The Battle of the Bands at Oz’z on May 3rd was one of those Sunday afternoons that reminds you why outdoor music season in our area is so fantastic! The clouds that threatened in the beginning quickly faded and we ended up with an amazing afternoon of sunshine and live local music at the awesome outdoor stage at Oz'z Bar & Grill.
Bands played for a chance to join the lineup of The Jam Sessions in Thunder Valley 2026 at the Peoria Motorcycle Club in Bartonville, June 18th-21st.
The annual festival weekend combines live music, camping, and a whole lot of fun, and this year’s Battle of the Bands once again brought out passionate fans ready to vote for who they wanted to see on the Thunder Valley stage in June. If you haven’t been out yet, you should. You can find more info here.
We didn’t make it in time to catch last year’s winners, Ray Long and the Highway 61 Band, who were opening the day. But, we did get plenty of photos and videos from the competition itself, along with footage from Mr. Charlie and Friends entertaining the crowd while votes were tallied.
From White Taco and Strange Ways to Outta The Kitchen 2.0 and eventual winners The Nighthawks, the afternoon was packed with energy and hometown support.
Check out the photos and videos in the post while you're deciding which shows you absolutely can't miss out on this weekend!
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FRIDAY 05/15
Mike Herr at Reverence Coffee 3-5pm
Sly Dog Acoustics at The Thirsty Barrell 5-7:30pm
James Herr Acoustic at Michael's Italian Feast, Germantown Hills 6-9pm
Jukebox Jewels at The Last Hurrah 6-8pm
Neon Nova at Reserve Artisan Ales 7-10pm
Kaiden Leezer at JR’s 7-11pm
Shawn "Smitty" Smith at Crusens War Memorial 7-10pm
Fusion Mellow at Oliver's in the Heights 8pm
Mudbone at Whiskerz Pub 8pm
Trippin Knives at The Neon Bison 8pm
First Date Kiss at the Tin Lizard 8-11pm
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SATURDAY 05/16
Annual St Jude Rides Fundraiser - Whiskerz Pub 4pm
MudBone 6pm
Jarret Forrester 7pm
Dallas Moore 8pm
James Herr & Sarah Marie Dillard at 11:Eleven at Sankoty Lakes 5:30-8:30pm
Broken Mojo at Psycho Silo Saloon 6-10pm
Black Velvet at the Peoria Zoo 6:30pm
Kickapoo Junction at VFW Post #6408 Havana 7-11pm
Neon Nova AT Oz'z Bar & Grill 7-11pm
Stereo Typical at Gracie's Sports Bar 7-10pm
Twisted Spoke Saloon 7-11pm
Left4Dead
Left On Red
Cole Hollow
TMINUS 3 at Hanna City Sportsman Club 7-10:30pm
In The Middle at Chillicothe American Legion 7-10pm
Austyn Weston Band at Whitey's On 29 7pm
Brandon Callaway at The Neon Bison 8pm
Shawn "Smitty" Smith at Office on Main 8-11pm
Rhythm & Ace Acoustics at Washburn American Legion Post 661 8-11pm
Windows Down at Pour Bros. Craft Taproom 8-11pm
Taylor Bruninga & the Bandits at The Nickel Plate 8pm
BACKSTABBIN' BETTY at Cactus Country 8pm-12am
Full Circle at Opie's 116 8pm-12am
The Nighthawks at Country Saloon 8pm
90's Daughter at Crusens War Memorial 8:30
Dexter O' Neal & the Funk Yard at Tin Lizard 9pm-12am
Grey Slush w/ Nova Sunshine at Kenny's Westside 8pm
As usual, the photos from the bands are all mixed together, so make sure you scroll all the way through them!
SUNDAY 05/17
Songwriters in the Round at Tres Rojas Winery 1-4pm
James Herr
Ryan Massey
Matt Cobillas
Danny Sutter
Harlan, Meister & Mitts at Peoria Public Library North Branch 2-4pm
Rhythm & Ace Acoustics at The Thirsty Barrel 2-5pm
Kasino at Chllicothe American Legion 3-6pm
Trio Grismore at Trailside Event Center 6-8:30pm
SUNDAY OPEN STAGES THIS WEEK
East Bluff All-Stars hosting at 808 Room 2-5pm
The Nighthawks hosting at County Line Tap 2-5pm
Lonesome Jones hosting at Christy's Place 3-6pm
Roy Ponce hosting at Tartan Inn 7-11pm
This week’s post contains contributions from:
Kindall Reuschel, Bennett Rose, & Vesper Goldman
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