Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
PerShayla opens up about her new power trio for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Barrel Bones, Trifocal, Blushing Monk, The Messenger Birds and more. Read Artist Spotlight feature, listen to the full radio show podcast.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Hot Top 5
The Grand Rapids ensemble’s latest project joins releases by Earth Radio, Crispin Campbell and Cameron Blake as new entries on the September chart. View the chart and listen to tracks from each featured album at Local Spins.
Album reviews · Audio · Videos
A half-dozen new releases by Michigan artists — from Detroit’s The Messenger Birds to the U.P.’s John Davey — are showcased via reviews, audio samples and more at Local Spins. It’s an eclectic bunch of albums, from jazz to prog-pop to soulful Americana to vintage country.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Glorious late-September weather provided the perfect setting for several high-profile outdoor shows in Grand Rapids, from Earth Radio to Melophobix. The recaps, photos and video highlights at Local Spins.
Album Releases · Album reviews · Audio
A busy year for new Michigan releases amid a pandemic gives music fans a lot to savor, including impressive albums by four Grand Rapids artists as well as northern Michigan’s Biomassive and the trio of Pico, Chown & Sears. Read the reviews, listen to music from each of the spotlighted artists.
Album reviews · Audio · Videos
Amid a flood of new regional releases, Local Spins delves into albums and EPs by an eclectic bunch of artists for this roundup of reviews. Find out more about the recordings and listen to tracks from each album.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Live music in the great outdoors took several different forms across the region — from Benton Harbor to Grand Rapids to a farm east of Gaylord, with performances by Mark Lavengood, Jenna Mammina and many more. Local Spins traveled hundreds of miles for images of what’s become a rarity this summer due to COVID-19: Live music.
Grand Rapids’ Nicholas James Thomasma and Ian Thompson return to the chart for the second month in a row, too. Listen to tracks from all of the featured albums at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The great outdoors still dominates concert listings as the most popular and safest places to enjoy live music in late July. Check out this week’s guide to live shows at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
Two more August music festivals in Michigan have decided to skip 2020 due to the pandemic, with September’s jazz festival in Detroit turning to an elaborate live-stream and televised event. Get the details at Local Spins.
Audio · Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
The keyboardist for West Michigan’s Earth Radio and frontman for Blushing Monk unfurls a Top 10 soundtrack featuring Khruangbin, Anderson .Paak, Cory Henry, Brother Gabe and other timely, ‘feel-good grooves’ — some inspired by recent events. Check out his picks, watch the videos and listen to the full playlist on Spotify.
Plan your week with a sampling of live music events at bars, breweries and eateries across West Michigan — including the return of Grand Rapids’ Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill, with new health precautions amid the COVID-19 pandemic. There’s even a parking lot jazz performance to check out. Details at Local Spins.
Audio · Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
Popular Grand Rapids jam band Desmond Jones whipped up a Top 10 roster of group members’ favorite songs during the current coronavirus pandemic, from D’Angelo to Thundercat. Watch the videos, listen to the Local Spins playlist on Spotify.
The historic downtown Grand Rapids venue today announced a record-setting lineup of folk, jazz and chamber music concerts starting this fall. See the full lineup and details about the post-pandemic challenges facing venues such as St. Cecilia Music Center.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts · Summer Festivals
Scrapped due to COVID-19, the popular northern Michigan series at Interlochen is among numerous live music events slated for summer 2020 across the state that are being dropped, postponed or revised. Get details and see an updated list of festival cancellations at Local Spins.
This week, we asked Jammie Award winner and Local Spins’ Emerging Artist of the Year Jordan Hamilton to give us his top songs to get through the COVID-19 quarantine. An intriguing roster of tunes to be sure, from hip hop to jazz and more. Watch the videos, listen to the Kalamazoo cellist’s playlist on Spotify.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Hot Top 5 · Videos
The album inspired by iconic jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt topped an all-new roster of popular Michigan releases, which also included Via Mardot, Pink Sky, Darcy Wilkin and Seth Beck. Learn more about Djangophonique, view the complete chart and listen to songs from all of the featured artists.
Album reviews · Audio · Upcoming shows
From Kalamazoo to Grand Rapids to northern Michigan, this round-up of new releases by Michigan artists delves into pop, jazz, folk, hard rock and even classical music. Soak up the reviews along with tracks from all of the featured artists.
The Big Game is tonight. But Local Spins unfolds another battle now: Which city boasts the best bands and songs from the rock ‘n’ roll era? Compare and listen to the Top 10 artists and their songs from San Francisco and K.C., and judge for yourself which city comes out on top.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
In a bid to drive away the winter blahs, West Michigan audiences embraced a dynamic mix of touring and local artists. And once again, Local Spins captured it in photo and video form.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
DJ Faren Strnad kicks off a week that also features Small Glories, Garcia Peoples, Toth, Cousin Avery, Paradise Outlaw, Pink Sky, How to Live Together, Leland Blue, Henhouse Prowlers, Lady Ace Boogie’s birthday bash and much more. And check out this week’s ticket giveaways.
Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Beyond the lavish parties ushering in the New Year, there were some intimate shows starring beloved regional artists to get the first weekend of 2020 started on the right foot. Browse the photos and videos at Local Spins.
Features · Top 10 Lists · Videos
As the year draws to a close, Local Spins asked some West Michigan musicians and readers to make their picks for the best albums and songs of 2019 — a diverse roster covering rock, hip hop, jazz, R&B, folk and more. And listen to music from all of the featured artists.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The cutting-edge lit up this week’s Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Brother Elsey, Fast Hands Band, Lynn & the Moonshine Runners, Porter Kenyon, a new ‘Christmas at Critter’s’ classic and much more. Get the After Ours back story, watch videos of the band and listen to this week’s complete radio show podcast.
West Michigan’s live music week included The Bad Plus, Louis the Child, Blanco Brown, SunSquabi, Laith Al-Saadi, Gunnar & The Grizzly Boys, Sadie Bass, Left Lane Cruiser and more reflected in dazzling photos (and a couple of videos) at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Playlists · Upcoming shows · Videos
The young modern jazz band led by Dutcher Snedeker kicks off the International Wine, Beer & Food Festival in Grand Rapids Thursday, with a full-length album set for release in 2020. Get the back story on the band and a full weekend performance schedule for the Wine, Beer & Food Festival at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
From jazz to rock to funk to country, it’s a busy week that also features Ganja White Night, Moxie Strings, Unknown Hinson, Freekbass, Mark Lavengood, Peat in the Creel, the Diatribe’s Grand Showcase, Terry Lower Quartet and more. This week’s “Under-the-Radar” picks are special, too.
Breaking music news · Summer Concerts · Summer Festivals
The popular downtown jazz festival will be replaced by a concert series next year. Some Grand Rapids celebrations — including the Asian-Pacific Festival and Polish Festival — will move to Calder Plaza due to scheduled renovations at Rosa Parks Circle. The story at Local Spins.
Album reviews · Audio · Videos
Fall brings with it some frightfully good new regional music, including the latest from Michigan-bred bluegrass hero Billy Strings, a popular hip hop collective, fetching fiddle music and scary-cool Halloween gems. Check out the reviews, sample the new music at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Upcoming shows
The Chris Michels Band, which plays SpeakEZ Lounge on Wednesday, boasts a rotating cast of talented musicians, led by a songwriter about to release a new solo album and determined to squeeze “as much music” as he can into his life. Get the back story on Michels and listen to his new singles at Local Spins.
Features · Podcasts · RSVP Music Chat · Venue Spotlight
On Thursday night, Grand Rapids’ St. Cecilia Music Center kicks off its folk series with country and Americana singer Lee Ann Womack. Listen to the podcast with venue honcho Cathy Holbrook to learn why St. Cecilia stands out as a concert hall and discover the journey that led her to the helm of this organization.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The first week of October also brings us Devotchka, Melvins, Orville Peck, Dark Star Orchestra, The Zannies, Lifeline, beer fests, Pulaski Days, a GLAMAversary event and much more. Check out the riveting Under-the-Radar Picks and this week’s ticket giveaway.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
This week’s edition of the radio show also featured new regional music from Patty PerShayla, Lifeline, Donny Zuzula and more. Read more about Max Lockwood, watch the in-studio video of his performance, listen to the Local Spins on WYCE podcast and interview.
This mid-September sampling of new local and regional releases offers everything from boundary-pushing folk-punk to socially conscious hip hop. Check out the reviews and listen to the music, exclusively at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Why Don’t We kicks off the week leading to Labor Day weekend, with Wilson, The Quirk, Wuzee, Birdie Country, Unruly Brewing’s anniversary, an Amy Winehouse tribute and much more also on tap. See the full list and this week’s Under-the-Radar Picks.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
This weekend’s festival presented by Alexander Zonjic at Muskegon’s Heritage Landing will boast two days of soulful, funky jazz and more, plus a special Thursday night pre-show. The Local Spins interview with Zonjic and Koz.
Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
The first day of GRandJazzFest 2019 at Rosa Parks Circle brought brilliant summer weather and brilliant musicianship with crowds growing into the evening to celebrate the final sets of the day. The recap, photo gallery and a video at Local Spins. The festival continues Sunday.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Summer Festivals · Videos
This weekend’s festival near Johannesburg, east of Gaylord, unfurls with a huge roster of Michigan acts, including Traverse City’s Chris Michels, who’s fast building a fan base for his funky, jazzy music. Read more about the festival and MIchels, and listen to his music
Concert reviews · Features · Photos
Moving from downtown’s Ah-Nab-Awen Park for 2019, the West Michigan Jazz Society has hosted its Monday night shows at Walker’s Millennium Park Meadows. Local Spins checked in this week to see how fans have reacted to the new site. Read the story, browse the photos.
The first outdoor show of the Grand Rapids Art Museum summer series boasted the passionate soul, blues, jazz and hip hop of the Kalamazoo ensemble. Get the recap of opening night with photos at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
The Verve Pipe, David Wax Museum, Loudon Wainwright III and Mary Gauthier are also among the first acts announced for the ‘world-class’ venue that hosts a soft opening in late October and a grand opening in early November. See a comprehensive list of initial bookings at Local Spins.
Features · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
In its heyday, Idlewild served as a robust summer destination for African-American stars and their fans. The July 12-14 Idlewild festival will pay homage to the past with musical performances and historical education sessions. See the full weekend schedule at Local Spins.
The talented multi-instrumentalist packed the amphitheater for the third year in a row, inspiring the big crowd to move to an energetic mix of jazz, funk and rock. Get the review and peruse the photo gallery at Local Spins.
The gracious, operatic pop singer unfurled a wide-ranging set of music for fans at a near-capacity Van Andel Arena on Tuesday. Check out the Local Spins review and photo gallery.
Concert announcements · Upcoming shows · Videos
The announcement of folk, jazz and Chamber Music Society concerts also includes appearances by Raul Midon, Fred Hersch, Benny Golson and more. Check out the full lineup for the season, with videos of featured performers at Local Spins.
Local Spins kicks off May with another roundup of releases by local and regional acts, from Grand Rapids to Petoskey to Kalamazoo. Check out the reviews and listen to songs from each artist.
Outdoor music abounds in summertime in communities across West Michigan and today’s lineups feature bands playing free shows along the lakeshore. Check out the schedules for a half-dozen series at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
The well-regarded drummer who says he’s ‘addicted to getting better’ at his craft will be honored May 14 by the West Michigan Jazz Society. Learn more about this award-winning musician in the Local Spins profile by Dutcher Snedeker.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
It’s the third site for the summer series in recent years. The Monday night concerts kick off June 8 and run through mid-August. Learn the reasons for the relocation and see the full summer schedule at Local Spins.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
On the first day of the Spring Fund Drive at WYCE, Local Spins on WYCE show host John Sinkevics premiered new tracks by Michigan artists, had an in-studio chat with singer-songwriter Ralston Bowles and counted down some of the top local and regional tracks of the past six months. Listen to the podcast and watch the video of a new single by Estar Cohen.
