The acclaimed, nationally-known punk band Radioactivity will perform at Dumb Records this Thursday, Oct 1. The veteran group, which has released three albums, boasts roots in both Denton, Texas, and Mito, Japan, and has been (radio) active since 2013. “Definitely a band I would recommend to anyone, all fans of music,” said Dumb Records proprietor […]
Music Features
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Sonic spontaneity returns to UIS
The Get Free Music Series, presented by the music program of University of Illinois Springfield, is the city’s only officially sanctioned platform for live, fully-improvised music. The fall 2026 series will kick off this Friday with a special concert featuring California-based cornet player and violinist Dan Clucas, “known for his avant-garde and free jazz explorations,” […]
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ISO gets its kicks in a roadworthy finale
With renovations of Sangamon Auditorium on the University of Illinois Springfield campus nearing completion, the May 1 finale of this season is likely to be the last time the Illinois Symphony Orchestra will perform at First United Methodist Church, which has served as home away from home for the orchestra since October 2025. The culmination […]
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Get Free Music Series: The art of the squirrel call
Now beginning its third year, the Get Free Music Series is a local showcase for free jazz and other fully-improvised music. Presented by the University of Illinois Springfield’s music program, it provides one of the only local platforms for an exciting, though intrinsically non-commercial, form of music. Performers in the series have ranged from local […]
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March to the music
As we leave behind the recent blast of uninvited, somewhat unexpected and definitely unwanted wintry weather and head into the first day of spring (March 20 at 9:46 a.m. for 2026, astronomically speaking), it won’t be long until we’re full on into our outdoor shows. As we impatiently wait for the summer season, let’s see […]
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St. Pat’s parties on
As we continue to march along through the times, the time has come to celebrate the Irish connection with another St. Patrick’s Day parade and party. With the big green show on Saturday, our entertainment scene gets in on the “ceilidh” (just say KAY-lee and don’t look at the spelling), along with plenty of other […]
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ISO concert evokes the beauty of life and beyond
Illinois Symphony Orchestra’s “Vision and Vitality” concert on March 6 was a feast for the ears, as well as an impressive showcase for the versatility of the orchestra itself. As programmed and conducted by music director Taichi Fukumura, the evening provided both delicacy and bombast along with a striking contrast in mood and intent compared […]
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March music is on
Here we go taking a stroll through the first full weekend of March, with a whole bunch of happenings and heralding, notes and news, write-ups and rundowns, plus much music being made. Let’s march on down the column to find out the what, when and where of it all. We begin with sad news of […]
Posted inBand Spotlight
February leaving
As we race through our last days of February, there’s a range of reactions and actions swirling around as time marches on. So let’s go take a twirl to see what’s out there for us all right now. Last Friday, Feb. 20, the Curve Inn caught fire and by now most of you are likely […]
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February flying by
As we approach the last full weekend in February, I know it’s the shortest month, but sometimes this one feels like the longest as we plod and plow through with our sights set soundly on spring. Then again, we all know what makes it fly by and be less un-Februar-able (just made that up) can […]
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Sax and romance, ISO style
Valentine’s Day weekend provided local music lovers with an appropriately bright and romantic concert from the Illinois Symphony Orchestra, continuing its season at its temporary home at the First United Methodist Church. Jazzy dance numbers, a sweeping Russian symphony and a matched pair of soloists all contributed to a lushly burnished and enjoyable evening for […]
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Weekend music cram
My goodness, there’s a lot going on this weekend and I’m just talking about days of significance for now without getting to the music. We have a Friday the 13th, Valentine’s Day on Saturday, then a President’s Day federal holiday on Monday. Sunday could be the Ides of February or President’s Day Eve or Post-Valentine’s […]
