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, January 14th
Dance Monkey Dance
► Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 9 p.m.
TUESDAY, January 15th
Church Street Ramblers
► The Iron Post // cover // 7 p.m.
Trampled By Turtles, Actual Wolf
► The Castle Theatre in Bloomington // $30-$40 advance/$40-$45 day of show // 8 p.m.
Trampled By Turtles have gained a significant fanbase over the last half decade or so, and the Duluth, MN outfit just put out their most recent record, Life Is Good On The Open Road, last year. The folk/bluegrass outfit hits nearby Castle Theatre Tuesday night, so this is a highlight of the week this go-around.
WEDNESDAY, January 16th
Hickey Gray Spencer Trio
► The Iron Post // cover // 6:30 p.m.
Dance Monkey Dance, Brett Conlin, Smoke & Sopranos
► nightshop in Bloomington // $5 // 7 p.m.
Rayland Baxter, Illiterate Light
► The Castle Theatre in Bloomington // $15 advance/$18 day of show // 7:30 p.m.
Ian Shepherd, Mitchell Killough, Jesse Brown, Clayton Thompson
► Blackbird // free // 9 p.m.
THURSDAY, January 17th
Rig Time
► nightshop in Bloomington // $5 // 7 p.m.
The Blues Deacons
► Blackbird // free // 9:30 p.m.
FRIDAY, January 18th
Brad Wheeler Group
► Blackbird // free // 5 p.m.
The Evening Attraction, Open Hall, Today’s Children, Archer Elevator
► Waluigi’s Mansion // $5 // 7 p.m.
Ramblin’ Deano, Daniel Watkins
► nightshop in Bloomington // $7 // 7:30 p.m.
The Dry Look, Frontier Folk Nebraska, Col. James Presents, Primitive Lights
► Loose Cobra // $5-$10 suggested donation // 8 p.m.
A trio of locals are joined by touring outfit Frontier Folk Nebraska on Friday down at Tolono’s Loose Cobra. Rock outfit The Dry Look headline this one, as they put a good year under their belt in 2018. All told, this is one of the best bills this week, and it deserves your attention.
Fer De Lance, Not For The Faint of Heart, Lucy Furr, Vonne
► Exile on Main Street // $5 suggested donation // 8 p.m.
Blackjack Billy
► The City Center // $10-$15 // 8:30 p.m.
SATURDAY, January 19th
Billl Nye DNS, Necro Cannibal Ass Grinder, Ex-Cathedra, Karats Gold, Sloshing, Collector, xPoppyxRosex, Ode Vinter
► Independent Media Center // $5 // 6:30 p.m.
Arturo O’Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Ensemble
► Krannert Center for the Performing Arts // $10-$40 // 7:30 p.m.
Grammy Award-winning jazz musician Arturo O’Farrill hits Urbana on Saturday night at Krannert Center, and tickets appear to be moving quickly for this one if you’re wanting to pull the trigger. The Mexican artist has quite the resume, so the demand for this makes sense.
C.J. Chenier & The Red Hot Louisiana Band, Sunday Afternoon
► The Castle Theatre in Bloomington // $17 advance/$20 day of show // 8 p.m.
The Bashful Youngens
► Pour Bros Craft Taproom // free // 8:30 p.m.
One of the best local bands we’ve got, folk/Americana outfit The Bashful Youngens, will perform for free on Saturday night at Pour Bros in Downtown Champaign. The bar has been doing a free music series throughout the last few months, so TBY are next up on that list.
Spare Parts
► Blackbird // $5 // 9:30 p.m.
SUNDAY, January 20th
Sam Gingher
► The Iron Post // cover // 6 p.m.
Matt Storie
► The Iron Post // cover // 8 p.m.