The Overture is a rundown of live music and performances happening in and around Champaign-Urbana each week. All of the information is as accurate as we can publish; however, all shows and performances are subject to change at any time. Thank you for understanding.
Did we miss something this week? Have a show coming up you think we should know about? Email us at music@smilepolitely.com with the details.
MONDAY, April 25th
Ballister
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 5:30 p.m.
Brought to you by Improvisers Exchange, Ballister is a compelling trio of saxophone, drums, and cello.
Image from Nightshop’s Facebook page.
Screaming Females, Catbite, Ghösh, & Looming
►Nightshop // $16 adv, $18 door // 7:30 p.m.
This show basically has all of your rock needs covered — punk, alternative, indie, ska, hardcore, you name it. New Jersey’s Screaming Females headline the night.
Urbanna Hootenanny
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 8 p.m.
Every Monday at the Rose Bowl, come hang out with some great musicians. A sort of open mic meets song share, you can expect a variety of music and performers.
TUESDAY, April 26th
Jesus Fuentes Quartet
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 5 p.m.
Jazz pianist Jesus Fuentes leads his quartet through some original tunes for a night of exciting jazz music. The quartet is Jesus Fuentes on piano, Matt Storie on sax, Andrew Binder on bass, and Frank Kurtz on drums.
The House Trio
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 7:30 p.m.
Jose Gobbo, Ben Taylor, and Nikola Djokic came together to form The House Trio in 2020, and have aired over 50 livestreams since, performing over 400 tunes. Performing their blend of Brazilian, Serbian, jazz, pop, and more, for this show they’ll be joined by vocalist Victoria Capo.
WEDNESDAY, April 27th
Vine Street Syncopators
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 5 p.m.
More jazz at Rose Bowl on Wednesdy with the Vine Street Syncopators. Come hearsome piping hot jazz that’ll make you get up and dance.
Image from Kenny Wayne Shepherd’s Facebook page.
Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band
►Virginia Theatre // $44+ // 7:30 p.m.
5-time Grammy nominated blues guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd hits the Virginia Theatre on the 25th anniversary tour of his album Trouble Is….
THURSDAY, April 28th
Aakash Mittal & Lesley Mok
►Krannert Art Museum // free // 5:30 p.m.
Part of the Sudden Sound Concert series, saxophonist Aakash Mittal and percussionist Lesley Mok combine forces to create a unique sonic landscape, influenced by jazz, Hindustani raga music, and Cuban rumba.
Kashena Sampson, Boris Pelekh
►Nightshop // $10 adv, $15 door // 7 p.m.
Nashvilles Kashena Sampson brings folk, rock, and soul to Bloomington’s Nightshop. Joining her is Brooklyn’s indie folk artist Boris Pelekh.
Bat Factory (Goth Night)
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 8 p.m.
Goths and fans of spooky music unite for an evening of synthpop, darkwave, noise, and more at Rose Bowl Tavern. You don’t have to wear all black, but it wouldn’t hurt. With a largre lineup of DJs and musicians, the party goes until 2 in the morning.
Image from Bonnie X Clyde’s Facebook page.
Bonnie x Clyde
►Canopy Club // $15 // 9 p.m.
Electronic dance duo Bonnie X Clyde performs at Canopy Club, bringing their blend of electro-synth pop, trap, and house.
FRIDAY, April 29th
Rob Schwimmer
►Independent Media Center // free // 5:30 p.m.
Theremin player Rob Schwimmer is bringing an interactive performance to the IMC this Friday. He also performs the Haken Continuum, an instrument created by Dr. Lippold Haken, a professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Illinois.
Nitti Gritti, LYNY
►Castle Theatre // $18 // 8 p.m.
DJ and producer Nitti Gritti brings his contagious energy to the Castle Theatre in Bloomington, alongside electronic/dance artist LYNY.
Avey Grouws Band
►Rose Bowl Tavern // $10 // 8:30 p.m.
From the Quad Cities comes the Avey Grouws Band, bringing their blend of blues, roots, rock, and soul.
SATURDAY, April 30th
Image from Perimeter Road Sound Recording’s Facebook page.
Editor’s Pick: Perimeter Road Music Festival
►Parkland College // free // 12 p.m.
Did you know Parkland College has a record label? Did you know they also put on a yearly music festival? Come hang out this Saturday in the B1 parking lot of Parkland, and catch some great local acts like Anika Emily, Modern Drugs, Moe Pesci, Disaster Kid, and more. There will be food trucks and the event is open to all ages.
With Arms Open Wide
►Rose Bowl Tavern // donations encouraged // 1 p.m.
The Rose Bowl is hosting a benefit concert, organized by the Slavic Reference Service who is partnering with Doctors WIthout Borders. The event will feature a lineup of local musicians, with the goal of raising money to help support relief efforts in conflict areas such as Ukraine, Afghanistan, Yemen, and more.
John and Julie Pennell with Dawna Nelson and Brian Wilkie
►Rose Bowl Tavern // $10 // 7 p.m.
Local singer-songwriter duo John and Julie Pennell are joined by Dawna Nelson and Brian Wilkie for an evening of folk and bluegrass.
Image from Miles Over Mountains’ Facebook page.
Miles Over Mountains
►NOLA’s Rock Bar // $7 // 7 p.m.
A progressive bluegrass band, Miles Over Mountains brings high energy to every show. They play originals as well as covers. Catch them at NOLA’s before they perform at Summer Camp Music Festival.
Chicago Farmer & The Fieldnotes, The Bashful Youngens
►Castle Theatre // $20 adv, $23 door // 8 p.m.
Two local folk and country favorites. Chicago Farmer and The Fieldnotes dropped a new EP at the beginning of March, and The Bashful Youngens released a new single around the same time. Safe to assume you’ll be hearing some new exciting music at this show.
SUNDAY, May 1st
Turino Family Band
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 4 p.m.
Matt, Tom, Shannon, and Claire come together as the Turino family band to play some wonderful music. Ranging from folk to Cajun to fiddle music, you are in a for a treat.
Songwriters Round
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 7 p.m.
Another round of Songwriters Round, this time hosted by Anika Emily. Four songwriters share stories and perform. This show’s lineup consists of Anika Emily, Sara Siders, Stacy Antonel, and Erinn Peet Lukes — the latter two performers coming to us from Nashville.
Buckcherry
►Castle Theatre // $29 adv, $32 door // 7:30 p.m.
Hard rock band Buckcherry is stopping by The Castle Theatre in support of their 9th studio album Hellbound. They’ll be joined by Blacktop Mojo, and Sumo Cyco.
Future Crib, Soft Coup, Adie Mendez
►Nightshop // $7 adv, $10 door // 8:30 p.m.
Nashville indie rockers Future Crib join two Bloomington-Normal acts, Soft Coup, and Adie Mendez, playing indie pop, and jazz pop, respectively.
Top image from Perimeter Road Sound Recording’s Facebook page.
