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, July 26th
Bones Jugs Happy Hour
► Rose Bowl Tavern // donations encouraged // 5 p.m.
C-U favorite Bones Jugs plays happy hour over at the Rose Bowl.
TUESDAY, July 27th
Carlos Vega Quintet
► Rose Bowl Tavern // donations encouraged // 5 p.m.
Saxophonist Carlos Vega and his band play Rose Bowl for a great hour of jazz.
Photo from Black Eyed Lillies’ Facebook page
Black Eyed Lillies
► Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 7 p.m.
Tunesday Tuesday at Rose Bowl! Bringing together a mix of Americana, blues, and folk, Black Eyed Lillies are sure to keep you entertained with some great guitar playing and wonderful vocals.
WEDNESDAY, July 28th
Tito Carrillo’s Luminance
► Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 5 p.m.
Electric, funk, neo-soul? A combination of all three? Count me in. Head to Rose Bowl for some tasty tunes from trumpeter Tito Carrillo.
THURSDAY, July 29th
Van De Pants Funk
► Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 7:30 p.m.
An exciting night of funk awaits you at Rose Bowl this Thursday. Van De Pants plays classic funk, “ala The Meters.” Guitar, bass, keys, drums, come vibe.
Jonathan Foster, Image from Jonathan Foster’s Website
Jonathan Foster
► Sipyard // free // 7 p.m.
Americana roots songwriter Jonathan Foster hits the Sipyard on his North American tour. Yes, playing solo, but you’ll be captivated by his songwriting abilites. He also has an impressvie catalogue of music. Check this show out.
Hobnob String Band
► Rose Bowl Tavern // free / $5 suggested donation // 5 p.m.
Outside on the patio of Rose Bowl, Hobnob brings you some great acoustic music, from blues to bluegrass and other styles. Catch some great harmonies, and of course some wonderful fingerpicking.
FRIDAY, July 30th
Chip Stephens Organ Trio
► Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 5 p.m.
Not your typical jazz trio! Organ, guitar, and drums mix together to create some great tunes.
Wild Earp and the Free For Alls
► Rose Bowl Tavern // donations encouraged // 7:30 p.m.
Honkey tonk, folk, rockabilly, roots, and more, Wild Earp and the Free For Alls is going to be a barn stomping — or in this case Rose Bowl stomping — good time.
Tiger Sex, image from CincyMusic
Editor’s Pick: Tiger Sex, Dirty Rotten Revenge, False Negative, Royal Richards
► nightshop // $10 adv / $13 door // doors 5 p.m. / music 7 p.m.
I’m a sucker for punk show. All ages until 10 p.m. this is a great night of punk, garage rock, and hardcore. Raw and visceral, the short drive to Bloomington-Normal is well worth this headbanger of a show.
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.
Jazz Happy Hour
►NOLA’s Rock Bar // free // 5 p.m.
Jazz and drink specials every Friday at NOLA’s! Blues Funk All Stars will be providing the tunes this week, so sit back and enjoy.
SATURDAY, July 31st
Wildwood
► Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 3 p.m.
Wildwood String Band plays Rose Bowl. Infusing bluegrass with contemporary influence, Wildwood is always a good time.
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.
Mhondoro Rhythm Success
► Rose Bowl Tavern // free / $10 suggested donation // 7 p.m.
Okay, this sounds awesome. I don’t know much about music from Zimbabwe, so my interest is piqued. The members of the band are either from Zimbabwe, or have studied music there or lived there.
Black Eyes Lillies
► NOLA’s Rock Bar // free // 7 p.m.
If you missed them on Tuesday, Black Eyed Lillies is hitting NOLA’s on Saturday!
Indulge, Devour, Necro Signatures, Bury Thy Wicked, Chalk
► nightshop // $10 adv / $15 door // doors 5:30 p.m. / music 6:30 p.m
Another night of fast paced music at nightshop with not one, not two, but five bands. Prepare for some deathcore, metal, and rock. Nightshop keeps the punk coming!
Funk Sauce Brass Band
► Sipyard // free // 7 p.m.
The final show of their 2021 summer tour, Funk Sauce brings funk obviously, as well as rock, pop, and New Orleans hits. Enjoying these jams outside at the Sipyard sounds like a great Saturday.
The Bashful Youngens, Colonel James Presents
► Seven Saints // free // 7 p.m.
Beloved local Americana duo The Bashful Youngens play Seven Saints for their Summer Jams series. Joined by Colonel James Presents, you’re in for a night of sweet on the ears music.
SUNDAY, August 1st
Nectar, Dearie
►Mabery Gelvin Botanical Garden, Mahomet // free // 5 p.m.
A concert at the Botanical Garden sounds so dreamy, right? Two great local bands, Nectar will start the night with some rock and Dearie will finish with some folk. Will be a great show.
Silverweed
► Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 4 p.m.
In addition to a great night of country music, Silverweed also brings The Dead, Bob Dylan, and Americana to Rose Bowl. What better to way to end the weekend than dancing?
