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 501(c)(3) Bitter Jester Foundation for the Arts, a local charity based in Highland Park, that produces the festival.

The June 9th Showcase will feature a solo artist (to be announced) and the Chicago band Sun Queen.

Sun Queen blends ethereal melodies, indie rock and alternative, creating a sound that captivates listeners as they dance the tightrope between light and dark. Fronted by Mary Nevins' compelling vocals, often drawing comparisons to the power and delivery of Dolores O'Riordan, the band's sonic tapestry is woven from the intricate guitar work of Pat Myers, the rhythmic drive of Alec Horne on bass and Spencer Kasper on drums, and the textural depth of Kat Graham's vocal harmonies and percussion.

The band's story begins with Mary, who started writing music under the name Sun Queen while attending school in Nashville. Pat and Spencer have played together since putting a band together for 60’s day in middle school. They met Alec in high school and have been a rhythm section ever since. After years of playing together (most notably in the band "Elise and the Police, which came in 3rd at the 2017 Bitter Jester Music Festival), they met Mary, who was pursuing Sun Queen as a solo project.

Meanwhile, Mary and Kat grew up together. Their paths reconnected in 2022 when Kat moved back to Chicago after school, and the two began singing together in their friends’ band, C.H.E.F. This collaboration took shape in December 2022 and led to Mary inviting Kat to join the group, realizing the project's potential for layered vocals, and a fuller, more expansive percussion section.

Sun Queen represents the convergence of five distinct musical journeys, united by a shared passion for creating music that resonates with both heart and atmosphere. At its core, the band’s music is an exploration of human connection in a world that often feels isolating. Their songwriting process is both collaborative and introspective, exploring themes of love, loss, the search for meaning, and the quiet moments of escape that color everyday life.

With their debut album, “Pieces” (January 2025), Sun Queen invites listeners into their queendom to immerse themselves in their unique blend of grounded and transcendent indie rock. As they continue to evolve and share their music, Sun Queen aims to create a space where listeners can find both reflection and catharsis, with a sound that is familiarly warm and transportive.

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