
10 West Michigan Bands to Watch 2026

Halloween Queen: Izzy Reign’s Spooky Rule Extends All Year Long

Looking over this year’s list of Best of the West Music finalists makes one thing perfectly clear: live music didn’t just survive the pandemic, it’s back and it’s thriving.
So often in music, like in life, timing is everything. That’s definitely the case for rising Grand Rapids jazz fusion group Pocket Watch.
Sameer Gadhia of Young The Giant didn’t originally dream of being a lead singer.
The right soundtrack can take even the best road trip to the next level. So venture through our handpicked playlist of some of the most exciting artists in West Michigan when you decide to head out of town for something new this summer.
No one is more surprised by the seemingly overnight success of country-rock outfit The Red Clay Strays than the band members themselves.
"We got robbed this morning,” said Max Rainer, lead singer of Wilderado, the day of our interview.
After nearly three decades in one of the most reliable hit-making hard rock bands in the country, Chevelle drummer Sam Loeffler has found the secret to success in the music industry—just stay together.
The creation of longtime Grand Rapids songwriter and musician Greg Scheer, the St. Sinner Orchestra merges a rock band with a classical string section, for a sound unlike anything else.
To Patrick Hallahan, drummer of My Morning Jacket, his instrument is more than his career; it’s his calling.
I always knew my whole life I wanted to be a performer,” said Daniel Pitout, professionally known as Orville Peck. “I don’t think anybody in my family, or my life, ever imagined me doing anything else.”