Having quickly earned a reputation for quality, original live music (as well as a host of unique family attractions), Skokie's downtown summer street festival is held annually over three days in late August, one week prior to Labor Day weekend. Since its inception in 2007, Skokie's Backlot Bash –– setting itself apart from other Chicagoland music festivals –– has presented original international and local eclectic rock, blues, R&B, hip hop, bluegrass, funk, Americana, world beat, ska and punk artists. Now in its seventeenth year, take a look back at summer music in downtown Skokie.

2024

Arrested Development
Tonic
Tributosaurus becomes The Kinks (take 2)
Funkadesi
Woolworthy
Thrift Store Halo
The Hitmaker
Henry Hyland
Chicago Blue Aces
Camille McClellan
Anna & Evan Jacobson
Charles Kim
Will Fancher
Renee Nanzer
Steve Doyle Blues
Banda 380
Uncle Pigeon

2023

Eve 6
Blessid Union of Souls
Sponge
Tributosaurus becomes The Doobie Brothers
The Handcuffs
Greg Jacks & Brother Help
wht.rbbt.oj (White Rabbit Object)
Montunos en el Jardin
Architects of Beauty
Sanctified Grumblers
Jonas Friddle Trio
Conway & Austin
Nathan Hunter
Ryan Fisher
Shoji Naito
Abby Lyons
Sullivan Sisters

2022

Vertical Horizon
Kid 'n Play
Michael McDermott
Scott Lucas & The Married Men
Tributosaurus becomes The Kinks
Decoy Prayer Meeting
Too Hype Crew
Son of Abbey
Mike Coy Duo
The Right Now
​Nikki O'Neill
Jess McIntosh & Aaron Smith
Linda Marie Smith
Gross Ngolle Pokossi
Dave Hoffheimer Band
Nick Davio Duo
The Long Goodbye

2021

Ohio Players
The Verve Pipe
Smoking Popes
Material Issue
Tributosaurus becomes The Allman Brothers Band
Farewell Captain
The Jeremiah Review
Frantastic Sound System
Jeremiah Hunt
The Mosquitos
Andrea Bunch Duo
Kaben Kafo
Donna Herula Trio
Jacob Sweet
Silver Rose
Katie Grennan & Jim DeWan
Louis Bardales

2019

WAR
The Smithereens with guest vocalist Marshall Crenshaw
Material Issue
Tributosaurus becomes The Rolling Stones  
Gros Ngolle Pokossi Trio
The Imperial Sound
Fruteland Jackson
Bailey Dee
Morry Sochat & The Special 20's
Company Strangers 
Eric Lugosch
Dan Fulkerson
Shelley Miller
Mike Zabrin’s Funktastic
Kent Rose
Linda Marie Smith
Mike Coy
The Hoodies

2018

Sister Hazel
Foghat
Tributosaurus becomes AC/DC  
The Safes
South City Revival
The Right Now
Paul Kaye & The Blues Cartel
The Healthy Portion
The Dreamtree Shakers
2 Guitars N A Tuba
Marina
The Grape Pickers
Zacbe Trio
Bill Grant
Johnson & Winters
Chris Walz
Judy & Peggy

2017

Soul Asylum
A Flock of Seagulls
The Alarm
​Tributosaurus becomes R.E.M.
Frisbie
Devil in A Woodpile
James Elkington
Matt Hendricks & Cash Curtis
Louis Zagoras & Rollover
Barlow
The Differents
​Paul Kaye
The Frantastic Sound System
The Wandering Boys
Carsick
Luciano Antonio Trio
Jodee Lewis Trio
Bach & Beethoven Ensemble
Dueling Teles

2016

Living Colour
Blue Oyster Cult
Tributosaurus becomes The Police
The Cells
Penthouse Sweets
Foreign Shores
Royal Outsiders
Terry White
Everybody Says Yes
Big Sadie
Gabriel Medina
Colby Maddox
Matt Brown
Chris Walz
Tony Do Rosario Duo
Chris Farrell
Seamoor Sonny Miles & the seven seize
Scott Besaw

2015

The Psychedelic Furs
The Fabulous Thunderbirds
Tributosaurus becomes The Cars
The Luck of Eden Hall
Decoy Prayer Meeting
Dann Morr & The Dashing Bastard Sideshow
Eric Unger
Nu Bambu
Matt Hendricks
Gillespie Jazz Trio
Angela James
Chris Corsale
Jess McIntosh
Infamous Banjolele Bandit
Steve Rosen

2014

Spin Doctors
The Original Wailers
Tributosaurus becomes The Doors
The Bon Mots
Kevin Purcell and The Nightburners
Funkadesi
Tiny Miles Trio
Foreign Shores
Patrick Donley
Bailey Dee Trio
Sanctified Grumblers
Paulinho Garcia
Corned Beef Hash
Lisa DeRosia
Grant Ziolkowski Duo

2013

The English Beat
The Steepwater Band
Tributosaurus becomes 'Kool & The Gang'
Deal's Gone Bad
The Wanton Looks
Simple Simon
The Artist Formally Known as Vince Band
The Intimate Machines
Rivals of the Peacemaker
Kitty Devine and the Big Whoop
Joe Sounds Steel Drum Calypso
The Blue Coast Band
Brown-Reish 'Old Time'
Filisko & Noden Roots Duo

2012

The Fixx
Local H
Tributosaurus becomes Tom Petty
The Handcuffs
The Steepwater Band
Tristen
Certain Stars
Rivals of the Peacemaker
Keith Baumann
Matt Hendricks Duo
Paulinho Garcia
We Killed the Lion
Bluegrass & Old-Time Fiddle Contest

2011

Fastball
Smoking Popes
Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials
Tributosaurus becomes The Who
The Statutes of Liberty
The Congregation
The Matthew Skoller Band
Dr. K and the Volunteers
Sanctified Grumblers
Riddum Secure
South Boulevard
Bluegrass Fiddle Contest
Uptown A Capella

2010

The Presidents of the United States of America
Tributosaurus becomes CCR
American English
Steve Frisbie Band
Mannequin Men
Bullet Called Life
Paul Green School of Rock
Aaron Fox and the Reliables
The Real Gone
The Fundamental Blues Band
Rolling Thunder

2009

Cracker
The Dynamites featuring Charles Walker
Tributosaurus becomes Led Zeppelin
Melvin Taylor
Farewell Captain
Duwayne Burnside
Jimmy Sutton and his Rock 'n' Roll Guitar
The Bon Mots
The Goldstars
Mark Cleveland Band
The Warning Label

2007

The Ides of March
Bottle Rockets
American English
Ha Ha Tonka
Dollar Store
The Riptones
Vertigo
101st Rock Division
Inept