Smile Politely

The Overture: December 16-22

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

► 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

► 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

► 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.

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