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, July 11th
The Tumbleweeds
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 5:30 p.m.
C4A’s Country music ensemble The Tumbleweeds are performing Monday night, bringing bluegrass, western swing, and country rock.
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.
TUESDAY, July 12th
Los Guapos
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 5 p.m.
Come get a taste of traditional Peruvian Chicha and Cumbia with Los Guapos. With covers and originals, Los Guapos always entertains.
Image from Chris Isaak’s Facebook page.
Chris Isaak
►The Virginia Theatre // $49+ // 7 p.m.
Odds are, you’ve heard a Chris Isaak song. Whether it be from films such as Blue Velvet, Eyes Wide Shut, or True Romance, Isaak’s sound is pretty iconic. He’ll be bringing his 50s style rock and crooner sound to the Virginia Theatre on Tuesday.
Hobnob String Band
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 7:30 p.m.
Outside on the patio of 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.
WEDNESDAY, July 13th
Jim Pryor Quartet
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 5 p.m.
Jim Pryor, the award winning pianist is hitting the Rose Bowl with a team of Emma Taylor on bass, Frank Kurtz on drums, and Jose Gobbo on guitar.
Carrie Nation and the Speakeasy, Nonlinear Field
►Nightshop // $10 adv, $13 door // 7 p.m.
A night of thrashfolk, punk, and experimental free jazz. Sounds weird and wonderful.
THURSDAY, July 14th
Cody and Charlie
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 5 p.m.
Two of C-U’s most beloved, Cody Jensen and Charlie Harris will be playing americana, bluegrass, folk, country, and more this Thursday, part of Rose Bowl’s Americana Happy Hour.
Weedeater, Telekinetic Yeti, Witchpit
►Nightshop // $20 adv, $25 door // 7 p.m.
Metal, sludge, and doom await you tonight at Nightshop. It’s going to be loud and heavy.
Image from Japanese Breakfast’s Facebook page.
Editor’s pick: Japanese Breakfast
►Castle Theatre // $39.50 // 7:30 p.m.
Indie-rock band Japanese Breakfast is fresh off of late-night TV performances on Saturday Night Live, Jimmy Fallon, and James Corden to name a few. They’re now on tour to support their acclaimed 2021 album Jubilee. Supporting them is The Linda Lindas, playing old-school punk, and I am currently obsessed with them.
Ian Shepherd and Friends
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 9 p.m.
Drummer Ian Shepherd teams up with other talented local musicians to bring you a great evening of jazz, blues, funk, and rock.
FRIDAY, July 15th
Jeff Helgesen Quintet
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 5 p.m.
Local trumpet guru Jeff Helgesen performs at the Rose Bowl with his stellar quintet, bringing you hard bop of the 1960s.
Brad Wheeler Group
►NOLA’s Rock Bar // free // 5 p.m.
Hitting NOLA’s this week is the Brad Wheeler Group, made up of Brad Wheeler (saxophone), Chip McNeill (keyboard), Andrew Binder (bass), Nikola Djokic (drums).
La Armada, Edna, Death Call, Power of Dusk
►The Brass Rail // $10 // 6 p.m.
La Armada weaves together punk and heavy rock with Afro-Caribbean rhythms. They’ll be joined by three local heavy metal and punk bands.
The Blues Deacons
►Hubers // free // 7 p.m.
Blues favorites The Blues Deacons are playing a set at Huber’s on Friday night, so come have a drink and relax.
Van De Pants
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 8 p.m.
An exciting night of funk awaits you at Rose Bowl this Friday. Van De Pants plays classic funk, “ala The Meters.” Guitar, bass, keys, drums, come vibe.
Image from Spoon’s Facebook page.
Spoon
►Canopy Club // $30 // 9 p.m.
Art-rock band Spoon stop by the Canopy Club on their Lucifer on the Sofa tour. Joining them and opening the show is Bodega.
SATURDAY, July 16th
Bones Jugs
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 12 p.m.
Everything from banjos, guitar, and kazoos, to jugs, foot percussion, and other instruments, you’re always in for fun with Bones Jugs.
Almost A
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 3 p.m.
Almost A plays jazz, folk, gypsy, gypsy jazz, tango and klezmer music, creating a truly wonderful and unique sound. Joining the group this week is special guest Joy Yang (of Kuroshio).
Horseburner, Howling Giant, Restless Spirit, The Recombinants, Leviticus
►Nightshop // $10 adv, $15 door // 7 p.m.
In case you didn’t get enough on metal on Thursday, five bands are bringing all types of metal from all over the country.
Halloween in July
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 7 p.m.
If you’re like me, you spend the year counting down until Halloween. Darkness Undergroud is helping to satisfy that mid year Halloween craving with a Halloween in July party. With a lineup of DJs spinning until 2 a.m., come in costume and dance.
The Painkiller Blues Band with Dawn Clark
►Alto Vineyards // free // 7 p.m.
The Painkiller Blues Band will be playing a mix of traditional and original tunes this Saturday, with vocalist Dawn Clark.
Image from Mary Chapin Carpenter’s Facebook page.
Mary Chapin Carpenter
►The Virginia Theatre // $29+ // 7:30 p.m.
Known for her hits such as “Passionate Kisses” and “He Thinks He’ll Keep Her,” Mary Chapin Carpenter has sold over 15 million records, and has won five Grammy Awards. She is certainly worth catching on Saturday night.
Lines Of Loyalty
►Canopy Club // $15 adv, $20 door // 9 p.m.
Lines of Loyalty is heavy, hypnotic rockers Lines of Loyalty are hitting the Canopy Club, with support from Divide the Empire.
SUNDAY, July 17th
Shinrin Onyoku
►Japan House // free // 4 p.m.
Japan House will be hosting the instrumental, electronic band Salaryman, playing as you stroll the gardens, immersing yourself in the music and nature. The event is free, and drinks and traditional Japanese food and snacks will be available for purchase.
Dr0psy Trio
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 4 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.
Image from Elway’s Facebook page.
Elway, The Holy Mess, Yap Trap and The Auctions
►The Brass Rail // $15 // 7 p.m.
Hitting the Brass Rail on Sunday is Elway and The Holy Mess, two touring punk bands. They’ll be joined by local groups Yap Trap and The Auctions.
The Blues Deacons
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 7 p.m.
If you couldn’t catch them at Huber’s on Friday, here’s another chance for you to see the blues outfit Blues Deacons.
Top image from Japanese Breakfast’s Facebook page.
