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.
At 6:30 tonight, the annual benefit for Amnesty International will rock Wealthy Theatre Annex with Lazy Genius, Lipstick Jodi, Blanca Luz, The Extra Texture, KFG Poetry and more. Get the lowdown on the Friday night event at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Podcasts · Upcoming shows · Videos
Now based in Grand Rapids, Angela Gail and Jeffrey Jacob are gearing up for a new EP in July with a three-week residency at Founders Brewing. Read the back story about this intriguing band, listen to the radio podcast and watch a video from In the Valley Below’s first June show in Grand Rapids.
The popular summer series kicked off Sunday with plenty of elbow room for fans as “Replay America” unfurled retro hits on its Grand Rapids tour stop. Read the review of the 2017 season’s opening night and browse the photo gallery.
Fifty years ago today, ‘Sgt. Pepper’ and The Beatles taught the world to play. In this Local Spins Rewind guest column, Grand Rapids writer and musician Charley Honey revisits the life-changing experience of ‘Sgt. Pepper.’ Check out his take on the album five decades on, re-listen to the album and find links to other stories about the iconic recording.
Thursday’s unusual event at 20 Monroe Live is a benefit for Kids’ Food Basket that will feature a Cat Footwear fashion show to boot. And things could get a bit ‘rowdy,’ says one performer. Get the details and more information at Local Spins.
Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
From national tour stops by pop, hip-hop and bluegrass acts to jam-packed local showcases, West Michigan’s week of live music kept May hopping. Check out the images and videos at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Inspired by the early Beatles, the vintage rock band plays SpeakEZ Lounge on Wednesday before crossing the pond for its first European performances. Read the story, check out the video from a recent radio gig.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The week got rolling with Blues Traveler in Kalamazoo and just kept rocking, from Shorts Brewing’s 13th anniversary party in Bellaire to The Pyramid Scheme’s two-day sixth anniversary bash. Check out all the images at Local Spins.
Audio · Guest Column · Videos
In this Local Spins guest column, Grand Rapids writer and musician Charley Honey revisits the life-changing experience of ‘Sgt. Pepper.’ Check out his take on the album five decades on, listen to the album and find links to other stories about the iconic recording.
Summer is right around the corner and communities across West Michigan once again are hosting free weeknight concerts featuring regional acts, from Lindsay Lou & The Flatbellys to The Crane Wives to Union Guns and more. Get out your calendar and scan the lineups for seven of these concert series at Local Spins.
Festivals · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
It was a week of familiar bands in new locations, familiar events with new faces, and new events with familiar faces. Check out all the concert images — from Hunter Hayes on Thursday to Flint Eastwood on Sunday night — along with the “Grand Rapids: A Musical Day in the Life” video at Local Spins.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The 135th edition of Local Spins on WYCE boasted an in-studio performance by retro pop/rock’s The JetBeats, plus a spotlight on a bevy new local and regional tunes. Listen to the podcast here.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
The summer concert series announced today by Interlochen Center for the Arts also boasts appearances by Michael McDonald, Boz Scaggs, Paul Shaffer, Amos Lee and Ian Anderson. See the full lineup and details in this Local Spins story.
At 75, the Detroit legend proved Thursday she’s still “The Queen of Soul” in a DeVos Performance Hall show that featured some of her biggest hits, including “Respect,” “Chain of Fools” and “Baby I Love You.” Read the Local Spins review, browse the photo gallery.
Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
This year’s Fashion & Music for Film Showcase will boast fashion lines inspired by music videos and created by Kendall College of Art and Design students. Watch the videos by Grand Rapids’ AB, Los Angeles’ Matt Rose and others.
Concert reviews · Music on Campus · Photos
Concerts, workshops and speeches at the weekend event in Grand Rapids focused on “valuing unconventional expression and promoting community dialogue.” Check out the concert recap and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
The colorful mid-Michigan ensemble celebrated its new album and kicked off a U.S. tour Saturday with a big boost from Grand Rapids’ The Legal Immigrants and Kalamazoo’s Less is More. Read the Local Spins review, ogle the photos, watch the videos.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
The group featuring Jane Finkel, Brian Spencer, Mike Sord and Matt Milowe has redefined its sound, and will unfurl that for a Grand Rapids audience when it plays 20 Monroe Live on Saturday, opening for Joe Hertler and the Rainbow Seekers. Read the Local Spins Artist Spotlight feature on this emerging Kalamazoo band.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Spanning the east and west sides of the state, this week’s edition of Local Spins on WYCE spotlighted pop, rock, folk, blues and more. Listen to the podcast, watch the video, read the story.
Features · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows · Videos
Get ready to “Moondance.” Grand Rapids singer Mark VandenBerge will unleash his most ambitious tribute to the legendary Van Morrison on Friday at 20 Monroe Live. Check out a video and get a preview in the Local Spins on WYCE podcast.
Hoping to capitalize on the talent and ‘untapped market’ of West Michigan music, the historic record label’s return could put Sparta back on the map as a creative hub, operators of Fenton Records insist. Read the Local Spins story and browse the photo gallery.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows · Videos
The March 10 edition of the radio show also featured new music from The Accidentals, Alex Mendenall, The Go Rounds, Stef Chura, Michigander and Frontier Ruckus. Check out the podcast, video and story.
Announcements · Audio · Breaking music news · Local Spins at SXSW
To mark their return to South by Southwest, Traverse City’s The Accidentals released the first single from their upcoming new album today. And five other Michigan acts headed for a Michigan House-Austin showcase have recorded fresh songs for SXSW and ArtPrize. All six premiere here at Local Spins. Listen to the songs, read the back story.
Touring behind its latest album, “The Tourist,” the Alec Ounsworth-led Clap Your Hands Say Yeah made folks wonder why they’ve “slept on this band for the past four albums.” At least, that’s the take of Local Spins reviewer Troy Reimink. Check out the review and photo gallery from Thursday night’s concert at The Pyramid Scheme.
Features · Festivals · Local Spins at SXSW · Upcoming shows
Creative Many, Michigan House and Local Spins are back in Austin for the giant SXSW conference this weekend, shedding an even brighter spotlight on Great Lakes State artists, products and innovators. See which Michigan acts will be joining them and why.
Concert announcements · Festivals · Upcoming shows
After a decade at Grand Rapids’ Wealthy Theatre, this year’s festival will take place in April at The Orbit Room, with Papa Vegas headlining a five-band bill. Read the back story and see who else will be performing at the fundraiser for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
Artist Spotlights · Kalamazoo · Upcoming shows · Videos
The once-popular alt-rock/funk/pop group has reunited to play a show at Bell’s Brewery this week and to record its first album since 1999. Yes, it’s all ‘quirky and ridiculous’ and absolutely thrilling. Get the back story, only at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
Rock is not dead. Take it from the Chicago band which plays Holland’s Park Theatre on Friday and which took time out from touring Europe to share thoughts with Local Spins writer Troy Reimink about Twin Peaks’ latest album, its fans and loathing Trump.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The group featuring Jane Finkel, Brian Spencer, Mike Sord and Matt Milowe is redefining its sound, unfurling its fresh, eclectic music this week at Bell’s Brewery Eccentric Café. Read the Local Spins Artist Spotlight feature on this emerging Kalamazoo band.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
One of the busiest weeks of 2017 thus far also boasted some killer under-the-radar shows, capturing in images at Local Spins. Check out the week-in-review photo galleries.
Commentary · Guest Column · Top 10 Lists · Upcoming shows
Community radio station WYCE-FM (88.1) is partnering with Local Spins for a monthly column highlighting West Michigan’s music scene, including a listing of the Top 5 Local Spins of the Month. This week, it’s all about the Jammie Awards. See the full schedule of performances for Friday’s big awards show at The Intersection.
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 · Photos · Upcoming shows · Videos
Get a sneak peek into 20 Monroe Live by taking a video tour of the new downtown venue that unleashes its first concert Wednesday with Trombone Shorty and Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers. Then browse the photo gallery and opening-week lineup of shows.
With much-respected artists Andrew Bird and Margaret Glaspy getting things started, The Lumineers brought their “Cleopatra” world tour to Van Andel Arena on Thursday. Browse the photo gallery at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
The popular mid-Michigan band has wrapped up work on its first studio album in years and is eager to be the first act to play 20 Monroe Live next week. Check out the exclusive Local Spins interview and Hertler’s view of the new Grand Rapids venue.
Announcements · Breaking music news · Videos
The much-buzzed-about Traverse City band has inked a highly anticipated contract with the eclectic and respected label. The group’s Sony Masterworks debut recording is set for release in the spring. Read the story and check out a video message from the band.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
Veteran acts will join first-time performers at West Michigan’s ‘biggest night for music’ in February at The Intersection. See the initial lineup of acts playing the event, with links to their music, only at Local Spins. And check out a link to see the long roster of 2017 Jammie nominees.
Not all parties are created equal. If you’re looking for an excuse to get out this New Year’s Eve, Local Spins has the perfect guide to get your party started. Check out some of the biggest — and grooviest — parties in West Michigan.
Audio · Features · Local Spins Live · Podcasts · Upcoming shows
The Outer Vibe releases a new EP this week at a Grand Rapids homecoming show. The band reflects on its recent move to Nashville where the rock/pop band stands out from the country pack. Learn about the band’s experiences in Nashville thus far and listen to a new single.
