The long holiday weekend offers the perfect opportunity to pump up the volume with Local Spins’ revamped “Freedom Rocks” playlist, from Billy Strings and Lindsay Lou to Pitbull and Jon Batiste.
Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
The holiday weekend festival outside Trufant boasted performances by more than a dozen bands on Friday, with two more days of music ahead, including The Accidentals and May Erlewine. The recap, photos and video, exclusively at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The West Michigan musician known as “Huggy Bear” runs a studio north of Grand Rapids and helps organize this weekend’s Smiling Acres fest. The Artist Spotlight and this week’s Local Spins on WYCE radio podcast, with a video tour of The Bear Den studio.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The popular New York band that’s toured the globe reworking music by acts ranging from Michael Jackson to Green Day plays GLC Live at 20 Monroe and Bay View this week. The Local Spins interview, with videos.
Looking for the Perfect Beat · Summer Festivals · Videos
With a lineup leaning heavy into house and trance music, Local Spins’ Looking for the Perfect Beat columnist Todd Ernst previews some of this weekend’s likely gems. Plus, view (and save) the daily Electric Forest performance schedules, get tips for attendees and watch videos of selected artists.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Videos
The avant-fusion, experimental jazz group was spotlighted for Local Spins on WYCE, which also featured new music by Lipstick Jodi, American Hotel System, Overdrive Orchestra and more. Get the back story on Space Bar, watch a video of their performance and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
The mid-sized, riverfront concert space has impressed musicians and fans alike during its spring ‘preview mode,’ with more to come. Get the back story, plus photos and a video.
Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
The Memorial Day weekend festival along Lake Michigan in West Olive boasted performances by more than a dozen Michigan acts amid glorious summer-starting weather. A photo gallery and video highlights at Local Spins.
A week after celebrating the 11th anniversary of Local Spins with a six-band festival in downtown Grand Rapids, we unveil a highlights video from an event to remember. It’s bonus coverage for Memorial Day weekend.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
Celebrating Local Spins’ 11th birthday and the power of Michigan’s female artistry, the second annual festival drew enthused crowds Saturday for sets by six regional bands: In the Valley Below, Earth Radio, Sarena Rae, Kari Lynch Band, Lokella and Grace Theisen Band. The recap, photos and a video at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows
The West Michigan duo playing an anniversary show next week got cozy with Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted music by Space Bar, Jack Droppers, The Crane Wives, Cameron Blake, Brent Godfrey and more. Learn more about Jesse Ray and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins Fest · Upcoming shows · Videos
On Saturday, Local Spins Fest returns to downtown Grand Rapids with six Michigan bands. Today, we shed light on headliner In the Valley Below for our final band Q&A in the countdown to the big day and watch a video their recent performance on TV8’s ‘EightWest.’
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts · Videos
Staged at Studio Park in downtown Grand Rapids, the eight-show outdoor series kicks off with Tank & The Bangas on July 12 and also features local faves The Crane Wives and The Verve Pipe. Get the full schedule at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Still heavy, still touring and still professing deep faith, Stryper rolls into Elevation at the Intersection tonight. The Local Spins interview, along with the band’s latest music video.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Detroit-area band playing SpeakEZ on Wednesday was featured for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted new tracks by Jesse Cline, Silverstiles, Chance Jones, Tess Clark, Letrick Olson, Pink Sky, Emma Bieniewicz and more. Learn more about the Kate Hinote Trio and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins Fest · Videos
On May 20, Kalamazoo’s Grace Theisen Band kicks off the second Local Spins Fest in downtown Grand Rapids. Today, Theisen answers seven questions about her musical journey and her favorite artists. Plus, watch her most recent music video and check out the full Local Spins Fest schedule.
Breaking music news · Contests · Videos
The inaugural April songwriting competition drew entries from across Michigan, with Traverse City’s Trillium Groove snagging runner-up honors. Get details and listen to the winning songs.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins Fest · Summer Festivals · Videos
Today, we announce the sixth act on the bill for May 20’s Local Spins Fest at Studio Park — and Earth Radio responds by answering our seven-question countdown to the one-day festival. Check out the compelling answers and view the final schedule at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Grand Rapids country heroes celebrate “Hungry & Sober” at Founders on Saturday. They’re featured for this week’s spring fund drive edition of Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Jim Alfredson, Hickory Creek Revival, Signal Quartet and more. Get the back story on The Bootstrap Boys’ new album, watch their new music video and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Artist Spotlights · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
May 20’s Local Spins Fest will spotlight six, eclectic Michigan-bred bands. Today, we spotlight much-beloved singer Kari Lynch, who launched her career in West Michigan. Check out her answers to seven questions, plus watch her music videos.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
West Michigan’s mid-April blast ranged from jam-packed shows by national artists to showcases of regional favorites to the enduring pull of vinyl — all recapped in images and videos at Local Spins. Check out 10 galleries and three videos, including August Burns Red, Brie Stoner & Kate Pillsbury, B93’s Battle to the Bash, Record Store Day, The Claudettes, Flexadecibel and more.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Electrifying a jam-packed Stache inside Grand Rapids’ The Intersection on Thursday, the duo with a top-shelf backing band rocked the house in emotional fashion. The review, photos and video at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Summer Festivals · Videos
Six dynamic, female-oriented bands will rev up Local Spins Fest in May. Today, we begin our series spotlighting each act, asking them to answer seven key questions. Their answers were enlightening, especially when it comes to Lokella, which may be playing its final show with its current lineup.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Dutch melodic techno duo plays Magic Stick in Detroit on Saturday, with Grand Rapids’ own Subtractive opening the show. Local Spins columnist Todd Ernst chats with the artists and explores the fan-pleasing emergence of the electronic music genre.
Artist Spotlights · Emerging Artists to Watch · Upcoming shows
The Michigan-bred songwriter now based in Nashville has turned heads with her fetching songs and returns to her home state for shows this summer. One of Local Spins’ ‘Emerging Artists to Watch,’ plus videos.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals · Videos
The festival announced “Phase 1” of its lineup of performers for the Aug. 18-19 celebration at Grand Rapids’ Belknap Park, with tickets on sale today. View videos of the headliners and get ticket links at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
The week leading up to the holiday was an active one when it comes to live music, from heavy metal to blues to indie-folk and more. The video and photo recaps at Local Spins, including coverage of Fozzy, Garcia Peoples, Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers and more.
Breaking music news · Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
The Saturday celebration at Marshall’s Franke Center for the Arts also produced wins for Josiah C. Baker, Willy FoTang and several other Michigan acts, with performances by Baker, Lokella, Phabies and Kait Rose. View the winners’ list, check out their videos and browse a photo gallery at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Upcoming shows · Videos
The veteran artist (aka, ‘Psychosongs’) officially releases his new album Friday, with upcoming release shows in Ferndale, Clarkston and Grand Rapids. Local Spins has an exclusive song premiere, with information about his upcoming performances.
Saturday’s second awards show at Franke Center will feature video screenings and performances by Phabies, Lokella, Kait Rose and Josiah C. Baker. The preview of this year’s awards eveng, plus watch videos from all 33 final nominees.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals · Videos
The beloved northern Michigan festival today announced the 60-plus-act lineup for July, including Marc Broussard, Sweet Water Warblers, Myron Elkins, Gina Chavez and The Crane Wives. View the full lineup and get details at Local Spins.
The multi-talented Grand Rapids-based instrumentalist plans to focus on his recording studio, solo projects and the new Moss Manor trio. Read more about Michael Dause’s future and The Accidentals’ new drummer — who’s also a Michigan native.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The universally acclaimed band revered by other musicians plays Kalamazoo State Theatre on Sunday. The Local Spins interview and preview, with a music video and details about the Michigan tour stop.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
Emulating the ‘style, notes, energy’ of Chicago, Brass Transit aims to play ‘hit after hit’ aided by GR Symphony in the weekend concert at DeVos Performance Hall. The Local Spins interview and details about Saturday’s show.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Weird weather during the first full weekend of spring didn’t hamper turnout at sold-out tour stops in Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo. Plus, recaps of Hawthorne Heights, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Dirt Monkey, Starkbierfest, Ingrid Andress and more. View all of the images at Local Spins.
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.
