Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
Blissfest rolls out again in northern Michigan this weekend — for the first time since 2019 — so Local Spins asked the event’s executive director to reveal the albums that have most influenced her over the years. Listen to tracks from all of the recordings.
Concert reviews · Summer Festivals · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Smiling Acres Music Festival wrapped up three days of live music over the Fourth of July weekend, but there were also crowd-pleasing concerts in Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo. View the photos at Local Spins.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Stars Shawn Colvin, Leftover Salmon, Laith Al-Saadi, Donna the Buffalo and more bolster the lineup for the first Blissfest since 2019 north of Harbor Springs. The preview at Local Spins.
Friday’s opening salvo of the Trufant festival had folks smiling thanks to sets by Barbarossa Brothers, Nathan Walton & The Remedy, The Bootstrap Boys, Local Commuters and more. The recap and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Listen to the June 24 edition of the show, devoted to spotlighting artists set to perform during Saturday’s Jammie Awards at The Intersection.
After COVID delays, West Michigan’s biggest night for music returns Saturday with a full day celebrating regional music. Local Spins checked in with WYCE Music Director Shane German ahead of the very big day, plus get the full performance schedule.
Summer Festivals · Weekend Photo Gallery
Saturday’s brilliant weather offered an ideal backdrop for three diverse festivals: country’s B93 Bash at LMCU Ballpark, GR Pride Festival downtown and the second day of music at Circle Pines Center. Browse the photos at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
The week’s intense heat lowered turnout for two popular concert series on Tuesday, but those that flocked to Rockford and to Meijer Gardens were treated to some sizzling performances. Photos, videos at Local Spins.
Playlists · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
On hiatus since 2019 due to COVID, the popular, family-friendly festival south of GR hosts 40-plus regional acts on four stages over the weekend. Get the schedule and preview the music with a Local Spins Playlist.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts
Legendary Southern gospel act enjoyed a warm welcome, perfect weather at the popular outdoor amphitheater, while show opener Marc Cohn charmed the crowd with rich vocals, effusive humor. The review and photos at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
The weekend was full of surprises, including a giant turnout for City Built Brewing’s Bridge Blast on the 6th Street Bridge with performances by J.Rob, Biomassive and more, plus a Start of Summer tribute to David Bowie, the return of Brie Stoner and eclectic shows in Kalamazoo. Browse the photo galleries, watch the videos at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The acclaimed Grand Rapids singer-songwriter returns to the stage Saturday while preparing a two-pronged studio release. The revealing interview with Brie Stoner, plus her recent music video and this week’s Local Spins on WYCE radio podcast.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
After a long COVID hiatus, the much-beloved Mio festival featuring more than 30 regional acts kicks off Friday. Get the preview, the inside story and the full schedule at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
After laying down his violin 15 years ago, the celebrated Grand Rapids singer-songwriter will play a classical concert at St. Cecilia Music Center this weekend while also wrapping up work on a new EP. Learn the story behind the concert and watch a music video for the title track from his forthcoming release.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Lansing artist and one-time ‘American Idol’ contestant premiered new songs for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted music by Isaac Ryder, Dynaflo, The American Hotel System, Joshua Rilko, Pink Sky, Jax Anderson and more. Get the lowdown on Rachel Curtis, watch her new music video and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
When Grand Rapids singer Hannah Rose Graves plays Local Spins Fest on Saturday, she’ll lean on her popular, throwback approach. The Artist Spotlight and Local Spins on WYCE podcast, including brand new tracks by Entransient, Kyle Brown and more.
Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
Michigan Rattlers, Molly, The Hacky Turtles, The Accidentals, Lazy Genius, Lipstick Jodi, Aramis 616, Major Murphy, Callab & more to rock Intersection. View the full roster of performers at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
The first two concerts celebrating Local Spins Week at Listening Room attracted an all-ears attitude from fans enamored of the performers’ story-telling charm and top-shelf musicianship. Check out the recaps, photos and videos from Monday and Tuesday’s 10th anniversary kickoff.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
From an all-star Michigan band led by Eric O’Daly and Max Lockwood to tour stops by iconic artists such as The Wailers, Shawn Colvin and Dave Bruzza, Local Spins captured more than a half-dozen Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo concerts in striking images.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
As part of a U.S. tour, the Spain-based Cadillac native kicks off Local Spins Week in Grand Rapids on Monday. The Local Spins interview, and a ticket giveaway.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists · Upcoming shows
Singer-songwriter Eric Engblade plays a special edition of “Songtellers” at Listening Room next week. Today, he reveals the albums that most shaped his own career as a musician. Listen to songs from all of the albums, including tracks by Engblade, and see how you can win tickets to that “Songtellers” concert.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Local Spins on WYCE spotlighted the West Michigan singer now based in Nashville as she prepares for a GR show Friday. Plus, the show debuted new music by Phabies, Lost Magic, Coldville and more. Read more about Lynch and listen to the full radio show podcast at Local Spins.
Local Spins closes out April with another round-up of new releases by Michigan artists — ranging folk to hip hop to soul to robust rock. Listen to tracks from all of the albums and see where some of these artists will be performing in coming weeks.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
A dozen shows from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo are recapped today in Local Spins photo galleries, including Megadeth, Elijah Russ, Echoes of Pink Floyd, Tambourina, Fake Baseball, Grace Theisen & a tribute to Motown. Browse all of the photos — and video highlights of Jesse Ray & The Carolina Catfish’s return to the stage — at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Photos · Videos
Local Spins revisits the Michigan native and bluegrass star, as writer Enrique Olmos and photographer Loren Johnson join Lindsay Lou for a sunny afternoon of thrift shopping and songwriter talk in Nashville. The Artist Spotlight and photo gallery.
It’s an uber-diverse, early April roundup of new Michigan albums, from blues to rock to hip hop to adventurous classical music and compelling gems from Annagail and Brian Koenigknecht. Check out the reviews and listen to tracks from all of the releases.
Familiar names populate the March Hot Top 5 Chart, but the resurgence of the Kalamazoo hip hop cellist’s year-old instrumental album also mirrors his comeback from a devastating accident. Get the back story at Local Spins and listen to tracks from all of the charted albums.
Artist Spotlights · Uncategorized · Upcoming shows
The acclaimed Portland singer-songwriter plays Grand Rapids’ Wealthy Theatre tonight. She shared thoughts on her music, her upbringing and her performances with Local Spins writer Enrique Olmos.
Breaking music news · Features
The nonprofit Michigan Music Alliance is surveying the state’s musicians in hopes of targeting their most pressing concerns as it prioritizes future programs. Take the survey here at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Touring behind his latest album and single, the up-and-coming singer-songwriter plays Grand Rapids’ Listening Room on Friday. The Local Spins interview, with samples of his latest music. Plus, see how you can win tickets to see Tré Burt in concert.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The Kalamazoo singer-guitarist’s latest album is spotlighted by Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuts tracks by Larry McCray, Avalon Cutts-Jones, Chirp, DL Rossi, Steve Rivers, Carrie McFerrin, The Soods & more. Learn more about Brian Koenigsknecht’s new project and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Breaking music news · Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
With the venue packed to capacity, The Stray Café’s month-long competition involving 15 Michigan acts wrapped up Friday with fan-pleasing performances by finalists Whorled, Epitones and Daisybox. Read the recap, browse the photos and watch video highlights at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
Local Spins today highlights the veteran Grand Rapids singer-songwriter and ‘Songtellers’ host, plus debuts tracks by Eric O’Daly, Kanin, Tiny Car Army, The Heiden Underground, Luke Winslow-King & more. Listen to the Local Spins on WYCE podcast and learn more about Thomasma and his ‘Songtellers’ series.
As an online ‘talent show’ of sorts, more than 40 Michigan bands and solo artists have submitted videos to NPR’s popular annual competition. View the Michigan entries here.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
Christian music star Jeremy Camp also is among touring artists announced for N. Michigan’s Interlochen Arts Festival. Details at Local Spins.
Features · Local Spins at SXSW · Upcoming shows
Returning for the first, in-person South by Southwest fest in three years, Michigan’s presence takes on a regional flavor with plenty of Mitten State performers in the mix. Learn more about the pop-up venue in Austin and see which Michigan artists will be performing there this weekend.
Singer-songwriter and Saline native Katie Pederson discusses moving to Nashville, building a community and the joys of running in a Local Spins interview conducted by Enrique Olmos in the Music City. The artist profile, photo gallery and video.
Monday’s tour stop at GLC Live at 20 Monroe had the Oregon native and Nashville-based singer-songwriter regaling the crowd with signature tunes as well as older gems. Check out the photos and set list.
Friday night’s live music lineup included emerging acts competing in the first night of a March battle and seasoned, acclaimed songwriters unfurling poignant, harmony-hued tunes in an intimate setting. Get the show recaps and browse the photo galleries at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
Releasing a new ‘Time Out’ EP today, the Traverse City-bred musicians play Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo this weekend with three iconic fellow songwriters. Local Spins on WYCE spotlights the new project and debuts tracks by several other Michigan bands. Learn more about the ‘Time Out’ project and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
With an upcoming performance at Grand Rapids’ Listening Room, Local Spins writer Enrique Olmos profiles Kalamazoo singer-songwriter Kaitlin Rose and her ‘honest, healing’ music. Learn more about Rose and listen to her songs.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Saturday’s concert at Fountain Street Church highlighted a robust weekend of live music and events from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo to Hudsonville: Caroline Jones, Beach House, Marc E. Bassy, Mungion, 1964 The Tribute & more in Local Spins photos and recaps.
Several genre-spanning shows — big and small — helped fire up and heat up February in Grand Rapids on Thursday and Friday. The recaps in words and photos at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE
The band led by Karli Morehouse aims to ‘hit the ground running’ with shows and new music this year. Plus, Local Spins on WYCE debuts fresh Michigan-made tracks, from Steven Malcolm to The Good Old Days to Fake Baseball and Grace Theisen. Listen to the full radio show podcast.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The platinum-selling singer-songwriter plays Calvin University on Friday night. In an interview with Local Spins writer Enrique Olmos, McMillan covered a lot of bases — from religion to aliens.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
With her tour stopping at Fountain Street Church on Saturday, Waxahatchee’s Katie Crutchfield opens up to Local Spins writer Enrique Olmos about her sobriety, cooking, astrology and songwriting. Learn more about Waxahatchee and watch her videos at Local Spins.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
The Local Spins series highlighting music that most influenced Michigan musicians continues with Michigander frontman Jason Singer revealing his picks — plus a couple of current faves he “can’t stop” playing and a pair of Michigander tracks.
This February roundup of new Michigan albums also features an in-depth look at releases from Detroit rock band Three Spoke Wheel and Kalamazoo’s Jay Gavan. Plus, sample tracks from all of the albums.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Emerging hip hop star Steven Malcolm wrapped up his ‘Long Live the Hype Tour’ at a jam-packed Muse GR Saturday, wrapping up a weekend of diverse live music — country, hip hop, funk, rock, folk — captured in Local Spins photos and videos. Revisit shows by Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Niko Moon, Scotty McCreery, The Legal Immigrants, King Possum, Conrad Shock + The Noise, Lisa Can’t Sing and Erin Enderlin.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
With a new record on the way, ‘Michigan Songbird’ May Erlewine plays St. Cecilia Music Center in Grand Rapids on Feb. 17. Today, she reveals that albums that have influenced her the most. Bend an ear to the recordings, along with songs from Erlewine herself.
