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.
Amid weather that could only be described as “perfect,” three outdoor shows and one indoor spectacle lit up Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo on a summer Tuesday. The recaps and photo galleries from a busy night at Local Spins.
The Michigan natives now based in L.A. spent a winter on the iconic enclave to create ‘Islanders.’ They screen the film and perform as FINKEL Friday at Wealthy Theatre. The interview and back story at Local Spins.
The legendary rocker and his band, The Imposters, unleashed music from Costello’s latest album along with some choice gems from his hefty catalog. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
For your viewing pleasure, Local Spins has assembled some of the most captivating new music videos by Michigan-bred artists covering everything from hip hop to indie-rock to pop and more. Plus, see where some of these artists will be performing in coming weeks.
Concert reviews · Summer Festivals · Weekend Photo Gallery
Michigan’s music weekend ramped up with 40,000-plus country revelers at Faster Horses in Brooklyn, a capacity crowd at Bell’s Beer Garden, the debut of White Lake’s Walk the Beat, an outdoor Elton and Buble tribute in GR and the debut of the unique ‘Whatzit Hour’ in Kalamazoo. View the action-packed photo galleries at Local Spins.
Grand Rapids Art Museum and WYCE (88.1 FM) review the popular free series this week. The weekly, four-concert affair also will feature Andrea von Kampen, Brie Stoner, Rachel Brooke, Jesse Ray and more.
The acclaimed pianist and singer celebrated the 20th anniversary of “Come Away With Me” and more at the Grand Rapids amphitheater on Sunday night. The review and photos at Local Spins, with bonus coverage and images from the sold-out Japanese Breakfast show on Sunday in Kalamazoo.
The ‘Listening Lawn’ show in downtown Grand Rapids on an exquisite night displayed Earle and band at their best. Check out our in-concert conversation between two Earle buffs, plus a recap — with photo gallery — of Five for Fighting’s sold-out show with Grand Rapids Symphony at Meijer Gardens.
It was a sweet Michigan homecoming on Wednesday for The War and Treaty who got right into the crowd amid perfect weather that carved out an ideal evening for 1,200 summer concert series attendees. The Local Spins review and photo gallery.
The multi-lingual Grand Rapids singer-songwriter topped the June chart of regional releases earning the most radio airplay at WYCE-FM. View the entire chart, listen to tracks from all of the artists.
Concert reviews · Summer Festivals · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Smiling Acres Music Festival wrapped up three days of live music over the Fourth of July weekend, but there were also crowd-pleasing concerts in Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo. View the photos at Local Spins.
Sunday night’s tour stop at Meijer Gardens was Sheryl Crow’s second Michigan show in as many days and she delivered a bevy of her most popular songs for a packed amphitheater with Allison Russell opening. The Local Spins review, photo gallery and set list.
Local Spins reviewer John Serba offers up his take on the much-ballyhooed biopic of Elvis Presley, with an emerging new star and Tom Hanks as the controversial Col. Tom Parker.
The spectacle in the Rothbury woods wrapped up in the wee hours Sunday, sending tens of thousands of revelers home tired but happy. Check out some of the highlights in this recap and browse four photo galleries.
Sunday night’s return of the legendary Motown group to Meijer Gardens proved to be full of soulful nostalgia and classic, enduring songs. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows · Videos
In a Local Spins interview, the frontmen for both bands talk about playing the upcoming, much-delayed musical spectacle in Rothbury, which will attract more than 45,000 people. The story, videos and full festival schedule at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The acclaimed Grand Rapids singer-songwriter returns to the stage Saturday while preparing a two-pronged studio release. The revealing interview with Brie Stoner, plus her recent music video and this week’s Local Spins on WYCE radio podcast.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
With summer festival season heating up, Local Spins asked DJ and electronic music authority Todd Ernst to reveal the albums have had a major impact on his own career. Plus, check out his current favorites and listen to tracks from all of the albums at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Lansing artist and one-time ‘American Idol’ contestant premiered new songs for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted music by Isaac Ryder, Dynaflo, The American Hotel System, Joshua Rilko, Pink Sky, Jax Anderson and more. Get the lowdown on Rachel Curtis, watch her new music video and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Breaking music news · Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
Eleven years after a Grand Rapids lip dub video of the Don McLean classic set a world record and created a sensation, he’ll revisit the city to kick off a Black Pigeon Studios venture to put the area back on Hollywood’s radar. Get the lowdown and watch the 2010 lip-dub video at Local Spins.
Albums that Changed the World · Playlists · Upcoming shows
Being featured Saturday as part of Local Spins Fest in downtown Grand Rapids, the leader of the Latin alt-rock band today reveals his picks for albums and artists that have most influenced him. Listen to tracks from the albums as well as music by Cabildo.
Saturday night’s Grand Rapids tour stop had the former Sting frontman unfurling more than 20 career-spanning songs, backed by a top-flight band. The review, photos and set list at Local Spins.
From ‘Don’t Stop Believin” to ‘Any Way You Want It,’ Journey on Wednesday gave West Michigan fans at Van Andel Arena a two-hour dose of classics, with Toto offering up a ‘crisp’ opening set. The Local Spins review and photos, with set lists for both bands.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts · Videos
On hiatus since 2019 due to COVID, the four-concert “Summer Sessions” series starts in June at the picturesque Lynne Sherwood Waterfront Stadium. Tickets are on sale now. Get details and the full lineup at Local Spins.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals · Videos
Returning to Grand Rapids’ Belknap Park Aug. 19-20, the 2022 edition of Breakaway leans toward electronic music phenoms along with rappers such as Yung Gravy and Gashi and emerging pop artists. View the lineup and watch videos of selected artists at Local Spins.
Albums that Changed the World · Playlists · Videos
Today, the leader of Hank Mowery & The Hawktones reveals the albums that have shaped his own music and his love of top-drawer songwriting, along with a current favorite legend who has him mesmerized. Listen to tracks from all of the recordings.
Breaking music news · Features
The celebrated bluegrass guitarist and Ionia County native was featured on the nationally televised evening spectacle, but lost out in two categories to fellow nominees Bela Fleck and Jon Batiste. Learn more at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
In a Local Spins interview, Elton’s bassist and Detroit-area native Matt Bissonette opens up about his career, his love of the Lions and the ‘crazy’ fun on stage with a rock icon. Elton’s farewell tour stops at Grand Rapids’ Van Andel Arena on Tuesday. Learn more about Bissonette and watch videos of recent performances by the Elton John Band.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
Tonight, Michigan Music Alliance and Grand Rapids singer Sarena Rae stage “Music That Raised Us” at Listening Room — a tribute to influential black female artists. Before that, Sarena Rae shares a compelling soundtrack of female icons, from local favorites to internationally acclaimed stars.
Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
Get ready for summer: Grand Haven’s Friday waterfront series boasts the likes of Albert Lee and Kim Richey; Lowell, Sparta & Kentwood will host acts ranging from The Accidentals to The Soul Syndicate. View those schedules & more.
Singer-songwriter and Saline native Katie Pederson discusses moving to Nashville, building a community and the joys of running in a Local Spins interview conducted by Enrique Olmos in the Music City. The artist profile, photo gallery and video.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
With educator/musician Glenn Bulthuis hosting a Motown class in March, Local Spins on WYCE digs into Motown’s impact while also debuting new music by several Michigan artists. Learn more about Motown and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE
The band led by Karli Morehouse aims to ‘hit the ground running’ with shows and new music this year. Plus, Local Spins on WYCE debuts fresh Michigan-made tracks, from Steven Malcolm to The Good Old Days to Fake Baseball and Grace Theisen. Listen to the full radio show podcast.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
The Local Spins series highlighting music that most influenced Michigan musicians continues with Michigander frontman Jason Singer revealing his picks — plus a couple of current faves he “can’t stop” playing and a pair of Michigander tracks.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
The northern Michigan venue and arts academy today revealed the first two of its summer 2022 shows, with more in the offing. Details at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Videos
The Grand Rapids band today debuts a new video at Local Spins, which also spotlights fresh tracks by Katie Pederson, The Volcanic, Flowers on the Grave, Jay Gavan, Drew Hale, Laura Rain and more. Watch the video, listen to the Local Spins on WYCE radio show podcast and learn more about Phabies in today’s Artist Spotlight.
Local Spins Rewind · Photos · Videos
This was to be the weekend when WYCE’s Jammie Awards finally returned to The Intersection. The pandemic, however, has pushed that back to June. So today, Local Spins revisits the jubilant 2020 awards show in words, photos and video highlights.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
With a new record on the way, ‘Michigan Songbird’ May Erlewine plays St. Cecilia Music Center in Grand Rapids on Feb. 17. Today, she reveals that albums that have influenced her the most. Bend an ear to the recordings, along with songs from Erlewine herself.
Local Spins Rewind · Playlists
This column ran prior to the 2021 Super Bowl, with the wretched tale of the Lions told in hit singles by last year’s halftime performer, The Weeknd. Come back next week when we’ll do the same for the 2022 roster of halftime stars.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The Kalamazoo super-group previewed its debut album for Local Spins on WYCE, which also premiered tracks by Chirp, Bradley Sinclair, The Blue Pines, Aspen Jacobsen, Cross Eyed Strangers, Katy Needs a Life and other Michigan artists. Learn more about Fake Baseball and listen to this week’s full radio show podcast.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
This weekend’s photo roundup of West Michigan concerts zeroes in on a Grammy-nominated star, an emerging country artist, tributes to ABBA and The Beatles, and three compelling female singer-songwriters. Browse the photo galleries at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The 21-year-old blues-rock phenom from Albion boasts a more mature sound on tracks featured for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted songs by Les Creatif, Au Gres, Fake Baseball, Y-Not, DL Rossi, Travis Atkinson, Emma Bieniewicz and more.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
The frontwoman for Detroit’s Laura Rain & The Caesars not surprisingly has been shaped by the music of classic R&B and funk artists. Listen to tracks from all of her picks at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
January has been quieter than usual on the live music front due to continued COVID concerns, but some national and local shows fired up area stages on a chilly weekend. Browse the photo galleries at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Emerging Artists to Watch · Videos
Recently returning from L.A. recording sessions with Elton John bassist Matt Bissonette, the 16-year-old Lansing-area singer-songwriter is turning heads, making her Local Spins’ first “Artist to Watch” for 2022. Get the back story and listen to Kanin Elizabeth’s songs at Local Spins.
