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.
Tuesday, January 21st
Church Street Ramblers
► The Iron Post // Free // 7 p.m.
Jim Pryor and Brian Stark
► Boomerangs // Free // 7 p.m.
Wednesday, January 22nd
Rebirth Brass Band
► The Castle Theatre // $20 adv., $23 day-of // 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, January 23rd
Dan Hubbard
► Baxter’s // Free // 6 p.m.
Dustin Danger
► Boomerangs // Free // 6 p.m.
Berchtold & Stear, Feathered Mason, Jennifer Jane Niceley
► nightshop // $7 // 7 p.m.
Image: This is the 2020 tour poster for Mungion. It reads: “Mungion 2020 Tour on sale now.” Five eyeballs with legs walk through red, puffy clouds toward a treeline of brown pine trees. In the middle of the tress stands a small person dressed in blue. The image has a teal blue background with a yellow border. Image from the Facebook event page.
Mungion with Dizgo
► Canopy Club // $10 adv., $12 day-of // 9 p.m.
Chicago based four-piece Mungion is stopping through C-U on their 2020 tour with Dizgo (Bloomington, IN). who are also out on tour. If you’ve never heard Mungion, prepare yourself for a fun, upbeat show that is as equally musically masterful. Dizgo puts a whole new spin on the jam band with their blending of electronic and analog sounds. This will be the show to get you over that mid-week hump and into the weekend.
Friday, January 24th
New Orleans Jazz Machine
► Blackbird // Free // 5 p.m.
Denise La Grassa, Hot Sauce Universe
► nightshop // $7 // 7 p.m.
The Jaybirds
► Neil St. Blues // Free // 8 p.m.
Billy Galt & the Blues Deacons
► Huber’s West End // Free // 8 p.m.
Bobby Bare Jr. with Carey Kotsionis
► Loose Cobra // $10 // 9 p.m.
Kilborn Alley Blues Band
► Rose Bowl Tavern // Free // 9 p.m.
Mank & Sass
► Watson’s Shack & Rail // Free // 10 p.m.
Image: This is a flyer for the 2020 Vision show hosted by Us on the Bus. The image reads: “2020 Vision, 01.24.20., @ The Distillery (25 E. John St., Complex 1), 10:00 p.m.” On the image our four young men at a party. Over their faces are large red circles reading the names of the acts at this show: “Bando Brando, Jaunté, FSN Clutch, Monster Mike.” In the bottom corners it reads, “Sounds by Yung Duro, $5.00.” Image from the Facebook event page.
Bando Brando, Jaunté, FSNClutch, Monster Mike
► Us on the Bus @ The Distillery // $5 // 10 p.m.
This is a house show from what I can tell. Address listed on the event page and in the image above. The hip hop scene in C-U, both above and below ground, is one of the most thriving sectors of the scene. This could be a cool opportunity to check out who’s on the up-and-up.
Saturday, January 25th
Easy Riders, Cole Hollow
► nightshop // $8 // 8 p.m.
Groove Avenue with Matt Stewart
► Rose Bowl Tavern // Free // 9 p.m.
Figure, Protohype
► Canopy Club // prices vary // 9 p.m.
Cypher Saturdays (Champaign Cipher Series)
► Blackbird // $10 // 9 p.m.
Image: This image shows a computer-generated pencil drawing of a photo taken at a party. One can see various peoples faces in the background. In the foreground, the heads of a white woman with chin-length wavy hair covering her face and a black individual with a pierced ear and a high bald fade hair cut. The poster reads: ” Another fuckin’ show at the bird house, january 25th. Long Birds, Think Easy, Midcoast, Low Wage. $5 Donation // Show at 8 p.m.” Image from the Facebook event page.
Long Birds, Think Easy, Midcoast, Low Wage
► The Bird House // $5 // 9 p.m.
This is a house show that is sure to hit for all you young – and not so young – punks out there. Long Birds is a local student band doing skate punk. Think Easy comes to us from Elgin with their own brand of hardcore/emo, as does the new local outfit, Low Wage. Midcoast, St. Charles natives, will be serving up some indie rock. $5 suggested donation at the door and the address can be acquired by PM-ing the venue here.
Lonely Trailer, Little Black Spiders, Vertigo Children
► Loose Cobra // $7 // 9 p.m.
Sunday, January 26th
Mank & Sass
► Champaign Public Library // Free // 2 p.m.
Grace Park: Naumburg International Violin Competition Winner
► Krannert Center for the Performing Arts // prices vary // 3 p.m.
Ryan Burns
► Riggs Taproom // Free // 4 p.m.
After Curfew
► Boomerangs // Free // 6 p.m.
Nectar, High Meadows, Nic Gundy Band, others TBA
► nightshop // $7 // 7:30 p.m.