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, July 23rd
There are no shows scheduled for Monday, July 23rd.
TUESDAY, July 24th
After Curfew
► The Iron Post // cover // 7 p.m.
Sam Williams, Tom Vrem, Dearie
► Blackbird // free // 8 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, July 25th
Chip McNeill Quintet
► The Iron Post // cover // 6 p.m.
Mank and Sass
► Sipyard // free // 7 p.m.
ZØRILA, Ghostbusters VHS, Boxing Day, Boye, From Circumstances
► Urbana Champaign Independent Media Center // donation // 7:30 p.m.
Paul Mock
► The Iron Post // cover // 8 p.m.
Ian Shepherd, Mitchell Killough
► Blackbird // free // 8 p.m.
THURSDAY, July 26th
Guido Sanchez-Portuguez
► Krannert Center Stage 5 // free // 5 p.m.
Krannert’s Uncorked series continues this week with classical guitarist Guido Sanchez-Portuguez. He’s a guitar lectureer at the University of Illinois School of Music, specializing in Latin acoustic music and more.
Kavi Nadai trio
► The Iron Post // cover // 7 p.m.
Ryan Groff
► Barrelhouse 34 // free // 7 p.m.
FRIDAY, July 27th
Joey Glassman Group
► The Iron Post // cover // 5 p.m.
Friday Night Live
► Downtown Champaign // free // 6 p.m.
Veseria, Huspad, Voidbringer
► The Front Porch // free // 6:45 p.m.
Trace Adkins, Tracy Lawrence, Confederate Railroad
► Champaign County Fair // $30-$55 // 7 p.m.
Earth Witch, Wolftooth, Gonzo Diablo
► Blackbird // $5 // 8 p.m.
An evening of metal music at Blackbird as Earth Witch returns back to C-U after moving away a short while back. They have a new record out called Out of the Shallow, and they are joined by Richmond, Indiana’s Wolftooth, and Gonzo Diablo.
Caleb Cook Band
► Huber’s // free // 8 p.m.
Morgan Orion and the Afterburners, Asher Danzinger
► The Iron Post // cover // 9 p.m.
Speedy Ortiz, Spandrels
► 51 Main // $15 advance/$18 door // 10 p.m.
Speedy Ortiz brings their new album Twerp Verse through C-U for this installment of INTER-PYGMALION with local support from Spandrels. This Speedy Ortiz show is accompanied by a panel discussion and a reading (featuring Sadie Dupuis of Speedy Ortiz), and the show closes the evening out. The reading and panel are both free of charge, but you’ll need a ticket for the late show. Stay tuned for an interview with Speedy Ortiz to preview the action on Friday night at 51 Main.
SATURDAY, July 28th
This is a Stick Up, Mirror Mirror
► Sipyard // free // 7 p.m.
Anger Mangement
► Goldy’s // free // 8 p.m.
Elsinore, ZXO, Moon Ruin
► Seven Saints // $7 // 9 p.m.
Elsinore’s first show in Champaign-Urbana since December 2016 takes place this weekend at Seven Saints. They’ve been working on their new record, a follow up to 2013’s PUSH/PULL, so they will be performing most of the new songs (between this show, and Groff’s solo show at Barrelhouse listed above). Elsinore has a new bassist as well — Adam Schneider (also performs with Jenny Lewis, Bardo, and more). All of that, plus the always-wonderful psych outfit ZXO, and additional support from Jared Bartman’s project Moon Ruin (who is touring in support of his new record Slow Down Ego).
DJ Tim Williams
► Blackbird // free // 9 p.m.
Charlie and the Possible Wilds
► The Iron Post // cover // 9 p.m.
DJ Belly
► Cowboy Monkey // free // 10 p.m.
SUNDAY, July 29th
Kayla Brown
► Champaign Public Library // free // 2 p.m.
Desfinado
► Eisner Park // free // 6 p.m.
Soul on Sunday
► The Iron Post // donation // 7 p.m.
Khamsin, Idle Threat, Marathon, Old Home
► Blips and Chitz // $7 // 7:30 p.m.
Khamsin and Idle Threat are on tour from Nashville, and they are joined by a couple of locals Marathon and Old Home for this house show. I’d recommend checking out Khamsin’s record A Brief Look Down before heading to this one. All of the bands fall into subgenre’s of rock music — Old Home is a pretty new local project which has a demo out as well, so there’s some more music to check out before Saturday night.