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, July 30th
Whitney Ashe
► The Iron Post // cover // 7 p.m.
TUESDAY, July 31st
Kayla Brown
► Blackbird // free // 7 p.m.
Mike Fenolio
► The Iron Post // cover // 7 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, August 1st
Rational Dress Society
► Sipyard // free // 7 p.m.
Although the photo above isn’t of Rational Dress Society, it is of Zecca Bom, one of the latest bands that has performed at Sipyard for their Wednesday live music nights. They’ve been putting free shows in Sipyard’s beergarden for several weeks now, so I thought I’d highlight it considering the acts that have been through there have been solid locals.
Ian Shepherd, Mitchell Killough
► Blackbird // free // 8 p.m.
THURSDAY, August 2nd
The Owl Club
► The Clark Bar // free // 6:30 p.m.
Peter Tijerina Septet
► The Iron Post // $5 // 7 p.m.
Not For The Faint Of Heart, This Is A Stickup!, James Mauck, Noise Battle
► Independent Media Center // $5 // 7:30 p.m.
Not For The Faint of Heart are gearing up for a tour, and they are kicking it off on Thursday at the IMC. The thrash/metal outfit is joined by This is a Stickup! plus a few others.
FRIDAY, August 3rd
New Orleans Jazz Machine
► Blackbird // free // 5 p.m.
Friday Night Live
► Downtown Champaign // free // 6 p.m.
April Verch Band
► The Iron Post // $15 // 8 p.m.
C-U Folk & Roots Fest is presenting April Verch Band on Friday evening, and she’s known for her traditional fiddle playing. The trio is Verch, Cody Walters (upright bass, banjo) and Alex Ruin (guitar, mandolin).
Chicago Farmer, Edward David Anderson, Althea Grace
► The Castle Theatre in Bloomington // $12 advance/$15 door // 8 p.m.
The Cleverlys
► The City Center // $15-$20 // 8:30 p.m.
DJ Tim Williams
► Blackbird // free // 9 p.m.
Tim Williams is one of the OGs of the scene as far as DJs go, and he’s going to be spinning Motown sounds on Friday night at Blackbird. No cover is helpful, so head over to one of the best beergardens in town and enjoy the first weekend of August.
Nuclei
► Memphis on Main // // 10 p.m.
SATURDAY, August 4th
SvenStock
► 280 County Road 300 E, Sadorus, IL // $10 suggested donation // 3 p.m.
Here’s an awesome opportunity to support Girls Rock! CU via SvenStock, which takes place on Saturday. Check out the schedule of bands that are lined up:
3:00 Sign up for Bags Tournament
3:45 Early 80s
4:00 Bags Tournament Begins
4:30 Holly Monet of The Merry Travelers
5:00 Kenna Mae Kenna Mae Music/Relevator
5:30 Mid-October
6:00 The Subsect
6:30 New Souls
7:30 Smoke In Space
8:00 Kittens Incorporated
8:45 Snayl
9:30 Ghoul Jr.
10:00 This is a Stick Up
10:30 Motes
Wildwood String Band
► Hessel Park // free // 3 p.m.
Crystal Redbone Quartet
► The Iron Post // $5 // 5 p.m.
Chicago Farmer, Old Shoe, The Way Down Wanderers, Edward David Anderson
► The Castle Theatre in Bloomington // $15 advance/$18 door // 8 p.m.
Easy Riders
► Blackbird // $5 // 9:30 p.m.
New Souls
► Watson’s Shack & Rail // free // 9:30 p.m.
SUNDAY, August 5th
Nathan Kalish and the Last Callers
► The Iron Post // cover // 7 p.m.
Macseal, SNST, Prevalence, Josh Zuckermann
► Blips and Chitz // $7 // 7 p.m.