Somebody (I think it was Dan#2) recently asked me to feature some live music here in Peoria and since we do take requests here occasionally, that’s exactly what today’s post is going to feature! I recently went to one of the best places in town for live music and that’s Kenny’s Westside Pub, in it’s new downtown location. Kenny’s has open stage on Wednesday evenings and every weekend there’s live bands playing from 10PM to 2AM. I stopped by last Friday and saw three bands. Below is my photo journey from last Friday night when Kenny’s came alive with some great original music from a trio of great local bands! Enjoy!
Outside of Kenny’s
I had to start the evening off with a couple shots of the outside of Kenny’s and there was a guy in front of the window who politely ducked down when he saw me taking photos and I thought that was very nice! I went up and met him and his name is Richard and he recently started working at Richard’s. With his first name he could take the place over in time! Afterwards I took a couple more photos and there’s Richard meeting a friend! Okay, time to head inside and let the evening begin. I forgot to write the doorman’s name down, but he was a nice guy and now it’s time to let the evening begin!
Inside of Kenny’s
As soon as I entered Kenny’s I saw some familiar faces in the crowd. Over in a booth having dinner was Ryan Cullen, who we recently featured in a post here on MBIP, you can read that right here. Ryan was with his girlfriend, Vanessa and her parents and they were enjoying a nice dinner, great to see all of them! As I walked away from the booth I ran into my friend Shannon, who’s a talented musician, songwriter and vocalist and you can see a post with her in concert at Sky Harbor right here. John was behind the bar and I ran into two fifths of one of the bands on the bill tonight, Lark’s Tongue! That’s Jeff and Jon who are in the band and Mae on the right. Mike was also at the bar and Mike plays in a band called, Encounter at L-5. As you can see it’s crowded in here tonight for the show and speaking of the show...
Let’s mosey on through the double doors to the side of Kenny’s Westside Pub where the music happens!
This is a great room for live music and shows. It’s big and there’s a nice space for the stage for the bands. There’s also a full bar back here and there’s the man responsible for all of this, Sean Kenny, the owner of Kenny’s Westside Pub. Sean has been a huge supporter of local bands and live music ever since he first opened Kenny’s up in the original Farmington Road location. Now that he’s moved to this wonderful downtown location, Kenny’s has become the hub for live music and bands here in Peoria. Check out the facecrack page for upcoming shows here at Kenny’s. And now the lights have come up and the first band is starting, let’s go take a look!
Mendoza
I couldn’t find any links to Mendoza online, I guess they’re kind of flying under the radar for now! The description of the band on the events page for this show described them as, “glimmering doom pop,” and I’d say that’s a pretty accurate description. They and all the bands on the bill tonight are playing original music and that’s always a treat to hear! You won’t hear any classic rock or top 40 cover bands here at Kenny’s Westside Pub! That was a great first set and now it’s time for...
Bar Break Number One!
Okay back to the bar while the next band sets up for their set! As I was hanging out there I ran into my friend, Mollee, who’s the owner of Moxie’s ReSale on Sheridan Road! I always love seeing Mollee and it was fun to catch up with her! Okay, I think it’s time for band number two!
Denim Dragon
They describe themselves as, “a group whose music is rooted in folk, but steeped in heavy, thoughtful psychedelia,” on their facecrack page and they certainly lived up to that description on stage! You can hear their music by clicking right here.
Bar Break Number Two!
Okay, time for yet another break at the bar. I almost got hypnotized staring at the lit-up bottles behind the bar, but then I heard the next band on the bill tuning up, so let’s go and check them out!
Lark’s Tongue
The first two bands were really good, but I have to admit that this is the band I came to see! Lark’s Tongue is a great live band and they really put on a fantastic show. They bill themselves as “psychedelic rock,” and while the music certainly is, it’s also much more layered than that with other influences and sounds weaving in and out of their great original music! The line-up for Lark’s Tongue is: Chris Bennett, guitar/vocals; Mike Willey, bass; Andrew Sledd, drums; Jeff Hyde, guitar/vocals; and Jonathan Wright, keyboards. You can read more about them and find other links and reviews for Lark’s Tongue by clicking right here. They are really an outstanding band to see live and I encourage you to seek them out! Upcoming dates are featured on their facecrack page, so friend them and follow along!
There was one other band on the bill, but I had to get up early the next day and had to leave before their set started. The other band is Eltoro and I’ve heard great things about them and hope to see them live soon! In the meantime, check out their facecrack page for upcoming dates! Thanks to all of the bands for a wonderful night of live music and to Sean Kenny for making live music happen week after week at Kenny’s Westside Pub, the home for Peoria’s live music! Click here for the upcoming live music schedule at Kenny's! We’ll see you all tomorrow!
Kenny’s Westside Pub
112 SW Jefferson Avenue
Peoria
309-676-1693
facecrack page
Related Posts: Beers, Pizza and an Open Stage @ Peoria Pizza Works, Friday Night @ Sky Harbor Featuring The Musical Stylings of Shannon Moore Shepherd and Lark’s Tongue @ Peoria Pizza Works!