Smile Politely

The Overture: August 19-25

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 19th

Derick Cordoba Quartet

► The Iron Post // cover // 7 p.m.

TUESDAY, August 20th

Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band

► State Farm Center // $50.50 – $145.50 // 7 p.m.

What can I say about Ringo Starr? Uhhh, he was in the Beatles. He’s performing at State Farm Center this week with his All Starr Band, and that’s that. If you want to see a true legend in human form in front of you, here you go.

Photo by Henry Diltz

Church Street Ramblers

► The Iron Post // cover // 7 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, August 21st

Ian Shepherd, Mitchell Killough, Jesse Brown, Clayton Thompson

► Blackbird // free // 9 p.m.

THURSDAY, August 22nd

The Dry Look, Puddle Splasher, Capys, LLYN

►  Blackbird // $7 // 8:30 p.m.

Skuzzpunks The Dry Look headline this one over at Blackbird in Downtown Urbana on Thursday night. They’re joined by Puddle Splasher, which hails from NYC, and a couple of locals in Capys and LLYN, both of which have been fairly active lately.

Peter Tijerina Nonet

► The Iron Post // cover // 9 p.m.

FRIDAY, August 23rd

Urbana Sweetcorn Festival 

 Downtown Urbana // free // all day

Friday Night Live

 Downtown Champaign // free // 6 p.m.

The Something Brothers, Dos Santos

► Nightshop in Bloomington // $10 advance/$12 day of show // 6:30 p.m.

DJ Belly

 Blackbird // free // 8 p.m.

Josh Ritter & The Royal City Band

► The Castle Theatre in Bloomington // $30 // 8 pp.m.

Sun Stereo

► Bunny’s // free // 9 p.m.

Big Cedar Fever

► Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 9 p.m.

Jaik Willis

► Watson’s // free // 10 p.m.

SATURDAY, August 24th

Urbana Sweetcorn Festival 

 Downtown Urbana // free // all day

Grant Milliren, Sherwood Forest, Emily Hope

 Nightshop in Bloomington // $5 // 7 p.m.

Matthew Curry

► Blackbird // free // 7 p.m.

Forebeat, Dada Veda, The Joy Machine, Kidd Soul

► Independent Media Center // $5-$10 suggested donation // 7:30 p.m.

New Twang City

 Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 8 p.m.

Jacob Bryant

► The Castle Theatre in Bloomington // $12 // 8 p.m.

Sun Stereo

► Pour Bros Artist Alley // free // 8:30 p.m.

Sun Stereo is doing double-duty this weekend in C-U, performing in Urbana on Friday night at Bunny’s, and on Saturday night in Downtown Champaign at Pour Bros’ Artist Alley. Their blend of funk and amazing showmanship will make for a good decision for a weekend night if you choose to do so.

Photo from the Facebook event page

SUNDAY, August 25th

Fauvely, Tessa Turner, zzo

► Exile on Main Street // free // 2 p.m.

Mank & Sass

► Pour Bros Craft Taproom // free // 3 p.m.

Clayton Deering, Pete Jive, Kenna Mae, Monzie Leo Brummet

 Rose Bowl Tavern // $5 // 5 p.m.

Hot Iron String Band

► Middle Fork River Forest Preserve // free // 5 p.m.

Dewclaw

 Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 8 p.m.

The project of Liz Faermark and Cody Jensen returns on Sunday at the Rose Bowl after a short hiatus. If you’re unfamiliar, Dewclaw is a ragtime/blues/piano-driven outfit with a bit of comedy mixed in, and would be a fun time on a Sunday night for no cover. Throw a couple of bucks in the tip jar and get a Lonestar.

Photo from the Facebook event page

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