Smile Politely

The Overture: May 13-19

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.

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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

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