The Overture is a rundown of live music and performances happening in Champaign-Urbana (and the outskirts) 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, December 16th
Urbana Hootenanny
► Rose Bowl Tavern // Free // 8 p.m.
Tuesday, December 17th
Midtown Blues Band
► Clark Bar // Free // 6:30 p.m.
Church Street Ramblers
► The Iron Post // Free // 7 p.m.
Wednesday, December 18th
Did I miss your show? Email us at music@smilepolitely.com with the details so we can get the word out!
Thursday, December 19th
Billy Galt
► Baxter’s American Grille // Free // 6 p.m.
Kayla Brown
► The Iron Post // Free // 7 p.m.
Grand Ambassador, Parachute Day, Kate Laine, others TBD
Grand Ambassador, Parachute Day, Kate Laine, others TBD► nightshop // $6 // 7:30 p.m.
Champaign’s Grand Ambassador are making their nightshop debut playing their guitar-heavy power pop to get you moving. Parachute Day, an instrumental math/rock band, will be playing along with Springfield’s Kate Laine who will be doing a solo set.
Photo from the Facebook event.
Friday, December 20th
New Orleans Jazz Machine
► Blackbird // Free // 5 p.m.
Tom Mason
► Sandwich Life House // $20 // 6 p.m.
The Nightcaps
► Clark Bar // Free // 6:30 p.m.
William Marsala
► Neil St. Blues // Free // 7 p.m.
Nolan Kelly & Friends , Wildermore, Formidable Foe
► nightshop // $5 // 8 p.m.
Joe Stamm, Lick Creek, The Bogart Jones Band
► The Castle Theatre // $12 // 8 p.m.
Gloria Roubal
► The Icehouse // Free // 8 p.m.
Bashful Youngens and South City Revival
Bashful Youngens and South City Revival► The Rose Bowl // $10 // 9 p.m.
This will be a great show for modern Americana. The Bashful Youngens (Champaign) and South City Revival (Chicago) will be playing a set made for The Rose Bowl. The Bashful Youngens’ Country-Folk will be followed by Revival’s “Chicago Country” Country-Rock.
Photo by Anna Longworth
Saturday, December 21st
Lou DiBello Band
► Clark Bar // Free // 6:30 p.m.
Mini-Bluegrass Fest: Volume 3
Mini-Bluegrass Fest: Volume 3► Rose Bowl Tavern // $10 // 7 p.m.
The Rose Bowl Tavern is hosting their third installment of their mini-bluegrass fests. The night leads off with Grass Roots Revival, followed by The Jensen Brothers, The Yellow-Bellied Sapsuckers, and the Hobnob String Band. From midnight till they kick everyone out there will be a pickin’ party for all musicians present.
Photo of the Yellow-Bellied Sapsuckers from their Facebook page.
George Faber’s Holiday Show
► Blackbird // $5 // 7 p.m.
Brite Black, Matt Garrison and the Robber Barons, Catching Hickory, The Big Hurts
► nightshop // $5 adv., $7 door // 7 p.m.
Keith Harden
► Huber’s West End // Free // 8 p.m.
Smoke-n-Whiskey
► Pipa’s Pub // Free // 8 p.m.
Matthew Curry: Concert for a Cure
► The Castle Theatre // $15 adv., $20 door // 8 p.m.
James Armstrong
► Neil St. Blues // Free // 8 p.m.
Mank & Sass
► Pour Bros. Craft Taproom // Free // 8:30 p.m.
Wildwood String Band
► Watson’s Shack & Rail // Free // 9 p.m.
Brand New Sky, Catalytic Creator, Backlasher
► Blackbird // $7 // 10 p.m.
Sunday, December 22nd
Brad Wheeler Trio – Jazz Brunch
►Neil St. Blues // Free // 12 p.m.
Keith Harden Band
► Rose Bowl Tavern // $5 // 7 p.m.