No doubt about it, as we roll through this year of oddities, at least July is getting hot like it’s supposed to and the live music scene is a scorcher as well. Even though we’ve lost all the big gigs at fairs and festivals and some little ones inside the bars, our outdoor club scene […]
Tom Irwin
Tom Irwin, a sixth-generation Sangamon County resident, has played his songs and music for nearly 40 years in the central Illinois area with occasional forays across the country. He's contributed to Illinois Times since 2000 by writing Now Playing, a weekly music column, as well as features stories and other articles. He resides on the Irwin family farm in rural Pleasant Plains.
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The Ex-Bombers
Blowing in from Charleston, Illinois, this devilish duo from the dark side of the shadowy streets brings a boisterous barrage that chews up the raunchy, randy, raucous and rockin’ stuff, then spits it out for you to enjoy. Self-described as a “seedy film noir pop duo” with a “sound and aesthetic that combines femme fatale […]
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Celebrate carefully
Welcome to July 2020, and more specifically, the Independence Day holiday weekend. What a shame that when July 4 actually falls on a Saturday, we happen to be in the midst of a global pandemic disrupting our scheduled fun-in-the-sun daily lives. But that seems to be the norm for this year and the least of […]
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Music rolls on
This has most certainly been a wild roller coaster ride over the last few months and the ups, downs, ins, outs and around the bends are still happening for sure, on many levels. Let’s first continue to thank those still working on the front line of coronavirus battles, send our condolences to all directly affected […]
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Last of the live streams
Welcome one and all to mid-June in central Illinois and our take on what’s “Now Playing” in the live music arena. First, let us thank all the folks still on the front line fighting the coronavirus in whatever capacity and extend our heartfelt condolences to those who’ve experienced pain firsthand from disease-related experiences. As much […]
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Jumping into June music
Here we go a-recovering from a necessary (I truly believe) shelter-in-place order, and as we work to make it all work out the best we all can, you can feel the release that live music allows performers and listeners to experience. Here’s to those helping make this transition happen in a safe and careful way […]
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June music jangles
As we begin to see gigs return to venues following safe and sound practices to prevent the spread of COVID-19, there is a palpable sense of pressure releasing. It’s a reminder of all the good live music does for our sense of well-being and for our being sensible, as well. I just don’t feel like […]
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Live music lives
As we hit week number whatever-it-is of the shelter-in-place order, live music is back and truly live, and not just online. The calendar exploded this week with all kinds of in-person music at a good deal of local venues this weekend. And also, remember there are plenty of Facebook concerts still continuing to happen as […]
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Close to live music
Welcome everyone, to another week of coronavirus life in lockdown. We send out our best to all at the forefront of the battle and to those directly in contact with the thing. From what news I have gleaned from reliable sources, we’ve done fairly okay in self-isolating and are headed toward some kind of post-pandemic […]
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Music goodness
Onward we go into the bizarre world of a global pandemic with empathy and compassion for those most closely affected by a direct connection to COVID-19, plus thoughtfulness and care for the rest of us, however touched by this worldwide concern. In this column about live music, we can rest assured that musicians playing in […]
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Play May music
As we wander into the first full week of May 2020, the world we live in is still quite topsy-turvy from only one year ago, or any time in the past, for that matter. We’re keeping close in our hearts those who’ve lost loved ones and those on the front lines, plus making a special […]
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Month of May(be) music
As we enter our seventh week of talking about live music without public performances, it’s so appropriate to be starting the month of May. And that’s only because I’ve referred to it as the month of Maybe for years and now May is very much a maybe month. To give proper intellectual credit, Jim Schniepp, […]
