Concert reviews · Photos · Top Stories of the Year Countdown
The two jam-happy rock bands with more than a half-century of music to unleash had folks dancing in the sunshine at Meijer Gardens in June. Revisit one of Local Spins’ top reviews of the year.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
This week’s Michigan music showcase for Local Spins on WYCE spotlighted Yuletide tracks by Mitten State stars, from Alice Cooper to Smokey Robinson to The Accidentals. Plus, the show debuts new music by several other Michigan artists.
Amplified Newsletter · Detroit Lions · Playlists
To celebrate Thanksgiving and a traditional Ford Field showdown, Local Spins has combined its usual Thursday ‘Amplified’ newsletter (nusic news, ticket giveaways, concert announcements) with a special soundtrack tribute to the NFL-leading Detroit Lions. Plus, check out music news, concert announcements and our ‘Song of the Week.’
Album reviews · Audio · Upcoming shows
Check out Local Spins’ takes on several new releases by Michigan artists, from psych-rock to country to indie-pop and more. Plus, listen to tracks from all of the recordings.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Local Spins recaps the final chapter in State Theatre’s legacy, the inaugural ‘Sounds Like Michigan’ concert, Neil Francis, Sunsquabi, Wreckno and more from across the region. Check out the reviews, images and a video.
Commentary · Festivals · Venue Spotlight
As the holiday season approaches amid another turbulent year, Local Spins ask its readers and music lovers about the Michigan environments they love that keep the music scene spinning.
Playlists · Upcoming shows · Venue Spotlight
The new owner of the historic building that long hosted listening room-style shows will roll out a series of upcoming live music events boasting a variety of regional acts, starting with The Legal Immigrants and Kyle Brown & The Human Condition. Get more information about Temple Lounge and the upcoming show schedule.
Tuesday night’s packed concert at Van Andel Arena pumped up fans with familiar hits and uplifting sentiments. The Local Spins review, photo gallery and set lists from the show.
Saturday’s upcoming benefit at Wealthy Theatre for the nonprofit Michigan Music Alliance boasts intra-state stars Frontier Ruckus, American Hotel System, Ari B and Cabildo. The lowdown, performance schedule and videos at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows
Local Spins spotlights the Grand Rapids jam band with a new studio album, ‘Squids,’ and debuts tracks by Cameron Blake, Dante Cope, The Incantations, Mustard Plug, The JR Band, Mark Farner and more. Get the back story on Desmond Jones’ new album and listen to this week’s full radio show podcast.
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.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
The celebrated country band delivered a set filled with hits and covers Saturday at Van Andel Arena, while Michigan musicians, artists and photographers strutted their stuff at GIG’s inaugural event. Check out the recaps and images at Local Spins.
Features · Local Spins Rewind · Podcasts · Videos
The bluegrass guitarist’s fans traveled from across the country to catch a wild 2023 Grand Rapids concert that folks are still talking about. This year’s Halloween spectacle was epic, too. Check out a video clip from this year’s concert affair and listen to the 2023 Local Spins on WYCE radio show featuring interviews with diehard fans and more.
Announcements · Upcoming shows
November’s first-ever statewide conference for musicians, concert photographers and poster artists in Jackson will feature art exhibits, band performances. workshop sessions, a music market and more. The lowdown at Local Spins.
West Michigan already kicked off a rollicking roster of Halloween celebrations last weekend, but there are plenty more costume-crazy parties and concerts to check out as October screeches to an end. The list at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows
Local Spins spotlights the Grand Rapids-based band of “aliens” with a new album on tap while also debuting tracks by Phabies, Empress Eyes, Pablo Eskobear, Tommy Schichtel, Don Julin, Radio Vision and more. Learn more about The Cosmoknights and their upcoming album-release, plus listen to the Local Spins on WYCE radio podcast.
Local Spins showcases several imaginative, boundary-pushing releases by Michigan artists in this week’s album-review roundup, which includes a collaborative project featuring Joey Gados Jr., Ben Steer and Noah Mercil.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Once again, West Michigan’s live music week covered a lot of bases: country, folk, bluegrass, psych-rock, metal, drone and more — from Boris to Neko Case. The photo recaps at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The West Michigan band talked about its new album for Local Spins on WYCE, which also featured tracks by Jack White, Eminem, The Accidentals, Greet Death, Brenden Stark, Kylee Phillips, The Bootstrap Boys, Heartsick and more.
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.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Grand Rapids band releasing ‘Pollinator’ next week talks about its new project for Local Spins, which also debuted fresh tracks by The War and Treaty, Spencer LaJoye, Crystal Trench, Melanie Pierce, The Crane Wives, Patty PerShayla, Joel Mabus, Hunter Noll Bell & more.
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 · Kalamazoo · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Kalamazoo’s Sounds of the Zoo continued its musical march over the weekend, with Marc E. Bassy & Skizzy Mars and The Airborne Toxic Event revving up Grand Rapids. The photo round-up at Local Spins.
Concert Listings · Upcoming shows
As summer turns to fall, music fans are turning to indoor shows starring Michigan bands and solo artists. Here are schedules for several fall concert series across the region, with some concerts kicking off on Sunday.
Concert reviews · Festivals · Photos
The last week in September uncorked hard rock, pop-punk, pop-soul, jazz, hip hop, Americana and more from Grand Rapid to Kalamazoo. Revisit the early-week shows in words and photos at Local Spins.
Audio · Commentary · Playlists · Upcoming shows
Tonight at Grand Rapids’ SpeakEZ Lounge, Local Spins celebrates two major Fab Four milestones with a performance by That Beatles Thing. Get details and listen to a special playlist at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
As summer transitioned to fall, West Michigan’s music fans were still in a celebratory mood to cheer some national touring acts — including Sierra Hull and The Movement — as well as Grand Rapids’ fourth Confluence Fest. The images and recaps at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Meijer Gardens wrapped up its final summer concert on Sunday with an esteemed Cuban ensemble, closing out a weekend that also featured Lettuce, the Kalamashoegazer Festival, a One Well block party and the Fallasburg Arts Festival. Check out the recaps and photos at Local Spins..
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
One of Michigan’s most treasured festivals rolls out for the final time next weekend. Organizer Seth Bernard reflects on its special beauty, with Local Spins offering up a users’ guide to the Lake City spectacle.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts · Summer Festivals
Celtic music fans flooded Muskegon’s Heritage Landing for the 25th anniversary of the Michigan Irish Music Fest on Thursday and Friday, while The Verve Pipe rocked Otsego’s Liquid Note. Browse the photos at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
In a revealing interview with the northern Michigan musician, the renowned frontman talks about his music, Grand Funk Railroad and more. The Local Spins on WYCE podcast also debuts new tracks by Luke Winslow-King, Greg Nagy and other Michigan artists.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The veteran Grand Rapids band plays a sold-out record-release show tonight and reveals its back story for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuts other Michigan music. Check out the group’s new music and video, and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
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.
Labor Day weekend launched with some deliciously scary heavy music across the state, but also featured a celebrated jam band and a tribute to a late Kalamazoo musician.
Today’s Local Spins on WYCE broadcast marks a full decade of the show that spotlights local and regional music — a program that’s showcased more than 6,000 songs by Michigan artists. Listen to this week’s special radio show podcast.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows
The GR-and-Cincinnati emo/punk/jazz trio’s debut album gets featured for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Tess Clark, Brie Stoner, Caliko, Chirp, Ten Peso Version and more. Check out the back story on Pretty Sure and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
It was an August night to embrace rock of different stripes, with alt-rock’s Dogstar at GLC Live at 20 Monroe and Americana/rock’s Roosevelt Diggs in Rockford. The photo recaps and videos at Local Spins.
‘Can’t Stop the Beat’: The singer and multi-instrumentalist closed out the weekend with an engaging, energetic return to Meijer Gardens, a show boosted by opener May Erlewine. The review and photos at Local Spins.
The Kentucky-bred indie-rock band lit up Van Andel Arena on Friday with lead singer Matt Shultz displaying terrific showmanship despite a broken foot. Review, photos.
The blues-infused rock double-header at Meijer Gardens on Wednesday boasted plenty of instrumental romps and familiar tunes. The Local Spins review and photos.
From Kalamazoo to Grand Rapids and beyond it was another simmering summer week of concerts, including Celeste Allison, Chris Canas, Luke Winslow-King, a songwriters’ fest and more.
The legendary jam band’s two straight jubilant nights at Van Andel Arena featured a guest appearance by the Michigan-bred bluegrass phenom, stellar lights and memorable jams. Billy Strings himself called it “magic.” Revisit Tuesday’s show in words, photos and video and view set lists from both nights at Local Spins along with comments from Billy about his guest spots.
Vertical Horizon opened Monday’s sold-out show at Meijer Gardens, with fans reveling in the melodic, hook-driven nostalgia of two long-running bands. The review and photo gallery.
Michigan’s thriving music scene has spawned another intriguing volley of new releases reviewed at Local Spins, including fresh recordings from Josiah DeNooyer and Rabbit Fur. Learn more about these releases and listen to tracks from the albums.
Michigan’s festival season is in high gear, with musical celebrations spanning the state, Jackson to Hastings to Kalamazoo to Morley. Local Spins has images from a weekend of sizzling outdoor music.
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.
The Gov’t Mule frontman brought his “Dreams & Songs Symphonic Experience” tour to Meijer Gardens on Monday, reinterpreting classics from the likes of the Allman Brothers and Grateful Dead. The fan review and photos at Local Spins.
The band led by Jakob Dylan made a tour stop at Meijer Gardens on Thursday amid brilliant sunshine in front of a full house. The Local Spins review by Nicholas James Thomasma.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Playing only seven such shows this summer, the celebrated guitarist will perform a wide range of rock classics with the Grand Rapids Symphony. The Local Spins interview with the Grammy Award-winning guitarist who brings his band to Grand Rapids for this unique show on Monday.
On a holiday weekend, Local Spins took to the road to catch the first Free Fridays show in Grand Haven and a legendary band at The Acorn in Three Oaks. Browse the photo galleries.
