The Overture is a rundown of live music and performances happening in Champaign-Urbana (and the outskirts) 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 2nd
Barrington Coleman Quartet
► Neil St. Blues // Free // 7 p.m.
Urbana Hootenanny
► Rose Bowl Tavern // Free // 8 p.m.
Tuesday, March 3rd
Dr. Shredd and the Heart Strings
► Clark Bar // Free // 6:30 p.m.
Josh Quirk and Friends
► Boomerangs // Free // 7 p.m.
Wednesday, March 4th
Choirs at University of Illinois present, Chandos Anthem “I will magnify”
► Smith Memorial Hall // Free // 12 p.m.
Illinoi Modern Ensemble
► Krannert Center for the Performing Arts // Prices vary // 7:30 p.m.
EarthGang
► Foellinger Auditorium // $18 students, $25 public // 7:30 p.m.
Ant Hattie, Primitive Lights
► The Brass Rail // Free // 9 p.m.
Riles
► nightshop // Free // 10 p.m.
Thursday, March 5th
Dearie (Krannert Uncorked)
► Krannert Center for the Performing Arts // Free // 5 p.m.
Jordan & Jill
► Boomerangs // Free // 5 p.m.
Sam Payne Trio
► Rose Bowl Tavern // Free // 5:30 p.m.
Keith & Kathy Harden
► Boomerangs // Free // 6 p.m.
The Tucked-in T’s
► Baxter’s // Free // 6 p.m.
Image from the Facebook event.
Carrellee, Paul Kotheimer
► Exile on Main Street // Free // 6:30 p.m.
Celebrating the release of their album Once There Was, Carrellee (Madison, WI) will be playing Exile on Main with her musical partner Thomas Kivi. Paul Kotheimer, a veteran of the C-U scene, will also be performing. This singer-songwriter show is a chill way to get into the weekend state of mind.
Weston Harris Hill, Jared Grabb, Tobin Kirk, Brett Conlin, The Buncha Bastards
► nightshop // $7 // 7 p.m.
Image from the Facebook event.
Venice Baroque Orchestra
► Krannert Center for the Performing Arts // Prices vary // 7:30 p.m.
The Venice Baroque Orchestra is performing a program called “The Swedish Nightingale” in honor of the anniversary of Jenny Lind, a singer who achieved never-before-seen heights of celebrity in 1850s America. Accompanied by Swedish mezzo-soprano Ann Hallenberg, The VBO will pay tribute to Lind through the works of Hasse, Handel, Vivaldi, and others.
Jo Dee Messina
► The Virginia Theatre // Prices vary // 7:30 p.m.
DJ Medua & Friends
► GlowCU // Free // 9 p.m.
147 Calboy, Lil Zay Osama, & CDot Honcho
► Canopy Club // Prices vary // 10 p.m.
Friday, March 6th
Brad Wheeler Group
► Blackbird // Free // 5 p.m.
Alex Williams, Nick Sizemore & The Saddletramps
► The Castle Theatre // Prices vary // 7 p.m.
Nickel and Dimes Band
► VFW Post 630 // Free // 7 p.m.
Graphic from the Facebook event.
PriMary, Bow & Spear, other TBA
► nightshop // $12 // 8 p.m.
The nightshop in Bloomington is celebrating their second anniversary with a jam-packed weekend of bands from all over Illinois (and one from Iowa). You can secure a weekend pass for $30, or attend any of the nights for $12.
Robert Sampson & Lefty Preacher
► Neil St. Blues // Free // 8 p.m.
Galt & Kerr
► Huber’s West End // Free // 8 p.m.
New Twang City
► Rose Bowl Tavern // Free // 8 p.m.
fiDlin (Friday Night Vibe)
► Blackbird // Free // 9 p.m.
SNBRN
► Canopy Club // Prices vary // 9 p.m.
Saturday, March 7th
Dr. Cara Stacey (Gateways to World Music: Music Traditions of Southern Africa)
► Spurlock Museum // Free // 2 p.m.
Black-Eyed Lillies
► The Iron Post // Cover // 6 p.m.
Druids, Rezn, Lume, Grill Billyenz, Parachute Day, Empousa, Lysergic Deity
► nightshop // $12 // 7 p.m.
Michael Fisher: A Night of Organ Music
► Unitarian Universalist Church of Urbana-Champaign (UUCUC) // Free // 7 p.m.
Champaign-Urbana Symphony Orchestra presents: “Diamonds & Gems”
► Krannert Center for the Performing Arts // Prices vary // 7:30 p.m.
Pain Killers
► Neil St. Blues // Free // 8 p.m.
Poster from the Facebook event.
The Data Waves, Mores, Muted Color, Tessa Turner
► Rose Bowl Tavern // $10 // 8 p.m.
This is one eclectic night at the Rose Bowl. The Data Waves will be starting the night off with thier brand of fusion and funk. Then, Muted Colors and Motes bring their own take on the post-punk sound. Finally, Tessa Turner wraps up the night with a solo set featuring her alternative, singer-songwriter vibes.
Image from the Facebook event.
Bad Bad Hats
► Blackbird // $10 adv., $15 door // 8 p.m.
Minneapolis-based Indie group, Bad Bad Hats, is playing Blackbird this coming weekend. The trio made waves with their first album, Physic Reader, and are now touring with new songs and tracks from their second album, Lightening Round. Definitely a show not to miss.
Cerbo with Kilborn Alley
► Goldy’s // Free // 8 p.m.
New Twang City
► Huber’s West End // Free // 8 p.m.
MC Chris
► The Castle Theatre // $20 // 8 p.m.
The Hazy Seas, Dog Mom, Soft and Dumb, Superkick, Other Suns
► The Bird House // $5 // 8:30 p.m.
Kurt Crandall and the Stella Vees
► The Iron Post // Cover // 9 p.m.
New Souls
► Blackbird // Free // 10 p.m.
Sunday, March 8th
Duo MemDi
► Community Center for the Arts (C4A) // Free // 1 p.m.
Jenny and Shawn
► Alto Vineyards Champaign // Free // 2 p.m.
Charlotte Mattax-Moersch, harpsichord
► Krannert Center for the Performing Arts // Prices vary // 3 p.m.
Jack Whittle & the Disclaimers
► Pipa’s Pub // 5 p.m.
Snow Melt Blues Fest: Kilborn Alley Blues Band
► Neil St. Blues // Free // 6:30 p.m.
Canadian Rifle, Bonelung, Salt Sweat Sugar, Sad Rat, Justin Miller
► nightshop // $12 // 7 p.m.
The Floozies, SunSquabi, Late Night Radio
► The Canopy Club // Prices vary // 9 p.m.