Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
West Michigan skated into mid-December with holiday fare, rock ‘n’ roll and more — from Turkuaz to Wayland to Sons of F.U.N.K. to The Bootstrap Boys — captured in images and videos (as usual) at Local Spins. Browse the photo galleries, videos and show recaps.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The cutting-edge lit up this week’s Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Brother Elsey, Fast Hands Band, Lynn & the Moonshine Runners, Porter Kenyon, a new ‘Christmas at Critter’s’ classic and much more. Get the After Ours back story, watch videos of the band and listen to this week’s complete radio show podcast.
Audio · Features · Upcoming shows
Grand Rapids singer and guitarist J. Oscar Bittinger is ‘rebooting’ the once-popular holiday concert at Listening Room on Sunday. Get the back story about this unique event and see the full lineup at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
This week’s Local Spins Artist Spotlight showcases the “character stories” of the Rockford singer-songwriter. Plus, Local Spins on WYCE debuted new tracks by Stevie Reidz, Fukushima Daisies, Medicinal Groove, Last Gasp Collective and more. Listen to the podcast, watch the in-studio video.
For the third year in a row, a new album featuring singer May Erlewine has jumped to the top of the Local Spins Hot Top 5 chart at WYCE-FM, with Borr McFerrin and Jack Droppers making their first appearance. Check out the chart, listen to songs and watch videos from all of the featured artists at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Bill Kirchen’s ‘Honky-Tonk Holiday’ starts a week that also features Laith Al-Saadi, Livingston Taylor, Cousin Curtiss, Gunnar & The Grizzly Boys, The Concussions, The Fukushima Daisies, a West Michigan Blues Society benefit and more. And see how you can win tickets to see The Bad Plus.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Sav and Katie of The Accidentals, Megan Slankard and Stephie James delivered a moving, personal and intimate “Time Out” showcase of their music on a night that also featured the official release of a new Michigan-focused double-album for a good cause. Relive the evening in this Local Spins review, with photos and video.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The first Michigan Mondays show at Listening Room with members of The Accidentals kicks off a party-up holiday week in West Michigan that also features concerts by Henhouse Prowlers, Mike Mains, Luke Winslow-King, Merkules and much more. Browse this week’s featured live music selections and the always-intriguing Under-the-Radar Picks.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The St. Joseph multi-instrumentalist is more than halfway through his challenging beer tour. He’s playing Rockford Brewing tonight. Learn the back story about St. Joe Jack’s wild tour and watch a video from one of his recent performances.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
From jazz to rock to funk to country, it’s a busy week that also features Ganja White Night, Moxie Strings, Unknown Hinson, Freekbass, Mark Lavengood, Peat in the Creel, the Diatribe’s Grand Showcase, Terry Lower Quartet and more. This week’s “Under-the-Radar” picks are special, too.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
The acclaimed and controversial singer-songwriter plays twice this weekend at Grand Rapids’ Listening Room, with screenings of the documentary about him, “Strange Negotiations,” before each show. The Local Spins interview with director Brandon Vedder about this incredible film and the difficult journey of the artist that it portrays.
The ‘Mexo-Americana’ group and singer-songwriter Heather Maloney earned a warm welcome from fans who braved early season snow to attend Wednesday night’s concert at the downtown venue. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Hundreds of folk-hued artists in town for the Folk Alliance Region Midwest conference have created an ear-pleasing smorgasbord of music. Local Spins’ Ricky Olmos sampled some of the offerings.
For the second year, the Folk Alliance Region Midwest conference will host seminars and performances by hundreds of touring musicians in Grand Rapids. Get the Local Spins preview, schedules of performances and details about this week’s “truly real” event.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The music weekend began with Joshua Davis’ debut at Grand Rapids’ new Listening Room and continued with a host of crowd-pleasing regional and national concerts from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo to Rockford. Browse all of the colorful images at Local Spins, including images from a two-night stand by Joe Hertler and a brewery’s anniversary bash.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
In one of his first public performances in six months, the veteran musician and singer played new songs for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Michigander, Emma Bieniewicz, Josie Kenyon and more. Learn more about Sanger’s journey, watch his in-studio performance and listen to the radio show podcast at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Festivals
After operating for years as a unique Eastown house-concert fest, Lamp Light – which moved to Wealthy Theatre last year – is on hiatus and the future is uncertain. Learn why the festival won’t be taking place.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Michigander, a Horsefeather reunion, Messer Chups, May Erlewine, Jack & The Bear, Seth Glier, Chris Michels, Stovepipe, Kari Lynch, GTG Fest and more fill out the week of live music in West Michigan. Browse this week’s featured concerts and the fascinating Under-the-Radar Picks, and see how you could win tickets to one of three different Tip Top Deluxe shows.
Album reviews · Features · Videos
Michigan’s leading folk-singer activist this week mounts a Michigan tour behind a powerful and political new album. The Local Spins interview, with review of the new album and a new video for the single, “Whole Again.”
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
September closed out with a bang: Rain washed out country star Luke Bryan’s ‘Farm Tour’ stop in Richland, but other acts rocked the house, including Skillet, Alter Bridge, BoomBox, Judah & The Lion, Frankie Cosmos, Sigrid, Greyhounds, Mark Lavengood and more. Get the recaps and photos at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
This week’s edition of the radio show also featured new regional music from Patty PerShayla, Lifeline, Donny Zuzula and more. Read more about Max Lockwood, watch the in-studio video of his performance, listen to the Local Spins on WYCE podcast and interview.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
The season-ending Lake City-area music festival drew hundreds of musicians and thousands of revelers for an opening salvo of magical experiences. Check out the first-day highlights and a photo gallery at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The week starts with the roar of GWAR, but there are also big shows starring JRob, The Accidentals, Pink Sky, Earth Radio, Delbert McClinton and way more firing up stages in West Michigan. Get the complete concert lowdown at Local Spins along with this week’s Under-the-Radar Picks.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
The 46th edition of this much-admired Michigan music festival rolled out last weekend with a hefty slate of national and regional roots music stars. The recap by Local Spins’ Ricky Olmos, with photos by Anna Sink.
This annual Local Spins Labor Day column revisits the financial plight of local musicians, who cannot live on passion and applause alone. Amid a growing West Michigan music scene, it’s an essay for the times with comments from these ‘stars of the stage.’
Announcements · Upcoming shows
The Jericho Town event will feature performances by members of the Dacia Bridges Project, guitarist Kenny Olson, Mike Fuerst and many more. Get the details at Local Spins along with information about a new Dacia Bridges Project single being released this week.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
It was a week of tantalizing festivals, outdoor and indoor shows and more, captured in images at Local Spins — from Tiny Desk Concert winner Gaelynn Lea to regional fave Joshua Davis. Browse the galleries at Local Spins.
The Traverse City alt-folk trio joined other Michigan stars in a Holland benefit concert for an ailing super-fan, part of a 55-concert summer that also includes finishing up a new studio album and scoring songs for orchestras
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The Bell’s Brewery Beer Garden opening weekend, House With a Yard, B93’s Battle to the Bash finals, Midwest Fest, Secret Forte and more fire up this week’s concert lineup. See how you can win tickets to Skitchin’ Fest and check out the fascinating Under-the-Radar Picks.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Led by songwriters Matt Plessner and Rachel White, the Grand Rapids band releases its new album next week. Get the Lighting Matches back story and watch the band’s music video at Local Spins.
Local Spins kicks off May with another roundup of releases by local and regional acts, from Grand Rapids to Petoskey to Kalamazoo. Check out the reviews and listen to songs from each artist.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The incredible Buckethead launches a week that also features Adventure Club, Mike Morgan, Steel Wheels, Camp Lo, Griffin House, Anna Nalick, Nicholas James Thomasma, Whiskey Dick and much more. And win tickets to the final “Jazz in the Sanctuary” concert of the season.
Local Spins presents another roundup of summer concerts taking place across West Michigan, many of them featuring an impressive lineup of regional stars. Peruse the schedules for these free shows.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Todd Snider, Neyla Pekarek, Foxing, Jai Wolf, Eric Anderson, The Livery’s Funk Fest, Mary Rademacher and a bevy of bold local shows pump up The Big List of concerts. And scrutinize this week’s fascinating Under-the-Radar Picks and shows On the Horizon.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
On the first day of the Spring Fund Drive at WYCE, Local Spins on WYCE show host John Sinkevics premiered new tracks by Michigan artists, had an in-studio chat with singer-songwriter Ralston Bowles and counted down some of the top local and regional tracks of the past six months. Listen to the podcast and watch the video of a new single by Estar Cohen.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
The revamped amphitheater will also host summer shows by Foreigner, The B-52s, Mandolin Orange, Tash Sultana, Steve Miller & Marty Stuart, O.A.R., CAKE, Andrew Bird, Trombone Shorty, Lake Street Dive, JJ Grey with Jonny Lang and more. Member tickets on sale April 27. See the full concert lineup and ticket prices at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Music on Campus
The budget-cutting move by the Grand Rapids college has upset some students and will likely reduce future concerts on campus by national touring acts. Read student reaction to the move and the administration’s response at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The last week in March also boasts shows by From Ashes to New, Novo Amor, Jose Gonzalez, Thou, Jack & The Bear, Lushh, Dalmatian Stone and more. And win tickets to see Carrie Nation & The Speakeasy at the Tip Top Deluxe.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
To celebrate International Women’s Day, Friday’s radio show welcomed Olivia Mainville in-studio and featured tracks by Bermudas, Canceled Plans, Kaitlyn Zittel, May Erlewine, Hannah Rose, Lipstick Jodi, Lindsay Lou and more. Watch the video, read the back story and listen to the podcast starring inspiring music by female artists from across Michigan.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Podcasts
The March Local Spins segment on Michigan Radio’s ‘Stateside’ showcased new music from four attention-getting West Michigan acts from different ends of the musical spectrum: pop to country to soft indie-rock to funky blues. Listen to the ‘Stateside’ podcast as well as full versions of new songs by the featured West Michigan artists.
Festivals · Kalamazoo · Upcoming shows · Videos
The festival kicks off Friday night with a concert by Shari Kane and Dave Steele at Kalamazoo Valley Museum, followed by Saturday’s day-long affair with 15 acts on three stages, vendors, workshops and “pop-up” shows. Get the lowdown and the full Saturday schedule at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Amid national tour stops are a host of intriguing local shows this week, including FlyLite Gemini, Heaters, Bronze Wolf, FADE, Silverstiles, Peat in the Creel, an Elton tribute and much more. And see how you can win tickets to see Heaters, Major Murphy and Ghost Orchard at The Pyramid Scheme.
Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
This week’s concert images also spotlight Kalamazoo shows by Tambourina and Kate & Emilee of The Crane Wives, plus images of Hank Mowery, Rochelle & The Spoilers, The Turnips, Needtobreathe, Alan Jackson and more.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
After taking a year off, the popular and unusual competition featuring dozens of West Michigan acts playing a host of different venues on a single day is back. And Walk the Beat is hosting a benefit concert on Friday. Get the lowdown on the return of Walk the Beat at Local Spins.
This February roundup of releases by Michigan artists also takes a look at new recordings by Andrew Saliba, Kaitlyn Zittel and The Aquaerials. Check out the reviews, listen to tracks from all of the artists.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
May Erlewine, Samantha Crain, Billy Davis, Earth Radio, Seth Bernard, Jordan Hamilton and other regional stars will play the mid-June festival south of Grand Rapids. Check out the roster of more than three dozen Buttermilk acts and get links to early-bird tickets at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The Go Rounds, John Gorka, Candlebox, Insane Theatre, Cabildo, Deep Greens & Blues, Strapping Owls, Sherman Gepherd, Desmond Jones and Taste of Soul Sunday round out a busy week. Get the complete lowdown in The Big List Concert Guide and win tickets to see the Deep Greens & Blues’ album-release show.
Breaking music news · Concert reviews · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The 20th Jammie Awards show on Friday evening at The Intersection drew lively crowds for award presentations and 30-plus performances. See the full winners’ list and a photo gallery at Local Spins, along with a special Jammies edition podcast of Local Spins on WYCE.
WYCE-FM hosts the 20th Jammies show Friday at The Intersection, with 34 acts on stage and tons of awards doled out. Browse — and save — the jam-packed schedule and see who some of last year’s winners have chosen as their ‘best artists of the year.’
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The Jammies are the big show of the week, but the concert lineup also features Red Tail Ring, Joey DeFrancesco, Kathy Lamar, Xavier Davis, Frankie & Myrrh, Flexadecibel and the annual West Michigan Luthier Concert. Plus win tickets to Political Lizard’s album-release show — and check out the Under-the-Radar Picks.
