2023 Bitter Jester Music Festival - Official Lineup

 

Do you enjoy great free concerts with free parking? Please consider supporting our volunteer-run non-profit music fest with a donation in place of a ticket. 🤟🏼🤟🏼

Each week, six bands/solo artists from across the Midwest battle for a spot in the June 25 Grand Finale for a $2,000 cash prize, gear, incredible additional performance opportunities, and the title of Grand Champion! One BJMF Finalist will be chosen by Elevator-a-Go-Go to receive a $15,000 media package. Another will open for a National Headliner at Ravinia Festival in 2024!

Friday, JUNE 2, 2023

Port Clinton Square - 5:45pm (rain or shine!)

600 Central Ave, Highland Park, IL, 60035

 

Watch a 60-sec highlight of the competition bands appearing on Night One!

6/2/23 Official Lineup:

Click here to read Artist & Judge Bios

• Cōrduroy
• David's House
• Fightin' Bob
• Geology Club (Showcase)
• Girl Club (Opening Artist)
• GreenTTea and The Tempos
• KayZone
• Misplaced Religion
• Palace Kat (Showcase)
• Rotting King (Showcase)

 

Saturday, June 3, 2023

Port Clinton Square - 5:45pm (rain or shine!)

600 Central Ave, Highland Park, IL, 60035

 

Watch a 60-sec highlight of the competition bands appearing on Night Two!

6/3/23 Official Lineup:

Click here to read Artist & Judge Bios

• Claire-Mckenna (Opening Artist)
• East of Vilas
• Heat Above
• North Grove (Showcase)
• Nyx (Showcase)
• Rotundos
• Scorched Waves
• Ur Mom
• Venganza (Showcase)
• Zoe Imperium

 

Friday, JUNE 9, 2023

Port Clinton Square - 5:45pm (rain or shine!)

600 Central Ave, Highland Park, IL, 60035

 

Watch a 60-sec highlight of the competition bands appearing on Night Three!

 

6/9/23 Official Lineup:

Click here to read Artist & Judge Bios

• Beekman
• The Dennies (Showcase)
• Frontega
• The John Curry Band
• Liliana y Los Caballeros (Showcase)
• Linda Therese
• Livingroom
• Madeline O'Dell (Opening Artist)
• Polly On The Wall (Showcase)
• Rae

SATURDAY, JUNE 10, 2023

Port Clinton Square - 5:45pm (rain or shine!)

600 Central Ave, Highland Park, IL, 60035

 

Watch a 60-sec highlight of the competition bands appearing on Night Four!

 

6/10/23 Official Lineup:

Click here to read Artist & Judge Bios

• Big Dune Avenue (Showcase)
• Christine Compall (Opening Artist)
• Exit 122
• Flannel Folk (Showcase)
• Free Joel
• Jackson Wagner
• Lake Drive
• Lo-Fi Killers (Showcase)
• Pumpkin Milk
• Sorry Machine

sunday, June 25, 2023

(Grand Finale)

The Lot - 12:00pm (rain location TBA)

523 Central Ave, Highland Park, IL 60035

Click to read Performers’ / Judges’ Bios

6/25/23 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!

The Bitter Jester Music Festival is sponsored by the City of Highland Park and supported by a grant 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 Title Sponsor. Additional financial support from Sweetwater Sound, Judy’s Pizza, Reactive Pec, Elmore Pedals, and Abt Electronics!