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 29th
The Dry Look, Good Shade, Nectar, zzo
► Exile on Main Street // $5-$7 donation // 7 p.m.
Nothing like jumping straight into it early in the week — this one is a highlight and it takes place at record store Exile on Main in Downtown Champaign. This is a tight local bill with punks The Dry Look, pop punk Nectar, and indie pop outfit zzo. They’re joined by Good Shade out of Columbus, OH.
Photo/design by Kamila Glowacki
TUESDAY, July 30th
Chris Hartley Quintet
► The Iron Post // cover // 6 p.m.
Harriet Brown, Melvin Knight, DJ Jamurai
► Nightshop in Bloomington // $7 // 7 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, July 31st
Larry Gray Trio
► The Iron Post // cover // 6 p.m.
Great Grandpa, Nectar, Heck
► Nightshop in Bloomington // $10 // 7 p.m.
Ian Shepherd, Mitchell Killough, Jesse Brown, Clayton Thompson
► Blackbird // free // 9 p.m.
Rod Hamdullah
► Rose Bowl Tavern // $5 // 9 p.m.
THURSDAY, August 1st
Crystal Rebone Trio
► The Iron Post // cover // 7 p.m.
Typesetter, Motes
► Nightshop in Bloomington // $6 advance/$8 door // 7:30 p.m.
Ticketless Traveler, Morgan Orion & The Afterburners
► Rose Bowl Tavern // donations // 8 p.m.
Morgan Orion had spent a considerable amount of time in C-U before moving away recently, releasing several albums over the course of his career. This weekend, he joins his father Carl Reisman’s band, Ticketless Traveler, with his outfit The Afterburners. By the looks of it, there are a bunch of guests lined up to perform within TT, so head over to the Facebook event and check out more about this one at the Rose Bowl.
Flyer from the Facebook event page
Ben Miller Band
► Blackbird // $7 // 9 p.m.
FRIDAY, August 2nd
New Orleans Jazz Machine
► The Iron Post // cover // 5 p.m.
TMB+ Trio
► Blackbird // free // 5 p.m.
Friday Night Live
► Downtown Champaign // free // 6 p.m.
Irish Fest
► Allerton Park & Recreation Center // $5-$10 suggested donation // 6 p.m.
The Menzingers, The Sidekicks, Queen of Jeans
► The Castle Theatre in Bloomington // $18 advance/$20 day of show // 7:30 p.m.
Sevendust, Burden of the Sky, Alborn
► The City Center // $25-$37 // 8 p.m.
Dan Whitaker & The Shinebenders
► Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 8 p.m.
DJ Belly
► Blackbird // free // 8 p.m.
Lori amd Dawn (of Whisky Birddog)
► The Iron Post // cover // 9 p.m.
DJ Tim Williams
► Watson’s // free // 10 p.m.
SATURDAY, August 3rd
Svenstock
► 280 County Road 300 E, Sadorus // $15 suggested donation // 3 p.m.
The annual fundraiser show Svenstock, which takes place every summer in nearby Sadorus and put on by Sven Johnson, takes place this weekend. Check out the full slate of acts lined up to perform in benefit of Imerman Angels:
Kroovy Rookas
Paul Kotheimer
Wingclipper
Overworry
Not For The Faint Of Heart
Kenna Mae Music
Kurt Bielema Music
This is a Stick Up
Olivia Fehrenbacher
Tim McGee
Rebekah Songer
Emily Anne Band (solo)
The Bashful Youngens
Smoke In Space
LLYN
Motes
They are adding more bands as time goes on, so check out the Facebook event for the most up to date details.
Photo from the Facebook event page
The Jazz Sextet, Almost “A” Quartet
► The Iron Post // $15 // 5 p.m.
Riders of The Golden Maize
► Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 8 p.m.
Jaik Willis
► Pour Bros Craft Taproom Artist Alley // free // 8:30 p.m.
Jaik Willis is the next artist lined up as a part of Pour Bros’ ongoing Artist Ally Series for this summer. Willis is no stranger to C-U, oftentimes performing at either Watson’s or Blackbird, so he hits another C-U spot this time around. He’s a one man band but plays a ton of intruments to fill the space.
Photo from the Facebook event
Jocelyn & Chris Arndt Band
► Blackbird // $5 // 9:30 p.m.
SUNDAY, August 4th
Rockin Johnny, Kilborn Alley
► The Iron Post // cover // 3 p.m.
Tractor Kings, Ant Hattie
► Loose Cobra // $5 suggested donation // 5 p.m.
Here’s a cool Sunday afternoon throwdown over at the Loose Cobra in Tolono, featuring alt-country outfit Tractor Kings, alongside trio Ant Hattie.
Photo by C-U Bands & Fans
Kelly Zullo & The Indivisible Circus
► Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 7 p.m.