Music scene · Centralia

Centralia, Illinois, is a small rail hub city near the intersection of major train lines, not far from St. Louis. Music life includes school marching bands, church choirs, and country and classic rock bands at local bars. St. Louis musicians sometimes drive east for small shows.

The high school auditorium, church fellowship halls, local bars and restaurants, and the American Legion post host most performances. The county fairgrounds add seasonal talent contests and outdoor concerts.

Local and regional musicians perform here, and artists from the St. Louis area sometimes drive east for small shows.

Start with the school band, church choir, or local bar open mic night. For steady paid work, musicians generally drive west to St. Louis or north to the Champaign-Urbana area.