Smile Politely

The Overture: April 30-May 6

MONDAY, April 30th

Andrew Walit’s Group

► The Iron Post // cover unknown // 7 p.m.

The Merry Travelers

► Sipyard // free // 7 p.m.

TUESDAY, May 1st

Kayla Brown

► Blackbird // free // 7 p.m.

Michael Anderson

► The Iron Post // cover unknown // 8 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, May 2nd


Dale Watson & His Lone Stars

► Rose Bowl Tavern // $25 advance/$30 door // 7:30 p.m.

The “home of live country music” in C-U — aka the Rose Bowl — is hosting this one on Wednesday night. Honky tonk legend Dale Watson and His Lone Stars (how perfect, this is where I drink Lone Star in Urbana!) make their way through, and this would be a fun one to check out mid-week.

THURSDAY, May 3rd

Nick Ailes Band

► The Iron Post // cover unknown // 7 p.m.


Sir Mix-A-Lot

► The City Center // $20-$63 // 8 p.m.

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but Sir Mix-A-Lot — yes, the only one you know — will be performing at City Center this week. Just… just roll the video, there’s not much more I can say:

MakeWar, Jeff Schaller

► nightshop in Bloomington // cover unknown // 8 p.m.

Jade Hilton, Cole Brandt

► Blackbird // free // 9:30 p.m.

FRIDAY, May 4th

Jordan Kaye and the Jordanears

► The Iron Post // cover unknown // 5 p.m.

Cole Brandt 

► Alto Vineyards // free // 5 p.m.

Portals, Errabyss, Severed Ties, xBROWNxBRICKSx

► nightshop in Bloomington // $5 // 6 p.m.

Terrance Stevenson, Mikki Johnson, Kamau Grantham

► Urbana Champaign Independent Media Center // free, donations accepted // 8 p.m.

Lou DiBello Band

► Goldy’s // cover unknown // 8 p.m.

Craig Morgan

► The City Center // $20-$30 // 8:30 p.m.


The Dry Look, Bookmobile!, Col. James Presents, Jollys

► Blackbird // $5 // 9 p.m.

Here’s a pretty sweet local bill headed up by punk outfit The Dry Look, which has made itself one of the best local bands to see live nowadays. Check out their Bandcamp to get a preview. They’re joined by Bookmobile!, which played its first show in quite some time last month at the Iron Post (as well as their role of backing up C.L.A.W. at last week’s Memphis on Main show). 


Christy Hays, Cole Bridges

► Loose Cobra // free, donations accepted // 9 p.m.

Christy Hays is no stranger to C-U — though she’s based in Austin, she grew up in Champaign. Hays will perform at the Loose Cobra on the heels of her new album just being released last week called River Swimmer. Cole Bridges (you might know him as Cole Rabenort, singer of the Fights [RIP]) opens as support.

Less More Trio

► The Iron Post // cover unknown // 9 p.m.

Jane Doe

► Tin Roof Tavern // cover unknown // 9 p.m.

3 Gun Whiskey

► Memphis on Main // cover unknown // 10 p.m.

SATURDAY, May 5th

Candy Foster & the Shades of Blue

► Boomerang’s // free // 3 p.m.

Almost A Quintet

► The Iron Post // cover unknown // 6 p.m.

Love Sign

► Clark Bar // free // 6:30 p.m.

Fiona Way

► The Castle Theatre in Bloomington // $25 // 7 p.m.

TwoLeggedZoo

► Urbana Champaign Independent Media Center // free, donations accepted // 7 p.m.

Lime Forest, Nick Arger

► The Iron Post // $5 // 9 p.m.

Shiba San

► The Canopy Club // $15 advance/$25 door // 9 p.m.


Los Guapos

► Cowboy Monkey // $5 // 9 p.m.

This local Cumbia outfit Los Guapos has two sets lined up at Cowboy Monkey on Saturday night, which would make for a fun Saturday night if you’re tino Afro-Cuban music to dance to.

The Flaming Churros

► Memphis on Main // free // 9 p.m.

James Jones Trio

► Blackbird // $5 // 9:30 p.m.

SUNDAY, May 6th


Balinese Gamelan Spring Concert

► U of I School of Music // free // 2 p.m.

The U of I’s Balinese Gamelan Spring Concert is free, taking place on Sunday on campus. You can read up on World Music in C-U via James’ piece from a few weeks back.

Joe Policastro Trio

► The Iron Post // cover unknown // 7 p.m.

———

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 [email protected] with the details.

Executive Editor

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