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, August 6th
Sammy Heck, Belle, Warm Darn
► Blips and Chitz // $5 // 7:30 p.m.
TUESDAY, August 7th
John Lindell, Matt Stewart
► The Clark Bar // free // 6:30 p.m.
Jonny Lang
► Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts // $25-$45 // 7:30 p.m.
The highly influential Jonny Lang is back through Central Illinois, making a stop in neighbor city Bloomington tomorrow night. He’s on tour for his new record Signs, which he released just about a year ago. Lang performed in Champaign-Urbana not too long ago at ELLNORA, which feels like just yesterday — but was actually 2013. That’s crazy.
WEDNESDAY, August 8th
Dance Monkey Dance
► Sipyard // free // 7 p.m.
Kowabunga! Kid, Spit-Take, Power of Dusk, Prevalance
► Casa De Sasha // $5-$7 // 7:30 p.m.
Jon Spencer, The Dry Look
► Memphis on Main // $15 advance/$20 door // 8 p.m.
The legendary Jon Spencer heads through C-U midweek at Memphis on Main. Though he’s usually known to perform with his garage rock outfit The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, this tour features Spencer with another backing band. He’s joined by local crew The Dry Look. This should be a fun and sweaty one in the snug stage in the back of Memphis on Wednesday.
Ian Shepherd, Mitchell Killough
► Blackbird // free // 8 p.m.
THURSDAY, August 9th
TajMo: The Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’ Band
► The Virginia Theatre // $45-$219 // 6:30 p.m.
TajMo is the collaboration between these two legendary blues musicians, and they’re on tour, stopping through at the Virginia on Thursday night. They have a new album out now that features a bunch of originals and some covers here and there — the album won a Grammy for Best Contemporary Blues Album in 2018, which is pretty incredible.
Jupiter Styles, Treadles, Nectar, Eli
► Espresso Royale on Daniel // $7 // 7 p.m.
Jupiter Styles is the new project of Sean Neumann, he changed the name of the project from Single Player to this recently, releasing a new album Be Good last month. He’s on tour as a two piece with the drummer of The Reptilian. If you’re interested, read my interview with Neumann from earlier this year to catch up on what he’s up to. Jupiter Styles is on tour with Treadles from Louisiana, and interestingly enough, this show is happening at Espresso Royale on Daniel on campus, which is kind of awesome.
El Guapo
► Blackbird // free // 9 p.m.
FRIDAY, August 10th
Erik Lund’s Jazz Friends
► The Iron Post // cover // 5 p.m.
Brad Wheeler Group
► Blackbird // free // 5 p.m.
The Shanties, The Tannahill Weavers
► Allerton Park & Retreat Center // $5-$10 // 5:30 p.m.
Irish Fest at Allerton is back, taking place this weekend with a couple of acts to add some family friendly show to this week’s calendar. This year it takes place in the Meadow at Allerton, and will have bands, food vendors, kids activities, and more.
Friday Night Live
► Downtown Champaign // free // 6 p.m.
Susan Williams
► The Iron Post // cover // 8 p.m.
SATURDAY, August 11th
Prairie Crossroads Blues Fest
► Champaign County Fairgrounds // $10 // 2-10 p.m.
Tim McGee, Jesse W. Johnson, Bryce Brown, Brad Olson, David Wycoco
► Bentley’s Pub // free (donations welcomed) // 6:30 p.m.
Check out these five solo acts at Bentley’s on Saturday for Hogchute’s Happy Hour series. McGee is part of Primitive Lights and other bands in town, Bryce Brown is in Col. James Presents, Brad Olson is the mastermind behind Hogchute Opry + Harvest and performs in Neoga Blacksmith. Those three plus more for this one.
800 lb. Gorilla
► Blackbird // $5 // 9 p.m.
Kilborn Alley
► The Iron Post // cover // 9:30 p.m.
SUNDAY, August 12th
There are no shows lined up for this date in Champaign-Urbana.