Well, we’re not having any cold weather discussions this week in our music column, so all excuses, pretensions and collateral damage are off the table as we finish up our January and move into February. The where and when is mostly what we’re concerned about, because we already know the why is because that’s what we do. So here we go.
Friday is back to form with some 25 listings on the books, so I am just going to stick with it and leave you on your own to peruse the remaining music throughout the week. Let’s take this moment to revel in the reality of the diversity and talent here on this one day of the week that happens to be the last day of the month.
Start off your experience with a classy and classic blues group when Robert Michael Beam unleashes his superb song selection and electric guitar magic at Boone’s with the talented Bluesmattic band. Kapital Sound pops into the Curve Inn delivering some of the area’s top-shelf musicians onto Ric Major’s sound and light stage doing “soul and R&B with a Motown vibe” as described on the group’s Facebook page. Goodfellas gets Grounded on the large stage featuring Albert Capati, Brian Arnold, Ed Tinsley, Kortney Leatherwood, Lisa Lowe and Tony Harris – players of experience and renown here in the hometown arena – doing a range of covers from the likes of “Sheryl Crow, No Doubt, Oasis, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Creed and Green Day” plus a “few classic hits, too” as they explain on the band’s FB page.
If you’re craving almost all original songs, come to George Rank’s when I’m joined by Owen Irwin, Amy Battles, Andy Ray and Chris Warren as we romp through my nearly 40 years of compositions culled from 12 independently released albums and more.
I hope you’re getting the idea here, because we’re just getting started. Harvest Market features Black Velvet, billed as “not your average cover band” with Billy K and Ami as a “husband on guitar and wife on drums and vocals” duo from Peoria, heading into the Farmhouse Brews joint. Justin Moyar drops by Buzz Bomb Brewing Co. with his “one man blues and jazz looping experience” bringing nearly two decades of music experience and national touring to the downtown brewing company. Mandy Rose sings songs you will like while playing on her acoustic guitar at Wahlbergers in Hy-Vee and you should also catch her doing Alanis Morrisette with Head Over Feet sometime. Dumb Records (please visit the second store digs at White Oaks Mall) keeps up with concert presentations as Groin, Livid, Mechanizm, Man With Rope and Meta-Stasis take turns playing at the downtown location for a mere $10 cover. Thomas J Beverly does the Dylan and more, including Petty and Prine, plus “blues, country and originals” at Mowie’s Cue as an acoustic act, while Angel Brown’s Smooth N’ Blue band plays a humongous range of tunes from the American songbook at Lime Street Cafe. If you want touring country music action, Boondocks gives you the opportunity to hear Texas native Aaron Watson continue his 25 years of doing independent, original, authentic songs at the award-winning nightclub on Dirksen Parkway.
That’s just in town, by the way, so out at Danenberger Family Vineyards near New Berlin, Sunshine Daydream concocts a three-set night of Grateful Dead music as only these Dead Dreamers do, spectacularly, accurately and affectionately, while Hippies of the Heartland, a heartfelt duo of Radical Rickey and Frantastic Franci (you’ll know when you go) cover the bases at Locals in Pawnee.
Well, that’s one night on the town. Please take time to find others. See ya.
This article appears in Jan 30 – Feb 5, 2025.
