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.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The symphonic metal stars in Trans-Siberian Orchestra return to Grand Rapids’ Van Andel Arena for two ‘Ghosts of Christmas Eve’ shows this weekend, with a Detroit stop on Dec. 27. The Local Spins interview with drummer Jeff Plate, along with videos of live TSO performances.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Winter arrived in Michigan with a snowy bang over Thanksgiving weekend, but bands from Kalamazoo to Traverse City heated up stages in spite of the weather, including Desmond Jones’ traditional day-before-Thanksgiving romp. View the photos at Local Spins.
Emerging Artists to Watch · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The Thanksgiving weekend edition of the Local Spins Michigan Music Showcase boasts fresh tracks by a diverse set of artists, plus some enduring music from Jack White and Organissimo. Listen to the full radio show podcast.
Audio · Detroit Lions · Playlists · Upcoming shows
As Detroit rock icon Jack White prepares to play the halftime show at Ford Field for today’s Thanksgiving Day tilt between the Lions and the Green Bay Packers, Local Spins unleashes two Jack White-centric playlists for the ages.
To heat things up for our upcoming year-end round-up of best concerts and albums of 2025, we’re revealing the Top 5 concerts based on reader counts of concert reviews, and asking readers to submit their favorites, too. Those that do will be entered into a drawing for a Local Spins gift pack.
Audio · Playlists · Upcoming shows · Videos
The music of The Doors has endured for more than a half-century. So, Local Spins Wednesdays at SpeakEZ Lounge presents The Insane Theatre tribute to The Doors tonight — the perfect opportunity to unveil our Top 12 playlist of the iconic band’s most memorable songs.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Saturday night’s benefit for Sullivan Field drew a robust crowd for Joe Hertler and The Hacky Turtles. Plus, view photos from tour stops by Thomas Dolby, SoDown, Bobby Watson and YDG, with regional favorites Ghost Bunnies, Jake Simmons and more in our concert photo gallery roundup.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Country singer Ryan Hurd, jam band Dogs in a Pile, Here Come the Mummies and more filled up a weekend of live music that also included the second annual GIG conference in Jackson. Browse the photo galleries.
Team Local Spins takes on Traverse City’s Iceman Cometh Challenge bike race today, after country star Riley Green fired up Grand Rapids. Browse show photos and check out our November concert picks.
The second annual ‘GIG: The Art of Michigan Music’ conference takes place Saturday at Art 634 in Jackson with displays by 24 visual artists and concert photographers, as well as performances by three Michigan rock bands. The lowdown at Local Spins.
Sunday’s tour stops by artists with new albums featured pop-punk’s All Time Low at GLC Live at 20 Monroe and singer-songwriter Josh Ritter at St. Cecilia. The recaps and photos at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Kathleen Edwards, Neon Trees, John Morgan, Lindsay Lou, Lower Leisure Class, Candid Antics, The Local Commuters and Garbage Angel highlighted the week of live music from Kalamazoo to Grand Rapids to Traverse City, recapped in Local Spins photos.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
The alt-country and rock band that released an EP this summer makes its Local Spins Wednesdays debut at SpeakEZ Lounge. Today, frontman Devin Weber opens up about his favorite rock artists and more.
A sold-out GLC Live at 20 Monroe was ‘on fire’ when Cage the Elephant returned to the venue to produce what it called one of the best shows of its tour. The Local Spins review and photos.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
From Lawrence’s soul-pop at GLC Live, Tauk’s fusion at Elevation and ATliens wild EDM at The Intersection to more intimate affairs at Wealthy Theatre (May Erlewine), Bell’s (Craig Finn), SpeakEZ (Evidence Jazz) and Glow Hall (Cal in Red), it was an upbeat weekend of live music. Get the recaps and browse the photos at Local Spins.
Album Releases · Artist Spotlights · Audio · Upcoming shows
The northern Michigan rock band releases its third album on Friday, performing at The Venue Event Center in Cadillac. Get the band’s back story and listen to its latest single at Local Spins.
October means most live music has moved indoors — but certainly not all of it. Local Spins rounds up some of the state’s must-see shows as autumn settles in.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Local Spins spotlights the Lansing-area rocker who releases ‘Rock and Roll Will Save Us All’ next month, plus debuts fresh tracks from other Michigan artists.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The 18-year-old Taiwanese virtuoso has become an internet sensation drawing millions of views on YouTube for his astonishing prowess on the ukulele. He plays Tip Top Deluxe Bar and Grill on Sunday. The Local Spins interview.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows · Videos
The fourth-year, week-long Sounds of the Zoo music festival will unfold on eight stages over seven days starting Monday with more than four dozen bands and solo artists. Get the preview and schedule at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Venue Spotlight
After six years of indoor and outdoor shows, the Allegan County business will close Sept. 27, joining a roster of West Michigan concert venues that have closed over the past year. The back story at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The early September flurry of concerts and festivals across West Michigan included a long-running Grand Rapids street fair and celebrations in Kalamazoo, plus concerts featuring Jauz, The Nuance, Sunny War and more. Browse the photo galleries and come back to Local Spins on Tuesday for full coverage of the Wheatland Music Festival.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
The alt-rock/folk band’s sold-out, headlining show at Meijer Gardens on Thursday night was a milestone event for the beloved group with a devoted fan base. The review, photos and a video at Local Spins.
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.
