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.
TUESDAY, June 21st
Citlalli Pino
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 7:30 p.m.
Jazz vocalist Citlalli Pino brings her talent to the Rose Bowl, backed by her rhythm section trio.
WEDNESDAY, June 22nd
Vine Street Syncopators
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 5 p.m.
More jazz at Rose Bowl on Wednesdy with the Vine Street Syncopators. Come hear some piping hot jazz.
image by Francesca Ludikar from Nonpoint’s Facebook page.
Nonpoint
►Castle Theatre // $20 adv, $25 door // 7 p.m.
Nu-metal band Nonpoint stops by the Castle Theatre. Joining them is VRSTY, Burden of the Sky, and Lines of Loyalty.
SACK, Flamingo Nosebleed, The Get Gones, Snack’d Out
►Brass Rail // $10 // 7 p.m.
Denver’s party punk rockers SACK head to Brass Rail to shred, along with Flamingo Nosebleed from Dayton, and Champaign’s own The Get Gones and Snack’d Out.
JODAH, LUCID LVK3
►Nightshop // $5 suggested donation // 9 p.m.
Come and party with JODAH, LUCID LVK3, and more, for a night of dance and electronic tunes.
THURSDAY, June 23rd
Image from Rose Bowl Tavern’s Facebook page.
The Matchsellers
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 5 p.m.
Andrew Morris and Julie Bates come to us from Kansas City, Kansas, bringing a witty blend of bluegrass, fiddle, Cajun, Gospel, and more.
Jake & Jackson
►Boomerangs // free // 6 p.m.
Father and son duo Jake and Jackson play Boomerangs, providing originals as well as covers.
Kevin Hart Trio
►Baxter’s American Grille // free // 6 p.m.
Pianist Kevin Hart is joined by Andrew Binder on bass, and Tom Marko on drums. This trio will be playing classic & contemporary jazz, instrumental pop tunes, familiar TV & movie themes, and more.
Image from Thelma and the Sleaze’s Facebook page.
Thelma and the Sleaze, Kangaroo Court
►Rose Bowl Tavern // $10 // 9 p.m.
Thelma and the Sleaze is an all female, queer rock band from Nashville, and they kick major butt. Opening up the evening is local punk outfit Kangaroo Court.
FRIDAY, June 24th
Make Music Normal (Day 1)
►Uptown Normal // free // 5 p.m.
Day 1 of the Make Music Normal festival, held in Uptown Normal. There wil be numerous stages throughout the Uptown area, with a huge lineup of musicians.
Afro-Caribbean Jazz Collective
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 5 p.m.
A night of dance and upbeat tunes awaits you with this jazz collective. They’ll be playing Afro-Caribbean, Afro-Cuban, and Puerto Rican music.
New Orleans Jazz Machine
►NOLA’s Rock Bar // free // 5 p.m.
New Orleans Jazz Machine performs at NOLA’s for their Friday Jazz Happy Hour.
Friday Night Live
►Downtown Champaign // free // 6 p.m.
Another week of live music downtown, with lineups changing weekly. Check out their Facebook page to see the full details, including set times and locations.
Hot Iron String Band
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 7:30 p.m.
Bluegrass classics and more with Hot Iron String Band, always a great time.
Cham-bana’s Finest
►Canopy Club // $10 // 8 p.m.
Ten dollars will get you far tonight, with a variety of acts peforming at the Canopy Club. Check out the event page for the full lineup of artists.
Image from The Lutz Brothers’ Facebook page.
The Lutz Brothers
►Pour Bros // free // 8:30 p.m.
This rock trio is Scott Tillison on bass, and led by brothers Greg and Brad Lutz. They’ll be making their Champaign debut at Pour Bros on Friday.
SATURDAY, June 25th
Jean Rene Balekita & Friends
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 12 p.m.
Specializing in music traditions from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Jean Rene Balekita and Friends perform Congolese Rumba and Gospel styles.
Make Music Normal (Day 2)
►Uptown Normal // free // 1 p.m.
Day 2 of the Make Music Normal festival, held in Uptown Normal. There wil be numerous stages throughout the Uptown area, with a huge lineup of musicians.
Bolokada Conde
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 1 p.m.
Another unique performance at Rose Bowl, Bolokada Conde is a master of the djembe drum from Guinea, West Africa. He’ll be joined by some of his students for this performance.
Peter Tijerina Nonet ft. Citlalli Pino
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 3 p.m.
The Peter Tijerina Nonet is a ten piece ensemble, playing a large variety of jazz music. This week, they are joined by the great vocalist Citlalli Pino.
Nectar, Perfect Angel at Heaven, Tessa Turner
►Rose Bowl Tavern // $10 suggested donation // 7 p.m.
Punk band Nectar finishes off their tour Saturday at Rose Bowl, joined by Indianapolis rockers Perfect Angel at Heaven, and singer-songwriter Tessa Turner.
Pop Evil
►Canopy Club // $25 adv, $30 door // 8 p.m.
Hard rock band Pop Evil is stopping by Canopy Club on The Vortex Tour. They are joined by special guests Oxymorrons & Zillion.
Image by Della Perrone Photography.
Modern Drugs, Retro Via
►Pour Bros // free // 8:30 p.m.
Indie rockers Modern Drugs will perform outside at Pour Bros, alongside Retro Via.
Soul Shakedown with DJ LEGTWO
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 10 p.m.
Late inside at Rose Bowl, Larry Gates, aka DJ LEGTWO will be spinning funk and soul favorites.
SUNDAY, June 26th
The Painkiller Blues Band with Dawn Clark
►Alto Vineyards // free // 2 p.m.
The Painkiller Blues Band will be playing a mix of traditional and original tunes this Sunday, with vocalist Dawn Clark.
Nick’s Country Jam
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 6 p.m.
An open mic of sorts, Nicholas Stine invites folks to get on stage and perform folk, country, and more.
Editor’s pick: Owen
►Loose Cobra // $25 // 8 p.m.
Owen is one of the many projects of Mike Kinsella of Cap’n Jazz, American Football, and Owls fame. He’ll be performing an intimate set on Sunday at Loose Cobra in Tolono, with Alyssa Allen opening the show.
Top image from Thelma and the Sleaze’s Facebook page.
