The Overture is a rundown of live music and performances happening in and around Champaign-Urbana each week. All of the information is as accurate as we can publish; however, all shows and performances are subject to change at any time. Thank you for understanding.
Did we miss something this week? Have a show coming up you think we should know about? Email us at music@smilepolitely.com with the details.
MONDAY, June 6th
Improvisers Exchange
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 5:30 p.m.
Led by Jason Finkelman, Improvisers Exchange is an initiative to bring together U of I students and community members to practice improvised music.
Urbanna Hootenanny
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 8 p.m.
Every Monday at the Rose Bowl, come hang out with some great musicians. A sort of open mic meets song share, you can expect a variety of music and performers.
Image from Great Value Jesus’ Facebook page.
Great Value Jesus
►WEFT Sessions (virtual) // free // 10 p.m.
Tune in to WEFT 90.1 to hear Bloomington rockers Great Value Jesus. The group has a new record dropping soon.
TUESDAY, June 7th
Carrie & Sass
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 5 p.m.
The talents of Carrie Chandler (of The Bashful Youngens) and Sass Siders come together for an evening of great tunes.
WEDNESDAY, June 8th
Larry Gates Presents 3 Song Monte
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 5 p.m.
Power to the listener — Larry Gates of Curb Service invites the audience to choose three songs for him to play at Rose Bowl Tavern.
Image from Ryan Clark’s Facebook page.
Ryan Clark, Emily the Band, TBA
►Nightshop // $8 adv, $12 door // 7 p.m.
Pop/rock singer-songwriter Ryan Clark comes to Bloomington from Nashville, joined by Emily the Band, as well as one more act still to be announced.
THURSDAY, June 9th
The Chickadee Sermon
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 5 p.m.
The Champaign-Urbana based folk group brings originals as well as classics to the Rose Bowl. With an emphasis on vocal harmony, the group also brings together guitar, bass, banjo, and melodica to create a sound that is sweet on the ears.
Image from Shamarr Allen’s Facebook page.
The Painkiller Blues Band with Dawn Clark
►Baxter’s American Grille // free // 5 p.m.
The Painkiller Blues Band will be playing a mix of traditional and original tunes this Thursday, with vocalist Dawn Clark.
Shamarr Allen
►NOLA’s Rock Bar // $12 adv, $15 door // 7 p.m.
Blending jazz, hip-hop, rock, funk rhythms, blues and country, vocalist and trumpet player Shamarr Allen brings his New Orleans sound to NOLA’s.
Meadowhawk
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 7:30 p.m.
2 fiddles, 1 guitar, one great evening of music. Meadowhawk is Claire Johnson, Amanda Ramey, and Matt Turino, playing traditional and original songs.
Minsk, Black Cross Hotel, Night Mother
►Nightshop // $10 adv, $13 door // 8 p.m.
A night of psychedelic metal, doom, and post metal at Nightshop — bring some earplugs, it’s going to get loud.
FRIDAY, June 10th
Erik Lund’s Jazz Friends Quintet
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 5 p.m.
A tuneful Friday night provided by Jazz Friends, a group made up of Erik Lund on trombone, Jeff Helgesen on trumpet, George Turner on guitar, Emma Taylor on bass, and Ricardo Flores on drums.
Midwest Punk Fest (Day 1)
►Nightshop // $15 // 5 p.m.
Day 1 of Midwest Punk fest, with loads of bands playing indoors and outdoors at Nightshop in downtown Bloomington.
The Impalas
►Huber’s // free // 7 p.m.
The Impalas play at Huber’s, bringing their brand of Texas roadhouse blues. Expect some tasty tunes.
Image by Brian Paris.
Kittens Incorporated, Kurt Bielema
►Rose Bowl Tavern // $10 suggested donation // 8 p.m.
Breeze pop band Kittens Incorporated are joined by singer-songwriter Kurt Bielema. Kittens has a new record on the way, so expect some new songs.
James McMurty
►Castle Theatre // $25 adv, $28 doors // 8 p.m.
Folk and americana singer James McMurty is performing at Bloomington’s Castle Theatre.
Alexander Audiophile
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 10 p.m.
Goth, industrial, and other dark alternative music awaits you with Alexander Audiophile at Rose Bowl.
SATURDAY, June 11th
Midwest Punk Fest (Day 2)
►Nightshop // $20 // 2 p.m.
Day 2 of Midwest Punk fest, with loads of bands playing indoors and outdoors at Nightshop in downtown Bloomington.
Hogchute Opry
►Kalyx Center // $20 // 3 p.m.
Another year of Hogchute, with a killer lineup of acts including Big Daddy Pride, Merry Travlers, Cole Bridges, and much much more.
Urbana Pops Orchestra
►Urbana High School // free // 7 p.m.
The Urbana Pops Orchestra presents Pops on the Prairie, which will see the orchestra providing music to celebrate Illinois, the prairie, and Urbana High School. There will also be performances from the Urbana Park District Youth Summer Theatre’s performance of Newsies.
New Twang City
►Huber’s // free // 7 p.m.
Some good ole country honky tonk, this will be a fun Saturday night at Huber’s.
Patt & Possum
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 7 p.m.
Patt & Possum — aka Charlie Walden and Patt Plunkett — will play some fiddle tunes outside at Rose Bow.
Image from Salaryman’s Facebook.
Salaryman, The Most Distant Object
►Loose Cobra // free // 8 p.m.
Newly reformed Salaryman joins The Most Distant Object, who formed during the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
DJ Tim Williams
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 10 p.m.
DJ Tim Williams brings the party to Rose Bowl, so come out ready to dance.
SUNDAY, June 12th
Midwest Punk Fest (Day 3)
►Nightshop // $15 // 3 p.m.
The final day of Midwest Punk fest, with loads of bands playing indoors and outdoors at Nightshop in downtown Bloomington.
Top image from Shamarr Allen’s Facebook page.
