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, April 29th
IP Big Band
► The Iron Post // cover // 8 p.m.
TUESDAY, April 30th
UI Symphony Orchestra with Choruses
► Foellinger Great Hall // $10 / $7 sc/ $4 youth // 7:30 p.m.
UI Jazz Band IV
► Studio Theatre // $10 / $7 sc/ $4 youth // 7:30 p.m.
Kittens Incorporated
► The Iron Post // cover // 8 p.m.
Photo from Facebook event page
Chicago Farmer
► Blackbird // $5 // 8 p.m.
It’s already the start of festival season, and Summer Camp is only a month away. Chicago Farmer is doing a Summer Camp warmup show this Tuesday (CF is scheduled to play the festival May 26th), so come on out and get a preview of the show without days of camping smells keeping you company. Get your pre-preview here:
WEDNESDAY, May 1st
McNeill Quintet
► The Iron Post // cover // 6 p.m.
UI Jazz Combo Concert II
► Studio Theatre // $10 / $7 / $4 // 7:30 p.m.
Illinois Wind Symphony
► Foellinger Great Hall // $10 / $7 / $4 // 7:30 p.m.
Mike Wheeler
► The Iron Post // cover // 8 p.m.
The Allman Betts Band
► The Castle Theatre // $25 advance/ $28 day of show // 8 p.m.
Jazz Jam
► The Iron Post // cover // 10 p.m.
THURSDAY, May 2nd
Mike Harmon Group
► Iron Post // cover // 7 p.m.
Dis-Funktional and Hot Sauce Universe
► nightshop in Bloomington // $7 // 7 p.m.
Bear Grillz
►The Canopy Club // $17 advance/ $24 day of show // 9 p.m.
Kayla Brown
► Blackbird // free // 9:30 p.m.
FRIDAY, May 3rd
New Orleans Jazz Machine
► Blackbird // free // 5 p.m.
Immersion Festival, various artists
► The IMC // donations encouraged // 5 p.m.
Jordan Kaye
► The Iron Post // cover // 5 p.m.
Steve Meadows, The Rives Brothers, Boneyard Brass Brand
► Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 5 p.m.
Los Guapos
► 25 O’Clock Brewery // free // 6 p.m.
Illinois Symphony Orchestra
►Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts // $20-$62 // 7:30 p.m.
Drew Hanson Quintet
► The Iron Post // cover // 8 p.m.
Diamond Rio
►The City Center // $30-$45 // 8:30 p.m.
New Souls
►Blackbird // free // 9 p.m.
DJ Belly and Allen Blackwell
► The Canopy Club // free // 9:30 p.m.
SATURDAY, May 4th
McNeill Combo
► The Iron Post // cover // 12:30 p.m.
Perimeter Road Music Festival
► Perimeter Road Sound Recordings // free // 1 p.m.
Central High Jazz Combos
► The Iron Post // cover // 3 p.m.
Immersion Festival, various artists
► The IMC // donations encouraged // 5 p.m.
Almost A Quintet
► The Iron Post // cover // 6 p.m.
Seaway with Free Throw
► nightshop in Bloomington // $16 advance/ $18 day of show // 6:30 p.m.
The New Zeitgeist with WEFT’s Kevin Elliott
► Exile on Main // free // 6:30 p.m.
ELSINORE, Dan Hubbard, and The Bashful Youngens
► Seven Saints // $10// 6:30 p.m.
► 25 O’Clock Brewery // free // 8 p.m.
Photo from artist facebook page
William Elliott Whitmore
► The Castle Theatre in Bloomington // $17 advance/ $18 day of show // 8 p.m.
William Elliott Whitmore put on one of my favorite shows I’ve seen since living in C-U back in 2015 at the then-High Dive, and he’s finally back around for more. It’s well worth a trip out to Bloomington for multi-instrumentalist Whitmore’s southern-gothic sound. Check out these gravelly vocals before you go:
Chachi and the Bandidos
► Rose Bowl Tavern // $5 // 8 p.m.
F*ck Finals
►The Canopy Club // $5 // 8:30 p.m.
Kind Country, Aquila
► Blackbird // $5 // 9 p.m.
SUNDAY, May 5th
Chip Stephens Organ Trio
► The Iron Post // cover // 5 p.m.
Wes Harmony & Broasted Rat
► 25 O’Clock Brewery // $5 suggested donation // 6 p.m.
Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys
► Rose Bowl Tavern // $5 suggested donation // 7 p.m.
*Top photo from Iron Post facebook page. Image of Chachi and the Bandidos, playing this week at Rose Bowl Tavern.
**Shows added to Overture since original publication