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 18th
Morgan Powell’s Traditional Jazz Orchestra
► The Iron Post // cover // 5 p.m.
Melinda Rose
► The Iron Post // $3 // 8 p.m.
TUESDAY, February 19th
Church Street Ramblers
► The Iron Post // cover // 7 p.m.
Young the Giant, Sure Sure
► The Canopy Club // sold out // 9 p.m.
Alt-rock band Young the Giant are no stranger to Canopy Club, they head through once every couple of years. They played two shows back in 2015, and they are touring on their new record Mirror Master, which came out towards the end of last year. Though this show is sold out, there are VIP packages available at this point if you’re looking to get in the door.
WEDNESDAY, February 20th
McNeill Quintet
► The Iron Post // cover // 6 p.m.
Dr. Dog, The Nude Party
► The Castle Theatre in Bloomington // $25 advance/$28 day of show // 8 p.m.
It’s hard to believe Dr. Dog have been around as long as they have been, after blowing up in the blog-rock era of the mid-2000s. They’ve released nearly ten records at this point, their most recent coming last year called Critical Equation. This is one of two big shows at the Castle Theatre in Bloomington this week (see Kurt Vile later in the article).
Paul Mock, Jon Stergal
► The Iron Post // cover // 8 p.m.
THURSDAY, February 21st
Joan Hickey Trio
► Krannert Center for the Performing Arts // free // 5 p.m.
She Said So
► Nightshop in Bloomington // cover // 5 p.m.
Smino, Ausar
► Foellinger Auditorium // $15 students/$22 public // 7:30 p.m.
The first Star Course show of the year is happening on Thursday, as rapper Smino heads back through C-U on the tail of his most recent record, NOIR. Smino performed back in 2017 at PYGMALION at Canopy Club. Local rapper Ausar will open things up here.
Old Shoe, Ben Miller Band, Allie Kral
► The Castle Theatre in Bloomington // $15 // 8 p.m.
Casey Donahew, Josh Abbott Band
► The City Center // $20-$33 // 8:30 p.m.
Michal Menert & The Pretty Fantastics, The Data Waves
► The Canopy Club // $12 advance/$14 day of show // 9 p.m
Top photo by Jake Feldman Photography
Kayla Brown
► Blackbird // free // 9:30 p.m.
FRIDAY, February 22nd
Joey Glassman Quartet
► The Iron Post // cover // 5 p.m.
Peter Taylor, Mid-October, Mank & Sass
► Exile on Main Street // free // 6 p.m.
Joe Asselin and the Moonlight Ramblers
► Neil St. Blues // free // 6:30 p.m.
Wonky Tonk
► The Iron Post // $5 // 9 p.m.
Aquila, Ridgeracer
► Blackbird // free // 9:30 p.m.
Eminence Ensemble
► The Canopy Club // $9 advance/$13 day of show // 9 p.m.
SATURDAY, February 23rd
Mike Ingram, zzo, Prevalence, Aquila
► Exile on Main Street // $5 suggested donation // 1 p.m.
Rattle the Stars is an organization that helps prevent suicide and challenge the stigmas surrounding mental health in young people*, and this installment of Give A Little is to help benefit that organization. There will be performances from the four acts listed above, and poetry readings by Elizabeth Majerus and Emily Kerlin as well.
*Editor’s Note: Wording in this listing has been updated to be more clear about the program after publishing the article.
Sam Payne, Charlie Ford, Inland Calypso
► Independent Media Center // $10 suggested donation // 4 p.m.
Tito Carrillo
► The Iron Post // cover // 6 p.m.
Kurt Vile & The Violators, The Sadies
► The Castle Theatre in Bloomington // $27 advance/$30 day of show // 8 p.m.
A few years back, Kurt Vile came through C-U to the Accord, and Julia interviewed Vile on the backend of his release b’lieve i’m goin down…, Now Vile heads back through the area, this time coming off his newest release Bottle It In, so check out some of his new tracks ahead of this one on Saturday night.
Dan Hubbard
► Pour Bros Craft Taproom // free // 8:30 p.m.
Vestiges, The Subsect
► The Iron Post // cover // 9 p.m.
SUNDAY, February 24th
Bob Nanna, Mark Rose, Justin Miller, Bear the Voyager
► Nightshop in Bloomington // $8 advance/$10 door // 7 p.m.
You might recognize Bob Nanna from Braid, Hey Mercedes, City of Film, and other various projects, but he’s performing over in Bloomington at nightshop for this Sunday evening show this weekend. Nanna is joined by three others to round out this one, which is certain to be a good option considering the intimate nature.
Rational Dress Society
► Rose Bowl Tavern // $10 suggested donation // 7 p.m.
Sierra Hull, 10 String Symphony
► The Castle Theatre in Bloomington // $27 advance/$30 day of show // 7 p.m.
Soul on Sundays
► The Iron Post // cover // 7 p.m.
Liquid Stranger, LSDREAM, Champagne Drip, G-Rex, Lucii
► The Canopy Club // $25 advance/$30 day of show // 9 p.m.
