WHAT: Kenna Mae Trio
WHERE: Iron Post (cover)
WHEN: Monday, Nov. 28th at 6 p.m.
C-U’s Kenna Mae returns from New Orleans today to stop home at The Post and debut her latest project, the Kenna Mae Trio. The group consists of Kenna Mae’s dulcet, earthy vocals and guitar accompanied by Claire Cannon on violin and Sarah Cramer playing bass. All three women will provide vocals. This show also features special guest Dan Andree on the fiddle.
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WHAT: JJ Grey and Mofro
WHERE: Canopy Club ($25 advance/$30 door)
WHEN: Tuesday, Nov. 29th at 8 p.m.
Southern rock and blues artist JJ Grey and his band Mofro aren’t afraid to bring it big time with full, deep vocals and smooth, swaying accompaniment. Their performances are reminiscent of Joe Cocker, but with a modern twist. Roots artist Parker Milsap will help make this show feel warm and welcome with a lot of heart.
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WHAT: Jack Grelle with the Fights
WHERE: Iron Post ($5)
WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 30th at 6 p.m.
WHAT: We The Animals with Scanlines and Windmills
WHERE: Memphis on Main (cover)
WHEN: Thursday, Dec. 1st at 9 p.m.
This show is a slight departure from the typical Memphis On Main fare. We The Animals and their shadowy, heavy rock sound killed it on their recent album, and they get stronger with every show. Scanlines will bring post rock instrumental jams and Windmills are prepared to get real spacey. Set your mind to mesmerized with this introspective show.
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WHAT: Patrick Ball and Friends present “A Winter Gift”
WHERE: Upper Bout ($10 for students and seniors/$20 for adults)
WHEN: Thursday, Dec. 1st at 7 p.m.
This event in the Piper’s Hut Concert Series brings nationally known Celtic musicians to the Upper Bout to play traditional wintertime music interspersed with classic literature. Three gifted harpists and harpers will provide musical accompaniment as they tell stories, which will include excerpts from Shakespeare and Yeats, to name a few. This is an original and educational show that will get you in the holiday spirit.
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WHAT: Chris Lane
WHERE: City Center (tickets start at $10)
WHEN: Thursday, Dec. 1st at 7 p.m.
Country music star Chris Lane is just starting to really break out. After deciding to persue his solo career away from the Chris Lane Band, his 2015 single “Fix” reached the top of the country music charts. He has also opened for recognizable country acts like Florida Georgia Line and Rascal Flatts.
WHAT: Sixth Street Brass
WHERE: Canopy Club ($8)
WHEN: Thursday, Dec. 1st at 9 p.m.
The Sixth Street Brass band play jazz and wind band music, with influences drawn from New Orleans-style brass sounds. Its members were each a part of the University of Illinois Marching Illini, and now with these ties to the University, they continue to provide solid sounds as involved members of the community.
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WHAT: Porch Fire
WHERE: Iron Post (cover)
WHEN: Friday, Dec. 2nd at 9 p.m.
Porch Fire is coming over from Carbondale to bring its self-described “fast action psychedelic jamgrass” to the Iron Post for the first time.
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WHAT: Candyland Masquerade Ft. Bass Physics and friends
WHERE: Canopy Club ($6)
WHEN: Friday, Dec. 2nd at 9 p.m.
This hefty Canopy show boasts six different artists set to play, featuring the eclectic electronica duo Bass Physics leading the show. The Friday gig will get your blood pumping with hip-hop and EDM producers lined up to provide endless beats. I can’t seem to find an explanation for the “Candyland Masquerade” title, so stop in to solve that mystery.
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WHAT: Brendan Kelly
WHERE: Memphis On Main ($7)
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 3rd at 8 p.m.
Brendan Kelly, key member of Chicago emo punk band The Lawrence Arms, never fails to put on an interesting show. The belligerent fellow and his band got permanently banned from the Warped Tour after speaking out against its principles while they were playing there. That’s enough of a reason in my book to warrant giving this show a shot.
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WHAT: The Claudettes and Chachi and the Banditos
WHERE: Iron Post (cover)
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 3rd at 9 p.m.
Bluesy jazz band The Claudettes are in from Chicago to groove with local country and soul act Chachi and the Banditos for this Saturday show.
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WHAT: Illini Acappella Holiday Concert
WHERE: Lincoln Hall Theatre ($7 students/$10 public)
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 3rd at 7 p.m.
The Other Guys and Girls Next Door A Cappella, two well-known U of I acappella groups, are combining efforts with a holiday show at Lincoln Hall. They will perform pieces specific to each group as well as combined pieces, and there will also be a number featuring a dance accompaniment by campus group The Illinettes. Check out the event page for more information.
EDITOR’S PICK:
WHAT: American Football
WHERE: Foellinger Auditorium ($19 for students/$26 for public)
WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 4th at 7 p.m.
This is the Editor’s Pick for the week, albeit all the way at the end of it. Legendary emo band American Football is returning to their C-U stomping grounds to play a very highly anticipated show at Foellinger. After the release of their seminal first self-titled LP, the band went on hiatus for over fifteen years, before they released their second full-length to a grand reception back in October of this year. The album, nicknamed LP 2, came as a bit of a surprise, and so did the announcement of this show. AF are more than an emo band – they are part of C-U music history, and it would simply be a crime to skip this show.
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WHAT: Red Tail Ring and Mean Lids
WHERE: Iron Post ($8)
WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 4th at 7 p.m.
Michigan’s Red Tail Ring are an acoustic duo who bring the string sounds of banjo, fiddle, and more together to provide their modern takes on old-time traditionals, mixed in with their own original songs. Mean Lids have been playing contra dances all over the county, and on Sunday, they return to their hometown and to the very first stage they ever played.