Tom Irwin

As we enter the second full weekend of September, the live music looks, sounds and maybe even smells good for what, where and who is playing right now. Shall we dispense with further ado and leap headlong into the scene before us? Heck, yeah! Thursdays continue rocking the room with Thursday Night Live at Motorheads […]

You heard that right (or read it right, actually) the headline proclaims September is here, and so it is. And with that comes the beginning of the end of the summer season as we wind our way toward the autumnal time, all the while finding more live music to experience. After that introduction, let’s move […]

Just in case you’re a little like me in wondering how in the world did the summer go flying by, wake up and smell the ragweed, it’s Labor Day weekend already. After a few weeks of unseasonably mild weather, we’ve got a scorcher going now. So cool your jets, then let’s see what’s playing in […]

As we enter the waning days of the Illinois State Fair, the weather, which arguably has more to do with the fair’s success than anything else, has cooperated quite fabulously and allowed for super-duper attendance figures. And if not record-breaking numbers (but maybe), those attending the fair thus far found record-breaking comfort in the mild […]

Yes, my friends and fellow fairgoers, it’s once again fair time in Springfield as the Illinois State Fair comes to town and transforms our fair city into a “fair city” practically overnight. Fair or not, it’s our party to host and there’s hardly another singular event that I could think of that impacts our community […]

When folks start talking about the Illinois State Fair, the conversation often drifts to all the live music going on all over the grounds. From the big-time touring acts at the Grandstand to area cover bands getting a hot spot at the beer tents to the numerous performances on several stages scattered throughout the fairgrounds, […]

Moving into August, we wrap up the main summer events, survive another Illinois State Fair and look forward to fun fall festivals and early Oktoberfests while observing the holiday season in the cold distance. But let’s not get in a hurry, and take the time to enjoy what’s before us now. And that would be… […]

As our summer season rolls into the last weekend of July, there are gaggles of regular gigs in outdoor venues and indoor establishments around the area and giglets galore in many a winery, brewery, restaurant and bar. It’s up to you to get out there and enjoy the fun before it’s done. The last weekend […]

Well, folks, ’tis the season in central Illinois when the fairs abound and the festivals abide. We’re going to jump over all the other incredible choices going on at all the terrific venues hosting live music this weekend to focus on those said fairs and festivals. Let’s take a look at what’s cooking out there, […]

Last weekend was a phenomenal showing of our music scene, but you ain’t seen nothing yet as there’s the Morgan County Fair in Jacksonville this weekend, the Menard County Fair in Petersburg and Chatham’s Jaycees Sweet Corn Festival the next weekend, then the Downhome Music Festival in downtown Springfield on July 26-27. And after that, […]

This week’s issue of IT is out a day early because the Fourth of July lands on Thursday, our usual out and about day. That change reminded me of the weekend before last when we were out for a gig and a friend who knew I wrote for IT suggested we should put out the […]