The Overture is a rundown of live music and performances happening in the Champaign-Urbana area (and the outskirts) each week. All of the information is as accurate as we can publish, but all shows and performances are subject to change at any time. Thank you for understanding.
Have a show you think we should know about? Email us at music@smilepolitely.com with the details.
MONDAY, November 19th
There are no shows scheduled for this date
TUESDAY, November 20th
The Chickadee Sermon, ts foss, Eli Amariah
► Avionics // $7 // 7 p.m.
Acoustic/folk outfit The Chickadee Sermon have been playing a ton this year all around C-U, and they’re joined by a couple of other solo acoustic projects on Tuesday night at Avionics. ts foss is the touring act from Madison (one of the members of the band Proud Parents), and Eli Amariah is from Sleeping Okami.
► Blackbird // free // 7 p.m.
Church Street Ramblers
► The Iron Post // cover // 7 p.m.
WEDNSEDAY, November 21st
Candy Foster
► Boomerang’s // free // 7 p.m.
Caleb Cook Band
► Loose Cobra // free // 7 p.m.
Temple of Low Men
► Blackbird // free // 8 p.m.
Merry Travelers, Jake Feischli
► The Iron Post // cover // 8 p.m.
Dan Hubbard, Kayla Brown
► The Castle Theatre in Bloomington // $12 advance/$15 day of show // 8 p.m.
Kilborn Alley Blues Band
► Pipa’s Pub // cover // 8 p.m.
DJ Tim Williams
► Cowboy Monkey // free // 9 p.m.
Anger Management
► Goldy’s // free // 9 p.m.
DJ LegTwo, DJ Belly
► Blackbird // free // 12 a.m.
Here’s one option for Blackout Wednesday: Old School Party with DJ LegTwo and DJ Belly on the decks at Blackbird in Downtown Urbana. No cover gets you a few hours of old school hits from these two to help provide a hangover for Thursday at your family’s Thanksgiving table.
THURSDAY, November 22nd
DJ Belly
► Bentley’s Pub // free // 9 p.m.
Want to slug down $3 White Lies and some cheap beers on Thursday night after you stuff your face with Thanksgiving grub? Here’s your spot to go, Bentley’s has DJ Belly on the decks, and drink specials to boot. Plus, you can bring in outside food, so maybe you can bring your 3rd or 4th round of Thanksgiving food with you.
FRIDAY, November 23rd
Chip Stephens
► The Iron Post // cover // 5 p.m.
New Orleans Jazz Machine
► Blackbird // free // 5 p.m.
Sapphire, Jane Done, Blacktop Audio, Korupter, Soul on Sunday, Crazy Johnny Band, Garrett & Geezers, and more
► Boomerang’s // $5 // 6 p.m.
Mongolian Death Wyrm
► nightshop in Bloomington // cover // 8 p.m.
DJ I.c.Dre, DJ NAST-E
► 51 Main // cover // 9 p.m.
Rebecca Songer, Neoga Blacksmith, Clayont Deering
► The Iron Post // cover // 9 p.m.
SATURDAY, November 24th
The Rives Brothers
► The Iron Post // cover // 6 p.m.
Champaign Cypher Series
► The Canopy Club // $10 // 7 p.m.
A ton of rappers are lined up for the Champaign Cypher Series homecoming show on Saturday night at Canopy Club. Bubba Mane, Playboi Gigalo, Frito, Young Blu, Jay Moses, Chase Baby, Gr8SKY, Truth AKA Trouble, and so many others — which you can see at the Facebook event above. Doors are listed at 7 p.m. for this, and music starts thereafter.
Bones Jugs
► Pour Bros // free // 8:30 p.m.
Local staple, Americana/roots outfit Bones Jugs, haven’t played a ton of shows as of late, aside from their PYGMALION and C-U Folk & Roots Festival appearances. Here’s a free show at Pour Bros you can check out to get yer dance on post-Thanksgiving.
Owl Club
► The Iron Post // cover // 9 p.m.
Tractor Kings, Lonely Trailer, Primitive Lights
► Cowboy Monkey // $5 // 9:00 p.m.
A trio of locals are lined up at Monkey on Saturday night for their Post-Thanksgiving Hootenanny. Headlined by Tractor Kings, and even though the band hasn’t put out anything since 2016’s Codes, they’re still one of the most reliable and best bands in town. Longtime scene crew Lonely Trailer and new-ish outfit Primitive Lights join in on the fun.
DJ Tim Williams
► Blackbird // free // 9:30 p.m.
SUNDAY, November 25th
Brandon T. Washington
► Champaign Public Library // free // 2 p.m.
Soul on Sunday
► The Iron Post // donations // 7 p.m.
Jarrel Young, Aquila, Adobo, DJ Belly
► 51 Main // free/$3 under 21 // 10 p.m.