Welcoming 2026: Big Gigantic at The Intersection, above, and New Year\u2019s Fest in Kalamazoo. (Photos\/Benjamin Howell\/Derek Ketchum)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n EDITOR\u2019S NOTE:<\/strong> Michigan enjoyed another banner year for new music, with literally hundreds of fresh releases by regional artists spotlighted by Local Spins\u2019 weekly Michigan Music Showcase airing on WYCE-FM and Interlochen Public Radio. Check out a dozen of them in today\u2019s radio show podcast below, along with photos of several other Michigan artists who performed at New Year\u2019s Eve celebrations.<\/em><\/p>\n Support our coverage of Another blast of snow across the region didn\u2019t slow down revelers or performers ushering in 2025 across West Michigan.<\/p>\n A wide range of Michigan artists \u2014 and a popular electronic music duo from Colorado \u2014 celebrated New Year\u2019s Eve to the delight of enthused fans, many of whom braved chilly temperatures and wintry conditions to cheer on their performances.<\/p>\n While Big Gigantic<\/strong> regaled a packed house of EDM fans at The Intersection in Grand Rapids with their signature blend of jazz, hip hop and electronica \u2014 along with Grand Rapids\u2019 own Flats Stanlie<\/strong> as well as Jason Leech<\/strong> and HEYZ<\/strong> \u2014 throngs of fans roamed downtown Kalamazoo for sets by numerous local and regional acts at a variety of venues as part of the city\u2019s annual New Year\u2019s Fest, culminating in a fireworks show at midnight.<\/p>\n Flurry of New Music: Just some of the Michigan artists with new 2025 music logged by Local Spins publisher and radio show host John Sinkevics.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Local Spins photographer and Kalamazoo bureau chief Derek Ketchum described the evening\u2019s revelry:<\/p>\n Kalamazoo\u2019s 40th New Years Fest was a hit. Despite heavy snow to start the evening, an incredible crowd turned out to celebrate the end of 2025 for this unique event where all venues are just a few minutes walk from each other with Bronson Park serving as the heart of the celebration.<\/p>\n Live music, DJs, magicians, comedians and more were on tap. Some highlights included Tuba New Year<\/strong> kicking things off outside on the Rotary Stage while artists such as the WMU Afro-Latin Ensemble<\/strong> and up-and-coming indie-rock band Yellowhouse<\/strong> performed inside the sanctuaries of nearby churches.<\/p>\n Gemini Moon<\/strong> and Josh Holcomb<\/strong> alternated sets at the Kalamazoo Nonprofit Advocacy Coalition, with Octocelli<\/strong> \u2014 an 8-piece cello group \u2014 performed string interpretations of popular music at First Congregational Church. The church also hosted Silent But Deadly<\/strong>, who performed alongside a silent film.<\/p>\n Radisson Plaza Hotel meanwhile featured a lively set from Mexicuba<\/strong> and Zondo Love<\/strong>, who kicked off their set with some new music that will be coming out in 2026. All of this took place while DJ Monte <\/strong>was spinning tunes over in one of the warming tents in Bronson Park, all leading up to the ball drop and fireworks show at midnight. \u2013 Derek Ketchum<\/em><\/p>\n The early January edition of the Michigan Music Showcase<\/strong> features new tracks by Red Thyme, Ajax Stacks<\/strong> and Steven Malcolm<\/strong> as well as an encore presentation featuring an earlier interview with Greet Death<\/strong> and music by Samantha Crain, Clawfoot, Urphme, The Fields, Zudocks, Ralston Bowles, A. Billi Free & The Lasso<\/strong>, and Benjamin James Childs<\/strong>. Scroll down to listen to the full podcast.<\/p>\n PHOTO GALLERY: Kalamazoo New Year\u2019s Fest PHOTO GALLERY: Big Gigantic, Flats Stanlie, Jason Leech, HEYZ at The Intersection
West Michigan’s music scene<\/small><\/p>\n<\/div>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cdn.localspins.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/img_0949.jpg\")
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Photos by Derek Ketchum<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Photos by Benjamin Howell<\/strong><\/p>\n