West Michigan’s second-ever drive-in concert during the pandemic was a sellout on Saturday, with Nashville-based Beatles tribute band The English Rain playing amid bright sunshine. Get the recap and browse a photo gallery at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Grand Haven-area country artist was this week’s guest for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted music by Public Access, BoneHawk, Woody Mac and more. Learn more about Rivers, watch a video of his performance for the show and listen to the full radio show podcast at Local Spins.
Freedom has never seemed more important than it does today: July 4, 2020. Local Spins has compiled an Independence Day soundtrack that will uplift you and make you think, from Common and John Legend to Neil Young and Jimi Hendrix.
The Grand Rapids Southern rock and country band will trailer a stage to five different parking lots in Grand Rapids, Marne and Wyoming on July 18 to play its first shows since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Get details about this “Traveling Road Show” and the schedule at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
It may have ranked as one of “the weirdest concerts ever,” but in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Saturday’s first foray into drive-in performances got high marks from those who attended the Grand Haven show. Get the recap, photos and video at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The northern Michigan musician and activist opened up about his DIY project and more for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Molly, Callab, August, Birdie Country, The Bronk Bros., Jake Kershaw, The American Hotel System and other Michigan artists. Read the Local Spins Artist Spotlight story, watch a video Bernard’s performance and listen to the full radio show podcast.
Inspired by social-distancing amid the coronavirus pandemic, Saturday’s unique show in the Rycenga Building Center parking lot will feature two young lakeshore bands, with attendees tuning into WAWL’s FM radio frequency to hear the music. Find more details about the concert and the performers at Local Spins.
The Rolling Stones were supposed to be in the middle of a 2020 U.S. tour right now, until COVID-19 upended things. To make up for it, Local Spins has assembled some of the iconic band’s most under-appreciated classics for this week’s playlist. Watch the videos, listen to the playlist on Spotify.
Plan your week with a sampling of live music events at bars, breweries and eateries across West Michigan — including the return of Grand Rapids’ Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill, with new health precautions amid the COVID-19 pandemic. There’s even a parking lot jazz performance to check out. Details at Local Spins.
Amid the coronavirus crisis and a turbulent music industry, a new advocacy group based in Niles aims to give roadies and their families a helping hand — from counseling to financial assistance. Get the exclusive back story in this Local Spins feature story and see how this West Michigan clinic is making a difference.
This video roundup also features northern Michigan students performing an Andy Grammer classic and a peek at the first live concert in the Grand Rapids area in three months. Watch the videos, along with background information about the projects.
Breaking music news · Features · Venue Spotlight · Videos
The video for the rock band’s single, ‘Fearless,’ was released today, filled with images of exuberant fans during a November 2019 Kalamazoo tour stop. Get the back story and watch the video at Local Spins.
Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
Another month amid a COVID-19 shutdown means more concerts and live music events have been canceled or postponed. Here are new dates for some shows you might be wondering about, along with a list of canceled Michigan concerts.
Announcements · Breaking music news · Features
The longtime Michigan music collective re-emerges today after a two-year overhaul with a revamped organizational structure, a slate of new artists and some live-stream performances. Get the full story at Local Spins along with some videos of Earthwork artists.
Today’s video roundup is topped by Friday’s furious night of fundraising blues at the Tip Top Deluxe, plus songs by Sweet Water Warblers, Full Cord Bluegrass, American Hotel System and Upon Wings. Check out all the videos in this week’s edition of “music on the silver screen.”
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Wicks performed two new songs for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted fresh tracks by In the Valley Below, Steve Rivers, Full Cord, August, Kanin, Stephie James and more. Listen to the radio show podcast, learn more about Dale Wicks and his new album.
Features · Weekend Photo Gallery
Starting her concert photo career with Local Spins several years ago, photographer Anna Sink shares some of her favorite images — her unique take on bands, fans and festivals, and the stories behind those shots. And check out a photo gallery with more images of festivals, Michigan stars and more.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Videos
In an interview with Local Spins writer Ricky Olmos, Nathan Kalish opens up about his new album, cooking for himself, and the way the coronavirus has ravaged the music industry. Learn more about the West Michigan-bred Kalish and listen to songs from his latest release. And he plays a live-stream concert tonight.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
Grand Rapids’ Jammie Award-winning Bootstrap Boys put their heads together (virtually) for this week’s Local Spins playlist to pay homage to John Prine, Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers, Johnny Cash and a few unexpected artists like Orville Peck. Check out the videos and listen to all the songs via Local Spins’ Spotify playlist.
Features · Weekend Photo Gallery
Local Spins continues its “concert photo rewind” series spotlighting the stellar work of its photographers, this time focusing on our Kalamazoo live music honcho: Derek Ketchum. Here are his favorite photos and the stories behind these colorful, action-packed shots.
Big List Concert Guide · Concert announcements · Concert Listings
With venues shut down and Michigan’s stay-at-home order extended, here are the rescheduled dates for some April and May shows you might be wondering about.
Features · Weekend Photo Gallery
The third week of our spotlight on Local Spins photographers focuses on the work of Kendra Petersen-Kamp. View some of her favorite photos and get the stories behind those images at Local Spins.
Round 2 of Local Spins’ spotlight on the amazing work of its concert photographers continues with Jamie Geysbeek. Browse some of his favorite photos, including images of Skillet, Black Veil Brides, Chris Thile, NF, Slash, Lauren Daigle and more, with stories behind the shots.
Saturday’s Record Store Day is postponed until June but shops already reeling from the shutdown wonder if vinyl lovers will be back that soon. Local Spins checks in with some West Michigan record and music stores which have been hit hard by the COVID-19 shutdown.
Breaking music news · Features · Venue Spotlight · Videos
The well-known radio personality has partnered with Big Event Studios to showcase videos of regional and national stars in a rustic freight elevator, starting with local legend Bobby Haggard. The story and video at Local Spins.
Forgotten in the worries about musicians and concert venues ravaged by the coronavirus crisis has been the devastating impact on sound techs and engineers who’ve lost essentially all of their business. Local Spins takes a closer look at the uncertain future for these critical players in the music industry.
Features · Top 10 Lists · Videos
Due to the current crisis, musicians have a lot of time on their hands. And that means some of them have come up with hilarious takes on our response to the unprecedented situation and witty ways to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus. And face it: We all need a chuckle right now.
Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
With concert venues shut down due to COVID-19, the Holland-based brewery will present three live-streamed concerts each week. See who’s playing the first week of the “Gezellig” series and get more details at Local Spins.
With folks self-quarantining and social-distancing — and virtually all live music entertainment shut down — Local Spins asked writer Troy Reimink to supply a stay-at-home soundtrack for the viral apocalypse. Watch the videos and listen to the Spotify playlist.
Announcements · Breaking music news
With hundreds of concert cancellations and today’s statewide bar closure order dealing a blow to bands, the new relief fund is seeking donations which will help Michigan musicians who qualify via applications to recover some financial losses. The lowdown at Local Spins, with links to donate or apply for assistance.
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s decision to ban events drawing more than 250 people to stem the spread of the coronavirus has forced the closures, though smaller bars still plan to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Dozens of concerts have been canceled or postponed; the lowdown at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements
Anxiety about the spread of coronavirus COVID-19 has forced promoters, venues and bands to cancel or postpone numerous shows in March and beyond. But Thursday’s Lauren Daigle show went on as scheduled. See what shows have been postponed in West Michigan thus far and view a photo gallery from the Daigle concert at Van Andel Arena.
Album reviews · Audio · Upcoming shows
This early March roundup of new local and regional releases at Local Spins focuses on a GR keyboard icon, new projects from some notable West Michigan musicians and a Detroit-area indie-folk artist. Check out the reviews and listen to tracks from all of the featured artists at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
The northern Michigan glam-rock outfit will be strutting through two ‘raw, unpredictable’ GR shows this week. Learn more about the provocative music of Jakey Thomas & crew at Local Spins.
The Vermont native and her band, The Daylighters, romped for several hundred gathered at The Intersection on Wednesday night with help from soulful opener Devon Gilfillian. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Tributes to David Bowie and Tom Petty also are on tap, along with concerts by Domestic Problems, The Autumnatic, Darcy Wilkin, Coffin Problem, Jack Droppers, Roosevelt Diggs, Roger MacNaughton and a Crooked Tree Creative showcase. And check out this week’s ticket giveaway.
The hard-rocking bands brought their co-headlining tour to Grand Rapids’ Van Andel Arena on Thursday. Browse the images, a concert recap and set lists at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The week leading up to the Super Bowl kicks off with Jordan Hamilton, followed by Mungion, Mitchell Tenpenny, Bailen, Brother Adams, Joshua Davis, Bass Country and much more. And check out this week’s ticket giveaway to Delilah DeWylde’s Winter Dance Party as well as our Under-the-Radar concert picks.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
The two-day hard rock and metal festival will make its Grand Rapids debut in mid-July, with Michigan acts such as Heartsick and Legal Immigrants also in the lineup. Get details and ticket links at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Boosie Badazz, Heaters, The Marsupials, Harper & Midwest Kind, GR Soul Club, Drinking Mercury, Chirp, Michigan’s 183rd Birthday Party and much more are also on tap across West Michigan this week. And check out the Under-the-Radar Picks, plus this week’s ticket giveaway for Fruition.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
This week’s concert photo gallery and video roundup also features Stone Soup & The Broken Teeth’s album-release, Toth, Leland Blue and Paradise Outlaw. Browse the images at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
The Harbor Springs trio fires up SpeakEZ Lounge and more this week as it gears up to release a new album in 2020. Learn more about The Marsupials in this Local Spins Artist Spotlight and listen to their music.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The band led by a Reed City-area singer-guitarist just released its debut album and stopped by Local Spins on WYCE on Friday, which also debuted new music by Cousin Avery, Max Lockwood, Leland Blue, Pack Sounds and more. Listen to this week’s podcast, watch the in-studio video and read the back story about Clark and company.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
DJ Faren Strnad kicks off a week that also features Small Glories, Garcia Peoples, Toth, Cousin Avery, Paradise Outlaw, Pink Sky, How to Live Together, Leland Blue, Henhouse Prowlers, Lady Ace Boogie’s birthday bash and much more. And check out this week’s ticket giveaways.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The Fretboard Festival Play-In Contest and shows by Tomas Esparza Blues Band, Erin Zindle & The Ragbirds, The Fast Hands Band album-release and more are also on tap. And check out this week’s ticket giveaways for shows at Listening Room.
Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Beyond the lavish parties ushering in the New Year, there were some intimate shows starring beloved regional artists to get the first weekend of 2020 started on the right foot. Browse the photos and videos at Local Spins.
West Michigan ushered in 2020 with the bluegrass brilliance of Billy Strings, an outdoor Pop Evil party, Manic Focus, 20 Monroe Live’s Resolution Ball, Kalamazoo’s New Year’s Fest and more captured in photos and videos at Local Spins, with a full review of Billy Strings’ homecoming show.
Features · Top 10 Lists · Videos
As the year draws to a close, Local Spins asked some West Michigan musicians and readers to make their picks for the best albums and songs of 2019 — a diverse roster covering rock, hip hop, jazz, R&B, folk and more. And listen to music from all of the featured artists.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
As 2019 morphs into 2020, the live music train rolls with outdoor and indoor spectacles, plus riveting local shows by Brandino Extravaganza, Robin Connell, Overdrive Orchestra, May Erlewine, Pretoria and much more. Plus, check out this week’s Under-the-Radar Picks and concert ticket giveaways.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Kalamazoo-based rock band plays its final show of 2019 at The Pyramid Scheme on Saturday night, as it eyes a new studio album in 2020 and continues to take devoted fans on a psychedelically powerful pop-rock journey. The Local Spins interview, plus videos.
