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 eclectic rock, blues, R&B, bluegrass, funk, Americana, world beat, ska and punk artists. Now in its eleventh year, take a look back at a decade of summer music in downtown Skokie.
2017

Soul Asylum
A Flock of Seagulls
The Alarm
Tributosaurus becomes R.E.M.
Frisbie
James Elkington
Matt Hendricks & Cash Curtis
Louis Zagoras & Rollover
Devil in A Woodpile
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 Öyster Cult
Tributosaurus becomes The Police
The Cells
Penthouse Sweets
Foreign Shores
Royal Outsiders
Terry White
Everybody Says Yes
Big Sadie
Gabriel Medina
Colby Maddox
Jonas Friddle & Matt Brown
Chris Walz
Tony Do Rosario Duo
Chris Farrell
Seamoor Sonny Miles & the seven seize
Scott Besaw
2015
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
The Fixx
Local H
Tributosaurus becomes Tom Petty
The Handcuffs
The Steepwater Band
Tristen
Certain Stars
Rivals of the Peacemaker
KeithBaumann
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
2009
2008
The Romantics
Lonnie Brooks Blues Band
Eddy "The Chief" Clearwater
The Shadows of Knight
Tributosaurus becomes CSN&Y
Alex Wilson Band
Hello Dave
Kraig Kenning
Indika
72Hours
Forte
Green Tangerines
Little Nashville
2007
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