The Bitter Jester Music Festival (BJMF) in downtown Highland Park is more than a competition, it’s a destination event, complete with music, food, and beverages. 43 musical acts from over a dozen states from the Midwest to the East Coast will showcase their virtuosity this season, competing for the ultimate title of "Bitter Jester Grand Champion." Many BJMF alumni have gone on to perform at Lollapalooza, Riot Fest, South by Southwest, and Ravinia Festival as well as on Late Night with Seth Myers, Saturday Night Live, and American Jukebox.

Discover your next favorite band at the 19th Annual Bitter Jester Music Fest and be able to say "I saw them when..." — Bitter Jester Showcase Concerts at the Chicago Botanic Garden feature BJMF alumni on June 2 and June 9 as part of the Music on the Esplanade series. The Chicago Botanic Garden is proud to partner with the incredible Bitter Jester Foundation for the Arts, a local charity based in Highland Park, that produces the festival.

The June 2nd Showcase will feature a stripped-down acoustic duo version of a Chicago band that's taking the Midwest by storm. The band's vocalist/rhythm guitarist, Maura Wolf, and lead guitarist, Tommy Hinds, will perform as "Ur Mom (Lite)" in what is sure to be a memorable and inspirational evening of music on the Esplanade!

As a full band, Ur Mom is a four-piece rock band from the northwest suburbs of Chicago. Comprised of Wolf and Hinds along with drummer Alex O’Malley and bassist Andrew Vucsko-Cameron. The group combines an eclectic set of influences including classical rock, blues, funk, folk, and others. Listen to their Spotify here!

The band has performed in and around the Chicagoland area at such notable venues and events as Subterranean, Beat Kitchen, Winnetka Music Festival, Cobra Lounge, The Cubby Bear, Navy Pier, Gman Tavern, Liars Club, and others. Additionally, they competed in the 17th (2023) and 18th (2024) annual Bitter Jester Music Festivals and placed as the Runners-Up (2nd place) and Grand Champions (1st place) respectively and recently opened for ZZ Top and Lynyrd Skynyrd at Ravinia Festival as a result. Maura won Bitter Jester’s Vocalist of the Year award in 2023 and Tommy won Guitarist of the Year in 2024.

To view the entire Bitter Jester Music Festival concert season, visit bitterjesterfoundation.org/bitter-jester-music-festival-lineup-2025