Like it or not, this weekend finally brings seasonal-like weather, but that’s OK for us music partakers and makers as we’re ready to hang inside and get on with it all. Let’s see what’s on the horizon in the world of Springfield (Illinois!) live entertainment (as opposed to other types) and get out to experience said stuff.
This seems a good place to drop in a reminder that I kick off with Thursdays because that’s the day our print paper hits the stands, but those all-important music listings are always available online. That means venues and acts can submit as far in advance as gigs are booked, allowing them (and us) to get ahead of things and our readers to know what’s coming up, if they choose to peruse, so you can see what’s happening whenever, including right now or even weeks and months ahead.
I spy Thursday Night Live at Motorheads, so that means it’s the second Thursday of the month and time for showcasing assorted local talent on the well-endowed sound and lights stage of the Motordome. November features Soul Experience (Jasmine French, Talore Rowl, Reggie Britton, Willie Christmon, Roger Wainwright, Larry Black, Mike Gillette, Jeremy Peck, Alexis Rogers and Steve Alexander) and Rod Grant, along with the accrued musical aptitudes of Dave Mason, Eric Tinsley, Ezra Casey, Joe Calandrino and Steve Clark Jr.
More fun commences with Not Petty hosting Live Music Bingo (gotta go if you wanna know!) at Obed & Isaac’s The Cidery and continues at Mother Road Diner to acknowledge the awesome abilities of Allan Harris and Aley Alvey.
Moving right along gives us Friday night on the 13th, so let’s be very, very afraid and go see what’s going on. There’s the venerable and esteemed Timothy Duggan playing and singing his way through a whole bunch of way-good songs at Boone’s while Silas Tockey reaps a bounty upstairs at Harvest Market. Please take some Tockey-time to visit Silas’ Facebook page and his colossal continuing contribution of “100 Songs for 100 years of Route 66” live performance videos at various Midwest locations.
Other Friday night escapades include our newest music venue, Legends Entertainment (out near Scheels) hosting After School Special and the Curve Inn getting back on track with Exit 52 (acoustic version) while the incomparable Joel Honey goes inside at Bar Bella, plus LowPhatt gets way down at The Bird as Eric Brackett and Kortney Leatherwood sail into Pier 55.
Saturday comes quickly so let’s get to it with a noon start at Stella Coffee & Tea for the Springfield Uketopians monthly appearance. Now we’re jumping to the heart of Saturday night for bands, bands and more bands, beginning with the reunion of Smashtag at Danenbergers Family Vineyard as these friends and fellow musicians bring it home one more time for one night only. Then let’s head out to Boondocks for the Springfield debut of rising, popular country star Redferrin. Next, Rick Mari Band kills it in the afternoon at Goodfellas, The Cocktails shake up The Blue Grouch and Salty Bros (Santini & Gragg) join with Positively 4th Street for a rockin’ night at Mowie’s Cue, while Weebles welcomes The Killer Riffs to hard rock this town for good.
For more goodies, the Cash Box Kings bring award-winning blues from Chicago to Casey’s Pub, as It’s All About Wine delivers three generations of Springfield jazz musicians with Adrian Russo (piano), Buddy Rogers (saxophone), Craig Russo (drums) and Max Beckman (bass) while Chris Camp deploys His Blues Ambassadors to a mighty important mission at Lime Street Cafe.
After all that, let’s just see what Sunday brings. So long until next week.
This article appears in November 12-18, 2026.
