What: Bookmobile! with Livin’ Thing, Leggy and Kowabunga! Kid
Where: Thee DeathTower
When: Tuesday, February 16th at 9 p.m.
The first show of the new year over at Thee DeathTower looks to be good one. Local punk-rockers Bookmobile! are headlining (check out this hilarious tour diary they did with us a few weeks back), along with Leggy from Cincinnati, Ohio, Livin’ Thing from Springfield and locals Kowabunga! Kid.
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What: Chicago Farmer with Bones Jugs
Where: The Canopy Club ($3)
When: Wednesday, February 17th at 10 p.m.
Chicago Farmer is a folk musician in the same vein as Woody Guthrie and John Prine. Come out and hear him sing songs about the great state of Illinois. He will be joined by local jug band Bones Jugs.
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What: Lil Durk
Where: The Canopy Club ($15 in advance, $20 at the door)
When: Thursday, February 18th at 9 p.m.
If you celebrated Valentine’s Day this past weekend and you didn’t sing this song to your significant other then I think you seriously messed up – “shawty my Beyoncé” is a really beautiful way to describe your beloved. Anyway, go check out Chicago rapper Lil Durk over at The Canopy Club on Thursday night.
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What: Solo Showcase
Where: Mike N Molly’s ($7)
When: Thursday, February 18th at 8 p.m.
Another great solo showcase lined up for Thursday night at Mike N Molly’s. The man himself, Isaac Arms is featured in this one with N.M. Garcia, Magick John’s Son, Cloudstomper, Atom Lax, and Doby Watson.
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What: Bonnie “Prince” Billy, Maiden Radio
Where: The Accord ($20)
When: Friday, February 19th at 9 p.m.
Will Oldham, also known as Bonnie “Prince” Billy, is a visionary singer-songwriter who has been described as an “Appalachian post-punk solipsist”. His dark, literary style has set him apart as being one of the most interesting and talented folk artists of his generation. Check out this song in order to get a feel for his music. He will be joined by Maiden Radio.
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What: Mike Stud
Where: The Canopy Club ($17 in advance, $20 at the door)
When: Friday, February 19th at 9 p.m.
Mike Stud is a hip-hop artist that originally gained famed through his song “College Humor” that he released back in 2010. He has been able to maintain his popularity with songs like “Closer”, his style reminds me a bit of Macklemore.
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What: Ghosts of Paul Revere
Where: Watson’s Shack & Rail (free)
When: Saturday, February 20th at 10:30
The opening of Watson’s Shack & Rail in downtown Champaign has been generating a lot of buzz lately so if you haven’t been there yet then Saturday night would be a great time because you get free music with your meal from The Ghosts of Paul Revere, a group from Maine that play with a style that is a mix of folk and bluegrass music.
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What: El Ten Eleven
Where: The Accord ($12)
When: Saturday, February 20th at 8 p.m.
El Ten Eleven is a post-rock duo from Los Angeles that are known for using a lot of looping and effects pedals in order to create their unique sound. Check out “My Only Swerving” to get a feel for their style. They are joined by Shallou and local electronic artist Snayl.
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What: The 92s C-U EP Release
Where: House show
When: Saturday, February 20th at 9 p.m.
The 92s are now based out of Chicago but they still have a lot of love for C-U. They will be relasing a new EP on Friday, the 19th so come out and celebrate with them on Saturday night. Check out the first track off the upcoming EP here. They will be joined by Single Player and Lime Forest.
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What: Jerrod Niemann
Where: The City Center ($20-35)
When: Saturday, February 20th at 7 p.m.
If you aren’t convinced to go see Jerrod Niemann just from looking at the picture of him that I have included then I’m not sure what will – maybe this song, which has more than 10 million views on YouTube? In all seriousness it is great to see The City Center continue to put on great country music shows week after week.
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What: Benefit for R.A.C.E.S.
Where: Exile on Main St. ($5 suggested donation)
When: Saturday, February 20th at 1 p.m.
Come out and support R.A.C.E.S. (Rape Advocacy, Counseling and Education Services), a local group that is doing a lot of good things for those who have been affected by sexual assault, abuse, or harrassment. Learn more about how our state budget impasse is hurting them here. There will be performances from Bookmobile, Klevah, and New Souls.
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What: The Coco Butter Kids CD Release Party
Where: Cowboy Monkey ($7)
When: Saturday, February 20th at 9:30 p.m.
Local rock group The Coco Butter Kids will be realeasing a new album Saturday night over at Cowboy Monkey. They will be joined by The Villens and Bristle.
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What: Benefit for Angie Anderson
Where: The Canopy Club ($5 suggested donation)
When: Sunday, February 21st at 4 p.m.
This is a benefit that is raising money for Stevens-Johnson syndrome research and awareness in memory of Angie Anderson. There will be music by White Siberian Tigers, fiDlin, and Truth aka Trouble.