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, June 18th
Larry Gray, Reginald Chapman
► The Iron Post // cover // 7 p.m.
TUESDAY, June 19th
Church Street Ramblers
► The Iron Post // $2-3 // 7 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, June 20th
Sororise
► Sipyard // free // 7 p.m.
Ian Shepherds, James Jones, Mitchell Killough
► Blackbird // free // 8 p.m.
WYD, Fat Harvester, Tser, The River Bottom Scum
► nightshop in Bloomington // $5 // 8 p.m.
THURSDAY, June 21st
Katie Flynn Quartet
► Krannert Center for the Performing Arts Stage 5 // free // 5 p.m.
The Chickadee Sermon
► The Iron Post // $5 // 8 p.m.
The Chickadee Sermon is a group you’ve probably seen popping up around the scene over the last year or so, playing a variety of venues over that span of time. The rootsy folk outfit doesn’t have any recorded music released yet, but they are working on putting something out in the future — I caught their augmented set at Hogchute, and seeing them inside at the Iron Post would make for an even better show. See them this Thursday.
Cracker, Highway J
► The Castle Theatre in Bloomington // $17 advance/$20 door // 7:30 p.m.
DJ Harsh
► Blackbird // free // 9 p.m.
FRIDAY, June 22nd
Chip McNeill Sax Pack
► Blackbird // free // 5 p.m.
Friday Night Live
► Downtown Champaign // free // 6 p.m.
Pickin’ Pear, Charlie Ford & the Chevys
► Rose Bowl Tavern // cover // 8:30 p.m.
Owl Club
► The Iron Post // // 9 p.m.
Josh Stewart Band
► Memphis on Main // cover unknown // 10 p.m.
Ohtis
► nightshop in Bloomington // $5 // 8 p.m.
Prevalence, Movies About Animals, Paul Kotheimer
► Ghost Planet // $5-$7 // 8:30 p.m.
SATURDAY, June 23rd
Grizz Shed Brothers
► The Clark Bar // free // 6:30 p.m.
Chase Baby, Truth aka Trouble, Tae TheGod, Gatson, Murr, FRITO, First Eye Therapy, Justo M.O.E., FlipSide Moton, Blackmage, Humbly G, Shaya
► The Canopy Club // $5 // 7 p.m.
Need to catch up on local hip hop? Look no further than this one Saturday night then — you can catch a whole slew of emcees from the area at Canopy Club. There’s far more to offer here than just the listing of the names I’ve typed above, so head over to the event page to check out all their is as a part of this one called Make Champaign Great Again… which is ironically an event being held… in Urbana.
Bones Jugs, Rational Dress Society
► The Iron Post // $10 // 7 p.m.
Bones Jugs are a local staple, and they haven’t played a ton of shows lately. Sure, some here and there, but here’s a chance to play catch up since the release of their latest EP, Rag Day II. The Iron Post has quickly become one of the most active (and quality) live music venues in our fair cities.
Belle, Bringers, Grammaw, Ryan Brewer
► Casa De Sasha // $6-$8 // 8:30 p.m.
DJ Legtwo
► Blackbird // free // 10 p.m.
DJ Legtwo is the project of Larry Gates, you might recognize him from Curb Service, and he’s returning to the decks this weekend to celebrate women of hip hop at Blackbird. No cover gets you an interesting show here — Legtwo’s mix he did back in 2010 which you can check out via his Soundcloud page. If you’re looking to hang and listen to bangers from back in the day, this is your stop on Saturday night.
SUNDAY, June 24th
Soul on Sundays
► The Iron Post // $5 suggested donation // 4 p.m.
Sleeping Okami
► The Loose Cobra // donation suggested // 5 p.m.
Keith Harden Band
► The Iron Post // // 7 p.m.