Smile Politely

The Overture: April 29-May 5

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.

Chicago farmer
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.

Gloria Roubal

25 O’Clock Brewery // free // 8 p.m.

Will
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

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