A busy year for new Michigan releases amid a pandemic gives music fans a lot to savor, including impressive albums by four Grand Rapids artists as well as northern Michigan’s Biomassive and the trio of Pico, Chown & Sears. Read the reviews, listen to music from each of the spotlighted artists.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Upcoming shows
Ladysmith Black Mambazo, The Verve Pipe, Waldo, The Bad Plus and more impressive, eclectic acts played Grand Rapids’ Listening Room before the COVID shutdown. Here’s a sampling of the venue’s favorites. Check out the videos and the Spotify playlist 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.
Local Spins delves into some brand new Michigan-made releases — from a jazzy and soulful new Erlewine project to a Lansing band hitting its stride. Read the reviews, listen to songs from each of the featured albums.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
August rolls on with the usual outdoor deck and patio shows, plus a few bigger concerts, including the kickoff to a new drive-in series in Southwest Michigan. Browse this week’s live music guide at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
On a near-perfect July night, Asamu Johnson & The Associates of the Blues and Hannah Rose Graves regaled a happy crowd for a rare display of live music outside Grand Rapids’ Studio Park. Get the recap, photos and video highlights from Thursday’s show at Local Spins.
Check out this robust bunch of genre-spanning music videos by Michigan artists — plus a video plea to support bills that would help rescue concert venues ravaged by COVID-19.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
This week’s guest contributor, Calin Skidmore of Grand Rapids’ SpeakEZ Lounge, tapped a keg filled with drinking songs that fondly recall pre-pandemic days of sharing good times with friends. Watch the videos, listen to the tracks on Spotify.
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.
Last week’s “Question of the Week” at Local Spins sparked a record number of responses from readers reminiscing about the first concert they ever attended. Check out some of their memories and the wide variety of artists who first captured their live music fancy.
Concert announcements · Live-Stream Concerts · Summer Festivals
One of northern Michigan’s most popular music festivals canceled its in-person gathering near Harbor Springs due to COVID-19, so artists such as Thornetta Davis, Desmond Jones and Rainbow Girls will instead perform online. Get more information and a schedule at Local Spins.
