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, August 12th
Urbana Hootenanny
► Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 8 p.m.
TUESDAY, August 13th
Almost a Quintet, Traditional Jazz Orchestra with Ray Saski, The Impalas with Dawna Nelson
► The Iron Post // donation/benefit // 5 p.m.
Though details of why are unclear, it appears that this show is happening as a benefit show for the Iron Post due to “unforeseen circumstances”. There will be five hours of music lined up to raise money for the longtime jazz venue in Downtown Urbana that has hosted so many shows over the course of its lifetime.
Show poster from the Facebook event
Mark Rose, Ryan Dunson, Asa Dawson, City Under Siege & Bluprint
► Nightshop in Bloomington // $7 advance/$10 door // 7 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, August 14th
Larry Gray Trio
► The Iron Post // cover // 6 p.m.
Ian Shepherd, Mitchell Killough, Jesse Brown, Clayton Thompson
► Blackbird // free // 9 p.m.
THURSDAY, August 15th
David Olney, Daniel Seymour
► Sandwich Life House // $20 donation // 6 p.m.
The Bashful Youngens
► Barrelhouse 34 // free // 7 p.m.
Matthew Miller Group
► The Iron Post // cover // 7 p.m.
Power of Dusk, No Question, Blushe, Cuckie Knucks
► Independent Media Center // $6-$10 // 8 p.m.
Power of Dusk is a new-ish punk/hardcore outfit that has played just a handful of shows, and they will be leading the way over at Urbana’s IMC for a nice Thursday evening show. No Question is a hardcore band from Madison, Blushe hails from Springfield, and Cuckie Knucks is a local thrash metal crew.
Photo from the Facebook event page
FRIDAY, August 16th
Jeff Helgesen Quintet
► The Iron Post // cover // 5 p.m.
Dayton Funk All-Stars, Good Clean Fun Band, Creole Stomp, Dearie
► West Side Park // free // 5 p.m.
Brad Wheeler Group
► Blackbird // free // 5 p.m.
Friday Night Live
► Downtown Champaign // free // 6 p.m.
Andy Mo
► 25 O’Clock Brewing Company // free // 6 p.m.
The Bergamot, Paul Kotheimer
► The Front Porch // free // 6:45 p.m.
Bottle Rockets, Angie Heaton & The Fights
► Rose Bowl Tavern // $18 // 7 p.m.
St. Louis’ rock/country outfit have been at it for quite some time, forming back in the early 1990s, and have issued 10+ records over that span of time. They’ll hit the historic Rose Bowl Tavern on Friday night, this is a must-see for the week in live music in C-U. This one oughta be packed to the gills with support from locals Angie Heaton & The Fights (who are performing as Heaton’s backing band).
Photo from the Facebook event page
DJ Belly
► Blackbird // free // 8 p.m.
The Brazilionaires
► Pour Bros Artist Alley // free // 8:30 p.m.
Not For The Faint of Heart, Fer de Lance, Birthday Cookie
► The Iron Post // cover // 9 p.m.
Herobust
► The Castle Theatre in Bloomington // $15-$22 // 9 p.m.
Shinzon, The Concrete Roots, Aquila, Breakfast for Bears
► Nightshop in Bloomington // $10 // 9 p.m.
SATURDAY, August 17th
Suri, zzo, Karena Tse
► Independent Media Cener // $5 suggested donation // 4 p.m.
Sunset Strip, Caleb COok Band, Mank N Sass, Los Guapos
► West Side Park // free // 5 p.m.
People In Trouble, Edna
► Sipyard // donations // 5 p.m.
Sam Gingher
► The Iron Post // cover // 6 p.m.
The Claudettes, Water Between Continents
► Rose Bowl Tavern // $8 advance/$12 day of show // 8 p.m.
Another solid one at the Rose Bowl on Saturday night after Friday night’s Bottle Rockets show — Chicago’s rockabilly/punk/blues band The Claudettes will take the stage. The band’s latest record DANCE SCANDAL AT THE GYMNASIUM! came out last year, and surely they will be ready to go for their first show at Rose Bowl after performing a few times over the years in C-U.
Photo from the Facebook event page
Keithen Banks Trio
► Pour Bros Artist Alley // free // 8:30 p.m.
The Mighty Pines
► Blackbird // $8 // 9 p.m.
Space Laces, Sub Docta
► The Castle Theatre in Bloomington // $15-$22 // 9 p.m.
SUNDAY, August 18th
Hieroglyphics, CJ Run, Landon Wordswell, Grill Billyen
► Nightshop in Bloomington // $30 advance/$40 door // 6:45 p.m.
Hieroglyphics are the hip-hop collective out of Oakland, CA, and they are on tour performing 3rd Eye Vision, their debut record. This is an amazing bill for the cozy nightshop space in Bloomington, featuring the always great CJ Run, and a few other in support.
Photo from the Facebook event page
Hot Club of Urbana
► The Iron Post // cover // 7 p.m.
Surreal Deal
► Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 8:30 p.m.