Breaking music news · Summer Concerts
Meijer Gardens sold 20,000 tickets for its summer series in 10 minutes to members this morning, though just two shows sold out in the first two hours. See which concerts are close to selling out.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Ahead of his twin-bill show Friday at The Pyramid Scheme, California garage rocker Ty Segall chats about his music and more. The Local Spins Q&A.
Breaking music news · Photos · Venue Spotlight · Videos
The invite-only Contractor Appreciation Music Fest with 9 regional acts will unfold the weekend before the official May 15 opening. Today, take a new video and photo tour of the amphitheater, which one worker and rock musician called ‘the coolest thing that’s ever been built’ in Grand Rapids.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
Set to play SpeakEZ Lounge on Wednesday with Tony Halchak & The Happenstance, the Grand Rapids quartet led by Sarah VE has made inroads on the region’s music scene. Learn more about the band at Local Spins.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
The 34-concert 2026 season will also feature Buddy Guy, Trey Anastasio, Sierra Ferrell, Little Feat, Indigo Girls, Men at Work, Lucy Dacus and Shakey Graves. View the full schedule and ticket info.
Breaking music news · Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The Easter weekend concert roundup boasts a mix of national tour stops and impressive performances by local and regional acts — several of them performing at two different battles of the bands. View the photo galleries at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
International and local stars marking anniversaries or new releases pumped up stages across West Michigan, as well as Super Future, Horseshoes & Hand Grenades, Steel Panther and more. The recaps, photos at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Emerging Artists to Watch · Upcoming shows · Videos
The rock-fueled, Nashville-based, West Michigan native returns home for shows tonight at Lowell’s Sound Check and Wednesday at SpeakEZ Lounge. The Local Spins interview with this dynamic performer and songwriter.
The California rapper’s tour stop at The Intersection’s Stache on Wednesday gave a host of regional hip-hop acts a chance to strut their stuff for an enthused crowd. And in the main showroom, metalcore’s ERRA and Currents rattled the house. Review and photo galleries at Local Spins.
The Kentwood grocery store Horrocks Market has become a go-to music venue on weekends, with shoppers able to enjoy a beer or cider while listening to regional favorites. Horrocks opens a beer garden in late May. The back story and photos.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Electric violinist Mia Asano spotlighted Kentwood’s ABC Orchestra in a week that also featured West Michigan tour stops by an eclectic mix of national and regional artists. Browse photos from all of these shows in Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo and Holland.
Artist Spotlights · Commentary · RSVP Music Chat · Upcoming shows
The ‘deans of Grand Rapids pop/rock scene’ mark four decades on March 27 at SpeakEZ Lounge — a good time to resurrect the RSVP Music Podcast hosted by Ralston Bowles, who digs into The Honeytones’ robust history and has them play one of their original songs, written more than 40 years ago.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Committed to mastering a cohesive sound that captures iconic popular music from across the decades, the students in ABC Orchestra will play The Intersection’s Stache on March 18, opening for acclaimed electric violinist Mia Asano. Led by Ryan Wallace, learn more about this unique ensemble.
Within a radius of several blocks in downtown Grand Rapids, Sunday night boasted tour stops by a flock of national artists at Van Andel Arena, GLC Live at 20 Monroe and St. Cecilia Music Center. Get the concert recaps and browse the photos at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
The Record Company topped the list of shows energizing venues from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo, with Headband Henny, Hazy Past, Level Up, Stephen Wilson Jr. and a Heavyweights band contest all in the mix. The photo galleries and a concert video at Local Spins.
SXSW · Upcoming shows · Videos
It’s another full-flavored month of music and we’ve picked a dozen compelling concerts, festivals and celebrations to circle on your calendar, while spotlighting some Michigan artists headed to Austin for SXSW. Plus, check out the Local Spins video roundup on EightWest.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows · Videos
Local Spins spotlights the Grand Rapids group with three upcoming performances in March, plus debuts music by Rachel Brooke, Brick Street Soul, Ghost Bunnies, Ocean & The Universe, Seth Bernard and more. Discover Wilson Ave’s back story and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
This week’s concert photo roundup features nine galleries from concerts in Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo, including Infekt, Artikal Sound System and more. Browse all of the images at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows
Local Spins spotlights the award-winning band that’s releasing a new single this weekend, while also debuting tracks from Rachel Curtis, Chirp, Wilson Ave, Folias Duo, Nick Piunti and other Michigan artists. Get the back story on The American Hotel System and listen to this week’s Michigan Music Showcase radio podcast.
Veteran Canadian rock band Three Days Grace pumped up Van Andel Arena on Tuesday with a boost from Michigan-bred I Prevail and Georgia’s The Funeral Portrait. The review, photos, set lists at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Folk-rock, country, post-hardcore, singer-songwriter, Americana, math rock. Venues from Kalamazoo to Grand Rapids boasted that and more over the past week, captured in images at Local Spins.
awards · Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
With throngs of fans on board, Friday’s 2026 WYCE Jammie Awards celebration at The Intersection boasted plenty of highlights from 20 acts on three stages. The recap, photos and video at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
With upcoming Michigan shows at Grow Benzie, Sisters, Short’s Pull Barn and Salt of the Earth, New York musician Hugh Pool of Mulebone checks in with Local Spins to talk about his music and his solo touring.
Amid a historic setting, four West Michigan bands created a buzz Sunday and raised thousands at ‘Melt the ICE’ for immigrant families through three organizations. Later, Riot Punch electrified The Pyramid Scheme. View the images and a video at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The Offspring and Descendents brought hard-rocking tours to Grand Rapids, plus the week saw a mix of national and regional stars at various venues, including Mersiv, Melophobix and Echoes of Pink Floyd. Browse the photos exclusively at Local Spins.
Part 3 of our series on the fast-emerging dominance of AI in the music businesses spotlights Kalamazoo studio owner Ian Gorman who warns that removing the ‘human element’ from music[…]
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
It was a week of live music dominated by Michigan-based artists — from Matthew Borr to Vespa — at several venues from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo, including a new performance space. Get the recaps and view the photo galleries, including images of EDM star Kompany’s Intersection tour stop.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows
Part of Grand Rapids’ upcoming ‘Melt the Ice’ benefit, Cabildo’s frontman reflects on the current crisis and the band’s music for Local Spins, which also debuts new music by several other Michigan acts, including The Bootstrap Boys, Clawfoot, Da’Veonce Washington, Seth Bernard and more.
The second installment in our series on the power and dangers of AI (artificial intelligence) on the music industry focuses on the views of veteran Grand Rapids sound recordist Joseph McCarger, worries about theft of creativity and more. And see how some Michigan musicians are reacting to the advent of this technology.
Breaking music news · Venue Spotlight
The all-ages DIY arts and music space has a new home at the renovated Four Star Theatre, less than two miles south from The DAAC’s original location on S. Division Avenue. The story at Local Spins.
The power and dangers of AI in music are real and expanding at lightning speed. In this series, Local Spins will explore the sometimes-scary technology with respected Michigan recording engineers. Today, see how easy it is to us an AI platform to create a song and find out why one iconic studio owner reviles this trend.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio
The celebrated producer, studio owner and multi-instrumentalist reveals the impact that Jimi Hendrix, Return to Forever and Peter Gabriel had on his own career. Check out his album picks, listen to tracks from each recording.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Frigid wintry weather couldn’t halt the flurry of live music heating up stages from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo over the weekend, from rock and metal to bass music and acoustic glory. Browse all of the photos at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows · Videos
Local Spins spotlights the unique Southeast Michigan multi-instrumentalist who’s playing two regional shows, as well as debuting new tracks by other Mitten State artists.
Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
With 20 regional bands from across the state on the performance bill for the Feb. 20 awards show at The Intersection in Grand Rapids, the annual Jammie Awards roll out as “a snapshot of Michigan music.” View the lineup, get all the deets at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Emerging Artists to Watch · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
Local Spins this week spotlights the West Michigan heartland rockers in American Rust along with debuting new tracks by Feeding Grizzlies, The Temperances, Supo, Zudocks, Luke Winslow-King and more. Check out the story and radio podcast. American Rust plays SpeakEZ Lounge on Jan. 30.
As we enter our 14th year, we recap 2025 at Local Spins by looking back at the numbers — our flurry of stories, photo galleries, reviews, podcasts and more that embrace Michigan’s music scene. We haven’t been able to do it without your support.
Concert reviews · Festivals · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Saturday’s Winter Wheat festival in Grand Rapids highlighted a weekend of tantalizing live music across the region, from Ghost Bunnies to Hannah Laine to Full Cord Trio. Get the recaps and browse the photos at Local Spins.
Concert Recaps · Weekend Photo Gallery
Local Spins’ first weekend-concert-photo roundup of the year showcases audience-igniting shows at The Pyramid Scheme and Four Star Theatre. Browse all of the images.
Concert announcements · Upcoming shows · Venue Spotlight · Videos
View the “Destination: Live Music” video spotlight on Grand Rapids’ SpeakEZ Lounge and check out the upcoming winter/spring schedule of concerts at the downtown restaurant and venue.
Features · Festivals · Upcoming shows
Check out our picks for must-see shows across the region and the state, from Winter Wheat to World of Winter to the Ann Arbor Folk Festival and plenty of riveting concerts in between. Plus view videos from many of the performers.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Our recap of musical romps from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo casts a wide net in terms of styles and traditions, from Mustard Plug’s ska spectacle to a folk duo’s tribute to Simon & Garfunkel. Browse the photos.
Playlists · Top Stories of the Year Countdown · Videos
Local Spins’ countdown of its top stories of the year continues with our Jack White playlist that coincided with the Detroit rocker’s rousing Thanksgiving halftime show at Ford Field. Plus, check out the video of that show.
Concert reviews · Photos · Top Stories of the Year Countdown
The Detroit-bred guitarist blazed a loud, shapeshifting trail through his career catalog in mid-April for 2,600 rabid fans at GLC Live at 20 Monroe. We revisit the Local Spins review, with photos, as part of our countdown of the Top 10 stories of the year.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
The Traverse City-bred alt-folk trio The Accidentals brought the Michigan tour behind its new Christmas album to Grand Rapids’ Big Room on Friday, impressing fans with enhancement from an ensemble of young Ohio musicians. Review, photos.
Audio · Best Music of the Year · Videos
From Perfume Genius to NF to Rosalia, the roster of impressive albums cited by Local Spins writers covered a lot of territory in 2025. View their picks — along with some selections submitted by readers — and listen to this week’s Michigan Music Showcase featuring some of the best tracks by Michigan artists.
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.
With the holidays fast approaching, Local Spins digs into four recent album and EP releases by Michigan artists. Check out our takes on these recordings and listen to tracks from all of them.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The week started and ended with a bang … at different ends of the musical spectrum. Maddy O’Neal, The Claudettes, Cold Leather Seats, Ghost-Note and Miki Yamaka are also part of the Local Spins live music-in-review roundup. Browse all of the photo galleries.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
Back home in Otsego, the Americana artist puts Music City’s ‘weird’ vibe behind him to create new music, with an upcoming show at Flint’s Machine Shop. Plus, Local Spins debuts fresh tracks from other Michigan artists, including N8ure, The Accidentals, August, Quinlan Mauer and more.
