off the Rails Schedule

 Here is the schedule for the fall slate of Off the Rails Concerts. While I see the August 15 as a welcome back concert for SIUC students, I just hope the summer heat does not drive away attendance. After all it is starting at 3 in the afternoon.

The City of Carbondale is excited to announce the return of the Off the Rails Concert Series, bringing five unforgettable nights of free live music to downtown Carbondale from August through October 2026. For the first time in the series' history, our concerts will take place on the Robbie Stokes Memorial Stage at the New Era Events Plaza (200 S. Washington Street), marking a new era for one of Southern Illinois' favorite live music traditions.

Following the successful debut of the Robbie Stokes Memorial Stage during this summer's Sunset Concert Series, Off the Rails now has a permanent home in the heart of downtown. The series continues its mission of showcasing an eclectic mix of nationally touring artists, regional favorites, and emerging local talent while creating memorable community experiences that celebrate Carbondale's vibrant music culture.

"Off the Rails has always been about creating opportunities for people to experience incredible live music in the heart of downtown Carbondale," said Dena Haun, Tourism and Special Events Coordinator for the City of Carbondale. "This year feels especially meaningful as we bring the series onto the Robbie Stokes Memorial Stage for the very first time. Robbie dedicated so much of his life to supporting musicians and building Southern Illinois' music community. It's incredibly fitting that this stage will now host artists from across the country while continuing to shine a spotlight on the amazing talent we have right here at home."

The 2026 season kicks off with the CarbondAlien Music Festival, celebrating Southern Illinois' thriving local music scene before welcoming nationally recognized artists throughout the fall. All events are free, family-friendly, and open to the public. Visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and enjoy local food vendors while experiencing live music in downtown Carbondale. Public consumption of alcohol is permitted within the Downtown Entertainment District in accordance with City regulations. Guests may purchase beverages from participating establishments or bring their own in non-glass, single-serve containers.

2026 Off the Rails Concert Schedule:

Saturday, August 15 // CarbondAlien Music Festival // 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Features: The Hornworms, City of Soul, Tawl Paul & Slappin' Henry Blue, Tr!cks, Stay Here and the Southern Illinois Soul Jazz Coalition!

Saturday, August 29 // 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Features: Marcella Simien & Family Soul Band

Friday, September 4 // Lost Cross 40th Anniversary // 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Features: Didjits & Acumen

Saturday, September 19 // Hemp, Hops & Shrooms // 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Features: Hot Like Mars & MoonShroom with programming from the SIU Cannabis Science Center and the SIU Fermentation Science Institute

Friday, October 2 // SIU Family Weekend // 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Features: Kyle Tuttle Band & Special guest Chris Housman

Event Space

 It looks as if the city will break ground on the Washington Street Event Space in the near future as the grassy area where the stage will stand has been fenced off.  Of course, given that the first Off the Rails concert takes place on August 10th, the construction company will have to work really fast to get a pavilion built in less than 2 weeks.

I do not expect them to have the stage built of course. Still I wonder why fence off the area when the city knows the Off the Rails concert series starts so soon.

Y'all RockFest

 Y'all Rockfest is currently taking place in the Washington Street Entertainment Plaza and runs until 10 tonight. Not sure what bands are playing, but they are audible 2 blocks away

Concert

 Stopped by the last Off the Rails concert of the year toward the end of the night to catch the Modern Day Saints playing. Not sure if it was the band choices or the chill in the air but attenance was pretty light for the last few songs. I counted roughly 60 people there. One of the food truck vendors said attendance, and sales, had been comparatively light all evening. Attendnace had been much heavier at approxiately the same time at the previous two concerts.

Off the Rails Concert

 I read some people complaining that the Joslyn and the Sweet Compression took place the week before move in started at SIUC, hence students would not be in the city in great numbers to attend. Those folks failed to look at the Off the Rails concert schedule as Laura Jane Grace and the Copyrights will  perform tonight starting at 7 p.m.

According to the schedule, barring rain, we can expect a concert in the Washington Street venue every other Saturday through October. 

Off The Rails Concert

 The first fall Off the Rails Concert starts tonight at 7 p.m. and runs until 10 p.m. Takes place in the Washington Street Event venue, aka the grassy area along Walnut Street next to the railroad tracks.  Eventually the plan is to put a permanent stage at the south end of the space, meaning no longer having assemble and dismantle a stage for each performance.  Last time I checked, the plan was to get the stage built sometime in 2024 or 2025.  Doubt the city can get it in place in time for next year's eclipse. 

Concert Canceled

 Last night's Off the Rails concert was cancelled due to the possibiltiy of rain. It sprinked off and on most of the evening but no outright rain.

From the ads I saw on Facebook, it appears that the City and Carbondale Main Street are partnering with IllinoisSouth, rather than Carbondale Tourism, to promote the event. 

Washington Street Stage

 the city announced today that it will receive a $2 millionn grant from the state to help with building the Washington Street concert venue. Once it gets constructed, I would bet the city moves the Sunset Concerts from Turley Park to the new venue.

Entertainment Venue Ask Approved

 In its special meeting yesterday, city council gave the go ahead to the city manager to apply for a grant to help fund construction of a permanent concert venue in the Washington Street concert space. Putting a permement facitily in there will certainly improve the admosphereics of what can become a muddy path of grass after a rain. Hope it gets approved and a local contractor submits the winning bid.

Entertainment Venue

 I like the idea of the proposed entertainment venue, espeically since various civic groups plan to have concerts downtown on a regular basis. While closing off the street for a show lends a hip vibe (is that a term anymore) to the festivities, having a dedicated stage would improve the performances and make downtown more of a entertainment venue. Not having to worry about setting up the temporary staages on the grass would be a plus and would also make a strong argument for moving the Sunset Concerts from Turley Park to downtown.

Friday Night Concerts

 The City, Carbondale Main Street and Consume Cannabis Company and partnering to host a pair of Friday night concerts in the Washington Ave. concert space in August and September. Those same night will allow public consumption of alcohol in downtown Carbondale. I assume this means on sidewalks, etc. Not sure how good of an idea it is to have a lot of people drinking alcohol that close to the train tracks but at least the embankment makes in a bit harder to get up to them.

7-10 Fest

 Consume Cannibis Company and Carbondale Main Street are putting on the first SI 7-10 Fest, tomorrow from 4:20 to 9 p.m. in the Washington Street festival area. Bands include Slappin' henry Blue, Rev. Paytons Big Damn Band and Banjo Joe.  Good to see live music in downtown out on the streets again.