Music

It's all about fun in the summer sun when it comes to local shows this week, which feature Bobby Bare Jr., Pet Symmetry, a straight 48-hour jam session, and lots more.

Something about the music of Bashful Youngens inspires a yearning to get in the car and take a road trip, at least according to Sal, who is impressed with the band's new offering. 

The Protagonist Pizza crew highlights those involved with the upcoming benefit before the June 2nd exhibit and concert.

This sizeable week of live music is highlighted by some essential summertime events, such as the Hogchute Opry, Homer Soda Festival, and much more.

Sal muses on the splendid new offering by Tara Terra and talks to three of the band members in order to prep us for the album's release next week. 

Blips and Chitz owns this week of shows, which also includes some Cowboy Monkey fun and the showing of a classic rockumentary.

Sal reviews the new album by The Autocorrect, a mixed-bag recording that ponders our digitized life.

Austin’s Master Tracks series returns with Ryan Groff of Perennial Sound Studio and how his various musical endeavors fronting the band Elsinore, teaching lessons, and engineering/producing at Perennial often dovetail.

Things are pretty sleepy this week after the exodus of the students, but there are still some shows that are worth checking out. More within.

Phillip chats with Kelsey Sharp, keyboardist and background vocalist of Tell Mama, about the band's impending breakup and her future endeavors ahead of the band's last show this evening at Cowboy Monkey.

Sal recaps last night's Tom Petty show at State Farm Center.

Casey chats with Sofar Sounds Champaign branch founder Landen Rosenbloom about the series of secret gigs that has brought intimate vibes to various spots across C-U. 

Tom Petty highlights this week of shows, as well as a couple of beginnings and ends that coincide with the wrapping up of the school year. Full details within.

Jimmy Eat World come back to C-U this Saturday to play The Canopy Club in support of their latest release, Integrity Blues. to prep us for the show, Austin spoke with bassist Rick Burch on writing, the importance of time off, and brewing his own gin.

Jimmy Eat World, Tara Terra, and the return of the Expressions series highlight this week, which also marks the official opening of the outdoor season for many music venues.

Casey got to talk with Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood at the press conference for their upcoming weekend of shows at the State Farm Center. 

The official lineup and schedule for ELLNORA Guitar Festival 2017 have been announced, and we've got them for you right here.

Make sure to be at The Accord's last two shows this week, and prepare to get totally Garthed this weekend. That and much more within. 

Check out all that's going down this weekend for your 2017 version of Record Store Day in C-U.

In Part 2 of the monthly series, Casey continues his chats with two more bands in the DIY student music scene: Lime Forest and The Apothecaries. 

Record Store Day festivities own this weekend, with almost thirty bands scheduled to perform in celebration. That and much more makes up your weekly list of shows. Check it out.

Katie reviews Adventures in Time, the latest EP by the humorous sci-fi rockers The Underwerewolves, and finds it to be an interesting fusion of humor and horror.

Sal profiles singer-songwriter Kevin Elliott about getting a late but great start in the local music scene, his place in the C-U community, and how he balances work and play. And that's just the start. 

April rolls along with a week featuring Lil Wayne and 38 Special, as well as the rescheduled Peter Frampton show, and a ton of stuff in the works on the DIY circuit. 

Check out some of the action that went on over the weekend at the DIY music event Dark Tower Fest.

It's a bonafide Urbana bash this week with Boneyard Arts Fest combining with First Fridays, not to mention the Victor Wooten Trio and a ton of super strong women performers. And that's just the beginning.

Julia introduces us to Jonathan Richman, both then and now, ahead of his show at The Accord tomorrow night.

The local and regional DIY music scene is thriving, and this weekend's Dark Tower Fest will be showcasing some of the best of it. Westley talks with the organizers to get the ins-and-outs of this eclectic event. 

Spring has officially sprung and everyone has come out to play, making up this completely stacked week of shows that features Green Day, Peter Frampton, Jonathan Richman, and so much more.

In his new series, Casey explores the world of the DIY student music scene in C-U by getting up close and personal with some of the acts. 

In order to prep us for their Canopy show next week, Katie chats with Joe Hertler about how he and his Rainbow Seekers do everything from making stories into songs to dressing up like pterodactyls, and much more.

A full weekend at the IMC and some folk jams at Rose Bowl make for a fun time in Urbana this week. Find that and much more for your week of shows within.

Sal chats with Kamila Glowacki of the group Nectar about the band's new EP, as well as some other projects she's involved in, ahead of several shows she's playing in the area over the next month.

Tonight, the dark and dreamy electro-pop duo Phantogram is coming to The Canopy Club. In advance of their show, Austin spoke with them about their very first show, their writing process, and what's in a name. 

Canopy kills it this week with shows featuring Phantogram and more. That plus some great benefits and a little St. Patty's Day fun make up your list of C-U shows.

To prep us for his show tomorrow at Cowboy Monkey, Julia chats with Braid member Chris Broach about his new project, Sunset, and some of the huge life changes he's made recently.

Sal reflects on the lost recording medium of the cassette tape and its big return to the scene on both a local and national level.

A stacked week of music in C-U includes Vince Staples, some excellent benefit shows, and the latest project from a member of Braid. Find more within.

For our new series Master Tracks, Austin will explore the recording studio scene in the Champaign-Urbana area. For this first installment, he spoke with Mark Wyman about his new studio, ToneGood. 

Local underground punk show raises money for the Up Center. Check out what a basement fundraiser looks like in these photos. 

U of I is having its 150th anniversary, and today, Krannert will celebrate with the always enjoyable Chicago group Funkadesi. Katie spoke with multi-instrumentalist Rahul Sharma ahead of the event.

Some excellent benefit shows and yearly celebrations highlight this week of music in C-U. Check out more within.

In advance of Ben Folds' arrival at the Canopy Club this Saturday, Austin attempts to answer the question that was on nobody's mind: How is a piano-playing-rock-frontman made?

A frenzy of activity on the DIY circuit highlights this packed week of shows, and it's almost as if all the musicians came out to enjoy the unseasonable weather. Here's where to take in the sun and the tunes.

Nathaniel talks with singer-songwriter Julien Baker about her suprising influences and the messages she hopes to send with her music ahead of her show tomorrow evening at The Accord.

Julia chatted with guitar instructor Guido Sanchez-Portuguez about his unique classes at The Upper Bout ahead of his Concert with Class session next week.

This week of shows in C-U is highlighted by Julien Baker, and also includes some unique takes on Valentine's Day.

Ahead of Wednesday's show at The Accord, Julia speaks with Erin Fein, a.k.a. Psychic Twin, who opens up about the dark past behind her debut album, and how she's a stronger person because of it.