As we slide into the last full weekend of October, the fests are fading, the outdoor stages are dwindling and next week we run smack dab into November. That means it’s close to the end of the season for our outside entertainment. But as we well know, there ain’t no stopping the music biz around these parts, so let’s go wandering among the listings to see what appears.
First up, next week there will be no Now Playing as it’s our famously favorite Best of Springfield issue, so here’s my announcement for the 2025 BoS Illinois Times party at the BoS Center on Thursday evening, Oct. 30, in conjunction with the yearlong 50th anniversary of Illinois Times. Live music comes courtesy of Deja Voodoo with drinks and food available, a costume contest (it’s the day before Halloween, you know) and good times for all. Get your tickets online from the IT website or in line at the IT office.
Also on our radar for next weekend, the New Soil Music Festival, organized by our friends in The Lovelorn and featuring several local original and more bands and musicians, hits from 2 to 11 p.m. at Boondocks, Saturday, Nov. 1. Check out the New Soil or The Lovelorn Facebook page or Boondocks’ website to purchase advance tickets plus see the full schedule of performers.
And while we’re making announcements, I’ll take a moment to invite you all to my birthday party at the beautiful Brewhaus in lovely downtown Springfield on Sunday, Oct. 26, starting around 5 p.m. (hey, it’s my birthday, I’ll start when I want to) and going on into the night with a full band and guests in store. No presents, but your presence is mightily appreciated.
Now, on to our regularly scheduled program of looking through listings. With a peek in on Thursdays, I see The Travis Ried Band doing the blues up right at the Curve Inn, Dreamers and Doers living the dream at Sangamo Brewing and Hippies of the Heartland getting groovy at Mother Road Diner.
Friday kicks off at the Curve Inn with a 217 Boozer Bash hosted by Broken Stone with special guest Menace to Sobriety. Then you can motor west to Vine & Rind for a Micah Walk performance at the fairly new venue, stop by Harvest Market for bananas and a show by Jonnie Concaroo Band or drop into The Tipsy Toad for a visit with AraizA. More entertainment excitement continues with a double bill of Birds of a Feather and Blue Sky Revival (local Phish and Allman Brothers tributes) at the Blue Grouch, while downtown circles the wagons with old friends Hipbone & Hawkeye at DH Brown’s, Ricki Marvel and Emily the Band at Dumb Records, Thomas J. Beverly at Bloom Wine Bar, Sweetmelk (from Champaign) and Mars Hojilla (from Urbana and Iowa City) at Buzz Bomb and Not Petty at the Butternut Hut.
Saturday’s special mention includes Rap Night at Whiskey Jack’s with an all-original music lineup of Firewater, Torch Nation, Webacksoon, ADHD Dread, Stretchem Buckz, Katae, Lil Scoonie and more.
Sunday delivers the Central Illinois Music Fair at the Marian Banquet Hall in Riverton, held in honor of the late Mark Kessler of Recycled Records (8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.). The fair and sale features Mark’s extensive record collection along with a variety of local vendors selling a wide array of items from the music world.
Don’t forget the next Friday is Halloween with Wolf Crick Boys at Arlingtons, Brandy Kristin Band at the Curve, Scratching the Surface at The Railyard, Storm Front and the Night Howlers with special guests at Motorheads, Grounded at Weebles and much more. See y’all in November…
This article appears in October 23-29, 2025.
