WHAT: Charles Lane Jazz Combo
WHERE: Iron Post ($TBA)
WHEN: Wednesday, July 7th at 8 p.m.
It’s not every day you see a jazz saxophonist who lists A Tribe Called Quest, Califone and Stravinsky in his influences, or who’s toured Europe at the age of eighteen, but recent U of I grad Charles Lane has done both. Currently studying at the University of Philadelphia, Lane’s punkish, Coltrane influenced sound should go over well in the intimate confines of the Post.
WHAT: James McMurtry, Jonny Burke
WHERE: The Highdive ($15 advance)
WHEN: Thursday, July 8th at 7 p.m.
While I’ll leave the more in-depth stuff to our preview/interview which can be found here, you’d be a fool to miss McMurtry’s impeccable songwriting and not inconsiderable guitar chops. Fifteen bucks may seem steep, but trust us, he’s more than worth the money.
WHAT: Champaign Music Festival
WHERE: Downtown Champaign (free)
WHEN: Friday, July 9th – Saturday, July 10th
While the big draw of the festival is obviously Hum on Saturday night (who we covered in a preview here), the lineup is actually pretty packed with bands that aren’t fronted by Matt Talbott. For instance, did you know that wacky guy who plays drums at the Urbana Farmer’s Market used to be in a rock band way back in the 60’s called the Finchley Boys? And they’re even on some of those crazy High Fidelity-esque psych compilations? And played a music festival out at Kickapoo in 1970 with B.B. King, Canned Heat and Paul Butterfield? Also, the festival literature promises a “music crawl” on Friday night, whatever that is.
WHAT: White Mystery, The Fresh Kills, Tiger Bones
WHERE: Bentley’s Pub ($TBA)
WHEN: Saturday, July 10th at 9:00 p.m.
The Chicago garage-rock up and comers (and recent Pitchfork reviewees) make their third visit this year, after burning down Mike ‘N Molly’s and Bentley’s earlier this year. I know I overuse this phrase sometimes, but I’m honestly guessing that you won’t be able to see White Mystery playing places this small for much longer. Local favorites The Fresh Kills and Tiger Bones kick things at 9:00.
WHAT: The Viper and His Orchestra, Edward Burch
WHERE: Mike ‘N Molly’s ($5)
WHEN: Saturday, July 10th at 11:00 p.m.
Immediately after Saturday’s Hum show, two different (but equally important) local legends will play the beer garden at Mike ‘N Molly’s. The Viper made his name in the 90s with his off-kilter brand of folk, while Edward Burch released the excellent Palace at 4 A.M. with Jay Bennett back in 2002. And if you left this weekend’s Centaur show feeling a little underwhelmed, rest assured that the Viper makes it out to play quite a bit more often than Talbott.
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