FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CARBONDALE -
The City of Carbondale is thrilled to share the lineup for the 2025 Off the Rails Concert Series!  

Bringing six free concerts through the months of August-October, this collaborative series with Carbondale Main Street features several amazing national acts as well as incredible local talent. Two of these evenings of music will take place in tandem with larger events- the Hemp, Hops & Shrooms Festival and the SIU Homecoming/Carbondale Halloween Festival!  

Apart from the SIU Homecoming/Carbondale Halloween Festival which will take place on the strip, this series will be held at our Downtown Entertainment & Events Plaza on Washington Street, with music from 6-9 PM. As we are undergoing construction of our permanent venue within the Downtown Entertainment & Events Plaza, a portable stage will be on the South end of the parking lot, in the same orientation as our 2024 Off the Rails Series.  

For the SIU Homecoming/Carbondale Halloween Festival, we will be shutting down the strip once more! This year, we’ll be bringing a full festival style to our iconic downtown strip for this perfectly aligned SIU Homecoming/Carbondale Halloween celebration with carnival games, food trucks, vendors, and two alternating stages with a robust lineup of performers. 

“The City is incredibly excited for the 2025 Off the Rails Concert Series and the opportunity it brings for residents and visitors to witness the momentum happening downtown,” said City Manager Stan Reno. “Even as construction continues on our permanent stage, we’re inviting the community to see the progress firsthand and to imagine the possibilities of the future alongside us. Collaborating with SIU once again to transform the strip for Homecoming and Halloween highlights the energy and creativity that make Carbondale special. These events reflect our ongoing commitment to celebrating music, community, entertainment and growth.” 

With local vendors and a variety of food trucks on site creating an inviting atmosphere for families to shop & explore, the Off the Rails concert series provides a perfect easy night out with family and friends, all conveniently located in the heart of Downtown Carbondale. Bring your own chair or blanket and BYOB to enjoy a beverage of your choice (no glass bottles) within our Downtown Entertainment District.  

We have Nathan Graham, bass player for Lucas Wayne and the Cottonmouths, to thank for our “Off the Rails” 2025 announcement graphic, as well as a limited-edition commemorative poster guests will have the opportunity to purchase at these concerts.  

We thank our Title Sponsors, Wellness Center and Key Cannabis Dispensary, and Presenting Sponsor, F-W-S Countertops, for their support in helping bring this series to our community.  

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, reach out to Executive Director of Carbondale Main Street, Matt Collinsworth via email at director@carbondalemainstreet.com or by phone at 618-529-8040, 606-356-7985 (cell). If interested in vending at these events click here. 

Below you’ll find detailed information on the shows, artists, and special events occurring within the Off the Rails concert series: 

8/9/25 - Funky Mojo Daddy & City of Soul 

Funky Mojo Daddy- A soulful blues band from Northwest Indiana, Funky Mojo Daddy has been playing for almost 20 years and still going strong! With members of the group having played with the likes of Buddy Guy, Carl Weathersby, the Kinsey Report and the Steepwater Band, audiences can be sure to receive true authentic blues from this group. Their time, experience, expertise, and high energy on stage have garnered them one of Indiana/Chicagoland’s top blues bands. Weaving in funk/soul and rock-roots, this band brings the heat and melds these genres into a high-energy, toe tapping, riveting musical experience for any music lover looking to groove.  

City of Soul- With a diverse repertoire spanning Soul, Funk, Rock, Oldies and R&B music, City of Soul is a dynamic and energetic group known for delivering captivating performances that truly engage audiences. They are dedicated to creating a memorable and immersive experience that resonates universally.  

8/23/25- Chicago Farmer & The Fieldnotes / Lucas Wayne & The Cottonmouths  

Chicago Farmer & The Fieldnotes- The son of a small-town farming community, Cody Diekhoff logged plenty of highway and stage time under the name Chicago Farmer before settling in the city in 2003. Profoundly inspired by fellow Midwesterner John Prine, he’s a working-class folk musician to his core. His small-town roots, tilled with city streets mentality, are turning heads North and South of I-80. 

He writes music for “the kind of people that come to my shows. Whether in Chicago or Delavan, everyone has a story, and everyone puts in a long day and works hard the same way,” he says. “My generation may have been labeled as slackers, but I don’t know anyone who doesn’t work hard - many people I know put in 50-60 hours a week and 12-hour days. That’s what keeps me playing. I don’t like anyone to be left out; my music is for everyone in big and very small towns.” 

Lucas Wayne & The Cottonmouths- Lucas Wayne is a storyteller at heart, singing about the quirks of everyday characters and the experiences of growing up in rural Eastern Kentucky and Southern Illinois - where he is based today.  For a few years Lucas Wayne has captivated audiences as a solo artist. Now he is touring with his band The Cottonmouths - whose members have toured extensively with Vince Herman Band, Rev Peyton’s Big Damn Band, The Whistle Pigs and more. Together they present an emotionally and sonically dynamic show that instantly connects with people, featuring a truly impressive vocal performance, red-hot lead guitar/pedal-steel and a perfectly seasoned rhythm section. a perfectly seasoned rhythm section. 

9/6/25- 90's Kidz & The Swamp Tigers 

90’s Kidz- With a mix of rock and pop you’re sure to hear a song that catches your ear and reminds you of your favorite 90’s year.The group began playing together in 2019 with their first show in the Summer of 2020. They have quickly become one of the most sought after shows in the Southern Illinois region in high demand for bar owners, outdoor festivals, club venues, private parties and even corporate events.  

No stranger to the music scene, 90’s Kidz members are well-established throughout Southern Illinois even touring nationally throughout the United States in past acts like Darling Parade, 3 Shades of Green, Adarose, The Red Light Runners, A Stellar Goodbye, My Patience and others. They have appeared on MTV and shared the stage with top artists opening for names such as Slightly Stoopid, Collective Soul, Ozzy Osbourne, Yellowcard, Rise Against, Plain White T's, Pepper and others.  

The Swamp Tigers- Rockabilly, Honky-tonk, and Traditional Country from Southern Illinois, The Swamp Tigers have had folks in the region jiving to their throwback sounds with fresh energy for well over a decade. Having retired from the scene once before, audiences are always thrilled to see this band pop up sporadically-a rare sighting of “The Swamp Tigers” is always a lucky sight to see around these parts!  

9/20/25 - Hemp, Hops & Shrooms- Colt Ball & The Git Down / Sturg & Friends 

Colt Ball & The Git Down - Getting their start in Spring of 2023 as they melted into the scene blending styles of Reggae, Folk, Funk, Improv Jam, Hip Hop, and Rock, Colt Ball & The Git Down is a St. Louis based band that focuses on "Feel Good Music". They have been blessed to perform at festivals around the Midwest including: Backwoods Music Fest (AR), Grateful Fest (MO), MoRoots (MO), Solshine (SummerCamp - IL), Hillberry Music Festival (AR), and more! Between 2023-2025 they toured IL, MO, AR, and CO, as well as opened for The Wailers. Their live sets are always high energy, barefoot, and fancy free! With live vocal dubs, intentional lyrics, spacey instrumentals, and a deep pocketed groove, The Git Down aims to keep your feet moving all night long! 

Sturg and Friends- Originating from Southern Illinois, Sturg and Friends delivers a unique and captivating musical experience. Their sound is a vibrant tapestry of genres, seamlessly weaving together the infectious rhythms of rock, reggae, funk, blues, folk, and Americana, all while maintaining a powerful and heartfelt lyrical focus. Fronted by Sturg, a performer known for his heartfelt lyrics and magnetic presence, this band adds rich instrumentation and dynamic chemistry to his already compelling sound. Sturg and Friends promises a lively, soulful set that invites the audience into their musical circle. Their music is designed to bring people together, inspire healing, and elevate the listener's mood, with a clear message of love and positivity. Whether you are there to dance or simply soak it all in, they are ready to make this experience one to remember. 

Hemp, Hops & Shrooms- This collaborative event between Carbondale Main Street, City of Carbondale, the SIU Fermentation Science Institue and Cannabis Science Center, brings education and fun involving Hemp, Hops & Shrooms to downtown Carbondale! Following the FSI’s Southern Illinois Hemp Cannabis Symposium, experts in the industry and educational realm of cannabis, brewing, fermentation, and world of mushrooms, will bring their knowledge and expertise to the Hemp, Hops & Shrooms fest with hands on demos and displays. Families will be able to enjoy food trucks, shopping from local vendors, and even climbing a portable rock wall from Touch of Nature! 

10/3/25- Brass Queens / Taylor Steele & the Love Preachers / SIU Family Weekend

Brass Queens- Brass Queens is a female-led, New York-based brass band that has been dominating the brass band scene since 2019. Finding that they shared similar frustrations about the emerging brass band scene in New York City, co-founders Alex Harris and Ally Chapel came together to form a group dedicated to showcasing the talents of female musicians in a landscape that was dominated by male musicians and bandleaders.  

A core value of the band is to play for as many audiences as possible to increase the visibility of female musicians in brass bands. Brass Queens tour regularly across the country and internationally. Recent highlights include a New Year’s Eve performance in Telluride, multiple nights at Favela Chic in New Orleans, and a sold out show at Cliff Bell’s in Detroit. They also make appearances on festival stages including the Ottawa Jazz Festival, Northlands Music Festival, MusikFest, Duck Jazz Festival, and multiple appearances at the Exit Zero Jazz Festival. Brass Queens has played major events like The Met Gala and David Byrne’s “Amazing Humans Doing Amazing Things!” Variety Show, and for notable clients including New Balance, Chanel, Saks Fifth Avenue, Tiffany & Co., Bombas, Perrier, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. They have also performed on national television on Good Morning America, and had multiple shows at iconic New York venues like The Capitol Theater, Blue Note Jazz Club, and Brooklyn Bowl. They are also the 2023 winners of We Love NYC’s Rider's Choice Award, after the people of New York voted the Queens as their favorite of the MTA’s Music Under New York’s roster of subway performers.  

The band has developed a signature style that sits right at the intersection of the Big Apple and the Big Easy. Their sound is deeply inspired by and pays homage to the New Orleans brass band tradition while injecting the upbeat, multifaceted energy of their New York home into each performance. The result is a nonstop party: a Brass Queens show will have you singing along to classic pop hits, dancing your heart out to reggaeton, and feeling like you've been transported to Frenchman Street.  

Taylor Steele & the Love Preachers- Dual recording artist Taylor Steele & the Love Preachers is a dynamic four-piece Americana band with a powerful woman singer/songwriter serving as its driving force and creative heart. Based out of Effingham, Illinois, this talented group delivers a compelling and energetic blend of roots rock infused with soulful elements, country flair, blues grit, and funk influences. The band’s performances feature a captivating mix of original music by Taylor Steele, a 27-year-old rhythm guitarist and vocalist known for her heartfelt songwriting and strong stage presence. In addition to their own compositions, the group also offers unique interpretations of eclectic songs by their favorite artists, showcasing their versatility and deep appreciation for a wide range of musical styles. 

10/24/25- SIU Homecoming/Carbondale Halloween Bash- Shutting Down the Strip!  

Last year the City of Carbondale threw an epic rager with the SIU Alumni Association, River Radio and Carbondale Main Street where we shut down the strip for the Jungle Dogs farewell show, with opener Modern Day Saints! A crowd of around 5,000 gathered on the iconic strip to take in this legendary concert from the middle of the street. This year, we are expecting an even more over the top celebration as SIU’s Homecoming aligns with one of Carbondale’s most beloved times of year- Halloween. We will have two stages set up with alternating bands (incredible line-up to be announced soon)and will fill the streets with vendors, food trucks, and carnival games, and even a rock climbing wall from Touch of Nature, for an immersive family friendly experience unlike any other. 

We’re so excited to welcome these artists and guests from near and far for our 2025 Off the rails concert series- see you soon everyone! 

For further information and media requests contact Public Relations Officer Eva Fisher at 618-713-0711. 

“Carbondale prides itself on providing its visitors, students, businesses and residents with a unique mix of edge and ease. It’s a cultural town, yet free of pretense, embracing the great outdoors as readily as urban sophistication. Here, we are open to new ideas, experiences and cultures, so you are encouraged to both express yourself and be yourself, in all ways. That’s Carbondale…All Ways Open… for family, fun, business, new ideas and a bright tomorrow.” 

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