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.
MONDAY, March 28th
The Gobbo/Stark Quartet
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 5:30 p.m.
Joined by special guest David Chiriboga, the group will be performing Finding Flamenco in Sketches of Spain, which will be classic flamenco music alongide some new jazz adaptions.
The Urbana Hootenanny
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 8 p.m.
This Monday, Rose Bowl Tavern celebrates 10 years of the Urbana Hootennany with a lineup of wonderful musicians, including Emily McKown, Clayton Burke, The Urbana Hootenanny All Stars, and many more. The event will also be livestreamed on Youtube.
Image from Aquila’s Facebook page.
Aquila
►WEFT Sessions (virtual) // free // 10 p.m.
Jazz, rock, and R&B fusion provided by Aquila. You can catch them streaming live on Youtube at 10 p.m., from the comfort of your home.
TUESDAY, March 29th
Image from Pygmalion’s Facebook page.
LUNA LUNA, Dent May, Pearl and the Oysters
►Rose Bowl Tavern // $12 adv, $15 door // 6 p.m.
4-piece Dallas based synth pop band LUNA LUNA stops by the Rose Bowl on Tuesday alongside psych-pop artist Dent May as well as jazz-pop group Pearl and the Oysters.
WEDNESDAY, March 30th
Tito Carrillo Quintet
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 5:30 p.m.
Professor of Jazz Trumpet Tito Carrillo returns to Rose Bowl with his quintet to bring you a stellar night of jazz.
THURSDAY, March 31st
Chachi and Falbo
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 5 p.m.
Americana Happy Hour at Rose Bowl with Chachi and Falbo, providing an evening of folk and americana, featuring some original songs as well as classics.
Castle Finn, Able Baker, The Present Age
►Rose Bowl Tavern // $10 // 8:30 p.m.
Psych/indie/roots group Castle Finn gave my favorite virtual performance of 2021, their chemistry and technical prowess is stunning. Joined by two Wisconsin based groups, Able Baker is slowcore/indie/folk, and The Present Age is punk and indie.
Image from Canopy Club’s Facebook page.
Said The Sky
►Canopy Club // $20 // 9 p.m.
If you’re looking to dance, come to Canopy Club on Thursday. Said The Sky is an electronic-dance producer, well versed in dubstep, future bass, and trap music.
FRIDAY, April 1st
Jordan Kaye The Tunewrangler
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 5 p.m.
Bringing you songs, stories, and witty banter, Jordan Kaye is sure to be a night of fun. With a mix of rock, folk, and requests, come hangout at the Rose Bowl.
Chip McNeil Group
►NOLA’s Rock Bar // free // 5 p.m.
Saxophonist Chip McNeil hits NOLA’s for Jazz Happy Hour to bang out the tunes with his quartet.
Image from Chicago Farmer’s Facebook page.
Chicago Farmer and the Fieldnotes, Barbaro
►Rose Bowl Tavern // $15 adv, $20 day of // 8 p.m.
Chicago farmer is a local favorite, and this Friday they’ll be celebrating the release of their new EP at the Rose Bowl, alongside americana/bluegrass band Barbaro.
Poisoned Rationality
►Boomerangs // free // 8 p.m.
Pop-punk band Poisoned Rationality hits Boomerangs for a night of headbanging and partying.
SATURDAY, April 2nd
Chain Station, Wildwood
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 5:30 p.m.
Watson’s Shack and Rail has a food truck now, and they are celebrating the grand opening of it on Saturday at Rose Bowl, with live music from Denver, CO’s Chain Station, as well as Wildwood, both wonderfully exciting string bands. Music starts at 7 p.m.
Chris Renzema
►Canopy Club // $20 GA // 6:30 p.m.
Chris Renzema combines indie rock and folk with Christian music. He’ll be stopping by Urbana on his Hope or Nostalgia tour, with Antoine Bradford opening the night.
Soundscapes presents: Submerge
►Cohen Building // donations encouraged // 7 p.m.
Engage with light and sound at the Cohen Building in downtown Urbana on Saturday and Sunday. There will be live music as well as video art installations. Performers include Puddles, Aliens In the Sky, Twoleggedzoo, and more.
Marbin
►NOLA’s Rock Bar // $7 // 7 p.m.
Chicago-based prog rock band Marbin hits NOLA’s for Summer Camp Saturday. Come catch them for an intimate set before they play Summer Camp later in the year.
SUNDAY, April 3rd
Image from Afro D’s Facebook page.
Afro D & Global Soundwaves
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 4 p.m.
I caught Afro D and Global Soundwaves live for the first time at the CU Folk and Roots fest last year, and had a blast. They combine hip-hop, jazz, funk, as well as socially conscious and educational lyrics — they literally did a song about how rain is formed, and it was great. Well worth coming out on Sunday to see them.
Songwriters Round ft Bill Poss, Emily McKown, Dana Anderson, Olivia Tasch
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 7 p.m.
These four local songwriters will share songs and stories, hosted by Bill Passalacqua.
Cloud Cruiser, The Recombinants, Lark’s Tongue
►Nightshop // $8 adv, $12 door // 8:30 p.m.
A hard hitting show at Nightshop in Bloomington on Sunday night, with three great rock bands, ranging from sludge and metal to space and desert rock.
Top image from Pygmalion’s Facebook page.
