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.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Grand Rapids singer-songwriter also known as Samantha Andrade talked about being a ‘germ’ during her in-studio visit for Local Spins on WYCE, which also got Celtic, got punky and got folky with its lineup of regional tracks. Read the feature story, listen to the podcast and watch the video of Charlie Darling’s compelling in-studio performance.
Playlists · Upcoming shows · Videos
With St. Patrick’s Day fast approaching, Celtic music is being uncorked everywhere. And Fonn Mor, led by frontman Curt Tramel, is helping lead the way. He offered up this playlist of favorite songs for the season. Listen to his Top 10 songs and watch the videos.
Artist Spotlights · Podcasts · Videos
Musical shenanigans abound as this West Michigan band releases its debut CD during a busy month of performances, with two shows Saturday in Holland. Read the Artist Spotlight feature, listen to the podcast and watch the video of the band’s in-studio radio performance.
Album reviews · Upcoming shows
The February roundup of new local and regional albums boasts a resplendent mix, including punk, experimental rock, jazz, folk, rock, pop, Celtic music and more. Check out the reviews and listen to samples of the artists’ music.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Winter Wheat set a record for attendance on Saturday while lining up all-star bands in fiery performances on two stages for nearly 12 hours on Saturday at The Intersection. Soak up the vibe from this special event in this Local Spins recap, photo gallery and video highlights.
Saturday’s day-long Winter Wheat fest at The Intersection boasts dancing, 12 bands on two stages — including The Accidentals, Billy Strings & Don Julin and Roosevelt Diggs — and a “family reunion” vibe for musicians. Read the story behind this singular event and check out the full schedule.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
From the lilting folk of Sweet Water Warblers and singer-songwriters at the Fall Flannel Folk Fest to the searing jam-band spectacle of UV Hippo, it was another groovy week to remember, captured in images at Local Spins. And check out the video from a hectic Saturday night: Five shows at five venues in less than two hours.
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.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The Celtic music faves discussed the ambitious new album during this week’s edition of Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted new tracks by Brotha James, Dave Hardin, Bootstrap Boys, Major Murphy and Lapdogs.
For the 42nd year, Wheatland’s special vibe was on display last weekend, propelled by performances from Dervish, Bill Kirchen, Joshua Davis, Blind Boy Paxton and many more. Check out the colorful photo gallery from a special weekend.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
From Kalamazoo to Lansing to Grand Rapids, live music took center stage this week with the Tuesday Evening Music Club kickoff, Billy Strings & Don Julin, Nobody’s Darlin’, the season’s first GRAM on the Green show and much more in the mix. Check out the resplendent photo gallery with links to images from concerts by Mat Kearney, Patty Griffin, Mavis Staples and Joshua Davis.
Commentary · Features · Videos
Thrilled to be named one of America’s most authentic Irish pubs, owners Mary Ann and Terry Reagan are throwing their last St. Patrick’s Day ‘hooley’ at the charming Conklin pub today. Read the column hailing the end of an era and watch a video from today’s parade and celebration.
The Pogues, Dropkick Murphys, Flogging Molly and Michigan bands such as an Dro and Stone Clover show up on this mandolinist’s playlist, created exclusively for Local Spins as a St. Patrick’s Day soundtrack. Check out the songs, the videos and the Spotify playlist, then kick up your heels.
Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Much of the week’s musical hoopla was about celebrating St. Patrick’s Day early, from An Dro and David Molinari playing SpeakEZ Lounge mid-week to Sam Hunt entertaining a capacity crowd at The Intersection to upwards of 20,000 emerald-clad beer drinkers heating up Saturday’s Irish on Ionia in downtown Grand Rapids. But there was more. Check out the photo gallery and video highlights from Irish on Ionia and other music-driven celebrations.
Welcome to Episode No. 26 of Local Spins on WYCE: A chat with Carolyn Koebel and Jim Spalink about their various musical projects, the upcoming Michigan Global Roots Music Festival and more. Check out the podcast, video.
Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
The annual Wheatland fundraiser will boast two indoor stages and more than a dozen performances, including Fred Willson’s An Dro finale and sets by Billy Strings & Don Julin, Fauxgrass and more.
Some of West Michigan’s most compelling concerts didn’t feature arena-sized superstars, but inventive bands in their respective genres: jazz, psych rock/garage rock, hip hop, EDM and more.
Another eclectic week and weekend, from Channing & Quinn to Jackyl to Elephant Wrecking Ball to the B-Side Growlers and some bittersweet goodbyes, captured in photos by Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Features
Two veteran Grand Rapids bands are losing key members in coming weeks, with the acoustic groups planning to continue performing without them.
West Michigan musicians, Fenian’s Irish Pub (as it winds down toward the end of an era) and yes, the Detroit Lions, rank high on this Thanksgiving Day roster for 2014.[…]
Mid-September’s music news roundup at Local Spins covers the gamut, including northern Michigan’s Lexi Schaub getting a chance to make a splash at Comerica Park and Greensky Bluegrass hitting the CMT spotlight.
The fast-rising Michigan trio releases its new CD on Thursday, the same day it plays Grand Rapids and a day before heading to Milwaukee to perform at the granddaddy of Irish festivals.
Performing in public since she was 6, the Lake Leelanau singer, keyboard player and guitarist returns to play the Sparta Celtic Festival on Saturday. See the full festival schedule.
Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band, Dar Williams, Steppin’ In It, Rootstand, Drew Nelson, Lindsay Lou & The Flatbellys, Edye Evans Hyde among 30-plus acts playing weekend festival south of Grand Rapids.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
The two-month celebration of Michigan music starts with Afro Zuma and a kid-interactive “Family Appreciation Night” and wraps up in August with Ralston & Friends.
With roots in West Michigan, one of the state’s hottest string trios goes all out for St. Paddy’s hoopla while venture into bluegrass, folk, world music and rock.
Green-clad revelers, green beer and blue skies rocked downtown’s Irish on Ionia, more than 30 bands rocked West Ottawa’s annual two-day music fest and Hillbilly Casino drove 12 hours straight to rock the West Side.
With three recordings under its belt and another in the works, the young Hart duo in this week’s Local Spins Artist Spotlight has a busy week of St. Paddy’s Day performances ahead.
Breaking music news · Features
Since 1987, the beloved pub in Conklin has brought universally acclaimed Irish performers to its stage as well as Celtic musicians from across Michigan. Fenian’s could host its final St. Patrick’s Day parade on Monday.
The inaugural, family-oriented three-day festival featuring Wisaal, An Dro and Badenya Drum & Dance wraps up on Sunday at Osgood Brewing, boasting “folk music from around the globe.”
Boasting a new studio album, the five-piece Grand Rapids band which embraces musical camaraderie already is gearing up for another busy St. Patrick’s Day.
