I’ve heard more songs about the dark and dreary days of November than any other time on the calendar. But that shall not refrain us from enjoying these moments any old way we can, so off into the depths of forbidding November we go. First, let’s pay our respects to a recently departed musician, as […]
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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Josh Abbott Band
These rockin’ country fellas from Lubbock, Texas, take their hometown music legacy seriously and present a raucous live show backed by strong songwriting and mighty musicianship. Headed by singer and songwriter Josh Abbott (acoustic guitar, vocals) and other founding member Austin Davis (electric banjo), while ably joined by fellow JAB cohorts Preston Wait (fiddle, electric […]
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Halloween help
Per usual, there is a slew of music mustered up for this weekend, but first, with Halloween on a Thursday this year, we must help ourselves to the haunted happenings here and below. On Halloween night, the Third Base bar hosts a fundraiser for the Illinois Central Blues Club as a thank you for all […]
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The Neverly Brothers
A travelling band since 2003, this trio of hard-working, lifelong musicians from Chicago present an educationally entertaining show that covers early rock ’n’ roll and the British invasion in American pop music from 1955 to 1965. They’ve played all around the Midwest and other parts of the U.S. at festivals and theaters, proving that period […]
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Onward in October
Rolling right on through the fall as we’re rocking your world, our music takes us to a bunch of fun stuff, as one might well imagine. Shall we see what? Thursday evening delivers a couple of blues news extras as Johnny Burgin returns with a rockin’ blues show at Hand of Fate in Petersburg and […]
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Carolyn Sills Combo
This award-winning (2018 Ameripolitan Best Western Swing Act) music group peels back layers of time to present old-fashioned Western Swing music, while adding all the contemporary class necessary to make it plausible and pleasing. Praised by critics, fans and anybody within earshot, Carolyn Sills (bass, vocals) and the crew of Jimmy Norris (drums), Gerard Egan […]
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Fairly Odd Duo
This husband and wife combo of J.B. and Michelle Faires keeps the sounds fresh and energetic, pulling from the folk/Americana/pop vein while concentrating on familiar songs not often covered by other acts. J.B., a lifelong musician and music educator, brings his professional experience to the duo as Michelle adds a sweet singing voice, plus her […]
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ISM, LMG, DFV & BB
As we head into mid-October, the crisp coolness we expect from fall has settled in with a foreshadowing of the weather to come. We still have a few fests and the fun that follows left for all to enjoy. Here comes the second Thursday of the month, which tells me there is a concert happening […]
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A play and BOA
The invitation is always open to enjoy the arts scene in town and specifically the music makings as reported here and in the calendar listings. Isn’t it wonderful we’ve gotten to the point that you just can’t see it all every weekend? I think that’s the way it should be and am pleased that it […]
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Jesse Dayton
Talk about some guy who has done it all and keeps doing more, Jesse Dayton has lived the life of a bad-ass, guitar slingin’, rock ‘n’ roll, country singin’, gettin’ ‘round the town dude for 30-some years. From his beginnings as a young teenager playing honky tonk and zydeco haunts in Louisiana and West Texas […]
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So long September
As we wing our way through the last weekend in September, look for more fun in the sun for a bit longer as we transition from the beer gardens gigs and few remaining outdoor festivals back into the more intimate spaces to be seen inside the bar scene. Brace yourself as the 18th annual International […]
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Shonen Knife
From humble beginnings in their hometown of Osaka, Japan, as a DIY, punk-pop-rock band back in 1981, this group of two sisters, Naoko (vocals, guitar) and Atsuko (bass, vocals), along with Risa (drums, vocals) is still going strong in 2019. With a new album, Sweet Candy Power, out this summer, supported by a current two-month […]
