Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
With the Grand Rapids rock band set to play Local Spins’ 10th anniversary celebration in May, Legal Immigrants frontman Joe Bockheim today reveals the albums that most influenced him. Listen to tracks from all of his picks, plus a couple of tracks from The Legal Immigrants.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
This week’s roundup of concert photos actually starts last weekend with the return of live music to Founders, plus the first West Michigan shows in quite some time starring some compelling bands. Browse all of the photo galleries at Local Spins.
The “Comeback Road” series partnership between the Destination Live Music video team and Local Spins continues with a fresh look at the reopening of Skelletones, featuring interviews with the owners, young patrons and bands.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
For this year’s creepy soundtrack, Local Spins asked dark folk/gothic Americana artist and Halloween lover Stovepipe Stover for his eeriest favorites, from Killer Klowns to a witch’s doo-wop ode to a local gem. Listen to the songs and watch the videos at Local Spins, if you dare.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
All Time Low’s Saturday night tour stop at Grand Rapids’ GLC Live at 20 Monroe wrapped up a week of wildly disparate live music. Browse the photo galleries at Local Spins.
Grand Rapids’ renovated and much-beloved S. Division Avenue club will stage its first show in 12 years on Friday, with a lineup of hard-rocking West Michigan bands. The preview at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
August’s final weekend featured a flurry of live music from Grand Rapids’ Breakaway festival and The Pyramid Scheme to the 28th Street Metro Cruise to Kalamazoo’s State Theatre. Revisit the action in images at Local Spins.
As August continues to heat up, Local Spins spotlights six new releases by West Michigan artists, from compelling Americana to lively indie-pop to reimagined punk. Check out the reviews, with audio samples from each album.
Photos · Upcoming shows · Venue Spotlight
One of Grand Rapids’ newest music venues emerges from the pandemic with four nights of shows each week, including open-mics hosted by Melophobix and Raven Griffin. The venue spotlight at Local Spins, with a photo gallery and listing of upcoming shows.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Grand Rapids band and its new album were spotlighted by Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Earth Radio, Paulie Cohen, Brian Koenigsknecht, Sophia Carmen, Pink Sky, Mark Sander and more. Get to know Dance Contraption and listen to this week’s full radio show podcast.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Features · Playlists
The Local Spins series highlighting recordings that influenced Michigan-bred musicians continues with Americana/outlaw country artist Nathan Kalish, whose inspirations vary widely. Listen to his picks, along with a track from his most recent album.
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows · Venue Spotlight
The legendary Division Avenue hot spot for teens which staged its last show in 2009 is under renovation by former operator Mark Leech. Learn more about this plan to fill a regional void in all-ages venues and watch some historical show footage at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Videos
The West Michigan visual artist and musician moved to France in early 2020 and has embraced the vibrant city. Learn more about his relocation and his upcoming Americana/punk album; listen to a new track from the forthcoming release.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The prolific artist with a new album was featured at Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Brother Elsey, The Accidentals, The Skinny Limbs, L. Supreme & Jasonmakesgoodbeats, River City Narrative, Ohly and more. Get the latest from Tom Hymn, watch a music video for a track from his upcoming album and listen to the full radio show podcast at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins Rewind · Podcasts
Learn more about the Holland folk-punk trio and watch its new videos in this Local Spins Rewind feature.
January’s second batch of albums reviews at Local Spins spotlights the latest releases by several artists from Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo. Check out the reviews, listen to the music, find out where some of these artists are performing.
The band which plays The Pyramid Scheme Friday night plans to follow up its high-energy 2019 EP with a full-length album later this year. The Local Spins Artist Spotlight on Birdie Country, with videos.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Grand Rapids songwriter played Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted new tracks by Political Lizard, Stone Soup & The Broken Teeth, One Blown Speaker, Hannah Rose Graves, Asamu Johnson and more. Listen to the radio show podcast and check out the in-studio video at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The first week of October also brings us Devotchka, Melvins, Orville Peck, Dark Star Orchestra, The Zannies, Lifeline, beer fests, Pulaski Days, a GLAMAversary event and much more. Check out the riveting Under-the-Radar Picks and this week’s ticket giveaway.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Prettymuch, Corrosion of Conformity, The Beach Boys, Gaelic Storm, The Menzingers, the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival and much more are also on the docket. Check all of this week’s featured concert selections, Under-the-Radar Picks and win tickets to see Badfish: A Tribute to Sublime at The Intersection’s Rock The Lot.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Browse the resplendent Local Spins images from another weekend of diverse and crowd-energizing live music, from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo including Lettuce, Xavier Wulf, Sadie Bass, FLUSHED, Turnspit and more.
The much-beloved organizer of Skitchin’ Fest and publisher of Skitchin’ Music Zine is preparing for the third incarnation of the Grand Rapids punk festival that takes place over two days this weekend at The Pyramid Scheme. Read the inspiring back story about Tyler Dykema and get details about this weekend’s festival at Local Spins. And see how you can win tickets to Skitchin’ Fest.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The Bell’s Brewery Beer Garden opening weekend, House With a Yard, B93’s Battle to the Bash finals, Midwest Fest, Secret Forte and more fire up this week’s concert lineup. See how you can win tickets to Skitchin’ Fest and check out the fascinating Under-the-Radar Picks.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Outdoor festival season kicks off on a week that also boasts several album-release shows by West Michigan artists along with much, much more. Peruse this week’s featured concerts and Under-the-Radar Picks, and see how you can win tickets to the White Birch Music Festival.
From a sold-out eighth anniversary bash at The Pyramid Scheme to some iconic rockers to an indoor festival for a good cause, it was another active week of live music in the Grand Rapids area. Browse all of the images at Local Spins.
The two giants of the rock world brought their joint tour to Van Andel Arena on Wednesday night, and they gave fans plenty of reasons to leave happy. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Mid-March also brings us In the Valley Below, LadyFest GR, Pink Sky, Lady Ace Boogie, Dan Rickabus, Desmond Jones, Trevor Hall and much more. And see how you can win concert tickets to two different shows at The Pyramid Scheme this week.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The concert week also features Moneybagg Yo, The Crystal Method, Brother Elsey & Jack Droppers in a pre-SXSW preview show, Gibbz, Runa and much, much more. Plus, see how you can win tickets to see Local H, with Valentiger and Slumlord Radio.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Gungor kicks off the week in Holland, with Laith Al-Saadi, Michigander, Max Lockwood, That Beatles Thing, Mark Lavender, The Holy Warheads and more also featured on The Big List.
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.
Album reviews · Audio · Upcoming shows
Check out the latest batch of Michigan releases being showcased at Local Spins — from high-profile acts to under-the-radar artists — and sample tracks from the featured albums, including recordings by Blueflowers and The Dead Shepherds.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Social Distortion’s weekend tour stop at Grand Rapids’ 20 Monroe Live was just part of a music week that also featured appearances by Arturo Sandoval, Collective Soul, Blockhead, Kind Country and more. Browse the photo galleries at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The week of live music kicks off with the return to West Michigan of Fleetwood Mac, but also boasts Royal Wood, Earth Radio, Elizabeth Landry, Wayland, Golf Clap, Anne Heaton, Jen Sygit, Founders’ Harvest Party and more. Make your entertainment plans with help from The Big List Concert Guide at Local Spins.
The MC5 anniversary tour stop at Grand Rapids’ 20 Monroe Live drew a curiously, half-full house Saturday but the powerhouse band led by Wayne Kramer still proved its influential, rock ‘n’ roll mettle. Check out the exclusive review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The arrival of autumn also brings Keller Williams, Heather Maloney, KJ & The Good Time Family Band, a jazzy Grand Rapids Symphony tribute to Paul McCartney and more. Check out this week’s spotlighted shows, plus our Under-the-Radar Picks.
Just ahead of a big homecoming show in Chicago, Fall Out Boy delivered fan faves and more at Van Andel Arena on Thursday with child-like vigor, pyrotechnics and dizzying lights. Check out the review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Labor Day stars the West Michigan Labor Fest, Johnnyswim and LIVE, with plenty to follow the rest of the week: Perrin’s Backyard Bash, Fareed Haque, SALES, Kyle Cook, JMM Jazz, a Grateful Dead tribute and much more. Check out all the featured shows and Under-the-Radar Picks.
Local Spins music critic John Serba absorbed the brutish, beautifully ‘apelike rock’ of the iconic L.A. punk/metal/grunge band that rattled The Pyramid Scheme on Monday. Read his take on the rock ‘n’ roll assault along with photos by Katy Batdorff — only at Local Spins.
The rock-oriented, summertime “Ryne Shyne” LowellArts series assembled by young Lowell entrepreneur Ryne Clarke boasts a special atmosphere with shows captured on video and broadcast on radio. Read more about the series and check out a photo gallery of recent performer Bet on Rats.
Tied up or out of town for Memorial Day weekend? Here’s a recap of some musical magic you may have missed, courtesy of Local Spins and media outlets elsewhere across Michigan. Check out links to coverage of Movement, Bled Fest and more.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
This week’s packed lineup also features Andrew McMahon, Gladys Knight, Phillip Phillips, The Menzingers, BoDeans and more, plus win tickets to see the Gin Blossoms and Valentiger. Get the complete lowdown in this week’s Big List, plus some riveting Under-the-Radar Picks.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The three-day Skitchin’ Fest of punk fury, Bimini Brothers’ 35th anniversary spectacle, tour stops by Lindsay Lou and Michigander, and the wild Bass Country electronic music show powered up a weekend of live music in Grand Rapids, captured in images at Local Spins.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts · Summer Festivals · Videos
A new Michigan street fair fires up Lansing June 23 with national and local rock bands; piano whiz Folds is part of a 2018 Picnic Pops series which also boasts Tito Puente Jr. and an “’80s Rewind” show. Get the lineups for both at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
This week’s live music recap showcases concerts at 20 Monroe Live, The Intersection’s Elevation, The Pyramid Scheme, Bell’s Brewery Eccentric Cafe, SpeakEZ Lounge and the third annual Starkbierfest at Cedar Springs Brewing. Ogle all the images, including shots from performances by Reggie & The Full Effect, Delilah DeWylde, Lipstick Jodi, Tambourina, Fauxgrass, Cardboard Highway, The Mushmen and more.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Styx and REO Speedwagon get the week started, but there’s plenty more: VaporPalooza, Chilly Blues & Brews, Organissimo, Flamingo Nosebleed, JOUNCE, WO-Stock, The Big Gig and another Local Showcase. Get all of this week’s live music picks on The Big List.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Valentine’s Day brings Kathy Lamar’s “Sade/Love Songs” to SpeakEZ Lounge, with the week also featuring Brockhampton, Cabildo, Kofi Baker, Twin Flame, Badfish and more. Plus, see how you can win Pop Evil tickets as part of our weekly giveaway. And plan ahead with our exclusive “On the Horizon” list.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Super Bowl weekend is about more than just a big football game: West Michigan boasted a couple of music festivals and tour stops by George Clinton, Blues Traveler, Trampa, Judy Collins, Morgan Wallen and more. Check out all of the resplendent photo galleries at Local Spins — the perfect pre-game entertainment.
Concert announcements · Festivals
The outdoor festival on Jan. 27 will also boast sets by Jake Kershaw, Hollywood Makeout and Fauxgrass, with proceeds benefiting Kids’ Food Basket. See the full schedule and check out details at Local Spins.
This pre-Christmas batch of regional releases covers a lot of ground, with some much-anticipated new albums in the mix. Read the reviews, listen to the music.
Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Relive a December week of live music across West Michigan, from hip hop to country to jam bands and more — all captured in Local Spins photo galleries, plus videos.
