Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
This weekend’s photo roundup of West Michigan concerts zeroes in on a Grammy-nominated star, an emerging country artist, tributes to ABBA and The Beatles, and three compelling female singer-songwriters. Browse the photo galleries at Local Spins.
Album reviews · Audio · Upcoming shows
This late January round-up of new releases by Michigan artists ranges from the latest by a national bluegrass powerhouse to the debut of a new Grand Rapids project to a heavy metal fusillade from Detroit. Browse the reviews and listen to tracks from all of the releases at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Whatever Happened To
Once the frontman for Grand Rapids folk-rock outfits Watching for Foxes and Winnow, Joey Frendo has since moved to Oklahoma where he’s carving out a career as a solo artist. The Local Spins interview.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
This weekend’s concert photo roundup has a distinctly jazzy flavor — national and local — plus it features a tour stop by Swedish dubstep star Liquid Stranger and a Kalamazoo showcase with WOOTS and Grace Theisen. Browse the images at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The 21-year-old blues-rock phenom from Albion boasts a more mature sound on tracks featured for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted songs by Les Creatif, Au Gres, Fake Baseball, Y-Not, DL Rossi, Travis Atkinson, Emma Bieniewicz and more.
The end of 2021 and beginning of 2022 have seen an avalanche of new music by acts from the Great Lakes State. Here are eight must-see videos from some of those releases, including La Furia Del Ritmo, DL Rossi, Grace Theisen, Katie Pederson, Prior Noon and Greensky Bluegrass.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
With a brand new single, upcoming shows this weekend and a soon-to-be-released EP, Grace Theisen is poised for a breakout year with her “exciting” and “upbeat” Americana-hued music. The profile and music video at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
January has been quieter than usual on the live music front due to continued COVID concerns, but some national and local shows fired up area stages on a chilly weekend. Browse the photo galleries at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows · Videos
Rising cases sparked by the Omicron variant led the Grand Rapids community radio station to delay the popular multi-band celebration at The Intersection for four months. Get the details at Local Spins.
Upcoming shows · Venue Spotlight
Grand Rapids’ newest live music venue offers an intimate space and striking stage for emerging and established acts, with a ‘Battle of the Bands’ on tap. Learn more about this S. Division Avenue business and view a schedule of upcoming shows.
Welcome to the first album review roundup of 2022, with a half-dozen new releases by West Michigan artists encompassing rock, country, electronic music, folk, pop and more. Check out the reviews and listen to tracks from all of the releases.
Artist Spotlights · Emerging Artists to Watch · Videos
Recently returning from L.A. recording sessions with Elton John bassist Matt Bissonette, the 16-year-old Lansing-area singer-songwriter is turning heads, making her Local Spins’ first “Artist to Watch” for 2022. Get the back story and listen to Kanin Elizabeth’s songs at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
A chilly West Michigan Saturday warmed up with a unique talent contest and a Grand Rapids tour stop by Philadelphia indie-rock/post-hardcore band mewithoutYou. The photos at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Led by Zeeland’s Jennifer and Jared Adams, the band spotlighted its deeply personal music for Local Spins on WYCE, which also featured new tracks by J.Rob, Ada LeAnn, Dynaflo, Fiona Dickinson, The Hacky Turtles and more. Get the back story on Annagail, watch a documentary about the band’s arduous journey and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
January’s roundup covers a lot of territory, from a weekend competition to the return of a Hudsonville fundraiser to news about a Michigan tour stop for The Eagles. The lowdown at Local Spins.
Best Music of the Year · Features · Videos
Last week, Local Spins writers piped in with their “best of” lists for 2021. Today, some West Michigan musicians and Local Spins readers reveal their favorite releases and concerts of the year, from Allison Russell, Nigel Hall and Jon Batiste to Billy Strings, Stratos and Michigan Rattlers. Check out all of the picks and listen to the music at Local Spins.
Summer Concerts · Top 12 Stories Countdown
Pent-up demand for live music propelled the announcement of a new Friday night summer concert series in Grand Haven to the No. 8 spot in Local Spins’ countdown of 2021’s most-read stories. Revisit the June article and get an update on plans for the 2022 series.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Frontman David Kirchgessner reflects on the Grand Rapids ska band’s legacy for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted new tracks by Cal in Red, Annagail, Travis Atkinson and more. Learn more about Mustard Plug and its Friday night anniversary show, plus listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Renowned folk/bluegrass siblings Sara and Sean Watkins play St. Cecilia Music Center on Thursday as part of the Acoustic Cafe Folk Series. The Local Spins interview, with videos of songs from their most recent release.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Get an eyeful with these photo galleries recapping a weekend of music from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo, from touring stars to local favorites such as Hannah Laine, Patty PerShayla, Lokella, Hollow Front, Nathan Walton and The Insiders. Browse the photos from more than a half-dozen area shows.
Friday’s tour stop at Van Andel Arena delivered a career-spanning trove of familiar hits by a pair of acclaimed singer-songwriters who still wield spellbinding appeal for longtime fans. The evening also included a tribute to Michigan native and longtime James Taylor backing singer David Lasley, who passed away earlier this week. Check out the review, photos and set lists.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
Propelled by four veteran musicians, the band has released two EPs and a single, with more on tap. They made their debut for Local Spins on WYCE, which also aired new music from several Michigan acts, including Patty PerShayla & The Mayhaps, Kanola Band, The Epitones, La Furia Del Ritmo, Whiskey Hunter and Grace Theisen.
Features · Music and Technology
Created by Kent District Library, the streaming platform launched this fall showcases dozens of West Michigan acts and pays artists an honorarium to boot. Learn more about KDL Vibes and check out its roster of artists.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
Some compelling albums across a wide spectrum have inspired Grand Rapids singer Hannah Rose Graves, who also reveals her current penchant for Nashville darling Margo Price. Listen to tracks from her picks, as well as songs by Graves herself.
Announcements · Upcoming shows
After a 2021 hiatus due to COVID-19, the community radio station will stage the popular event once again at The Intersection, with fans invited to vote for their “Artist of the Year.” The lowdown at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The band led by Boyne City’s Mark Blaauw-Hara spotlighted tracks from its debut album for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted music by The Wire Monkeys, Saajtak, Roots Asylum and more. Learn more about The Lonely Lovers and listen to this week’s full radio show podcast.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
The Local Spins series focusing on records that most influenced Michigan musicians continues with Desmond Jones drummer/multi-instrumentalist John Nowak, who explores a diverse roster of artists. Get the back story, listen to the music — plus a couple of tracks from Desmond Jones, which plays a Thanksgiving Eve show in Grand Rapids..
Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
The festival presented by The Ark is back again as an in-person event for 2022, with Punch Brothers and the Michigan-bred Sweet Water Warblers also on the bill. See the full lineup and ticket details at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The Americana icon regaled fans at St. Cecilia Music Center amid a week filled with varied musical spectacles at West Michigan venues. Browse all the photo galleries at Local Spins, from Jinjer to Zach Bryan to Dixon’s Violin to Major Murphy and more.
For diehard fans of two well-known touring bands, it proved to be a far different concert experience this weekend in Grand Rapids. The recaps and photo galleries at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
With a fresh studio album released today and three GR shows on the way, Brian Vander Ark talked about the project for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted several tracks by other West Michigan artists. The Local Spins interview with the full radio show podcast.
The support for their releases makes them smile. The October chart ranking the top local and regional albums also features Desmond Jones, Lee Heerspink and Odd Space.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Described as a fierce, truth-seeking powerhouse, the Grand Rapids singer-songwriter hosts an album-release show Thursday at Wealthy Theatre. The Local Spins interview, with a track from the album and a video from a performance at The Ark.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The Grammy-nominated, sister-fronted band embraced the unique surroundings for a rousing Halloween eve concert in Grand Rapids. Plus, check out photo recaps of weekend shows starring Chuck Prophet, The Way Down Wanderers, Stovepipe Stover, Emilee Petersmark, Mushmen, Wavves, Lisa Can’t Sing and more.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Frontman Jason Singer talks about his epic 2021 and aims for ‘a special night’ after being featured for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Les Creatif, Cal in Red, Stovepipe, Trauna, The Go Rounds and more. The story and radio show podcast at Local Spins.
Features · Top 10 Lists · Videos
As music moves indoors, Local Spins offers up lots to ogle while listening to new tracks by Michigan artists, including the premiere of a new song by Cameron Blake, a poignant tribute from Luke Winslow-King, some Halloween-appropriate creepiness and more gems. Plus, check out a couple of bonus videos from Billy Strings and The Accidentals.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
Grand Rapids studio owner Michael Crittenden unveiled a unique instrumental project for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted music by River City Narrative, Laura Rain, Flowers on the Grave, Laggies and more. Get the back story on ‘Too Chillay for Cats’ and listen to this week’s full radio show.
Album reviews · Audio · Upcoming shows
This mid-October roundup of new Michigan releases covers artists from Kalamazoo to Grand Rapids to Traverse City, including instrumental projects and a compelling collection inspired by loss. Browse the reviews and listen to tracks from all of the albums.
Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
The critically acclaimed singer-songwriter plays a solo show at Calvin University on Wednesday night. He took time out to chat about his music, his tour and more with Local Spins writer Enrique Olmos.
The third season of the nonprofit group’s panel discussions featuring industry experts continues Monday, with way more in the works to help bolster Michigan’s music scene and give working musicians free guidance in negotiating the thicket of the music industry.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The frontman for The Hacky Turtles tilts toward country as Hutch Green, spotlighted for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Kari Lynch, Lazy Genius, Odd Space, Adam Main and more. Learn more about Hutch Green and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Features · Playlists · Uncategorized · Upcoming shows
The acclaimed singer-songwriter and guitarist plays Grand Rapids’ Listening Room on Saturday as he returns to the road. The Local Spins interview, plus see how you can win tickets to the show.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
Grand Rapids musician Steve Leaf, who recently assumed sound engineering duties at Listening Room, today reveals the recordings that influenced him most. Check out his picks and listen to tracks from all of the albums at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
West Michigan’s weekend of live music had a rootsy, country and folk-flavored charm, with a couple of national tour stops and a new open-mic night at a high-profile venue. Browse the images at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The frontman for Edison Kitt & The Strangers talked about his new solo album for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Joey Frendo, Lee Heerspink, Bond Girl, Dick Chiclet, The Krelboynes, Tail from the Crypt, Pieces, Blondfire and more.
Album reviews · Audio · Upcoming shows
Fresh releases from Austin Benzing, Bermuda Teenager and Opulent Ardor round out this early October collection of albums and EPs. Browse the reviews, listen to tracks from all of the recordings by West Michigan artists.
The Traverse City alt-folk band brings its tour behind “Vessel” to Grand Rapids and other Michigan cities this week. Find out what concertgoers can expect, view the latest Hot Top 5 chart of new local and regional releases and listen to tracks from all of the albums.
The longstanding tradition returned to 14 Polish halls this weekend, with polka and rock bands firing up stages and lots of pierogi and beer doled out to revelers. Browse the photo gallery at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The Grand Rapids Americana/indie-rock band releases its new project today, with Local Spins on WYCE also debuting tracks by The Verve Pipe, The Accidentals, Luke Winslow-King and more. Get the back story of Brother Elsey’s latest release and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Upcoming shows
The Traverse City-based guitarist’s latest indie-rock collaboration with Jake Myers was inspired by the “scenic imagery” of northern Michigan. Learn more about John Piatek in this Artist Spotlight and listen to tracks from the new album.
