Live On Logan 2025: August 3rd Recap
The Joe Policastro Trio
August 2025’s first Live On Logan performance brought the Joe Policastro Trio to Palmer Square Park on Sunday afternoon.
In front of a crowd that peaked around 150, Joe and his bandmates played a selection of classics, covers, and new jazz, while onlookers enjoyed a perfect Chicago breeze and temps that peaked in the mid-70s. His audience included infants, parents, shirtless runners, bikers, and quite a few furry friends.
The dog days of summer brought plenty of pooches to the park. This writer identified at least five different breeds, and I’m sure the more canine-educated among us would know more.
My personal favorite was a young shepherd who wore a pink bow, didn’t bark a single time, and alternated between dozing and paying close attention to the tones coming from Joe and his band.
Each of Joe’s sets lasted about an hour. During the break, a man in an old 1940s or 1950s roadster drove by, captivating those of us on the south side of the crowd. You could tell he’d put some serious money into it.
I looked over to my right, just in time to see a small Yorkshire Terrier pop its head above the hammock it shared with its two owners. One played a Nintendo Switch while the other read Martyr, a Stanley Cup lying in the grass beneath them.
During the first set, Joe introduced a song by saying “This wasn’t originally in the set list, but I know Sergio likes this one!” He and the trio then launched into a jazz rendition of the 1980s classic “Take On Me” by A-ha.
Sergio, in the above case, is Sergio Castro, one of the folks responsible for starting what ultimately became Live On Logan. During the Covid pandemic, to help support local artists, he began hosting concerts in his front yard. Eventually, the performances migrated to Palmer Square Park. He sits in the front row at every Live On Logan performance, helping resolve any technical difficulties the bands have and making announcements on behalf of the Palmer Square Park Advisory Council.
A few minutes into Joe’s second set, a firetruck from the station just off California jolted a few listeners back to reality. “Yes,” it seemed to say, “you’re still in the big city!” The band rolled with the punches, as one must during an outdoor set in the middle of the Windy City.
Eventually, just before 3pm, a dark barked, a baby screamed, the “L” train roared between the Logan Square and California stations, and Joe’s two sets of jazz music finished for the day. We onlookers would have to wait until next Sunday at 1pm for more live music under the hybrid elms at Palmer Square Park.
Written by Alex Garoffolo