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, September 24th
IP Big Band
► The Iron Post // cover // 8 p.m.
Isaac Arms
► WEFT // free // 10 p.m.
Longtime local musician Isaac Arms is moving to Madison, and you can catch their last local show during this WEFT session tonight. Read more about Arms in my latest scene update.
TUESDAY, September 25th
Dave King and Chris Weller Duo, Disorganizer
► nightshop in Bloomington // cover // 7 p.m.
Kavi Naidu Group
► The Iron Post // cover // 7 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, September 26th
Dearie
► 25 O’Clock Brewing Company // free // 7 p.m.
Billy Strings, Bones Jugs
► Independent Media Center // $15 // 9 p.m.
Bluegrass phenom Billy Strings performs on the opening night of PYGMALION at the IMC with longtime local staple Bones Jugs.
Anna Burch, Nectar
► Blackbird // $15 // 9:45 p.m.
The first artist of the weekend that’s signed to Polyvinyl Records is Anna Burch, who released her debut record Quit the Curse earlier this year. She’s joined by local outfit Nectar, which is having a good year as well, releasing their record back in April.
THURSDAY, September 27th
Kayla Brown
► Blind Pig on Walnut // free // 7 p.m.
The Avett Brothers
► State Farm Center // $45-$65 // 7:30 p.m.
It is crazy to think that the Avett Brothers will be performing on a stage as big as the one at the State Farm Center, but they certainly have catapulted to that level of popularity over the course of their career. Look for our interview with the band later this week ahead of this show.
Diet Cig, The Dry Look, Parachute Day
► The Canopy Club // $15 // 10 p.m.
Skuzzy outfit Diet Cig and their college radio indie rock vibes head through for this late show at Canopy Club that will actually finish after Whitney over at KCPA. They’re joined by local crew The Dry Look, and B-N’s Parachute Day.
Whitney (duo)
► Krannert Center for the Performing Arts // $20 // 10:30 p.m.
Whitney are still flying high off of their debut release, Light Upon the Lake, and the Chicago outfit will perform as a duo at Colwell Playhouse during PYGMALION.
FRIDAY, September 28th
Joey Glassman Group
► The Iron Post // cover // 5 p.m.
Rumpke Mountain Boys, Zecca Bom, Campdogzz, Dan Hubbard
► PYGMALION Street Stage // free // 5:30 p.m.
Rumpke Mountain Boys bring their brand of bluegrass to the free outdoor stage at PYGMALION on Friday night. They’re joined by a pretty awesome new local outfit Zecca Bom, plus Chicago’s Campdogzz, and Bloomington-Normal’s Dan Hubbard.
Luke Bryan
► Atkins Farm in Pesotum // $51-$60 // 6 p.m.
This monster of a show is taking place just south of C-U in Pesotum — Luke Bryan’s Farm Tour hits the area on Friday night. The country star is doing a variety of these shows around the country, hitting farms and doing shows.
Samir Golescu, Silvan Negruitiu
► UniPlace Christian Church // free // 6 p.m.
From Ashes to New, Dead Girls Academy, Killakoi, Burned of the Sky
► The Castle Theatre in Bloomington // $17 advance/$20 door // 7 p.m.
Kweku Collins, JPEGMAFIA, NP0
► Independent Media Center // $20 // 7 p.m.
Chicago rapper Kweku Collins is having himself a year, performing on Pitchfork Festival just a few months ago, and he heads down to C-U ahead of his upcoming tour around the country. He’s joined by experimental rapper JPEGMAFIA, who released one of the best records of the year, Veteran, and is on the up and up.
UI Black Chorus
► Krannert Center for the Performing Arts // $5 // 7:30 p.m.
Nuclei
► The Iron Post // cover // 9 p.m.
The Soul Inspirations
► Blackbird // free // 9:30 p.m.
Mount Kimbie, Cuco
► The Canopy Club // $25 // 10:30 p.m.
Experimental outfit Mount Kimbie releases their contribution to the DJ Kicks series on this day, and they are one of the top billed acts at PYGMALION this year. This co-headlining bill features Cuco, an excellent chicano artist in the indie/synth pop realm.
SATURDAY, September 29th
Chickadee Sermon, River Salt, Ben Hay Didgeridoo, Live Thru Wednesday, Rochelle Feldkamp
► Sleepy Creek Vineyards // free // 10:30 a.m.
Foxing, Ausar, Melvin Knight and the Amber Sky, Stoneface
► PYGMALION Street Stage // free // 5:30 p.m.
Foxing released their brand new album Nearer My God earlier this year, and they return to PYGMALION after performing back in 2016. This is a completely free show on the street next to Canopy Club, which is HQ for PYGMALION this year for the most part.
Los Guapos
► The Iron Post // cover // 6 p.m.
Frankie Cosmos, V.V. Lightbody
► Independent Media Center // $15 // 6:30 p.m.
Indie rock crew Frankie Cosmos put out their newest record Vessel earlier this year, which followed up their critically acclaimed debut record Next Thing from a few years back. They’re joined by former local V.V. Lightbody (you probably remember Vivian McConnell from Grandkids and Santah) for this early show at the IMC.
Mary & Zac
► Sipyard // free // 7 p.m.
University of Illinois Jazz Faculty & Concert Jazz Band
► Allerton Park // $10-$28 // 7:30 p.m.
The Something Brothers, Love Sign
► Cowboy Monkey // $7 // 9 p.m.
Charlie & The Possibly Wilds
► Blackbird // $5 // 9:30 p.m.
Adam Lee, Brett Conlin, Matt Garrison
► nightshop in Bloomington // $5 // 10 p.m.
Post Animal, Castor
► Independent Media Center // $15 // 11:45 p.m.
Polyvinyl Records signees Post Animal hail from Chicago, and return to C-U after performing at Canopy Club last year around this time. Their guitar rock is accompanied by local-ish outfit Castor, who is performing for the first time since opening up for HUM in St. Louis earlier this year.
Playboi Carti, CJ Run
► The Canopy Club // $45 (sold out) // 12 a.m.
Rapper Playboi Carti put out his latest record Die Lit earlier this year, which followed up last year’s breakout self-titled record. Although this show is sold out, you can still secure your ticket via PYGMALION Pass, though there aren’t many left. The always-excellent CJ Run opens up this late show at Canopy Club.
SUNDAY, September 30th
University of Illinois Chamber Singers
► Allerton Park // $10-$28 // 10 a.m.
Stuart Smith, Stone & Snow, Angela Meyer, Tim Crosby
► Sleepy Creek Vineyards // free // 11 a.m.
Soul on Sunday
► The Iron Post // $5 // 7 p.m.
