Smile Politely

The Overture: March 12-18

MONDAY, March 12th

The Dollytrots, The Complaint Line

► nightshop in Bloomington // $5 // 8:30 p.m.

TUESDAY, March 13th

Animal Mother

► The Iron Post // cover // 7 p.m.

Jose Gobbo, Joey Glassman

► Boomerang’s // free // 7 p.m.

Zakir Hussain, Tabla With Rakesh Chaurasia, Bansuri

► Krannert Center for the Performing Arts’ Tryon Festival Theatre // $10-$40 (sold out) // 7:30 p.m.

Zakir Hussain is an incredible tabla player, and this performance is sold out at the moment over at Krannert Center. Just watch this video, it is pretty spectacular. If you’re interested in attending, you’ll have to go to Krannert’s website and register to be on the waiting list.

U of I Steel Bands

► Krannert Center for the Performing Arts’ Colwell Playhouse // $4-$10 // 7:30 p.m.

Brett Dennen, Dean Lewis

 The Castle Theatre in Bloomington // $20 advance/$23 door // 8 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, March 14th

Yekwon Sunwoo

► Krannert Center for the Performing Arts’ Foellinger Great Hall // $10-$36 // 7:30 p.m.

Caleb Cook Band

► Loose Cobra // free, $5 suggested donation // 8 p.m.

THURSDAY, March 15th

Paddlefish, La Louve, 7 Daze, Terrible Teeth

Exile on Main Street // free // 7 p.m.

Schenker & Keeling, Blue Movies, Opium Rex, xPOPPYxROSEx

► Ghost Planet // $5 (pay what you can) // 8 p.m.

Ike Reilly Assassination, Brendan O’Shea

► The Castle Theatre in Bloomington // $12 advance/$15 doors // 8 p.m.

Rebekah Songer, Ryan Pleckham

► Blackbird // free // 9 p.m.

Malcolm London, Ausar

► The Canopy Club // $10 advance/$12 door // 9 p.m.

Malcolm London’s story is an interesting one. London hails from Chicago, and he’s a poet, activist, and musician, and you can read more about him here. He’s performing at Canopy Club on Thursday night, and you can listen to some of his music over at his Soundcloud page.

FRIDAY, March 16th

Jeff Helgesen Quintet

► The Iron Post // cover // 5 p.m.

Corb Lund

► Sandwich Life House // $20 donation // 6 p.m.

Black Stone Cherry, Another Lost Year, The Josephines

► The Castle Theatre in Bloomington // $20 advance/$23 door //  8 p.m.


Spandrels, Motes, Fiona Kimble

The Canopy Club // $5 advance/$7 door // 9 p.m.

Spandrels is kicking off their eight date tour on Friday night at the Canopy Club with a couple of other locals — Motes and Fiona Kimble. Kimble just released an album of her own at the end of last year — read Sal’s review here.

VV Lightbody, The Merry Travelers

► The Iron Post // cover // 9 p.m.

A familiar face is heading back through C-U: Vivian McConnell’s project VV Lightbody performs at the Iron Post this Saturday Friday. You might recognize McConnell from Santah and Grandkids. Listen to some of VV Lightbody’s tracks over at Bandcamp to prepare.

DJ Grapes

► Blackbird // free // 9 p.m.

SATURDAY, March 17th

Lonely Trailer, Bullnettle, The Dry Look, Col. James Presents

Loose Cobra // $5 suggested donation // 8 p.m.

Here’s a four pack of rock to get loaded on for St. Paddy’s Day on Saturday evening. Grab a Schlitz at Loose Cobra and check this one out — The Dry Look has been very active lately, releasing an EP not too long ago, and Col. James Presents is a new-ish local project made up of members of Penny Horses (RIP) and the Dirty Feathers.

Eric Johnson, Arielle

► The Castle Theatre in Bloomington // $22-$28 // 8 p.m.

Sleeping Okami, Nucleus

► Blackbird // $5 // 9 p.m.

Sleeping Okami is one of the most promising local bands, and here’s a chance to see them at Blackbird in Urbana, which has had some really great shows to offer lately. The band has been hard at work on their new record, so surely they will be playing tunes from that on Saturday night.

Timbalú

► Cowboy Monkey // $5 // 9 p.m.

Timbalu is one of the best new bands, and you should be paying attention — read up on them from James’ review of their show last month at Iron Post. The salsa outfit will be performing two sets at Cowboy Monkey on Saturday night. 

SUNDAY, March 18th

Rare Privilege Irish Duo

► The Iron Post // cover // 7 p.m.

Shovels & Rope

► The Castle Theatre in Bloomington // $23-$28 // 8 p.m.

Shovels & Rope are back in the area after performing at ELLNORA back in September at Krannert Center (as pictured above). This time they are over at Bloomington’s Castle Theatre. If you missed them previously, head over and see this folk rock duo at the Castle.

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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.

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