With the holidays approaching, Local Spins rolls out Phase One of its year-end roundup of albums released by regional acts, featuring some intriguing projects from An Dro, Megan Dooley, The Bootstrap Boys and more. Check out the reviews, with audio samples to boot.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
May Erlewine, Rachael Davis and Lindsay Lou join forces in the indie-folk trio that plays four Michigan venues this week, with an eye toward recording their first studio album. Read the back story, check the show schedule and view a video from their only previous performance — a truly inspiring one.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
It was a week for new albums, and new or revamped bands in West Michigan. Check out all the images, including The Bootstrap Boys, Jesse Ray & The Carolina Catfish, The Trash Hounds, Hannah Rose & The GravesTones, Rev. Peyton’s Big Damn Band and more in these Local Spins photo galleries and show recaps, plus two videos.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Frontman Tyler Bradley talks about his music and unveils two new songs during this week’s Local Spins on WYCE, which also features new tracks by Bennett, Lipstick Jodi, Rival Maps and more. Listen to the radio podcast and check out the video of Bradley performing a new song.
Artist Spotlights · Podcasts · Videos
Shifting from the rock, folk and pop of past projects, Grand Rapids musicians Jake Stilson, Jon Pataky, Nick Alexander and Josh McBryde now revel in pure country, with a new EP in hand. They play The Pyramid Scheme on Friday. Check out the video and listen to the Local Spins Live radio podcast.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
There’s no shortage of colorful oddness, passion and down-home charm in the roundup of recent concerts across West Michigan, from The Orbit Room to Bell’s Brewery to Seven Steps Up. Check out the photo galleries and show recap.
Commentary · Concert reviews · Photos
The first two days of 2015’s Eastown house concert event have boasted jam-packed crowds and buoyant optimism about Grand Rapids’ musical future. See the photo gallery from the first two days, and check out the Sunday schedule.
Audio · Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
The extraordinary, unique event returns to Eastown with 33 diverse performances, plus classes and workshops, all unfolding in three homes. Get the lowdown here and check out Local Spins’ “five acts to catch” at Lamp Light 2015.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The string of eclectic shows started with Tav Falco’s Panther Burns and included Jars of Clay, Of Montreal, Brad Fritcher’s MOODS, Mipso, Shawn Mullins, Youth Lagoon and much more. Check out all the images from a week of scintillating live music in West Michigan.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Episode No. 59 of Local Spins on WYCE was a special Fund Drive affair, with an in-studio performance by Shane Tripp and the debut of songs by Jared Sjoblom, Frederic & Ronza and many more regional acts. Listen to the full radio podcast and check out the video of an acoustic in-studio performance.
Breaking music news · Features
The Traverse City singer-songwriter says Bush’s campaign has agreed to stop using the song he wrote years ago. But he loses some conservative fans who’ve expressed their displeasure with Davis on Facebook.
Local Spins opens up its screening room to showcase a diverse collection of videos by Michigan artists with plenty to offer for the eyes as well as the ears. The Go Rounds, The Verve Pipe and Kari Lynch lead the way with compelling new videos, boasting some familiar settings and faces. Check out this October video roundup.
With a new album, an appearance on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” and a string of sold-out concerts in New York City and beyond, West Michigan native Garrett Borns may be on the verge of becoming a bona fide pop phenomenon. Read Local Spins’ exclusive back-stage interview and check out the photo gallery from a recent concert in The Big Apple.
Check out the updated Local Spins Weekend Photo Gallery, including images from the Dizzybird Records anniversary show. When it comes to live music, October’s midway point sparked some gems, with local and regional artists getting into the act, too: Organissimo, Lucas Wilson, Mid-Life Crisis, Josh Rose and others.
When it comes to live music, October’s midway point sparked some gems, with local and regional artists getting into the act, too: Organissimo, Lucas Wilson, Mid-Life Crisis, Josh Rose and others. Check out the colorful images.
In a ceremony Thursday at St. Cecilia Music Center, 10 Michigan songwriters and bands were honored in five categories of the competition, which included dozens of “busking” performances by contestants. And check out the photo gallery of some of ArtPrize 2015’s musical moments.
In a guest column, the Grand Rapids musician suggests the no-frills, no-texting, no-talking vibe of a listening room can be a moving experience for fans and performers alike. Another Local Spins essay giving a voice to West Michigan musicians on topics dear to their hearts.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Commentary
Beyond the well-known breakout artists already stepping out nationally are a host of emerging, under-the-radar West Michigan bands and solo acts. Here’s 15 of them to check out in words and music, from Hollywood Makeout to hi-ker to J. Rob to Shane Tripp to Cardboard Swords to Brother Adams.
The Eddy music festival wrapped up with Bradley and his soulful band on Saturday, a day which also saw compelling performances from An Dro and bands playing the Hasting Roots Music Festival. Check out the images and a video at Local Spins, plus photos from Dopapod in Kalamazoo.
With separate public and critics’ awards, twice as many songwriters were honored by St. Cecilia Music Center in this year’s ArtPrize contest. Roger MacNaughton has won for the third time in four years. Check out the full list of winners, listen to the songs and check out the reaction of winners.
Artist Spotlights · Podcasts · Upcoming shows
The Grand Rapids singer who left Sweet Japonic several years ago has a new rock band, The Bad Disciples, which plans to release its debut album later this year. Wilson also plans to record a solo EP. Read the story, listen to the podcast and check out the video of a new Wilson song.
Artist Spotlights · Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
With the Billy Strings & Don Julin duo starting to “pull back” from performing quite as much, the Ionia-bred guitarist is writing songs and reveling in jams with other musical pals. He’s performing several times in Grand Rapids this week, including an early evening show at SpeakEZ Lounge on Wednesday. Read the story, check out the video.
Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
The Ragbirds, Big Dudee Roo, Fauxgrass, Peter Madcat Ruth, Nicholas James & The Bandwagon, Chuck Whiting and more will pump up downtown Hastings for the free celebration. Read the story and check out the full Saturday schedule.
Outside the hoopla of ArtPrize and the new Eddy music festival, venues from the lakeshore to Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo hosted some special shows this past week. Check out the images and recaps at Local Spins.
Northern Michigan’s Joshua Davis got a hero’s welcome after his impressive run on “The Voice.” Tonight, he plays St. Cecilia Music Center in Grand Rapids. To warm up for his show, check out the songs that have influenced and inspired this singer-songwriter.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Michigan singer-songwriter with roots in Grand Rapids brings his new “Outlier” album to SpeakEZ Lounge on Wednesday, with a Midwest and East Coast tour on tap. Read the story behind this emerging indie-folk artist and listen to a song from the new album.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The week unfolded with the arrival of ArtPrize 7 in Grand Rapids and a special SpeakEZ Lounge show, but there was plenty more musical art to embrace across West Michigan. Check out all the photo galleries and concert recaps..
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
It launches tonight (Wednesday) at SpeakEZ Lounge with ArtPrize song entrants and continues with a new outdoor venue, Michigan House’s indoor space and 150-plus busking performances around Grand Rapids. Get the lowdown on all of the ArtPrize-related music options.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
This weekend’s inaugural music festival on the water boasts sets by more than 20 Michigan acts with unique amenities, including wine and music cruises. And more music events are planned for the northern Michigan site in 2016. Read the story and check out the schedule.
Commentary · Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts
Illustrated with photos by Local Spins photographer Anna Sink, the Dobro player who fronts the Mark Lavengood Bluegrass Bonanza offers his impressions of last weekend’s joyful musicians’ fest outside Lake City. Check out the resplendent images and recap of an unforgettable event.
Guest Column · Playlists · Upcoming shows · Videos
Guest columnist Mark Lavengood, better known as the resonator guitar whiz in Lindsay Lou & The Flatbellys, waxes eloquent about this weekend’s musician-rich Earthwork Harvest Gathering and why it’s a world-class affair. And listen to a Local Spins playlist of songs by Michigan artists playing this year’s festival.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Phil Barry and Sarah Fuerst, members of The Corn Fed Girls, are working on a full-length album and will bring their new duo to Grand Rapids’ SpeakEZ Lounge on Wednesday. Read the story about this talented duo and check out the video of a harmony-laden in-studio performance for Local Spins on WYCE.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Janet Jackson and Of Montreal brought their touring spectacles to Grand Rapids on Friday, but there were plenty of other fascinating shows this week to ogle as well, from Saturday’s Eastown Street Fair to Thursday’s Grand Rapids Harmonica Summit to Chase Rice — all captured in photos at Local Spins.
Features · Playlists · Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
This weekend’s folk festival amid rural splendor boasts international roots music stars, but also showcases top-notch Michigan acts such as Joshua Davis, Lindsay Lou and Gifts or Creatures. Read the story and save the performance schedule on your smartphone to take along to Wheatland. And if you’re unfamiliar with some of the artists, check out the Local Spins playlist of songs by featured acts.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
The weekend’s stunning array of shows by national and local acts paced an entire week of invigorating live music as Labor Day 2015 approaches. It’s all highlighted in a Local Spins recap, with photo galleries and videos.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
Local Spins on WYCE kicked off its second year with an in-studio performance by a harmonious Kalamazoo indie-folk duo and fresh tracks from Jesse Ray & The Carolina Catfish, Kim Vi & The Siblings and much more.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
Tonight’s final Tuesday Evening Music Club show at Meijer Gardens will be a star-studded affair. And Forest Hills Fine Arts Center has announced its four-show series for 2015-16. Check out the details at Local Spins.
Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
The four-concert series already features bluegrass’ The Steel Wheels and singer-songwriter Shawn Colvin. Tickets for the Kottke and Escovedo shows go on sale today. Get details here.
Summer Concerts · Weekend Photo Gallery
Summer hasn’t started winding down just yet: Music is firing on all cylinders from Grand Rapids to Holland to Jackson County. Check out the images at Local Spins in The Weekend Photo Gallery.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts · Videos
With thousands of attendees reveling in sets by some of Michigan’s biggest stars, last weekend’s Hoxeyville was a true celebration of ‘the good stuff’ — most of it by regional acts. Read the story and check out the photos and video.
Concert reviews · Features · Photos · Videos
The Detroit area’s Third Degree Burns and Grand Rapids’ Roosevelt Diggs win the grand prizes in the unusual competition and music showcase. Read the story and check out the photo gallery and video from an event described as “music’s ArtPrize.”
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Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The 50th edition of Local Spins on WYCE spotlighted the Holland singer-songwriter who’s had a fun and turbulent year. Read the story about this talented teen and listen to the radio podcast featuring her band’s in-studio performance.
Features · Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
With 60 bands vying to win a grand prize worth $10,000-plus, the Saturday afternoon bonanza of music takes over the lakeshore town. Get details and see how the second annual event has upped the ante.
Features · Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
“We love us some Hoxey!” One of Michigan musicians’ favorite summer festivals heats up Manistee National Forest this weekend on two stages for three days and 30-plus performances. Starting small all those years ago, Hoxeyville has grown up but remains a “special place” for bands such as Greensky Bluegrass. Check out the full daily lineup.
Festival mania swept across West Michigan this week, along with the usual outdoor and indoor concerts, making this one of summer’s busiest weeks. Much of the action was captured in images at Local Spins. Check out the live music roundup and four — count ’em four — photo galleries.
Features · Live at River City · Podcasts · Videos
One of West Michigan’s fastest-rising vocal talents and her band spent an electrifying hour at a Grand Rapids studio earlier this summer, playing songs new and old while revealing their special chemistry. Read the story, listen to the interview and watch the riveting video. Only at Local Spins.
Features · Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
National act Bill Kirchen and local faves Luke Warm & The Not So Hots, Rochelle & The Spoilers, Tony LaJoye Trio, Macpodz, Rootstand, Legal Immigrants, Big Dudee Roo, Afro Zuma and more will light up this weekend’s farm bash. Get the full schedule and details here.
Breaking music news · Features
St. Cecilia Music Center plans to amp up its annual ArtPrize music competition with juried prizes in five categories and a benefit show featuring ‘The Voice’s’ Joshua Davis. Get the details in this Local Spins story.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Seasoned and emerging national acts made West Michigan tour stops, but local acts basked in summer’s power, too, including Bennett, Roosevelt Diggs, The Go Rounds, Jim Shaneberger, The Sailor Kicks. Check out all the photos in this weekend’s spectacular photo gallery.
Features · Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Ragbirds, Josh Garrels and Bill Kirchen might have escaped your notice but they shouldn’t. Local Spins takes a closer look at three shows flying below the radar this week in the Grand Rapids area, with links to their music and videos.
