Smile Politely. Speak Directly. A Champaign-Urbana Culture Blog

With work, family and the Christmas on Mars video game, who has the time to find out about the best shows happening in Champaign-Urbana? No need to fear, because the editors here at Smile Politely have taken care of it. Here are the must-see shows of the week:

Friday November 21: Hathaways, Jamie Randolph and Grace Askew — Cowboy Monkey, 9:30 p.m., $5

A night of stripped down songs and soulful singers starts off with sibling duo Hathaways at Cowboy Monkey Friday night. Kate and James Hathaway play classically-tinged folk music, and they just released their debut EP earlier in the month. Two singer-songwriters from Memphis, Grace Askew and Jamie Randolph, also perform.


Tuesday Nov 11: Cruxshadows, I:Scintilla – Highdive, 9 p.m., $10

Come see I:Scintilla, formerly of C-U and Green Street Records, as they drop by the Highdive supporting Cruxshadows’ Immortal Tour. Fronted by Brittany Bindrim, this Chicago-based band has earned some serious cred in the world of industrial rock. See the tour that cannot possibly die this Tuesday.

With work, family and High School Musical 3, who has the time to find out about the best shows happening in Champaign-Urbana? No need to fear, because the editors here at Smile Politely have taken care of it. Here are the must-see shows of the week:

Tuesday Nov. 4, Election Night Party – Cowboy Monkey, 9 p.m., free

Election night will be, depending on the winner and where your allegiances lie, a night of celebration or of disappointment. Either way, chances are alcohol will be involved. What better way to watch the election than to enjoy a couple cold beers and also be enjoying some local music? Mike Ingram, Ryan Groff and Madison’s Mike Droho are all slotted to play. According to the helpful calendar at Openingbands, Larry Gates, Casados and Cole Rabenort are also expected to perform.

With work, family and High School Musical 3, who has the time to find out about the best shows happening in Champaign-Urbana? No need to fear, because the editors here at Smile Politely have taken care of it. Here are the must-see shows of the week:

Tuesday October 28: Amy Ray, Highdive, 8 p.m., $15

Amy Ray, one half of the folk duo Indigo Girls, will be performing her solo work at the Highdive. Don't be fooled by the term "solo," her musical musings are nothing like the stripped down, low key music that the word may bring to mind. Where the Indigo Girls were folk and country-oriented, Ray's solo music is rooted in high energy rock and punk music. Accompanied by a full band, Ray lays her polished vocals over some distorted guitar riffs. This Tuesday night performance is a great chance to get a new perspective of an iconic female singer-songwriter.

With work, family and encore presentations of Planet Earth, who has the time to find out about the best shows happening in Champaign-Urbana? No need to fear, because the editors here at Smile Politely have taken care of it. Here are the must-see shows of the week:

Wednesday October 15: Mason Jennings – Canopy Club, 9 p.m., $15

Singer/Songwriter Mason Jennings doesn’t even need to try. He can strum two chords while talking about his day and it would be a compelling song. With a distinctive and captivating voice, he needs little else to accompany him. It does help that he happens to write simple but great songs. Regardless of your musical leanings, Jennings is instantly accessible and enjoyable. He’s Jack Johnson if Johnson was thought-provoking, interested in pushing boundaries and not boring.

With work, family and pretending to watch Cubs playoff games, who has the time to find out about the best shows happening in Champaign-Urbana? No need to fear, because the editors here at Smile Politely have taken care of it. Here are the must-see shows of the week:

Wednesday October 8: Open Mic at Radio Maria – Radio Maria, 10 p.m., free

If you like acoustic guitar as well as fried plantains, you should come to downtown Champaign and check out Radio Maria’s new Wednesday night open mic. This relatively new development is great not only because it means there is an open mic that isn’t on Tuesday around here, but also because Jake Fleischli of The Tractor Kings is taking hosting duties. Check out some laid back tunes and maybe enjoy some delicious tapas while doing it.

With work, family and "Rock Band 2", who has the time to find out about the best shows happening in Champaign-Urbana? No need to fear, because the editors here at Smile Politely have taken care of it. Here are the must-see shows of the week:

Monday Sept. 29: The Pink Spiders – Independent Media Center, 6 p.m., $10

Music doesn’t have to be serious to be taken seriously and the Nashville group, The Pink Spiders may be proof of that. Having garnered quite a bit of acclaim from every publication from Rolling Stone to Teen People, the band’s clean cut, power-pop style has been validated. Their song constructions scream Weezer their Moog lines suggest a more contained Motion City Soundtrack. The most accurate mainstream comparison could be Hot Hot Heat without being annoying. If you want to sing-a-long to songs you’ve never heard before, check out The Pink Spiders. JigGsaw, The Signal and Trash City Rockers are also playing.

With work, family and On-Demand television, who has the time to find out about the best shows happening in Champaign-Urbana? No need to fear, because the editors here at Smile Politely have taken care of it. Here are the must see shows of the week:

Tuesday Sept. 23: Cameron McGill – Mike 'n' Molly's, 9:00pm, $3

Cameron McGill, a former Champaign-Urbana local who made his way to Chicago, will make his way to Mike N’ Molly’s this Tuesday. McGill’s style can be summarized by what is written on his acoustic guitar: “This Machine Kills Hipsters.” Not only does it give a solid indication of his influences, but it also tells what he is not influenced by; the trends and fads that dominate contemporary culture. McGill plays honest folk and country-inspired rock songs with sincerity and talent. His backing band, What Army, follows suit and puts natural but gripping arrangements around McGill’s songs. Come to Mike N’ Molly’s to see a great show free of any drum machines or ironic facial hair.

With work, family and Google image searches, who has the time to find out about the best shows happening in Champaign-Urbana? No need to fear, because the editors here at Smile Politely have taken care of it. Here are the must see shows of the week:

Wednesday Sept. 17: Margot and the Nuclear So & So’s – The Canopy, 6 p.m., $17

Mere hours before the start of The Pygmalion Music Festival, you can catch one of the best eight-member bands out of Indiana (there are a lot, for the record), Margot and the Nuclear So & So’s. Their explosive and epic “folk” songs are powered by two percussionists, strings, lap steel, piano and anything else they can get their hands on. Margot puts on such an amazing live performance that it’s worth the embarrassment of going to a show that has Motion City Soundtrack headlining. It’ll also be a good chance to hear new material from Animal and Not Animal; Margot’s newest albums simultaneously dropping on October 7. (Ed. note: Margot and the Nuclear So & So's have canceled their performance this Wednesday)

Monday Sept. 8: Sunset Stallion — WEFT Sessions, 10 p.m., free

This quartet of University of Illinois students will perform an hour-long set of their piano-driven pop songs live on 90.1 FM. The strong guy and girl vocal harmonies take center stage in this relatively new band that draws influence from artists like Ben Folds and Ryan Adams. The end result comes close to a controlled Cold War Kids. Set your dials or move your feet to the WEFT studio (113 N. Market St. in Champaign) to hear Sunset Stallion's refreshingly crisp take on the pop song. It’ll help you start off your week right.

Click the jump to see the rest of the picks.