Festivals · Playlists · Upcoming shows
Aiming to educate and entertain, the two-day festival at Grand Rapids’ Rosa Parks Circle will feature a keynote address by acclaimed music industry expert Ari Herstand, plus live music, a robotics expo, gaming competition and much more. Get details, the full schedule and a playlist at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Fans at Friday’s sold-out Meijer Gardens show got a special treat when the Kalamazoo-bred Hurd joined the country/pop singer on stage. The review of her18-song show, photos and set list at Local Spins
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Southwest Michigan band plays Bell’s Back Room this weekend, with a new full-length album set for release in December. Learn more about the band in this Artist Spotlight feature.
Singer Pat Monahan and Train pumped out a cavalcade of pop/rock hits for a capacity crowd at Meijer Gardens, the same night that Soccer Mommy closed out downtown Grand Rapids’ Listening Lawn series. The recaps and photo galleries.
Two beloved septuagenarians brought their enduring music to Meijer Gardens on Thursday night for a sold-out concert that covered a lot of musical ground. The Local Spins review and photo gallery.
More than just ‘The Way,’ the Austin rock/pop band delivered a weekend-ending romp that had a small-but-enthused crowd on its feet at downtown’s Studio Park. Meanwhile, Grand Rapids boasted two sold-out shows the same night: The Death Grips at GLC Live at 20 Monroe and The Regrettes at The Pyramid Scheme. Browse all three photo galleries.
The pop star’s return to a sold-out Meijer Gardens amphitheater on Sunday abounded with ‘golden retriever vibes’ and an upbeat flair. The review and photo gallery.
Delivering several songs from their latest album, the celebrated Swedish duo and their band impressed fans Friday during a Grand Rapids tour stop. Check out the review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Local Spins on WYCE traveled to Grand Haven to chat with the veteran bandleader as well as Third Coast Recording founder Bill Chrysler while also debuting new tracks by Michigan artists, including Fire in the Attic, Cal in Red, FINKEL, Daves at 7, Lost Magic, Bradley Sinclair, Trifocal and more. Learn more about Carl Webb and Third Coast Recording, watch a video and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Grand Rapids audiences got a taste of three distinctly different concert experiences on Thursday, from symphonic pop to soulful funk to dance-inspiring Spanish language charm. The photo galleries at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The popular New York band that’s toured the globe reworking music by acts ranging from Michael Jackson to Green Day plays GLC Live at 20 Monroe and Bay View this week. The Local Spins interview, with videos.
The Canadian twin sisters and pop stars offered a smorgasbord of popular hits and deep cuts spanning a 20-plus-year career in their Grand Rapids tour stop Friday. The concert review and photos at Local Spins.
Michael Franti captivated a sold-out crowd at Meijer Gardens, the same evening that Alejandro Escovedo told musical tales amid an illustrious career at Midtown. The Local Spins reviews and photo galleries.
The second stop on the band’s U.S tour delivered lush harmonies, horn enhancements and plenty of fan favorites on Wednesday at GLC Live at 20 Monroe. The recap and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Starting with another Tuesday Evening Music Club show at Meijer Gardens to weekend-ending tour stops and the debut of a new West Michigan concert venue, it was a week to remember. Browse all of the photo galleries at Local Spins.
Mammoth national tour stops dominated the weekend, from Quinn XCII in Grand Rapids to Taylor Swift in Detroit. Revisit Quinn XCII’s Saturday romp in words and photos.
Friday’s opening salvo of a two-night stand at a sold-out Ford Field featured “The Eras Tour” debut of two songs. The recap, photo gallery and set list at Local Spins.
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.
