{"id":58390,"date":"2025-02-04T20:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-02-05T02:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/beintheloopchicago.com\/?p=58390"},"modified":"2025-02-04T15:04:38","modified_gmt":"2025-02-04T21:04:38","slug":"fitzgeralds-american-music-festival-returns-for-its-42nd-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/beintheloopchicago.com\/?p=58390","title":{"rendered":"FitzGerald\u2019s American Music Festival Returns for Its 42nd Year"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

BERWYN, IL – FitzGerald\u2019s American Music Festival returns for its 42nd year on the Fourth of July weekend, Thursday, July 3\u2014Sunday, July 6. <\/strong>The festival brings four days of live music to one of the country\u2019s most celebrated music venues, now listed on the National Register of Historic Places<\/strong><\/u><\/a>. First held in 1981 as a one-night gathering, it has grown into a nationally recognized event featuring three stages, a diverse lineup, and a setting that combines the intimacy of a club with the energy of an outdoor festival.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recognized as one of the longest-running music festivals in the country and named a \u201cTop Summer Music Festival\u201d by JamBase in 2022<\/strong>, FitzGerald\u2019s American Music Festival highlights Americana, country, blues, rockabilly, folk, brass bands, and New Orleans zydeco<\/strong>, while also welcoming emerging talent and new genres. This year\u2019s festival broadens its scope further, presenting its most diverse lineup yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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It\u2019s an honor to carry on this long-running festival. We\u2019re doing our best to preserve the history and build toward the future. Seeing all these great artists and happy people on our little property in Berwyn is the kinda thing that makes all the hard work worth it.
\u200b\u200b – Will Duncan, FitzGerald\u2019s club owner and talent buyer<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

This year\u2019s American Music Festival<\/strong> at Fitzgerald\u2019s features 50 incredible acts, offering a dynamic mix of blues, rock, country, soul, and Americana. This lineup showcases a blend of legendary performers, rising stars, and genre-crossing musicians who bring raw talent and high-energy performances. Among the standout performers:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Wallflowers<\/strong> (Rock\/Heartland Rock), Samantha Fish<\/strong> (Blues\/Rock), JD McPherson<\/strong> (Rockabilly\/Rhythm & Blues), Lee Fields<\/strong> (Retro-Soul\/Funk), The Secret Sisters<\/strong> (Americana\/Folk-Country), Shinyribs<\/strong> (Swamp Pop\/Gulf Coast Soul), CJ Chenier & The Red Hot Louisiana Band<\/strong> (Zydeco\/Blues), The Cactus Blossoms<\/strong> (Retro-Country\/Americana), The Sensational Barnes Brothers<\/strong> (Gospel\/Soul Revival), The Watson Twins<\/strong> (Indie Folk\/Americana).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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For the fourth year in a row<\/strong>, Chicago illustrator <\/strong>Ryan Duggan<\/strong><\/u><\/a> has designed the official FitzGerald\u2019s American Music Festival<\/strong> poster, continuing a tradition of bold, hand-crafted artwork that captures the essence of the festival. Duggan, known for his distinctive screen-printed designs that blend vintage aesthetics with modern irreverence, has once again created a limited-edition print<\/strong> that reflects the festival\u2019s storied history and electric energy. His work has become a sought-after staple for collectors and festival-goers alike, offering a unique visual keepsake that embodies the character of FitzGerald\u2019s<\/strong> and its commitment to live music. This year\u2019s poster will be available for purchase at the festival<\/strong>, giving attendees a chance to own a piece of this iconic Chicago tradition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In-Person Pre-Sale Party: The First Chance to Secure Festival Passes<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fans can get early access to festival tickets at the In-Person Pre-Sale Party<\/strong> at FitzGerald\u2019s Sidebar on Sunday, March 2, 2025<\/strong>. The event is free to attend, and all guests will receive a complimentary glass of sparkling wine to celebrate the return of one of America\u2019s longest-running music festivals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the Pre-Sale Party, attendees will be the first to purchase daily tickets and 4-Day Passes<\/strong>, with no limit, and will receive a commemorative AMF \u201924 laminate<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The celebration continues that evening in the main club with performances by festival favorites DEEOHGEE<\/strong> and rising stars Paul McDonald & The Mourning Doves<\/strong> at 8 p.m.<\/strong> Tickets for the show are available now at FitzgeraldsNighclub.com<\/strong><\/u><\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Festival That Puts Fans First<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

FitzGerald\u2019s American Music Festival offers a uniquely immersive experience. It blends the energy of a multi-stage outdoor festival with the warmth and character of a legendary neighborhood venue. The event takes place inside and outside the club, utilizing adjacent buildings and surrounding streets to create an intimate and electric atmosphere. Unlike large-scale festivals, where fans are far from the action, FitzGerald\u2019s brings audiences and artists closer together, fostering a sense of community and connection that makes every performance feel special.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Guests enjoy real bathrooms, shaded seating, and an up-close concert experience, setting the festival apart from massive outdoor events. Festival-goers can grab a drink between sets, explore the historic space, and enjoy food from Babygold Barbecue, the venue\u2019s in-house restaurant that has become a local favorite known for its award-winning smoked meats and Southern-inspired menu. The festival has an atmosphere that is both high-energy and welcoming. Longtime attendees return year after year because of the unmatched mix of great music, laid-back hospitality, and rich history that makes FitzGerald\u2019s feel less like a festival and more like a community gathering built around live music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Nationally Recognized Historic Venue<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2024, FitzGerald\u2019s was officially added to the <\/strong>National Register of Historic Places<\/strong><\/u><\/a>, making it the first music venue in Illinois to receive this distinction<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What started as a simple search for information turned into an amazing journey of discovery. It became clear that FitzGerald\u2019s is more than just a music club; it is a living piece of history.
\u200b\u200b – Jess King, FitzGerald\u2019s club owner and marketing manager<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

FitzGerald\u2019s has been a\u00a0gathering place for over a century<\/strong>. It first served as a\u00a0roadhouse in the early 1900s<\/strong>\u00a0before becoming a\u00a0jazz and blues club that hosted legends like Turk Murphy, Bob Scobey, and Lil Armstrong<\/strong>. The FitzGerald family purchased the venue in\u00a01980<\/strong>, establishing it as one of the country\u2019s most respected live music destinations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About FitzGerald\u2019s Historic Nightclub<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

FitzGerald’s Nightclub, located at 6615 W. Roosevelt Road in Berwyn, Illinois, has been a cornerstone of live music for over a century. Originally a roadhouse in the early 1900s, it became home to nightclubs like The Hunt Club, which hosted jazz and blues legends such as Turk Murphy, Bob Scobey, and Lil Armstrong. Afterward, it became The Deer Lodge, maintaining its role as a music venue while adding features like pool tables and a fortune teller. In 1980, the FitzGerald family purchased the building and established FitzGerald\u2019s Nightclub, earning national acclaim for its outstanding live music and welcoming atmosphere. Over the years, they expanded the property to include FitzGerald\u2019s Sidebar, a neighborhood cocktail lounge, and private event space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, Will Duncan and Jess King purchased FitzGerald\u2019s from the FitzGerald family upon retirement. The transition was seamless, preserving the venue\u2019s legacy while introducing fresh energy and ideas to this historic Berwyn landmark. In 2024, FitzGerald’s was named to the National Register of Historic Places, cementing its status as a cultural and historical icon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Known for its intimate atmosphere and eclectic music lineup, the club has been hailed as “a musical gem” by The New York Times and has hosted artists across jazz, blues, and roots rock. It has also been featured in iconic films like A League of Their Own<\/em> and The Color of Money<\/em>, cementing its cultural significance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About FitzGerald\u2019s American Music Festival<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Founded in 1981, FitzGerald\u2019s American Music Festival is one of the longest-running music festivals in the country. It combines a dynamic mix of Americana, blues, rock, country, jazz, zydeco, and bluegrass. Held annually over Fourth of July weekend at the nationally recognized historic venue FitzGerald\u2019s Nightclub in Berwyn, Illinois, the festival offers an intimate and immersive experience with performances across three stages inside and outside the club.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over the past four decades, the festival has welcomed some of the most influential artists in American music, including Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble, Nick Lowe, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Sonny Landreth, Billy Joe Shaver, Otis Clay, Irma Thomas, Alejandro Escovedo, The Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Junior Brown, The Blasters, Dave Alvin, James McMurtry, Reckless Kelly, C.J. Chenier & the Red Hot Louisiana Band, Joe Ely, Charlie Parr, and Shemekia Copeland<\/strong>. Recognized as a \u201cTop Summer Music Festival\u201d by JamBase in 2022<\/strong>, FitzGerald\u2019s continues to celebrate the rich traditions of American music while introducing new voices and emerging talent.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

BERWYN, IL – FitzGerald\u2019s American Music Festival returns for its 42nd year on the Fourth of July weekend, Thursday, July 3\u2014Sunday, July 6. The festival brings four days of live music […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":58391,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[40,41,39,20],"tags":[902,407,903,406,404,906,907,905,904],"class_list":["post-58390","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-breaking-news","category-features","category-music-news","category-reviews","tag-42nd","tag-american-music-festival","tag-americana","tag-berwyn","tag-fitzgeralds","tag-jd-mcpherson","tag-lee-fields","tag-samantha-fish","tag-wallflowers"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/beintheloopchicago.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/58390","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/beintheloopchicago.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/beintheloopchicago.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/beintheloopchicago.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/beintheloopchicago.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=58390"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/beintheloopchicago.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/58390\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/beintheloopchicago.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/58391"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/beintheloopchicago.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=58390"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/beintheloopchicago.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=58390"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/beintheloopchicago.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=58390"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}