Music

Take a look back at all that went on over the first weekend of the 26th annual Great Cover Up.

This full week of shows in C-U includes The Great Cover Up's second round, as well as Ricky Skaggs, Quiet Riot, and more.

On his second EP, local post-electronic musician Snayl delves deeper into his songwriting and finds a somewhat darker place.

Sal gets to know WEFT DJ Baub Alred by chatting about the life experiences that led up to his profession, and the change he hopes to make through his art and musical curation.

The Great Cover Up returns with its first leg this weekend, and that's only one of the ways that live music can prepare you for the semester this week.

Last Friday, Westley caught up with Trevor Moore and Andrew Walsh from The Inn Keepers who are currently touring the Midwest and plan releasing an album later this year.

Casey reports on the latest release from local artist/producer Patrick, an EP entitled Monsters in A Monte Carlo.

C-U is waking up a bit this week with this varied group of shows, which includes electronica, psychedelia, hip-hop and more.

C-U hasn't yet fully emerged from the holiday fog, but there are still a few shows worth checking out this week.

2016 is drawing to a close, and that means it's time for us to rank some of the top local albums released over the year. We're also providing our two cents on each one, of course.

These Grandkids have grown up immensely from their “humblecore” beginnings in Champaign-Urbana, as shown through their latest album, This Guitars.

Julia, Patrick and Boswell share their thoughts on the best live shows in Champaign-Urbana in 2016.

Things in C-U are winding down for the holidays, but there is still a lot going on. This is our last Overture of 2016, and within it you'll find all the best local music that the rest of this year has to offer.

Julia speaks with indie-electronic band Sunjacket about their time at Earth Analog Studios and the year 2016 as a whole ahead of their show at The Accord tomorrow.

From decades in the indie rock realm to the depths of Urbana, Bruce Adams is a gem of the unknown music community. You should learn more about him.

Things are beginning to get festive for the holidays and a whole lot of indie and experimental shows are to be had for this first full week of December.

In preparation for their Sunday show at Foellinger, Nathaniel examines American Football's LP 2 to shed light on how the iconic band has grown and changed over an almost two-decade hiatus.

American Football returns to C-U on Sunday — that and a stuffed lineup of shows at The Iron Post makes for a lot to see and hear as we ring in the final month of 2016.

Staying in C-U for Thanksgiving? Here are some gigs to check out, whether you're escaping your extended family or bringing them with you.

Julia was on the scene for Saturday's Twin Peaks show at The Accord, and she lived to tell about it.

An eclectic mix of genres makes for a veritable grab bag of shows in C-U this week.

Singer-Songwriter Susan Werner talks about her eclectic career, her endeavors in Cuban music, and her upcoming shows at Krannert Center this weekend. 

Here's our recap of the annual C-U Folk and Roots Festival that took place in downtown Urbana over the weekend.

Twin Peaks return to The Accord, folk and country acts are set to stun, and show houses are churning it out for this week in local music.

Emily Blue is performing in Champaign at the Clark Bar tonight in support of her album Another Angry Woman. I got a chance to interview Emily and talk about her new album, music in general, and the local ties she has to causes, including R.A.C.E.S.

The Folk and Roots Festival returns, and is accompanied by gifted guitarist and vocalist shows to highlight this week.

Purity Ring is coming to Canopy Club this Monday, and if you're not a fan of the group yet, Austin has a three-step plan to fandom mapped out that will put you well on your way.

Ahead of his tour-ending performance this Sunday at The City Center, Alan Palomo talks with James about how Neon Indian might not continue after this tour, the myth of originality in art, and getting lumped into a genre he never identified with. 

This star-studded week of shows includes big names from rap, rock, pop and electronica, not to mention Halloween hijinks.

Last Saturday Canopy Club welcomed LA hip-hop artist Hopsin to the stage. Tyler was there to show you the sights and let you know why he thought it was a good show played for a bad crowd.

Julia speaks with Steve Lamos of American Football about their new album after a seventeen-year hiatus, and who the band is now compared to then.

Austin reviews Rebecca Rego and the Trainmen’s outstanding upcoming release, Lay These Weapons Down, in advance of their album release show at Cowboy Monkey this Friday.

A lot of hip-hop and a little spookiness are only the beginning to this week's list of shows in C-U.

Tom reviews the new album from We the Animals, Hells and Chronicles, ahead of the release and show at Cowboy Monkey on October 29th.

James reviews Zeds Dead's show at Canopy Club on Tuesday night and finds a raucous good time for those looking to go crazy.

An eclectic group of shows are happening this week, including festivals of both the folk and jazz variety.

Kentucky natives White Reaper put on one wild night on Friday, with local support from Kowabunga! Kid, Bookmobile!, and The Dry Look. 

Nathaniel probes the history of The Red Lion and all that has happened at the venue over its decades of existence in Champaign.

Casey previews and reviews the latest single by The Phantom Broadcast, “Steampunk,” and also gets a chance to talk to bandleader Evan Opitz about the group's forthcoming album. 

A totally stacked week of shows in C-U features White Reaper, Real Estate, a bunch of metal gigs and lots more.

Westley provides a review of the modern jazz duo's performance recently at Krannert Center.

Even amid the post-Pygmalion haze, C-U keeps chugging along with a healthy list of shows and other events to fill up this week.

This is our report on the shows and events for the very last day of Pygmalion MUSIC 2016.

Check out our recap of all that went on for the second Friday of Pygmalion MUSIC.

For the first day of three over this Pygmalion weekend, here's our take on all that happened Thursday night at Krannert Center.

Austin spoke with Tim Kinsella of Joan of Arc about the band’s collaborative, communal approach to writing and being; KISS as the gold standard of musical prowess; and the origin of the band’s name, ahead of their show at The Accord on Saturday.

After their viral performance on Letterman sent Future Islands on their longest tour ever, the band has spent 2016 relaxing. In our interview, frontman Sam Herring talks about how the members of the Baltimore synth pop outfit are itching to get back out there.

Casey talks with Lucy Dacus about songwriting, touring, and the definition of modern day music before her set at Pygmalion Festival this evening.