRandJazzFest, Freedom Cruise and Jazz at the Zoo.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
From Root Doctor to Kari Lynch to Brian VanderArk to The Crane Wives: Strong lineups power outdoor summer concerts in Rockford, Holland and Wyoming for 2014.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements
The unique Interlochen venue in northern Michigan hosts more than two dozen stars – from Lynyrd Skynyrd to Buddy Guy – with tickets on sale April 18. And Hoxeyville returns in mid-August to the Manistee National Forest.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements
Returning will be CAKE, Lyle Lovett, The Beach Boys, O.A.R., Five for Fighting and Sheryl Crow, but most acts are new to Meijer Gardens. See the full schedule; ticket presale for members begins April 26.
Breaking music news · Features
Local Spins’ early April news update shines a spotlight on two well-known Michigan music icons: trumpet player Max Colley III and sound expert Bill Chrysler, owner of Redwall North. […]
As the community radio station’s spring fund drive revs up, WYCE unveils its “881 Essentials,” including about 50 local and regional bands and solo artists they play on-air.
Green-clad revelers, green beer and blue skies rocked downtown’s Irish on Ionia, more than 30 bands rocked West Ottawa’s annual two-day music fest and Hillbilly Casino drove 12 hours straight to rock the West Side.
Breaking music news · Concert reviews
WYCE’s 15th annual affair doled out 18 Jammies to regional acts along plus some special Legacy Awards while two dozen bands rocked a full house at The Intersection on Friday night. See the full list of award winners. (Photos, video)
Friday night’s Jammie Awards hosted by WYCE-FM (88.1) at The Intersection will boast two dozen bands on two stages and a packed house. It’s come a long way since its humble beginnings. Local Spins asked three key Jammie-ites to recount its growth and importance.
Pianist Xavier Davis, drummer Quincy Davis and bassist Matt Brewer to play rare homecoming concert at St. Cecilia with proud fathers.
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
WYCE has chosen two dozen regional acts — indie-rock to blues to jazz and way more — to play the 15th annual Jammie Awards show at The Intersection on Feb. 21.
Michigan writers, musicians and readers offer their picks for the best albums and best songs of the past year, from Bradley to Beyonce to Bipolar Sunshine.
Starting with saxophonist Phil Denny’s holiday jazz gem, Local Spins’ Christmas shopping list of new releases includes Gifts or Creatures, Knight and Guild, Maybe Next Time and Lazy Genius.
New releases by Uncommon Road, Roger MacNaughton, Breathe Owl Breathe, Love Fossil, Don Middlebrook, Lazy Genius and Make No Heroes in this batch of fall Local Spins reviews.
CD releases by West Michigan artists Kelsey Rottiers, Karisa Wilson, UV Hippo, The Impact Band, Roger Brown, Bowery, Steve Talaga
The award-winning bunch of Grand Valley State University and Grand Rapids Community College students has high hopes and wise-well-beyond-their-years jazz chops. (Podcast, video) At first blush, growing up on[…]
Breaking music news · Features
This October roundup of West Michigan music news at Local Spins takes a peek at long-running jazz jams in Grand Haven and Grand Rapids, and a gospel legend appearing on[…]
The reaction of 2013’s $2,000 winners, all from West Michigan? “Stoked,” “elated” and “somewhat surprised.” Listen to the winning songs. The Top 10 vote-getters in ArtPrize are still stumping[…]
Led by respected, globe-trotting drummer Scott Pellegrom, the fusion trio creates wondrous, no-holds-barred music. The band, nearing completion of a new studio album, plays Muskegon’s Watermark 920 Friday. (Podcast, video)[…]
With 50 of 82 ArtPrize song entrants performing during this weekend’s musicians’ showcase at St. Cecilia Music Center, Grand Rapids is singing an artful tune. And ArtPrize busking and concerts[…]
The emerging band featuring students from Grand Valley State University and Grand Rapids Community College already has released an impressive modern jazz debut album, with some high-profile performances ahead. […]
GRandJazzFest with regional and national acts took over downtown Grand Rapids, but there was plenty more live music to embrace, too. (Photos, video) Q: How does a jazz musician[…]
The award-winning keyboard player, composer and co-leader of the Mind’s Eye modern jazz quartet has become an in-demand musician amid West Michigan’s lively jazz scene, which includes this weekend’s GRandJazzFest.[…]
The zoot-suited California swing-meisters returned to the outdoor amphitheater with impressive opener Andy Frasco for a sold-out show that had many tripping the light fantastic. (Review, photo gallery) If[…]
In its second year, the downtown festival adds another day of music, touts headliners Nick Colionne and Phil Denny, and gives a boost to West Michigan jazz stars of the[…]
With Grammy-winning banjo star/comedian Steve Martin playing a sold-out show at Meijer Gardens, this Local Spins Sunday feature takes a look at why young folk, pop and jam-band musicians are[…]
