On this week’s episode of Acoustic Café,  we celebrate the July 4th holiday by jumping into our archives for uniquely American stories— cranks and crazies, family and faith, reservations, dreams and divisions— celebrating this strange nation that’s lasted 250 years!

See the playlist below and listen to the episodes on-demand for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

Acoustic Café Playlist for July 5, 2026

• “Million Dollar Intro” – Ani DiFranco
• “Reservation Road” – Bill Miller (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “Yet To Be” – Rhiannon Giddens (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “Detroit Made” – John Hiatt (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “Cold Beer And Remote Control” – Indigo Girls (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “D.B Copper” – Todd Snider (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “Thunder Road” – Matt Nathanson (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “Tricksters, Hucksters & Scamps” – Amos Lee (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “Workin’ Woman Blues” – Valerie June (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “A Working Man Can’t Get Nowhere Today” – Peter Case (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “My America” – Adeem The Artist (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “American Dream” – Ondara (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “Family Is Family” – Kacey Musgrave (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “Good Ol’ U.S.A.” – Billy Joe Shaver (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “Kristine From The 7th Grade” – Ben Folds (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “Preaching To The Choir” – Rodney Crowell (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “November 5th, 2008” – Ani Difranco (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “American Tune” – Darrell Scott (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “King Cotton” – Corey Harris (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “I Ain’t Got No Home” – Billy Bragg (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “Union Town” – Tom Morello (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “Like Jesus Would” – Crys Matthews (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “The long Surrender” – NEEDTOBREATHE (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “Blacktop Train” – Ellis Paul (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “The Undiscovered Country” – Rosanne Cash (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “My Strange Nation” – Susan Werner (Acoustic Cafe performance)

Listen to Acoustic Café with host Rob Reinhart every Sunday from 1-3 p.m. ET on Detroit Public Radio 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand at wdet.org

This week on Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music we play a bunch of Detroit Stories for the Fourth of July! No city has contributed more stories that have become America’s stories than the Motor City!

See the playlist below and listen to the episode for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music Playlist for July 4, 2026

HOUR ONE:

• “Fingertips” – Little Stevie Wonder
• “Freeway Of Love” – Aretha Franklin
• “Ball Of Confusion” – The Temptations
• “Dancing In The Streets” – Martha Reeves & The Vandellas
• “Urge For Going (Detroit Demo)” – Joni Mitchell
• “Hotel Yorba” – White Stripes
• “Good Life” – Inner City
• “One Nation Under A Groove” – Funkadelic
• “Money” – Barrett Strong
• “What I Like About You” – The Romantics
• “Detroit, Michigan” – Andre Williams
• “1969” – The Stooges
• “Lose Yourself” – Eminem

HOUR TWO:

• “Boogie Chillen” – John Lee Hooker
• “Sunday Morning” – Thornetta Davis
• “I Wish” – Stevie Wonder
• “Jenny Take A Ride” – Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels
• “Detroit Sunrise” – Dwele
• “Makin’ Thunderbirds” – Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band
• “Strings Of Life” – Derrick May
• “Motor City” – The Satintones
• “Inner City Blues” – Marvin Gaye
• “Anti-American Graffiti” – J Dilla
• “Be My Lover” – Alice Cooper
• “Eastern Market” – Yusef Lateef

Listen to Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music every Saturday from 2-4 p.m. ET on Detroit Public Radio 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand at wdet.org

On this week’s episode of Acoustic Café,  we’re back to The Leon Loft for a visit with Australian 5-piece band The Paper Kites, playing songs old and new!

Also, in-studio archives from Detroit’s Joe Henry, Philly’s Jeffery Gaines and Jonathan Edwards (soon to turn 80).

See the playlist below and listen to the episodes on-demand for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

Acoustic Café Playlist for June 28, 2026

• “Million Dollar Intro” – Ani DiFranco
• “Mushaboom” – Feist
• “Canopies” – Bedouine
• “Full Of Stars” – Death Cab For Cutie
• “Remember Yourself” – Modest Mouse
• “Sunshine” – Jonathan Edwards (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “City Of New Orleans” – Allen Toussaint
• “Stormwall” – The Paper Kites (Acoustic Cafe in-studio guests)
• “Marietta” – The Paper Kites (Acoustic Cafe in-studio guests)
• “Hope Of Fools” – Brother Wallace
• “Michigan” – Margaret Glaspy
• “Keep Us In Song” – Joe Henry (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “Good Good Love” – Jalen Ngonda
• “Idaho” – Jobi Riccio
• “Comes Around Again” – The Arcadian Wild
• “Life Can Be Hard” – Paul McCartney
• “Over And Over” – Jeffrey Gaines (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “The Fiddle & The Drum” – Renee Fleming & Bela Fleck
• “If I Could Speak To Leonard” – Rodney Crowell
• “Everybody Knows” – Dayna Kurtz (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “Broken Record” – Good Old War (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “Tennenbaum” – The Paper Kites (Acoustic Cafe in-studio guests)
• “Every Town” – The Paper Kites (Acoustic Cafe in-studio guests)

Listen to Acoustic Café with host Rob Reinhart every Sunday from 1-3 p.m. ET on Detroit Public Radio 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand at wdet.org

This week on Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music we play all Canadian artists, as we do each year before the July 1 holiday! Some legends, some newcomers… from First Nations to Quebecois, honoring and thanking our neighbors to the north, east and south!

See the playlist below and listen to the episode for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music Playlist for June 27, 2026

HOUR ONE:

• “The Canadian Dream” – The Sam Roberts Band
• “Aujourd’hui, ma vie c’est d’la marde” – Lisa LeBlanc
• “Ladida” – Rochelle Jordan
• “Spit It Out” – KAYTRANADA (ft. Rochelle Jordan)
• “Don’t Forget Me When I’m Gone” – Glass Tiger
• “All This Disaster” – Jesse Welles
• “Serpentine Fire” – Sarah McLachlan
• “Black Lavender” – Allison Russell
• “Here We Go Again” – Sloan
• “The Spirit Of Radio” – Rush
• “2112 Overture” – Canadian Brass
• “Music Always” – AV & The Inner City
• “Running Home” – Jade LeMac
• “You’ve Made Me So Very Happy” – Blood, Sweat & Tears (RIP David Clayton Thomas)

HOUR TWO:

• “Dearborn” – Bahamas
• “Woodward Ave.” – Elliott Brood
• “Ancestor NRG” – Handsome Tiger
• “Midnight Call” – Harkirat Sangha
• “Blonde In The Bleachers” – Joni Mitchell
• “Need You To Go” – Teagan Littlechief
• “You Wouldn’t Like Me” – Tegan & Sara
• “Little Miss Twain” – Shania Twain
• “Fifty-Mission Cap” – The Tragically Hip
• “Purple Gas” – Noeline Hafmann
• “Here With Me (eya ota ayaw)” – Tammy Rae
• “Crabbukit” – k-os
• “Superficial Love” – Ruth B
• “Summertime” – Oscar Peterson

Listen to Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music every Saturday from 2-4 p.m. ET on Detroit Public Radio 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand at wdet.org

On this week’s episode of Acoustic Café,  Feist turned 50 this year, so we’re celebrating that milestone birthday by going back to one of our favorite sessions in 2012. Leslie was touring with the trio Mountain Man in support of her album “Metals.”

Also, past in-studio archives from beabadoobee, NEEDTOBREATHE, Norah Jones and Frank Turner.

See the playlist below and listen to the episodes on-demand for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

Acoustic Café Playlist for June 21, 2026

• “Million Dollar Intro” – Ani DiFranco
• “Is She Really Going Out With Him (acoustic)” – Joe Jackson
• “Brightside” – Ziggy Marley
• “Second Best” – Momo Boyd & Infinity Song
• “Game To Lose” – I’m With Her
• “Care” – beabadoobee (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “Scarlet Tide” – Renee Fleming & Bela Fleck
• “How Come You Never Go There” – Feist (Acoustic Cafe in-studio guest)
• “My Moon My Man” – Feist (Acoustic Cafe in-studio guest)
• “Uncertain, TX” – Kacey Musgraves
• “In Good Trouble” – India Arie
• “The Long Surrender” – NEEDTOBREATHE (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “Defiance, Ohio” – Iron & Wine
• “Riding That Symbol” – Aldous Harding
• “Software Developer” – Blessing Jolie
• “Different Light” – Rostam
• “Little Broken Hearts” – Norah Jones (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “Fallin'” – Alicia Keys
• “Often Lately” – Dermot Kennedy
• “Down South” – Paul McCartney
• “Live And Let Die” – Frank Turner (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “Cool To Know You” – The Arcadian Wild
• “Get It Wrong, Get It Right” – Feist (Acoustic Cafe in-studio guest)
• “The Bad In Each Other” – Feist (Acoustic Cafe in-studio guest)

Listen to Acoustic Café with host Rob Reinhart every Sunday from 1-3 p.m. ET on Detroit Public Radio 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand at wdet.org

This week on Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music we’ll check out forthcoming music from Jack White, newly released work from Vince Staples, Sylvan Esso, Jesse Welles and much more…

Also this week, some Earth Wind & Fire for those who have (and haven’t) seen the new HBO doc, plus the Detroiter who taught EWF some valuable lessons!

See the playlist below and listen to the episode for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music Playlist for June 20, 2026

HOUR ONE:

• “Gentle Reminder” – MT Jones
• “Pep Talk” – Death Cab For Cutie
• “Fallin'” – Alicia Keys (Songs In A Minor turns 25)
• “Cool Cat” – Us3
• “I Believe (Everything’s Gonna Be Alright)” – Thornetta Davis
• “The Ballad Of Big Balls” – Jesse Welles
• “Serpentine Fire” – Earth Wind & Fire
• “Uhuru” – Ramsey Lewis Trio
• “What You Won’t Do For Love” – Bobby Caldwell
• “Magic Island” – Kathy Kosins
• “Dollar Bill” – Jack White
• “Only In America” – Vince Staples
• “Ain’t No Man” – The Avett Brother (turned 50 at Hill yesterday!)

HOUR TWO:

• “Stranger Danger” – Infinity Song
• “Stay On That” – Johnny Blue Skies & The Dark Clouds
• “Right Action” – Franz Ferdinand
• “Burning Out” – The Linda Lindas
• “Black Cloud” – Rosetta Pebble
• “The World Moves On” – Michelle Held (Tiny Desk Detroit)
• “I Am Woman Again” – Vahn Black (Tiny Desk Detroit)
• “Fossils” – THAO
• “Hot Slob” – Sylvan Esso
• “How Come You Never Go There” – Feist w/Mountain Man
• “Run Baby Run” – Grace Potter
• “Funky Dollar Bill” – Funkadelic
• “Keep Your Head To The Sky” – Earth Wind & Fire

Listen to Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music every Saturday from 2-4 p.m. ET on Detroit Public Radio 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand at wdet.org

On this week’s episode of Acoustic Café,  after 20 albums with bands over the last 35 years, Joe Pernice (Pernice Brothers, Scud Mt. Boys) is finally making a proper studio debut called “Sunny I Was Wrong.”

Also, past in-studio archives from Gregory Porter, Molly Tuttle, Shemekia Copeland and Linda & Teddy Thompson and much more.

See the playlist below and listen to the episodes on-demand for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

Acoustic Café Playlist for June 14, 2026

• “Million Dollar Intro” – Ani DiFranco
• “Hold You Now” – Vampire Weekend
• “Like A Spark” – Rostam
• “Mexico Honey” – Kacey Musgraves
• “When Love Is New” – Shakey Graves
• “Take Me To The Alley” – Gregory Porter (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “The Longest Time” – Matt Nathanson
• “I’d Rather Look Away” – Joe Pernice (Acoustic Cafe in-studio guest)
• “Deep Into The Dawn” – Joe Pernice (Acoustic Cafe in-studio guest)
• “Love Is Gone” – Jalen Ngonda
• “Cowtown” – Kevin Morby
• “Last American Waltz” – Old Crow Medicine Show
• “Old Me, New Wig” – Molly Tuttle (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “Hope Of Fool” – Brother Wallace
• “Rock The Machine” – Dervish w/Iron & Wine
• “Swimming Pool” – Hrishikesh Hirway
• “Same Old Song” – Teddy Thompson
• “Dear Mary” – Linda & Teddy Thompson (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “Middle Man (4-track demo)” – Jack Johnson
• “Searching For Heaven” – Swamp Dogg
• “When you Know” – Bebe Stockwell
• “Tell The Devil” – Shemekia Copeland (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “Penthouse In The Woods” – Scud Mt. Boys (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “It Got Away From Me” – Joe Pernice (Acoustic Cafe in-studio guest)
• “It Won’t Be Me” – Joe Pernice (Acoustic Cafe in-studio guest)

Listen to Acoustic Café with host Rob Reinhart every Sunday from 1-3 p.m. ET on Detroit Public Radio 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand at wdet.org

This week on Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music we feature songs about songs, singing about singing… basically, just music celebrating the joys and pains of making music! This is the second episode of these songs, and I suspect eps 3 and 4 will be coming soon

See the playlist below and listen to the episode for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music Playlist for June 13, 2026

HOUR ONE:

• “Sir Duke” – Stevie Wonder
• “Old Songs Never Die” Rachael Baiman
• “I’m With The Band” – Little Big Town
• “Hip Hop Is Dead” – Nas
• “Crappy Love Song” – Theo Katzman
• “I’ll Have To Say I Love You In A Song” – Jim Croce
• “I’ve Got The Music In Me” – Kiki Dee
• “Uptown Funk” – Mark Ronson
• “Doo Wop (That Thing)” – Lauryn Hill
• “Rock And Roll” – Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels
• “Max’s Kansas City, 1976” – Wayne County & The Backstreet Boys
• “Don’t Stop The Music” – Rihanna
• “Song For Sad Friends” – Feist

HOUR TWO:

• “Lovesong” – The Cure
• “Lovesong” – beabadoobee
• “Lovesong For No One” – John Mayer
• “Love Song” – Shemekia Copeland
• “Love Song 43” – Ryan Racine
• “Love Hate Song” – Alisa Amador
• “Put Your Records On” – Corinne Bailey Rae
• “Crazy About A Jukebox” – Taj Mahal
• “Life Is A Long Song” – Jethro Tull
• “Field Song” – Mon Rovia
• “Song For No One” – Shawn Mendes
• “A Great Idea For A Song” – Artichoke
• “The Entertainer” – Billy Joel
• “A Song For You” – Ray Charles

Listen to Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music every Saturday from 2-4 p.m. ET on Detroit Public Radio 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand at wdet.org

On this week’s episode of Acoustic Café,  Iron & Wine (Sam Beam) returns to the show for his eighth visit! We recorded with Sam at The Leon Loft in Ann Arbor before his show in May at The Michigan Theater.

Also, archives from another SongWriter podcast preview, past in-studio archives from Gillian Welch and Dave Rawlings, The Head & The Heart with a 15 year old classic and much more.

See the playlist below and listen to the episodes on-demand for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

Acoustic Café Playlist for June 7, 2026

• “Million Dollar Intro” – Ani DiFranco
• “Holes To Heaven” – Jack Johnson
• “Giving Ghosts” – Ben Harper
• “In A Dream” – Arny Margret
• “Turning Away” – Anjimile
• “Rivers & Roads” – The Head & The Heart (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “Can’t Be Wrong” – Low Cut Connie (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “In Your Ocean” – Iron & Wine (Acoustic Cafe in-studio guest)
• “All In Good Time” – Iron & Wine (Acoustic Cafe in-studio guest)
• “Yellow House” – Satya
• “No Place To Be” – Shakey Graves
• “You Can’t Have It All” – Neil Diamond
• “Eldorado” – Donovan (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “Near Eureka” – Rhett Miller (SongWriter podcast)
• “All Over Again” – Rhett Miller (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “Venus In The Zinnia” – Aldous Harding
• “Look At Miss Ohio” – Ken Pomeroy
• “Pass You By” – Gillian Welch & Dave Rawlings (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “Any Day Now” – Brother Wallace
• “I Ride Passenger” – Kevin Morby
• “Grace Notes” – Iron & Wine (Acoustic Cafe in-studio guest)
• “Singing Saw” – Iron & Wine (Acoustic Cafe in-studio guest)
• “Dates & Dead People” – Iron & Wine (Acoustic Cafe in-studio guest)

Listen to Acoustic Café with host Rob Reinhart every Sunday from 1-3 p.m. ET on Detroit Public Radio 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand at wdet.org

This week on Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music we jump into a new month with some classic June album releases from Aretha, Madonna, Patti Smith and more!

Also, a bit of Yacht Rock and fun new songs from Prince, Father John Misty and Jalen Ngonda.

See the playlist below and listen to the episode for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music Playlist for June 6, 2026

HOUR ONE:

• “The Payoff” – Father John Misty
• “Get Go” – Arlo Parks
• “Stone” – Prince
• “Concept Of Love” – Ibibio Sound Machine
• “idea 1” – Kelela
• “Be Here” – Raphael Saadiq ft. D’Angelo
• “Gone Again” – Patti Smith (released June 1996)
• “Cry Like A Baby” – Aretha Franklin (released June 1966)
• “Play That Funky Music” – Wild Cherry (released June 1976)
• “Invisible Touch” – Genesis (released June 1986)
• “Burning Temptation” – Jalen Ngonda
• “Sweetheart” – Frankie & The Knockouts
• “Visions Of Johanna” – Bob Dylan (released June 1966)

HOUR TWO:

• “Time Is A Bomb” – Metric
• “Superwoman” – Angelique Kidjo
• “Green Screen” – Cautious Clay
• “It Gets So Hot” – MUNA
• “Blues Shack” – James Cloyd
• “Fancy Dancer” – Commodores (released June 1976)
• “True Blue” – Madonna (released June 1986)
• “Un-Break My Heart” – Toni Braxton (released June 1996)
• “Singing Saw” – Iron & Wine (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “It Only Takes One Lion” – Belle & Sebastian
• “This Is It” – Kenny Loggins
• “Turn Your Love Around” – George Benson
• “On The Radio” – Regina Spektor (released June 2006)

Listen to Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music every Saturday from 2-4 p.m. ET on Detroit Public Radio 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand at wdet.org

On this week’s episode of Acoustic Café,  a long time favorite of ours, Mark Erelli, plays songs from his new album “Spring Green.” Mark collaborates with many artists and has become one of the most respected songwriters in the Boston scene.

Also, archives from Emmylou Harris in 1996, Ye Vagabonds from earlier this year and much more.

See the playlist below and listen to the episodes on-demand for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

Acoustic Café Playlist for May 31, 2026

• “Million Dollar Intro” – Ani DiFranco
• “Stay With Me” – Barnstar!
• “Heavy Foot” – Mon Rovia
• “Passage West” – Dervish ft. Indigo Girls
• “Martyrs” – Jack Barksdale ft. Sarah Jarosz
• “Over The Edge” – Sarah Jarosz (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “Rodeo Clowns (4-track)” – Jack Johnson
• “King Of Nothing” – Mark Erelli (Acoustic Cafe in-studio guest)
• “Harder Than It Has To Be” – Mark Erelli (Acoustic Cafe in-studio guest)
• “Do It For The Love” – Kate Shutt/Steve Seskin
• “Make It To Paradise” – Ziggy Marley
• “Wish You Were Here” – Jake Shimabukuro (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “Citizen” – Crys Matthews
• “It Won’t Be Me” – Joe Pernice ft. Rodney Crowell
• “Big Sky” – Hrishikesh Hirway
• “It’s Yr World” – Son Little
• “Orphan Girl” – Emmylou Harris (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “Lost In My Mind (demo)” – The Head & The Heart
• “Deep In The Plans We Made” – The Paper Kites
• “Pinup Girl” – Blessing Jolie
• :Sitric Road” – Ye Vagabonds (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “Alright” – Hiss Golden Messenger
• “While You Were Sleeping” – Mark Erelli (Acoustic Cafe in-studio guest)
• “Walk Beside Me” – Mark Erelli (Acoustic Cafe in-studio guest)

Listen to Acoustic Café with host Rob Reinhart every Sunday from 1-3 p.m. ET on Detroit Public Radio 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand at wdet.org

This week on Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music we take some time to hear some joyous musical moments from Sonny Rollins who passed this week at age 95… Also new music coming from former Detroiters Infinity Song, new Paul McCartney, Dames Brown and a couple Yacht Rock classics to get you ready for our June 7 Decks On Deck event!

See the playlist below and listen to the episode for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music Playlist for May 30, 2026

HOUR ONE:

• “IN A MINUTE” – TOMORA
• “Growing Pains” – Blessing Jolie
• “Javelin” – Kevin Morby (in Detroit 6/4)
• “Top Shotta” – Brother Wallace
• “You’re Poison” – Nick Piunti w/Ayla Ottenbreit
• “Isn’t She Lovely” – Sonny Rollins
• “Neighbours” – Rolling Stones (ft. Sonny Rollins)
• “Masks Off” – Jesse Welles
• “Same Boat” – Katie Pruitt
• “Dirty Nikes” – Ruth B
• “Miami 2017” – Matt Nathanson
• “Kid Fears” – Jason Isbell, Brandi Carlile, Julien Baker

HOUR TWO:

• “Time Out of Mind” – Steely Dan (Yacht Rock Cruise, 6/7!)
• “You Can’t Change That” – Ray Parker Jr. (Yacht Rock Cruise, 6/7!)
• “Just For Pleasure” – Young Gun & Silver Fox (Yacht Rock Cruise, 6/7!)
• “She Knows Too Much” – Thundercat (Yacht Rock Cruise, 6/7!)
• “Who Do You (Think You Are)” – Dames Brown
• “American Love Song” – Momo Boyd
• “Hurricane” – Infinity Song
• “Lost Horizon” – Paul McCartney
• “It’s Only Love” – ROZZI
• “Slave” – Rolling Stones (ft. Sonny Rollins)
• “There’s No Business Like Show Business” – Sonny Rollins

Listen to Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music every Saturday from 2-4 p.m. ET on Detroit Public Radio 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand at wdet.org

This week on Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music we celebrate MOVEMENT with some extended electronic music sets… plus a couple legends turning 80, new music from Arlo Parks, Jalen Ngonda, TOMORA and more!

See the playlist below and listen to the episode for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music Playlist for May 23, 2026

HOUR ONE:

• “Meditation Four” – Carl Craig
• “In The Air” – Hot Since ’82
• “TRY” – sillygirlcarmen
• “Universal Soldier” – Depeche Mode
• “Atlantis” – Donovan
• “Doctrine Of Love” – Jalen Ngonda
• “Luck of Life” – Arlo Parks
• “Wannabeher” – MUNA
• “666” – Bon Iver
• “I Believe In Ghosts” – Kacey Musgraves
• “Do Right Woman, Do Right Man” – Cher

HOUR TWO:

• “Glory” – Dames Brown
• “Tantor” – Danny Brown
• “Coming In Heavy” – Eli Brown & Pan-Pot
• “All My Friends” – Barry Can’t Swim
• “Let It Ride” – DJ Minx
• “Lazy Nina” – Greg Phillinganes (Yacht Rock Cruise, 6/7!)
• “You Need A Hero” – Pages (Yacht Rock Cruise, 6/7!)
• “Hold Tight” – ROZZI (at The Leon Loft)
• “Gone With The Wind” – Brother Wallace
• “Stay In Your Lane” – Courtney Barnett
• “After All This Time” – Joe Jackson
• “A Wonderful Life” – Carl Craig

Listen to Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music every Saturday from 2-4 p.m. ET on Detroit Public Radio 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand at wdet.org

On this week’s episode of Acoustic Café,  a selection of cool covers from the last 12 months, including Mavis Staples covering Porter Wagoner, I’m With Her (Paul Simon), Matt Nathanson (Billy Joel), Al Green (The Bee Gees), Low Cut Connie (Prince) and many more.

Also, there’s one brand new song courtesy of Sharon Van Etten, writing a new song in response to a story from film legend Isabella Rossellini through the SongWriter Podcast.

See the playlist below and listen to the episodes on-demand for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

Acoustic Café Playlist for May 17, 2026

• “Million Dollar Intro” – Ani DiFranco
• “Fade Into You” – Gregory Alan Isakov ft. Sylvan Esso
• “Sunday Morning” – Beth Gibbons
• “Little Red Corvette” – Low Cut Connie
• “Time In A Bottle” – Lucy Dacus
• “Get This Groove” – Old Town Love
• “I Go To Extremes” – Matt Nathanson
• “The Obvious Child” – I’m With Her
• “Panic In Detroit” – Steven Brown
• “Satisfied Mind” – Mavis Staples
• “L.A. Freeway” – Jade Bird
• “You’re Cheatin’ Heart” – Beck
• “To Love Somebody” – Al Green
• “For Isabella” – Sharon Van Etten (SongWriter Podcast)
• “Sail Away” – Tyler Ramsey/Carl Broemel
• “Norwegian Wood” – Jacob Collier
• “Kissing Other People” – kissing other ppl
• “Kill Bill” – Vitamin String Quartet
• “Luther” – Iron & Wine, Ben Bridwell
• “You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere” – The Dandy Warhols
• “Chevrolet” – Robert Plant
• “Manhattan Serenade” – Rachel & Vilray
• “Wichita Lineman” – Flea ft. Nick Cave
• “Tomorrow, Tomorrow” – Brad Hehldau ft. Daniel Rossen
• “Melissa” – Warren Haynes ft. Derek Trucks

Listen to Acoustic Café with host Rob Reinhart every Sunday from 1-3 p.m. ET on Detroit Public Radio 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand at wdet.org

This week on Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music Mac Saturn return, plus more Detroit tunes from Dames Brown, The Detroit Emeralds and Inner City!

Also this week, a couple advance performances from The Leon Loft (for Acoustic Cafe), classics from The Bar-Kays and ELO, plus forthcoming coolness from Kelela!

See the playlist below and listen to the episode for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music Playlist for May 16, 2026

HOUR ONE:

• “Holy Ghost” – The Bar-Kays
• “Cold April” – Allison Russell
• “Takes Time” – Mac Saturn
• “Can’t Be Wrong” – Low Cut Connie
• “Eastside Girls” – MUNA
• “Need Your Love” – Inner City feat. Steffanie Christi’an
• “Fifty Mission Cap” – The Tragically Hip
• “Crawl Space” – Art Farmer
• “Moonflower” – Devon Gilfillian
• “Kiss That Frog” – Peter Gabriel

HOUR TWO:

• “Idea 1” – Kelela
• “When The Love Is New” – Shaky Graves
• “You Want It, You Got It” – The Detroit Emeralds
• “Why You Got Me Crazy” – Dames Brown
• “Poker” – E.L.O.
• “Blessings” – Chance The Rapper
• “Charlie Sheen Reaches Out to the Feds” – Mountain Goats
• “No Invite” – Tank & The Bangas
• “In Your Ocean” – Iron & Wine (at The Leon Loft)
• “Good News” – ROZZI (at The Leon Loft)
• “Sunlight To My Soul” – Angelique Kidjo
• “What Is Left To Say” – Thundercat
• “Lost In My Mind” – The Head & The Heart

Listen to Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music every Saturday from 2-4 p.m. ET on Detroit Public Radio 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand at wdet.org

On this week’s episode of Acoustic Café,  we’re celebrating Michael Franti’s 60th birthday by revisiting a visit from 2016. He brought his band Spearhead to The Leon Loft for a set of fun songs, politics, family and more!

Also, recordings from past in-studio guests Patty Griffin, Aimee Mann, John Moreland and more.

See the playlist below and listen to the episodes on-demand for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

Acoustic Café Playlist for May 10, 2026

• “Million Dollar Intro” – Ani DiFranco
• “Can’t Hardly Wait (cello version)” – The Replacements
• “Minnie” – waterbaby
• “Gabriel” – Hiss Golden Messenger
• “No Springtime” – Allison Russell
• “Long Ride Home” – Patty Griffin (Acoustic Cafe in-studio performance)
• “Texas 1947” – Brennen Leigh
• “Crazy For You” – Michael Franti & Spearhead (Acoustic Cafe in-studio guest)
• “Once A Day” – Michael Franti & Spearhead (Acoustic Cafe in-studio guest)
• “No More Doggin'” – John Lee Hooker
• “A Satisfied Mind” – Bon Iver
• “Deep Into The Dawn” – Joe Pernice ft. Aimee Mann
• “Patient Zero” – Aimee Mann (Acoustic Cafe in-studio performance)
• “Ride Lonesome” – Beck
• “Guess I’m Doing Fine” – Beck
• “Visitor” – John Moreland (Acoustic Cafe in-studio performance)
• “Pressure” – Matt Nathanson
• “Suspended” – Matt Nathanson (Acoustic Cafe in-studio performance)
• “The Lone Star State” – Blessing Jolie
• “Sing For You” – Tracy Chapman
• “Particular” – James Hunter Six
• “My Lord” – Michael Franti & Spearhead (Acoustic Cafe in-studio guest)
• “Good To Be Alive Today” – Michael Franti & Spearhead (Acoustic Cafe in-studio guest)
• “Say Hey” – Michael Franti & Spearhead (Acoustic Cafe in-studio guest)

Listen to Acoustic Café with host Rob Reinhart every Sunday from 1-3 p.m. ET on Detroit Public Radio 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand at wdet.org

This week on Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music we introduce you to Detroit artists Ayla Ottenbreit, plus a new cover from Detroit favorite Jill Jack!

Also this week, new work released from The Womack Sisters, The Rolling Stones, Taj Mahal and Ziggy Marley… And there’s the (just announced) Sonic Lunch series coming to Ann Arbor this summer, and a fun Yacht Rock event on the Detroit River June 7!

See the playlist below and listen to the episode for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music Playlist for May 9, 2026

HOUR ONE:

• “Chauffeur” – The Womack Sisters
• “You’re The Man” – Brother Wallace
• “Lie” – ROZZI
• “In The Stars” – The Rolling Stones
• “Slow Learning” – Aylah Ottenbreit
• “It’s A Shame” – Aaron Frazer
• “It’s A Shame” – The (Detroit) Spinners
• “It’s A Shame” – First Aid Kit
• “Show You The Way” – Thundercat
• “Nightshift” – The Commodores
• “Freaking Out” – Michigander (Sonic Lunch 2026)
• “Ready Set Go” – Grace Potter (Sonic Lunch 2026)
• “Chicago” – Mavis Staples (Sonic Lunch 2026)

HOUR TWO:

• “Soulshine” – Jill Jack
• “Senses” – Arlo Parks ft. Sampha
• “Spirit 2.0” – Sampha
• “Doom Mood” – Pearl & The Oysters
• “Yell Fire” – Michael Franti
• “Are You One Of Us” – Rodney Crowell ft. Guy Clark
• “Talkin’ Blues” – Taj Mahal ft. Ziggy Marley
• “Big Stick” – MUNA
• “The Payoff” – Father John Misty
• “Only You Do” – GoldFord
• “Darwin Derby” – Vulfpeck

Listen to Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music every Saturday from 2-4 p.m. ET on Detroit Public Radio 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand at wdet.org

On this week’s episode of Acoustic Café,  Amelia Day joins us for the first time! The newcomer from Washington State is about 5 years into their career, having just dropped a new EP called “Ego Trip” this week, with a full-length debut coming later this year.

Also, two great covers from past in-studio guests Norah Jones, Grant Lee Phillips  and more.

See the playlist below and listen to the episodes on-demand for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

Acoustic Café Playlist for May 3, 2026

• “Million Dollar Intro” – Ani DiFranco
• “Frown Lines” – Blessing Jolie
  
• “Kentucky Too Long” – Charlie Crockett
  
• “Strawberry Moonrise/Year After Year” – I’m With Her
  
• “Young Love” – Milk Carton Kids
  
• “Song Of Storms” – Jon Batiste & Josh Harmon
• “Lilac Wine” – Arooj Aftab, Beck
  
• “Clementine” – Amelia Day (Acoustic Cafe in-studio guest)
• “Skippin’ Down The Sidewalk” – Amelia Day (Acoustic Cafe in-studio guest)
• “We Were Made For These Times” – The Klezmatics
  
• “I Guess I Wasn’t Made For These Times” – The Beach Boys
  
• “All For A Man” – ROZZI
• “Next To Me” – Emeli Sande (Acoustic Cafe in-studio performance)
• “Alleycat” – Mumford & Sons
  
• “Dirtbag Saloon” – Emily Scott Robinson
  
• “Got A New Car” – Tyler Ballgame
• “The Store” – Anjimile
  
• “Cold Cold Heart” – Norah Jones (Acoustic Cafe in-studio performance)
• “This Town (acoustic)” – Brooke Combe
  
• “The Only Time I Prayed” – Dermot Kennedy
  
• “Particular” – James Hunter Six
  
• “Under The Milky Way” – Grant Lee Phillips (Acoustic Cafe in-studio performance)
• “Margie” – Amelia Day (Acoustic Cafe in-studio guest)
• “Eastward Of Eden” – Amelia Day (Acoustic Cafe in-studio guest)

Listen to Acoustic Café with host Rob Reinhart every Sunday from 1-3 p.m. ET on Detroit Public Radio 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand at wdet.org

This week on Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music we’ll note some classic album anniversaries from May of 1966 – 2006… also lots of new tunes from Canadian Cat Clyde, a third album from Arlo Parks, the final “balloon” from Tank & The Bangas, a quiet folk record from Michigan’s Ryan Racine and much more!

See the playlist below and listen to the episode for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music Playlist for May 2, 2026

HOUR ONE:

• “Invisible Ink” – King Tuff
• “Beams” – Arlo Parks
• “Acid Tongue” – Swamp Dogg
• “Puppy And A Truck” – Jenny Lewis
• “I Wish” – Stevie Wonder (1 of 30 NYT Best Living Songwriters)
  
• “Steady As She Goes” – The Raconteurs (May 2006)
  
• “Ahead By A Century” – The Tragically Hip (May 1996)
• “Cherry Bomb” – The Runaways (May 1976)
• “Love Song 43” – Ryan Racine
• “Hold My Hand” – Cat Clyde
• “Panic In Detroit” – Steven Brown
• “All The Disaster” – Sarah McLachlan
• “Big Time” – Peter Gabriel (May 1986)
• “Little Darling (I Need You)” – Marvin Gaye (May 1966)

• “Riptides” – Death Cab For Cutie
• “Oyaya” – Angelique Kidjo
• “6th Ward” – Trombone Shorty
• “I Did This To Myself” – Thundercat
• “Whole Lot Of Shakin’ In My Heart” – Smokey Robinson (1 of 30 NYT Best Living Songwriters)
• “6th Avenue Heartache” – The Wallflowers (May 1996)
• “All Night” – Chance The Rapper (May 2016)
• “Carmelita” – Warren Zevon (May 1976)
• “Move” – Tank & The Bangas
  
• “Heart Stop” – The Revivalists
  
• “IRL” – Devon Gilfillian
• “New York State Of Mind” – Billy Joel (May 1976)
• “Uptight (Everything’s Alright)” – Stevie Wonder (May 1966)

Listen to Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music every Saturday from 2-4 p.m. ET on Detroit Public Radio 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand at wdet.org