Smile Politely

The Overture: September 6-11

The Overture is a rundown of live music and performances happening in and around Champaign-Urbana 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.

TUESDAY, September 6th

SSG

Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 5 p.m.

SSG is Chip Stephens on piano, Joel Spencer on drums, and Larry Gray on bass. This jazz trio will keep you entertained all night long.

WEDNESDAY, September 7th

Chip McNeill Quartet

Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 5 p.m.

Grammy winning saxophonist Chip McNeil returns to bang out the tunes with his quartet.

PUP, Palehound, The OGBMs

Canopy Club // $25 // 7 p.m.

Canadian punk-rockers PUP stop by the Canopy Club on their “The Unraveling of PUPtheband” tour. They are joined by Polyvinyl’s own Palehound, as well as fellow Canadian rockers The OGBMs.


Image from Krannert Center’s website.

Adriana Calcanhotto

Smith Memorial Hall // free // 7:30 p.m.

The Lemann Center for Brazilian Studies is bringing two-time Latin Grammy winner Adriana Calcanhotto to Smith Memorial Hall on Wednesday evening. With over 20 albums released since the start of her career in the 1980s, playing bossa nova, samba, avant-garde, pop, and more, this will be a lovely evening of music. The event is free with RSVP.

THURSDAY, September 8th

Holly and Charlie (of The Merry Travelers)

Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 5 p.m.

Holly and Charlie of the wonderful psych-folk group The Merry Travlers are playing Rose Bowl’s americana happy hour. 


Image from Brass Rail’s Facebook. 

TS Foss, Yap Trap, Nectar

Brass Rail // $10 // 7 p.m.

Tyler of the Madison, WI group Proud Parents brings his side project TS Foss to Brass Rail, alongside local rockers Yap Trap and Nectar, who will be performing a solo set. 

Backyard BBQ Band

Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 7:30 p.m.

The Backyard BBQ Band has been around for some time now, playing western, swing, jazz, country, and anything else perfect for a BBQ. This set will be acoustic.

Megalodon

Canopy Club // $15 // 9 p.m.

Dubstep artist Megalodon brings his impressive chopping and high energy to Canopy Club for a night of partying. 

FRIDAY, September 9th

Erik Lund’s Jazz Friends

Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 5 p.m.

A tuneful Friday evening provided by Jazz Friends, a group made up of Erik Lund on trombone, alongside various local jazz musicians. 

Krannert Center Opening Night Party

Krannert Center Marquee // free // 5:30 p.m.

Krannert Center kicks off its new season with musical guests Mariachi Herencia De Mexico, Gracie and Rachel, Cotton Candy Theremin, and The Soul Rebels.

Stone and Snow, Chicago Farmer

Allerton Gatehouse Lawn // donations encouraged // 6 p.m.

The Summer’s End Concert at Allerton sees folk/soul group Stone and Snow playing a show with support from Chicago Farmer and The Fieldnotes. 


​Image from The Virginia Theatre’s Facebook page. 

LeAnn Rimes

Virginia Theatre // $61+ // 7:30 p.m.

The iconic country singer LeAnn Rimes is stopping by The Virginia Theatre. You may know her from her song “How Do I Live,” or from her other 15+ studio albums reaching back to the 90s.

Clayton Burke Band, Primitive Lights, Bobby Stevens

Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 8 p.m.

Come help the Clayton Burke Band celebrate the release of their new album Hokey Tonk!? at the Rose Bowl, with the help of Primitive Lights and Bobby Stevens. 

SATURDAY, September 10th

Chad Lawson Trio

Krannert Center // free // 5:30 p.m.

Pianist Chad Lawson brings “classical music for the Spotify generation” to Krannert, with his trio made up of himself, violinist Judy Kang, and cellist Seth Parker Woods. 

Tons of Fun Band

Rose Bowl Tavern // $10 // 7 p.m.

The Tons of Fun Band performs for the Rose Bowl, with a killer horn section and exciting lead vocals. 

Lines of Loyalty, Brand New Sky

Canopy Club // $15 adv, $20 door // 9 p.m.

Hypnotic heavy rockers Lines of Loyalty are joined by Brand New Sky for an exciting night of music at Canopy Club.


Image from Jerry Douglas’ Facebook.

Jerry Douglas Band

Krannert Center // $37 // 9 p.m.

Jazz, bluegrass, country, blues, swing, rock, and soul, Jerry Douglas can do it all. With his dobro and lap steel, he’ll be stoppong by Krannert Center on Saturday night. 

DJ Grapes

Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 10 p.m.

Spinning funk, soul, and dancehall regae, come and party and dance your butt off.

SUNDAY, September 11th

The Illinois Flamenco-Jazz Collective

Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 4 p.m.

Jazz-Flamenco fusion, what more could you want? This will have you wanting to get up and dance.

The Blues Deacons

Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 7 p.m.

The blues outfit from Gibson City are hitting the Rose Bowl. Playing originals as well as blues classics, come by and “let the blues ease on into your soul.”

Top image from Canopy Club’s Facebook.

Music Editor

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