Smile Politely

The Overture: January 24-30

The Overture is a rundown of live music and performances happening in and around Champaign-Urbana 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, January 24th

Urbanna Hootenanny

Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 8 p.m.

Every Monday at the Rose Bowl, come hang out with some great musicians. A sort of open mic meets song share, you can expect a variety of music and performers.

Lisa Castang and Tom Cortese

WEFT Sessions (virtual) // free // 10 p.m.

Lisa Castang — who you may know from Dave ‘N Lisa — joins pianist Tom Cortese for a virtual evening of music.

TUESDAY, January 25th

Barrington Coleman and Chip Stephens

Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 7:30 p.m.

Barrington Coleman and Chip Stephens bring another round of vocal jazz night to Rose Bowl, featuring student vocalists from the U of I.

WEDNESDAY, January 26th

Vine Street Syncopators

Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 5 p.m.

More jazz at Rose Bowl on Wednesdy with the Vine Street Syncopators. Come hearsome piping hot jazz to warm you up on a chilly January evening.

Mid-October

Clark Bar // free // 6:30 p.m.

Alternative and indie rock band Mid-October hits the Clark Bar with some orginal tunes as well as some covers.

THURSDAY, January 27th

Hobnob String Band

Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 5 p.m.

Every Thursday at Rose Bowl, Hobnob brings you some great acoustic music, from blues to bluegrass and other styles. Catch some great harmonies, and of course some wonderful fingerpicking.

Ian Shepherd and Friends

Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 8 p.m.

Drummer Ian Shepherd teams up with other talented local musicians to bring you a great evening of jazz, blues, funk, and rock.


Image by Jim Hartzell from Ana Popovic’s Facebook page.

Ana Popovic

Castle Theatre // $20 adv, $25 door // 8 p.m.

Serbian blues guitarist and vocalist Ana Popovic plays Bloomington’s Castle Theatre. Popovic’s raspy, soaring voice paired with some wah-ed out guitar makes for a great night of music. 

Og Acoustic Trio, Chris Corkery

Nightshop // $7 adv, $10 door // 8:30 p.m.

Acoustic night at Nightshop with music from two greal central-Illinois based bands. Americana, bluegrass, folk, and blues.

FRIDAY, January 28th

Chip Stephens Organ Trio

Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 5 p.m.

Not your typical jazz trio! Organ, guitar, and drums mix together to create some great tunes.

Tim Reynolds

Castle Theatre // $30 adv, $33 door // 8 p.m.

You may know Tim Reynolds from his solo work, but many know him as the lead guitarist for Dave Matthews Band. He’ll be performing his solo work with his band this Friday night.


Image from The Brook and The Bluff’s Facebook page.

The Brook & The Bluff

Canopy Club // $14 adv, $16 door // 9 p.m.

This Nashville-based band brings elements of soul, funk, and pysch, and have been quickly rising to the top of charts and gaining a large dedicated fan base. They’re stopping by The Canopy Club for a night full of grooves. 

New Twang City

Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 9 p.m.

New Twang City brings some good ole fashioned country honky tonk. This will be a fun Friday night at Rose Bowl Tavern.

SATURDAY, January 29th

The Gobbo Stark Quartet

Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 4 p.m.

This will be the CD release party for the jazz quartet, made up of Brian Stark on sax, Jose Emilio Gobbo Jr. on guitar, Andrew Binder on bass, and Drew Cox on drums.

The Dawn

NOLA’s Rock Bar // $7 // 7 p.m.

Another Summer Camp Saturday show, The Dawn is a roots rock and jam band. If you love improvisational rock, this is the show for you.

Robert Earl Keen

Castle Theatre // $32 adv, $37 door // 7:30 p.m.

Singer-songwriter Robert Earl Keen graces the stage of the Castle Theatre, bringing his large catalogue of music with him. He has over 18 full length albums, so there will be plently of tunes to go around this Saturday. He’ll be joined by Ernie Hendrickson opening up the show. 


Image from Nightshop’s Facebook event page.

Great Value Jesus, Parachute Day, Norobot, Aquila

Nightshop // $7 adv, $10 door // 8 p.m.

Bloomington-Normal based Great Value Jesus is celebrating the release of their new EP. They’ll be joined by three other rockers, as well as some visuals by Trenton Perry. 

DJ Belly

NOLA’s Rock Bar // free // 10 p.m.

In these uncertain times, we can always count on DJ Belly at NOLA’s on Saturday nights to help us dance our problems away. He’ll be bringing the tunes late into the night. 

SUNDAY, January 30th

Dropsy Trio

Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 7 p.m.

James Mauck on drums, Mitchell Killough on bass, Mark White on guitar. These guys bring blues, funk, jazz, soul, rock, and more with covers and originals.

Top image of Great Value Jesus from Nightshop’s Facebook event page.

Music Editor

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