Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The celebrated Chicago brass ensemble that blends funk, jazz, hip hop and soul into its lively approach plays Grand Rapids’ Midtown tonight. The Local Spins interview.
Today is the Veterans Day holiday, so we’re unfurling some classic tracks that commemorate those in the military and the sacrifices they’ve made, as well as anthems for peace in the face of endless global conflicts. Listen to the songs, watch the videos.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Upcoming shows
August the duo plays SpeakEZ Lounge tonight, led by the GR keyboardist and singer. The back story, plus Local Spins debuts tracks by other Michigan artists, including Von Kaiser, Overdrive Orchestra, The Concussions, The Blue Herons, Tunde Olaniran, Chris DuPont and more.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Wednesday’s first-ever Stevie Wonder concert at Van Andel Arena — the next-to-last stop on the legendary artist’s October tour – boasted a massive backing ensemble. Review, photos and more at Local Spins.
Audio · Playlists · Upcoming shows
The Michigander and legendary Motown artist brings his “Sing Your Song As We Fix Our Nation’s Broken Heart” tour to Van Andel Arena Wednesday. Warm up with this Local Spins playlist of Stevie Wonder classics.
From a Detroit rock icon to a rising Grand Rapids indie-pop duo to a veteran bluesman, this Local Spins roundup of Michigan releases digs into some enticing 2024 releases by regional artists. Check out the reviews, listen to tracks from each release.
To commemorate the Detroit Tigers’ incredible late-season run, Local Spins has compiled a special playlist filled with iconic hits from the 1968 and 1984 championship seasons, along with current hits. Go Tigers!
Artist Spotlights · Kalamazoo · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
Local Spins spotlights Kalamazoo’s diverse and robust musical artists, with movers and shakers naming acts more people should know. Plus, our radio show podcast debuts new tracks by a host of Michigan bands. Learn more about these artists and listen to this week’s show.
Concert reviews · Festivals · Photos
Hawks and Owls delivered a tantalizing first chapter in a new Grand Rapids concert series, while eclectic bands from across the state closed out Kalamazoo’s week-long music festival. The images from both events at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Festivals · Photos
The opening night of the seven-day festival featured five eclectic singer-songwriters performing varied tunes in an intimate setting. The recap, photos, video highlights and more at Local Spins, along with the performance schedule for the rest of the week.
Musicians’ financial and labor struggles have continued in 2024. So here in their own words, Local Spins provides its annual Labor Day column exploring the plight of Michigan artists and performers.
Canada’s ‘Stayin’ Alive’ tribute to the Bee Gees hits Grand Rapids next Saturday. The Local Spins interview with singer Todd Sharman, along with a video of the band.
Concert reviews · Festivals · Photos
Saturday’s second annual festival celebrated the KDL Vibes regional music streaming service with sets by more than a dozen acts, including Phabies, Earth Radio, Ralston Bowles and more. Revisit the event in words and photos at Local Spins.
The award-winning ’90s vocal group mixed hits with popular covers during their Meijer Gardens debut on Sunday night. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins, along with images from another vocal group sensation at Meijer Gardens: Il Divo.
Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
Festivalgoers basked in Saturday’s sunny weather as the second-year event delivered impassioned sets from seven acts, including Hannah Wicklund, who created a real buzz with her performance. Check out Local Spins’ review of the festival, along with photos and video highlights.
All five acts took to stages across the state this week, from Kalamazoo to Grand Rapids to Sparta and beyond. Browse the photo galleries from these shows and more, only at Local Spins.
Two concerts starring beloved acts rolled out in Grand Rapids on Friday night, and Local Spins was there to capture the musical action at both. Check out the reviews and photos.
The Kalamazoo musician’s latest album has been embraced by WYCE programmers and radio listeners, with up-and-coming band Money Soup making its chart debut at No. 2. See who else made the chart and listen to tracks from all of the releases at Local Spins.
After buying beer for fans at a St. Cecilia concert earlier this year, a fan returned the favor by supplying the singer-songwriter a drink Wednesday at Meijer Gardens. Just part of an inviting Grand Rapids show. The review and photos at Local Spins.
Despite a delay caused by a fan’s medical emergency, the Austin-bred duo, plus backing band, heated up Meijer Gardens on Sunday with their signature blend of psychedelic soul and rock, The concert review and photos at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Features · Upcoming shows
Two district libraries are seeking tracks by artists from the Grand Rapids and Traverse City areas for special streaming services that showcase Michigan music. Details at Local Spins.
Hot Top 5 · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
This week’s Local Spins on WYCE radio show not only highlighted tracks by the Hot Top 5 artists for May, but boasts an interview with the city manager about the new amphitheater and his favorite acts.
Wednesday’s concert at Meijer Gardens delivered the familiar and funky ensemble’s catchy catalog of material, bringing many fans to their feet. The review, photos at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
The legendary horn band brings its tour to Meijer Gardens on Wednesday. The Local Spins interview with bandleader Emilio Castillo, who’s led the group for more than 50 years.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
From one end of Michigan to the other, the weekend kicked off with a celebratory flair, featuring a star-studded christening of an iconic building and the return of a GR institution. Get the recaps, photo galleries and a video at Local Spins.
Grand Rapids’ Par-Llo Connection and Avalon Cutts-Jones kicked off the 2024 edition of the Tuesday Evening Music Club series. The recap and photos at Local Spins.
West Michigan’s concert week boasted opening nights for two outdoor summer concert series, tour stops by metal, blues & EDM faves, and some regional stars, including Pocket Watch and The Marsupials. Browse the photo galleries at Local Spins.
The 2024 concert calendar is chock full of outdoor concerts at diverse venues across Michigan, starring national touring powerhouses as well as regional bands. Local Spins has the schedules.
Emerging Artists to Watch · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
This week’s all-new-Michigan-music edition of Local Spins on WYCE featured new, emerging artists: Anaia Lachelle, Metzfire, Future Things, Ryan Cassidy and 56 Tornadoes, along with tracks by established acts such as The Accidentals, Earth Radio and Lipstick Jodi. Learn more and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
Today’s ‘sneak-peek’ announcement of three concerts booked for the popular amphitheater series boasts impressive double bills. Meijer Gardens also has revealed a new ticketing provider for 2024. Get the details at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements
From Full Cord and The Bootstrap Boys to Laura Rain and Jack Droppers, 19 bands and solo artists will perform at the Feb. 23 celebration taking place at The Intersection in Grand Rapids. The lineup at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Upcoming shows
The Grand Rapids singer will perform with Karen Albert and Lucy Finkel on Friday for ‘So You Think You Don’t Like Opera’ as part of the Music in the Heights series. Learn more about her at Local Spins.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio
Today, Local Spins’ popular series exploring the recordings that have impacted musicians, celebrities and various leaders spotlights the Michigan governor’s picks — and Great Lakes State artists play a starring role. Check out her picks and listen to the tracks at Local Spins.
Commentary · Detroit Lions · Playlists · Videos
We musically recount the Detroit Lions’ mostly futile playoff experiences since their 1957 championship while predicting a Sunday win amid more upbeat themes for an NFL team on the rise. The Local Spins column and a unique playoff playlist.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Top 10 Lists
Today, we reveal the Top 10 songs of the year by Michigan bands and solo acts, based on airplay at Grand Rapids’ WYCE (88.1 FM). View the Top 10, listen to the music and this week’s radio show podcast.
Concert reviews · Photos · Top Stories of the Year Countdown
In early June, a capacity crowd greeted country star Chris Stapleton, with Michigan’s own The War & Treaty and Marcus King also on board. The review was the 13th most popular story of the year. Revisit the coverage, including a photo gallery at Local Spins.
The country and Americana artist has organized Saturday’s benefit show in Caledonia, with more than a dozen West Michigan acts performing and raffles to support Mel Trotter Ministries. View the lineup and learn more about this special concert at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Beyond a flurry of football, the long Thanksgiving weekend cooked up a buffet of rock, hip hop, bluegrass, Americana and jam-band charm at venues from Grand Rapids to Holland to Kalamazoo.
From rock and soul to world music and “Traditional Songs & Ballads of the Irish Diaspora” courtesy of Nick Veine and Ben Traverse, this mid-November round-up covers plenty of musical territory. Check out the reviews, listen to the music.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
The Traverse City musician (Medicinal Groove) and manager of The Alluvion reveals the recordings that have shaped his own career. Listen to tracks from all of his selections at Local Spins.
Albums that Changed the World · Artist Spotlights · Audio
With impressive credentials acquired during stints in Nashville and L.A., Jones adores his northern Michigan homestead and the three albums that have inspired him. Listen to tracks from those recordings, a current favorites and songs by Jones himself.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Check out Local Spins photo galleries featuring Fred Armisen’s Grand Rapids tour stop, plus weekend shows in Kalamazoo starring Headband Henny and Horseshoes & Hand Grenades.
It was a hump day unlike any other with fist-pumping affairs at GLC Live at 20 Monroe and Kalamazoo State Theatre, plus the launch of Local Spins Wednesdays and Sounds of the Zoo’s Day 3. Browse the photo galleries from all of the shows at Local Spins.
Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
Alger Park Church hosts the third season of the series featuring eclectic Michigan acts, including classical music, a twist on opera and ‘The Music That Raised Us’ tribute to black female icons. Get the schedule and more details at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
The week-long Kalamazoo festival’s opening night boasted diverse, riveting sets at Bell’s Brewery Back Room, with six more days of Michigan music to come. View photos and a video at Local Spins, along with a recap of Monday’s event.
Audio · Emerging Artists to Watch · Videos
Local Spins’ ‘Emerging Artists to Watch’ series focuses on a genre-bending act led by a singer and songwriter from Southwest Michigan who’s generating sparks live. The band released its debut album last week.
The soulful English singer made her amphitheater debut on Sunday night, celebrating two decades of her music. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
As summer begins to wane, live music continues to heat up stages from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo. Revisit eight shows from the past week in images at Local Spins.
Two beloved septuagenarians brought their enduring music to Meijer Gardens on Thursday night for a sold-out concert that covered a lot of musical ground. The Local Spins review and photo gallery.
Wednesday’s summer squall abated in time for a captivating performance amid picture-perfect weather in Meijer Gardens’ sold-out amphitheater, The review and photos at Local Spins.
