Smile Politely

The Overture: April 29–May 5

WHAT: Michael Meadows, Margaret O’Brien, Mark Laughlin

WHERE: The Clark Bar (free)

WHEN: Tuesday, April 30th at 7 p.m.

Another trio lined up to perform some acoustic sets for Champaign-Urbana’s Singer-Songwriter Collective series this week. These three have frequented the series and performed previously, but if acoustic-folk is your thing, this is a good show lined up this week.

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WHAT: The W8, Bee.Kay, The Gr8 Thinkaz

WHERE: The Canopy Club ($7)

WHEN: Thursday, May 2nd at 10 p.m.

This hip-hop show is going down at the Canopy Club later this week. The show is presented by Klevah and features the W8, Bee.Kay, and the Gr8Thinkaz. Not a ton of information available about this show besides the information on the Canopy Club’s website.

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WHAT: Sidelined, Denouncer, Ashland, Capys, Hometown Heavyweights

WHERE: Error Records ($5)

WHEN: Friday, May 3rd at 8 p.m.

The folks over at Error Records have been busy recently. Hosting a handful of shows last week, they’re back at it this week with these five bands lined up to perform. Newton’s experimental/hardcore outfit Sidelined headlines this one, with metal band Denouncer, all the way from Florida, joining in for this show.

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WHAT: Decadents, Sideburns & Co.

WHERE: Mike ‘N Molly’s ($5)

WHEN: Friday, May 3rd at 9 p.m.

If the weather cooperates, Decadents will have a shot at performing outside at Mike ‘N Molly’s instead of being holed-up in the upstairs space (although that is a good option, too). They released their debut record last September, which you can hear and download free of charge over at their Bandcamp page.

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WHAT: David Mayfield Parade

WHERE: The Canopy Club ($8 advance/$10 door)

WHEN: Friday, May 3rd at 9:30 p.m.

David Mayfield Parade is back in Champaign after their last visit about a year ago around the beginning of May. Our own Jon Stone covered the show, previewing and reviewing the night of festivities with Mayfield and his crew. By the looks of this picture, the last show ended on a bizarre note, so that’s something to look forward to if you’re interested in seeing this show later this week.

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EDITOR’S PICK(S):
ELSINORE, GRANDKIDS, MINOR CHARACTERS

Cowboy Monkey ($10) — Friday, May 3rd at 10 p.m.
OR
ELSINORE, COMMON LOON, KO
Mike ‘N Molly’s ($10) — Saturday, May 4th at 10 p.m.

Elsinore is set to perform their first live show in C-U in what has been quite some time. They’ve been hard at work recording and putting together their brand new album, PUSH / PULL, which was recorded from October 2012 to January 2013 with producer Beau Sorenson (Bob Mould, Death Cab for Cutie, Superchunk, Yellow Ostrich). They’re shopping the new album around a bit for labels, and certainly they’re ready and prepared to perform these new songs for C-U this weekend.

Both shows are worthy of being highlighted this week, so regardless of which one (or both) of them you go to, you’ll be making the right decision. Both shows put Elsinore with an awesome local band and a solid out of town act, so a trio of acts is well worth the price of admission. We’ll be taking a closer look at a different side of the band later this week, as Chris interviewed the new members. For now, stream one of their new tracks, “The Art of Pulling,” below.

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WHAT: Matt Poss, the Legend of Levi Morgan

WHERE: The Canopy Club ($5)

WHEN: Saturday, May 4th at 9 p.m.

Matt Poss and his band take over the Canopy Club Saturday night. These alt-country/Americana acts should have the place stomping and pounding beers in no time, especially on a Saturday night. It’s just the right combination.

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WHAT: Zion I, Swords & The Struggle, Chase Baby, D Webb

WHERE: The Canopy Club ($11 advance/$13 door)

WHEN: Sunday, May 5th at 9 p.m.

This celebration of Cinco de Mayo is taking place on Sunday night. Even though this is not as attractive of a show to people who have to work bright and early on Monday morning, for the most part, it looks pretty awesome. Zion I headlines and is joined by a trio of other acts, including the pretty awesome local group Swords & The Struggle.

Executive Editor

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