Concert reviews · Photos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Umphrey’s McGree returned to Meijer Gardens for a weekend-ending, jam-filled, prog-rock-infused spectacle, the day after Greensky Bluegrass finished a bluegrass stint at Interlochen. Plus, shoegaze bands revved up a new Kalamazoo venue. Photos.
Artist Spotlights · Podcasts · Videos
Frontman Brian Vander Ark talks about the West Michigan alt-rock heroes’ latest record for Local Spins, which also debuts music by May Erlewine, Normal Mode, The Hacky Turtles, Heat Above and more. Get the back story on The Verve Pipe and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
The special five-act romp for Tuesday Evening Music Club came the same night that Rotary Rocks benefit in Rockford boasted sets by Roosevelt Diggs and Nicholas James & The Bandwagon. Recaps, photos at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
The California rockers returned Sunday to Meijer Gardens, closing out a weekend of electronic mayhem at Breakaway, a goodbye for a GR favorite and Lettuce in Paw Paw. Check out the CAKE review and browse photos from all of the shows at Local Spins.
Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
Beyond the lineup of diverse Wednesday and Friday shows starring Michigan acts, Grand Rapids’ SpeakEZ Lounge will take over Tommy Pancy’s Sunday jazz jams after Turnstiles closed its doors. View the full schedule of upcoming shows.
Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
The Meijer Gardens extravaganza boasts an all-female show starring The Accidentals, Patty PerShayla, The Burney Sisters, Emma Zinck and Roxi Jane. The preview at Local Spins, along with other upcoming must-see events.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Summer Festivals
Local Spins chats with Shagbark fest honcho Farmer John Crissman about taking 2025 off and the challenges facing many festivals. On the flip side, our podcast features artists playing a host of August festivals.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts
More than 150 communities across the state host summer concerts in parks every night of the week — free shows with a family-friendly milieu. Local Spins takes a closer look at this phenomenon.
Sunday’s appearance by Train and Edwin McCain took place on a stellar evening for an enthused sold-out crowd. The review and photos.
Perfect weather, a rich wall of sound plus a hillside of adoring fans equaled an ideal environment for the beloved Michigan-bred act’s homecoming Friday at Meijer Gardens. Review, photos
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Michigan alt-folk heroes who play upcoming shows in their home state talk about their studio work and touring with Local Spins, which also spotlights new music by American Rust, Mei Semones, The War and Treaty, The Wire Monkeys, Al Wesley and more. Find out more about The Accidentals and their new album, and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists · Upcoming shows
With The War and Treaty returning to Meijer Gardens on Friday to perform with Grand Rapids Symphony, we asked guitarist/production manager Max Brown to reveal his most treasured musical influences, along with a current favorites. View and listen to his picks; get details about the Grand Rapids show at Local Spins.
The influential alternative trio, Dinosaur Jr., pushed the boundaries of volume possibilities to the delight of an all-ages crowd to lead a three-band charge at Meijer Gardens on Sunday. The review, photos.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Country, hard rock, reggae, Southern rock, alt-pop helped steam up a muggy week across West Michigan. Local Spins unfurls images from shows in Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Hudsonville and Otsego. View the recaps and photo galleries exclusively at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Festivals · Photos
Friday’s opening night of the three-day, indoor festival at The Pyramid Scheme boasted energetic sets by Michigan’s Greet Death, Pennsylvania’s Carly Cosgrove and more. The recap, photos and weekend schedule at Local Spins.
The alt-rock/pop band returned to the outdoor amphitheater to captivate a sold-out crowd with a big assist from the Grand Rapids Symphony on Wednesday. The review and photos at Local Spins.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
The six-day festival at Smiling Acres this week will feature performances by Elisabeth Pixley-Fink, Be Steadwell, Crys Matthews and more, along with workshops and vendors. Details at Local Spins.
Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
The hard-driving Upheaval Festival returned to Belknap Park on Friday amid sunny skies that drew throngs of hyper-energetic metal fans who cheered bands on three stages. The recap, photos and video.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
Local Spins spotlights the Grand Rapids band and its long-awaited new recording, while also debuting music by The Rebel Eves, The Mollusks, Deadbeatdad, August, Matthew Borr, Horizon Theory and more. Get The Local Commuters’ back story and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Wednesday night saw two crowd-pleasing concerts 12 miles apart: Grand Rapids Symphony’s Picnic Pops at Millennium Park and O.A.R.’s sold-out affair at Meijer Gardens. The Local Spins reviews, photos and a Picnic Pops video.
Breaking music news · Venue Spotlight
Citing rising costs, the West Side bar and live music club announced today that it will host its ‘final night of service’ on July 26, saddening many bands and fans.
The multi-instrumentalist and his Orleans Avenue band brought a jazzy Mardi Gras atmosphere to a packed Meijer Gardens venue for a high-energy Sunday of favorites. The Local Spins review and photos.
Album reviews · Audio · Upcoming shows
This mid-July roundup of new releases by Michigan artists also recaps the latest hip-hop album from The Musalini & Henry Puffington and Eric Engblade. Check out the reviews, listen to tracks from all of the releases.
The multi-platinum-selling West Michigan alt-rock band returned to Meijer Gardens on Monday this time with a symphonic twist. The review and photos at Local Spins.
The Homestead near Sleeping Bear Dunes, Michigan Legacy Art Park and Grand Traverse Civic Center are rife with live music this summer. Get the schedules and more at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
The iconic rock innovator plays Bell’s Brewery Beer Garden next week on his “Still Me/Still We” tour. The Local Spins interview with the 77-year-old legend.
Unthwarted by a relentless heat wave, the British post-punk headliners captivated a sold-out Meijer Gardens audience for their Sunday tour stop, with a boost from openers The Chameleons. The review and photos.
After a long hiatus, the pop-driven Colorado rock band made a triumphant splash during its tour stop Friday at GLC Live at 20 Monroe. The review and photos at Local Spins.
Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
The three-day festival outside Trufant kicked off on Friday with a bevy of popular Michigan acts, and continues through the weekend. The recap, photos and video at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The band which hit quadruple-platinum sales of 2005’s “How to Save a Life” plays Grand Rapids’ GLC Live at 20 Monroe on Friday. The Local Spins interview with David Welsh.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Tuesday’s regional showcase at Meijer Gardens unfurled a slice of funky, groovy, electronic music for attendees, while Jesse Ray & The Carolina Catfish rocked a refurbished park in Rockford.
The much-acclaimed, multi-Grammy Award-winning Americana singer/songwriter/guitarist delivered a nearly two-hour set at Meijer Gardens exploring his 30-year, genre-bending career on Monday. The Jason Isbell review, photos and set list at Local Spins.
The Grammy Award-winning blues/rock/soul/R&B guitarist headlined an evening of scorching temps and searing solos at Meijer Gardens after an Interlochen tour stop. The Local Spins review and photos.
Concert reviews · Photos · Weekend Photo Gallery
The West Michigan weekend’s live music romps included tour stops by national stars and concerts spotlighting local heroes, including The Spits and The Verve Pipe. The photos at Local Spins.
The Sunday night “I Want My ’80s” tour stop at Meijer Gardens also featured fan-friendly faves from Wang Chung, John Waite and Paul Young. The review and photos at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The veteran rocker opens up for Local Spins, which also debuts new music by Resurrection Blues Band, Ada LeAnn, The Messenger Birds, May Erlewine and more. Get Carolyn Striho’s back story and listen to this week’s Local Spins Michigan Music Showcase podcast.
Thursday was filled with stars: Chris Stapleton fired up a capacity crowd on the first of two nights at Van Andel Arena while Keb’ Mo’ and Taj Mahal returned to Meijer Gardens. The recaps and photos at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
It’s time to ‘wang chung.’ The artists — joined by John Waite and Paul Young — bring their “I Want My ’80s Tour” to Meijer Gardens and Interlochen. The Local Spins preview and interview with Wang Chung and Paul Young. Plus, relive their classic music videos.
Our early June roundup of new releases by artists from Michigan covers pop, country, funk, soul and much more. Check out the reviews and listen to tracks from all of the albums.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
In Kalamazoo, Pride shined through on a perfect day to celebrate diversity with a host of eclectic Michigan bands. Plus, GridLife Fest wrapped up two days of music in South Haven and Kalamazoo hosted ‘Art on the Mall’ performances. The recaps and photos at Local Spins.
The unusual tour that puts Michigander Maynard James Keenan’s A Perfect Circle and Puscifer on the same stage with Primus rocked Van Andel Arena on Wednesday, with a brief guest appearance by Billy Strings. The Local Spins review and photos.
Concert reviews · Summer Festivals · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Local Spins rounds up a busy weekend of live music music across the state — from Detroit to Kalamazoo to Grand Rapids to Paw Paw and beyond — in words, photos and a video. Check out images from Movement, Bus Benefit, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Neal Francis, Hot Like Mars, Megan Rae Band, Kanin Wren, Jon Spencer and a summer-starting event at Turnstiles.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Keenan’s Puscifer and A Perfect Circle will join Primus on stage Wednesday at Van Andel Arena. He opens up to Local Spins about the tour, his past and a development he plans for Scottville, where he grew up.
Features · Photos · Playlists · Top 13 Lists
Birthdays only come around once a year, so Local Spins marks its 13th anniversary today with its top playlists, top Michigan albums of 2025 and a photo recap of Wednesday’s birthday bash at SpeakEZ Lounge. Check out some amazing and unusual playlists, and see whic
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
It was a weekend of string things unlike any other with pop violinist Kishi Bashi, the GR Symphony getting funky with Lettuce and Rainbow Kitten Surprise closing things with a Sunday flourish. The photos at Local Spins, including images from Bronson Arm, Brother Wolf and Lucius Fox.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Upcoming shows · Videos
The band playing Local Spins’ 13th anniversary show next Wednesday debuted a new song this week and has a busy summer ahead, just part of the mid-May Michigan Music Showcase radio podcast that also featured the debut of tracks by Major Murphy, Dave & Kristi and more. Listen to the show, check out a performance video and learn more about The Legal Immigrants.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
From Shades’ electronic spectacle in Grand Rapids to Jon Hayes debuting new music in Kalamazoo to a record label birthday, concert excitement unfolded across W. Michigan. The images at Local Spins.
Local Spins on WYCE · Upcoming shows · Whatever Happened To
Today’s ‘Whatever Happened To’ feature revisits the psych/surf/garage band which plays the Dizzybird Anniversary tonight in Grand Rapids. Plus, Local Spins debuts new music by other Michigan artists. Get Heaters’ back story and listen to this week’s Michigan Music Showcase radio podcast.
Breaking music news · Summer Concerts
The shows just keep coming. Local Spins’ exclusive listing of outdoor community concerts across Michigan now boasts 100-plus series. We’ve added 25 more schedules to our summer guide; here are a few to check out and get an update on The Accidentals, who will play several of these series this summer.
Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
The label’s 11th anniversary party takes place at The Pyramid Scheme in Grand Rapids on Friday with Heaters, Gringo Star, Hollywood Makeout and Crystal Trench. Learn more at Local Spins, view the show schedule and check out videos of all the artists.
