Smile Politely

The Overture: May 29-June 3

TUESDAY, May 29th

Kayak Jones, Stars Hollow,  Winder, Ghoul Jr., Bottom Bracket

► Blips and Chitz // $7 // 7 p.m.

John Coppess, Marten Stromberg

► The Iron Post // $3 // 7 p.m.

Red Scarves, Pyramids, Sherwood Forest, Gonna Simon

► nightshop in Bloomington // cover // 8 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, May 30th

McNeill Quintet

► The Iron Post // cover // 6 p.m.

The Impalas, Kenna Mae

► Carle Park // free // 6:30 p.m.

THURSDAY, May 31st


Midwest Punk Fest

► nightshop in Bloomington // $13-$53 // varies

After a huge festival wraps up further up the road in Chillicothe this past weekend (Summer Camp), another couple of smaller-yet-mighty festivals happen this week. Starting with Bloomington Normal’s Midwest Punk Fest X. The lineup is listed above, but you’ll have to head over to the Facebook event (linked above) for the full scope of the event. Schedule, ticketing options, and more — you’ll find it there. Local acts include Kowabunga! Kid, The Dry Look, and Winder. All of this taking place at nightshop in Bloomington.

Fox Crossing String Band

► The Iron Post // cover // 6 p.m.

The Blues Deacons

► Blackbird // free // 9:30 p.m.

FRIDAY, June 1st

Jordan and the Jordanears

► The Iron Post // cover // 5 p.m.


Friday Night Live

► Downtown Champaign (various locations) // free // 6 p.m.

The first Friday Night Live of this season arrives this Friday in Downtown Champaign. Performances are held at the intersections of Neil & Church, Neil & Park, and Walnut & Chester in Downtown Champaign, all free of charge. Be on the lookout if you’re heading to the area at the end of the week.


Spandrels

► Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center // free // 6 p.m.

This free drag show features Spandrels, which is a part of Urbana’s First Fridays for June. There’s a Drag Queen meet + greet, an Impulse Tap perforance, the Drag Show itself (there’s one at 7:30 p.m. and another at 8:30 p.m.) and a performance by Spandrels. Check out the Facebook event linked above for more information about the run of the show.

Shaman’s Harvest, Otherwise, Drugs Delaney

► The Castle Theatre in Bloomington // $12 advance/$15 door // 8 p.m.

Gradient

► The Iron Post // cover // 9 p.m.

Boneyard Brass Band

► Memphis on Main // cover unknown // 10 p.m.

SATURDAY, June 2nd


Hogchute Opry

► Kalyx Center for Sustainability // $15 // 1 p.m.

Ah yes, Hogchute Opry returns with their summer installment at Kalyx Center. Hogchute Harvest is in October, Hogchute Opry in June. This time around, things are a bit different — they have a few legitimately awesome touring acts headlining this thing — the excellent Ryley Walker, Jack Grelle, and Cara Louise Band. This is a first of sorts for Hogchute, so be sure to make plans to head out to Monticello for it on Saturday night. There are options for camping as well, just don’t drink and drive people! Check out the full lineup above, and more from us this week and a little something to recap it next week. 

Katie Flynn

► Hessel Park // free // 2 p.m.

Peter & Gloria

► Clark Bar // free // 6:30 p.m.

Arboris, Not For the Faint Of Heart, This is A Stick Up!, Blackmage, Belle

► Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center // $5 // 7 p.m.

Kilborn Alley

► Alto Vineyards // $5 // 7:30 p.m.


DJ Belly, Chase Baby, Michael Linder and the Pineapple Hat Collective

► Blackbird // $5 suggested donation // 9 p.m.

The inaugural Matthew Farrel 5K run + walk is on Saturday, and afterwards, there’s this show at Blackbird in Urbana. If you can’t participate in the walk/run itself, here’s an opportunity to help support the cause. Check out the Matthew Farrel 5K website for more info.

Garrett and the Geezers

► Memphis on Main // cover // 10 p.m.

SUNDAY, June 3rd

10 Years, Brave the Royals, Burden of the Sky

► The City Center // $17-$22 // 8:30 p.m.

———

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.

Top photo by Sam Logan.

Executive Editor

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