Off we go into the madness or otherwise of the first full weekend of music in March for 2025. We’ve got a lot to cover, as usual, with a wide assortment of entertainment of the musical variety happening in our fair city, so let’s get to it.
We are going to jump over Thursday this week, mainly because Friday is hopping and popping with so many cool and unusual shows plus plenty of regular action, too. Let’s first congratulate The Rick Mari Band on its second anniversary (and Rick on his recovery from voice issues) with a big honkin’ party at Mowie’s Cue. It ain’t every day a septuagenarian musician gets to rock out with his own band, and Rick makes it look easy.
Here’s another reason to celebrate as the New Goat Ensemble ambles over from Jacksonville to pair up with the Spoonbenders at George Rank’s. The NGE was a big part of the 90s scene of original music in central Illinois, and other than an annual summer show, hasn’t played much lately, so fans of the band should be bleating with joy.
NIL8 is back on track, hitting the stage at Danenberger Family Vineyards at 7:30 p.m., followed by Astrofix and preceded by Sonic Era, if I understand the lineup correctly. Ever since 2020 and our pandemic days (seems a lifetime ago, doesn’t it?), the brothers Williams (Jeff and Bruce) have only played out a few times, so they’re calling this a “practice makes perfect” gig to shake off the dust and work off the rust.
In downtown Springfield, the Gin Mill hosts another show (so good to see more regular performances at this longtime venue) with a trio of hard hitters, including Crash Planet, Three Way Stop and Scarlet’s Darling. All three bands are from the younger generation of original groups making a fine impression in continuing Springfield’s long-standing tradition of musicians making up songs and playing them out live.
Still on Friday, mind you, we have Devin C. Williams back in town playing his original Delta blues songs at Buzz Bomb and Me, Myself & Schy knocking back the Americana, alt-country tunes at Boone’s. Out at the Firefighters/Postal Lake Club, Roger Whitsell will sing you some songs as the public venue begins a music series on Fridays after its Lenten Fish Fry with Not Petty scheduled for next week. In the cover band category, we have two of our “ed” groups, Branded at the Curve Inn and Grounded at Weebles, with the Branded show being the final one for Josh and Jessi as they’ve decided to step away from the live music band schedule for now.
On Saturday, the Illinois Central Blues Club celebrates another anniversary with 2025 being number 39 for this remarkably resilient local club and one of the oldest blues societies in the country. For the occasion they’ve booked the incredible Nick Moss Trio joined by the one-and-only Reggie Britton fronting Black Magic Johnson at the K of C Hall on Meadowbrook with tickets available at the door.
The Pharmacy delivers a very special show when Elliott Sharp, an “American contemporary classical composer, multi-instrumentalist, author and visual artist” known as a vital part of New York City’s experimental music scene since the late 1970s, performs from 6 to 8 p.m. beginning with a reading from his latest poetry book. Scott Faingold will conduct a Q & A session following the performance.
Yes, there’s a lot more music out there so please check our listings and act accordingly. Next week St. Patrick’s Day festivities are on the march. See you then
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