Libertyville Musician Stuns Crowd at the Largest Music Festival in the World!

LIBERTYVILLE MUSICIAN STUNS CROWD AT THE LARGEST MUSIC FESTIVAL IN THE WORLD!
The Ike Reilly Assassination (out of Libertyville) preformed at Milwaukee lakefront Summerfest on July 4, 2025. The NY Times says they are “one of the best live band in America.” The band based in Libertyville Illinois performed to a crowd of over 3,000 with a remarkable performance on Miller Lite Stage at the worlds largest music festival in the world Milwaukee’s annual Summerfest, according to Guinness World Records. During the 90 minute plus performance every vocal cord and every instrumental note were absolutely perfect. During the bands performance hundreds of festival goers were constantly drifting over towards the Miller Lite stage to see who was playing. By the end of the set the crowd size had doubled. A completely flawless show.
Bill Karr of Racine, Wisconsin said he discovered Reilly’s music about a year ago. “If you like rock, folk, country, alternative, punk, or pop you’re going to love his music”, he added, heck if you like any kind of music, you’re going to love the way he pours his heart and soul into every song. “Ike is singing about his life and when you do that, the music really tells a true story.” Reilly started out his performance on Friday night, playing the folk guitar with other band members playing electric guitar, but after a few songs switched to electric.
Beth Ritcher, 18, of Waukegan, Illinois said a band like this comes along once in a lifetime. “I have been following them for a couple years and tonight’s performance was the best concert I’ve seen in my life.”
Greg Wright, of Milwaukee, said “I have been coming to Summerfest for 25 years and this is the best band I have ever seen.” Wright added his songs have it all - I was very impressed and plan on listening to him more on Spotify now. Wright added I’m wondering if those were his two sons because the vocals were absolutely pitch perfect - just phenomenal. “Such a fantastic overall band and the guitar playing was some of the best I have ever heard.” This is the tightest band I have ever heard. “It had a little bit of every genre of music in every song - I heard country, rock, alternative guitar riffs, pop, and some of the words in the songs reminded me of early punk songs.” Wright added I can’t believe I have never heard of him before today and why is this guy not on SNL or the Jimmy Kemball Show? “I recorded a few minutes of video with my cell phone because I just have to show a friend at work who is really into bands how unique the band was.
The lead singer of Diet Lite (also out of Libertyville) Max O’Brien performed on the same Miller Lite stage earlier in the day, made an announcement to the crowd just before their last song. “Stick around for the 6:30 band, Ike Reilly Assassination, they are my favorite band, and I think they are currently the best musicians in the country.
Ike has stuck to his roots. He was born and raised in the area and has build his recording studio in Libertyville. Ike did not start out as professional paid musician. He was a Lake County gravedigger and doorman for several years. When Reilly was 40-years-old he landed a major label recording contract and in true rock and roll fashion he bought his family a dream home.
We interviewed Reilly on July 7, 2025 for this article. Reilly said, “I stayed in Libertyville because my family and my friends are here. My daughter and her family live 6 houses away from me and my mom who is 98 lives a couple of blocks away too.”
Reilly loves his guitars. “My acoustic guitar is a 1961 Gibson. I borrowed it about 27 years ago-haven't given it back yet and my electric guitar is a Telecaster that I borrowed from my pal Tommy- I think it was sunburst - I covered it with duct tape so he couldn't recognize it on social media. He did anyway”, said Reilly.
When asked about his musical influences Reilly said, “My childhood neighbor in Libertyville , Hugh Brown, designed the cover to The Clash album "Giv'em Enough Rope". That record and that band opened my eyes up to a whole new world …. musically and politically. Before The Clash it was Bob Dylan and The Paul Butterfield Blues Band. These artists are still musical beacons for me.”
When asked if we can expect a new album in the future Reilly said, “We have a new album almost completed. It's a bit different because it includes some of my son Shane's songs too. It captures what we've been up to the past couple of years - his songs sound like they've existed for decades, and my songs sound like I've existed for decades.”
My boys started singing with me during Covid. It was a pretty organic evolution - after the quarantine they joined the band on tour, they've been with us ever since. They are also on our new recordings added Reilly.
When asked were he comes up with lyrics for his song? Reilly responded, “My songs come from many places- experience, imagination, lies, apologies, eavesdropping … almost anywhere.” There is a new documentary film about Ike Reilly called “Don't Turn Your Back On Friday Night" that was directed by Mike Schmeideler and Mike O'brien. Tom Morello, the guitarist and singer-songwriter with Rage Against The Machine was the executive producer, according to multiple sources.
The film was released on digital platforms on August 27, 2024, via Gravitas Ventures. The film, five years in the making, explores the life and career of Reilly by culling over 40 years of footage and weaving in Reilly’s songs and stories. The film includes live performances, intimate personal moments and interviews with critics, fans, family, and such artists as David Lowery and Johnny Hickman of Cracker and Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall Fame inductee Morello. Don’t Turn Your Back On Friday Night is available to watch (stream) on Tubi, The Roku Channel, Plex, YouTube, Apple TV, Sling TV, Fandango at Home, Amazon Prime, and Google Play Moive.
In the trailer for the documentary film, many famous musicians such as the front man for Cracker and the saxophonist for The Psychedelic Furs say Ike is the real deal. The best there is.
Ike Reilly is an artist who walks in the footsteps of Woody Guthrie and Joe Strummer. Under appreciated artist is something you have heard before but this is Ike's life story, according to several web articles.
The newest album kicks off with an old-style romp that sounds kind of like 60s garage. The hard-hit drums, the fuzzy guitars, the raspy vocals (not unlike a young Rod Stewart) and the rolling piano melt together for a sound that reminds fans more of bands that put out albums forty years ago.
Ike Reilly Assassination albums are known for strong, intelligent lyrics delivered with a rock and roll edge, often drawing comparisons to Bob Dylan and Paul Westerberg. Reviewers praise Reilly's songwriting, storytelling, and ability to blend genres like Americana, folk, and indie-rock with quirky pop hooks. The band seamlessly blends various styles, creating a sound that is both familiar and unique. Americana, folk, and indie-rock influences are frequently mentioned.
Whether you like rock, country, alternative, punk, or folk you will love the story telling songs by Ike. With every word and note you can tell he loves preforming and loves music. Very few artists have transferred the blank verse popularized by so many writers of the 20th century to a musically based endeavor, but Reilly does. His songs are so full, but at the same time bereft of so many things. He leaves out the the things that could be perceived as important but focuses on the stuff that truly makes up day to day life, personal trials and worries. Taking the life anyone could lead on any particular day and putting it down in a way that is so original, with music that is so all consuming, that it is simply mind blowing. Taking stuff and turning it into gold and honesty. And I guess that is what I'm looking for because stuff rarely turns into both, according to Punk news web page.
He recently took his band out on the road but despite 9 albums, a cult following and immense critical acclaim Reilly has not yet found widespread commercial success. Academy Award winning director James Marsh says, “Ike’s stuff sounds like it should be enormously successful and it just isn’t and I have no idea why.” Exploring Ike’s career, the film culls over 40 years of footage masterfully weaving in songs that reveal a complicated and formidable artist with an incredibly charismatic family. Struggling with booze and in the face of financial calamity, Ike finds redemption in music, art and family as his sons begin performing with his band, all according to EP Tom Morello.
His son’s Shane and Kevin sang and played guitar with Ike in Milwaukee. They are not just in the band because they are his sons - they are phenomenal flawless vocalist. A little background: Michael Christopher "Ike" Reilly (born December 27, 1963) is an American singer-songwriter, musician, and writer as well as front-man and founder of the rock band the Ike Reilly Assassination.
He started his music career with various rock bands near his hometown of Libertyville playing guitar for groups such as The Drovers in the late 1980s. After working for a time in music production, in 2001 he released his debut solo album through Universal Records.
Michael Christopher Reilly was born at the United States Naval Hospital, Naval Station Great Lakes in Illinois. He was raised in nearby Libertyville, where he graduated from Libertyville High School.
The Ike Reilly Assassination current lineup includes members Ike Reilly (2000–present) – lead vocals, electric and acoustic guitar, Dave Cottini (2000–present) – drums, lead background vocal, Phil Karnats (2000–present) – electric guitar, Pete Cimbalo – bass, backing vocals, Adam Krier – piano and backing vocals, Tommy O'Donnell is also a guitarist, along with Ike’s sons Shane and Kevin as vocalist and playing guitar on some songs.
While The Ike Reilly Assassination hasn't announced a new album, they have released new music and are actively touring. In 2024, they released three new singles and a documentary called "Don't Turn Your Back On Friday Night". They are also touring as part of the "AMERICAN STEAL" tour. A new album is anticipated in the future, with a potential release sometime next year. 2024 Release: The band released three new singles and a documentary. "AMERICAN STEAL" Tour: They are currently on tour, playing shows across various locations. Documentary: "Don't Turn Your Back On Friday Night" is a documentary about the band, released in 2024. New Album Anticipated: While there's no specific date, a new album is expected in the future, possibly next year. Dylan Covers: The band has been known to play a blistering version of Bob Dylan's "Tombstone Blues" on their tour.
Check out Ike Reilly Assassination music on Spotify, YouTube or where ever you are streaming music. You can also purchase past releases on his web site. Just select “Store.” They may just become your next favorite band.
The band is preforming again on July 24 Thursday with TJ & Dave at the Goodman Theatre at 8:00 PM in Chicago, July 25 with TJ & Dave at the Goodman Theatre at 8:00 PM and again on July 26 with TJ & Dave at the Goodman Theatre at 8:00 PM.
You may order tickets through Ike’s website by clicking “Tour.” You may also purchase tickets from the theatre or other locations, but seriously these shows will sell out.
From Gravedigger to Festival Band: A Roots-Rock Journey
Reilly’s path to the Summerfest spotlight is uniquely American. Born at Naval Station Great Lakes and raised in Libertyville (LHS graduate), Reilly didn't start as a professional musician. He worked as a Lake County gravedigger and doorman for years before landing a major label deal at age 40. True to rock & roll spirit, his first success bought his family their dream home. He built his recording studio in his hometown, steadfastly maintaining his roots.
The Sound: Intelligent, Gritty, and Unmistakable
The Ike Reilly Assassination are renowned for strong, intelligent lyrics delivered with a rock and roll edge, drawing comparisons to Bob Dylan, Paul Westerberg, and walking in the footsteps of Woody Guthrie and Joe Strummer. Reviewers consistently praise Reilly's songwriting and storytelling, seamlessly blending Americana, folk, and indie-rock with quirky pop hooks.
What's Next: Touring, New Music, and Chicago Shows
Despite nine albums, a cult following, and immense critical acclaim, widespread commercial success remains just out of reach. However, the band is far from dormant. They released three new singles and the documentary in 2024 and are currently on the "AMERICAN STEAL" tour, known for blistering covers of Bob Dylan songs. A new album is anticipated for next year.
Chicago fans won't have to wait long for another chance. The Ike Reilly Assassination performs with TJ & Dave at the Goodman Theatre on July 24th, 25th, and 26th (all shows at 8:00 PM). Tickets are available via Ike’s website (ikereilly.com/tour) or the theatre, but are expected to sell out quickly.
One thing is clear after their Independence Day triumph: The Ike Reilly Assassination, Libertyville's best-kept secret, might not stay secret much longer. And as for those who witnessed it at Summerfest? They can truly say they heard it here first.
Photo 1: Ike Reilly front-man for Ike Reilly Assassination at Milwaukee Summerfest on July 4, 2025.
Photo 2: The Ike Reilly Assassination preformed at Milwaukee Summerfest on July 4, 2025.
Photo 3: The Ike Reilly Assassination played on the Miller Lite stage at Summerfest 2025.
Photo 4: Diet Lite (also out of Libertyville Illinois) preformed a great set early in the day on the Miller Lite stage at Milwaukee Summerfest on July 4, 2025.