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, December 3rd
There are no shows scheduled for this date.
TUESDAY, December 4th
Traditional Jazz Orchestra
► The Iron Post // cover // 5 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, December 5th
Hathaways
► Spurlock Museum // free // 4 p.m.
SSG Trio
► The Iron Post // cover // 6 p.m.
lovelytheband
► Foellinger Auditorium // $14 students/$20 public // 7:30 p.m.
The next Star Course show on campus is this week, featuring indie pop outfit lovelytheband. You might’ve heard their song “Broken” which hit pretty hard on the charts this year. Though Foellinger isn’t the greatest place to see a show, this is available to people that aren’t students, and student prices are a bit cheaper as you can see above.
LaMonte Parsons
► The Iron Post // cover // 8 p.m.
Ian Shepherd, Mitchell Killough, Jesse Brown, Clayton Thompson
► Blackbird // free // 9 p.m.
Minnesota, Pigeon Hole
► The Canopy Club // $15 advance/$20 day of show // 9 p.m.
Another EDM show heads through Canopy Club this week as the project of Christian Bauhofer — titled Minnesota — hits Urbana mid week this week. He has a tour that extends through the end of the year, so this is taking place amongst those tour dates, and he’s performing dates later this year with Space Jesus, another artist that came through to Canopy not too long ago.
THURSDAY, December 6th
Ex Okays, Today’s Children, Clockwork Owl, Voidbringer, Wes Harman
► Independent Media Center // $5 // 8 p.m.
Blackfoot Gypsies
► Blackbird // free // 9 p.m.
FRIDAY, December 7th
Jordan Kaye, Paul Assaro
► The Iron Post // cover // 5 p.m.
The Bad Plus, Aquila (early show)
► nightshop in Bloomington // $15 advance/$20 door // 6:30 p.m.
The Bottle Rockets, Hugh Masterson
► The Castle Theatre in Bloomington // $17 advance/$20 day of show // 8 p.m.
Sapphire
► Rose Bowl Tavern // cover // 8 p.m.
Flat Moon Theory, Ausar, Black Daniel White
► The Source // $5 // 9 p.m.
Charlie & the Possibly Wilds
► The Iron Post // $5 // 9 p.m.
The Bad Plus, Disorganizer (late show)
► nightshop in Bloomington // $15 advance/$20 door // 9:30 p.m.
Here’s an interesting pair of shows lined up at nightshop in Bloomington: The Bad Plus performs two separate sets with different support each time around. The experiental jazz outfit plans to showcase two varied sets, so if you’re interested in hitting both shows, they are offering a discounted rate to see ’em both, which you can read more over at the Facebook event linked above.
New Souls
► Blackbird // free // 9:30 p.m.
SATURDAY, December 8th
The Chickadee Sermon
► Lincoln Square // free // 10 a.m.
Scott Frillman
► The Iron Post // cover // 6 p.m.
Ryan Byfield
► 51 Main // free // 7 p.m.
Mark Rose, Pelafina
► nightshop in Bloomington // $6 // 7:30 p.m.
Cole Hieke, Francis Wossom, Thomas Duggan
► The Brass Rail // donation // 8 p.m.
Jaik Willis
► Pour Bros // free // 8:30 p.m.
Pour Bros Craft Taproom in Downtown Champaign continues to book free shows, and another one takes place this week with a familiar face in Jaik Willis. This is part of Pour Bros’ HiBEERnation event, which Julie posted about, so learn more about the event there. You’ve probably seen Willis perform across Downtown at Watson’s from time to time, but this oughta be a fun one this week to check out if you’re interested.
Mary Jo Curry
► The Iron Post // cover // 9 p.m.
Butta’
► Blackbird // $5 // 9:30 p.m.
The Merry Travelers
► Watson’s Shack & Rail // free // 10 p.m.
SUNDAY, December 9th
Ms. M and the Jokers
► The Iron Post // cover // 5 p.m.
Michael McDonald
► The Virginia Theatre // $50-$80 // 7 p.m.
The legendary Michael McDonald performs at the Virginia Theatre as a part of his “This Christmas, An Evening of Holiday & Hits Tour” on Sunday night. McDonald has been in the game for decades, as you know him from Doobie Brothers hits and other award-winning songs and albums throughout the years.
Toke, Blackwater, Trench
► nightshop in Bloomington // $8 // 7 p.m.
Papashoy
► The Iron Post // $5 // 7:30 p.m.