Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Southwest Michigan band opens for The Marcus King band at Grand Rapids’ Wealthy Theatre on Sunday, one of several high-profile gigs planned for Slim Gypsy Baggage in 2017. Read about the band and its upcoming new album in this Local Spins Artist Spotlight.
Artist Spotlights · Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
Rock is not dead. Take it from the Chicago band which plays Holland’s Park Theatre on Friday and which took time out from touring Europe to share thoughts with Local Spins writer Troy Reimink about Twin Peaks’ latest album, its fans and loathing Trump.
Commentary · Concert reviews · Guest Column · Photos
When The Verve Pipe took the stage at 20 Monroe Live on Friday, singer Channing Lee had already played another gig the same night — at The Intersection for the Jammie Awards. She shared the story of her unusual night with Local Spins. Read her column and browse the photo gallery.
Breaking music news · Concert reviews · Photos
Friday night’s crowded awards show at The Intersection honored Michigan’s best albums and songs of the year, with 25 performances on two stages. See the complete winners’ list, photos and more from West Michigan music’s “biggest night of the year” at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins Live · Upcoming shows
You’d think it was the 1990s all over again: The Verve Pipe is back and regaling fans with new music, its first live album and a concert at the hottest new venue in Grand Rapids. Read the Local Spins interview with frontman Brian Vander Ark and listen to a song from the band’s new live album.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
A week that saw arrival of a new Grand Rapids venue also boasted tour stops by Tyler Farr and AJJ, a Buddy Holly tribute, the Grand Rapids debut of The Boulevard Billies and Roger Brown Band, and Kalamazoo’s Cooper’s Glen music festival. Check out the week-in-review roundup of West Michigan shows and browse the photo galleries.
With Ann Arbor blues guitarist Laith Al-Saadi opening the evening, Lynyrd Skynyrd made the third concert at 20 Monroe Live a memorable one for classic rock devotees. Read the review and browse the photo gallery from Friday night’s show.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
This week’s edition of Local Spins on WYCE saw two popular West Michigan musicians paying homage in-studio to Buddy Holly, not to mention the premiere of new tracks by emerging Grand Rapids acts. Listen to the radio podcast and watch videos of Delilah DeWylde and Jack Leaver performing in-studio.
Features · Local Spins Exclusives
Greg Gilmore’s vision for a downtown concert hall finally comes to fruition this week next to The B.O.B. Read the Local Spins Q&A with Gilmore and representatives of Live Nation — only at Local Spins.
Features · Photos · Upcoming shows · Videos
Get a sneak peek into 20 Monroe Live by taking a video tour of the new downtown venue that unleashes its first concert Wednesday with Trombone Shorty and Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers. Then browse the photo gallery and opening-week lineup of shows.
Festivals · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The first-ever winter festival takes place Saturday with five bands performing. One of those, punk rock’s I Believe in Julio, was the featured artist during this week’s edition of Local Spins on WYCE. Listen to the podcast which features the debut of new songs by Michigan bands and check out the festival schedule.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
It was spring-like outside, but things warmed up indoors, too. Check out the photo galleries and show recaps from a week that featured national touring acts and local gems firing up venues from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo to the lakeshore.
Album reviews · Artist Spotlights · Local Spins Live · Videos
With roots in Big Rapids — and links to Ultraviolet Hippopotamus – the Michigan band is happily touring behind its sophomore studio album and embracing its eclectic approach. Read the story and album review, listen to the radio podcast, watch the video.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Episode No. 122 of Local Spins on WYCE boasted on-air performances by artists playing big benefit shows on Saturday, and also featured songs from Diff & Dudley, Jeremy Ensley, Carolyn Keobel, Lady Ace Boogie and Public Access. Listen to the podcast, watch the video.
Audio · Breaking music news · Videos
In a Local Spins exclusive, Grand Rapids jam band Desmond Jones has produced and released its first music video. And listen to the new single from blues guitarist Jim Shaneberger and his band, who crank out a real gem from a CD slated for release in February.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins Live · Videos
The up-and-coming Grand Rapids band stages a CD-release show Thursday at The Pyramid Scheme after its frontman spent two ‘grueling’ years recording the album. Check out the story and a pair of videos from this week’s in-studio radio appearance.
Breaking music news · Photos · Videos
The bands were among 11 acts competing for two slots in the March Fretboard Festival festival at Kalamazoo Valley Museum. Friday’s event drew a packed house and boasted lively performances. Check out the story, photo gallery and videos.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins Live · Podcasts · Videos
The super-group of West Michigan musicians views The Underground Circus side project as a creative melding of ‘firepower’ unlike anything else on the scene. Read the back story about this unusual band, watch a video of a rare acoustic performance and listen to this week’s Local Spins Live radio podcast.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
The Michigan festival will expand to two days in October and feature sets by Desmond Jones, Jesse Ray & The Carolina Catfish, Melophobix, Watching for Foxes, Devin & The Dead Frets and several more acts. Check out the initial lineup and a link to early-bird ticket sales.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
West Michigan ushered in 2017 in style with performances by UV Hippo, The Go Rounds, The Crane Wives, Seth Bernard, La Famiglia, Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers, Vox Vidorra, The Mainstays and plenty more — and Local Spins has the photos and some videos to prove it.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
The holiday week took on a homecoming-styled festive flair, from Morgan Haner, Max Lockwood and Dan Rickabus’ “songwriters’ night” to Jesse Ray & The Carolina Catfish’s rockabilly romp and more, all captured in Local Spins images. Check out the photo galleries and videos.
Commentary · Top 10 Lists · Videos
Beyonce, Bon Iver, The Crane Wives, David Bowie, Angel Olsen, Of Montreal, Angel Olsen and Childish Gambino made the grade with Local Spins writers in 2016. See who else impressed our critics this year and listen to the music that turned their heads.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The week included small and rousing shows (Roosevelt Diggs, Adrian+Meredith), revved-up capacity affairs (Gunnar & The Grizzly Boys, The Crane Wives) and eclectic jam-band jams (Mungion, Dopapod, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong). Ogle all of the resplendent concert images in this week’s photo galleries.
Album reviews · Artist Spotlights · Audio · Upcoming shows
Frontman Gunnar Nyblad promises ‘more goosebumps’ for West Michigan country fans with this week’s homecoming and CD-release shows. Read the story and album review, and listen to a new song by Gunnar & The Grizzly Boys as they strive to become a ‘Great American Band.’
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The week was packed with national tour stops and local showcases. Check out the colorful photo gallery that also features The Sauce, Chris Andrus, Jim Lauderdale, Ramblin’ Rose’s Grateful Dead tribute, Devil Elvis, Dede Alder and more, from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo to the lakeshore.
Metal-turned-country artist Aaron Lewis brought his “Sinner” tour to The Orbit Room to warm up a sold-out crowd on Saturday, playing songs from his latest country albums plus some familiar hard rock tunes. Read the review, browse the photo gallery — only at Local Spins.
Earthwork Music’s Seth Bernard and The Go Rounds’ Mike Savina recorded the lengthy track in October, with proceeds from digital sales donated to support the cause in North Dakota. Listen to the song and purchase it for download. And get details about two fund-raising shows by Desmond Jones and Mystic Dub.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Grand Rapids band is hosting an EP-release show and stopped earlier in the day to visit Local Spins on WYCE, which also spotlighted new regional tracks by The War Between, Boy From School, Lambo and much more. Listen to the podcast and watch the video, only at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Ann Arbor guitarist’s national exposure on NBC was ‘wonderful thing’ that boosted his profile. He plays Grand Rapids on Feb. 3, opening for Lynyrd Skynyrd at the new 20 Monroe Live venue downtown. Check out this “Local Spins Rewind” feature on a dynamic Michigan artist who’s featured in the Local Spins 2017 wall calendars.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
“You had to be there.” That was the theme for concerts across West Michigan this week, with special shows by The Accidentals, Chris Lane, Jesse Ray & The Carolina Catfish, Fauxgrass, Rooney, Penny & Sparrow, Conrad Shock & The Noise and much more. Check out the images and recaps at Local Spins.
Album reviews · Audio · Local Spins Live · Videos
Rev up December in style — and get a headstart on your Christmas CD shopping — with this Local Spins round-up of local and regional releases, which also spotlights new CDs from Murder Party, Bet on Rats and Cousin Avery, along with audio samples from the bands.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Thanksgiving weekend gave West Michigan music fans plenty to be grateful for, including some jam-packed homecoming shows in Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo. Check out the show recaps and photo galleries, only at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The Grand Rapids outlaw country act performed two new songs during Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by JRob, A&E, May Erlewine, Blue Soul Express and more. Read the story, listen to the podcast.
Announcements · Summer Festivals
For the second year, Local Spins is offering colorful calendars that not only showcase Michigan artists but also help you track 2017 music festivals. And better yet: There’s free shipping on Cyber Monday.
Nicks’ “24 Karat Gold Tour” trotted out some golden oldies as well as some fresh material, not to mention spotlighting two rock ‘n’ roll icons. Read the review and browse the photo gallery from the Thanksgiving eve show.
Artist Spotlights · Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
Chance Jones and Lazy Genius will combine forces at Long Road Distillers to raise money for beloved barber Jazz Johnson, who suffered a serious back injury and faces mounting bills. Read about Burge, his current acting projects and the upcoming reunion show — only at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Features · Videos
Local Spins rewind: The top story of the past week profiles Level Up, a sprawling S. Division Avenue studio and rehearsal space that already has Ultraviolet Hippopotamus, Desmond Jones, Watching for Foxes and more laying down tracks for new projects. Watch the video, check out photos of the studio.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The weather has changed dramatically, so heat up with these hot images from another week of sizzling live music across West Michigan — from local gems to touring titans, from final flourishes to dynamic debuts.
Breaking music news · Features · Videos
The sprawling S. Division Avenue studio and rehearsal space already has Ultraviolet Hippopotamus, Desmond Jones, Watching for Foxes and more working on new projects. Read the Local Spins story, watch the video, browse the photo gallery.
Local Spins Live · Upcoming shows · Videos
The fast-growing international wine, beer and food sampling event starts Thursday in Grand Rapids and boasts three days of local and regional music, with 20,000 expected to attend. Get details and the full entertainment schedule at Local Spins.
Announcements · Upcoming shows · Videos
The concert hall next to The B.O.B. opens in February with a wide range of bookings: The Verve Pipe, Lauryn Hill, Pop Evil and more. Tickets go on sale Friday. Check out the first slate of concerts booked for the venue.
Concert reviews · Photos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Pop-rock’s The 1975 didn’t disappoint fans in the British band’s first West Michigan appearance. Plus, check out photos from the Kalamashoegazer festival, People’s Blues of Richmond, Bear Vs. Shark and Four Lincolns.
Album reviews · Audio · Videos
his November round-up of new local and regional releases covers the retro-rock of The Concussions and The JetBeats, plus fresh music from Diff & Dudley, Plain Jane Glory and Four Lincolns. Check out the reviews and listen to some samples of music from the new albums.
Led by frontman Ben Bridwell, the Seattle-bred rock band brought the tour behind its latest album, “Why Are You OK,” to the Orbit Room on Wednesday. Check out the review and photo gallery, only at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The fifth year of a unique Grand Rapids house show festival has unfurled this weekend in four Eastown neighborhood homes, boasting a diverse mix of acts and performances. Check out the Local Spins story and photo gallery.
The uber-popular fall house show fest returns this weekend to “enrich” Eastown in Grand Rapids, but only in living rooms and an attic (not basements). Get the story, artist lineup and the full schedule of intimate shows at Local Spins.
he week and the weekend in music was mostly about Halloween, with bands diving into the macabre madness with vigor. Check out the Local Spins photo galleries of concerts, parties and more.
Like Ministry (and Alice Cooper), Grand Rapids musician Brian Haik really wishes every day was Halloween, so he concocted his own roster of rock-oriented, fun Top 10 faves for the Local Spins Halloween guest playlist. Listen to the songs, check out the videos while you’re getting your monster gear and werewolf garb ready.
Local Spins Live · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The Oct. 21 edition of Local Spins on WYCE boasted an in-studio performance by vintage country’s Diff & Dudley, plus new music by Nashon Holloway, Benjaman James and Friends With the Weather. And this week’s episode of Local Spins Live on WJRW got creepy for the holidays with some Halloween-hued rock. Read the story and check out both radio podcasts at Local Spins.
Local Spins continues its series of Halloween guest playlists with Dick Chicklet’s gruesomely groovy Top 10, from Black Sabbath and The Troggs to The Surfmen, Thurl Ravenscroft and Link Wray. Check out the videos and Spotify playlist to tingle your spine as you get ready for the creepiest of holidays.
