Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
August rolls on with the usual outdoor deck and patio shows, plus a few bigger concerts, including the kickoff to a new drive-in series in Southwest Michigan. Browse this week’s live music guide at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Kalamazoo singer-songwriter’s new album was featured for this week’s Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Distant Stars, From Big Sur, Joel Comstock, The American Hotel System and more. Get Koenigsknecht’s back story and watch one of his music videos; listen to this week’s radio show podcast at Local Spins.
Check out this robust bunch of genre-spanning music videos by Michigan artists — plus a video plea to support bills that would help rescue concert venues ravaged by COVID-19.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
This week’s guest contributor, Calin Skidmore of Grand Rapids’ SpeakEZ Lounge, tapped a keg filled with drinking songs that fondly recall pre-pandemic days of sharing good times with friends. Watch the videos, listen to the tracks on Spotify.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The great outdoors still dominates concert listings as the most popular and safest places to enjoy live music in late July. Check out this week’s guide to live shows at Local Spins.
COVID-19 silenced live music downtown until Thursday when the first “Listening Lawn” show regaled a sold-out crowd outdoors on the piazza at Studio Park. Check out the review and photo gallery exclusively at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
A couple of new outdoor concert series fire up in Grand Rapids this week, along with the usual patio and deck shows at various bars and restaurants across West Michigan. Check out this week’s concert offerings at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
Performances by Luke Winslow-King and Asamu Johnson & The Associates of the Blues — along with the screening of several movies — will take place later this month on the piazza lawn of Studio Park in downtown Grand Rapids. Get the schedule and the details about this unique series of events at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
As July continues to heat up, this week’s concert guide features another West Michigan drive-in concert and some outdoor options for live music — plus recommendations for safely attending shows.
With some performance spaces reopening, Local Spins touched base with some West Michigan artists about playing music in front of a live audience again. Browse comments from musicians about the “new normal” when it comes to concerts — from worries that remain about performing to the satisfaction of being back on stage. And some concerns remain.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
With Fourth of July firing up, Local Spins’ concert guide this week looks at ways to stay safe and keep the coronavirus from exploding again even as folks try to stay entertained. Check out our listings and some health department recommendations.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The northern Michigan musician and activist opened up about his DIY project and more for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Molly, Callab, August, Birdie Country, The Bronk Bros., Jake Kershaw, The American Hotel System and other Michigan artists. Read the Local Spins Artist Spotlight story, watch a video Bernard’s performance and listen to the full radio show podcast.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The longtime member of The Corn Fed Girls talked about her solo debut for Local Spins on WYCE and performed a couple of new songs for the radio show, which also premiered tracks by Seth Bernard, .shi (John Conrad Schaak), Glen Danles, Aaron James Wright, Brian Lybrandt, Barrel Bones and other Michigan artists. Learn more about Wilkin and listen to the radio show podcast.
Spanning the state, this roundup of new releases by Michigan artists ranges from hip hop to pop-rock to post-hardcore to indie-rock to soothing, healing AC music. Check out the reviews and listen to music from each of this week’s featured artists at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Start your week with a look at the first live music events in months at bars, breweries and eateries across West Michigan, amid health warnings that we must follow the rules to stay safe. Check out the roster of concerts — many of them outdoors — as well as other details about restarting live music at Local Spins.
Festivals · Live-Stream Concerts · Upcoming shows
Friday and Saturday’s online presentation at WOODTV.com will feature 100 videos by various Michigan performers, from orchestras to rock bands to dance groups. Learn more about this new venture by Festival of the Arts and find a link to the full schedule at Local Spins.
More new releases from Michigan artists are on tap in this week’s Local Spins roundup, including a female super-group, a VW bus-loving singer-songwriter, a Detroit-area alt-country band and a Traverse City funkster. Check out the reviews and listen to tracks from all of the featured albums.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Features
One of music’s most unusual, transatlantic partnerships – two songwriters in Michigan and the Netherlands who’ve never met – has spawned an eerie Gothic Americana single with more to come. Learn more about how these two talented artists met online and forged a songwriting partnership, then listen to their haunting track.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Accidentals’ drummer featured his new solo release for this week’s edition of Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Jake Kershaw, Sweet Water Warblers, Matt McCalpin, Political Lizard, The Waverlys, The Whiskey Charmers and more. Get the Treeskin back story and listen to the full radio show podcast at Local Spins.
Announcements · Breaking music news · Features
The longtime Michigan music collective re-emerges today after a two-year overhaul with a revamped organizational structure, a slate of new artists and some live-stream performances. Get the full story at Local Spins along with some videos of Earthwork artists.
Album Releases · Artist Spotlights · Videos
Amid the current crisis, Mulder’s collaborative “The World Around the Bed” not only serves as an instrument of hope for hospice patients, but also those affected by COVID-19. Get the back story at Local Spins.
May’s second round of Local Spins album reviews focuses on artists from across the Great Lakes State, from Grand Rapids hip hop and electronic acts to singer-songwriters in Detroit, Saginaw and Petoskey. Scrutinize the reviews and listen to song selections from each featured artist.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
Allison was this week’s guest for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted music by Silent Spirit, Andy Baker, The Accidentals, Martyr for Madison, The Ryne Experience and The American Hotel System. Learn more about Allison and listen to the full radio show podcast at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Hot Top 5 · Videos
The Detroit-area artist with roots in West Michigan topped the April chart of most-played local and regional albums at WYCE-FM. Learn more about Burch, watch a video of a new song, see who else made the Top 5 and listen to tracks from all of the featured albums.
Celeste Allison Trio, Dale Wicks and The Ryne Experience also are part of this early May roundup of new Michigan-propelled releases. Learn more about the albums and listen to songs from each of the featured artists at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Videos
In an interview with Local Spins writer Ricky Olmos, Nathan Kalish opens up about his new album, cooking for himself, and the way the coronavirus has ravaged the music industry. Learn more about the West Michigan-bred Kalish and listen to songs from his latest release. And he plays a live-stream concert tonight.
Concert announcements · Live-Stream Concerts
Different online Michigan music events fire up May, including Chris Good’s Sing Me Home Festival shows, an Earthwork Harvest Gathering/Hoxeyville series and five straight nights of regional stars and culinary experts hosted by Pure Michigan, MLive and PBS’ ‘Under the Radar.’
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Videos
The Grand Rapids musician was this week’s guest for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Kid Icarus, John Davey, Pink Sky/Stitxhes, Alluvial Fans and more. The Local Spins Artist Spotlight on The Soods with video and the full radio show podcast.
Big List Concert Guide · Concert announcements · Concert Listings
With venues shut down and Michigan’s stay-at-home order extended, here are the rescheduled dates for some April and May shows you might be wondering about.
The live-streamed Grand Rapids show premieres this weekend with Josh Rose, Karisa Wilson, Allen Trieu, films and more. Get the lowdown at Local Spins.
The current COVID-19 crisis hasn’t silenced West Michigan artists, who’ve been busy releasing new albums. Here are five to check out, including a tour de force from Jake Kalmink’s Further Closer and a much-anticipated sophomore release by Political Lizard. Listen to tracks from all of the featured artists at Local Spins.
With Earth Day approaching, Grand Rapids singer and multi-instrumentalist Patty PerShayla created a special soundtrack of songs to get us contemplating the state of our environment. Welcome to Tuesday’s Local Spins Playlist. Watch the videos, listen to the riveting songs at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Grand Rapids singer-guitarist chatted about his music and performed for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted new tracks by Wuzee, Lybrandt, Celeste Allison, Further Closer, Analog Kid and more. Learn more about Weber, check out a video of his performance and listen to this week’s Local Spins on WYCE radio show podcast.
In Memoriam · Playlists · Videos
After a battle with COVID-19, folk and Americana icon John Prine passed away on Tuesday. This is Local Spins’ musical tribute to one of the country’s most influential artists. Listen to some of his most memorable songs; watch videos of his performances.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
This week’s Local Spins playlist inspired by the coronavirus crisis honors the brave doctors, nurses and health care workers who are helping heal the nation under dire circumstances — 16 songs featuring classics by Dr. Dre, Grace Potter, Bush, Jackson Browne, Michael Jackson, Foo Fighters, Motorhead and more. Watch the videos, listen to the Spotify playlist.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The indie-rock/pop group was showcased for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted music by Nathan Kalish, Further Closer, Nathan Walton, Basic Comfort, Bedroom Ceilings, Michael Beauchamp-Cohen & Brian Koenigsknecht, Stevie Reidz and Archie & The One Hits. Learn more about Political Lizard and listen to the radio show podcast at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Concert reviews · Videos
Viewers across the globe tuned in to the four-day live-streamed festival hosted by the Michigan Music Alliance with sets by 40 artists who broadcast from their own homes. The alliance kicks off a new online concert series tonight. See how many people watched the performances and get details about the Michigan Music Alliance’s fundraising efforts at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Features · Videos
After multiple rounds of auditions, the Byron Center singer — “a guy with long hair that likes to belt” — went to Hollywood as a contestant on America’s most well-known music competition, and got a brief brush with the national TV spotlight before being sent home. The story of 27-year-old West Michigan singer-songwriter Nathan Walton’s journey through “American Idol.”
With Michiganders stuck at home, songwriters have the time and the perfect opportunity to comment on the coronavirus crisis musically. We want to hear those songs (and we’ve got a few more spoof videos here for inspiration). Local Spins plans to compile the best of these Michigan music videos, with one artist winning a special gift package.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
This week’s Local Spins on WYCE spotlighted the Grand Rapids singer-songwriter and debuted new tracks by The Legal Immigrants, American Hotel System, Ohly, Martyr for Madison and more. Learn more about Hansen, watch a video of her performing a new song and listen to the full radio show podcast.
Announcements · Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
The state’s music scene continues to be affected by the coronavirus crisis and some of the news is good: Self-employed songwriters and others will be eligible for loans and aid, and on-line performance opportunities abound. Check out the news roundup at Local Spins. And now, the state has expanded unemployment benefits to self-employed and low-wage workers.
It’s actually the perfect talent show contest for a coronavirus pandemic: Hundreds of bands from across the country are submitting videos from their own homes in NPR’s annual competition, with a big Great Lakes State contingent. View more than 30 video entries from Michigan bands and solo artists at Local Spins.
Features · Top 10 Lists · Videos
Due to the current crisis, musicians have a lot of time on their hands. And that means some of them have come up with hilarious takes on our response to the unprecedented situation and witty ways to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus. And face it: We all need a chuckle right now.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Videos
The Grand Haven singer and guitarist was this week’s guest for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Public Access, Cole Hansen, Nicholas James Thomasma, Sugartone Noise Company, Grand Valley State University New Music Ensemble, Sean Miller and more.
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows · Videos
The coronavirus pandemic that’s canceled hundreds of concerts has sparked a flood of online shows by artists who play for at-home audiences. And Local Spins has started a new calendar listing to spotlight those shows. Get the lowdown on this growing trend and watch some recent live-streamed shows.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Beck performed for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted new tracks by Loren Johnson, Odd Space, Greet Death, NOMAD, Vagabonds and Mannhattan. The story, in-studio video and radio show podcast at Local Spins.
Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
The inaugural May 8 event at Covenant Fine Arts Center comes after a committee of students pored through applications from 64 West Michigan bands. Get more details and watch videos by the featured performers at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
St. Patrick’s Day revelry begins early, plus there’s Howard Jones, Of Montreal, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Fit for a King, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, Robert Cray, Leigh Nash, Ajax Stacks and more. See all of this week’s live music picks, along with this week’s concert ticket giveaways.
The 15th annual edition of the Fretboard Festival brought a couple thousand people to Kalamazoo Valley Museum on Saturday for performances by 19 regional artists, plus workshops and instrument vendors. The recap, photo gallery and video highlights, exclusively at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
March roars in like a lion music-wise with Gaelic Storm, Cowboy Junkies, Shiba San, Scotty McCreery, Will Sexton, The Accidentals, Distant Stars and more on the docket. Plus, Local Spins’ Big List has ticket giveaways for three different concerts this week.
