BAND SPOTLIGHT | Area 51

As area bands go, Area 51 just keeps going. Now in their second decade of performance as a unit, Jeff Loftus (drums, vocals), Larry Dupont (vocals, sax, bass), Larry Crowley (bass, acoustic guitar, vocals) and Rod Vansandt (guitars, vocals, bass) continue to play the top shelf shows in central Illinois. With all the best fests, coolest clubs and grandest gigs including shows in the Sangamon County Fair and Illinois State Fair beer tents booked year after year, they have this area covered. With two of the four band members Chatham Glenwood alumni, playing the Sweet Corn Fest is especially sweet for this homegrown group. All the guys sing lead vocals and (except Jeff, who sticks to the drumming) pass the bass around, switching instruments to deliver a versatile, distinctive sound to those classic rock songs we all know and love. With generous harmonies and the combo of sax with acoustic and electric guitars, Area 51 covers a wide range of musical ground and plans to do so for years to come.