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, March 18th
Morgan Powell’s Traditional Jazz Orchestra
► The Iron Post // cover // 5 p.m.
Past Life, Prevalence, and Sublunary
► IMC // $5 // 7 p.m.
The Dollyrots w/ Tina Sparkle & The Complaint Line
►nightshop in Bloomington // $10 advance/ $12 day of // 7:30 p.m.
TUESDAY, March 19th
► The Iron Post // cover // 7 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, March 20th
McNeill Quintet
► The Iron Post // cover // 6 p.m.
The Perrilles Project ft. Sarah & The Underground
►nightshop in Bloomington // $7 // 7 p.m
Reginold Lewis Group
► The Iron Post // cover // 8 p.m.
Los Lonely Boys
►The Castle in Bloomington // $25 advance/$28 day of // 8 p.m.
Jazz Jam
► The Iron Post // cover // 10 p.m.
THURSDAY, March 21st
Hobnob String Band
► The Rose Bowl // free // 5 p.m.
She Said So
►nightshop in Bloomington // cover // 5 p.m
Lou DiBello
► The Clark Bar // free // 6 p.m.
Blackberry Smoke
►The Castle in Bloomington // $45 seated (Advance) $50 (Day of Show) / $38 Standing Room (Advance) $43 (Day of Show) // 7:30 p.m. Sold Out
FRIDAY, March 22nd
Chip Stephens Organ Trio
► The Iron Post // cover // 5 p.m.
Sapphire
►The Clark Bar // free // 6:30 p.m.
Cunning Like Cobras, 24 Moons, NFTFOH, XPoppyXRoseX
►IMC // cover // 7:30 p.m.
Backyard BBQ Band and Limping Cowboy Band
► Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 8 p.m.
Chicago Farmer & Miles Nielsen and the Rusted Hearts
►The Castle in Bloomington // $15 advance/$18 day of // 8 p.m.
Mongolian Death Wyrm
►nightshop in Bloomington // cover // 8 p.m.
With a name like Mongolian Death Wyrm, you might expect a thrasher band, or an ironically named indie folk trio. Instead, these guys deliver a progressive-blues-boogie sound that weaves a mix of influences into a gritty, guitar-driven tapestry. Check out their sound below:
Fuel
►The City Center // $22-$32 // 8:30 p.m
Water Between Continents
► The Iron Post // cover // 9 p.m.
Aquila
► Blackbird // free // 9:30 p.m.
SATURDAY, March 23rd
Hot Club of Urbana
► The Iron Post // cover // 6 p.m.
Chachi and the Banditos, Hobnob String Band, and Sidewinder
► Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 7 p.m.
Liner Notes
►Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts // $25-$35 // 7:30 p.m.
This show combines live music, poetry, and multimedia presentations to explore hip hop in a whole new way. Hip hop samples are juxtaposed with the liner notes from their albums of origin to tell a story of the music in greater depth and with clearer context. Learn more by watching the promo video:
Illinois Symphony Orchestra
► Second Presbyterian Church in Bloomington // $20 // 7:30 p.m.
Rod Tuffcurls & The Bench Press
► The Castle Theater // $10 // 8 p.m.
Blind Adam & The Federal League, Dead Rest, Jered Grabb, and JERM+DUIs
► nightshop in Bloomington // $6 advance/$8 day of // 8 p.m.
Jackyl
► The City Center // $20-$30 // 8:30 p.m.
Slick Lisp and Three Hour Tour
► The Iron Post// cover // 9 p.m.
Johnny Lusardi
► 25 O’Clock Brewing // free // 9 p.m.
SUNDAY, March 24th
Evie Laydin
► The Iron Post // cover // 6 p.m.