Artist Spotlights · Local Spins Fest · Videos
The Local Spins countdown to the May 18 celebration of its 12th anniversary at Studio Park in Grand Rapids continues with a Q&A showcase of the young, fast-emerging Short Panic, along with a performance video.
This early May round-up of Michigan releases features new projects from DuPont Phillips and Elroy Meltzer, along with fresh recordings by some up-and-coming West Michigan bands. Read the reviews, listen to tracks from these releases.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
This week’s guest for Local Spins on WYCE talked about the West Michigan band’s latest project. The show also debuted tracks by Eric Engblade, Tunde Olaniran, Levitator, The Heiden Underground, Tommy Schichtel, Elroy Meltzer and more. Get Kyle Brown’s back story and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
The latest round-up of free community concerts staged across Michigan this summer boasts a bevy of regional stars and swells our Local Spins guide to more than 120 series — from Allegan to Traverse City.
In-Depth Report · Summer Festivals
Today, Local Spins not only unveils the official poster for the May 18 festival at Studio Park, but kicks off its series exploring how area ‘schools of rock’ aim to inspire the next generation of musicians.
Summer Concerts · Venue Spotlight
The Paw Paw vineyard’s sixth-year concert series kicks off in early May and boasts more than 45 concerts. Get details at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins Fest
As Local Spins counts down to the May 18 celebration of its 12th anniversary at Studio Park in Grand Rapids, we’re profiling the festival’s featured artists in Q&As. First up, learn more about Elijah Russ and check out his music via video.
Breaking music news · Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Beyond musical action featuring everything from a Canadian rock mainstay to The Accidentals, the weekend boasted the first Music Econ Summit and a Latvian Song & Dance Festival announcement. The scoop and photo galleries at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Our weekend concert photo recap not only commemorates Earth Day, but Record Store Day, 4/20 and West Michigan’s live music hubbub, from Frontier Ruckus to Alejandro Escovedo to Trifocal, The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band and more. Browse images in 10 photo galleries, plus a video at Local Spins.
With the summer concert and festival season fast approaching, Local Spins asked readers and writers to recount their most outrageous show experiences. Some of the tales are shocking.
Emerging Artists to Watch · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
This week’s all-new-Michigan-music edition of Local Spins on WYCE featured new, emerging artists: Anaia Lachelle, Metzfire, Future Things, Ryan Cassidy and 56 Tornadoes, along with tracks by established acts such as The Accidentals, Earth Radio and Lipstick Jodi. Learn more and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
The alt-rock/pop band took home three awards at Marshall’s Franke Center on Saturday, including video of the year, but a half-dozen other bands and filmmakers won honors, too, including Kalamazoo’s Basic Comfort and Detroit’s Nadim Azzam and Louie Lee among others. View the full list of winners.
Much of the country will be mesmerized by Monday’s solar eclipse, so we’ve created a sun-splashed soundtrack for the occasion. Plus, check out the celestial picks from Local Spins readers.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
With the much-anticipated announcement of the Meijer Gardens summer concert series just a week away, communications director John VanderHaagen reveals recordings that have shaped him.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
From Kalamazoo to Grand Rapids, the concert train was rolling over the past week. Check out photos from Samantha Fish, Less Than Jake, Pajamas, Oberon Day and more.
The progressive rock band topped The Cosmoknights, who took second, along with fellow competitors Farewell Come April and Quilter on Saturday night in another sold-out show as part of the month-long contest. The recap and photos at Local Spins.
When Al-Saadi and Kingfisher rock Milliken Auditorium on April 13, they’ll do so with a big assist from Northwestern Michigan College students handling every aspect of the concert experience. The back story at Local Spins.
Tuesday’s impressive, fan-pleasing stage show at Van Andel Arena also featured sets by Jimmy Eat World, Hot Mulligan and Games We Play. The Local Spins review, photos and set list.
Breaking music news · Weekend Photo Gallery
The arrival of spring brought more than unseasonable snow to the region: It also featured tour stops by international favorites, local bands battling for finals in two different contests, an intimate concert by a beloved Michigan songbird and more — all recapped in photos by Local Spins.
The New York-based singer-songwriter came home to Michigan with his band on Friday, delivering a performance featuring fan favorites from his acclaimed debut album along with music spanning his career. The Local Spins review and photo gallery.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The legendary guitarist brings his “Genesis Revisited: Foxtrot at Fifty + Hackett Highlights” tour to West Michigan on Saturday. The Local Spins interview and show preview.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
It wasn’t ALL about St. Patrick’s Day when it comes to live music this past week (though there was plenty of that). The Stray’s Battle of the Bands continued, plus West Michigan saw tour stops by several national fan-wowing acts — including Circles Around the Sun — as well as shows by some regional favorites. And it was all recapped in photos at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The pop-hued singer-songwriter who first made a splash with “Someday, Someway” in the 1980s plays St. Cecilia Music Center next Friday with a Brighton concert also on tap. The Local Spins interview.
Album reviews · Audio · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
This month’s round-up recapping new Michigan releases also takes a sneak peek into recordings by Laddermatch, Ryan Lynch and The J Hawkins Band. Plus, listen to tracks from all of the releases
Features · Local Spins at SXSW · Upcoming shows
March always signals a pilgrimage of musicians and singer-songwriters from across the globe seeking exposure for their art at Texas’ South by Southwest, with dozens of them from Michigan. The lowdown and the lineup at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
From Grand Rapids to Muskegon to Kalamazoo, live music fans got to experience lots of new acts and environments while also embracing some tried-and-true favorites — all recapped in images at Local Spins. Check out photos/videos of Gyasi, The Fat Animals, Roosevelt Diggs, Jay Gavan & The Flying Leaps, the Vultures John Mayer Tribute and more.
The February chart representing the most-played Michigan albums at WYCE boasted everything from rock to ska to folk to country to funk. View the chart, listen to tracks from all the releases.
Albums that Changed the World · Artist Spotlights · Playlists
Keyboardist, producer and studio engineer Joe Hettinga lists recordings by Paul Simon, Phish and Cannonball Adderley among those that shaped him as a musician. Learn more about Hettinga, check out his picks and listen to one of his current favorites along with tracks on which he’s featured.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
West Michigan tour stops were just part of an active live music week with Chase Matthew, Crankdat, Celeste Allison, Payton & Annabelle, Garbage Angel and more lighting up stages. Browse all of the photo galleries and a video at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
With a growing, ardent fan base, the Grand Rapids band is touring the country and making noise in a good way. Plus, the Local Spins on WYCE radio show podcast with new tracks by Michigan artists, including The Still Wonder, Nick Caster & Ty March, MaRynn Taylor, Brutes, Ann Wade and more.
Announcements · Upcoming shows
The month-long competition kicks off in Grand Rapids on Saturday and boasts 20 Michigan bands and artists. The lineup and more at Local Spins.
Albums that Changed the World · Artist Spotlights · Playlists
Pearl Jam, The Band, Bob Dylan all figure into Lockwood’s biggest influences, along with an under-the-radar artist. Check out the latest edition of this popular series and listen to tracks from the albums, along with songs from Lockwood’s latest studio recording.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
Today’s ‘sneak-peek’ announcement of three concerts booked for the popular amphitheater series boasts impressive double bills. Meijer Gardens also has revealed a new ticketing provider for 2024. Get the details at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Concert reviews · Photos
The Friday night celebration of Michigan music boasted a packed house at The Intersection, diverse sets and awards given out in 18 categories. Get a recap, browse photos and see the full list of winners.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Sunday’s rescheduled Winter Wheat and the return of jazz to SpeakEZ Lounge capped off a fascinating week of live music across West Michigan. The photo galleries, videos and more from seven shows at Local Spins, including Jackson Dean, LowDown Brass Band. Spencer LaJoye and Randissimo’s Sunday Night Jazz.
The award-winning group soared to the top of the chart for the first time with “Can You Hear It?” Learn more about the band and view the rest of the albums which landed in the Top 5 for January.
On Sunday, three fast-rising, Michigan-bred acts will vie for the most prestigious music awards in the business. Local Spins recaps their amazing journeys to prominence. Plus, listen to a Grammy playlist reflecting their nominated recordings.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio
Today, Local Spins’ “Three Albums That Changed the World” series features Prof. Paul Kwant, a guitarist who runs FSU’s Music & Entertainment Business Program. Check out — and listen to — his fun, guitar-driven rock picks and learn more about Ferris’ music business education track.
Concert reviews · Festivals · Weekend Photo Gallery
Things really heated up musically across Michigan amid the last full week of January, from Ann Arbor to Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo to Grand Haven. Check out the Folk Festival recap and 11 photo galleries at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The duo formed in 2019 recently released a self-titled album and plays a Grand Rapids show on Sunday night. The Artist Spotlight feature at Local Spins, along with band videos.
Artist Spotlights · Podcasts · Videos
The Grand Rapids singer-guitarist who releases his album next month opened up about the project for Local Spins on WYCE, which also premiered tracks by several Michigan artists, including The Marsupials, Katie Pederson, Mustard’s Retreat, Fangs and Twang, Kyle Evan Pluta and more.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements
From Full Cord and The Bootstrap Boys to Laura Rain and Jack Droppers, 19 bands and solo artists will perform at the Feb. 23 celebration taking place at The Intersection in Grand Rapids. The lineup at Local Spins.
This mid-January round-up of Michigan albums also features Local Spins takes on a special re-release from Overdrive Orchestra as well as an ‘esoteric’ collection from Kalamazoo’s Handturner. Listen to tracks from all of the releases.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio
Today, Local Spins’ popular series exploring the recordings that have impacted musicians, celebrities and various leaders spotlights the Michigan governor’s picks — and Great Lakes State artists play a starring role. Check out her picks and listen to the tracks at Local Spins.
Announcements · Commentary · Features
Today, your favorite online music magazine posts a little year-in-review after wrapping up our 12th year as Michigan’s go-to music website. Help keep our coverage spinning.
Album reviews · Audio · Upcoming shows
2024’s first roundup of Michigan releases at Local Spins ranges from singer-songwriter charm to hip hop glory to funk to rock fervor, from Southeast Michigan’s Annie & Rod Capps to Holland’s Lost Magic. Check out the reviews; listen to the music.
Sunday Recap · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Today, Local Spins revisits the top music stories of the past week — local and national — showcases photo galleries from area shows and debuts new music video from FlyLiteGemini and The Claudettes.
Concert reviews · Photos · Top Stories of the Year Countdown
Our No. 1 artist and story of the year spotlights homegrown bluegrass hero Billy Strings, whose wrestling-themed Halloween spectacle rolled out as an unprecedented, star-studded, five-hour, epic event. Revisit the review, photos, set list and more as Local Spins wraps up its countdown of the Top 20 stories of 2023.
Concert reviews · Top Stories of the Year Countdown
The rather upbeat 82-year-old legend brought his “Rough and Rowdy Ways” tour to DeVos Performance Hall in October, an unpredictable show characteristic of an evening with Dylan which sparked our No. 3 most-read story of the year. Revisit it today.
Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
The symphonic rock spectacle that lights up the holidays every year returns to Grand Rapids’ Van Andel Arena the day after Christmas. The interview and preview at Local Spins.
