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.
TUESDAY, September 7th
SSG
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 6:30 p.m.
Featuring Chip Stephens on piano, Joel Spencer on drums, and Larry Gray on bass, this jazz trio will keep you entertained all night long.
WEDNESDAY, September 8th
Jim Pryor Quartet
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 5 p.m.
Jim Pryor, the award winning pianist is hitting the Rose Bowl with a team of Emma Taylor on bass, Frank Kurtz on drums, and Reggie Lewis on saxophone. A great night filled with jazz classics.
image from Prairie Noise Invasion’s Facebook event page.
Prairie Noise Invasion II
►Rose Bowl Tavern // $5 suggested donation // 9:30 p.m.
PNI is going to be a wild night of noise, dream pop, synth-y goodness. Featuring four acts: Blind Equation, Vor Pilatus, Extremely Mundane, and Zoey.
THURSDAY, September 9th
Ian Shepherd and Friends
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 8 p.m.
Bringing jazz, blues, funk, and rock, come jam out at the Rose Bowl parking lot and bring some food; Rose Bowl will provide the drinks.
Riot Ten
►Canopy Club // $15 adv, $18 door // 9 p.m.
El Paso, Texas based DJ and producer fills the Canopy Club with high energy and banging tunes.
FRIDAY, September 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.
The Way Down Wanderers, The Chickadee Sermon
►Allerton Park and Retreat Center // $5 suggested donation // 6 p.m.
Part of Allerton’s Summer’s End concert, you can head into autumn the right way with some folk and bluegrass from these two wonderful groups.
Image of Bartees Strange from Rose Bowl Tavern’s Facebook event page.
Editor’s pick: Bartees Strange, Ganser, LLO LLO
►Rose Bowl Tavern // $15 adv, $20 door // 8 p.m.
Lots of great shows this week, but I have to give my pick to this one. I cannot recommend Bartees Strange enough. He just embarked on his fall/winter tour and has opened for Phoebe Bridgers for a few shows already. His debut album is everything from soft and gentle to loud and in your face, and at times is just plain weird — or should I say Strange? Pair him with Chicago rockers Ganser and local psychdelic grunge group LLO LLO, you’re in for a treat.
Friday Night Live
►Downtown Champaign // free // 6 p.m.
Another week of live music downtown, with lineups changing weekly. Check out their Facebook page to see the full details, including set times and locations.
The Impalas
►Huber’s // free // 6 p.m.
The Impalas play at Huber’s, bringing their brand of Texas roadhouse blues. Expect some tasty tunes.
Misery Index, Karat’s Gold, No/Mas, Edna, Blind Equation
►nightshop // $15 adv, $20 door // 7:30 p.m.
A nasty night of punk, metal, math rock, thrash metal, and more awaits you at nightshop this Friday. These bands shred, so make the trip to Bloomington for this one. 21 and up.
SATURDAY, September 11th
Avant Guardians
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 1 p.m.
Some avant-garde jazz for you on a Saturday afternoon at Rose Bowl.
Jive Bag
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 4 p.m.
A five-piece jazz band playing New-Orleans inspired funk and contemporary jazz, you can expect traditional tunes and originals.
Image of Cara Louise from Cara Louise’s Facebook page.
Cara Louise, Rebekah Songer Band, Anika Emily & Booth Blues
►Rose Bowl Tavern // $5 suggested donation // 7 p.m.
St. Louis born singer/songwriter Cara Louise stops by the Rose Bowl on her fall tour, bringing her synth/folk sound and powerful voice. Joined by some Champaign-Urbana faves, great tunes await you.
Pride Dance Party
►Rose Bowl Tavern // $3 // 11 p.m.
Presented by the Uniting Pride Center of Champaign, come show your pride and come dance to the tunes of DJ Lovenloops, playing funk, jazz, hip-hop, R&B, and dance music. All proceeds go to the Uniting Pride Center.
DJ Belly
►NOLA’s Rock Bar // free // 10 p.m.
Looking for some late night Saturday fun? DJ Belly has you covered, spinning beats at NOLA’s through the evening, so come out and bring your best dance moves — it’s going to be a party.
Snails
►Canopy Club // $20-25 adv, $30 door // 9 p.m.
Canadian based DJ Snails performs at Canopy Club, bringing his “vomitstep” and “gutteral bass gurgles” for a weird and wild night.
New Twang City
►Huber’s // free // 6 p.m.
Some good ole country honky tonk, this will be a fun Saturday night at Huber’s!
SUNDAY, September 12th
Mean Lids
►Rose Bowl Tavern // $10 suggested donation // 3 p.m.
Playing original, traditional, and modern flute and fiddle music from North America, Ireland, Scottland, and Scandinavia, Mean Lids is going to keep you entertained.
Photo of Rookie from Rookie’s Facebook page.
Rookie, In The Pines, Soft and Dumb
►Rose Bowl Tavern // $12 adv, $15 door // 8 p.m.
Rookie brings rock and americana, In The Pines brings psychedelic, Soft and Dumb brings indie rock and post-punk. Sounds like a pretty well rounded night to me.
Top image from Rose Bowl Tavern’s Facebook event page.
