Album Releases · Artist Spotlights · Audio · Upcoming shows
Recently relocating to West Michigan from Denver, the indie-soul duo has turned the pain of a losing a child into a healing, uplifting experience through music, while aiding charities along the way. Read more about this couple’s journey and listen to their music at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
West Michigan’s week of music showcased country music, pop, R&B, hip hop, a New Orleans brass band and, yes, crabgrass. Get the lowdown in four different photo galleries, only at Local Spins.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
This week’s episode of Local Spins on WYCE featured in-studio performances by Lynch and the Blue Water Ramblers, plus new music from Public Access, Darin Zarzecki, Seth Bernard, The Krelboynes, Max Morrison, Laura Rain, Spike the Media and Jeremy Porter & The Tucosrs (and check out a video, too).
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The week gets started with a groovy “Louder Than Words” panel on rock, then keeps rolling with Peat in the Creel, a Samsara Showcase, Far Shores, Weezil Malone and so much more. Take a gander at the robust list of intriguing “Under-the-Radar Picks” and check out the ticket giveaway of the week.
Local Spins’ first segment of 2018 on the statewide radio show spotlighted Borns, Greta Van Fleet, The Accidentals, Billy Strings, The War & Treaty and Jake Kershaw, plus new releases from Grand Rapids’ Hannah Rose & The GravesTones, hi-ker and Cassidy Bisher. Listen to this week’s podcast and learn more about these rising acts.
Features · Top 10 Lists · Videos
The critics have had their say. Now, Local Spins asks some West Michigan musicians to list their favorite 2017 releases: The War on Drugs, Rapsody, The Main Squeeze, Jonny Lang, Queens of the Stone Age, Twin Peaks, Father John Misty, Daniel Caesar and more made the grade. Check out all the picks, videos and audio samples.
The Grand Haven folk-pop pianist created mesmerizing, dreamy images in the West Michigan woods for her first official music video. Check out the video and learn more about the project at Local Spins.
Announcements · Kalamazoo · Upcoming shows · Videos
Electro-pop’s Less is More aims to continue broadening its musical universe as it departs West Michigan. The band plays a farewell show at Bell’s Brewery on Saturday night. Get the back story, check out a video.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
A week heavy on EDM also features Amy Grant & Michael W. Smith, Jon Pardi, Soul Patch, The Concussions, Luke Winslow King, The Secret Sisters, Juanita Stein and much more. Get the full concert lowdown, plus intriguing Under-the-Radar Picks, in The Big List Concert Guide.
As part of the “Local Spins Top 10 Rewind” series of articles that most captivated readers in 2017, this August story broke the sad news that the the award-winning Grand Rapids indie-soul/rock foursome had broken up but still planned to release an album they recently completed.
Concert announcements · Festivals
Tickets went on sale this morning for concerts taking place next May at the long-running Holland festival, which aims to add variety as well as ‘appeal to a younger spectrum’ of fans. Check out Tulip Time’s musical lineup at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Now based in Edinburgh, the pop-pianist plays a homecoming show tonight (Thursday) at Ladies Literary Club, her first Grand Rapids show since 2012 and a chance for fans to hear songs from her most recent album. Read the back story, listen to Zylstra’s music at Local Spins.
Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Regina Spektor’s sold-out show at 20 Monroe Live was just part of an inspiring week that spotlighted regional and national acts from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo. Check out all of the photo galleries and videos.
Janet Jackson’s return to Grand Rapids on Wednesday showcased her trademark dance moves, gracious charm and badass power poses, proving the singer is still in command. The Local Spins review and photo gallery.
The unique Grand Rapids house concert festival will showcase 29 acts over three days in three Eastown neighborhood homes, spotlighting emerging and well-known acts from across the region. Get the lowdown on this weekend’s festival and a schedule at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Irma Thomas, Blind Boys of Alabama and Preservation Hall Legacy Quintet jumpstart the week of live music in West Michigan, but this week’s live music picks at Local Spins also feature Cold Hard Cash, Kalamashoegazer Fest, Elephant Revival, Jake Kershaw and some must-see local showcases.
Suffice to say, beloved power pop piano-pounder Ben Folds soared during his concert for a capacity crowd at 20 Monroe Live on Sunday night with a career-spanning set list and lively stage banter. Read the show recap and ogle the photo gallery, only at Local Spins.
Promoting its latest album, “Relaxer,” the English rock band’s tour stop Tuesday at 20 Monroe Live got a boost from an impressive light show and an opening set by indie-pop singer Bishop Briggs. Read the Local Spins review, browse the photo gallery, scan the set list.
In an immersive interview, the unassuming Jason Singer talks candidly with Local Spins about his musical endeavors as Michigander while making the rounds to a few of his favorite Grand Rapids hangouts. Check out this week’s “good read” in this profile of a fast-emerging regional artist by Local Spins writer Ricky Olmos.
Album Releases · Audio · Hot Top 5 · Videos
Call it the youth movement. Traverse City indie-folk faves The Accidentals once again hit No. 1 for regional airplay on WYCE, with teen guitarist Jake Kershaw and bluegrass phenom Billy Strings debuting in the Top 5. Check out videos, audio of the Top 5 artists, along with a listing of new local and regional releases.
With performances by Yolonda Lavender, The Bootstrap Boys and Michigander, the second-year festival drew big throngs of ArtPrize visitors to the downtown pedestrian bridge over the Grand River. Check out the images.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Bonamassa, Maria Muldaur and William Elliott Whitmore get a week started that also boasts big shows by Wayland, Lipstick Jodi, Organissimo, Deerfield Run, Mustard Plug, Nick Fradiani and more. Get the full lowdown and Under-the-Radar Picks in the Local Spins Concert Guide.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The teen guitar sensation made an impressive in-studio visit for Local Spins on WYCE, which this week also premiered tracks by Cruelworld, The Autumnatic, Desmond Jones, Hominian, Jukejoint Handmedowns, Gifts or Creatures and more. Listen to the podcast and check out Cruelworld’s new video.
Headliners SuperDuperKyle, King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizzard, Lizzo and Twin Peaks will be joined by local acts hi-ker and Less is More, plus other national touring acts. See and save the full weekend schedule.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The last big festival week of the summer also boasts tour stops by State Champs, San Fermin, P.O.S, Apocalypta, Elliott Brood, Marisela, Ben Sollee, some riveting local shows, the Cottage Bar Chili Cook-Off and the Knickerbocker’s first anniversary. See all the featured live music listings, plus the Under-the-Radar Picks. Plus, see how you can win tickets to see Nick Moss.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
This week’s in-studio guest performed during the show, which also featured the on-air debut of songs by Wala Gum, Lipstick Jodi, Paradise Outlaw, The War Between and much more. Check out the back story of this emerging band and listen to the show podcast.
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.
The Labor Day weekend kick-starts with roaring bass and good vibes as one of West Michigan’s premier summer concert series comes to an end. Read the review and browse the photo gallery featuring UB40 and Raging Fyah.
Breaking music news · Summer Festivals
Organizer Cameron Strong cites lack of ticket sales and financial considerations for forcing him to scrap the mid-October event. He vows Cold Creek Campout will be back in 2018.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The late August edition of Local Spins on WYCE boasted Laine’s in-studio visit and regional music by The Hacky Turtles, Emma Loo, 78 Revolutions Per Minute, Rick Chyme & Nixon, Melophobix and more. Listen to the podcast and watch a video of Laine’s performance.
Billy Strings, Borns, The Accidentals, The Crane Wives and other Michigan acts have found a national spotlight in varying ways as of late. Musician Ralston Bowles and Local Spins publisher John Sinkevics debate the merits and pitfalls of ‘making it’ in music in the second episode of the RSVP Music Chat podcast.
In their Meijer Gardens appearance on Thursday night, the Canadian twin sisters lived up to their billing as critically acclaimed pop stars and delivered a crowd-pleasing set as rain swept in. Read the Local Spins review and browse the photo gallery.
Michael Franti & Spearhead once again inspired a sold-out Meijer Gardens crowd to dance and sing for the duration of a steamy two-hour set of reggae/rock/rap infusion on Wednesday. Check out the review and photos at Local Spins.
The four-piece band’s return to Meijer Gardens with a guest keyboardist boasted a mix of captivating indie-pop, jazz and soul for another sold-out show. Read the Local Spins review of Friday night’s concert by Tricia Woolfenden and browse the photo gallery by Tony Norkus.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
This weekend’s festival boasts performances by Zoso, Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers, May Erlewine, That 1 Guy, G-Snacks, Brotha James, Andrew Sturtz, Biomassive and more. Get the lowdown on this northern Michigan event at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
National acts as well as local stars packed venues from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo over the past week, captured in vibrant images at Local Spins.
Detroit hosted the fifth annual MoPop Music Festival at West Riverfront Park over the weekend, drawing thousands for national and regional stars over a sun-splashed weekend. Browse the images at Local Spins.
The rock bands’ co-headlining summer tour made a stop Monday at a sold-out Meijer Gardens amphitheater. Check out the show recap and photo gallery at Local Spins.
The longtime indie-rock idols heated up Meijer Gardens on Thursday with a bouncy mix of old and new material in a show that included an opening set by Grand Rapids’ own MERTLE. The review — via a “texting” conversation between the reviewers — and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Under overcast skies, The Beach Boys brought sunny “Good Vibrations” — and the usual recognizable hits — on Wednesday to the Grand Rapids outdoor amphitheater. The recap and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
Two of Michigan’s most intimate and distinctive music festivals starring regional acts took place last weekend, described as “truly amazing,” picturesque and magical. Check out the photo galleries and weekend reviews at Local Spins.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows · Videos
The fifth annual, two-day MoPop music festival held along the Detroit River kicks off Saturday with a mix of national and regional stars. Check out the full schedule and see what Michigan acts have in store for fans.
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.
Costello’s first appearance at Meijer Gardens since 2011 focused heavily on tracks from his 1982 classic “Imperial Bedroom,” but also trotted out some earlier hits and unearthed some rare gems. Browse the photos, read the review.
The band’s return to Meijer Gardens also marked a return to the 1980s for a capacity crowd that believes in the “Power of Love” and the “Heart of Rock & Roll.” Read the review, check out the photo gallery from Sunday night’s show.
Breaking music news · Hot Top 5 · Videos
The Local Spins compilation boasting live tracks by 12 West Michigan artists racked up the most spins among regional acts at WYCE-FM in June, followed by solo CDs from Mark Lavengood and Dan Rickabus. And see what new regional music has been added on the air.
The holiday weekend brought fireworks of the musical and pyrotechnic variety to Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo and Lowell, from bluegrass to soul to rock ‘n’ roll. Check out the images at Local Spins from special events at The Pyramid Scheme, Bell’s Brewery, Kent County Fairgrounds and Ah-Nab-Awen Park.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows · Videos
Joe Hertler, The Accidentals, Vox Vidorra and Flint Eastwood are ready to join the wondrous party that is Electric Forest. It unfurls over two weekends in West Michigan led by String Cheese Incident, My Morning Jacket and Bassnectar to create an un-Earthly musical vibe. Check out the schedule for Michigan’s contingent, only at Local Spins.
The Alabama indie-soul ensemble uncorked a “Sea of Noise” — and energetic, horn-fueled funk — for an approving audience on a stellar Friday evening. Read the review and browse the photo gallery.
