10 Peoria-area acts not to miss this month

 After reaching out to area music insiders – musicians and promoters, radio personalities and writers – we compiled from their feedback this snapshot of a variety of local talents not to miss in August, a time that can be tempting to retreat to air conditioning. But don’t let the weather or the barrage of bands discourage you. Sample the range and abilities of our neighbors.

1. Aug. 4 – King Purp isn’t live this month, but the lively Peoria hip-hop artist is releasing his new album on this date. Peoria has birthed other rappers (Best Kept and K. Hillian, Luney Ray and No Fatigue), but King Purp stands out.

“This wordplay wizard creatively delivers fashion-forward rap combined with a traditional feel. His “King Talk” album is available on all streaming platforms. His forthcoming album “King Talk II” is due August 4.”

2. Aug. 10 – “Sounds of Hope” is a special performance of a Heartland Festival Orchestra string octet at the Peoria Riverfront Museum. Presented in partnership with the Jewish Federation of Peoria and JCC Chicago, the concert will help open the “Violins of Hope” exhibit at museum.

“These are instruments owned and used by victims of the Holocaust. The program includes Shostakovich's String Quartet Number 8, Darius Milhaud's Symphoniette, Ravel's Kaddish, and a Klezmer piece.”

3. Aug. 11 – Big Huge will be at the 3300 Event Center Aug. 11. They originally played together in 1969 and reunited just before COVID hit. The lineup is Dennis Albee (Brillo & The Firebirds), Craig Moore (Ilmo Smokehouse, Ready Steady Go, many other groups), Lee Noe (Rivendell, Aliens), Matthew Warren (Kool Ray & Polaroidz, The Ligonaires).

“Not the typical mid-late 60's/early 70's Woodstock festival-era album rock, they play a surprising assortment of great material.”

4. Aug. 11 – Soft Spoken is set for the Contemporary Art Center’s “Live at the Five Spot” Aug. 11. Based in Bloomington, they’re Gary Muhammad (lead guitar/vocals), Mike Gardner (keys/bass/vocals), Myra Johnson (percussion), AJ Chinnery (drums), Kenny Johnson (bass guitar), and Jamika Russell (lead vocals).

“Soft Spoken covers a lot of musical territory: jazz, funk, R&B, soul and blues, all with the smooth-jazz filter set on high. If you’re a smooth operator and enjoy dancing and romancing, you’ll want to experience Soft Spoken.”

5. Aug. 12 – Emily the Band is a self-described three-piece queer girl group based in Peoria and on the bill at Pour Bros. Taproom’s “Courtyard Concert Series” in a special Aug. 12 kickoff for this year’s Blue Ridge Community Farm Fall Concert Series outside Chillicothe. The Pour Bros. concert has headliners The Crane Wives (from Michigan) and Patty PerShayla & The Mayhaps (from Nashville).

“Featuring the vocals of Emily Antonacci and Cammie Proctor, Emily the Band’s indie alt-pop anthems combine catchy melodies with clever lyrics, and have them making new fans with every performance.”

6. Aug. 17 – Grey Slush at press time hasn’t set a venue for an Aug. 17 show, but the acts are: Champaign/Urbana garage punkers Kangaroo Court, Chicago “psychedelic Latin”  rocker Gabacho, and hometownies Grey Slush.

“Peoria’s own Grey Slush has become a scene stalwart in recent years, releasing three EPs and multiple singles since 2021. They play a peppy, catchy brand of indie rock/alternative – the kind you don’t hear as much these days – that will have your head nodding and toes tapping. Check out their latest video, with familiar scenes from downtown Peoria, at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jq6rXIkxcBY For recordings, etc., go to https://greyslush.com/, https://linktr.ee/greyslush or https://greyslush.bandcamp.com/album/vbs.”

7. Aug. 18 – The Forecast was founded in Peoria in 2001, and they’re returning to town for their first show in six years – at Kenny’s Westside Pub Aug. 18.

“The Forecast took the emo/hardcore template of Peoria-to-Denver transplants Planes Mistaken for Stars to heart. They released multiple albums on a range of record labels and toured regularly in the 2000s. After undergoing numerous lineup shifts, their later records added a slight Americana twist to their Midwestern blue-collar rock n’ roll.”

8. Aug. 23 – The River Valley Big Band is playing from 6-8 Aug. 23 at Morton’s Idlewood Park, but their month also includes gigs Aug. 12 in Alpha Park in Bartonville and Aug. 18 at Tower Park in Peoria Heights.

“Starting its seventh season in September, the River Valley Big Band brings the traditional Big Band sound to a variety of music from the 1920's through today with a roster of about 20 musicians who are professionals, amateurs, current and former educators, and fine young players, and with a vocalist on several numbers.”

9. Aug. 25 – Matt Miller is a premier country musician who has eight appearances this month, including Aug. 25 at the Neon Bison in Peoria. The official “house band” for 97.3 FM River Country radio, Miller performs with his full band and also in acoustic sets. “Matt is about the countriest, big-hearted country guy who sings country music great. Ain’t no party like a ‘good time’ Matt Miller party.”

10. Aug. 26 – Revel in Red is in the midst of its “2023 Outdoor Concert Series,” which includes an Aug. 26 street party in downtown Pekin. Forming in 2020, the six-piece rock-anthem specialists bring decades of collective musical experience with JammSammich, the Gary Richrath Band and other familiar names and sounds. Labeling them a “cover band” for classic and modern rock understates their skills. On any given night, audiences could hear REO, Boston and Bon Jovi, plus Pink, My Chemical Romance, and Bruno Mars.

“Amazing musicians with an awesome presence, R in R sounds great and plays favorites from the 1970s to recent hits. Once you see Revel in Red, you’ll HAVE to see them again!”