Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
West Michigan’s musical weekend featured some beloved icons (Lyle Lovett, The Temptations, Righteous Brothers) plus tour stops by Marcus Rezak, Sir Mix-a-Lot and Murder by Death. Peruse all of the colorful concert images at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
The opening day of the 2019 festival in West Riverfront Park blessed thousands of attendees with sunny weather and a cavalcade of pop, hip hop and indie-rock. Get the highlights, browse the photo gallery at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The duo now based in L.A. unfurled some of its ‘wacky, fun’ music for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted new tracks by Jake Kershaw, Brother Elsey, Vee the Rula, Paradise Outlaw and Full Cord. Watch the video of FINKEL’s in-studio performance, get the back story on the duo and listen to the full radio show podcast.
After a rainout for Week 1, the popular Tuesday series at Meijer Gardens boasted blue skies and dance-hued regional music for a family-filled crowd. The recap and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The up-and-coming Grand Rapids band rolled out some of its new music for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Paddlebots, Pretoria, Natural Body and more. Get the back story on August, watch the band’s in-studio performance and listen to the full radio show podcast.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
From Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo to Allegan, West Michigan celebrated the arrival of summer with live music and album-release shows, captured in images at Local Spins. Check out all of the resplendent photo galleries at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Upcoming shows
The former frontwoman for Vox Vidorra is set to release a new solo EP and video on Friday at Creston Brewery. Learn more about the project at Local Spins and listen to her captivating single.
The gracious, operatic pop singer unfurled a wide-ranging set of music for fans at a near-capacity Van Andel Arena on Tuesday. Check out the Local Spins review and photo gallery.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Old Crow Medicine Show, Electric Six, The Mystic Braves, Gnash, Lindsay Beaver, Molly, Sweet Water Warblers, August, The Hill People, Guitar UP, The Concussions also fill out a hefty week of concerts. Plus, see how you can win tickets to Mollly’s EP-release show with The Go Rounds.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
Dodging some rain, Saturday’s festival on Calder Plaza boasted live music from MAX, Sizzy Rocket, Mya and local musicians, drag displays and food, with an inspirational vibe for the LGBTQ community. Recap and photos at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Grand Rapids “synth-usiasts” of How to Live Together, who are headlining Synth Night on Friday night at The Pyramid Scheme, brought their compelling approach to Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Molly, Lipstick Jodi, Boss Ruff, Stef Chura and more.
The boy band brought its hits and a stage spectacle to Grand Rapids Thursday along with plenty of nostalgia for devoted fans, plus appearances by Salt-N-Pepa, Tiffany, Debbie Gibson and Naughty by Nature. Get the show recap and a photo gallery at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Kalamazoo · Photos
Steppin’ In It with friends and May Erlewine & The Motivations moved a Bell’s Brewery crowd while Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers funked up Old Dog Tavern in outdoor shows. Check out the recap of both summer-opening spectacles by Ryan Boldrey, with photo galleries by Derek Ketchum.
With many fans lining up for days just to see them, the Ohio band played its first U.S. show of 2019 at Van Andel Arena on Friday. Check out the review, set list and a photo gallery from the “The Bandito Tour” stop at Local Spins.
Album reviews · Upcoming shows
From pop to rock to funk to electronic charm, this late May roundup of West Michigan album releases covers the gamut. Check out the reviews and listen to the music at Local Spins — and find out where you can catch these artists performing live.
Major arena tour stops by Jason Aldean and The Who dominated the week, but other artists also made the West Michigan roundup of concerts, from hip hop’s Tech N9ne and synthwave’s Perturbator in GR to metal’s Drink Their Blood in Kalamazoo. Browse the photo galleries at Local Spins.
Local Spins kicks off May with another roundup of releases by local and regional acts, from Grand Rapids to Petoskey to Kalamazoo. Check out the reviews and listen to songs from each artist.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
West Michigan’s jam-packed week of live music also features Hatebreed, Nora Jane Struthers, Perturbator, Frances Luke Accord, Phyre Fest and a Bob Dylan tribute. Peruse all of this week’s spotlighted concerts and the robust Under-the-Radar Picks. And see how you can win tickets to the Phyre Fest at 20 Monroe Live.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
This recap of West Michigan’s week of live music boasted a bevy of concerts from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo, from national touring acts to regional stars, from long-running benefits to band battles to album-release shows. Browse the images and videos from a hectic week of concerts at Local Spins.
Audio · Commentary · RSVP Music Chat · Upcoming shows
The first RSVP Music Chat podcast of 2019 reviews the history of a long-running benefit for charity which rocks Founders again on Sunday and explores the reasons why musicians feel so compelled to donate time for worthy causes. Browse a list of all the bands that have played a quarter-century of Feedback benefits and listen to a previously unreleased, live Honeytones performance from the first event in 1994.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Upcoming shows · Videos
Starting with a Grand Rapids show Wednesday and ending at Short’s 15th Anni-Party in Bellaire on Saturday, Hertler and crew aim to give fans a memory-making, stress-relieving party experience. Get details about the Michigan shows and listen to the band’s brand new single.
From a jam-packed Selena tribute to a rock star’s acoustic solo tour stop to Kalamazoo album-release concerts, West Michigan music fans had plenty to celebrate. Browse the images at Local Spins.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
The northern Michigan venue will also boast tour stops by Lady Antebellum, Weird Al Yankovic, I’m With Her, Vince Gill, Joshua Davis and many more. See the full lineup at Local Spins. Tickets go on sale in late April.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
To say that it was an eclectic week of West Michigan music is an understatement. The early April shows covered a wide range of genres but had one thing in common: exuberant performances and fans captured in Local Spins images. Check out the photo galleries and concert recaps.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Podcasts
Local Spins’ statewide April segment showcasing new West Michigan music on “Stateside” focused on three acts with intoxicating songs and a powerful message. Listen to the podcast and check out full versions of songs from each of the featured artists.
Breaking music news · Music on Campus
The budget-cutting move by the Grand Rapids college has upset some students and will likely reduce future concerts on campus by national touring acts. Read student reaction to the move and the administration’s response at Local Spins.
Features · Music on Campus · Upcoming shows
Those enrolled in the university program are getting music industry experience by helping promote and stage Thursday’s tour stop by pop singer Sinclair in Grand Rapids, just one of many hands-on opportunities offered in the concert field. Read more about the program and check out Sinclair videos at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
A movie filmed in Michigan will be part of the pop-laced indie-rock band’s April tour behind its sophomore recording. Grand Rapids gets a sneak preview of the new music Tuesday night at The Pyramid Scheme. Learn more about this unique project and watch the video for In the Valley Below’s new single/movie trailer.
Local Spins at SXSW · Photos · Top 10 Lists
With the mammoth South by Southwest festival wrapping up in Texas over the weekend, Local Spins writer Ricky Olmos looks back at event highlights — some with a Michigan flair.
The Detroit singer reveling in a breakout year on the pop scene brought his “From Tour With Love” to 20 Monroe Live in Grand Rapids, beguiling enthused fans with “Straightjacket,” “Sad Still” and other hits. Check out the review and photo gallery, exclusively at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Local Spins at SXSW · Photos · Videos
Brother Elsey, Jordan Hamilton, Jack Droppers, Michigander, Stef Chura, Steppes and more closed out the Michigan House run in Texas with a diverse showcase Monday at an Austin nightclub. Get the recap, photo gallery and video highlights at Local Spins.
Features · Local Spins at SXSW · Photos
Local Spins’ intrepid SXSW correspondent Ricky Olmos recaps the opening salvo of Michigan bands at South by Southwest as 10 acts prepare for a big Michigan House showcase. Check out today’s recap and photos.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
St. Patrick’s Day revelry is everywhere, but the week also sizzles with Tab Benoit, Kyle Hollingsworth, Blackberry Smoke, The Flesh Eaters, Vienna Boys Choir, Amy Lavere, Mustard Plug, The Outer Vibe, Domestic Problems and more. See how you can win tickets to the giant Irish on Ionia party and peruse our riveting Under-the-Radar Picks.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Podcasts
The March Local Spins segment on Michigan Radio’s ‘Stateside’ showcased new music from four attention-getting West Michigan acts from different ends of the musical spectrum: pop to country to soft indie-rock to funky blues. Listen to the ‘Stateside’ podcast as well as full versions of new songs by the featured West Michigan artists.
Audio · Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
The seventh edition of the annual festival on July 27-28 will also boast sets by Kali Uchis, Lizzo, King Princess, The Story So Far, Noname and more. Tickets go on sale Friday. Check out details and listen to a playlist of Mo Pop artists at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Local Spins kicks off a new monthly feature on Detroit- and Ann Arbor-area artists with a look at the music of Alyssa Midcalf, also known as Primer, who plays a Grand Rapids album-release show on March 1. Get the back story about this innovative artist, watch a video and listen to a track from her album.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Upcoming shows · Videos
With Michigan’s soulful roots phenomenon The War and Treaty playing Grand Rapids on Sunday, Local Spins asked Michael and Tanya Trotter to assemble Top 10 playlists of their favorite songs — lists which say a lot about their own music. Listen to the tracks and see why they’re special to this Albion couple.
This February roundup of releases by Michigan artists also takes a look at new recordings by Andrew Saliba, Kaitlyn Zittel and The Aquaerials. Check out the reviews, listen to tracks from all of the artists.
Breaking music news · Local Spins at SXSW · Upcoming shows
Ten artists were selected from 300-plus entries to play an official showcase in Austin, with Flint Eastwood, Seth Bernard and Jordan Hamilton playing other Michigan House shows. And Local Spins will host an SXSW preview show in Grand Rapids featuring Brother Elsey and Droppers on March 6. See who else was chosen and listen to music from all of the Michigan House acts.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Podcasts
February’s Local Spins segment on Michigan Radio’s “Stateside” gave listeners statewide a taste of Kalamazoo cellist/hip hop artist Jordan Hamilton, Grand Rapids’ funky Melophobix and pop/folk-rock’s Max Lockwood. Enjoy the podcast, read more about the featured artists and listen to their songs at Local Spins.
WYCE-FM hosts the 20th Jammies show Friday at The Intersection, with 34 acts on stage and tons of awards doled out. Browse — and save — the jam-packed schedule and see who some of last year’s winners have chosen as their ‘best artists of the year.’
Album reviews · Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
With elements of intoxicating pop and airy vocals, Max Lockwood’s sophomore solo recording officially gets released Friday night at The Pyramid Scheme with the singer-songwriter backed by an all-star band. Get the story behind this project and watch videos for two of Lockwood’s new songs.
Dedicated fans trekked through hazardous weather conditions to join the party thrown by Panic! At the Disco on Tuesday night in Grand Rapids. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Featuring Sublime with Rome, Melophobix, Walk the Moon and more, dive into another photo and video recap of several concerts across West Michigan, from pop to electronic music to rock and more — from The Intersection to 20 Monroe Live to Bell’s Brewery to The Pyramid Scheme to Old Dog Tavern.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Grand Rapids musician was this week’s guest for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted new tracks by Joshua Davis, How to Live Together, Tiger and Frame, Syd Burnham and more. Learn more about Jes Kramer’s latest project, watch the in-studio video, listen to the full radio show podcast.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Before returning to Nashville, the Rockford-bred band played a hometown show at Rockford Brewing and in the studio for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted new tracks by Lynn Thompson and Lushh. The show also started counting down tracks from some of the most-played local and regional albums at WYCE over the past year. Watch videos of The Outer Vibe performances, listen to the radio show podcast.
Features · Top 10 Lists · Videos
It’s another mind-bending array of music that’s impressed Local Spins writers over the past year, from Robyn to Janelle Monae, Lindsay Lou to Urfaust, Childish Gambino to Julian Allen and more. Browse these “best of” lists, sample music from the featured artists and then submit your own Top 5 picks.
Attention, Local Spins readers: Send us your choices for best albums or songs of the year, and we’ll publish the lists and enter your name in a drawing for a Local Spins gift package. And we’ve included a bunch of ‘best music’ lists from other media outlets to give you some ideas.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The West Michigan band’s debut Friday included a show at Billy’s Lounge and an in-studio for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted new local holiday tunes and more. Find out more about Dalmatian Stone, watch videos of their first public performance and listen to the radio show podcast featuring the premiere of tracks by Kevin DePree, Michael Dause, The JetBeats, Westrin & Mowry and more.
Seven acts — from Roxy Music to Stevie Nicks to The Zombies — will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame next year. Here’s a recap of the inductees and some videos of the Class of 2019.
