The Florida rapper, singer and reggaeton star pumped up Acrisure Amphitheater on Thursday night as part of his “I’m Back” tour. Browse the photos of Pitbull and Lil Jon at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
One of the busiest live music weeks of 2026 rolled out across West Michigan to close out August — and Local Spins was there to recap the action in words and photos, from Ke$ha to Billy Strings.
America’s 250th birthday today means this country has embraced — and protected — its freedom for a very long time. So feel “free” to pump up the volume on this “Freedom Rocks” playlist, from Damian Marley and Billy Strings to Pitbull and Beyonce.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Our weekend roundup of concerts/festivals starts with the iconic Little Feat’s musical feats of strength at Meijer Gardens, followed by a host of fan-pleasing shows, including Charley Crockett, Pepper & The Movement, The Expendables and more from Smiling Acres Music Festival. Browse the photos.
Local Spins on WYCE · Photos · Podcasts
Local Spins’ latest Michigan Music Showcase features stars playing late June festivals as well as new music from Katie Greene, Lost at Ease, The Monkbirds, Adrian Jay Mitchell, a live track from Grupo Aye and more.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows · Videos
The “Live at Idlewild” festival unfurling June 27-28 in Idlewild will star Kindred the Family Soul, Take 6, Stanley Jordan, Alexander Zonjic, Angela Davis, Larry Lee, 496 West and more. The scoop at Local Spins.
The multi-instrumentalist and Meijer Gardens mainstay delivered familiar favorites and a few surprises Monday to an appreciative amphitheater of fans, with Tank & The Bangas getting things started. The review and photos at Local Spins.
The stars were out Monday in Grand Rapids, with Santana and The Doobie Brothers heating up a gorgeous night at Acrisure Amphitheater for a near-capacity crowd. The review and photos at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Touring behind a brand new album, “The Last Balloon,” Tank & The Bangas open tonight for Trombone Shorty at Meijer Gardens. The Local Spins Q&A with this electrifying band.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
An incredibly hectic week of live music continued through the weekend, from South Haven to Kalamazoo to Grand Rapids. Browse all of the images at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins Rewind
As we wrap up our 14th anniversary celebration at Local Spins, we highlight a memorable Top 10 list: Our most popular features on regional and national artists, based on readership.
The long-running Tuesday series that spotlights local and regional acts attracted a capacity crowd under sunny skies. The recap and photos at Local Spins.
Local Spins’ updated roster of Michigan acts playing more than 100 communities across the state includes schedules for Hudsonville, Elk Rapids, Middleville, Fennville and more. Check out updated listings and get a link to the full guide of summer shows.
Albums that Changed the World · Playlists · Videos
Kentwood native, Big Rapids recording studio owner and cancer survivor Michael Kreple is an award-winning veteran of the music industry. Today, he reveals the music that inspired him.
Artist Spotlights · Features · Kalamazoo
How Kalamazoo R&B artist Headband Henny stays hyper-focused on the here and now. Read the exclusive Local Spins interview with this emerging Midwest star ahead of his headlining show at Bell’s Eccentric Cafe on May 15th.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
Phabies, Soul Syndicate, Samuel Nalangira, Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra, Jake Kershaw and more will play the popular Tuesday series this summer. View the schedule.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows
Local Spins spotlights the Michigan-based artists who will christen Grand Rapids’ new venue next week, plus we debut fresh tracks by other regional acts — including several bands playing a private contractors’ festival at the amphitheater this weekend. The back story and more.
Local Spins film critic John Serba delves into the box-office smash biopic that’s drawn global attention and criticism. As he puts it, it’s ‘nostalgia smashing on jagged rocks.’ Plus, view the trailer.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Sam Grisman Project, Avatar, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Dave Bruzza led the charge of enticing concerts across West Michigan over the past week, with Yolonda Lavender, Micah Dailey-White and more adding to the live music energy. Browse six photo galleries in our recap at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
The soulful Kalamazoo singer-songwriter has been splitting time between Crescent City and her home state. The Local Spins Q&A with an artist playing Bell’s Spring Concert Series.
As the weather warms, music fans start planning for a summer of outdoor music at 100-plus communities across the state, most starring Michigan acts. Here are some schedules to check out with a link to the full lineups at dozens of locations.
Artist Spotlights · Emerging Artists to Watch · Upcoming shows
The Georgia native and Battle Creek-based R&B singer Asia Sings (A’Siaunnya Bryant) will be part of Bell’s Spring Concert Series after releasing several singles over the past three years. The Artist Spotlight feature at Local Spins, plus listen to her music.
The first Michigan album review round-up of 2026 spans the state and several genres. Check out the Local Spins takes on these fresh releases and listen to music from each recording.
Features · Summer Concerts · Top Stories of the Year Countdown
As the year end approaches, Local Spins’ countdown of its top 2025 stories hits No. 2 and No. 3 — our in-depth look back at Prince’s impact and the continued popularity of Meijer Gardens concerts.
Concert reviews · Top 10 Lists · Top Stories of the Year Countdown
Our countdown of Local Spins’ most-buzzed-about stories of the year continues with a review of legendary trumpeter Herb Alpert’s May tour stop at DeVos Performance Hall that drew robust standing ovations.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Local Spins’ week-in-review roundup of concerts as the weather turned frigid features sizzling hot shows from national stars and regional favorites. Browse the photos and a video, including Sunday’s tour-ending Grand Rapids concert by Soul Coughing.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The soulful jazz trio formed by organist Jim Alfredson and drummer Randy Marsh will play two star-studded shows to celebrate its birthday. Learn about Organissimo’s history and listen to its music at Local Spins.
To heat things up for our upcoming year-end round-up of best concerts and albums of 2025, we’re revealing the Top 5 concerts based on reader counts of concert reviews, and asking readers to submit their favorites, too. Those that do will be entered into a drawing for a Local Spins gift pack.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio
The acclaimed, faith-based Grand Rapids artist has made waves with his inspiring storytelling, racking up more than 75 million streams. Today, he reveals the recordings that have impacted him most.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Call it a weekend to celebrate new albums and fresh music performed by some regional favorites. Molly, Erin Monroe, Abe Savas and Zero Sun provided an eclectic mix for enthused fans. Browse the photos at Local Spins.
Touting their debut studio album, Don Was & The Pan-Detroit Ensemble revved up the intimate confines of The Alluvion listening room with two sold-out shows on Wednesday. The review and photos exclusively at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
The much-admired West Michigan singer and songwriter will play a full-band show at The Big Room on Saturday, the day after releasing a new single and music video, with more fresh songs on the way. The Local Spins interview.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
Reflecting the milieu of the entire seven-day music festival, Sunday’s closing salvo at Bronson Park boasted a wide swath of styles amid stellar weather. The recap and photos at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
Monday’s opening showcase at The Clover Room in Kalamazoo was the kickoff to seven days of live music at a host of venues. Get the recap, photos and festival schedule for Tuesday through Sunday.
Summer Festivals · Weekend Photo Gallery
Music lovers couldn’t have asked for much more: Regional bands at Vibes Fest, Celtic strains in Muskegon, an M-45 Celebration, two album-release shows in Kalamazoo and a tour stop by Soccer Mommy. The photos at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
The soulful Americana stars didn’t let rain and a power outage prevent them from delighting fans Saturday with an acoustic performance following the city’s 20-band Walk the Beat fest — with Lowell’s The Nuance winning this year’s competition. Recap, photos, video
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Chicago-based psychedelic and soulful indie-rocker plays The Pyramid Scheme in Grand Rapids and the Sonic Lunch series in Ann Arbor this week with West Michigan native and drummer Collin O’Brien aboard. The Local Spins interview with Francis, along with two of his latest music videos.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Summer Festivals
Local Spins chats with Shagbark fest honcho Farmer John Crissman about taking 2025 off and the challenges facing many festivals. On the flip side, our podcast features artists playing a host of August festivals.
Perfect weather, a rich wall of sound plus a hillside of adoring fans equaled an ideal environment for the beloved Michigan-bred act’s homecoming Friday at Meijer Gardens. Review, photos
Today, Local Spins recaps widely varying summer concerts that took place at disparate venues across West Michigan in early July. Browse the photos in this exclusive round-up.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Tuesday’s regional showcase at Meijer Gardens unfurled a slice of funky, groovy, electronic music for attendees, while Jesse Ray & The Carolina Catfish rocked a refurbished park in Rockford.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Undeterred by multiple weather-related delays, the New Orleans-based band rewarded a dedicated audience with an effusive, exuberant performance of familiar favorites. The review and photos at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Sunny, sultry weather greeted fans of vibrant music on Tuesday: The Music That Raised Us at Meijer Gardens, Jake Kershaw in Rockford and Watchhouse in Kalamazoo. Revisit the musical action in images at Local Spins.
Our early June roundup of new releases by artists from Michigan covers pop, country, funk, soul and much more. Check out the reviews and listen to tracks from all of the albums.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
In Kalamazoo, Pride shined through on a perfect day to celebrate diversity with a host of eclectic Michigan bands. Plus, GridLife Fest wrapped up two days of music in South Haven and Kalamazoo hosted ‘Art on the Mall’ performances. The recaps and photos at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Podcasts · Upcoming shows · Videos
Local Spins profiles the Kalamazoo band with a new single/video this week and playing Kalamazoo Pride, while also debuting fresh tracks from Kennedy Perez, Sonny Ski, Chloe Kimes, Jake Simmons, Flexadecibel and other Michigan artists. Learn more about The Nathan Moore Affair, watch their new music video and listen to this week’s Michigan Music Showcase podcast.
The legendary R&B singer brought a cavalcade of hits to the outdoor amphitheater on Wednesday, with Grand Rapids native Sarena Rae getting the evening started. The Local Spins review and photos.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The veteran blues band opens up about its new studio release for Local Spins, which also debuts tracks by Annagail, Desmond Jones, Rodeo Boys, Sixman, Flowers on the Grave and more. Get the back story on Out of Favor Boys and listen to this week’s radio show podcast at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
It was a funky weekend of music from Grand Rapid to Kalamazoo, with soulful, dance-fueled sets by everything from a British touring band to West Michigan favorites. The photos at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Commentary · Playlists · Videos
Today, Local Spins revisits the remarkable career of the American rock, funk, R&B and pop legend, showcases the continued popularity of Minnesota’s Paisley Park and traces West Michigan connections to The Purple One. Plus, check out a Top 9 Playlist of under-the-radar Prince classics.
