Summer Concerts · Weekend Photo Gallery
Summer hasn’t started winding down just yet: Music is firing on all cylinders from Grand Rapids to Holland to Jackson County. Check out the images at Local Spins in The Weekend Photo Gallery.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
With summer festival season raging, the Aug. 7 edition featured performers from Cowpie Music Fest, plus jazz trumpeter Chris Lawrence with L.A.’s Linosphere and music from new local CDs. Listen to the full podcast and check out the video of Linosphere’s in-studio performance.
Features · Live at River City · Podcasts · Videos
One of West Michigan’s fastest-rising vocal talents and her band spent an electrifying hour at a Grand Rapids studio earlier this summer, playing songs new and old while revealing their special chemistry. Read the story, listen to the interview and watch the riveting video. Only at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Whether your tastes ran from the droll Garrison Keillor to the soul of The Temptations and The Soul Syndicate to the rap of ConvoTronics, summer’s music machine kept whirring this week — captured in images at Local Spins.
The Beach Boys brought The Temptations along on their return to Meijer Gardens on Friday, with both legendary bands — each led by one original member — churning out familiar summer favorites. Read the recap of the show and check out the photo gallery from a sun-splashed night.
Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
Check out the latest visual treats from a diverse bunch of West Michigan bands, all of whom are firing up stages this summer from Grand Rapids to Traverse City to Los Angeles. It’s Local Spins’ version of MTV, only better.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
Local Spins’ latest radio episode spotlighting regional music got soulfully skanky in-studio with Grand Rapids’ Skankadank and boasted a sneak peek into several new local albums. Listen to the entire podcast here.
Features · Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Ragbirds, Josh Garrels and Bill Kirchen might have escaped your notice but they shouldn’t. Local Spins takes a closer look at three shows flying below the radar this week in the Grand Rapids area, with links to their music and videos.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
From Kalamazoo to Lansing to Grand Rapids, live music took center stage this week with the Tuesday Evening Music Club kickoff, Billy Strings & Don Julin, Nobody’s Darlin’, the season’s first GRAM on the Green show and much more in the mix. Check out the resplendent photo gallery with links to images from concerts by Mat Kearney, Patty Griffin, Mavis Staples and Joshua Davis.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts
Although the Grammy-winning singers never took the stage together, their inspiring sets on a gorgeous Thursday night in Grand Rapids oozed “positive vibration.” Check out the Local Spins review and photo gallery.
Features · Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
Tuesday’s “Family Night” kickoff will feature interactive performances of music and dance by An Dro, Michigan Hiryu Daiko, Leah Ivory & the Rhym Life Collective, Igor Houwat and more. See the full series schedule for 2015.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts
The gracious Austin-based guitarist and his band reflected a “beautiful, amazing” vibe at the outdoor amphitheater on Wednesday, uncorking a show to remember. Read the review and check out the photo gallery at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
Playing with West Michigan’s Junior Valentine and Hank Mowery in the ’90s helped set the stage for the Austin-based musician’s fortuitous relationship with Clark, who stops at Meijer Gardens Wednesday. Read the exclusive Local Spins interview with Bradley, who’s spent the past five years in Clark’s band.
Concert reviews · Summer Concerts · Weekend Photo Gallery
Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue’s debut at Meijer Gardens was just the capper on a music-filled week in the Grand Rapids area, captured in images at Local Spins. Check out the review of Sunday’s show, along with photos of concerts from the past week, including the Battle of the Bands finals at The Intersection.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The super-deluxe, star-studded edition of Local Spins on WYCE (Episode No. 42) boasted in-studio appearances and performances by acts offering up house concerts in a WYCE auction, plus brand new music from Scott Pellegrom and The Tosspints. Check out the podcast and watch the video of the first-ever live collaboration between Big Dudee Roo and Rick Chyme.
This live music week in West Michigan also boasted shows by The Accidentals, Fauxgrass, Hey Marco!, Full Catastrophe, Hall & Oates and, yes, a Traverse City homecoming bash for “The Voice’s” Joshua Davis. Check out the full photo gallery at Local Spins.
The duo brought a boatload of catchy ’70s and ’80s pop hits to stoke the embers of a Saturday night dance party for an audience of about 7,500 at Van Andel Arena. Read Local Spins review by Tricia Woolfenden and view the photo gallery by Anthony Norkus.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
Episode 37 of the show also featured the debut of songs by Jesse Ray & The Carolina Catfish and Thunderbolt & Lightfoot, with a cover of May Erlewine by Sawyer Fredericks on the “The Voice.” Listen to the entire show podcast.
May’s batch of Local Spins album reviews covers the gamut from soul to folk, a round-up that also includes new releases from Plain Jane Glory, Watching for Foxes and Complicated Animals. Check out the reviews, with links to audio samples and upcoming gig schedules for the featured bands.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Videos
Local Spins’ third anniversary celebration in May will feature shows by some of our readers’ favorite bands, all of whom have much-anticipated new albums on the way. See which other Michigan acts ranked high among reader favorites and find out who won our Local Spins gift packages.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Beyond sellouts by Todd Rundgren, Rhiannon Giddens and Andrew W.K., the week was a musical marvel: Jam-packed shows for Vox Vidorra, the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion and Joe Louis Walker, with Mayer Hawthorne, Big K.R.I.T. and more playing Ferris Fest in BIg Rapids. Check out all the photos.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
Interlochen’s summer of music opens with Michael McDonald in mid-June and wraps up with O.A.R on Sept. 1. Tickets go on sale April 24. See the full lineup.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
The June 20 street party also features Elephant Revival, Gringo Star, Billy Strings & Don Julin, Devin & The Dead Frets, Organissimo and FBC All-Stars. Advance tickets go on sale April 17. Check out the details for one of Grand Rapids’ biggest summer street fests.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements
The April Fool’s Day edition of the music news roundup is no joke: A much-beloved Michigan blues artist is making big waves nationally and the Hoxeyville festival in the middle of the Manistee National Forest is back for a 12th year. Read details and see the full lineup.
Breaking music news · Summer Concerts
Live music in the great outdoors is everywhere – often free – across West Michigan every summer. Here are the first few announcements of summer lineups featuring regional acts. See the schedules thus far.
The early March edition of Local Spins reviews probes regional albums with a pop sheen along with a few that boast truly inventive folk textures. Check out this month’s lineup, along with links for listening to the featured albums.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements
The teaser announcement of three 2015 concerts for the outdoor amphitheater boasts big names, with the full schedule revealed in mid-April. Tickets go on sale to Meijer Gardens members on April 25.
Features · Playlists · Upcoming shows
Mark VandenBerge’s lush ‘Ken Burns meets Trans-Siberian Orchestra’ production on Saturday will boast an all-star band, orchestra, choir and striking visuals. And check out his playlist of Top 5 Van Morrison songs.
Commentary · Features · Top 10 Lists
Once again, Local Spins asked music writers and West Michigan musicians to submit picks for the year’s best albums and songs – and they came through with a truly diverse mix, from Future Islands and New Pornographers to Snarky Puppy and Against Me! to The Go Rounds and Heaters. Submit yours and you could win a special gift package
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
Grand Rapids radio station WYCE-FM (88.1) reveals the roster of local and regional acts nominated for top honors during February awards show at The Intersection; 88-plus acts will vie for album of the year.
Some of West Michigan’s most compelling concerts didn’t feature arena-sized superstars, but inventive bands in their respective genres: jazz, psych rock/garage rock, hip hop, EDM and more.
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
WYCE has revealed its final performance lineup with Legacy Award winner The Verve Pipe, Micah Ling, Nicholas James Thomasma, Tom Hymn and more now part of the evening-long entertainment on two stages. Dozens will be honored with awards in several categories. See the full list of performers.
Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
The long Thanksgiving weekend gave live music fans plenty for which to be thankful, including some rising EDM stars at The Intersection, a much-anticipated CD-release show at Founders Brewing and rockabilly fervor at the Tip Top.
West Michigan musicians, Fenian’s Irish Pub (as it winds down toward the end of an era) and yes, the Detroit Lions, rank high on this Thanksgiving Day roster for 2014.[…]
With his vintage soul ensemble playing a special night-before-Thanksgiving show at Fifth Third Ballpark’s Pepsi Stadium Club, Diego Morales offers up thanks to an eclectic roster of influential songs … including some true R&B classics.
Artist Spotlights · Podcasts · Videos
With a new album on the way, the singer has re-established her music career in West Michigan after a long and successful run in Las Vegas. She plays One Trick Pony on Saturday night.
This year’s ArtPrize song contest winners officially got their rewards Tuesday, so Local Spins wanted to reward readers with a special playlist, from Edye Evans Hyde to Nick Drake.
The acclaimed singer plays Grand Rapids Thursday for the first time in years, performing as a duo while touring behind her new album, “Love and Hate.” And check out what[…]
Dozens of bands and musicians entering songs in Grand Rapids’ ArtPrize competition took their music to the streets this week in hopes of snagging votes for their tunes. Others were, well, just busking for dollars. (Photos)
Artist Spotlights · Podcasts · Videos
This week’s Local Spins Artist Spotlight shines on a band that picked up where Kalamazoo’s Funktion left off, led Fennville native Andrew Schrock. (Story, podcast, video)
While folk and roots music fans — including British actor Tom Hiddleston — packed a field in rural Mecosta County for Wheatland No. 41, local faves Hank Mowery & The Hawktones made their Founders Brewing debut and The Soul Syndicate played Billy’s Lounge for the first time.
After a spirited opening set by Lowdown Brass Band, Lake Street Dive delivered one of the true musical highlights of the summer. (Review, photo gallery)
The August batch of Local Spins reviews spotlights some much-anticipated recording projects from acclaimed bands (with sneak audio peeks), plus releases from The Northern Soul, Junior Valentine & Jason Wheeler, The Carboys, Bruce Matthews and Jake Vroon.
The first night of the unusual co-headlining tour starring G. Love & Special Sauce and Keb’ Mo’ at a sold-out Meijer Gardens amphitheater boasted separate sets by the pals and invigorating collaborations.
The seventh annual festival boasts a diverse lineup of music and beer, and Grand Rapids-area fans can take advantage of special daily bus trip to the event.
Two years in the making, the new retro-flavored R&B/funk album from the well-traveled musician boasts a who’s who lineup of Michigan talent. Frisinger’s band plays shows Thursday and Friday in Grand Haven.
The singer may feel ‘anonymous’ in The Music City but he’s still a star in West Michigan, performing Saturday in Kalamazoo’s District Square concert series.
The first batch of mid-July Local Spins CD reviews covers a dizzying range of Michigan artists and musical styles, from pop to funk to folk. And there’s plenty more to come.
The first Guest Playlist of July comes courtesy of an iconic West Michigan guitarist with a brand new album and an ear toward a perfectly retro soundtrack for summer.
Founders Brewing Co.’s seventh annual street party lived up to the hype with Charley Bradley & His Extraordinaires stealing the show with their fiery, retro-soul set, followed by the ultra-funk of Lettuce.
