Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
The early June festival at Shagbark Farm south of Grand Rapids will feature Greensky Bluegrass, Peter Rowan, The Wayword Sons and more. Plus, Memorial Day weekend’s Buses by the Beach has revealed its lineup of regional stars, too. Get the lowdown and ticket information at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
St. Patrick’s Day celebrations may have been the focus for many, but West Michigan’s live music week also delivered country, indie-pop, metal, blues, alt-country and world music charm. Browse all of the photo galleries at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · In-Depth Report · Local Spins on WYCE
Founders Brewing will resume shows later this month after two years of silence, another example of live music’s robust return this year. Local Spins revisits how West Michigan venues are coping, the challenges that remain and what fans can expect.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Local Spins’ 10th anniversary celebration will light up a half-dozen Grand Rapids venues with a diverse mix of performers and feature an outdoor mini-fest headlined by The Accidentals. Check out the schedule and full lineup for this milestone event.
As an online ‘talent show’ of sorts, more than 40 Michigan bands and solo artists have submitted videos to NPR’s popular annual competition. View the Michigan entries here.
Albums that Changed the World · Playlists
This week’s installment of ‘albums that changed the world’ for Michigan musicians spotlights the recordings that have most influenced in-demand percussionist Michael Shimmin. Listen to tracks from his picks and learn more about this Michigan musician.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
Christian music star Jeremy Camp also is among touring artists announced for N. Michigan’s Interlochen Arts Festival. Details at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Frankenmuth’s favorite sons in Greta Van Fleet continued their Michigan homecoming assault at DeltaPlex on Saturday, plus browse photos from a diverse set of shows in Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids, including Lady Ace Boogie, Jordan Hamilton, Cabildo, Djangophonique, Dee Dee Bridgewater and Between the Buried and Me.
With the Frankenmuth-bred stars playing five Michigan shows in a single week, the homecoming run began with a pyrotechnic flourish at Wings Event Center Thursday. Concert recap, photos and set list at Local Spins.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
As Lady Ace Boogie prepares for an all-star Kalamazoo show on Saturday, she reveals the albums that have influenced her at key points in her life and career. Listen to essential tracks from the albums at Local Spins and learn more about the weekend concert at Bell’s.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
Led by one-time West Michigander Maynard James Keenan, Tool returns to Grand Rapids’ Van Andel Arena on Tuesday, giving Local Spins writer John Serba the perfect excuse to assemble the ideal playlist to get fans fired up.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The venerable band jammed out Saturday to memorable songs from ‘Waiting for Columbus’ for a gleeful, near-capacity crowd that reveled in its revisiting of genre-spanning gems. Review, plus photos from several West Michigan concerts, including Mitchell Tenpenny, Martin Sexton, May Erlewine, Kanola Band and more.
Friday night’s live music lineup included emerging acts competing in the first night of a March battle and seasoned, acclaimed songwriters unfurling poignant, harmony-hued tunes in an intimate setting. Get the show recaps and browse the photo galleries at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
In an interview with Local Spins, the legendary keyboardist talks about the “Waiting for Columbus” tour and Little Feat’s special place in rock history. Plus, watch videos from the anniversary tour and listen to a new recording of “Fat Man in the Bathtub.”
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
From the EDM mania of Virtual Riot to the jazz of Christian McBride to the blues of James Reeser and prog-rock of CBDB, it was a resplendent weekend of live music from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo, captured in Local Spins images and show recaps.
Today, Local Spins takes a deep dive into six recent, varied releases by artists from across West Michigan — Kalamazoo to Grand Rapids to Traverse City to Albion. Listen to tracks from all of the recordings.
Several genre-spanning shows — big and small — helped fire up and heat up February in Grand Rapids on Thursday and Friday. The recaps in words and photos at Local Spins.
This February roundup of new Michigan albums also features an in-depth look at releases from Detroit rock band Three Spoke Wheel and Kalamazoo’s Jay Gavan. Plus, sample tracks from all of the albums.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Videos
The busy northern Michigan artist just released a new album, with plans for another release later this year. Local Spins catches up with country/roots rocker Drew Hale in today’s profile and showcases some of his latest tracks.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
This week’s roundup of concert photos actually starts last weekend with the return of live music to Founders, plus the first West Michigan shows in quite some time starring some compelling bands. Browse all of the photo galleries at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
To help kick off Black History Month, Local Spins today profiles veteran singer Serita Crowley of Serita’s Black Rose, a mainstay on area stages with compelling, blues-fired new original music in the works. The Artist Spotlight feature and video.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
Today’s installment of this popular Local Spins series features albums that influenced and shaped mid-Michigan producer and musician Jake Rye, who’s spun the dials on some impressive projects. Listen to tracks from all of his picks.
It was a spectacle. For Friday’s Grand Rapids tour stop on his ‘Gather Again’ tour, country star Eric Church uncorked his mix of ‘Country Music Jesus,’ ‘That’s Damn Rock & Roll’ and ‘Smoke a Little Smoke’ for enthused fans. The review, photos and set list at Local Spins.
The end of 2021 and beginning of 2022 have seen an avalanche of new music by acts from the Great Lakes State. Here are eight must-see videos from some of those releases, including La Furia Del Ritmo, DL Rossi, Grace Theisen, Katie Pederson, Prior Noon and Greensky Bluegrass.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Features · Photos
The Kalamazoo musician and co-founder of The Go Rounds has faced terminal brain cancer with fortitude, grace and humor, supported by compassionate fellow musicians. Get the back story at Local Spins and listen to some of G’itis Baggs’ music. .
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
January has been quieter than usual on the live music front due to continued COVID concerns, but some national and local shows fired up area stages on a chilly weekend. Browse the photo galleries at Local Spins.
Welcome to the first album review roundup of 2022, with a half-dozen new releases by West Michigan artists encompassing rock, country, electronic music, folk, pop and more. Check out the reviews and listen to tracks from all of the releases.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
A chilly West Michigan Saturday warmed up with a unique talent contest and a Grand Rapids tour stop by Philadelphia indie-rock/post-hardcore band mewithoutYou. The photos 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.
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows · Venue Spotlight
Despite its pending sale, current owner Greg Gilmore tells Local Spins that Live Nation will keep operating the concert hall as it has since early 2017. Learn more in today’s update.
Concert reviews · Photos · Top 12 Stories Countdown
The final night of the legendary acts’ joint touring run on Aug. 8 delighted a sold-out crowd at Meijer Gardens. The review was No. 4 in Local Spins countdown of top 2021. Revisit the recap and photos from the memorable concert.
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.
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.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Frontman David Kirchgessner reflects on the Grand Rapids ska band’s legacy for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted new tracks by Cal in Red, Annagail, Travis Atkinson and more. Learn more about Mustard Plug and its Friday night anniversary show, plus listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
In the midst of the holiday rush, Local Spins today spotlights six new releases by Michigan artists that deliver thought-provoking, compelling and sometimes surprising music. Read the reviews, listen to the music.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
Well-known West Michigan guitarist Mike Dodge is the focus of this week’s “Three Albums that Changed My World” feature, revealing some true, modern music classics. Check out his picks, listen to the music.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Get an eyeful with these photo galleries recapping a weekend of music from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo, from touring stars to local favorites such as Hannah Laine, Patty PerShayla, Lokella, Hollow Front, Nathan Walton and The Insiders. Browse the photos from more than a half-dozen area shows.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
Propelled by four veteran musicians, the band has released two EPs and a single, with more on tap. They made their debut for Local Spins on WYCE, which also aired new music from several Michigan acts, including Patty PerShayla & The Mayhaps, Kanola Band, The Epitones, La Furia Del Ritmo, Whiskey Hunter and Grace Theisen.
Features · Music and Technology
Created by Kent District Library, the streaming platform launched this fall showcases dozens of West Michigan acts and pays artists an honorarium to boot. Learn more about KDL Vibes and check out its roster of artists.
Breaking music news · Features · Music and Technology
Created by a South Bend tech startup, the innovative app is being embraced by some West Michigan acts as a way of connecting with fans and monetizing their performances. Get the details at Local Spins.
Three new releases by Grand Rapids artists made a splash on the November chart at WYCE, with Heerspink’s jazz-fueled “Monsters’ Impromptu” swapping places with Billy Strings. View the chart, listen to tracks from all of the albums at Local Spins.
Back for the 2021 shopping season, Local Spins’ gift guide offers ideas for the music lover on your list: local products, including those supporting Michigan’s music scene along with a bevy of unique gifts bearing a tuneful vibe.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
Recordings by The Rolling Stones, Gillian Welch and Sonic Youth had a big impact on studio owner Ian Gorman, who also revealed his penchant for the latest album by West Michigan’s own Patty PerShayla. Check out his album picks, plus listen to a couple of tracks from the band in which he’s been a member for 15 years.
In Memoriam · Local Spins Rewind
A year ago, West Michigan lost these beloved guitarists, so Local Spins remembers them today. On Sunday, K’zoofolklife hosts a Memorial Jam for Fleckenstein with musicians gathering for “music and[…]
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
After a quiet 2020, the night before Thanksgiving in 2021 showed signs of reviving the musical flurry that’s traditionally kicked off the holiday weekend. Local Spins captured the vibe at three of the shows on Wednesday in words and images.
Local Spins once again is offering unique, Michigan-centric calendars that spotlight concert photos of Michigan artists and 2022 festival dates. They make perfect holiday gifts. Get ordering details and a list of artists featured in the new calendar.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
A guitar icon (Leo Kottke), a regional pop fave (Matt Giraud) and heavy rock album-release (Tiny Tree) and more were part of West Michigan’s concert mix this past weekend. Browse eight photo galleries at Local Spins.
Commentary · Local Spins Rewind
Thanksgiving 2021 arrives this coming week after another turbulent year. But there’s plenty to be thankful for, so Local Spins Rewind revisits messages of gratitude from West Michigan musicians.
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.
