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, September 23rd
Urbana Hootenanny
► Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 8 p.m.
TUESDAY, September 24th
Paul Mock 5 Fusion Band
► The Iron Post // cover // 7 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, September 25th
Joan Hickey Trio
► The Iron Post // cover // 6 p.m.
The Falbonauts, Crumpler
► Nightshop in Bloomington // $5 donation // 7:30 p.m.
Derick Cordoba’s G.E.L. Quintet
► The Iron Post // cover // 8 p.m.
THURSDAY, September 26th
Hobnob String Band
► Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 5 p.m.
Come to the Rose Bowl Tavern for their weekly happy hour. This event will feature the local, eclectic Hobnob String Band and a pop-up from The Red Herring Vegetarian Restaurant. If you’re not feeling dinner, enjoy a light snack with the Rose Bowl’s very own free popcorn.
Photo from the Facebook event
Japanese Breakfast, Beach Bunny, Mermaid Heaven
► The Canopy Club // $25 // 8:30 p.m.
PYGMALION kicks off on Thursday, and there are a variety of performances happening Thursday, Friday, and Saturday this week. Japanese Breakfast kicks things off with this show on Thursday night at Canopy Club, and the indie rock outfit is joined by Chicago’s Beach Bunny and locals Mermaid Heaven.
Photo provided by the artist
Black Pumas, The Data Waves
► Rose Bowl Tavern // $12 // 10:30 p.m.
Captured! By Robots, Shazu
► Blackbird // $12 // 11 p.m.
FRIDAY, September 27th
Chip Stevens Organ Trio
♦ The Iron Post // cover // 5 p.m.
Songs for a New World, Lyric Theatre @ Illinois
►Allerton Park & Retreat Center // $30 standard, $25 both events // 7:30 p.m.
Songs for a New World is a musical by Jason Robert Brown (of The Last Five Years fame). A bit heady and conceptial in its construction — written for four performers who never play the same character twice — nevertheless this musical draws you in. Each scene focuses in on the moment where a decision needs to be made and the new worlds that every decision creates.
Photo from Lyric Theatre
José Gobbo and Reginald Lews Duo
♦ Crudo // no cover // 8 p.m.
JID, Dua Saleh, IsaiahG
► The Canopy Club // $30 // 9:30 p.m.
Atlanta rapper JID is fresh off of his release from 2018, DiCaprio 2, and is part of J. Cole’s Dreamville crew, and headlines night two of PYGMALION at the Canopy Club.
Photo provided by the artist
Bleached, Retirement Party, Carly Beth
► Blackbird // $12 // 9:30 p.m.
Mdou Moctar, Boogarins
► Rose Bowl Tavern // $12 // 10 p.m.
SATURDAY, September 28th
Songs for a New World, Lyric Theatre @ Illinois
► Allerton Park & Retreat Center // $30 standard, $25 both events // 3:30 p.m.
Peter Tijerina Nonet, ft. vocalist Suzy Nicholas
► The Iron Post // $8 Cover, $3 for students/seniors // 6 p.m.
The New Pornographers, Lady Lamb
► The Canopy Club // $35 // 6:30 p.m.
The New Pornographers are putting out their brand new record the day before this show, and Neko Case — who rarely tours with the band these days — is on this run. So, Neko Case fans, rejoice.
Photo provided by the artist
“Celebrating 100 Years of Bird: a Tribute to the Music of Charlie Parker” Univ. of Illinois Jazz Faculty
► Allerton Park & Retreat Center // $30 standard, $25 both events // 7:30 p.m.
Dead Horses, Relevator
► Rose Bowl Tavern // $12 // 10 p.m.
Jerry Paper, Tatiana Hazel, zzo
► Blackbird // $12 // 10 p.m.
SUNDAY, September 29th
Califone, Crumpler, The Falbonauts, Rebekah Songer Band
► Rose Bowl Tavern // $12 advance, $15 DOS // 7 p.m.