Temps in the 20s, snow flurries and stiff breezes didn’t thwart thousands of attendees from packing the return of downtown’s Irish on Ionia, which also boasted chilly, jig-inciting sets by Celtic bands and DJs. View the photo gallery and video.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows
The band playing Irish on Ionia and Liquid Note Brewing on Saturday showcased its tunes for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by John Sanger, DL Rossi, Pop Evil, The Still Wonder, NLIIGHTiN, The Junky Swinger, Ohly, Weezil Malone and more. Learn more about CrossBow and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
After a COVID hiatus, Michigan’s biggest St. Patrick’s Day street party roars back with Celtic bands and DJs. Get details and the performance schedule at Local Spins.
It’s been three years since the Kalamazoo Valley Museum has hosted the festival as an in-person event. Get the lowdown and the performance schedule at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
With St. Patrick’s Day right around the corner, Local Spins chats with band guitarist Trevor Lewington about the Celtic rock group’s ‘high-energy’ tour that boasts three Michigan stops this week. Learn more about this unique band and watch their videos at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
A pair of new global music concert series kicked off on Sunday in Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo, with a healthy helping of blues to boot in both cities. The photos and more at Local Spins.
Playlists · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows · Videos
After a COVID interruption, the long-running Irish music spectacle kicks off tonight and runs through Sunday. Get the preview and festival map, playlist and videos at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The emerging, award-winning West Michigan band in the Artist Spotlight and featured for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Michigander, Aspen Jacobsen, The Fever Haze and more. Learn more about Whorled, watch one of their performances 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.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
St. Patrick’s Day celebrations may have been the focus for many, but West Michigan’s live music week also delivered country, indie-pop, metal, blues, alt-country and world music charm. Browse all of the photo galleries at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows
As part of the West Michigan trio’s busy week — including SpeakEZ Lounge’s return of Local Spins Wednesday – Selkie visited with Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted a host of Michigan-made tracks. Read the profile of Selkie and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Amid the flurry of national tour stops firing up crowds from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo was an understated finale for a much-beloved West Michigan Celtic band that decided to end its long run. Check out the An Dro story along with 10 photo galleries from a hectic week of concerts.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
For this week’s playlist, Local Spins asked Michigan’s The Moxie Strings to unfurl a Top 10 playlist of Celtic tracks to serve as a St. Patrick’s Day soundtrack for Wednesday’s upcoming celebrations. The selections span the globe. Plus, see where some of those St. Paddy’s parties are taking place.
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.
A day normally filled with revelry and live music was eerily quiet Tuesday with bars closed across Michigan. And that means “the financial implications are huge” for musicians, especially Celtic music acts.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
A coronavirus-shortened week of live shows still gave some West Michigan fans a mix of magical music: blues, metalcore, neo-psychedelia, Celtic music, contemporary Christian pop, country and South African vocal glory. View all of the images at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Festivals
After Gov. Gretchen Whitmer recommended state residents avoid large gatherings, street party organizers postponed the event to summer. And concert venues are “feeling uneasy” amid this “uncharted territory.” Read more about the reaction to this pandemic 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.
The Wheatland Music Organization’s 11th annual soiree will pack Grand Rapids’ Intersection this weekend with performances by more than a dozen roots music and folk artists on two stages. Details, schedule at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The week also features Reverend Raven, Sebastian Bach, Patty PerShayla, Laith Al-Saadi, Langhorne Slim, Deerfield Run and Project 1’s first-ever Blue Bridge Amplified. Get the complete concert lowdown in this week’s Big List Concert Guide at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The second week of August also boasts Beach House, JD McPherson, Bass Country, Low Cut Connie, Grasshoppah, Tommy Tutone, Farmfest, I Prevail, likemelikeyou, a John Prine Tribute, Sparta Celtic Fest and more. Plus, win tix to Tutone and Cowpie.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
St. Patrick’s Day falling on a Sunday gave folks an excuse to celebrate all things Irish all weekend long in Grand Rapids, with Saturday’s revelry filling downtown streets and several watering holes. Check out the photos and video at Local Spins.
Kent District Library offers free live music, from Jimmie Stagger to CrossBow, and is launching a “Needledrop” program allowing checkout of vinyl LPs and turntables, and a speaker series on local music. Get the upcoming schedule of shows and learn more about the programs at Local Spins.
Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Beyond a host of national acts, the week boasted crowd-pleasing local shows by The Concussions, Kaitlin Rose, The Moxie Strings, Nathan Walton and more. Browse photos and video snippets exclusively at Local Spins.
The inaugural Benton Harbor festival offers up three two-set shows from national touring acts, showcases local artisans and more on Saturday at Lake Michigan College. Get the lowdown and schedule at Local Spins, plus view videos of the featured acts.
The 10th annual fundraiser for the Wheatland Music Organization will take over The Intersection on Jan. 12 with a host of rootsy bands and the reunion of The Hill People. Check out the lineup, see the full schedule at Local Spins.
Playlists · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
With the Celtic festival unfurling this weekend in Muskegon, Diana Ladio of Michigan’s The Moxie Strings offers up the Top 5 reasons to attend plus a Top 10 playlist of songs by festival performers.
Podcasts · Upcoming shows · Videos
The West Michigan Celtic fave is part of a jam-packed festival this weekend. In spring 2017, prior to St. Patrick’s Day, they performed on Local Spins on WYCE, which also[…]
Recorded in front of a live studio audience, this month’s Local Spins segment on Michigan Radio’s “Stateside” showcased two celebrated acts from Grand Rapids and two from Kalamazoo. Listen to the podcast and a Spotify playlist of the featured tracks.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
A busy West Michigan week of live music boasts release shows for Lady Ace Boogie and The Native Howl, plus intriguing appearances by The Sauce, The Outer Vibe, House of Hamill, Theatre Bizarre Orchestra, 1964 The Tribute and much more. Get the lowdown on all of this week’s big shows on The Big List and a full roster of upcoming concerts via ‘On the Horizon.’
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Two of St. Patrick’s Day’s biggest events in Grand Rapids drew euphoric crowds on Saturday. Ogle the images at Local Spins, along with photos and videos from other fan-pleasing West Michigan concerts, from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo, including Sunday night’s Walk off the Earth show at 20 Monroe Live.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Celtic music, of course, can be found everywhere across West Michigan, but there’s also much more: Heaters, Kyle Cook, Nathan Kalish, Protomartyr, Trixy Tang, The Willeys, the christening of a new music venue and a Cowpie Music Festival band battle. Get the complete lowdown on live music via The Big List and see how you can win tickets to Irish on Ionia.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
An Dro performed for this week’s Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted local and regional tracks by Luke Winslow King, Mat Churchill, Mark Harrell, Steve Hilger Jazz Quintet, The Bootstrap Boys, Wing Vilma and more. Listen to the podcast, watch the video.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
This week’s edition of the radio show also featured music from Sleep Cheaters, LVRS, Jeremy Ensley, Lushh, Skyking, Ttypes and An Dro. Listen to the full podcast, watch the in-studio video of The Founding’s performance.
Artist Spotlights · Kalamazoo · Upcoming shows
The young, award-winning, up-and-coming West Michigan band already has become a staple at top-tier Irish music festivals and has honed a unique sound for its Celtic-driven music. It plays a Grand Rapids CD-release show Thursday night. Learn more about The Founding and watch videos of its songs.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The last big festival week of the summer also boasts tour stops by State Champs, San Fermin, P.O.S, Apocalypta, Elliott Brood, Marisela, Ben Sollee, some riveting local shows, the Cottage Bar Chili Cook-Off and the Knickerbocker’s first anniversary. See all the featured live music listings, plus the Under-the-Radar Picks. Plus, see how you can win tickets to see Nick Moss.
Artist Spotlights · Features · Upcoming shows
The ‘Mozart of the guitar’ kicks off a U.S. tour in West Michigan this week, unfurling uncategorizable music and subtle virtuosity along the way. Read the Local Spins interview with Pierre Bensusan and get details about this week’s concerts.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
With more than 30 performances over the weekend, Sparta’s Rogers Park in northern Kent County will immerse festivalgoers in all things Celtic in what shapes up as the biggest festival yet. See the full schedule.
Breaking music news · Guest Column · Top 10 Lists
Michigan’s popular Celtic/world music outfit was the most-played local act on WYCE last month. See what other bands made the list and browse a roundup of some of WYCE’s unique, weekly specialty music programs.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Sunday’s seven-hour showcase of West Michigan talent drew hundreds of people to The Intersection to show support for Ralston and Cindy Bowles and help pay their medical bills. Check out the Local Spins story, video highlights and a photo gallery.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Green Party, indeed. Saturday was a day for taking it to the streets in Grand Rapids for what was billed as the largest outdoor St. Paddy’s Day party in Michigan. Check out Local Spins images from the massive bash that is Irish on Ionia.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows · Videos
The March 10 edition of the radio show also featured new music from The Accidentals, Alex Mendenall, The Go Rounds, Stef Chura, Michigander and Frontier Ruckus. Check out the podcast, video and story.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
This weekend’s Wheatland Music Festival boasts Asleep at the Wheel, Charlie Musselwhite and scores of Michigan musicians — from May Erlewine to The Go Rounds — for the ‘precious’ 43rd anniversary event outside Remus. Peruse the schedule and save it on your smartphone.
Summer Festivals · Top 10 Lists
Summer festival season officially is here, so we’ve rounded up the most captivating musical celebrations in the Great Lakes State – some well-known, some off the beaten path, all worth exploring. And check out the under-the-radar picks, too.
Artist Spotlights · Features · Upcoming shows
The fiery Michigan fiddler based in Traverse City is doing double-duty — balancing touring and performances with both bands. The Elders and Ladio play the Boat & Canoe Club in Grand Rapids on Saturday night. Read the story about this new Celtic music partnership.
Announcements · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Michigan acts and stars from across the globe pump up this year’s Blissfest lineup. Regular advance tickets for the July 8-10 festival are now on sale. Check out some of the featured acts in the 2016 lineup.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
From The Waxies and The Moxie Strings to DJs to Irish dancers regaling attendees, Irish on Ionia 2016 took advantage of stellar weather to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day a couple days late but with real gusto. Check out the photo gallery by Local Spins photographer Anthony Norkus.
Expecting its biggest crowd ever, Irish on Ionia aims to welcome an estimated 20,000 costumed revelers for its sixth annual street party. And there are plenty o’ other Irish-themed gatherings, too. Check out the list of St. Patrick’s parties.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
National and local acts revved up fans in venues large and small this week, including performances by The Go Rounds, Rival Maps and others. Check out all the Local Spins images in these photo galleries from the live music week that was.
