2024 Bitter Jester Music Festival - Official Lineup
Looking for something fun to do on the weekend? How about live music near you…
Do you enjoy great FREE concerts with FREE parking? Please support our volunteer-run non-profit music festival with a donation in place of your ticket. 🤟🏼🤟🏼
CONCERT DATES:
June 2 & 10 (Satellite Series @ Chicago Botanic Garden);
June 7, 8, 14, & 15 (Preliminary Concerts @ Port Clinton Square);
June 29 (Grand Finale @ The Lot);
Aug 29 (Showcase @ Ravinia Festival);
Sept 2 (“Best Of” Showcase @ Navy Pier)!
Each week, six bands/solo artists from across the Midwest battle for a spot in the June 29, 2024, Grand Finale for a $2,000 cash prize, gear, incredible additional performance opportunities, and the title of Grand Champion! One BJMF Finalist will be selected to open for a National Headliner at Ravinia Festival in 2025!
Friday, JUNE 7, 2024
Port Clinton Square - 5:30pm (rain or shine!)
600 Central Ave, Highland Park, IL, 60035
6/7/24 Official Lineup:
Listen to a 60-sec. Audio Mashup of Night 01
Click here to read Artist & Judge Bios
• Carter Willy (Showcase)
• The Child of Eve (Guest Artist)
• Daughters Of Salem (Guest Artist)
• The Dennies
• Girl Club (Showcase)
• Linda Therese
• Palace Kat (Showcase)
• Rosetta
• Scorched Waves
• Sweet Spell
• VICK LUNA
• Violet Clare (Guest Artist)
Saturday, June 8, 2024
Port Clinton Square - 5:30pm (rain or shine!)
600 Central Ave, Highland Park, IL, 60035
6/8/24 Official Lineup:
Listen to a 60-sec. Audio Mashup of Night 02
Click here to read Artist & Judge Bios
• Charlieboy
• The Child of Eve (Guest Artist)
• Claire-Mckenna (Guest Artist)
• Daisy Chain
• David's House
• Drake Thomas (Guest Artist)
• Nuke Plant Chickens (Showcase)
• Party Hat Club
• rae
• State of Youth Lite (Showcase)
• Top Deck (Showcase)
• Ur Mom
Friday, JUNE 14, 2024
Port Clinton Square - 5:30pm (rain or shine!)
600 Central Ave, Highland Park, IL, 60035
6/14/24 Official Lineup:
Listen to a 60-sec. Audio Mashup of Night 03
Click here to read Artist & Judge Bios
• Anna Louise Bramlett
• Brigitte Eve (Guest Artist)
• Coach House (Showcase)
• Heat Above
• Holden Garcia (Guest Artist)
• Kloe
• Liliana y Los Caballeros (Guest Artist)
• Meremott
• Naomi 10 Million (Showcase)
• Patches & Albo (Showcase)
• Sunset Drip
• Superglue
SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2024
Port Clinton Square - 5:30pm (rain or shine!)
600 Central Ave, Highland Park, IL, 60035
6/15/24 Official Lineup:
Listen to a 60-sec. Audio Mashup of Night 04
Click here to read Artist & Judge Bios
• Christine Compall (Guest Artist)
• Exit 122
• Jackson Wagner (Showcase)
• Jeff's Invention (Showcase)
• Lauren Blackford
• NewClearFusion (Showcase)
• North Grove
• Printing House
• Sadie Parkinson (Guest Artist)
• South Main
• Venganza
sATURday, June 29, 2023
(Grand Finale)
The Lot - 2:00pm (rain location TBA)
523 Central Ave, Highland Park, IL 60035
Click to read Performers’ / Judges’ Bios
6/29/24 Official Lineup:
• WILL BE ANNOUNCED THROUGHOUT JUNE!
Did you know we’re a non-profit? Your donations are HUGELY appreciated and will directly go toward sustaining and improving the music fest!
Bitter Jester has been a proven feeder festival for Lollapalooza, Ravinia Festival, RiotFest, and SXSW. What’s more, this free concert series is fun for the whole family!
The Bitter Jester Music Festival is sponsored by the City of Highland Park and supported by small grants from the Highland Park Community Foundation and the IL Arts Council Foundation. All Grand Finale Prize Money is generously donated by First Bank of Highland Park, our Prize Money Sponsor. Additional support from Ludwig Drums, Sweetwater Sound, Judy’s Pizza, Elmore Pedals, and Abt Electronics!
(Full Grand Finale Lineup Announced in Late June!)
Click here for more detailed 2024 Grand Finale concert info!