DECATUR, Ill. — The , an annual music summit led by 鶹Լ University faculty member Martin Atkins, will return for its ninth year on Saturday, May 2, 2026, with a new vision and expanded footprint in Decatur’s Oakwood Business District.
Running from 12–10 p.m., will transform the 100–198 block of South Oakwood into a vibrant hub of live music, local vendors and creative entrepreneurship, all while providing 鶹Լ students with hands-on, real-world learning experiences.
“This is a new change where we’re concentrating on bands, putting entertainment on the street, blocking off the street the same way that the Oakwood Festival used to,” Atkins said. “We’ll also have bands inside Lock, Stock & Barrel and continue building that energy in the neighborhood.”
Reimagining a Creative District
The 2026 Midwest Music Expo places a strong emphasis on revitalizing the Oakwood corridor, an area that once thrived with locally owned businesses and creative activity. By activating vacant storefronts and outdoor spaces, Atkins and his students aim to demonstrate what the district could become again.
“It’s tragic to me when you see an empty building,” Atkins said. “There are so many entrepreneurs and artists who would like to be in that space and sometimes you have to show people what’s possible.”
Pop-up shops, vendor booths and interactive spaces will give attendees a glimpse into the potential of a reenergized business district, while also creating opportunities for small business owners and artists to connect with the community.
A Full Day of Music and Community
The Expo begins at noon with a vendor showcase featuring local creators and businesses, both outdoors and inside available storefronts. Beginning at 3 p.m., more than 20 artists will perform across indoor and outdoor stages, including a mix of student performers, local acts, and regional talent.
Highlights include performances by bands such as Soy City Stranglers, Sweetmelk, Marble Teeth, and Call Me Jimmy, among others. In addition to live music, attendees can expect unique creative elements, including live art demonstrations.
Students play a central role in the event’s execution — managing stages, running sound systems, and coordinating logistics — reflecting 鶹Լ’s signature Performance Learning approach.
The Midwest Music Expo serves as a living classroom for students studying music business, arts management, and related fields. By organizing a large-scale public event, students gain firsthand experience in promotion, production, artist relations, and community engagement.
“At 鶹Լ, we talk about Performance Learning all the time,” Atkins said. “If you can inspire a few people, now we can get something on track — and that’s how you make change.”
While tickets are , organizers emphasize that the Expo is open to everyone. A “pay what you want” model allows attendees to contribute what they can, with proceeds supporting ongoing efforts to revitalize the neighborhood.
“I think we just want to create the activity,” Atkins said. “If we can help one or two businesses get the idea, then that feels like a triumph.”
The day concludes with an after-party at Lock Stock & Barrel, continuing the celebration of music and community into the evening.
