WHAT: Acoustic show feat. Rebecca Rego & friends
WHERE: 1311 W. Washington st., Champaign ($10-$15 donations for touring artists)
WHEN: Wednesday, May 24 at 7:30 p.m.
Rebecca Rego will bring her indie folk stylings to this show that includes a couple touring acts who lean towards the folk genre with streaks of rock and pop. This unplugged house show will have a down-home vibe meant to make everyone feel welcome.
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WHAT: Carrying Torches, Dead Possums
WHERE: Memphis on Main (cover)
WHEN: Wednesday, May 24 at 9 p.m.
Original music night at MoM will feature two alternative rock acts whose band names come together to sound like one weird evening indeed. In actuality, it’ll probably just consist of some fun music and cheap drinks, all to be had with good people.
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WHAT: Kowabunga! Kid, Dream Probe, Ghoul Jr, Steve Schaberg
WHERE: Cowboy Monkey ($5)
WHEN: Thursday, May 25 at 9 p.m.
A punk-pop evening is to be had on Thursday that’ll prove that not all the talented kids have skipped town for the hot months. Dream Probe, K!K, and Ghoul Jr. know how to hang like the rest of ‘em, and Steve will be there to bring the laughs.
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WHAT: Whiskey Shadows with The Ex-Bombers and Bristle
WHERE: Cowboy Monkey ($7)
WHEN: Friday, May 26 at 9 p.m.
Local roots-rock act Whiskey Shadows have been quickly gaining momentum around here with appearances at The Accord and Watson’s. The assist at their show will be provided by dusky pop act The Ex-Bombers, coming in from Charleston, and upbeat Urbana rockers Bristle.
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WHAT: Dogs with Hands
WHERE: The Iron Post ($3)
WHEN: Friday, May 26 at 9 p.m.
Cover band quintet Dogs with Hands will lap up some fun at the Post on Friday.
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WHAT: The Weak Days, Krelboyne, Eric Stanley
WHERE: Blips and Chitz ($5)
WHEN: Friday, May 26 at 8 p.m.
Goofy punk-pop act The Weak Days aren’t afraid to have fun, which is good, because they’ll help to even out the emo sadness brought on by hardcore rockers Krelboyne and Euriah’s Eric Stanley. But of course, if you’d rather embrace the sad, you’re more than welcome to do so.
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WHAT: The Last Waltz
WHERE: The Virginia Theatre ($5)
WHEN: Friday, May 26 at 7 p.m.
The Virginia brings you what is arguably the best rock and roll movie ever made on Friday. This Martin Scorsese-directed documentary is about Bob Dylan’s “The Band,” an incredible act in their own right, who took the stage for their farewell concert one night in 1976. A plethora of legendary musicians played with them that evening, including Dylan, Neil Young, Eric Clapton, Van Morrison, Dr. John, Joni Mitchell, and so many more. $5 gets you admission to a film that is 100 percent a mandatory watch for any self-described music fan.
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WHAT: Winder, Bullnettle, Skin Tags, and Ghoul Jr.
WHERE: Blips and Chitz (probably $5)
WHEN: Saturday, May 27 at 8 p.m.
B&C continue with their strong week of shows in hosting this Saturday night gig, which is the debut EP release show for post hardcore band Winder, who are dropping their album Always Assume. They’ll get support from acts who will provide additional punches of upbeat punk music, including the return of Bullnettle to C-U, Skin Tags in from St. Louis, and a second appearance this week from locals Ghoul Jr.
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WHAT: Bentley’s yacht rock night
WHERE: Bentley’s Pub (no cover, donations welcome)
WHEN: Sunday, May 28 at 4 p.m.
Bentley’s wants to help you welcome in the summer with some breezy, beachy, opulence-evoking numbers that they are calling “yacht rock.” See the page for a list of examples. Four deejays will be spinning what I personally like to call “lite rock.” However you label it, there will be cheap shots and even free hot dogs. Yes, that’s right – free hot dogs.
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WHAT: Sounds at Sunset
WHERE: Kaufman Lake (free)
WHEN: Sunday, May 28 at 6 p.m.
This session of the family- and picnic-friendly concert series will feature rock and roll/country act Birds on a Wire. Grab a blanket and soak in the sun and the tunes.
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WHAT: Bishop, Dead Sun, Earthholder, Old Fox Road
WHERE: Blips and Chitz ($5)
WHEN: Sunday, May 28 at 6 p.m.
Bishop and Dead Sun are down from Chicago to give us a more subdued and ambient rock sound than other shows this week. Locals Earthholder will add to that feel and then some. Punk-pop locals Old Fox Road don’t quite fit into this mix, but those guys will play pretty much anywhere and enjoy the hell out of it. So will you.