Concert reviews · Festivals · Kalamazoo · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Kalamazoo’s Sounds of the Zoo continued its musical march over the weekend, with Marc E. Bassy & Skizzy Mars and The Airborne Toxic Event revving up Grand Rapids. The photo round-up at Local Spins.
Concert Listings · Upcoming shows
As summer turns to fall, music fans are turning to indoor shows starring Michigan bands and solo artists. Here are schedules for several fall concert series across the region, with some concerts kicking off on Sunday.
Concert reviews · Festivals · Photos
The last week in September uncorked hard rock, pop-punk, pop-soul, jazz, hip hop, Americana and more from Grand Rapid to Kalamazoo. Revisit the early-week shows in words and photos at Local Spins.
Audio · Commentary · Playlists · Upcoming shows
Tonight at Grand Rapids’ SpeakEZ Lounge, Local Spins celebrates two major Fab Four milestones with a performance by That Beatles Thing. Get details and listen to a special playlist at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
As summer transitioned to fall, West Michigan’s music fans were still in a celebratory mood to cheer some national touring acts — including Sierra Hull and The Movement — as well as Grand Rapids’ fourth Confluence Fest. The images and recaps at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Meijer Gardens wrapped up its final summer concert on Sunday with an esteemed Cuban ensemble, closing out a weekend that also featured Lettuce, the Kalamashoegazer Festival, a One Well block party and the Fallasburg Arts Festival. Check out the recaps and photos at Local Spins..
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
One of Michigan’s most treasured festivals rolls out for the final time next weekend. Organizer Seth Bernard reflects on its special beauty, with Local Spins offering up a users’ guide to the Lake City spectacle.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts · Summer Festivals
Celtic music fans flooded Muskegon’s Heritage Landing for the 25th anniversary of the Michigan Irish Music Fest on Thursday and Friday, while The Verve Pipe rocked Otsego’s Liquid Note. Browse the photos at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
In a revealing interview with the northern Michigan musician, the renowned frontman talks about his music, Grand Funk Railroad and more. The Local Spins on WYCE podcast also debuts new tracks by Luke Winslow-King, Greg Nagy and other Michigan artists.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The veteran Grand Rapids band plays a sold-out record-release show tonight and reveals its back story for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuts other Michigan music. Check out the group’s new music and video, and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Musicians’ financial and labor struggles have continued in 2024. So here in their own words, Local Spins provides its annual Labor Day column exploring the plight of Michigan artists and performers.
Labor Day weekend launched with some deliciously scary heavy music across the state, but also featured a celebrated jam band and a tribute to a late Kalamazoo musician.
Today’s Local Spins on WYCE broadcast marks a full decade of the show that spotlights local and regional music — a program that’s showcased more than 6,000 songs by Michigan artists. Listen to this week’s special radio show podcast.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows
The GR-and-Cincinnati emo/punk/jazz trio’s debut album gets featured for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Tess Clark, Brie Stoner, Caliko, Chirp, Ten Peso Version and more. Check out the back story on Pretty Sure and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
It was an August night to embrace rock of different stripes, with alt-rock’s Dogstar at GLC Live at 20 Monroe and Americana/rock’s Roosevelt Diggs in Rockford. The photo recaps and videos at Local Spins.
‘Can’t Stop the Beat’: The singer and multi-instrumentalist closed out the weekend with an engaging, energetic return to Meijer Gardens, a show boosted by opener May Erlewine. The review and photos at Local Spins.
The Kentucky-bred indie-rock band lit up Van Andel Arena on Friday with lead singer Matt Shultz displaying terrific showmanship despite a broken foot. Review, photos.
The blues-infused rock double-header at Meijer Gardens on Wednesday boasted plenty of instrumental romps and familiar tunes. The Local Spins review and photos.
From Kalamazoo to Grand Rapids and beyond it was another simmering summer week of concerts, including Celeste Allison, Chris Canas, Luke Winslow-King, a songwriters’ fest and more.
The legendary jam band’s two straight jubilant nights at Van Andel Arena featured a guest appearance by the Michigan-bred bluegrass phenom, stellar lights and memorable jams. Billy Strings himself called it “magic.” Revisit Tuesday’s show in words, photos and video and view set lists from both nights at Local Spins along with comments from Billy about his guest spots.
Vertical Horizon opened Monday’s sold-out show at Meijer Gardens, with fans reveling in the melodic, hook-driven nostalgia of two long-running bands. The review and photo gallery.
Michigan’s thriving music scene has spawned another intriguing volley of new releases reviewed at Local Spins, including fresh recordings from Josiah DeNooyer and Rabbit Fur. Learn more about these releases and listen to tracks from the albums.
Michigan’s festival season is in high gear, with musical celebrations spanning the state, Jackson to Hastings to Kalamazoo to Morley. Local Spins has images from a weekend of sizzling outdoor music.
Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
Festivalgoers basked in Saturday’s sunny weather as the second-year event delivered impassioned sets from seven acts, including Hannah Wicklund, who created a real buzz with her performance. Check out Local Spins’ review of the festival, along with photos and video highlights.
The Gov’t Mule frontman brought his “Dreams & Songs Symphonic Experience” tour to Meijer Gardens on Monday, reinterpreting classics from the likes of the Allman Brothers and Grateful Dead. The fan review and photos at Local Spins.
The band led by Jakob Dylan made a tour stop at Meijer Gardens on Thursday amid brilliant sunshine in front of a full house. The Local Spins review by Nicholas James Thomasma.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Playing only seven such shows this summer, the celebrated guitarist will perform a wide range of rock classics with the Grand Rapids Symphony. The Local Spins interview with the Grammy Award-winning guitarist who brings his band to Grand Rapids for this unique show on Monday.
On a holiday weekend, Local Spins took to the road to catch the first Free Fridays show in Grand Haven and a legendary band at The Acorn in Three Oaks. Browse the photo galleries.
It was an eardrum-shattering, face-melting evening of psychedelic/Southern/alt rock from the Kentucky-born quintet, led by charismatic frontman and vocal powerhouse Jim James. The review and photos at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Summer Festivals · Weekend Photo Gallery
Summer concerts continued to heat up West Michigan over the past week, with national touring acts stopping in Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo. Local Spins has the photos, recaps, set lists, including a gallery from the final day of Smiling Acres 2024.
Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
A bit of scattered light rain fell on festivalgoers outside Trufant on opening day, but performers rocked stages in diverse ways anyway. The recap at Local Spins.
Features · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
A Local Spins on WYCE interview with Rich MacKeigan, a key player in a new GR amphitheater, raised names of potential venue performers, from Grand Rapids Symphony to The War & Treaty. Listen to the chat, read more about the amphitheater and check out new music from Michigan artists — Phabies, Kait Rose, Overdrive Orchestra and more. Plus, make your picks for artists you’d like to see play the 12,000-seat outdoor venue.
Photos · Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
The latest update to Local Spins’ “Free Outdoor Community Concerts Guide” boasts a wide array of regional acts playing cities across the region. Browse the show schedules and view photo galleries from recent weekday shows in Wyoming, Grand Rapids Township and Rockford.
Despite a delay caused by a fan’s medical emergency, the Austin-bred duo, plus backing band, heated up Meijer Gardens on Sunday with their signature blend of psychedelic soul and rock, The concert review and photos at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Isbell and his band delivered a fan-rousing set at State Theatre on Saturday, part of an active week of live shows from Kalamazoo to Grand Rapids to Electric Forest. The photos and more at Local Spins.
The two, jam-happy rock bands with more than a half-century of music to unleash had folks dancing in the humidity and sunshine at Meijer Gardens on Friday. The review, photos and a Little Feat set list at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Uncategorized · Upcoming shows · Videos
The rock band brings its tour to Michigan Saturday. Frontman Ben Bridwell took time for an in-depth chat with writer Enrique Olmos about the band, touring and making the transition years ago from pizza delivery guy to musician.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
This mid-June festival kicks off south of Grand Rapids on Friday, with dozens of Michigan acts on the three-day bills. Get the details, ticket links, daily schedules and performer picks at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
From one end of Michigan to the other, the weekend kicked off with a celebratory flair, featuring a star-studded christening of an iconic building and the return of a GR institution. Get the recaps, photo galleries and a video at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Featured for this week’s Local Spins on WYCE show, get the back story on this Festival of the Arts performer and listen to new music from a host of Michigan artists, including Prior Noon, Potionseller, Pablo Eskobear, MaRynn Taylor, Jessica Wolfbird, The Wild Honey Collective and more.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Grand Rapids’ annual Festival revs up again for three days on Friday afternoon, with dozens of regional acts performing and the usual, tasty food-vending smorgasboard. Get the lowdown at Local Spins, along with maps of stages and food vendors.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The venues stretched from Kalamazoo to Grand Rapids to the Manistee National Forest for fan-engaging performances that closed out May and welcomed June. The Local Spins photo galleries, including Sebastian Bach at The Intersection and a Jordan Hamilton listening party at The Clover Room.
Album reviews · Audio · Upcoming shows
This late May round-up of Local Spins’ takes on new releases by a half-dozen Michigan artists also includes The Heiden Underground and The Soods. Listen to tracks from each release and find out where some of these bands are performing in coming weeks and months.
The season-starting version of Hoxeyville unfurls for the first time this weekend, with Infamous Stringdusters, Leftover Salmon and regional favorites Luke Winslow-King, Sweet Water Warblers & more. Get the preview, schedule and videos at Local Spins.
The band’s Michigan homecoming show on Sunday — and first headlining affair at Van Andel Arena — brought the ‘Heat Above’ for a hard-hitting yet sentimental performance. Review, photos, set list.
Two highly touted touring phenoms from different parts of the musical spectrum lit up venues in Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo this past week. Browse the photo galleries at Local Spins.
Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
Local Spins’ 12th anniversary celebration in downtown Grand Rapids on Saturday boasted sets by five Michigan bands who pumped up a gleeful crowd at Studio Park. Get the recap, browse photo galleries and check out video highlights at Local Spins.
Features · Local Spins Fest · Summer Festivals
Leading up to Local Spins Fest later today (Saturday), we offer another profile of area academies and schools of rock that tutor the next generation of musicians. Learn more about Kalamazoo Academy of Rock, with advice about how to best encourage youthful talent.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins Fest
The Local Spins countdown to Saturday’s celebration of its 12th anniversary at Studio Park in Grand Rapids continues with a Q&A featuring Local Spins Fest headliner Nathan Walton & The Remedy.
Features · Local Spins Fest · Summer Festivals
To help preview Grand Rapids’ Local Spins Fest 2024 on Saturday, Local Spins continues to examine the importance of mentoring young musicians. Today, we focus on Girls Rock! Grand Rapids.
