Music scene · Mattoon

Mattoon is a small central Illinois city along the railroad corridor where music life is modest. School bands, church choirs, community theater, and country and classic rock covers keep local players busy, and the larger stages are in Champaign-Urbana.

Live music takes place at downtown bars and restaurants, county fairgrounds, church fellowship halls, and high school auditorium. Mattoon musicians usually travel to Charleston and Champaign-Urbana for regular paid work.

The music community in Mattoon is made up of local and regional artists, with occasional visitors from the Champaign-Urbana area.

Musicians should practice with school or church groups, play community gatherings, and form cover acts suited to local bars. The next market for steady work is Champaign-Urbana.