As we enter the waning days of the Illinois State Fair, the weather, which arguably has more to do with the fair's success than anything else, has cooperated quite fabulously and allowed for super-duper attendance figures. And if not record-breaking numbers (but maybe), those attending the fair thus far found record-breaking comfort in the mild temps. Let's spend a bit more time out on the grounds, then ramble 'round the town to see what else is going on.
One definite benefit to area musicians from the fair effect comes from exposure (yes, people die from exposure, but that's a musician joke) to a variable number of listeners and also from payment through the (fairly) decently compensated performances. Most musicians say the worst part about a fair gig is getting through the gates (even with tickets and parking passes) and driving through the crowded streets to the various stages, then setting up and tearing down on a tight schedule. The best part is always playing the music (they don't call it working the music) with the money earned a close second.
Here are a few random local groups I recognize playing around the fair. On the Apex Stage (near the Grandstand) there's The Tangents (Thursday at 2 p.m.), Astrofix (Friday at 4) and Dos Okies (Saturday at 3:30,) plus another nine acts also on the bill. Springfield fans of Bloomington's acclaimed singer-songwriter Dan Hubbard will be pleased to know he's scheduled at the Illinois Wine Experience in the Artisans Building on Saturday, 4 to 7. The Expo Building Stage has tons of acoustic acts, including shows by area folks Stuart Smith (Thursday at 4), Tom Beverly and Geoff Ryan (Friday at 6) while Saturday has Beige Desperados at 2 and the Pepper Sprouts at 4, with Myers-Brant-Paoni closing it out on Sunday at 5, along with another seven some acts there, too.
From what I hear, the Grand Central Stage in the Reisch Pavilion is the big hit this year with a combination of touring bands called "spotlight artists" and other groups. This Friday is a good example with Illinois-based combo BoomBox 80s Band doing all 80s pop/rock at noon, Springfield's own Johnny Cash tribute band, Folsom Prison Five, at 3, the "spotlight artist" act, Vandoliers, from the Dallas-Fort Worth area playing all original, alt-country songs at 7, followed by our long-running, much appreciated, Harris family band, Bustin' Loose, at 9. With that I bid "fair-well" to the fair for 2024. Check the daily listings on the ISF website for what's left through Sunday.
Outside the long arm of the fair, most of our regular scheduled programming of music continues unabated along with a few special events set to compliment or counter fair business, depending on how you perceive the situation. Most prominent is the Curve Inn's SouthSide Fair happening concurrently with the State Fair and featuring mostly acts that aren't playing at the ISF-sponsored beer tents.
Thursday it's a classic country combo of White Lightnin' and Bustin' Loose. Friday features the fantastic Kapital Sound and Saturday brings Chicago's Real Pretenders showcasing our very own Andon Davis on guitar with openers JackAsh. Sunday is a special day celebrating Rick Mari's 70th birthday with a bash featuring The Rick Mari Band. Rick's contribution to our scene is decades long and still going strong, so head out to support him and ask about the bands he's been part of for the last 50-some years.
Don't forget to vote in our nominating round for Best of Springfield before it ends at 11:59 p.m., Monday, Aug. 19. See you next week.