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.
MONDAY, February 4th
Larry Gray Trio
► The Iron Post // cover // 7 p.m.
TUESDAY, February 5th
Traditional Jazz Orchestra
► The Iron Post // cover // 5 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, February 6th
McNeill Quintet
► The Iron Post // cover // 5 p.m.
Stark Guitar Explosion Band
► The Iron Post // cover // 8:30 p.m.
Ian Shepherd, Mitchell Killough, Jesse Brown, Clayton Thompson
► Blackbird // free // 9 p.m.
THURSDAY, February 7th
Robb Bank$, Wifisfuneral, Tankhead 666, Danny Towers, DJ Scheme
► The Canopy Club // $12 advance/$15 day of show // 9 p.m.
Here’s a pretty robust hip-hop show happening at Canopy Club this week. Florida rapper Robb Bank$ has experienced some relatively good success over the course of his young career, and same goes for Wifisfuneral — they released a collaborative record, CONN3CT3D, a few weeks ago.
Jeremy Harper
► Blackbird // free // 9:30 p.m.
FRIDAY, February 8th
Erik Lund’s Jazz Friends
► The Iron Post // cover // 5 p.m.
Simply This Quartet
► Blackbird // free // 5 p.m.
Today’s Children, Birthday Cookie, Wes Harmony, 酸葬儀
► Fractal Farm // free // 7 p.m.
The Great Cover Up
► The City Center // $10 // 8 p.m.
The 28th(!) annual installment of the Great Cover Up returns, highlighting this week’s live music calendar with two nights at the City Center near Downtown Champaign. The Great Cover Up is an institution here in C-U, and this year’s bands-covering-their-favorites event spans five nights. And remember, this is a fundraiser, so proceeds go to a good cause.
Here’s who is performing on Friday night, and when per the Facebook event:
7:00pm DOORS OPEN
8:00-8:20pm The Data Waves
8:40-9:00pm Neoga Blacksmith
9:20-9:40pm Dearie
10:00-10:20pm Grand Ambassador
10:45-11:05pm Airacobra
11:30-11:50am HarshPro & DJ Belly
12:10-12:30am Truth Aka Trouble
Tiny Tree, Crooked Heart, Fat Harvester, DJ Wireless Mike
► Nightshop in Bloomington // $5 // 8 p.m.
Whiskybirddog, Dave Cooper
► The Iron Post // cover // 9 p.m.
DJ Tim Williams
► Blackbird // free // 9:30 p.m.
SATURDAY, February 9th
Ashes and Iron, Sweet Cobra, Mound Builders, California Mummy, Conjurer, Shazu
► Loose Cobra // $10 donation suggested // 5:30 p.m.
There are a lot of amazing things happening at the Loose Cobra on Saturday. Music is great, sure, but there’s a damn chili cook-off happening ahead of time! Amazing. There’s a $10 entry fee for the cook-off, which starts at 12:30 — so bring your best chili and wait for it to be judged thereafter while drinking some Schlitz. The Hibernation Sickness HeavyFest starts at 5:30 with the bands listed above. So, there’s a lot to look at here, all good things though.
Jim Pryor Quartet
► The Iron Post // cover // 6 p.m.
Not For The Faint Of Heart, Think Easy, Long Birds, Sublunary
► Independent Media Center // $5 // 7:30 p.m.
Matt Garrison and the Robber Barons, Our Landmark, Dead End Lights, Sherwood Forest
► Nightshop in Bloomington // $7 // 7:30 p.m.
The Great Cover Up
► The City Center // $10 // 8 p.m.
I realize I’ve highlighted the Cover Up up above, but here’s what’s happening on Saturday:
7:00pm DOORS OPEN
8:00-8:20pm Kittens Incorporated
8:40-9:00pm Ryan Byfield & Nuclei
9:20-9:40pm Boneyard Brass Band
10:00-10:20pm Chase Baby
10:45-11:10pm DeShawnMusic
11:35-12:05am Mike Ingram
12:30-1:00am Los Guapos featuring Brandon T. Washington
Joe Stamm
► Pour Bros Craft Taproom // free // 8:30 p.m.
Joe Asselin & The Moonlight Ramblers
► The Iron Post // cover // 9 p.m.
Kilborn Alley Blues Band
► Blackbird // free // 9:30 p.m.
Kilborn Alley are legends, and they are still at it month in and month out around C-U. The blues band performs at Blackbird on Saturday night for free, so if you’re around Downtown Urbana, can’t hurt but to drop in and check it out.
SUNDAY, February 10th
Them Coulee Boys
► The Iron Post // cover // 7 p.m.
Anders Osborne (solo), John Till
► The Castle Theatre in Bloomington // $20-$30 // 7 p.m.
