2026 Bitter Jester Music Festival Performer & Judges’ Bios

Grand Finale Concert: Saturday, June 27, 2026, 2-10pm:

Second Street (between Central and Laurel), Downtown Highland Park, IL 60035 (rain location TBA)

Co-Hosted by Peter Sagal (Humorist and Host of Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me! on NPR) and Nicolas DeGrazia (Sketch Comedian and Emmy-winning / James Beard Award-nominated Producer and Director).

LINEUP FOR NIGHT ONE (Friday, June 5, 2026 @ 5:30pm)

Port Clinton Square, 600 Central Ave, Highland Park, IL, 60035 (rain or shine)

Ambiance is an alternative rock band based in Chicago, Illinois. Each member has performed at major events ranging from Lollapalooza to numerous street festivals across the city. Ambiance is a power trio that blends indie rock, punk edge and classic rock influence to deliver a distinct and dynamic alternative rock experience.

Belle Vista is a four-piece indie rock band from Nashville, Tennessee. The band’s originals consist of smooth California style rock to ambient / folky rock and a little bit of heavier feeling rock. They gig all around Nashville and have played several shows in Chicago, including Bitter Jester.

Holden Garcia is a Chicagoland singer-songwriter blending acoustic-driven indie rock with modern Americana influence. His music combines thoughtful lyrics with driving guitar energy, creating performances that are both emotionally engaging and uplifting. At just 12 years old, Holden is already developing a distinctive sound that connects with audiences of all ages.

Left For Last is an emerging rock / metal band out of the Louisville, Kentucky / Southern Indiana area. This musically diverse group is made up of vocalist Reese Osborne, brothers James and Elijah Reed on guitar and bass, and drummer Jordan Johnson. Their varied backgrounds create a rather unique sonic experience.

Night One Scoring Judges (select names to read bios):

Chase Albrecht, Ryan Badger, Kelly Beekman, Ben Groth, and Jadon Perkins

LINEUP FOR NIGHT TWO (Saturday, June 6, 2026 @ 5:30pm)

Port Clinton Square, 600 Central Ave, Highland Park, IL, 60035 (rain or shine)

Formed in 2020 in New York, Cabin Fever consists of Matthew Quirk (rhythm guitar / lead vocals), Alex Lo Pinto (lead guitar), Luke Uppenbrink (bass), and John Miele-Herndon (drums / backing vocals). The band has written over 100 original songs since its inception and is known for delivering introspective lyrics, hard-hitting choruses & energetic live performances.

Cruze Campo is a Columbus, Ohio-based three-piece pop rock band known for loud guitars, massive hooks, and emotionally-fueled live shows. Combining raw energy with melodic songwriting and big choruses, they deliver the kind of performance that gets crowds moving, singing, and wanting more.

Elle of the Wilds is an energetic singer-songwriter from Fort Wayne, Indiana, who has created dreamlike worlds of melodic instrumental and diaristic lyrics. Inspired by artists like Cavetown, Jack Johnson, and Twenty One Pilots, listeners are transported inside the mind of someone grasping at glimpses of their true self through miscalculated melodies and taunting, poetic lyrics.

In The Attic (ITA) is a Houston, Texas based alternative-rock band recognized for their vibrant on-stage chemistry and dynamic fusion of powerful instrumentation and expressive vocals. Inspired by metal / indie artists in their originals, In The Attic creates immersive live shows that unite audiences of all kinds.

At only 17, Liam Sheridan is breaking out as one of Chicago’s most compelling, young singer-songwriters. A multi-instrumentalist with experience at over 70 live performances and Nashville’s Country Music Hall of Fame, Sheridan pairs raw and emotional lyrics with heartfelt acoustic performances. Influenced by Noah Kahan and Zach Bryan, his music leaves audiences with an honest and deeply human connection.

Naüvoo, winners of the 2025 Glenview Optimists Battle of the Bands, is a Chicago-based bilingual rock band blending rich ’60s-inspired vocal harmonies with Latin rock and melodic guitar leads inspired by Enanitos Verdes. They’ve performed at annual Latin festivals, indie venues, and university events, delivering a nostalgic yet modern sound that bridges cultures and generations.

Sierra Sikora is a 19-year-old artist whose style blends pop, singer-songwriter, and folk influences. Her music, characterized by raw honesty and emotional depth, seeks to connect with listeners and provide comfort through heartfelt lyrics and melodies. Sierra writes and produces all of her own music, ensuring a personal touch in every track.

Night Two Scoring Judges (select names to read bios):

Mariah Conway, Alex Johnson, Todd Keifer, Talitha "TT" Miller, and Andrew Vucsko-Cameron

Verbal Commentary Judges (select names to read bios):

Mackenzie Bufis & Michael Tseitlin

LINEUP FOR NIGHT THREE (Friday, June 12, 2026 @ 5:30pm)

Port Clinton Square, 600 Central Ave, Highland Park, IL, 60035 (rain or shine)

Billy Schaumann is a Chicago-born singer-songwriter with a backing band repping the great state of Massachusetts. His music blends the soul of R&B with pop influences, driven by a funky groove in search for his personal meaning of music. Inspired by Michael Jackson, Steely Dan, and Usher, He transforms stories of love and heartbreak into his journey on stage and allow audiences to see themselves in every lyric.

At 16, Briley is a seasoned performer who has been captivating audiences since the age of 11. Armed with a guitar and striking vocals, she blends country, folk, and pop into a signature sound. A fixture on the local circuit, her heartfelt storytelling and stage presence make her a perennial crowd favorite.

Fank! is a Chicago teen alternative / indie rock band mixing psychedelic pop, synth-driven textures, and distorted guitars. Their high-energy live shows combine emotion, color, and atmosphere, taking audiences on a sonic journey while creating an engaging connection and channeling the chaos, excitement, and feeling of growing up.

Hammerhedd is a new experimental rock band from Kansas City, focused on creating music that feels new, intentional, and impossible to categorize. Rooted in rock, punk, and experimental sounds, they pull from a spectrum of influences like Pink Floyd, Talking Heads, David Bowie, Radiohead, LCD Soundsystem, Metallica, Cake, and Can; blending groove, aggression, texture, and atmosphere into a single identity.

Mystik is a high-energy indie jam rock band from Westfield, Indiana, blending classic rock, blues, and improvisation into electrifying live performances. Featuring dynamic originals, crowd-favorite covers, and with occasional extended jams, Mystik delivers memorable shows that connect with audiences and leave fans energized long after the final song fades away. 

The band Palm Of Your Hand is a Michigan based indie rock group. Established in 2025 by former Bitter Jester competitor ZEKE ROWAN, this group is a futher exploration of ZEKE’s sound. Douglas Whealon brings his unique musical perspective to help propel the sound of this duo.

Party Hat Club churns out fresh Pop Punk music in the St. Louis Area, with a modern, intense twist. Starting their career at a high school talent show, Party Hat Club has spent years finding their members, their sound, and honing their craft. Using their charismatic songwriting skills and stage presence, Party Hat Club entertains fun-lovers of all ages.

Hailing from Brandenburg Kentucky, THREEGON was conceived in mid 2024. With all members sharing influences from the 60's and 70's, bands from this era have left a lasting impression on the group. THREEGON delivers an intense live show that has been said to emulate bands such as Led Zeppelin, Yes, The Black Crowes, and Aerosmith.

Willa Zatzenbloom is a 15-year-old singer-songwriter from Naperville, Illinois. She writes modern folk and loves to play many kinds of music — from midwest Emo to rock, classic folk to Broadway jukebox favorites. Willa has been seen as a performer across Chicagoland theaters playing acoustic guitar, electric guitar, and electric bass.

Night Three Scoring Judges (select names to read bios):

Lauren Blackford, Damian Kessler, Logan Lake, Taylor Tucker, and John Williams

Verbal Commentary Judges (select names to read bios):

Nicolas DeGrazia & Michael Tseitlin

LINEUP FOR NIGHT FOUR (Saturday, June 13, 2026 @ 5:30pm)

Port Clinton Square, 600 Central Ave, Highland Park, IL, 60035 (rain or shine)

Brady Lorince has assembled a standout group of some of the brightest young musicians in the Cleveland area, all age 15 and under. Brady's original music blends poignant pop lyricism with driving rock instrumentation. Brady’s songwriting is honest, emotionally charged, and deeply relatable—music meant to be a safe space where listeners can scream along, dance, or simply feel understood.

Cam Martin is a singer-songwriter with a burning passion to empty his heart in song. If he can make you happy, laugh, cry, and feel understood in the duration of a few minutes he's done his job. Cam Martin & the Lost Hearts are most often compared to the sounds of Elliot Smith, Mac Demarco, and Post Punk.

Intrepid Cat is a six-piece funk / fusion band from Fort Wayne. The group has years of performance experience, entertaining audiences at dozens of venues in Northeast Indiana with its fervent blend of funky original music and fan-favorite covers. Intrepid Cat recently released a record with six brand new, genre-blending original compositions exploring the depths of rhythm and the transcendental nature of harmony.

Izzy Savides is a multi-instrumentalist, producer, and songwriter from Detroit. Izzy's songs are a trip of neosoul, grunge, electronica, psychedelic rock, and flamenco. Inspired by growing up under harsh conditions and isolationism, Izzy's project stops at the darkest and most resonant centers of the soul and can hypnotize any room.

Mistrophia is a six-person band from the Chicagoland area. Mixing indie and alt rock, pop punk, and modern ska with a blend of each member’s individual music tastes, their overall sound has a small piece of every one of them. Whether it be an uptempo dance beat or a chill, laid-back vibe, they always aim to make music that really sticks.

Resting in Headlights is a post-hardcore band that comes from Chicago, Illinois. Combining the heavy riffs and harsh complexity of mathcore band Car Bomb, the groovy syncopations of Dance Gavin Dance, and the emotional roller coasters of Pierce the Veil, this band is bound to deliver a performance like no other.

Sofia Devitt is a colorful, driving force in alternative rock. She is a vocal powerhouse and multi-instrumentalist blending the sounds of 70’s rock and modern indie pop. With her infectious energy and a fresh new sound, Sofia’s catchy melodies are bound to linger in your subconscious. From groovy dance numbers to angsty ballads, there’s something for everyone in Sofia’s music.

Formed in the Midwest, The Strolls built their identity through songs that feel intimate and energetic. Their 2025 album SeaDogs highlights melodic guitar lines, and storytelling rooted in vulnerability. Blending indie and alternative rock, The Strolls create music that resonates with listeners on a genuine, emotional level.

Tripsitter is a four-piece combo from Cookeville, Tennessee, with an eccentric, genre-blending sound that combines the styles of indie pop, alt rock, and reggae music. Tripsitter has a wide repertoire of both electrifying covers and dynamic originals featuring tight grooves, unforgettable melodies, and inventive lyricism.

Night Four Scoring Judges (select names to read bios):

Jonah Brooks, Ben Dewitt, Maggie Fewkes, Daniel Jonak, and Kate Larson

GRAND FINALE LINEUP (June 27, 2026 @ 2:00pm)

Second Street in Downtown Highland Park, IL, 60035 (between Central Ave. and Laurel Ave)