Tom Irwin

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 […]

Things are really heating up, literally and figuratively, as we roll through a month of June music. Now let’s see where the hot spots are and what they’re cooking up for us to enjoy during this abundance of Springfield live music performances. Just in case you haven’t noticed all the hoopla about our Levitt AMP […]

Welcome to the wonderful world of Springfield music as we see it through Now Playing eyes. This week is jam-packed with all kinds of things going on so let’s see what’s what and what’s where and when as well. Thursdays continue to be a hotbed of happenings with the Levitt AMP downtown music series leading […]

As we drop into our first full weekend of June for 2024, the stage is set for a righteous run of wonderful live music experiences in the good old summertime. Let’s get right to it and take a gander at what’s in store for the next several days on the local scene. First, we’re jumping […]