Breaking music news · Features
The keyboard ace for bands such as Jive at Five and Blue Molly who died Saturday of an apparent heart attack remembered as a terrific friend and versatile musician.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements
The unique Interlochen venue in northern Michigan hosts more than two dozen stars – from Lynyrd Skynyrd to Buddy Guy – with tickets on sale April 18. And Hoxeyville returns in mid-August to the Manistee National Forest.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements
Returning will be CAKE, Lyle Lovett, The Beach Boys, O.A.R., Five for Fighting and Sheryl Crow, but most acts are new to Meijer Gardens. See the full schedule; ticket presale for members begins April 26.
As the community radio station’s spring fund drive revs up, WYCE unveils its “881 Essentials,” including about 50 local and regional bands and solo artists they play on-air.
Led by renowned Grand Rapids guitarist Fitz Green, the instrumental surf rock band draws a devoted following at its regular haunts: Rocky’s, Tip Top Deluxe and Rockford Brewing.
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
The debut of the Freedom Cruise June 25-29 will feature custom car and bike shows, a “Freedom Rocks” concert and a special edition of WLAV’s “Blues on the Ball.”
Green-clad revelers, green beer and blue skies rocked downtown’s Irish on Ionia, more than 30 bands rocked West Ottawa’s annual two-day music fest and Hillbilly Casino drove 12 hours straight to rock the West Side.
Midwest Skies, The Outer Vibe, We Know Jackson, Uncommon Road, SoundIsRed, Triangulion and more to play two stages during the weekend’s diverse music showcase.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The Crane Wives, Bennett and Lincoln County Process drew a hefty throng Friday for their rootsy strains, but there was more folk, soul, dubstep and rock in this weekend’s lively gallery mix, from Skankadank to UV Hippo.
National acts topped bills for br-r-rracingly unique West Michigan shows, but regional bands Mystic Dub, Root Doctor, Steve Hilger Band, An Dro and more were in the Local Spins photo mix, too
Ann Arbor’s Bad Indians and Chit Chat join Grand Rapids’ Haunted Leather and Heaters to deliver Michigan Psych Night’s debut on Saturday in an Eastown house concert. But just what is it really all about?
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Ogle rollicking winter fun indoors and out in these photos of the Winter Beer Fest, punk bands at the Tip Top, EDM mania at The Intersection, soulful rock at The Pyramid Scheme, sensitive singer-songwriters and dozens of local bands playing the Jammie Awards.
Breaking music news · Concert reviews
WYCE’s 15th annual affair doled out 18 Jammies to regional acts along plus some special Legacy Awards while two dozen bands rocked a full house at The Intersection on Friday night. See the full list of award winners. (Photos, video)
Grand Rapids’ answer to the British Invasion of the ’60s will uncork its ultra-energetic, throwback ditties during Friday’s Jammie Awards show at The Intersection. (Podcast, video)
Friday night’s Jammie Awards hosted by WYCE-FM (88.1) at The Intersection will boast two dozen bands on two stages and a packed house. It’s come a long way since its humble beginnings. Local Spins asked three key Jammie-ites to recount its growth and importance.
Breaking music news · Features · Videos
Local Spins’ new music update features Grand Rapids electropop phenomenon Stepdad, plus new videos from road warriors Nathan Kalish and Lindsay Lou & the Flatbellys, and up-and-coming Lansing indie-rock act Lights & Caves.
Local Spins asked West Michigan musicians what impact The Fab Four had on their music and what might have happened if the boys from Liverpool had never taken the globe by storm. Post your own comments about The Beatles and you could win a gift.
From the dubstep mania of Datsik to the funky, political hip hop of The Coup to the indie-rock of North Atlantic Drivt to a Tom Petty tribute, Grand Rapids boasted such a busy Thursday/Friday of music that Local Spins had to post this special batch of images.
The January edition of the Local Spins album round-up also features a peek at CDs by Chuck Whiting & The Tip Rail Ramblers, Heavier Than Air Flying Machines and Steven Dobias.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
A snowstorm wreaked some havoc, but live music prevailed — from a Rockford Brewing benefit for a Fauxgrass bassist to a heavy metal band competition at The Intersection. (Photos, videos)
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Seth Glier, Midwest Skies, White Rabbit, Tom DeVries, North Atlantic Drift and The Crane Wives also rock the latest batch of Local Spins concert images. (Photos, videos)
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
WYCE has chosen two dozen regional acts — indie-rock to blues to jazz and way more — to play the 15th annual Jammie Awards show at The Intersection on Feb. 21.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
A bevy of folk/roots acts played the day-long Wheatland benefit at The Intersection, plus images from Fresh Folk and shows by Heavier Than Air Flying Machines, The Front Bottoms and more.
Breaking music news · Top 10 Lists
The hard-touring Grand Rapids’ jam band’s masterfully produced 2013 album was recorded at two different West Michigan studios. It snags the first big award of the year. And check out the Local Spins Top 10.
As we rock into 2014, Local Spins takes a look at the top music stories on the website from the past year: the posts and features that drew the most interest from readers.
While thousands braved brisk temps at downtown’s outdoor Hot New Year’s Eve party, others packed Wealthy Theatre and The Intersection for lively, creative shows by the Starlight Six, Greensky Bluegrass and The Crane Wives. (Photos, video)
Michigan writers, musicians and readers offer their picks for the best albums and best songs of the past year, from Bradley to Beyonce to Bipolar Sunshine.
A happy, hefty and enthused Intersection throng greeted the Grand Rapids ska maestros who kicked out fan faves and new songs from the band’s “Can Contain It” album.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Ah, that magical time between Christmas and New Year’s was filled with, well, rock ‘n’ roll, captured in images at Local Spins.
This Local Spins column originally ran on Labor Day and generated more comments than any other story in 2013. So, do you know how little your favorite local musician or band is probably being paid?
The rootsy singer-songwriter is back in Michigan and back with The Wildfire, playing Rockford Brewing Friday. A European tour and new studio album lie ahead.
Just in the St. Nick of time for 11th-hour Christmas shopping, another batch of Local Spins reviews of albums by Michigan artists.
‘Twas the weekend before Christmas and the house was rocking around Grand Rapids, as evidenced by the photo and video roundup at Local Spins.
Submit your picks for 2013’s best albums and get a chance to win a gift card to a local brew pub — and the admiration of friends and Local Spins readers. And check out WYCE’s Jammie nominees for best local music.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
More than a dozen years in the making, “the glendanles brand” album gets unveiled for the first time in Thursday night shows at Louie’s Bar & Rocket Lounge. (Podcast, video)
Breaking music news · Features
After scoring two No. 1 active rock singles from “Onyx,” the hard-rocking, hard-touring West Michigan band plays a homecoming show at The Intersection Friday with guest Michael Crittenden.
Breaking music news · Commentary
Fans can decide for themselves whether it’s a magna cum laude class, but Cat Stevens, Hall & Oates, Nirvana, KISS, Linda Ronstadt and Peter Gabriel make an intriguing mix of stars.
Check out images from a rocking weekend in West Michigan: From twists on Christmas music to retro strains that made folks forget about the bluster outdoors
The Outer Vibe rolls and gets rocked with “Princess of Sin,” while Mowery earns International Blues Challenge nod for “Account to Me.”
The Grand Rapids trio channels The Cavern Club-era Beatles and early ’60s British beat bands with one rule of thumb: If it came after 1965, it doesn’t get played. (Podcast, video)
Breaking music news · Features
West Michigan acts continue to make a splash beyond the region, from Nashville to Europe. Get the lowdown in this Local Spins December music news update.
The mercury plummeted outside but things heated up indoors on the live music front with hard rock, bluegrass, vintage rock, country and indie-dance music.
Starting with saxophonist Phil Denny’s holiday jazz gem, Local Spins’ Christmas shopping list of new releases includes Gifts or Creatures, Knight and Guild, Maybe Next Time and Lazy Genius.
Grand Haven’s School Zone hopes its series might expand to broadcast TV. Vander Ark debuts songs from the show next Wednesday at Grand Rapids’ Wealthy Theatre.
Nine bands duked it out at Sunday’s finals at The Intersection. But another battle of the bands on Saturday at Billy’s Lounge was scrapped after four acts were no-shows.
Bassist Mike Smith’s battle with melanoma has inspired creation of The Free and Clear Foundation, which will benefit from tonight’s ‘Black Friday’ reunion show at The Intersection.
The “Wednesday-before-Thanksgiving Day spirit” was evident everywhere across Grand Rapids on Wednesday night.
The Thanksgiving edition of the Local Spins music news roundup is a real feast, with tasty nuggets about The Appleseed Collective, The Soil & The Sun and Star Darts.
Exactly 50 years ago, an assassin gunned down President John F. Kennedy, the same day that The Beatles released their second album. The world would never be the same again.
New releases by Uncommon Road, Roger MacNaughton, Breathe Owl Breathe, Love Fossil, Don Middlebrook, Lazy Genius and Make No Heroes in this batch of fall Local Spins reviews.
