A while back, I published my recap of Bitter Jester Music Festival, a month-long battle-of-the-bands event that takes place in Highland Park, Illinois every summer. In that blogpost, I promised Wholesome readers a followup series, The Bitter Jester Diaries, where I review acts from each day I was able to attend. I’m happy to announce that the first installment has arrived! Below is a narrative containing spotlights on 6 of the outstanding talents I got to see on Day 1 of BJMF.

Special thanks to my lovely friend Cara Goldstone, who took the gorgeous photos featured in this post.

Day 1

Friday, June 5th, 2026

It was muggy that first Friday I walked to Bitter Jester, and the sky was dull and overcast. As I entered Port Clinton Square however, the gloomy energy shifted. A crowd of people had already gathered for the opening act, with acoustic guitar floating through the air. The atmosphere felt like a hug from an old friend on a summer day: a bit sticky, but sweet.

Madeline O’dell

As I approached the audience and found a seat, I saw who those breezy melodies were coming from. The first musician of the evening was Madeline O’dell, a rising country singer-songwriter based in Chicago. Her blue dress and silky voice made me feel like I was laying under a southern sky, which is appropriate due to her familial roots in Tennessee. I had the pleasure of watching her play a few of her original songs, each drenched in nostalgia, warmth, and that genuine emotion that can only be found in folk and country music. My favorite had to be “Irish Goodbye”, a tune which was described as “being homesick for a person, not a place.”

If you’d like to experience some of Madeline’s work for yourself, you can check out her new single “Going South”.

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After Madeline finished her set, someone I’d been waiting all day to see came up to the mic, but they weren’t a performer. It was Nicolas Degrazia, the founder of Bitter Jester, giving one of his many in-between-act spiels.

Nic explained that way back in 2006, the city manager of Highland Park asked him to host a battle of the bands in town for the Fourth of July. The then 25-year-old was reluctant, wanting a competition for stand up comedy instead. That first event eventually morphed into Bitter Jester Musical Festival, and later the Bitter Jester Foundation for the Arts. Although we can see whose idea won in the end, I have so much respect toward Nic for keeping Bitter Jester going 20 years later. That respect grew further when he mentioned how it had been raining while the festival staff were setting up earlier that day, but they aimed to continue the music rain or shine.

As Nic continued his speech, I got the sense that he was a genuine person, and really cared about giving young musicians the recognition they deserve. What better band for him to introduce after, than Chicago’s No Other Youth?

No Other Youth

Originally from Nashville, now based in Chicago, No Other Youth (formerly called Youth) stormed into their first song with a rumbling drum beat and growling bass. I was enamored at how quickly they shifted the festival’s tone from the last act, and how ready the audience was for it. Their alternative sound and moody lyrics perfectly match that day’s weather, as the hot air and swelling sky teased the audience with the chance of a summer storm. I felt bad for the bassist wearing a full suit. No Other Youth’s music was a highlight of the night for me, and an indicator of the other amazing alternative acts that would follow later that evening.

Although I could’ve listened to No Other Youth play for a lot longer, I was so glad they were chosen as a showcase act for Bitter Jester. If you’d like to see more of them, check out their socials below.

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After No Other Youth finished their set, I wrote in my notes app, "I forgot how invigorated live music makes me feel." I hadn’t been to a concert since at least March, and a DIY show specifically in who knows how long. The next few bands were announced to be competition acts, and it was clear that things were heating up.

Versus Vitality

The next act to grace my eyes and ears was Versus Vitality, a five piece alt rock band from Chicago. They’re one of those bands where you can tell they put hours of work into every facet of their performance–yet make it look effortless, from the band members' synchronized choreography, to each instrumentalist getting their own solo. Most noticeable, perhaps, was their lead singer's insane vocals; her ability to hit high notes with so much force and elegance lifted not just her words, but their songs as a whole, creating a transcendent experience. My favorite track of theirs was “Why are You so Scared?” with its punchy, tongue-in-cheek feminist lyrcis. Versus Vitality have been going strong since 2023, and released their first EP this May (which I listened to while writing this review).

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Belle Vista

The following band I saw caught my attention because they shifted the tone of the festival yet again; swinging the rock pendulum from alt power ballads to California-style jams. Another group that journeyed all the way from Nashville, this time to compete, it was none other than Belle Vista. Everything about their performance screamed “summer” to me, from the lead singer's warm voice, to his mint guitar and the shimmering riffs that poured from it. What I distinctly remember about Belle Vista is that all the members brought such a positive energy to their performances, with smiles that beamed all the way to the audience.

Aside from Bitter Jester, Belle Vista have played several other shows in the Chicago area. That’s left me wondering, then, “what can I do to convince them to come back for another?” Oh well. In the meantime, their music can luckily be found below. I love their song “Talk to Me”, and have been playing it non-stop in my car since I first saw them.

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Exit 122

Exit 122 aren’t just a band, they’re a phenomenon. As soon as the members took their spots on stage and a crowd gathered, and signs I’d been seeing all day started to make sense. Fans clad in shirts saying “She’s So Dramatic” (after one of their singles) and “Exit 122 Sux”, college students with layered haircuts and 2000s-esque outfits, and Gen X parents all stood in front of the stage. It’s clear that Exit 122 has worked hard to earn their cult-like status. They’ve performed in Bitter Jester for the past 5 years, having grown up alongside the festival. And oh yeah, their music is great too. It’s the kind of high-energy, unapologetic pop punk that makes a perfect summer soundtrack, with strong Sum 41 influences. In fact, the mosh pit that formed during their set looked straight out of the music video for Sum 41's "Fat Lip".

Exit 122 don’t just give fantastic live performances, they have an extensive catalogue of polished recordings as well, with a bunch of singles and one full-length album currently out.

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Intermission: Brought to You by Bitter Jester Sponsors

After I had been at the music festival for most of the day, I needed a break to get some refreshments. Luckily for me, two proud Bitter Jester sponsors were closeby: Harmony Coffee Bar and Secret World Books! Both of these local businesses provided a cozy space to reset during this supercharged event; they reminded me that when working for a non-profit, it’s the sponsors who help make things happen just as much as the rest of the team. I purchased an iced vanilla latte and a used copy of Filth by Irvine Welsh, respectively.

Finale

Months later, I remember that first day at Bitter Jester vividly. The anticipation, talent, community, and of course, the rain. I was highly satisfied with my decision to go, and there will still two more weeks of excitement ahead. Exit 122 were the well-deserved competition winners of that night, but every act was a privilege to see (for a full list of the awesome artists featured that night, click here).

There was just one last very special closer left...

Encore: Holden Garcia

I must have smiled throughout Holden Garcia’s whole set. At 12 years old, he really encompassed the spirit of Bitter Jester for me, that age does not define creative ability. On his first song, he demanded a crowd (which I was happy to join) that fell to their knees, and his indie ballads filled the whole of Port Clinton Square. Holden Garcia plays his acoustic guitar loudly, but with a calm, confident energy that comes with years of experience. Naturally, he nailed his cover of Noah Kahan’s “Northern Attitude”. He was the perfect closer for Day 1 of Bitter Jester, and I can’t wait to see what he does next!