Smile Politely

The Overture: June 24-30

Derrick Philips
Buddy Guy performing on stage, holding a yellow electric guitar. He is smiling and wearing a colorful, patterned shirt with light-colored pants and a cap. The stage is brightly lit with blue and red lights, and a large backdrop displays "Buddy Guy" in neon lights with a cityscape theme. Other band members and musical equipment are visible in the background, creating a lively and energetic concert atmosphere.
Buddy Guy by Chris Couture

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 [email protected] with the details.

Monday, June 24th

The Urbana Hootenanny

► Rose Bowl Tavern // tips in bucket // 8 p.m.

Five men standing in a row against a backdrop that appears to be a textured wall. The man in the center is holding a white electric guitar. They are all dressed in casual rock attire. From left to right: a man in a black beanie and red shirt, a man with a mustache and red bandana, the man with the guitar in a black t-shirt and vest, a man with shoulder-length hair in a striped jacket, and a man with long dark hair in a black shirt. They all appear relaxed and are looking directly at the camera.
George Thorouhgood and the Destroyers on Facebook

George Thorogood & The Destroyers

► Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts // $48 // 7:30 p.m.

George Thorogood & The Destroyers will bring their signature high-energy rock performance to the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts. Attendees can expect a night filled with classic hits and powerful guitar riffs.

Tuesday, June 25th

Brad Wheeler Fusioney Band

► Rose Bowl Tavern // tips in bucket // 5 p.m.

Wednesday, June 26th

Vine Street Syncopators

► Rose Bowl Tavern // tips in bucket // 5 p.m.

Jazz Jam

Rose Bowl Tavern // tips in bucket // 10 p.m.

Four members of a band are posing in a supermarket's produce section. The group includes two men and two women. One man on the left wears a pink and black tie-dye shirt and black jeans, the woman next to him is in a black t-shirt and bright blue high-waisted pants, the second woman is in a light blue jumpsuit, and the man on the right is wearing a black shirt with purple and yellow sleeves, and jeans. The background shows various produce and supermarket signage.
Nectar; Photo by Claire Daly

Nectar, Mister Goblin, and Taurus Hate Club

► The Space // $10 // 8 p.m.

Experience a night of eclectic indie sounds with Nectar, known for their vibrant and catchy pop-rock melodies. Mister Goblin brings a unique blend of punk and indie rock with deeply introspective lyrics. Taurus Hate Club, led by Alyssa Allen, will captivate the audience with intimate, storytelling lyrics and a blend of ethereal folk and indie rock influences​.

An elderly man with dark skin playing an electric guitar on stage. He is smiling and wearing a shiny light-colored shirt and a white baseball cap. The guitar is a light color, contrasting with his shirt. He is standing in front of a microphone, and stage equipment is visible in the background.
Buddy Guy photo by Casey Mitchell

EDITOR’S PICK: Buddy Guy

► The Virginia Theatre // $69.50 to $99.50 // 7:30 p.m.

Buddy Guy, an iconic figure in blues music, will perform at The Virginia Theatre. Known for his electrifying guitar solos and soulful vocals, Guy has influenced generations of musicians including Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughan. With a career spanning over six decades, he continues to captivate audiences with his dynamic performances and contributions to the blues genre​.

Keith Harden

► Victory Park // free // 6:30 p.m.

Enjoy an outdoor concert with Keith Harden, delivering a blend of blues and acoustic rock in a beautiful park setting.

A man with long hair and a mustache, dressed in a light blue suit, is sitting on a patterned black-and-white floor. He is wearing a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, adjusting the sunglasses with both hands. An acoustic guitar is lying in front of him, and he is looking directly at the camera, exuding a retro, stylish vibe.
Mike Campbell on Facebook

Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs

► Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts // free // 7 p.m.

Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs will bring their raw rock energy to the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts. Led by former Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers guitarist Mike Campbell, the band is known for its unpolished, spontaneous style and has released three albums, including their latest, Vagabonds, Virgins & Misfits.

Thursday, June 27th

Riggs Fest 2024 (Day 1)

► Riggs Beer Company // free // 4 p.m.

Join Riggs Beer Company for Riggs Fest 2024, for four days/nights of music, beer, and fun activities for the whole family.

4 p.m.: Luke Rund
6 p.m.: Bad Medicine

Paul Kotheimer

► Rose Bowl Tavern // tips in bucket // 5 p.m.

Relax and enjoy Americana Happy Hour with Paul Kotheimer, featuring a mix of folk, country, and blues tunes.

Craig Russo Latin Jazz Project

► Krannert Center for the Performing Arts // free // 5 p.m.

A live performance by the band Ill Niño. The stage is filled with smoke and dramatic lighting. The lead singer, dressed in black, is standing on an elevated platform, holding a microphone and pointing upwards. Two drummers are visible in the background, playing large drums, with a guitarist to the left. The band’s name and "Illmortals" are projected on a large screen behind them, adding to the intense atmosphere of the performance.
Ill Nino on Facebook

Ill Niño

► The Canopy Club // $23 – $25 // 7 p.m.

Ill Niño, a pioneering force in Latin metal, celebrates 25 years of dynamic performances and innovative music. Known for their powerful fusion of metal and Latin rhythms, the band promises an electrifying show featuring hits from their extensive catalog, including tracks from their latest release, “IllMortals.”

Friday, June 28th

Riggs Fest 2024 (Day 2)

► Riggs Beer Company // free // 4 p.m.

4 p.m.: Leighton Ewers
7 p.m.: Caleb Cook Band

Jay Ferguson Trio

► Rose Bowl Tavern // tips in bucket // 5 p.m.

This photo is a photo-realistic image of a band playing in an outdoor setting. The band consists of four members, all playing different instruments including a keyboard, drums, guitar and bass guitar. The band is set up on a concrete patio with a green lawn and trees in the background. There are black and yellow triangular flags hanging above the band. The band is playing in front of a building with large windows.
Friday Night Live

Friday Night Live

► Downtown Champaign // free // 6 p.m.

Celebrate the weekend with Friday Night Live, featuring various local artists performing throughout downtown Champaign. Weekly lineup to be announced on their Facebook page.

Clayton Deering, Rebekah Songer and Aubrie Powell

► Gallery Art Bar // free // 7 p.m.

It’s the return of the Blue Velvet Couch series at Gallery Art Bar featuring the music stylings of Clayton Deering (Burke), Rebekah Songer, and Aubrie Powell. Have a tasty artisan cocktail and enjoy an intimate setting for some great local musicians.

Four people sitting on a floral-patterned couch against a pink-painted brick wall. They are casually dressed. From left to right: a person with long hair and a dark jacket, a person with short hair and a light sweater, a woman with curly hair wearing a dark t-shirt, and a person with short hair wearing a patterned shirt and dark jacket. A small glass table is in front of them, and a framed picture hangs on the wall above the couch.
Chloe Kimes on Facebook

Chloe Kimes and The Chickadee Sermon

► Rose Bowl Tavern // $10 cover // 8:30 p.m.

Chloe Kimes, recognized as one of NPR’s “10 Nashville Artists on the Rise,” blends heartfelt Americana and folk music with her band, The Chickadee Sermon. Originally from northern Michigan, Kimes’ storytelling is deeply rooted in her Midwest upbringing, delivering poignant lyrics and a spirited alt-country sound​.

A band setup in a garage with two members and a mannequin. The drummer, a bald man with glasses and a beard, is wearing a red shirt and playing an orange drum set with "Red Shirts" written on the bass drum. The mannequin, dressed in a "Red Shirts" t-shirt and holding a guitar, stands behind the drum set. The second person is sitting on a brown couch, wearing a dark jacket and Converse sneakers, with a microphone and an old TV in front of him. String lights are hanging from the ceiling, adding a warm glow to the scene.
Red Shirts on Facebook

EDITOR’S PICK: Red Shirts, Manifest West, Stanczyk, and The Meantime

► The Space // $10 // 8 p.m.

This exciting lineup at The Space features an eclectic mix of indie and alternative rock bands, each bringing a unique sound to the stage. Red Shirts are known for their high-energy performances and dynamic stage presence. Manifest West blends indie rock with alternative influences, creating a fresh and engaging musical experience. Stanczyk offers introspective lyrics paired with intricate melodies. The Meantime, hailing from the Central Coast of NSW, Australia, combines elements of rock, grunge, and punk to deliver a high-energy and distinctive sound​.

Cameron McGill

► Firedoll Studios // $25 // 8 p.m.

Cameron McGill, an acclaimed poet, educator, and musician from Champaign, Illinois, will be performing an intimate set at Firedoll Studios. Known for his darkly romantic blend of roots rock, indie folk, and Americana, McGill’s storytelling prowess is evident in his latest albums, including “Gallows Etiquette” and “The Widow Cameron.” His work has been recognized for its lyrical depth and evocative melodies.

Reginald Lewis

► Jazz UpFront // $8 to $10 // 8 p.m.

Experience the smooth jazz and soulful sounds of Reginald Lewis, live at Jazz UpFront.

Saturday, June 29th

Photo from Uniting Pride of Champaign County's 2023 Pride Fest parade. Photo depicts three people wearing rainbow flags. The person on the right's flag says "Ally" in white text. The person in the middle is wearing a rainbow wig.
Uniting Pride of Champaign County

UP Center Pride Party!

► Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 12 p.m.

Celebrate Pride all day and night with the Uniting Pride of Champaign County at Rose Bowl Tavern for an all-day event filled with music, drag performances, and family-friendly activities. The event features live music by Mike Ingram & Friends, a Drag Story Time, a family-friendly drag show, performances by Chris Chism & The Copper Creek Band, and Sass. Enjoy local vendors, arts & crafts, face painting, and more. This celebration of the LGBTQ+ community is free and open to the public​.

Riggs Fest 2024 (Day 3)

► Riggs Beer Company // free // 12:30 p.m.

12:30 p.m.: Calum Beckett
3:30 p.m.: Stylus
7 p.m.: Love Sign

The Bossy Novas

► Huber’s West End Store // free // 7 p.m.

Spindependence 2024 Pre-Party

► Gallery Art Bar // free // 7 p.m.

The Spindependence 2024 Pre-Party at Gallery Art Bar will feature DJs playing a variety of genres on both the patio and indoor stage. This free event offers an extensive non-alcoholic drink menu, with donations accepted via Venmo and at the bar to support the cause. The main Spindependence 2024 event will occur the following weekend in Downtown Champaign.

The B-Sides

► Cowboy Monkey // free // 8 p.m.

Four on the Flow

► Jazz UpFront // $8 to $10 // 8 p.m.

Sunday, June 30th

Riggs Fest 2024 (Day 4)

► Riggs Beer Company // free // 1 p.m.

1 p.m.: Lauren Grace
4-6 p.m.: Kalesa

Sunday Wine Down w/ Dave N Lisa

► Alto Vineyards // free // 2 p.m.

Blues Deacons

► Rose Bowl Tavern // tips in bucket // 4 p.m.

A group of four men playing string instruments outside in front of a building with large windows. The man on the far left is playing a banjo and wearing a striped shirt and jeans. The second man is playing a double bass and is partially obscured. The third man is playing a mandolin, wearing a gray t-shirt and shorts, and the man on the far right is playing an acoustic guitar, wearing a red t-shirt and a brown cap. They have microphones and amplifiers set up for their performance.
Hot Iron String Band on Facebook

Hot Iron String Band

► Harry L. Swartz Campground at Middle Fork River Forest Preserve // free // 5 p.m.

Join the Hot Iron String Band for an evening of lively string band music at the serene Harry L. Swartz Campground. Enjoy a delightful blend of traditional and contemporary tunes in the midst of nature’s beauty, perfect for a relaxing outdoor concert experience.

Zouki Boom

► Rose Bowl Tavern // tips in bucket // 7 p.m.

Experience the lively beats and unique sounds of Zouki Boom. This performance promises an energetic mix of genres that will keep you moving throughout the evening.

Black and white photo of 5 band members of Lucero in an all black room looking up at the camera.
Lucero on Facebook

Lucero

► The Castle Theatre // $31.50 to $36.50 // 7 p.m.

Catch what will be undoubtedly an electrifying performance by Lucero at The Castle Theatre. This Memphis-based band, known for their unique blend of rock, country, and punk, delivers powerful, soul-stirring music that resonates deeply with fans. Expect an evening filled with heartfelt lyrics, driving rhythms, and captivating guitar licks, all underscored by the band’s signature Memphis soul influence.

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