Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
Celebrating Local Spins’ 11th birthday and the power of Michigan’s female artistry, the second annual festival drew enthused crowds Saturday for sets by six regional bands: In the Valley Below, Earth Radio, Sarena Rae, Kari Lynch Band, Lokella and Grace Theisen Band. The recap, photos and a video at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
On May 20, celebrated Grand Rapids singer Sarena Rae joins six other acts playing the second Local Spins Fest in downtown Grand Rapids. Today, she answers seven questions about her life, her music and more, providing unique insights into this talented emerging star.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals · Videos
The festival announced “Phase 1” of its lineup of performers for the Aug. 18-19 celebration at Grand Rapids’ Belknap Park, with tickets on sale today. View videos of the headliners and get ticket links at Local Spins.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
Northern Michigan’s Interlochen Center for the Arts has revealed more than a dozen concerts thus far for its summer ‘Arts Festival,’ with Styx, The Temptations, Lindsey Stirling, Train, Five for Fighting, The Beach Boys and more on tap. View the lineup at Local Spins.
Emerging Artists to Watch · Local Spins on WYCE
This week’s radio show toasts up-and-coming acts in several genres, many of them recent award winners. We also debut new tracks by a pair of established artists. Listen to this week’s radio show podcast at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Weird weather during the first full weekend of spring didn’t hamper turnout at sold-out tour stops in Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo. Plus, recaps of Hawthorne Heights, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Dirt Monkey, Starkbierfest, Ingrid Andress and more. View all of the images at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
With an EP ahead, the Grand Rapids pianist with years of concussion struggles today releases a single for Brain Injury Awareness Month. Local Spins on WYCE also features new tracks by Michigan artists. Get the back story on Caitlin Cusack, listen to her music and this week’s radio show podcast with music by Daisybox, Midwest Skies, Earth Radio, Bierkeller Boys Oompah Band, Mustard Plug and more.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The acclaimed singer-songwriter plays the Acoustic Cafe Folk Series in Grand Rapids on Thursday. The Local Spins interview, with a chance for readers to win tickets to the show. Plus, watch a Josh Ritter video previewing songs from his upcoming new album.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The multi-Grammy-winning Christian music artist plays Van Andel Arena on Sunday with Grand Rapids’ own hip-hop artist George Moss joining him on stage. The back story at Local Spins.
Audio · Emerging Artists to Watch · Hot Top 5
With a wildly diverse musical background, the Grand Rapids producer and drummer has made waves with his infectious tracks. See what else made the Hot Top 5 Chart for January, with four new local/regional entries. Plus, listen to songs from all of the releases.
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.
Artist Spotlights · Emerging Artists to Watch · Videos
After reaching the semifinals of NBC’s ‘American Song Contest’ last year, the fast-emerging 17-year-old just released a new single and will headline an upcoming show at Franke Center for the Arts. The back story, videos and more at Local Spins.
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.
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
Our Saturday round-up of West Michigan music news ranges from info about a rocking new exhibit at Grand Rapids’ presidential museum to a second-year talent competition in Rockford and a new leader at WYCE.
Emerging Artists to Watch · Top 12 Stories Countdown · Videos
The top stories countdown ends on the year’s final day, with a special update on our profile of 16-year-old Grass Lake singer Brayden Lape. We interview him again about his future plans after his Top 5 finish, with a link to the No. 1 story from November and videos of his most popular performances on ‘The Voice.’
Local Spins Rewind · Photos · Top 12 Stories Countdown
The countdown of Local Spins’ most-read stories of the year hits No. 9 today with the recap of a busy summer weekend that featured Faster Horses, Drive-By Truckers, Walk the Beat and more. Revisit the late July roundup in words and photos.
Breaking music news · Emerging Artists to Watch · Videos
After fan voting during this week’s finale, the Grass Lake teen came in behind winner Bryce Leatherwood and three other finalists. The recap at Local Spins, plus watch a video of his finale performance.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Podcasts
The singer and keyboard player recently released ‘Stories We Told Along the Way,’ recorded in Kalamazoo with a who’s who lineup of Michigan musicians. Story, video and more at Local Spins.
Formed in 2018, the unique voice instruction academy aims to create “a brave space for singers” seeking to spotlight their vocals on stage and in the studio. The back story at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
Local Spins chats with two legendary artists — Hall of Hall & Oates fame and Rundgren — as the icons prepare to play DeVos Performance Hall. Get the inside story on this unique tour in this exclusive Local Spins interview with both artists.
Artist Spotlights · Emerging Artists to Watch · Playlists · Videos
Perhaps poised to follow the path of pop phenom and inspiration Shawn Mendes, the 16-year-old from Grass Lake ascended to the finals on the hit NBC show. The Local Spins interview with the young singer.
The live music weekend kicked off early in Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo, with pop, bluesy-folk, reggae, alt-country and the first rock show at SpeakEZ Lounge in more than five months. Browse all the photo galleries at Local Spins.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
The frontman for Michigan’s Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers boasts a fascinating set of musical influences and a surprising current favorite. Check out his picks and listen to the music at Local Spins.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
With renowned jazz saxophonist Timothy McAllister joining GR Symphony this week, Local Spins asked the symphony president to reveal the music and artists who’ve impacted her most — including a band that’s driven by horns and saxophones.
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.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
A member of The Concussions, The B-Sides and Zebra 3, Stanton is a West Michigan mainstay with a love for The Beatles and bands who produce short, catchy pop classics. View his picks and listen to tracks from all of the albums.
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.
Artist Spotlights · Breaking music news · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The anthemic pop band frontman reveals details about his latest calamity while debuting a new track for Local Spins on WYCE, which also showcased fresh music by several other Michigan artists. Get the back story, watch Michigander’s new music videos and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Concert reviews · Festivals · Photos
The first-year festival pumped up three different Kalamazoo venues Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday — and Local Spins was there to capture the action in words and photos.
Nashville’s Wildermiss and Grand Rapids’ Phabies joined the indie pop-rock band for Tuesday’s concert at Calvin University. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
The kickoff to autumn 2022 had it all: country, folk, symphonic metal, Americana, soulful pop and German party music. Local Spins revisits the action in words and photos.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Ann Arbor chanteuse playing next week’s Sounds of the Zoo fest debuted a single for Local Spins on WYCE, which also aired new music by Last Gasp Collective, Martyr for Madison, Conklin Ceili Band, Keith Hall & more. Learn more about Dani Darling and the Kalamazoo festival, watch the singer’s new music video and listen to this week’s full radio show podcast.
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.
GR Symphony opened its season with passion, a premiere and one of the final concerts for a beloved percussionist, on the same night that iconic songwriters held court for a new series in Forest Hills. The concert reviews and photo galleries at Local Spins.
The brainchild of Jennifer Hudson-Prenkert, the week-long affair at several venues in downtown Kalamazoo will boast vastly diverse performances and a collaborative vibe. Learn more about this first-year event, view the full schedule and listen to a playlist of performers.
Concert reviews · Summer Concerts · Top 10 Lists
Based purely on reader traffic for our concert reviews, Local Spins presents a fun Top 10 of this summer’s most memorable shows. Plus check out our editor’s Top 3 picks of the summer and fan comments on other favorite shows of the season.
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.
Artist Spotlights · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows · Videos
The boundary-pushing, ‘groove-heavy,’ bilingual artist from Asheville, N.C., headlines the inaugural All Call Music Festival taking place in Traverse City on Sunday. The Local Spins interview, plus Helado Negro’s latest music videos.
The Miami rapper, singer and pop artist Pitbull delivered a dance-happy set on Tuesday night, along with Australian hip-hop artist Iggy Azalea. Browse the action-packed photos at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Summer Festivals · Weekend Photo Gallery
August’s final weekend was chock full of sizzling live music, from national touring acts like Clownvis Presley and Michigan Rattlers to local favorites, all reflected in images at Local Spins. Get the recaps and check out more than a half-dozen photo galleries.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The emerging Rockford indie-folk/pop artist with a release show next week lit up Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted new music by Cameron Blake, Low Phase, Martyr for Madison and much more. Learn more about Izubel and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
From enduring hits such as “Lido Shuffle” and “JoJo,” Boz Scaggs made the most of his amphitheater debut, with guitarist-singer Robert Cray and singer-songwriter Jeff LeBlanc also on board. The Local Spins review and photo gallery.
Concert reviews · Summer Festivals · Weekend Photo Gallery
Hit-and-miss weather over the weekend impacted some live music but other concerts — indoors and out — revved up West Michigan, including Devil Wears Prada, Lucius Fox, Vince Gill, Fest of All and more. Photos.
The week leading up to a hectic weekend of live music boasted a dizzying array of styles and approaches, from indie-folk to prog-pop to R&B and soul. Revisit the action in images at Local Spins.
Looking for the Perfect Beat · Summer Festivals · Videos
West Michigan DJ, Local Spins columnist and electronic music guru Todd Ernst previews this weekend’s mega-fest in GR’s Belknap Park — his artists to watch, tips for a better experience and the inside dope. Plus, view the weekend schedule and check out videos from headlining artists.
Led by octogenarians Mike Love and Bruce Johnston, The Beach Boys made a familiar summer tour stop in Grand Rapids Monday, revving up familiar hits for fans intimately familiar with the legendary band’s catalog. The Local Spins review and photo gallery.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Leland Blue’s current tour includes a sentimental final show at The Pyramid Scheme this week before the indie-pop band embarks on new adventures across state lines. Learn more about this West Michigan band and listen to music from the group’s latest release.
Concert reviews · Photos · Weekend Photo Gallery
The Irish singer-songwriter with a new album set for release next month played a rescheduled Sunday night affair at GLC Live at 20 Monroe. The review and photos, plus galleries from three other weekend West Michigan concerts, including Fake Baseball, Ballyhoo, Incantations and more.
The shows leading up to another weekend of musical merriment in West Michigan boasted soulful pop, bluegrass, ska and vocally impressive songwriting powerhouses, lighting up venues from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo. Browse the photos and show recaps at Local Spins.
