Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Grand Rapids singer-songwriter Emma Bieniewicz discussed her ‘art music’ for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Rockit King, Gasoline Gypsies, Olivia Dear, Stovepipe, The Soods & more. Learn more about Bieniewicz, view a music video and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Summer Concerts · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Despite some COVID obstacles, the summer of 2021 looks a lot different than 2020 when it comes to music events in northern Michigan. Local Spins previews some recently announced concert series in the region. Get details and view the lineups of this summer’s performers.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
After a one-year hiatus, the two-day electronic/pop festival at Belknap Park will also feature Gryffin, Madeon, Big Wild and Chelsea Cutler. Learn more about August’s Breakaway and July’s Upheaval festival, both being held at the Grand Rapids park, with organizers hoping COVID capacity restrictions will be eased.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Videos
The Jackson band recently released a new album, “Sitting With the Unknown,” and continues to play shows and find inspiration in its hometown. Learn more about LVRS in this Local Spins Artist Spotlight and listen to music from the band’s latest album.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
Kalamazoo songwriter Even ‘WOOTS’ Wouters was the featured guest for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted music by Desmond Jones, The Accidentals, Martyr for Madison, Birdie Country and Rachel Curtis. Find out more about WOOTS and listen to this week’s full radio show podcast.
Breaking music news · Features · Videos
The 16-year-old from Romeo joined Sinclair on Monday night for a dynamic version of an Elton John classic that judges called the best performance of the show’s Battle Round. Read more at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Features · Videos
In a Local Spins interview, the West Michigan singer and musician says he’s ‘super stoked’ about his experience on the nationally televised NBC show, with a standing ovation on tap for his next appearance. Learn more about Sinclair and watch the ‘sneak peek’ video from tonight’s Battle Rounds here.
Jason Singer’s latest pop collection, “Everything Will Be Ok Eventually,” wasted little time getting attention and airplay at WYCE, along with several other new releases from Michigan artists — The Whiskey Charmers, Emma Bieniewicz, The Wild Honey Collective and Big House Blues Band. Listen to tracks from each album.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Grand Rapids R&B/pop artist who helped pay tribute to Aretha with a Michigan super-group this week shared her 2021 plans with Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted a host of new tracks by artists from across the Great Lakes State. The story, podcast and video.
The former member of the Grand Rapids band Leland Blue made the cut and selected judge Nick Jonas’ team during blind auditions Tuesday on the NBC singing competition. Read more about Sinclair at Local Spins.
Audio · Breaking music news · Features · Videos
The passionate and dynamic Women’s History Month tribute to icon Aretha Franklin features more than two dozen singers and musicians from across the state. Watch the video premiere and learn more about this collaborative project at Local Spins.
The first Michigan albums roundup for February hails releases from the Upper Peninsula to Detroit to Grand Rapids. Get the Local Spins take on these recordings and listen to tracks from each featured artist.
The Super Bowl’s halftime star boasts a soundtrack of hits that’s not only perfect for the Big Game but one that tells the wretched tale of longstanding Lion woes. A special Sunday column and Weeknd playlist for long-suffering fans of a certain Detroit team.
It’s Feb. 2, which means it’s time to honor groundhogs, “underground” musical gems we’ve dug up and, of course, that classic Bill Murray movie that most of us have replayed again and again and again. Check out this unique soundtrack at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The talented Grandville High School teen was featured for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Neon Birdhouse, Chris Collins, Ardea, Lone Caravan, Wes Millhouse, Mike Ward, Flowers on the Grave and more. Learn more about the up-and-coming Gianna Stansell and listen to this week’s full radio show podcast.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Playlists
Over the last couple of months, Local Spins has debuted impressive music by new or little-known Michigan artists who deserve more attention. Here are 12 tracks by them that you shouldn’t miss, from Mark Huizenga to L. Supreme to Colt Snuffer & The Dead Horsemen.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The New Year’s Day edition of Local Spins on WYCE not only debuted new tracks by more than a half-dozen Michigan artists, but revisited some of the best music from special guests on the show in 2020. Listen to the full radio show podcast.
Local Spins Rewind · Top 10 Lists · Videos
The coronavirus crisis has fueled the creativity of musicians who’ve turned to humor for survival in 2020. Local Spins’ March roundup of video parodies not only became the No. 1 most-read story of the year, but the most popular post in the website’s history. Revisit this roster of clever spoof tunes, including new COVID-inspired videos we’ve added to further tickle your funny bone.
Local Spins Rewind · Playlists · Videos
The No. 2 story of the year was produced in quarantine by Local Spins writer Troy Reimink, who concocted a mid-March, elbow bump-worthy soundtrack for the viral apocalypse. Check out this uber-popular post and listen to the COVID-inspired tracks he assembled.
Features · Top 10 Lists · Videos
Part II of Local Spins’ spotlight on the year’s best releases — from Lianne La Havas to Fontaines D.C. to Tame Impala to Fiona Apple to Earth Radio — focuses on music selected by West Michigan musicians and Local Spins readers. Check out their picks; listen to the songs.
The raging COVID-19 pandemic didn’t stem the 2020 tide of new music — some inspired by the crisis as well as other events in a tumultuous year. Local Spins writers reveal their faves from a most unusual year.
Local Spins Rewind · Playlists · Videos
This playlist from April honors the brave doctors, nurses and health care workers who have helped heal the nation. From Michael Jackson to Van Morrison to May Erlewine, revisit this Christmas Eve tribute as part of our countdown of 2020’s most-read stories.
Today, Local Spins writers and ‘New Standards’ hosts Tricia Boot Woolfenden and Troy Reimink give readers a sneak peek into new national/international tracks worth giving a listen. Get their take on the latest from The Mountain Goats and Lost Horizons; listen to the tracks.
Features · Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
It’s not a playlist you’ll want to put on repeat. A Paul McCartney dud tops the list of rotten holiday fare after we asked readers for their most hated seasonal tunes and they responded in droves. Check out the full list of “cringe-inducing, inane and repetitive” songs that drive many up the wall every year.
The countdown of Local Spins’ most-read stories of the year continues with Albion’s Michael and Tanya Trotter taking part in a star-studded “Grammy Moment” finale. Today, we update that story from January, plus you can watch The War and Treaty’s Grammy performance as part of this “Local Spins Rewind” feature.
Artist Spotlights · Photos · Videos
The Grand Rapids collective has stayed safely active during COVID-19 with socially distanced shows and virtual performances while promoting a new EP and workshopping new material for the next one. Delve into the creative world of August in this in-depth Artist Spotlight and watch the video of a performance of a song from the band’s latest EP.
The young West Michigan singer and member of the Grand Haven-based band Five Strand Fusion impressed judges — and an audience of millions — on Monday during blind auditions for NBC’s “The Voice.” Learn more about Mayton and watch the video of her performance on ‘The Voice.’
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
As West Michigan eases into November 2020, the indoor live music scene is much different and more restricted than it was last November. Local Spins rounds up the musical happenings amid what’s expected to be a turbulent election week.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Frontman Jason Singer talked about his latest hit single for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted music by Chris DuPont, Au Gres, Jack Droppers, Allison Van Liere, Laura Rain, The Marsupials and more. Learn more about Michigander’s new music and future plans, check out a live performance video of the new single, and listen to this week’s radio show podcast at Local Spins.
Local Spins today exclusively premieres a new music video from northern Michigan’s Jake Allen. Plus, check out new videos from other Michigan artists, including a May Erlewine song that got the attention of Bonnie Raitt and entries from Lady Ace Boogie, Cameron Blake, The Dave Marean Band and Brent Godfrey.
It’s been a productive 2020 for many West Michigan bands debuting new music, with some of them releasing captivating videos to accompany those tracks. Check 10 of them out in this mid-October roundup, from The Accidentals to Brother Wolf to Patty PerShayla & The Mayhaps.
Features · Music and Technology · On Campus
With the pandemic limiting live music opportunities, Worry Club and other emerging acts have turned to the Quadio app to connect with each other and up their social media reach. An in-depth report from Local Spins, with profiles and music showcasing four college artists from Michigan.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Belknap’s first-ever drive-in show on Friday impressed fans and bands alike with socially distanced fun and music that reverberated through the neighborhood just north of downtown Grand Rapids. The Local Spins review with photos and video highlights.
West Michigan readers of Local Spins unleashed a dizzying array of names when asked about the most overrated acts ever, from Michigan faves Bob Seger and Greta Van Fleet to legends such as David Bowie and Led Zeppelin. Read their responses here, then check out our new Question of the Week.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The days of outdoor shows in Michigan are numbered, so the final week of September features some of the final concerts and festivals at various locations across the region. The lowdown, as always, on The Big List at Local Spins.
Because audiences haven’t been able to come to Civic Theatre due to the COVID shutdown, Civic Theatre has been going to its audiences, with traveling troupes playing driveway and backyard shows. Learn more about this unique entertainment series and browse a photo gallery at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The post-Labor Day week is chock full of live music options as outdoor and drive-in shows continue to rev up across West Michigan. See a full roster of shows at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows
After nearly calling it quits amid COVID, the Michigan band now gets re-energized with two saxophonists and an upcoming slate of live performances. The back story and this week’s Local Spins on WYCE podcast, with the on-air debut of new tracks by Michigan artists, including Brother Elsey, Rachel Brooke, Emma Bieniewicz and more.
Grand Rapids guitarist Hayes Griffin held onto the top slot for the third month in a row, but four West Michigan releases made their debut on the chart at WYCE-FM. Listen to tracks from all of the albums at Local Spins.
The West Michigan native who moved back home two years ago has scored nationwide success for the second time in five years, with proceeds from the new single going to a good cause. Get the back story and listen to the new single at Local Spins
Grand Rapids’ Nicholas James Thomasma and Ian Thompson return to the chart for the second month in a row, too. Listen to tracks from all of the featured albums at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The songwriting brothers spent a decade on the masterwork showcased for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Biomassive, River City Narrative, Oliver Scott Draper and Brian Koenigknecht. Learn more about the unusual ttypes + PAWL project and listen to this week’s full radio show podcast.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Michigan’s songbird shared thoughts on her fun new studio album and finding peace in a pandemic while debuting a new single for Local Spins on WYCE. The show also showcased new music from Earth Radio, xRBG, Shadow Forest, Barrel Bones, Tom Hymn and more. Learn more about Erlewine’s new album project and listen to the full radio show podcast at Local Spins.
Our mid-July roundup of new West Michigan releases covers fresh entries in rock, jazz, pop, folk and Western swing. Check out the reviews; listen to tracks from each artist.
West Michigan’s second-ever drive-in concert during the pandemic was a sellout on Saturday, with Nashville-based Beatles tribute band The English Rain playing amid bright sunshine. Get the recap and browse a photo gallery at Local Spins.
Inspired by social-distancing amid the coronavirus pandemic, Saturday’s unique show in the Rycenga Building Center parking lot will feature two young lakeshore bands, with attendees tuning into WAWL’s FM radio frequency to hear the music. Find more details about the concert and the performers at Local Spins.
Spanning the state, this roundup of new releases by Michigan artists ranges from hip hop to pop-rock to post-hardcore to indie-rock to soothing, healing AC music. Check out the reviews and listen to music from each of this week’s featured artists at Local Spins.
Audio · Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
With summer temps rising, this week’s Local Spins soundtrack brings a heat wave of diverse tracks courtesy of writer, musician and music maven Nick Moran of GVSU. Check out the videos and listen to the full playlist on Spotify.
Album Releases · Artist Spotlights · Videos
Amid the current crisis, Mulder’s collaborative “The World Around the Bed” not only serves as an instrument of hope for hospice patients, but also those affected by COVID-19. Get the back story at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
Leaders of the July festival starring The 1975 and Khalid join live music event organizers in other Michigan cities – Muskegon, Grand Rapids, Rockford and Niles – in pulling the plug on summer musical celebrations due to the coronavirus pandemic.
