Music

Many musicians are out of work right now, including DJs. So what are they doing to get through it?

Gavin chats with Aditya Kashyap of The Data Waves, who breaks out with a solo debut effort Onyx, released earlier this month.

All the show listings fit to publish. Highlights this week include: Carrie Nation & The Speakeasy with Tara Terra and Sherwood Forest, Ratboys with Take Care and Gnarly Beth, and FEA with Power of Dusk, Blushe, and Kat and the Hurricane.

Atlanta hip-hop duo EarthGang graced the stage at Foellinger Hall on Wednesday, supported by Champaign MC Gatson. 

Ben sits down with Sarah Edwards and DJ Roach of WILL to discuss their documentary, Illinois Country, which premieres Monday, March 2nd, 2020.

This week's live music highlights include Bad Bad Habits, The Data Waves, Carrellee, and nightshop's 2nd anniversary weekend series.

Ben recounts his night at The Bird House, one of C-U's most active DIY venues.

Bringing you the rundown on all the shows happening this good Mardi Gras week. Highlights this week include: SMACKRabbitJACK and co. at the Rose Bowl, UIUC grad Lara Driscol returns to drop an album, a bunch of Mardi Gras-related Jazz, and two Cipher Series events.

Breaking down this week in music in, about, and around C-U. Highlights include: a show at The Bird House, Hot Sauce Universe drops an album, an Acapalooza for music education, and some killer line-ups.

Music writer Joe Ingolia sat down with area guitarist Tommy O'Donnell to talk process, performance, and inspiration.

Providing you the run-down on the music events happening on, about, and around the C-U scene. Highlights include the million-and-a-half Valentine's day shows, LLYN's album release show, and The Great Cover Up.

Ben introduces you all to Sinfonia da Camera, one of C-U's most accomplished chamber groups.

Ben reviews his experience at the Rose Bowl Tavern on Saturday night for the final performances of C-U Folk and Root's Winter Weekend event.

The Overture is a rundown of what's happening in the music scene about and around C-U. Highlights this week include: Jupiter String Quartet, Sinfonia da Camera, Summer Camp On the Road Tour, The Great Cover-Up, and Good Morning Bedlam. 

With 2020 now in full swing, the guys in LLYN sat down with Smile Politely to discuss their history, upcoming debut EP, and record release show at Rose Bowl Tavern in February.

Joe sits down with DJ Shane Canfield to discuss the 2019 Red Bull 3Style competition, his style, and more.

John previews the upcoming C-U Folk and Roots Winter Weekend slate of shows.

The Overture is your weekly playlist of all the music happening in and around C-U. This week's highlights include: Folk and Roots Winter Weekend (including The Chickadee Sermon's album release party), Silverweed, and the Champaign-Urbana Symphony Orchestra.

After 30 years in business, the legendary store will close for the last time January 31st. Seth speaks to local drummers and owner Terry Hawkins about the value and influence of the space.

Coming to you after a long holiday weekend, The Overture brings you a run-down of this week's shows happening in and around C-U. Highlights include: Mungion and Dizgo, Mank and Sass, Us on the Bus presents, a house show at The Bird House, and Nectar. 

Things are starting to heat back up following the winter/holiday break. This week's Overture highlights include: Meadowhawk, Unemployed Architects, Joe Stamm, and the multi-artists event, “Songs Don't Kill People.”

We're all still recovering from our Holiday Hangovers, but that doesn't mean the music scene is waiting for us. This weekend is especially full of shows.

The Overture, where we compile this week's musical offerings. Highlights include: Grand Ambassador, The Bashful Youngens and South City Revival, and The Rose Bowl's mini-bluegrass fest, Vol. III. 

As we close the books on a decade of album releases, here are the best 25 records to be released across that span of time in C-U.

A decade of music has passed, and while there's a ton to unpack here, here's what we have determined to be the best of the last ten.

Highlights from this week's Overture included: Primitive Lights, The Merry Travelers, a night of party punk, skipping finals, and one Bach cantata. Yep, a Bach canta — just trust me, it's a worth it. 

Your weekly round-up of the musical happenings in C-U and the surrounding areas. I've purposefully included a lot of College and University ensembles: these end-of-year concerts are often the best performances by some of the best (classical, jazz, etc.) musicians around.

This holiday week may look a little sparse, but the bands that are playing more than make up for it. Highlights include New Twang City, The Dry Look, Tractor Kings, and Power of Dusk. 

Brigid Young reviews Peach Pit's night at Foellinger Auditorium. 

Julia Hartman interviews Elsinore's Ryan Groff on the life, music, and the release of their new album, A Life in the 21st Century.

Performing works by Aaron Jay Kernis, Béla Bartók, and Johannes Brahms, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra display their mastery at combining emotive force with formal ingenuity.  

This week offers a few great excuses to take a trip out to Bloomington, but just as many to visit local venues, too! Highlights include two underground-ish shows, LLYN, Black-Eyed Lilies, and two release shows. 

Joe Ingolia sits down with Sarah Cramer to discuss her craft and upcoming projects. 

John checks out Open Jam Wednesday at the Canopy Club: a laid back, monthly gathering of local musicians, hosted by local band, Grand Ambassador. 

This week's musical offerings may start off light, but it's going to be a hot weekend to warm you up from wind and snow. Highlights include Motes, Elsinore's album release show, and Bones Jugs and The Mighty Pines. 

Dylan Gray recounts his final interview with recently disbanded CU funk group, Flat Moon Theory.

November's music offerings are starting off strong. Highlights include Overworry, Vestiges, Unemployed Architects, and Meadowhawk. 

Eric snapped some awesome shots at this weekend's CU Folk and Roots Fest. 

Julia recaps Friday night's line-up at the Rose Bowl Tavern.

Ben outlines what's happening in live music this week.

Jack took his camera and caught the action at State Farm Center last night for Young the Giant's show.

Benjamin reviews the first night of the 11th annual C-U Folk and Roots Festival 

Rob Krumm, one of the chief organizers of the C-U Folk and Roots Festival, kindly answers some of John’s questions about this year’s festival.

It's CU Folk and Roots Festival week, so you know this edition of the overture is jam-packed with good shows. But if folk and roots aren't your thing, there are still a ton of shows for you to see. 

Gavin recaps Doja Cat's performance earlier this week on campus at the U of I.

The weather is getting cold, but the CU music scene is staying hot. Highlights include Caleb Cook Band, Mungion with Aquilla, and a few offerings from throughout UIUC. 

Benjamin reviews the University of Illinois Black Chorus' fall concert. 

Let this week get your October musicking on the right track. Highlights include Good Morning Bedlam, Kayla Brown, the Wreck the Stage competition, and a concert at The Front Porch in Philo that you won't want to miss.