For some reason things feel like they’re moving rapidly right now as we are set up to get into the second full weekend in April already. Time marches on and I guess we just have to keep up with the beat and follow on through to the other side. And, of course, enjoy the many different and diverse forms of live music available to us every day of the week in the area.
Last column we took an adventure into our Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights so let’s continue in that progression to take a gander at this Thursday. It’s all flying by as I mentioned earlier, so we’re here on the second Thursday of the month in a flash and that gives us two regularly scheduled programs on tap.
The Pharmacy Gallery downtown delivers the Art of Jazz with Max Beckman on double bass curating this month’s lineup of three trombones with a rhythm section to support the “Mother Road” theme in exhibits and music. Out at Motorheads on Toronto Road, Thursday Night Live, the continuing showcase of local music with different artists in various combinations includes guests Kylan Davis, 2nd Street Harmony (Lisa Lowe, Albert Capati), the Greg Bickers Band (Bruce Horn, Ed Dingledine, Greg Cramer, Jeff Kunzeman and Greg Bickers), Gary Davis, Roger Wainwright, Cydney Long and Jim McCann.
Along with a hardcore punk concert at Dumb Records with aspiring acts Fatal Dose (it’s FD’s final show), Augment, xCommandx and Severance, plus Hippies of the Heartland at Mother Road Diner, we have a couple of regular open mics, four karaoke nights, line dancing lessons at Locals in Pawnee and even more shows in small towns around the capital city for just a whole bunch of stuff to do on this busy Thursday night.
Rushing off to Friday after we catch our breath, I spy several acoustic-based performances happening in the city including Not Petty at Butternut Hut (it’s birthday time for Jen!), Silas Tockey at Boone’s, Amy Battles and myself at Bloom Wine Bar, Dreamers & Doers trio at Harvest Market and Jim Ackerman with Casey Cantrall at The Alamo.
You can venture out of town to catch violinist Polly Launay at Golden Fox Brewery in Decatur, After School Special at Walby’s Place in Ashland, Joel Honey at The Range Bourbon & Brew in Chatham and Salmon Creek at The Shed in Pawnee.
Bands playing include Grounded rocking it at the Blue Grouch (almost beer garden time there) and Positively 4th Street doing Dylan and more at George Rank’s while Blue Note Quintet jazzes up Pease’s at BUNN Gourmet. Add to that the monthly Meet Up hip hop show at Main Gate and there’s a plentiful pile of music to get through with even more in the listings.
Saturday awaits with over 40 music-related calendar items starting at noon with the monthly gathering of your Springfield Uketopians at Stella Coffee & Tea, where all uke players from beginners to masters are welcome to join in. Check out the fairly new group, the Speakeasy Trio, with veteran musicians, Gary Davis, Dan Luparell and Joe Kath at Harvest Market, while Jaigh Lowder and Jill Manning bring their marvelous music and world-class playing to Mother Road Diner as Sound Decision (Carl Bopp and Ed Smith) conjures a lifetime of music-making at Lime Street Cafe.
Sunday is still our main Funday with plenty to do, but Monday is no slouch when you consider The Alamo features U.K. blues rocker Bex Marshall in house. Bex is touring the U.S. in support of Fortuna, her most recent, acclaimed blues release.
Well, that does it for me. See you around the square.
This article appears in April 9-15, 2026.
