Longtime fans got an impressive earful of jazz-rock faves from the Donald Fagen-led ensemble during Monday’s tour stop at Van Andel Arena. Check out the review, photo gallery and set list at Local Spins.
The Traverse City trio’s new Sony Masterworks album was the most-played regional recording on WYCE last month, with other local faves close behind. Check out the chart, videos of the Top 5 acts and a list of new regional releases.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The week that ends with Labor Day boasts tour stops by international superstars and summer series wrap-ups. Get the lowdown on The Big List, where you can also win tickets to see Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys.
Artist Spotlights · Features · Upcoming shows
The ‘Mozart of the guitar’ kicks off a U.S. tour in West Michigan this week, unfurling uncategorizable music and subtle virtuosity along the way. Read the Local Spins interview with Pierre Bensusan and get details about this week’s concerts.
Features · Summer Festivals · Videos
The jazz saxophonist plays Saturday at Heritage Landing during the weekend festival, which will also host sets by Alexander Zonjic, Peabo Bryson, Gerald Albright, Jeff Lorber, Organissimo, John Gist and others. Read the Local Spins interview with James; see the full festival schedule.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
The two-day GRandJazzFest drew enthusiastic fans to Rosa Parks Circle with invigorating sets by stars national and local. The festival wrapped up Sunday night. Check out the photos and more at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Summer Festivals · Videos
Beyond headliners Richard Elliot, Nate Harasim and other national jazz acts, the two-day weekend festival heralds local stars, including a riveting “student” jazz combo. See the full schedule, watch a performance video.
Album reviews · Artist Spotlights · Audio · Kalamazoo
The band with roots at Western Michigan University revels in ‘creative freedom’ as it churns out distinctive jazz fusion and soul. Read the Local Spins review of the “Nebulushh” EP, listen to tracks by the up-and-coming band.
Local Spins Live · Podcasts · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
More than 20 bands and thousands of festival-goers will descend on Shagbark Farm in southern Kent County for an expanded three-day celebration of regional music. See the full weekend schedule and save it on your smartphone to take along.
The innovative singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist’s return to Meijer Gardens on a picturesque night was enhanced by an opening set from phenom Esperanza Spalding. Bird also had to overcome “a little commotion” in the crowd, with fans yelling at others to sit down. Get a recap via the Local Spins review and photo gallery.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The Beach Boys, a “Women Rock” Picnic Pops tribute, Mike Mains, Farm Block Fest and The Menzingers also fire up the week. And check out the splendid Under-the-Radar Picks.
Artist Spotlights · Kalamazoo · Music on Campus · Videos
The jazzy, pop-infused indy quartet with Western Michigan University ties made a Kalamazoo tour stop last week as it readies release of its second album. Check out the Local Spins interview, photos and video featuring this up-and-coming band.
With an engaging jam-band vibe, the 62-year-old piano whiz and his Noisemakers band made the sweltering Grand Rapids stop on their national tour a memorable one. Check out the review and photos at Local Spins.
The popular Grand Rapids vintage blues/jazz trio appeared on Local Spins Live and officially released its new album at SpeakEZ Lounge this week. Listen to the podcast, watch the video.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals · Videos
The Native Howl, The Gasoline Gypsies, Watching for Foxes, Desmond Jones, Biomassive, The Change and more play this “beautiful” northern Michigan site July 21-23. Get details and ticket links, and watch videos of some of the festival’s featured bands.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
The 2017 season of weekly regional music at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park had more than 1,500 people smiling and dancing to sets by Green on Blue and The Red Sea Pedestrians. View the video highlights.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The final Local Spins on WYCE radio show for June also featured tracks from Detroit bands Flint Eastwood, Talking Ear and Saajtak, as well as music from West Michigan acts Flushed, The Extra Texture, Ty Beat, Parlor Voice, Mark Lavengood and Hey Marco! Listen to the full podcast.
Trombone Shorty and his crew brought their summery version of Mardi Gras to Grand Rapids on Thursday and raindrops couldn’t slow them — or concertgoers — down. Read the review, browse the photo gallery from the sold-out show.
The jazz pianist’s return to Grand Rapids’ outdoor amphitheater proved to be a display of elegance, grooving rhythms and fan favorites. Read the Local Spins review, browse the photo gallery from Wednesday night’s show.
Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
After a hiatus, the Division Avenue Arts Collective will host a series of concerts at 333 Rumsey St. SW in Grand Rapids while continuing to search for a permanent location. Get the lowdown on the DAAC’s future and see how you can aid the cause.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
The weather couldn’t have been better on opening day of Grand Rapids’ Festival of the Arts and musicians responded with diverse, audience-pleasing sets. Check out the Local Spins photo gallery and video.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
Members of Grand Rapids’ Latin-infused Cabildo turned up their Cumbia-fueled charm for Local Spins on WYCE, which also featured new music from Barbarossa Brothers, Jared Sjoblom, Hollywood Makeout and The Underground Circus. Read the story, listen to the radio podcast.
Commentary · Festivals · Upcoming shows
This weekend’s Grand Rapids festival will have fewer stages and performances, a revamped layout and plenty of eclectic acts from which to choose. We’ll help on the choosing part: Local Spins once again has asked its writers and some West Michigan musicians to pick “The Best of Fest.”
Concert announcements · Kalamazoo · Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
The Kalamazoo area boasts tons of opportunities to revel in live music in the great outdoors this summer, from park bandshells to HopCat’s beer garden. Check out the lineups for more than a half-dozen series that kick off in June.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
The Accidentals, SuperDre, The Crane Wives, The Great Ones, Cabildo and more are part of the free Thursday night series. See the full lineup at Local Spins, with videos of the featured artists.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
In another Local Spins roundup of outdoor summer concerts to brighten your weeknights, see the full lineups and schedules for Garage Bar’s block parties, West Michigan Jazz Society’s Monday Jazz in the Park performances and John Collins Park shows.
Grand Rapids’ St. Cecilia Music Center today announced its jazz, folk and chamber music series for 2017-18, and it’s a who’s who roster of award-winning musicians. See the full schedule of concerts at Local Spins.
Local Spins presents another roundup of free community concerts being held outdoors across West Michigan this summer, starring regional acts. Get the lowdown on more than a dozen series here.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Local Spins on WYCE
Much-respected jazz advocate and Grand Rapids pianist Robin Connell is a self-described ‘workhorse’ who will be honored at a May 15 banquet. Learn more about this devoted musician and listen to the Local Spins on WYCE podcast featuring performances with Connell and singer Kathy Lamar.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins Live · Podcasts
The singer-songwriter and keyboard player plays One Trick Pony on Thursday night, unfurling songs that represent “a free expression” of her soul. Read the story about this emerging Grand Rapids artist, listen to the radio podcast, watch the video.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts · Videos
The Moxie Strings, The Moonrays, Michigander, Miss Atomic, Slim Gypsy Baggage, The Muteflutes, The Zannies, Bigfoot Buffalo, Ralston Bowles and more are all part of the July and August concerts. See the full lineup at Local Spins.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals · Videos
The free festival being held Aug. 19-20 at Rosa Parks Circle once again will boast a blend of international and regional jazz favorites. See the full schedule, with videos of some of the featured performers for GRandJazzFest 2017.
Announcements · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
The fourth edition of this unusual August contest in this lakeshore community boasts thousands of dollars in prizes for winning acts, with this year’s festival limited to 25 bands and 25 solo artists. The deadline for registration is April 28. Get details here.
Breaking music news · Guest Column · Top 10 Lists
What were the Top 5 most-played local acts for March on WYCE? Find out here, along with station manager Quinn Mathews’ monthly guest column providing the scoop on the community radio station’s 30th anniversary events and special fund-raising efforts.
Album Releases · Audio · Videos
With Joe Hertler and band unveiling an album today and kicking off a U.S. tour, Local Spins takes a gander at the new collection and fresh releases from other notable Michigan bands. Check out the reviews and listen to samples of the new music.
Breaking music news · Guest Column · Top 10 Lists
What were the Top 5 most-played local and regional acts for February at WYCE-FM? What new local and regional albums have been added to the on-air rotation? What exactly is a listener-supported community radio station? How can listeners become programmers? Get answers to all these questions and more in this Local Spins guest column by station manager Quinn Mathews.
Audio · Features · Kalamazoo · Music on Campus · Videos
Western Michigan University’s renowned jazz studies program has added another feather to its cap: Double bass instructor Tom Knific is lauded by Musical America as one of the top 30 innovative music professionals of the year.
Concert reviews · Features · Photos · Videos
The 2017 edition of WYCE’s Jammie Awards drew more than 1,500 people to The Intersection in Grand Rapids for dynamic performances by Michigan bands, with plenty of musicians “lovin’ the hell out of each other.” Brows the resplendent photo gallery, watch the video and read the reaction of musicians to the West Michigan music scene’s biggest night of the year.
Breaking music news · Concert reviews · Photos
Friday night’s crowded awards show at The Intersection honored Michigan’s best albums and songs of the year, with 25 performances on two stages. See the complete winners’ list, photos and more from West Michigan music’s “biggest night of the year” at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
The Ann Arbor-based legend plays Traverse City’s Microbrew & Music Festival with Grand Rapids’ The Change this weekend, but juggles plenty more projects – from his own Madcat Midnight Blues Journey to touring internationally with Chris Brubeck. Read all about this Michigan music icon.
With an exploratory new album on the way, the roots music musician and his band play Thursday’s Acoustic Café Folk Series concert at St. Cecilia Music Center. Read the Local Spins interview with Pokey LaFarge.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Downtown Grand Rapids’ newest concert venue earned high marks from a teeming and happy crowd on Wednesday night. Check out the Local Spins review and two photo galleries from the milestone show.
Features · Local Spins Exclusives
Greg Gilmore’s vision for a downtown concert hall finally comes to fruition this week next to The B.O.B. Read the Local Spins Q&A with Gilmore and representatives of Live Nation — only at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Features · Music on Campus · Top 10 Lists
The new rankings by MusicSchoolCentral.com cited Kalamazoo for its ‘artistic intrigue, hip music scene’ and top-notch jazz program. See the entire list of top schools.
Breaking music news · Photos · Videos
The bands were among 11 acts competing for two slots in the March Fretboard Festival festival at Kalamazoo Valley Museum. Friday’s event drew a packed house and boasted lively performances. Check out the story, photo gallery and videos.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Grayling brother-and-sister duo brings its fetching approach to Grand Rapids on Thursday after releasing an album of originals in 2016, with plans for extensive touring this year. Read the Local Spins Artist Spotlight feature and watch a video, then catch them this week at their West Michigan show.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins Live · Podcasts · Videos
The super-group of West Michigan musicians views The Underground Circus side project as a creative melding of ‘firepower’ unlike anything else on the scene. Read the back story about this unusual band, watch a video of a rare acoustic performance and listen to this week’s Local Spins Live radio podcast.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Happy New Year from Local Spins! Listen to this holiday troika of podcasts, featuring two Local Spins on WYCE broadcasts and this week’s edition of “GR Live” to wrap up 2016 on an upbeat musical note. Featured artists include Vox Vidorra, Eric Engblade, Phil Stancil and many more.
Artist Spotlights · Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
Break out the sweatpants, a jam-band attitude and shed a tear: After more than 50 shows, Grand Rapids’ Desmond Jones will play its final Monday night residency gig at the West Side’s Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill this week. Read the back story, including the wacky things that have happened on Monday nights in this Grand Rapids watering hole.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Grand Rapids guitarist and singer chatted and performed during this week’s Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted new tracks by The Turnips, Everyday Junior, Monte Pride and more. Check out the Local Spins Artist Spotlight story, podcast and video.
