With separate public and critics’ awards, twice as many songwriters were honored by St. Cecilia Music Center in this year’s ArtPrize contest. Roger MacNaughton has won for the third time in four years. Check out the full list of winners, listen to the songs and check out the reaction of winners.
Outside the hoopla of ArtPrize and the new Eddy music festival, venues from the lakeshore to Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo hosted some special shows this past week. Check out the images and recaps at Local Spins.
With Michigan House running a pop-up ArtPrize venue to tout local music, art and products, Local Spins asked organizer Ted Velie for his Top 10 list of songs. Not surprisingly, they’re all Michigan acts, from Flint Eastwood to The White Stripes.
Breaking music news · Features · Videos
A Michigan country jamboree and The Avett Brothers kick things off this weekend, with Porterhouse Presents also offering up Charles Bradley, Ozomatli, Billy Strings, silent discos, food and beer on the site. Get the scoop on this new outdoor venue, and view (and save) the opening weekend schedule.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The week unfolded with the arrival of ArtPrize 7 in Grand Rapids and a special SpeakEZ Lounge show, but there was plenty more musical art to embrace across West Michigan. Check out all the photo galleries and concert recaps..
Audio · Breaking music news · Features
With the band’s new single hitting download and streaming services today, the Grand Rapids alt-rockers don’t intend to release a new CD after all, but will ‘put out songs as we write them.’ Read the story and listen to The Verve Pipe’s new song, “If I Could Make You Feel.”
Breaking music news · Commentary
Less than three weeks after a rollicking, sold-out CD-release show for the duo’s brand new studio album, band members Josh Worsham and Jesse Ray have parted ways but remain amicable. Read more in the Local Spins story.
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
It launches tonight (Wednesday) at SpeakEZ Lounge with ArtPrize song entrants and continues with a new outdoor venue, Michigan House’s indoor space and 150-plus busking performances around Grand Rapids. Get the lowdown on all of the ArtPrize-related music options.
Three Grand Rapids-area events dominated the landscape musically, but there was much more across West Michigan: Taking Back Sunday, Mustard Plug, Megan Dooley, Delilah DeWylde, Blake Elliott and Full Cord. Check out all the colorful photo galleries at Local Spins.
New ArtPrize musical offerings range from The Eddy outdoor venue to Michigan House’s intimate indoor performance space, plus more than 150 busking performances in five locations around the city. Check out the robust lineup of live music offerings during ArtPrize in this Local Spins roundup.
Two much-admired, inventive rock bands brought their respective, polished spectacles to West Michigan on Wednesday night. And Local Spins was there to document the impressive performances for packed houses. Read the reviews and scan the photo galleries from these mid-week concert gems.
Inspired by last week’s extraordinary Detroit-area performance by former Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant, a Local Spins columnist finds enlightenment and virtuosity in not standing still — and sees some shining examples right here in West Michigan.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Janet Jackson and Of Montreal brought their touring spectacles to Grand Rapids on Friday, but there were plenty of other fascinating shows this week to ogle as well, from Saturday’s Eastown Street Fair to Thursday’s Grand Rapids Harmonica Summit to Chase Rice — all captured in photos at Local Spins.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The Sept. 11, 2015, edition of Local Spins on WYCE focused on regional bands performing at this weekend’s Wheatland and Eastown Street Fair events, including in-studio ska guests The Sailor Kicks. It also featured the debut of new tracks by The Lake Effects and Toby Bresnahan. Listen to the entire podcast.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
The weekend’s stunning array of shows by national and local acts paced an entire week of invigorating live music as Labor Day 2015 approaches. It’s all highlighted in a Local Spins recap, with photo galleries and videos.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
Local Spins on WYCE kicked off its second year with an in-studio performance by a harmonious Kalamazoo indie-folk duo and fresh tracks from Jesse Ray & The Carolina Catfish, Kim Vi & The Siblings and much more.
Playlists · Upcoming shows · Videos
Grand Rapids’ uber-energetic “black-tie garage rockers” have uncorked a new album. But Jesse Ray and Josh Worsham also have taken time to offer Local Spins their playlist of favorite tunes, including The Rolling Stones and Gary Clark Jr. and local faves such as The Crane Wives and Joe Hertler.
One of the final Meijer Gardens concerts of the summer boasted the return of a Maryland rock band which once again sold out the outdoor amphitheater and got plenty of ‘hands up’ in the process. Read the review and ogle the photo gallery from a hot night of music.
Artist Spotlights · Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
The ferocious Grand Rapids garage-rock duo is now performing as a foursome, itching to unleash its ‘fantastic’ new studio album and ready to tour the land. The Bangups play Founders on Saturday.
Artist Spotlights · Features · Videos
The 22-year-old singer-songwriter who grew up on the West Side has generated a major buzz for his recent single and video, with more to come as he works with a Grammy-winning recording engineer in the Windy City. Check out the video for his first single.
Commentary · Concert reviews · Summer Concerts · Weekend Photo Gallery
CD-release shows and late summer festivals dominated a wet and cool August week, along with a first-time country show in Ionia and a packed Wealthy Theatre tour stop by May Erlewine and The Moonlighters. Check out all the photos at Local Spins.
The Grand Rapids “black-tie garage rock” duo cranked up the volume in Studio X at WYCE, with sound therapist Geoff Lamden also making a guest appearance during Local Spins on WYCE’s one-year anniversary show. Check out the full podcast and the video.
“Girls can do anything” was the mantra for over two dozen girls last week at GR!GR with instructors’ encouraging positive motivation and empowerment for the budding musicians. Read the story and check out the photo gallery.
Summer Concerts · Weekend Photo Gallery
Summer hasn’t started winding down just yet: Music is firing on all cylinders from Grand Rapids to Holland to Jackson County. Check out the images at Local Spins in The Weekend Photo Gallery.
Friday night delivered two Grand Rapids concerts that couldn’t have been more different, but were every bit as satisfying for their respective throngs of fans. Check out the review and photo gallery from shows featuring Pop Evil and Vince Gill.
Artist Spotlights · Features · Upcoming shows
The chart-topping rockers unleash their new album at The Intersection’s “Rock the Lot” on Friday and recently released “Ghost of Muskegon” single in a hometown nod. Read about the band’s hard-gigging journey and watch the video for “Footsteps.”
Concert reviews · Features · Photos · Videos
The Detroit area’s Third Degree Burns and Grand Rapids’ Roosevelt Diggs win the grand prizes in the unusual competition and music showcase. Read the story and check out the photo gallery and video from an event described as “music’s ArtPrize.”
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Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts
The Midwest classic rock band’s Meijer Gardens debut on Thursday was an arena-styled affair for an exuberant sold-out crowd. Read the review and check out the photo gallery from a picture-perfect evening at the amphitheater.
Concert reviews · Guest Column · Photos
Local Spins takes an inside look at an under-the-radar, mid-week concert that had “bodies flying every which way” thanks to a frenzied Buffalo band hitting its stride. Read the review and check out the wild photo gallery.
Features · Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
With 60 bands vying to win a grand prize worth $10,000-plus, the Saturday afternoon bonanza of music takes over the lakeshore town. Get details and see how the second annual event has upped the ante.
Features · Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
“We love us some Hoxey!” One of Michigan musicians’ favorite summer festivals heats up Manistee National Forest this weekend on two stages for three days and 30-plus performances. Starting small all those years ago, Hoxeyville has grown up but remains a “special place” for bands such as Greensky Bluegrass. Check out the full daily lineup.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts
The tour where there’s no place for encores because they play all the hits anyway hit Meijer Gardens on Monday. It was all about nostalgia and ‘flashbacks to high school’ for many. For others, it was just a fun night of sing-alongs. Check out the review and photo gallery.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts
Despite overcast skies and stray sprinkles, Shagbark Farm’s celebration of regional music launched Friday with a joyful vibe and stellar music, with more to come Saturday. Read the recap of Friday’s opening volley and check out the photos from this unique festival.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
With summer festival season raging, the Aug. 7 edition featured performers from Cowpie Music Fest, plus jazz trumpeter Chris Lawrence with L.A.’s Linosphere and music from new local CDs. Listen to the full podcast and check out the video of Linosphere’s in-studio performance.
Bars of Gold, Bong Mountain, The Reptilian and dozens more will rev up Shakespeare’s Pub for this annual rock fest that’s growing with ‘mesmerizing,’ diverse talent. Read the story about this Kalamazoo event and check out the full schedule.
Features · Live at River City · Podcasts · Videos
One of West Michigan’s fastest-rising vocal talents and her band spent an electrifying hour at a Grand Rapids studio earlier this summer, playing songs new and old while revealing their special chemistry. Read the story, listen to the interview and watch the riveting video. Only at Local Spins.
The iconic Boston rock band brought 45 years of stage savvy and classic hits to Van Andel Arena with Living Colour. Local Spins reviewer Troy Reimink waxes poetic — in[…]
Features · Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
National act Bill Kirchen and local faves Luke Warm & The Not So Hots, Rochelle & The Spoilers, Tony LaJoye Trio, Macpodz, Rootstand, Legal Immigrants, Big Dudee Roo, Afro Zuma and more will light up this weekend’s farm bash. Get the full schedule and details here.
Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
Check out the latest visual treats from a diverse bunch of West Michigan bands, all of whom are firing up stages this summer from Grand Rapids to Traverse City to Los Angeles. It’s Local Spins’ version of MTV, only better.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Seasoned and emerging national acts made West Michigan tour stops, but local acts basked in summer’s power, too, including Bennett, Roosevelt Diggs, The Go Rounds, Jim Shaneberger, The Sailor Kicks. Check out all the photos in this weekend’s spectacular photo gallery.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
Local Spins’ latest radio episode spotlighting regional music got soulfully skanky in-studio with Grand Rapids’ Skankadank and boasted a sneak peek into several new local albums. Listen to the entire podcast here.
With a sold-out amphitheater on hand, fans at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park on Monday were treated to a jam-packed set of classic rock favorites courtesy of Benatar and guitarist Neil Giraldo. Check out the photo gallery and read a roundup of the show.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
From Kalamazoo to Lansing to Grand Rapids, live music took center stage this week with the Tuesday Evening Music Club kickoff, Billy Strings & Don Julin, Nobody’s Darlin’, the season’s first GRAM on the Green show and much more in the mix. Check out the resplendent photo gallery with links to images from concerts by Mat Kearney, Patty Griffin, Mavis Staples and Joshua Davis.
Concert reviews · Local Spins on WYCE · Photos
Joshua Davis and his all-star band of friends delivered a reserved yet poignant concert in the “gorgeous” setting of Fountain Street Church. Check out the review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
It’s a big weekend for music festivals across Michigan. From Cross Village to Traverse City to Kalamazoo to Detroit, an eclectic blend of national and regional acts are spotlighted to bolster options for those traveling the Great Lakes State. Check out the lineups and details here, with links to schedules.
Features · Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
Well-known regional acts Heartsick, Flint Eastwood, Joshua Davis, Steve Rivers, B. Sykes and more boost the six-day festival that kick off Tuesday. See who else is playing and check out the full Common Ground schedule.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The weather cooperated beautifully during the holiday week for shows large and small, including sets by Mid-Life Crisis, Rusty Wright Band and bands at the Fourth of July celebration downtown. Check out the full photo gallery at Local Spins.
Features · Playlists · Upcoming shows · Videos
In an interview from the road, the band’s longtime keyboardist talks to Local Spins about the current U.S. tour and playing the classics at sold-out shows, and even offers up his 11 favorite Rolling Stones songs of all time. Find out what he views as the highlights from the tour and what he considers the greatest rock song of all time.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Grand Rapids band celebrates release of its new album on Saturday at Founders Brewing. But before that, the group fronted by Joe Bockheim stopped by WYCE to rock Studio X. Read the story, check out the video and listen to the full Local Spins on WYCE podcast.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
No shortage of live music options across West Michigan now that summer is in full swing, captured here in images, from return of West Michigan Freedom Cruise and the Celadon series to Time & Luck in Spring Lake. Check out the mini-reviews and full photo gallery at Local Spins.
