Smile Politely

The Overture: November 7-13

WHAT: Vaudevileins

WHERE: The Accord ($5 at the door)

WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 9th at 8:30 p.m.

Guitar-forward rockers Vaudevileins will be playing songs from their second album, Magician, scheduled to come out on Nov. 18th. Lime Forest are fuzzy art rockers from Lemont, currently residing in Urbana, and power pop locals Bristle will also be present for this one.

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WHAT: Every Time I Die

WHERE: The Accord ($20 advance/$25 door)

WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 10th at 6 p.m. 

I feel like it’s been a little while since The Accord has had a stacked metal show, so they’re due. Every Time I Die is a metalcore group from Buffalo whose latest album Low Teens addresses the icy anger that they’ve built living there. This show will sate your lust for thrash in a flash.

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WHAT: Slander & Nghtmre Present Gud Vibrations with Habstrakt & LDRU

WHERE: Canopy Club ($25 advance/$30 door)

WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 10th at 9 p.m.

If deejays, producers and electronica are your deal, this show has tons to offer. Four different outfits of those persuasions will pack into Canopy on Thursday, including some from overseas (France and Australia). Check out the site for details on each artist.

 

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WHAT: Bath Naps / Brief Candles with PJ-ベビ, Moondead, and Dead Words

WHERE: Blips and Chitz ($5 donation for touring bands)

WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 10th at 7:45 p.m.

Local spaced-out experimental outfit Bath Naps just put out a new album a couple weeks ago. Brief Candles are a shoegaze-y rock act from Milwaukee (and definitely not a Zombies cover band). All that and more can be yours at this Thursday evening show.

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WHAT: Susan Werner

WHERE: Krannert Center (waiting list only)

WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 10th – Saturday, Nov. 12th at 7:30 p.m. (no late seating allowed)

Singer-songwriter Susan Werner is known for expertly straddling genres. Her art has themes of jazz, gospel, folk, soul, and chamber music simultaneously, all crafted with strength, and often conveyed anecdotally, making for a unique, compelling show. These nights are currently wait-list only, so you’d better get your name on it now.

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WHAT: Scott Miller

WHERE: Cowboy Monkey ($10)

WHEN: Friday, Nov. 11th 9:30 p.m.

Southern rock and alt-country musician Scott Miller’s songwriting is heavily influenced by his country roots and his upbringing in Virginia. It’s also thoughtful and diverse, covering topics from history to religion to current politics, and all from an observant and gauged perspective. He’ll be playing the Monkey on Friday with Tractor Kings.

 

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WHAT: Portugal. The Man

WHERE: Canopy Club ($20)

WHEN: Friday, Nov. 11th at 9 p.m.

Soul and rock musician Portugal. The Man has always had a strong sense of humor, and his set will be preceded by comedian and columnist Adam Tom Brown, to make for an interesting and amusing evening.

 

 

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WHAT: The Dry Look with Hellrazor, BOOKMOBILE!, and Puzzle Quest

WHERE: Ghost Planet ($5)

WHEN: Friday, Nov. 11th at 8 p.m.

This full-up show features some local heavy-hitters and post-punk group Hellrazor coming through on their way from Connecticut. The Dry Look are relatively new to the C-U scene with a promise to shred, and Puzzle Quest can only be solved by attendance. And I mean, punkers BOOKMOBILE! will be there, so…

 

 

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WHAT: Jaik Willis

WHERE: Watson’s Shack and Rail (admission is free)

WHEN: Friday, Nov. 11th at 11 p.m.

This late show at Watson’s features Jaik Willis, a southern rock Chicago guitarist who can really wail. He’s a wild showman who has shared the stage with musicians from all sorts of genres, and he isn’t afraid to seize the moment and have fun. He’ll fit right in at Watson’s on Friday.

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WHAT: Twin Peaks

WHERE: The Accord ($14 advance/$16 door)

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 12th at 8 p.m.

Twin Peaks’ garage rock and power-pop sound has matured a bit with their latest release, Down In Heaven, but the guys still refuse to take themselves seriously. Thank god for that, because this band is fun as hell, and they should never change. Their shows are always a riot, so if you missed them here in March, make sure to catch the party this time around.

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WHAT: Marathon / Off-Ox / MAKERS

WHERE: Loose Cobra in Tolono (cover)

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 12th at 7 p.m.

Get your drone on this Saturday in Tolono with this show of spaced-out instrumental music.

 

 

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WHAT: C-U Standing Rock Benefit Concert

WHERE: Independent Media Center ($10 suggested donation)

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 12th at 1 p.m.

Over the past week, residents of Champaign-Urbana have proven themselves as strong supporters of this excellent cause, added onto by this event. Come show your support while enjoying a lineup of local musicians interspersed with presentations from Native American speakers. See the event page for more details.

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WHAT: Rattle the Stars Presents: Art for Understanding

WHERE: Unitarian Universalist Church of C-U (free/donations suggested)

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 12th at 5 p.m.

This event seeks to expand the public’s knowledge on awareness and understanding of mental illness and suicide. Those affected by such afflictions and tragedies are welcome to showcase the artistic expressions of their feelings and experiences here. Art for Understanding will feature over a dozen local artists, and counting. All kinds of expressions are accepted, from music to painting to poetry to dance, and everything in between. Visit the event page for more information, the full lineup, and to volunteer.

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WHAT: Rest You Sleeping Giant, Signal to Noise, Nick Keeling

WHERE: The Elm (cover unknown)

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 12th at 6:30 p.m.

This new venue offers up an experimental show on Saturday evening, with plenty of loops, soundscapes, and ambience.

 

 

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WHAT: Conscious House Concert #6

WHERE: Ananda Liina Center ($5 suggested donation)

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 12th at 8 p.m.

Ananda Liina Conscious House Concerts feature local and visiting musicians performing for a different cause each time. This week’s artists will be the acoustic duo Chickadee Sermon and multi-genre musician Whitney Bembenek. Proceeds will go to benefit the Daily Bread Soup Kitchen in Champaign.

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WHAT: Tara Terra/Kowabunga! Kid/Mumblr/See Through Dresses

WHERE: Blips and Chitz ($5 donation for touring bands)

WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 13th at 8 p.m.

Everyone’s favorite indie-pop, mathy (former) locals Tara Terra are headlining this one. They’ll be accompanied by local emo rockers Kowabunga! Kid and two superb touring bands: dreamy punks See Through Dresses and alternative emo act Mumblr.

 

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WHAT: Lil Durk

WHERE: Canopy Club ($20 advance/$25 door)

WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 13th at 9 p.m.

Chicago-based rapper Lil Durk, a Def Jams Recordings artist, released his sophomore album Lil Durk 2X in July to a positive reception. He came through town last year and is returning on Sunday to pump things up.

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