Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
Our Saturday round-up of West Michigan music news ranges from info about a rocking new exhibit at Grand Rapids’ presidential museum to a second-year talent competition in Rockford and a new leader at WYCE.
Concert reviews · Photos · Top 12 Stories Countdown
The first stop on the legendary British rock artist’s U.S. tour got plenty of attention from fans across the globe in August, making it the No. 2 most-read story of the year at Local Spins. Revisit that special opening night, view a photo gallery and browse the set list.
Local Spins Rewind · Photos · Top 12 Stories Countdown
The countdown of Local Spins’ most-read stories of the year hits No. 9 today with the recap of a busy summer weekend that featured Faster Horses, Drive-By Truckers, Walk the Beat and more. Revisit the late July roundup in words and photos.
Audio · Best Music of the Year · Videos
Amid another turbulent and hectic year, recorded and live music made a huge comeback. Today, Local Spins writers reveal their picks for the best of both in 2022. Check out the robust roster of notable releases and concerts and listen to select tracks in this special feature being published today in lieu of our usual Thursday ‘Amplified’ newsletter.
With Christmas just ahead, we review six new Michigan releases you might want to add to your shopping list, including fresh collections from Silver Creek Revival and The Dangling Participles. Delve into the recordings and listen to tracks from all of the releases.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows
The annual variety show for charity heats up Elevation on Dec. 29 with more than two dozen musicians and singers. Get the lowdown, plus this week’s Local Spins on WYCE podcast with the debut of tracks by Michigan artists.
Jakob Dylan and company brought the tour behind their latest album to GLC Live at 20 Monroe on Thursday, with Michigan’s own Brother Elsey getting the night started. The review and photos at Local Spins.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio
Today, the popular Local Spins series revealing albums that have impacted Michigan musicians continues with Scott and Molly Schultz. Listen to tracks from all of the recordings, along with Molly’s new single and video.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The liveliest Thanksgiving weekend for live music in three years delivered everything from country to rock to electronic music to jamgrass for West Michigan fans — from a packed house at Rockford Brewing to two straight nights of a bluegrass homecoming in Kalamazoo. The photos at Local Spins.
From tour stops by Greensky Bluegrass, Straight No Chaser, Daryl Hall and Todd Rundgren to Thanksgiving eve parties starring Desmond Jones, Hannah Rose Graves and more, it’s a jam-packed week. Get the lowdown and a list of shows at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
Local Spins chats with two legendary artists — Hall of Hall & Oates fame and Rundgren — as the icons prepare to play DeVos Performance Hall. Get the inside story on this unique tour in this exclusive Local Spins interview with both artists.
Led by one-time Grand Rapidian Maynard James Keenan, the rock band brought its theatrical schtick to DeVos Performance Hall on Tuesday. The Local Spins review and photo gallery.
Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
The first of four early shows starring West Michigan rock bands rolls out at the Grand Rapids club in Eastown today. View the lineup for the first event and get details at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The Grand Rapids harp player and singer’s latest album basked in the spotlight for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Billy Strings, Josh Rose, Jair, 84 Tigers, Nathan Walton and more. Read more about Bruce Madden and listen to this week’s full radio show podcast at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Hot Top 5
New releases by the West Michigan artists joined recordings by Djangophonique and Ficus as the most-played local/regional releases at WYCE (88.1 FM) in October. Listen to tracks from all of the charted releases at Local Spins.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Upcoming shows
The Serita’s Black Rose duo is the latest set of West Michigan artists to reveal the recordings that have most influenced them over the years. Listen to their picks at Local Spins.
Jennifer Bartlett of the haunting Grand Rapids rock band Lokella lives and breathes Halloween. So, Local Spins asked her to curate what could be the creepiest Halloween playlist ever. Really. Listen … but leave the lights on.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The British-born blues-rock phenom who splits time between Detroit and Nashville brings the tour behind a new album to Kalamazoo State Theatre on Wednesday. The Local Spins interview, with two music videos.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
The frontman for Michigan’s Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers boasts a fascinating set of musical influences and a surprising current favorite. Check out his picks and listen to the music at Local Spins.
West Michigan’s weekend of live music wrapped up with the final salvo in an outdoor concert series in Kalamazoo and some light-festooned jams in Grand Rapids. Browse the photos at Local Spins.
The West Michigan rock band won out over 10 other acts competing earlier this month in Louisiana, part of the week-long Prize Fest event. Details at Local Spins, along with a couple of the band’s recent music videos.
Commentary · In Memoriam · Videos
‘He made the world a better place.’ Grand Rapids drummer Bill Vits had a huge impact on musicians, fans and students. His death has sparked loving memorials to this local icon and Local Spins shares some of them with readers today.
Concert reviews · Festivals · Photos · Videos
Our weekend concert recap focuses on Saturday’s inaugural downtown street fest that also boasted sets by Kari Lynch, Melophobix and more. Plus, view photos from Joe Satriani’s tour stop Friday at State Theatre in Kalamazoo.
Beyond a revved-up full house at The Pyramid Scheme, the weekend launched with a Kalamazoo tour stop by Ani DiFranco, a jazz duo at St. Cecilia and a music release by Second Hand Drugs. View the photo galleries at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Grand Rapids band hellbent on doing things its own way debuted new tracks for Local Spins on WYCE, which also showcased creepy new Halloween songs and releases by other Michigan artists. Learn more about Second Hand Drugs, which plays Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill tonight.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
A member of The Concussions, The B-Sides and Zebra 3, Stanton is a West Michigan mainstay with a love for The Beatles and bands who produce short, catchy pop classics. View his picks and listen to tracks from all of the albums.
Festivals · Playlists · Upcoming shows
The all-day festival in downtown Grand Rapids will also feature Blue Jay Bridge, Vinylicious and DJ Jay Vee, performing under a mammoth tent. View the full schedule.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
When Michigan-bred post-hardcore band I Prevail revved things up at GLC Live at 20 Monroe on Saturday, it capped a week of fan-pleasing music from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo. The recaps and photo galleries at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Videos
Led by Rachel White and Matt Plessner, the Grand Rapids rock band releases ‘Past Forward’ next week. The back story on the group’s new album, a video and the latest Local Spins on WYCE podcast.
Album reviews · Audio · Upcoming shows
This early October round-up of releases by Michigan artists features new collections covering rock, pop, hip hop, jazz and Grand Rapids singer-songwriter Cameron Blake’s return to the violin. Check out the reviews and listen to tracks from all of the releases.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Hot Top 5 · Upcoming shows
The Grand Rapids rock bands made their Local Spins Hot Top 5 Chart debut in September with new studio rrecordings. Check out the chart, listen to tracks from all of the releases.
Concert reviews · Festivals · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Friday’s Van Andel Arena show was a tribute to The Judds, part of a West Michigan weekend that included Sounds of the Zoo, Horizen Fest, the third-to-last show at Seven Steps Up, Lower Leisure Class, Opiuo, Larry Fleet and more. The photos at Local Spins.
With blood-pumping riffs and a vintage hardcore approach, the GR band has new music on the way while imploring more venues to showcase the genre. Get the back story on this band and a watch a video of their performance at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Festivals · Photos
The Mainstays, DC, DJ Boogie and The Incantations made it a manic Monday at Bell’s Brewery, kicking off the inaugural Sounds of the Zoo with an eclectic blast. View the photo galleries at Local Spins.
Album reviews · Audio · Upcoming shows
After an insanely busy summer, Local Spins is back with a batch of reviews of 2022 releases by Michigan artists, from dark rock to folk to Gypsy swing to jam-band glory, plus a look at projects by Wild Honey Collective and Jeremy Ensley. Learn more about these diverse recordings and listen to tracks from each release.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
A spectacular September weekend covered a lot of bases outdoors and in: indie-rock, country, funk, jazz, psych-rock and more. Get the recaps in words and photos at Local Spins.
Rolling out big hits such as “Iris,” “Slide” and “Black Balloon,” the New York rockers fired up a capacity crowd Thursday in the next-to-last Meijer Gardens concert of 2022. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Guest Column · Upcoming shows
Battling terminal cancer, beloved W. Michigan musician Bill Vits played his final concerts with Grand Rapids Symphony in September. Before he passed away on Oct. 19, he shared his remarkable story in his own words with Local Spins
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
September hasn’t seen any slowdown in concert fervor across West Michigan as Local Spins’ weekend photo galleries prove. Revisit the live music action in words and resplendent images.
The brainchild of Jennifer Hudson-Prenkert, the week-long affair at several venues in downtown Kalamazoo will boast vastly diverse performances and a collaborative vibe. Learn more about this first-year event, view the full schedule and listen to a playlist of performers.
Concert reviews · Summer Concerts · Top 10 Lists
Based purely on reader traffic for our concert reviews, Local Spins presents a fun Top 10 of this summer’s most memorable shows. Plus check out our editor’s Top 3 picks of the summer and fan comments on other favorite shows of the season.
Photos · Venue Spotlight · Videos
To commemorate the Grand Rapids nightclub’s half-century milestone, Local Spins Rewind today updates a 2017 Venue Spotlight on a hot spot that showcases ‘every genre of music.’ Get the history, take video tours and browse photo galleries at Local Spins.
More than 20 bands playing three different stages highlight the Grand Rapids Eastown community’s upcoming weekend celebration, which will also feature vendors, food trucks, beer. art and the WYCE CD & Record Sale. View the performance schedule, listen to a playlist of performers and get the complete Eastown Streetfair lowdown at Local Spins.
Local Spins’ annual Labor Day column targeting hurdles still faced by working musicians in 2022 focuses on sobering results of a new Michigan Music Alliance survey. Peruse this year’s report and read comments from Michigan musicians.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Gunnar & The Grizzly Boys, The Hacky Turtles and more will pump up the Sept. 17 party, with thousands expected to attend. View the schedule and get details at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Summer Festivals · Weekend Photo Gallery
August’s final weekend was chock full of sizzling live music, from national touring acts like Clownvis Presley and Michigan Rattlers to local favorites, all reflected in images at Local Spins. Get the recaps and check out more than a half-dozen photo galleries.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
The next-to-last Tuesday Evening Music Club show of the summer featured Grand Rapids singer-songwriter Ralston Bowles and an all-star lineup performing amid splendid weather. The recap, video highlights and photos at Local Spins.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Launched six years ago and inspired by a similar event in Grand Haven, this weekend’s Walk the Beat will light up Albion’s downtown area with performances by more than two dozen regional acts. Get details at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Summer Festivals · Weekend Photo Gallery
Hit-and-miss weather over the weekend impacted some live music but other concerts — indoors and out — revved up West Michigan, including Devil Wears Prada, Lucius Fox, Vince Gill, Fest of All and more. Photos.
The week leading up to a hectic weekend of live music boasted a dizzying array of styles and approaches, from indie-folk to prog-pop to R&B and soul. Revisit the action in images at Local Spins.
