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, May 13th
Urbana Hootenanny, various artists
► Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 8 p.m.
TUESDAY, May 14th
Peter Tijerina Nonet
► The Iron Post // cover // 7 p.m.
Gangstagrass
►The Castle Theatre in Bloomington // $12 // 7:30 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, May 15th
McNeill Quintet
► The Iron Post // cover // 6 p.m.
Jazz Jam
► The Iron Post // cover // 10 p.m.
THURSDAY, May 16th
New Orleans Jazz Machine
► Iron Post // cover // 6 p.m.
Cornstalkers Cajun Band
►Rose Bowl Tavern // $5 // 8 p.m.
FRIDAY, May 17th
Jeff Helgesen Quintet
► The Iron Post // cover // 5 p.m.
Brad Wheeler Group
►Blackbird // free // 5 p.m.
Nelly, Twista, Futuristic
►The City Center // $28-$45 // 7:30 p.m.
Ol’ Number 7
► Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 8 p.m.
Minsk, Varaha, Bruges, Cloud Cruiser
► nightshop in Bloomington // $8 advance/ $10 day of show // 8 p.m.
Paul Thorn
►The Castle Theatre in Bloomington // $28 // 8 p.m.
Ant Hattie
► The Iron Post // cover // 9 p.m.
SATURDAY, May 18th
Tim Parrish and The Last Minute Band
► Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 6 p.m.
Ray Bonneville
► Sandwich Life House // $20 // 6 p.m.
Guy Sinese
► The Iron Post // cover // 7 p.m.
Eva Hunter Band, and Constant Velocity
► nightshop in Bloomington // $5 // 7 p.m.
Pedro the Lion
► The Castle Theatre in Bloomington // $20 // 8 p.m.
Todd Reese
► 25 O’Clock // free // 8 p.m.
Harvest Sons
► Pour Bros Craft Taproom // free // 8:30 p.m.
Jerrod Niemann
► The City Center // $17-$27 // 8:30 p.m.
Photo from Facebook event page
Sun Stereo
►Blackbird // $7 // 10 p.m.
Urbana-based Sun Stereo is playing a Summer Camp pre-party tonight at Blackbird to get you in the mood for the four-day festival coming up May 23-27. According to the band’s facebook page, their genre is rainbows and kittens, which bodes well, and “delivers a full sensory explosion incorporating a hybridization of organic and electronic elements blended with Beatles-esque vocal harmonies, electronic soundscapes, circus-style performance art, nu-age story book lyrics, orchestral strings, and a funk-your-face-off horn section.” Sun Stereo has released one full-length album and two EPs, which you can check out here, or below.
SUNDAY, May 19th
Asa Dawson, Ryan Kerr, & Chase Duncan
► nightshop in Bloomington // $5 // 6:30 p.m.
Tom and Matt Turino
► The Iron Post // cover // 7 p.m.
Landon Wordswell, Brotha Nature, Franky & The Plexicats
► nightshop in Bloomington // $7 // 9:30 p.m.
*Cover photo from Pedro the Lion facebook page, taken by Chona Kasinger