Artist Spotlights · Photos · Videos
The vibrant combination of Michigan songwriters Grace Theisen, Katie Pederson and Jilian Linklater is turning heads with a mission of empowering women in music. The Local Spins Q&A with the up-and-coming trio, a video and photo gallery.
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.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Touring behind ‘Unify,’ the band’s U.S. tour stops at Kalamazoo State Theatre on Tuesday. Drummer Adam Deitch talks to Local Spins about the band’s musical exploration and love of Michigan. Plus, view a couple of Lettuce videos.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Blues-rock icon Kenny Wayne Shepherd, who recently re-recorded his 1997 classic collection, plays GLC Live at 20 Monroe on Tuesday. The Local Spins interview with a video of his 25th anniversary version of “Blue on Black.”
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Celtic punk’s Dropkick Murphys bring their March sojourn — and labor union advocacy — to GLC Live at 20 Monroe on Sunday night. The interview and back story at Local Spins, along with recent band music videos.
Artist Spotlights · Podcasts · Upcoming shows · Videos
Michael and Tanya Trotter of The War and Treaty discuss their major label debut, touring and a recent on-stage calamity for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Protomartyr, May Erlewine, Earth Radio, Boundarywater Trio and more. Discover The War and Treaty’s biggest milestones of the past year, watch a video and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Features · Photos · Upcoming shows · Videos
Recorded at Grand Haven’s Third Coast Recording, the cover of the iconic song features 14 female singers and musicians from across the state. Get the back story, watch the video and browse the photo gallery at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Festivals · Photos · Videos
Saturday’s free event at Kalamazoo Valley Museum drew hundreds of fans, luthiers and musicians, including guitar virtuosos Fareed Haque & Goran Ivanovic. The recap, photo gallery and video at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Bassist and diehard Michigander Matt Noveskey chatted with Local Spins about his home-state love as the Texas-based Blue October gets set to play Grand Rapids on Sunday. The interview and videos at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Grand Rapids band releasing a new album tonight was featured for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Jack Droppers, The Accidentals, Oxford Fields, Sage Castleberry and more. Learn more about Y-Not and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
Starting their Michigan run with two shows at Grand Rapids’ Midtown, the indie-folksters join Georgia Middleman, Gary Burr and Mary Bragg for the latest iteration of their ‘in-the-round’ concerts. Learn more about the tour and listen to a new Accidentals single at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The acclaimed singer-songwriter plays the Acoustic Cafe Folk Series in Grand Rapids on Thursday. The Local Spins interview, with a chance for readers to win tickets to the show. Plus, watch a Josh Ritter video previewing songs from his upcoming new album.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The multi-Grammy-winning Christian music artist plays Van Andel Arena on Sunday with Grand Rapids’ own hip-hop artist George Moss joining him on stage. The back story at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Our recap of this week’s live music blizzard — indoors and out — travels from Comstock Park to GR to Hudsonville to Kalamazoo, and from touring stars to local band favorites. Browse all of the images and check out the show recaps at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
West Michigan music lovers gathered in huge numbers at The Intersection on Friday night for the 23rd edition of the Jammie Awards, with 19 acts firing up three stages. Photos, video highlights and more at Local Spins.
Announcements · Emerging Artists to Watch · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Raised in Allegan County, the country singer-turned-Americana-rock artist boasts a bright future, propelled by a new album on a Nashville record label. He’s the latest winner of the Local Spins award. Read more about Elkins, listen to this week’s Local Spins on WYCE radio podcast with a special Jammie Awards preview and watch some of Elkins’ latest videos.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
Today’s teaser announcement of three concerts in the 2023 amphitheater series covers folk, blues, rock and roots music, with the complete concert lineup being announced in April. Get the lowdown on the shows revealed thus far, along with music videos of the featured artists.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Despite the blustery storm of ice and snow outside Wednesday night, the Kalamazoo-bred bluegrass powerhouse packed The Intersection for a long evening of entrancing jams. The recap, photo gallery and video highlights 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 · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Jam-packed concerts rolled out as the primary theme across West Michigan this week at venues in Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo. View the photos and videos; revel in the reviews at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The wildly creative keyboardist who turns classical music on its ear plays Grand Rapids’ Midtown Thursday. Learn more about this Michigan phenom and watch a video at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Upcoming shows · Videos
Three female songwriters will play the same stage Saturday for the first time. They tell their stories for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted new music by Grace Theisen, Hominian, Moon Orchids, Heat Above & more. Learn more about Kari Lynch, Kate Pillsbury and Olivia Vargas, watch videos and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Artist Spotlights · Emerging Artists to Watch · Videos
After reaching the semifinals of NBC’s ‘American Song Contest’ last year, the fast-emerging 17-year-old just released a new single and will headline an upcoming show at Franke Center for the Arts. The back story, videos and more at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Saturday’s musical revelry on three stages at The Intersection highlighted a weekend that celebrated Michigan-made bands. Photos, recaps at Local Spins, including a Kalamazoo show led by Celestial.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
With a much-ballyhooed debut EP and upcoming shows, Ficus rocked Local Spins on WYCE, which also aired new music by Loren Johnson, Travis McNamara, Spencer Chesnut, Superego, Sophia McIntosh, Last Gasp Collective and more. Learn more about Ficus, watch the premiere of a new band video and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Audio · Features · Hot Top 5 · Videos
The soulful, Kalamazoo hip-hop ensemble soared to the top of the December chart, with several new Michigan entries right behind. See which albums made the latest Hot Top 5 Chart and listen to tracks from all of the releases 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.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
From crowd-pleasing shows by veteran Michigan artists to performances by up-and-coming young acts at a second-year talent competition, there was a lot to celebrate in early January. The photos, a video and more at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Led by mandolinist Jason Wheeler, the new band was featured this week by Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Vulfpeck, Ada LeAnn, Myron Elkins, Laddermatch, Moss Manor, Steve Leaf, Nathan K. and more. Learn more about Round Creek String Band and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Celebrations leading up to New Year’s Day covered the gamut, from a delayed ‘Christmas at Critter’s’ to a birthday bash, Beatles salute, a ska/punk holiday show anniversary and New Year’s Eve revelry. Videos and photo recaps exclusively at Local Spins.
Emerging Artists to Watch · Top 12 Stories Countdown · Videos
The top stories countdown ends on the year’s final day, with a special update on our profile of 16-year-old Grass Lake singer Brayden Lape. We interview him again about his future plans after his Top 5 finish, with a link to the No. 1 story from November and videos of his most popular performances on ‘The Voice.’
Local Spins Rewind · Top 12 Stories Countdown · Videos
It’s no surprise that one of the top stories of 2022 would involve Michigan-bred star Billy Strings. In April, he and his band performed on the Grammys, though he didn’t win for best bluegrass album. Check out the story and videos in today’s Local Spins Rewind.
Local Spins Rewind · Top 12 Stories Countdown · Videos
No. 8 in our top-stories-of-the-year round-up features a fast-rising mid-Michigan singer who made the initial cut and impressed judges in September during the most recent season of the NBC show. Watch the video of her much-ballyhooed blind auditions performance.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Melding elements of jazz, psychedelia, Motown, pop, R&B, funk and more into its approach, Pajamas is starting to make waves across the state. The Artist Spotlight at Local Spins, along with videos of the band’s live performances.
Breaking music news · Emerging Artists to Watch · Videos
After fan voting during this week’s finale, the Grass Lake teen came in behind winner Bryce Leatherwood and three other finalists. The recap at Local Spins, plus watch a video of his finale performance.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
Touted as “the trip of a lifetime,” the Kalamazoo progressive bluegrass band will stage its annual festival in Reyjkjavik next June with guest Holly Bowling. Get the lowdown at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Podcasts
The singer and keyboard player recently released ‘Stories We Told Along the Way,’ recorded in Kalamazoo with a who’s who lineup of Michigan musicians. Story, video and more at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The grand prize winner of the USA Songwriting Competition tells her back story for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by The Gasoline Gypsies, Matt Lenny, Silver Creek Revival, Missing Days and more. Learn more about Sav Buist and The Accidentals, and listen to her winning song and this week’s radio show podcast.
Features · Photos · Upcoming shows · Videos
After 11 years in Spring Lake, owner Michelle Hanks will close the much-beloved listening room following sold-out shows Friday and Saturday, ending a too-brief era of memorable live music. The back story, videos and photos at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Photos · Videos
The band officially released its new studio album Friday night with a performance at Lansing’s UrbanBeat. Get the back story on the quartet, view a music video and browse photos at Local Spins.
Announcements · Upcoming shows · Videos
The second-year awards show will take place at Marshall’s Franke Center in April, with a Jan. 1 deadline for Michigan video entries. Last year’s winner Grace Theisen called the event ‘amazing.’ Get details and background at Local Spins.
Melding varied rock styles, the husband-and-wife team released its debut album earlier this year, inspired in part by their northern Michigan surroundings. The back story and video at Local Spins.
Album reviews · Audio · Videos
Raised in Ionia County’s rural Muir, Billy Strings embraces the traditions he grew up with, featuring duets with his stepfather, Terry Barber, on his latest Rounder Records releases. The review at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows
The band uncorks its traditional Thanksgiving weekend concerts at State Theatre. Our interview with mandolinist Paul Hoffman and this week’s radio show podcast with new music by Myron Elkins, Chain of Lakes, Jack Pine, Entransient and more.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
Michigan-born Sargon Isho and the renowned vocal group from Indiana University bring their 25th anniversary tour to DeVos Performance Hall this weekend. The interview and back story at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Emerging Artists to Watch · Playlists · Videos
Perhaps poised to follow the path of pop phenom and inspiration Shawn Mendes, the 16-year-old from Grass Lake ascended to the finals on the hit NBC show. The Local Spins interview with the young singer.
The early November round-up of Michigan releases not only covers a wide swath of genres, but artists from Grand Rapids to the Detroit area to Petoskey. Listen to tracks from all of the recordings.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins Rewind · Podcasts · Upcoming shows · Videos
The world’s Grammy-winning face of bluegrass plays Wings Event Center Thursday. But in 2015, Billy Strings was just Michigan’s emerging acoustic fave, wowing a handful of fans for Local Spins Live at River City Studios. Relive the milestone performance via video and podcast at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The British-born blues-rock phenom who splits time between Detroit and Nashville brings the tour behind a new album to Kalamazoo State Theatre on Wednesday. The Local Spins interview, with two music videos.
