Yeppers, it is officially April of 2025 and we’re right in the thick of the first weekend with plenty of live music to muster us up and out into the wonderful world of the Springfield music community. Let’s take a gander at what’s a-going on.
Thursday is where we like to start our week and the listings do not disappoint with several acts hitting stages around town. The Stadium hosts The Kitchens, as in Al and Kathy doing classic country and pop tunes, while X-Krush comes to rock the Curve Inn with a vengeance and Kyle Valtille sings for his supper at Mother Road Diner. Don’t forget our weekly, ever-present open mics, and if you wander over to Jacksonville, visit our friends Jeff Newman and Dennis Smith armed with acoustics at KJB’s Pint Haus.
For original music on Thursday, The Wakery gives us Jeremy Porter, on tour in support of his latest endeavor, Dynamite Alley (GTG Records), the Michigander musician’s second full- length solo album. Porter’s history includes being part of the first punk band in Upper Michigan in the mid-80s, as he continues his musical career right up to now through a few regionally successful bands, plenty of recorded releases and relentless national touring from his home base near Detroit.
Then Danenberger Family Vineyards delivers Chapel Hart ($25 cover), a vocal country group from Mississippi featuring sisters Danica Hart and Devynn Hart with their cousin, Trea Swindle, who finished fifth overall in the 2022 season of “America’s Got Talent.” The group has released four albums and 11 singles on the JT3D label since 2014.
Friday comes a-knocking and a-rocking with some 20 happenings happening, including those Drunken Goblins again, this time at Buzz Bomb, The Jay Larson Band rolling into George Rank’s, The Rick Mari Band digging into Goodfellas, For the Love of Lennon laying into Weebles, Mike Burnett and Frank Parker jamming at DH Browns and Jameson Freeway kicking things off Long Bridge. For lighter-sounding fare, look for Gianna Hines at Harvest Market, Keith Dunlap at Jamie’s Route 66, Me, Myself and Schy at Boone’s and Rod Grant at Locals in Pawnee.
On Saturday, get busy with a morning visit to Stella Coffee and Tea where Peaches and Bacon are on the music menu with some mighty fine old-time fiddle and banjo tunes. Then head to Trails End in Curran for an afternoon bash with the real rock power trio sounds of Mississippi Leghound or get trucking to Assumption and catch John Drake’s solo show at Cypress Grove Brewing.
For evening excitement, how about Angel Brown’s Smooth ‘N’ Blue Band at Lime Street (they’re there Friday, too, for full disclosure) or experience The Get Down at the Curve Inn getting down, of course. And on a takeover night of some Lees doing acoustic-based tunes, find Manny Lee at Harvest Market and Kerry Lee over in Decatur at Golden Fox Brewing. For traveling, touring country music-makers, The Twisted Tree in Jacksonville goes out on a limb for Caden Wilson with Hadlie Jo while the Backroom Lounge in Riverton serves up a dish of Stackin’ Eights.
Off we go on a Sunday spree with acoustic acts galore in the afternoon, including Josh Holland at home on The Range Bourbon & Brew in Chatham, Gus & Ed Duo getting jumpy at The Tipsy Toad, Joel Honey headed for the hills at Hill Prairie Winery near Oakford, Afternoon Delight watching the skyrockets in flight at Buckhart Tavern and Curt Smith going for the gold at It’s All About Wine.
You know darn tootin’ there’s plenty more where that came from so look at our listings and get going before you miss something.
