2024 Bitter Jester Music Festival - Official Lineup

Discover your next favorite band at Bitter Jester.

CLICK HERE for info about our 2024 GRAND FINALE, June 29, hosted by Peter Sagal and Nicolas DeGrazia

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. 🤟🏼🤟🏼

Make a tax-deductible donation today!

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 co-hosted by NPR’s Peter Sagal!);

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!

These free concerts are vibrant and fun variety acts that the whole family can enjoy.

Friday, JUNE 7, 2024

Port Clinton Square - 5:30pm (rain or shine!)

600 Central Ave, Highland Park, IL, 60035

6/7/24 Official Lineup:

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)

Listen to a 60-sec. Audio Mashup of Night One's Competing Artists!

Saturday, June 8, 2024

Port Clinton Square - 5:30pm (rain or shine!)

600 Central Ave, Highland Park, IL, 60035

6/8/24 Official Lineup:

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

Listen to a 60-sec. Audio Mashup of Night Two's Competing Artists!

Friday, JUNE 14, 2024

Port Clinton Square - 5:30pm (rain or shine!)

600 Central Ave, Highland Park, IL, 60035

6/14/24 Official Lineup:

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

Listen to a 60-sec. Audio Mashup of Night Three's Competing Artists!

SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2024

Port Clinton Square - 5:30pm (rain or shine!)

600 Central Ave, Highland Park, IL, 60035

6/15/24 Official Lineup:

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

Listen to a 60-sec. Audio Mashup of Night Four's Competing Artists!

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

Hosts: Peter Sagal (Humorist and Host of NPR’s “Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me!” and Nicolas DeGrazia (sketch comedian and Emmy-winning/James Beard Award-nominated Director)

6/29/24 Official Lineup - Performances by:

• Anna Louise Bramlett (Showcase)
• Charlieboy
• Exit 122
• Heat Above
• Lauren Blackford
• North Grove (Showcase)
• rae (Featured Solo Artist)
• Scorched Waves
• Sunset Drip (Showcase)
• Ur Mom
• Venganza
• VICK LUNA