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.
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, October 28th
UIUC Hip Hop Collective
► Illini Union Courtyard Café // Free // 6 p.m
Straight No Chaser
► Virginia Theatre // prices vary // 7:30 p.m.
Gateways to World Music: Veretski Pass
Gateways to World Music: Veretski Pass ► UofI School of Music Auditorium // Free // 7:30 p.m
Playing music with an “Old Country” feel, Verestki Pass plays the MBA following shows at the C-U Folk and Roots Festival. Featuring unique composition and musicians with virtuosic skill and energy to match, “Music from the Carpathian Bow” is a great concert to start off your week.
Photo from the Facebook event
Urbana Hootenanny
► Rose Bowl Tavern // Free // 8 p.m.
Tuesday, October 29th
Frail Body, Niboowin, Idle Threat, Overworry, Nic Gundy
Frail Body, Niboowin, Idle Threat, Overworry, Nic Gundy ► nightshop // $6 // 6 p.m.
This concert is one eclectic mix, with bands ranging from Screamo (Frail Body, Niboowin) to Indie/Alternative (Nic Gundy). C-U natives Overworry (check out their Bandcamp if you’ve never heard them before) will be showcasing their instrumental-heavy emo/indie sound. This is a great show to rage out your feels.
Photo from Overworry’s Facebook page
Pryor, Gray, & Stitely Trio
► The Iron Post // Cover // 6 p.m.
Jazz at Boomerangs
► Boomerangs Bar and Grill // Free // 7 p.m.
Wednesday, October 30th
Chip McNeill Group
► The Iron Post // Cover // 6 p.m.
Jim Pryor
► Nando Milano // Free // 6 p.m.
Altgeld Chime’s 99th Birthday Celebration Concert: For Sue Wood
Altgeld Chime’s 99th Birthday Celebration Concert: For Sue Wood ► Altgeld Hall // Free // 7 p.m.
This concert doubles as a birthday celebration and a memorial for Sue Woods who recently passed. The Altgeld chimes are a permanent fixture in the soundscape of UIUC’s campus. If you’ve never had a chance to hear the chimes played, you will have at least two opportunities this week. See below for details on their Halloween concert.
Photo from the Facebook event
Evan Grubbs
► The Icehouse // Free // 7 p.m.
Illinois Wind Symphony
► Krannert Center for the Performing Arts // Prices vary // 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday Night Spotlight at Blackbird
► Blackbird // Free // 9 p.m.
Thursday, October 31st
Adjy, Terribly Happy, The Royalist (Halloween Show)
► nightshop // $5 // 6 p.m.
UIUC Jazz Trombone Ensemble
► The Iron Post // Cover // 7 p.m.
Creepy Times at the Chimes
► Altgeld Hall // Free // 8 p.m.
ELEVATD with Will Wylin
► nightshop // $10 in adv. or with costume, $15 door // 8 p.m.
Sun Stereo (Halloween Show)
Sun Stereo (Halloween Show) ► Blackbird // $7 // 8 p.m.
One of the cooler live shows in town, Sun Stereo will be playing Blackbird’s Halloween show this Thursday complete with a costume contest. Combining acoustic and electric elements with tight vocal harmonies and brass, Sun Stereo is an experience as much as they are a band. Throw on your most creative wares and head on over to Blackbird.
Photo from the Facebook event
Bit O’ Spookiness Cabaret Show
► Rose Bowl Tavern // Free // 9 p.m.
DOGMA, Positive Vibr8ions
► The Canopy Club // $7 // 9 p.m.
Terminus Victor, The Falbonauts
Terminus Victor, The Falbonauts ► The Brass Rail // $5 suggested Donation // 9 p.m.
Hit up the nearest ATM before heading over to the Brass Rail to catch two local acts this Halloween. Walter Falbo’s Falbonauts will open with their moody indie rock, and once you’re feeling vulnerable you can thrash it out with Terminus Victor. This show will be one of the hardest rocking shows this Thursday.
Photo from the Facebook event
Friday, November 1st
Chip McNeill Quintet
► Blackbird // Free // 5 p.m.
The Ball Brothers
► The Virginia Theatre // Prices Vary // 7 p.m.
Wynton Marsalis
► Krannert Center for the Performing Arts // Prices vary // 7:30 p.m.
Jake & Jackson
► Huber’s West End // Free // 8 p.m.
Hippie Chicks
► The Iron Post // Free // 9 p.m.
The Claudettes with Gonzo Diablo
The Claudettes with Gonzo Diablo ► Rose Bowl Tavern // $12 adv., $15 door // 9 p.m.
This will be a fun show, especially if you feel like you didn’t get enough Americana at Folk and Roots. Hailing from Chicago, The Claudettes combine Jazz and Blues with punk and rockabilly to bring a fresh take on genres that you may feel have gotten a bit stale. CU’s own prog/stoner rock instrumental band, Gonzo Diablo, will also be playing the Rose Bowl Friday night, making it one of the best spots in town.
Photo from the Facebook event
Heartland Music Halloween Party
► Soma Ultralounge // $10 presale, $15 door // 10 p.m.
Halloween Party with Mank & Sass
► Watson’s Shack & Rail // Free // 10 p.m.
Saturday, November 2nd
Feudin’ Hillbillys
► Tailgate at Memorial Stadium // Free // 12 p.m.
Music Ministry of Mount Calvary present Doxology: an Experience from Traditional to Contemporary
► Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church // Free // 6 p.m.
UI Varsity Men’s Glee Club
► Krannert Center for the Performing Arts // Prices vary // 7:30 p.m.
Reckasto
► Neil St. Blues // Free // 8 p.m.
Kilborn Alley Blues Band
Kilborn Alley Blues Band ► Rose Bowl Tavern // Free // 9 p.m.
Head on over to the Rose Bowl Tavern in downtown Urbana to check out one of the best Chicago-blues bands in the country. Mixing the electric gravel of Chicago blues with Southern soul and feeling, Kilborn Alley will take you on a musical adventure through the blues.
Photo from the Facebook event
X-Krush Halloween Bash
► Blackbird // Free // 9:30 p.m.
AfroVybez (DJ DaeDae, DJ Matrix)
► The Canopy Club // $10 adv., $20 door // 10 p.m.
Sunday, November 3rd
Tetra Music Project
Tetra Music Project ► Exile on Main // Free // 2 p.m.
Michigan-based artist Tetra combines the organic with the digital in their performances. Smashing together live vocals and guitar with electronic processors, Tetra’s Music Project has a little something for everyone who is into electronic music.
Photo from the Facebook event
Marching Illini in Concert
► Krannert Center for the Performing Arts // Prices vary // 3 p.m.
1662 Choral Evensong for All Saints
► Emmanuel Memorial Episcopal Church // Free // 4 p.m.
Silverweed
► Rose Bowl Tavern // Free // 5 p.m.