I've found myself in a lot of comment sections lately, on a lot of different platforms where people are talking about how boring Peoria supposedly is. Peoria is "just okay." It's cheap enough to live here (comparatively) that it can get away with being mediocre.
And sure, I giggled when someone said, "Peoria: We put the mid in Midwest." … but I can confidently say if you're bored in Peoria, you're not trying hard enough.
This post highlights just four of the seven acts I saw in five days last week, including Biird and Roundstone Buskers, who packed the street in front of Kelleher's on a Tuesday night!
A Tuesday evening in the summer in Peoria…
And I don't want to hear about how much better it was in the '90s... Well, actually, I LOVE hearing about the Peoria music scene in the '90s. Just not when it's used as a way to tear down what we have now.
Because if you want the local music scene to continue, and you want it to grow, you have to show up. Upset that we don't have live bands playing at 2 a.m. anymore? Show venues there's an audience for live music at midnight. Want more original music? Go see the bands playing original music now. Want bigger acts to come through Peoria? Support the venues bringing them here.
Saturday night at Pour Bros with Highway J!
The music scene we have five or ten years from now depends, at least in part, on the one we're willing to support today.
And this week, we're giving you a ridiculous number of opportunities to do just that.
While you're checking out the videos and photos of Biird, Roundstone Buskers, Highway J, and Lilianna Fehr, take a look at everything happening around Peoria this weekend and start making your live music weekend to-do list!
As you read through your options of where to go for live local music here please remember:
You can download a video, but you can’t download a live music experience
appreciate what we do?
VISIT our SUPPORT page to see OTHER WAYS YOU can help the work continue!
*Full Peoria Irish Festival Schedule at the bottom of the blog post.
FRIDAY 8/28
Sista and the Misters at Five Points Washington 6-9pm
Dexter O' Neal and Funkyard at Contemporary Art Center of Peoria 6:30-8:30pm
Aaron Miller & Mike Miller Open Mic at Elmwood Center for the Humanities 7pm
Full Circle at Oz'z Bar & Grill 7-11pm
Kyle Yap at Whitey's 29 7pm (Creve Coeur)
Kickapoo Junction at Kellehers On Water 7pm
Taylor Bruninga & The Bandits at Martini's on Water Street 7:30pm
Do you have this piece of Peoria music history yet? Now is the time!
Currently available for pickup at:
Riverfront Museum
Younger Than Yesterday
Harmonize Peoria
Currently available for mail order at:
Younger Than Yesterday
Harmonize Peoria
Plastic Green Armymen at Whiskerz Pub 8pm (Lacon)
Fusion Mellow at Oliver's in the Heights 8pm
The Living Daylights at Knights of Columbus 8pm (Galesburg)
Next Thing Smokin' at The Bowling Alley 8pm (Eureka)
Craig Gerdes Band at Tin Lizard 8-11pm
Roy Fifer at The Neon Bison 8pm
Rhythm & Ace Acoustics at Brasky's Bar & Grill 8-11pm
Colt Ball Music at Office on Main 8-11pm (Washington)
Damned Torpedoes at Kenny's Westside 8pm
Don’t forget to check out our YouTube channel! (We have more being added there all the time, so be sure and subscribe.)
SATURDAY 8/29
Shawn "Smitty" Smith at Peoria Riverfront Market 8am-12pm
Windows Down at Walters Brothers Harley-Davidson 4-9pm (Peoria)
The Whiskey Trust at Spoon River Junction Winery 5-8pm (Canton)
James Herr Acoustic at Fox & Ford 6-9pm
Jaden Decker at Wee-Ma-Tuk Hills Bar & Grill 6-9pm (Cuba)
Decade of Decadence at Mackinaw Valley Winery 7-11pm
Broken MoJo at Suds Bar and Grill 7-10pm (Toluca)
Revel in Red at Pekin Downtown Concert Series 7pm
Sweet Cheeks at The Neon Bison 7pm
Cousin Eddie at Dunlap Days 7-11pm
Highway J at Kellehers On Water 7-11pm
Monster Lane at Big Catz BBQ 7-11pm (Knoxville)
Kickapoo Junction at Psycho Silo Saloon 7pm (Langley)
Fighter Jet Pin-Ups w/ Slozzy & the 3 From Hell at Twisted Spoke Saloon 7-11pm (Pekin)
The Band Small Town at Oz'z Bar & Grill 7-11pm (Creve Coeur)
Patrick N Swayze at Pour Bros. Craft Taproom Courtyard Concert Series 8-11pm
Dexter O’Neal & Funk Yard at Brasky’s 8pm
Erech Bruce & Crew at Office on Main 8-11pm (Washington)
Stereo Typical at Stag Tap 8-11pm (Havana)
The Spooklights & Sneezy at Friendly Valley Tavern 8pm
The Killer Riffs at Brew N Cue 8pm (Canton)
Wes Duffy Trio a Oliver's in the Heights 8pm
Sly Dog Acoustics at Martini's on Water Street 8-11pm
Trip Hazard at The Corral 8pm-12am (Galesburg)
Backseat Radio at Crusens War Memorial 9pm
Live Band Karaoke at Tin Lizard 9pm-12am (East Peoria)
As usual, the photos from the bands are all mixed together, so make sure you scroll all the way through them!
SUNDAY 8/30
Matt Eckberg at Tres Rojas Winery 1-4pm (Washington)
The Nighthawks at Brew N Cue 1-4pm (Canton)
Sista and the Misters at Stag Tap 1pm (Havana)
Kaiden & Chad at The Thirsty Barrel 3-6pm (Mason City)
Mostly Lawless at Hanna City Sportsman's Club 3-6pm
Tim McNary and TJ Syndram at Rage Club 4-6pm
SUNDAY OPEN STAGES THIS WEEK
Peoria Rhythm Kings hosting at Countyline Tap 2-5pm
Spontaneous Musical Combustion at Country Saloon 4pm
Roy Ponce hosting at Tartan Inn 7-11pm
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This week’s post contains contributions from:
Kindall Reuschel, Lauren DeJaynes, Bennett Rose, & Vesper Goldman
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