Here we go blasting our way through a memorable (hopefully) Memorial Day weekend, full of all sorts of entertainment excitement guaranteed to blow your mind, if you know what I mean. Let’s see what we can find within the friendly confines of our music community schedule.
Start your MDW on Thursday with a visit to glorious Washington Park to experience the first night of the 63rd annual International Carillon Festival. It’s really an extraordinary thing we have in the Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon, truly one of the largest and finest carillons in the world, say folks who would know. The concerts run from 6 to 9 p.m., this Thursday through Sunday, featuring carillonists (or carillonneurs, if you prefer the British English term) from the world over making them ol’ bells ring up a storm, or as my granddaughter recently told me during a pass through the park, “listen to the big doorbell, PaPaw.” Our wonderfully ubiquitous Springfield Municipal Band opens the show Thursday with various music ensembles set for the other nights.
In more Thursday shenanigans, I spy old friends Rogers & Nienhaus at the Curve Inn, pals in the Harris Brothers Trio (thanks for stopping by Saturday, Allan) at the Mother Road Diner and Pity Thy Neighbors taking on the Sangamo Brewery in Chatham.
For Friday happy hoopla I see a neatly divided acoustic act vs. band thing, giving us an absolutely “to each their own” night on the town.
How about a trip to the bucolic stage called Bar Bella behind Bella Boutique where Kristi Lecocq and Micah Walk will regale you with wonderful songs and delightful banter. Out on Lake Springfield at the Dockside Grill, Tom & Geoff run through their extensive and enjoyable repertoire of Petty, Dylan, Grateful Dead and more. Trish and Mandy, coming at you as Afternoon Delight, bring it all home to The Railyard, while Kirsten Osterholt brings her magic music-making to Harvest Market.
Now let’s give a few bands their due with The Cocktails stirring it up at Mowie’s Cue, Soul Experience getting a groove on at Long Bridge Golf Course and Sushi Roll rolling into the Curve Inn. Oh yes, there’s more if you look for it, but let’s move on to Saturday before we get to the blessed Sunday preceding a Monday off.
Try on these Saturday afternoon gigs, which I must say I dig with a big jig, as Eric & Kortney dive headlong into Northern Lights Lounge, John Drake plays his hand at Lucky’s on the Square in Petersburg and Dallas Whitaker goes wild at Harry’s Adult Day Care.
Nighttime is the right time for band time when Chris Camp and His Blues Ambassadors negotiate the stage at Lime Street, Dance Monkey waltzes sideways simian style into Weebles and Birds of a Feather go Phishing as Blue Sky Revival resurrects the Allman Brothers (this debut show of BSR features Travis Ried) at the Blue Grouch. Yeah, there’s a bushel basket full more, but I promised you news on our bonus Sunday shows.
Let’s start with afternoon regular spots like Brookhills hitting a hole in one with Tom Thady, It’s All About Wine popping the cork with Kate Laine, Mama Lee’s Sandbar dredging the river with the Wolf Crick Boys and Hill Prairie Winery servin’ up some White Lightnin’. Lovely downtown Springfield delivers special Sunday stuff with Silas Tockey sizzling at Buzz Bomb and Scott H. Biram with VOLK and The Maness Brothers live in concert at The Gin Mill, while the Brewhaus Pub pops up with a double bill of Square of the Roots and OAT Band.
That’s a whole bunch-o-stuff to do, so check our complete listings and enjoy your holiday time.
This article appears in May 22-28, 2025.
