Things are really heating up, literally and figuratively, as we roll through a month of June music. Now let's see where the hot spots are and what they're cooking up for us to enjoy during this abundance of Springfield live music performances.
Just in case you haven't noticed all the hoopla about our Levitt AMP music series going on every Thursday downtown just north of the Governor's Mansion, we're here to make sure you do. The free shows feature national touring acts paired with a local band, plus a dance show intermission. This week we have our very own Wolf Crick Boys rocking us with their outlaw country opening for Armchair Boogie from Madison, Wisconsin, which plays a wild amalgam of bluegrass, folk and funk. Tap dancer Jaden Saunders will add his abundant talents to the middle of the show.
Other Thursday groovy goodies include Robert Sampson on the patio at Casey's Pub, Triple Threat tearing it up at the Curve Inn and Casey Cantrall hosting the monthly Wakery open mic. Head out of town to enjoy Josie Lowder for this week's Music in the Park on the square in Winchester and go watch the Beige Desperadoes steal into Docs Just Off 66 in Girard. Add Captain Geech and the Shrimp Shack Shooters sailing through the Sherman Village Park Amphitheater and the Waterloo German Band rolling out the barrel in Butler at the Montgomery County Fair, and we've got a party going on.
There's no way to get through all the good stuff on Friday, so here are a few highlights focusing on shows in small towns around the city. How about some killer blues with a ticketed concert in the Marian Banquet Hall in Riverton by Carvin Jones? Known as the "The King of Strings," Jones was voted one of the 50 greatest blues guitarists of all time by Guitarist Magazine.
More blues happen when the Springfield Area Arts Council presents its weekly Friday Night Jazz & Blues show out at Broadgauge in Petersburg for a one-time change of venue with the John Drake Blues Trio as the featured band. Two super songwriting, acoustic guitar-slinging pals, Jobe and Woody, land at Ashland Summer Days while The Tangents couple up at Taylorville's Legendary Small Town Trading Co. and Chicago Farmer and the Fieldnotes cultivate folksy songs on the square in downtown Jacksonville.
As we travel on to Saturday get set for the return, after a 10-year break, of Big Guy and the MOB as they bust it out at Weebles. Experience the joyful sounds of the Jay Larson Band at the Bird Tavern, go where no band has gone before with Captain Quirk at Hill Prairie Winery near Oakford, then get good and moody with national touring band The Black Moods, supported by our very own Silhouette, at the Stadium's outdoor space.
Sunday gives us a mix of big stars and local favorites including folk-rock royalty Dawes with Mike Viola and Miles Nielsen & The Rusty Hearts at Danenberger Family Vineyards, plus a yee-haw, Texas time at Twisted Tree Music Hall in Jacksonville when singer-songwriter and recording artist Jason Eady joins with Midnight River Choir and special guest Patrick Longmeyer. Then set the table with Wowie Zowie at Brookhills Golf Club, Gage McCoy at Trails End in Curran, Thornhill Duo at Bar Bella on the west side and Stuart Smith downtown at Ad Astra to fill your plate to overflowing.
Please take the time to visit the many other music-related activities in our listings to see the huge amount of stuff going on right now. Be cool and stay safe.
