I’ve been attending Big Gronko Productions festivals since they were just a bunch of friends gathering in Brian Gronko’s backyard. We all brought food to share, nobody worried about where to park, and at some point everyone ended up in the pool while the band played from the deck above us.
So seeing how those backyard gatherings grew into this year's first Open Skies Music Festival was pretty incredible.
When Brian stopped by the PML office to drop off the tickets for our Facebook giveaway, we talked about everything that goes into pulling off a festival like this. From the vendors and parking plans to the canopies near the stage and the medical tent, he had clearly thought through every detail. He wanted the experience to be good for everyone involved, from the Peoria Motorcycle Club board members trusting him with their venue to him for this event to the people who might only stop in for Saturday night after another nearby event ended.
When we arrived, it was obvious how much work had gone into making that vision a reality. There were no obvious cash grabs, no expensive VIP upgrades, and even the food truck prices were refreshingly reasonable.
If you were there with us, you know exactly what I'm talking about. If not, you should make sure you put it on your calendar for next summer.
In the meantime, check out the photos and videos from five of the sets we caught at Open Skies Music Festival last weekend. We'll be sharing even more next week!
FRIDAY 7/24
AJ Schmall at Rosie's Wine Bar (Peoria Heights) 6-8pm
Christian Lloyd ft Peoria Jazz All Stars at See Event Page 6-10:30
Vinyl Tap at Morton Public Library 6:30-8pm
Nathan Taylor & Friends at Contemporary Art Center of Peoria 6:30-8:30pm
Mostly Lawless at Whitey's On 29 7-10pm
The Holdouts at Crusens War Memorial 7-10pm
Mixtape Mayhem at Brienzo's Pizza + Bar 7-10pm
Brass Band of Central Illinois at Metamora Square 7-8:30pm
Outland at Kellehers On Water 7pm
Twisted Whiskey at Industry Brewing 7pm
Austyn Weston Band at The River and Rails Festival (Chillicothe) 7:30pm
The Tucked in T's at the Country Saloon (East Peoria) 8pm
Next Thing Smokin' at Tin Lizard Bar & Grill 8-11pm
Joel Honey at Office on Main (Morton) 8pm
3 and a Half Men at Oliver's in the Heights (Peoria Heights) 8pm
Rhythm & Ace acoustics at Martini's on Water Street 8-11pm
Terry Luttrell's REO CLASSICS BAND at Peoria Riverfont 8pm
Brushville at Mackinaw Valley Winery 8-11pm
Captain Crayfish w/ Fusion Mellow at Kenny's Westside 9pm
Don’t forget to check out our YouTube channel! (We have more being added there all the time, so be sure and subscribe.)
SATURDAY 7/25
Shawn "Smitty" Smith at Peoria Riverfront Market 8am-12pm
Sweet Corn Festival (Chillicothe)
Bob and Barney 11am
Strummin MoJo Band 1:45pm
In the Middle 4:30pm
NightHawks w/ The Highway 61 Band at Oz'z Bar & Grill 2pm
Captain Geech and the Shrimp Shack Shooters w/ Madison 221 at Pekin Boat Club 3-10pm
Goodnight Gracie at The Queen of Squash 5-8pm
Full Circle at Jim Dandy's (Bartonville) 6-10pm
Torch Finger at Wee-Ma-Tuk Hills Bar & Grill 6-9pm
Broken MoJo at Spoon River Days in Downtown Wyoming, IL 7-10pm
Boomstick at Suds Bar and Grill 7pm
Joe Stamm Band at Metamora Square 6-8pm
Cousin Eddie at Martini's on Water Street 7-11pm
Decade of Decadence at Mackinaw Valley Winery 7pm
Sly Dog acoustics at Fat Man Bishop's (East Peoria) 7-10pm
Lynn Allen at Big Catz BBQ (Knoxville) 7-11pm
Brainchild Trio at Office on Main (Morton) 8pm
Backseat Radio at Whitey's BBQ (Creve Coeur) 8pm
Stone Cold Cowboys at Fulton County Fair (Lewistown) 8pm
Revel In Red at Pour Bros. Craft Taproom 8-11pm
Ryan Massey at JR Lounge (Williamsfield) 8-11pm
The Night Hawks at Country Saloon (East Peoria) 8pm
Backstabbin' Betty at Cactus Country (Galesburg) 8pm-12am
Danny Reinmann at The Neon Bison 8pm
Plastic Green Armymen at Brew N Cue (Canton) 8-11:50pm
The Vibe Collective at Oliver's in the Heights 8-11pm
Kickapoo Junction at Three Sisters Park (Chillicothe) 8:30-10:30pm
Live Band Karaoke at the Tin Lizard Bar & Grill 9pm-12am
Austyn Weston Band at Crusens War Memorial 9pm
High Meadows & Slow Emotion at Kenny's Westside 9pm
As usual, the photos from the bands are all mixed together, so make sure you scroll all the way through them!
SUNDAY 7/26
James Herr Acoustic at Hidden Hills Vineyard and Winery (Galesburg) 1-4pm
Rhythm & Ace at Tre Rojas Winery 1-4pm
Chris Hawkins at Hickory Grove Park (Dunlap) 3-6pm
Peoria Drum Circle at Forest Park Nature Center 3:30-4:40pm
The Young Dubliners & 3 on the Tree at Wiley park (Galva) 6pm
River Valley Big band at the Rotary Shelter (Washington) 6-8pm
[SOLD OUT] The Wood Brothers at Friendly Valley Tavern 7pm
SUNDAY OPEN STAGES THIS WEEK
East Bluff All-Stars hosting at 808 Room 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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