Announcements · Emerging Artists to Watch · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
This year’s winner is an 18-year-old indie-pop artist from the Lansing area who’s captivated fans across the state with a big voice and big dreams. The Artist Spotlight and Local[…]
From dubstep, electro house and drum & bass to pop to Americana and more, regional and national acts lit up stages from Grand Rapids to the lakeshore to Kalamazoo. Check out the photos at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Emerging Artists to Watch · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
With a new single and upcoming SpeakEZ show, the Grand Rapids teen finds the spotlight for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks this week by other Michigan acts, including debuts by Prior Noon, The Westside, Chirp and Evolve Sound.
Commentary · Detroit Lions · Playlists · Videos
We musically recount the Detroit Lions’ mostly futile playoff experiences since their 1957 championship while predicting a Sunday win amid more upbeat themes for an NFL team on the rise. The Local Spins column and a unique playoff playlist.
Sunday Recap · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Today, Local Spins revisits the top music stories of the past week — local and national — showcases photo galleries from area shows and debuts new music video from FlyLiteGemini and The Claudettes.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Top 10 Lists
Today, we reveal the Top 10 songs of the year by Michigan bands and solo acts, based on airplay at Grand Rapids’ WYCE (88.1 FM). View the Top 10, listen to the music and this week’s radio show podcast.
Audio · Best Music of the Year · Videos
In place of our usual ‘Amplified’ newsletter this Thursday, we present Phase 2 of our look back at the best music and concerts of 2023. Check out another round of critics’ picks and listen to music from the releases in this year-end roundup.
Concert reviews · Photos · Top Stories of the Year Countdown
The pop superstar’s two-night stand at a sold-out Ford Field featured “The Eras Tour” debut of two songs. The recap, photos and set list made the Top 20 list for 2023 at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Photos · Videos
Local Spins traveled to The Big Easy to soak up its diverse musical vibe and touch base with a Michigander and multi-instrumentalist who’s immersed herself in New Orleans’ ‘astounding’ music scene. Get Natalie Mae’s back story, watch videos and browse a NOLA photo gallery.
The mesmerizing violinist uncorked her holiday ‘Snow Waltz’ show for fans in Grand Rapids on Tuesday amid impressive dance routines and more. Read the review and browse the photo gallery at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Emerging Artists to Watch · Videos
Tthe emerging Southeast Michigan indie-pop artist — who recently played Muskegon’s Starlight Room with partner/singer-songwriter Chris DuPont — is promoting her new EP, “Long Time Coming.” The Local Spins interview.
The trio of brothers brought their tour Tuesday to a jam-packed Van Andel Arena, creating a nearly three-hour career retrospective. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
In 2023, Local Spins asked readers a ‘Question of the Week’ about favorites in a lot of categories. Here are the top questions and responses. Plus, we’ve got fresh year-end queries that could score you a gift.
Early-week concerts drew varying crowds at several different venues — Van Andel Arena, The Intersection, St. Cecilia Music Center, The Pyramid Scheme, Midtown — with widely varying musical approaches. Browse the photo galleries and get the concert recaps at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Our concert photo round-up for the week kicks off with Saturday’s benefit show starring Young the Giant at GLC Live at 20 Monroe, plus Valerie June, Papadosio, Apashe, Honey Revenge and more. Browse more than a half-dozen photo galleries at Local Spins.
The pop-rock stars returned to Grand Rapids on Tuesday, touring behind their new album, “Caves,” and regaled 6,000 or so fans with an impressive spectacle. Check out the review, photo gallery and set list at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
After touring with Taylor Swift more than a decade ago, the South Carolina rock band brings its “Caves” world tour to Van Andel Arena on Tuesday. The Local Spins interview.
Albums that Changed the World · Artist Spotlights · Audio
With impressive credentials acquired during stints in Nashville and L.A., Jones adores his northern Michigan homestead and the three albums that have inspired him. Listen to tracks from those recordings, a current favorites and songs by Jones himself.
Artist Spotlights · Emerging Artists to Watch · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Traverse City singer-songwriter just released another moody gem, spotlighted by Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Dennie Middleton, Brother Wolf and more.
Album reviews · Audio · Upcoming shows
This early October roundup of 2023 releases by Michigan artists boasts a diverse mix of genres and artists, including new music by The Bloody Pickups and Round Creek String Band. Check out the reviews and listen to tracks from all of the releases.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
“I love to play.” Performing next Tuesday at Grand Rapids’ DeVos Performance Hall, the one-time Beatle and his fellow rock icons reveal the secrets to their zeal in continuing to pump out classic hits in a recent interview.
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.
