Smile Politely

The Overture: January 21-26

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.

Top 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.

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