Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
In an interview with Local Spins writer Enrique Olmos, soul-rocker Elijah Russ reflects on traveling out west, honing his guitar chops, and the joy of video games as he prepares to front a 16-piece, all-star ensemble at Wealthy Theatre.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
The Local Spins series highlighting recordings that most influenced Michigan artists continues with a look at albums that shaped DJ SuperDre of Grand Rapids. Listen to tracks from all of her picks.
Breaking music news · Features
The celebrated bluegrass guitarist and Ionia County native was featured on the nationally televised evening spectacle, but lost out in two categories to fellow nominees Bela Fleck and Jon Batiste. Learn more at Local Spins.
Concert Listings · Summer Concerts
The striking, terraced venue behind Ridge Point Community Church east of Holland returns this summer with The Soul Syndicate, Jonathan Traylor, Brena, Tony Bakker & more. Check out the lineup, with links to summer series at other Michigan venues.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
To close out Women’s History Month, Local Spins recaps a special night in Grand Rapids: The “Music That Raised Us” concert at Listening Room starring some of West Michigan’s most dynamic female artists performing enduring, influential songs. Photos, video.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
Tonight, Michigan Music Alliance and Grand Rapids singer Sarena Rae stage “Music That Raised Us” at Listening Room — a tribute to influential black female artists. Before that, Sarena Rae shares a compelling soundtrack of female icons, from local favorites to internationally acclaimed stars.
Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
Get ready for summer: Grand Haven’s Friday waterfront series boasts the likes of Albert Lee and Kim Richey; Lowell, Sparta & Kentwood will host acts ranging from The Accidentals to The Soul Syndicate. View those schedules & more.
Artist Spotlights · Photos · Videos
The multi-instrumentalist and Michigan native has found a life-changing groove with Albion’s Michael and Tanya Trotter, who lead the fast-rising, Nashville-based band earning accolades while touring the globe. The interview, photos and videos at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
With educator/musician Glenn Bulthuis hosting a Motown class in March, Local Spins on WYCE digs into Motown’s impact while also debuting new music by several Michigan artists. Learn more about Motown and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Local Spins Rewind · Photos · Videos
This was to be the weekend when WYCE’s Jammie Awards finally returned to The Intersection. The pandemic, however, has pushed that back to June. So today, Local Spins revisits the jubilant 2020 awards show in words, photos and video highlights.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
With a new record on the way, ‘Michigan Songbird’ May Erlewine plays St. Cecilia Music Center in Grand Rapids on Feb. 17. Today, she reveals that albums that have influenced her the most. Bend an ear to the recordings, along with songs from Erlewine herself.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
The frontwoman for Detroit’s Laura Rain & The Caesars not surprisingly has been shaped by the music of classic R&B and funk artists. Listen to tracks from all of her picks at Local Spins.
Audio · Features · Top 10 Lists
Based on airplay at Grand Rapids’ WYCE-FM, the Local Spins Hot Top 10 list of most-played local and regional songs of the year covers soul, rock, rap, folk and electronic music. Listen to all of the Top 10 tracks at Local Spins.
Best Music of the Year · Features · Videos
Last week, Local Spins writers piped in with their “best of” lists for 2021. Today, some West Michigan musicians and Local Spins readers reveal their favorite releases and concerts of the year, from Allison Russell, Nigel Hall and Jon Batiste to Billy Strings, Stratos and Michigan Rattlers. Check out all of the picks and listen to the music at Local Spins.
Summer Concerts · Top 12 Stories Countdown
Pent-up demand for live music propelled the announcement of a new Friday night summer concert series in Grand Haven to the No. 8 spot in Local Spins’ countdown of 2021’s most-read stories. Revisit the June article and get an update on plans for the 2022 series.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Holiday shows, tours of different stripes and a bittersweet Go Rounds run unfurled on stages across West Michigan. Check out the concert recaps, more than a half-dozen photo galleries and a video at Local Spins.
Best Music of the Year · Features · Videos
As always, the annual flood of new music can be overwhelming. But Local Spins writers have sifted through these releases to make their picks for best albums and songs of the year, including Silk Sonic, Kingfish Ingram, Bo Burnham, Deafheaven and more, plus local artists such as Patty PerShayla, Lazy Genius, Seth Bernard and Amoura. Enjoy.
Local Spins Rewind · Top 12 Stories Countdown
The countdown of Local Spins’ top stories of the year begins with this all-female March tribute to icon Aretha Franklin which featured singers and musicians from across the state. Watch the video, revisit the story.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
Some compelling albums across a wide spectrum have inspired Grand Rapids singer Hannah Rose Graves, who also reveals her current penchant for Nashville darling Margo Price. Listen to tracks from her picks, as well as songs by Graves herself.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
With new singles and an upcoming Thanksgiving weekend show, Les Creatif’s Dante Cope opened up about the Grand Rapids ensemble’s music for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted new tracks by several West Michigan artists.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
Today, Local Spins spotlights the albums that most influenced Earth Radio singer and keyboardist Hannah Laine. Listen to tracks from all of the albums, plus songs from a current favorite and the latest from Earth Radio.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
The Local Spins series showcasing music that influenced Michigan-bred musicians continues with hip hop’s Rick Chyme. Check out his picks; listen to tracks from all of the records.
Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
The critically acclaimed singer-songwriter plays a solo show at Calvin University on Wednesday night. He took time out to chat about his music, his tour and more with Local Spins writer Enrique Olmos.
Albums that Changed the World · Playlists
Michigan native Rachael Davis plays Grand Rapids on Thursday, but before that, she reveals the recordings that most influenced her career. Listen to tracks from the albums and see how you can win tickets to Davis’ Listening Room show.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
On the same day it released its latest album, the Grand Rapids band talked shop for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted songs by The Bootstrap Boys, The Accidentals, Danielle Cosby, The Go Rounds, Avocadsquad, Bermuda Teenager, The Gasoline Gypsies and more. Get August’s back story and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
New Orleans-born-and-bred multi-instrumentalist Troy Andrews and the effervescent Orleans Avenue band enraptured a sold-out Meijer Gardens on Wednesday with virtuosic musicianship and Big Easy spirit. The Local Spins review and photo gallery.
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.
The band’s sold-out show Friday at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park was filled with soul and charisma on a muggy August night. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
When rain didn’t materialize, Ralston Bowles & Friends and the Elijah Russ Collective uncorked a lengthy, thoroughly entertaining night of soulful rock and Americana at Meijer Gardens. The roundup, photo gallery and video highlights at Local Spins.
Wednesday’s sold-out show amid hot and muggy conditions brought a doubleheader of fan favorites to the outdoor amphitheater. The recap and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
This weekend’s festival outside Empire will feature Joshua Davis, Laura Rain, Dana Falconberry, Jordan Hamilton, Mark Lavengood and more. Learn more about this boutique festival and view the full weekend schedule.
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.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Emerging Detroit rapper and pop/R&B artist Tiny Jag performs tonight at Studio Park with Michigan alt-pop star Jax Anderson (formerly Flint Eastwood) in an event hosted by Michigan House. The Local Spins interview.
The soulful, award-winning Detroit act led July’s roster of regional artists earning the most airplay at WYCE, just ahead of Michigan Rattlers, Patty PerShayla, Seth Bernard and Lipstick Jodi. Read more about Laura Rain, who plays Grand Rapids later this month, and listen to tracks from all of the new releases at Local Spins.
Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
The Grand Rapids Art Museum and WYCE will present three free summer shows in downtown Grand Rapids. Get details and view new concert series announced for Allendale, Big Rapids, Kalamazoo and more.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Playlists
In honor of today’s Juneteenth celebration, Local Spins Rewind revisits its compelling playlist from a panel of musicians who chose emerging black artists with great potential from the region who deserve a brighter spotlight. Check out the roster of artists and listen to their music at Local Spins.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
The ultra-collaborative, award-winning Kalamazoo musician has long been fascinated by the cello and orchestral music — and, yes, hip hop. Today, he reveals the albums that shaped his career.
Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
As summer kicks into full gear, so do outdoor concerts hosted by communities across West Michigan. Learn more about the return of these shows and get the latest update to Local Spins’ comprehensive listings of music in the great outdoors.
This weekend’s debut of outdoor live music events in Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo had music lovers basking not only in the sunshine and heat, but finally getting a taste of what the rest of summer 2021 has in store. The event recaps and photo galleries at Local Spins.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
On Friday night, Desmond Jones and Earth Radio kick off City Built’s new concert series in a unique new location along the river in Grand Rapids’ Monroe North district. The lowdown at Local Spins, along with information about new Sunday afternoon jam sessions with Mark Lavengood.
A happy crowd of mask-less concertgoers gathered in the courtyard of Studio Park in downtown Grand Rapids to cheer a diverse trio of Grand Rapids acts thrilled to be back on stage. The recap and photo gallery at Local Spins.
The two Traverse City bands released new EPs this spring that earned them lots of attention and lots of radio airplay at WYCE-FM. Check out their reaction to the news, discover what other albums made the May chart and listen to songs from the featured artists.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
For the second summer, Studio Park will host outdoor concerts starring Michigan artists, including Jack Droppers, Joshua Davis, Last Gasp Collective and Luke Winslow-King. Get details and see who else will perform at this downtown venue.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
Kalamazoo songwriter Even ‘WOOTS’ Wouters was the featured guest for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted music by Desmond Jones, The Accidentals, Martyr for Madison, Birdie Country and Rachel Curtis. Find out more about WOOTS and listen to this week’s full radio show podcast.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Features · Playlists
The esteemed Michigan singer and guitarist reveals the artists and albums which most shaped his musical passion and his career, along with a current favorite. Find out why they were so influential and listen to tracks from each recording at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Grand Rapids R&B/pop artist who helped pay tribute to Aretha with a Michigan super-group this week shared her 2021 plans with Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted a host of new tracks by artists from across the Great Lakes State. The story, podcast and video.
The former member of the Grand Rapids band Leland Blue made the cut and selected judge Nick Jonas’ team during blind auditions Tuesday on the NBC singing competition. Read more about Sinclair at Local Spins.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Features · Playlists
With his own new solo album on the way this spring, Michigan music ambassador Seth Bernard today reveals the three albums that most influenced his career, along with a current favorite. Listen to tracks from all of his selections (along with a standout Bernard song) as part of this week’s playlist.
Audio · Breaking music news · Features · Videos
The passionate and dynamic Women’s History Month tribute to icon Aretha Franklin features more than two dozen singers and musicians from across the state. Watch the video premiere and learn more about this collaborative project at Local Spins.
The lion’s share of local and regional releases populating the February Hot Top 5 represent reentries in the chart due to WYCE’s celebration of past Jammie Award winners and potential nominees. Listen to tracks from all of this month’s featured artists, plus view a list of new local additions to the WYCE library.
