Thresholds and catharsis in Ratboys’ The Window
In a few days, Champaign-Urbana will get to welcome the band Ratboys, as they begin their long tour with a set at this year’s PYGMALION. I had the opportunity to talk to singer, songwriter, and …
Music
ELLNORA delighted and impressed during its 2023 edition
A few Smile Politely music writers attended a few major performances during this year’s ELLNORA | The Guitar Festival, and below were their takes on the performances they experienced. Sharon Isbin & the Pacifica Quartet …
Great Cover-Up 31 bringing tradition and fun back to C-U once again
Are you familiar with Champaign-Urbana’s Great Cover-Up? It’s a weekend of music that raises money for local charities, held once again this year at the Rose Bowl Tavern. The event features local bands and individuals …
Andy Frasco’s electric night at Canopy Club evokes Jimmy Buffet ethos
Last week I published my Five Things in September article, and I listed seeing Andy Frasco live as one of my top suggestions for the month. I had missed his set at Summer Camp, but …
The Overture: September 11-17
Monday, September 11th Zouki Boom with Marie Gelinas and Ed Hayes ► Rose Bowl Tavern // tips in bucket // 5:30 p.m. Enjoy the happy hour with an injection of Canadian flavor as Ed Hayes …
The melodic philosophy of Sharon Isbin comes to life at ELLNORA
One of the many artists appearing at the Krannert Center’s ELLNORA | The Guitar Festival is Sharon Isbin, a guitarist who has won multiple Grammy awards and was recognized by Musical America as their 2020 …
Five things in the music scene: September 2023
As Smile Politely’s music editor, this is my first “Five Things” in the scene, article, and honestly, it’s a bit out of my comfort zone. My aim has always been to spotlight what’s happening in …
Wednesday not letting success go to their heads
Wednesday’s Karly Hartzman avoids press about her band, which is a good way to keep one’s head clear of doubt and nagging criticisms. But what I learned in my Labor Day conversation with her is …
The Overture: September 5-10
The Overture is a rundown of live music and performances happening in and around Champaign-Urbana each week. All of the information is as accurate as we can publish; however, all shows and performances are subject …
Andy Summers brings a lifetime of inspiration to his multi-media show at Ellnora
“I think my style and persona are quite apparent within the results of whatever medium I happen to be working in.” As a guitar practitioner, Andy Summers pauses to let his assertion take effect. It’s …
Man on Man’s inspiring journey from secrecy to authenticity
For Joey and Roddy, the members of the indie rock duo Man on Man, making music is all about authenticity, connection, and fearless expression. Creating a fusion of indie rock, electronica, and pop, the two …
Official Claire’s sultry vocals captivate crowd at Rose Bowl
On my way to the Rose Bowl to see Official Claire, a singer/songwriter out of Chicago, I pulled up her Spotify and listened to her newest release, You Underestimate Me. A scroll through her Instagram …
The Overture: August 28 – September 3
The Overture is a rundown of live music and performances happening in and around Champaign-Urbana each week. All of the information is as accurate as we can publish; however, all shows and performances are subject …
2023 edition of Ellnora | The Guitar Festival features big stars and rising stars
Ellnora | The Guitar Festival, formerly known as the Wall to Wall Guitar Festival, made its debut at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2005. The festival was envisioned as a celebration of the …
Moose-a-Palooza brings C-U’s music scene together to help one of their own
Lend me your eyes and mind and let me take you on a journey back to the late ’90s, to a time where music, laughter, and camaraderie united the service workers in our community. This …
Winger and .38 Special play a special summer bash in Gibson City
In the late 1980s, I used to ride in Bill Kirby’s car and listen to bands like the BulletBoys. He and my best friend went to the same Baptist church; that was my connection with …
August Writers in the Round unites guitars, harmonies and stories
After an afternoon of rain showers, the weather dried up and I walked into the Rose Bowl to see the tail end of Sara Siders’s (Sass) performance. I got to hear her rendition of “My …
The Overture August 21-27
The Overture is a rundown of live music and performances happening in and around Champaign-Urbana each week. All of the information is as accurate as we can publish; however, all shows and performances are subject …
ZENtheRapper entertains, encourages, and enlightens on his artistic journey
Donté Winslow, known by his stage name ZENtheRapper, grew up in Kankakee before moving on to a journey filled with exploration, creativity, and growth. His background paints a vivid picture of a young man exploring …
The Overture August 14-20
The Overture is a rundown of live music and performances happening in and around Champaign-Urbana each week. All of the information is as accurate as we can publish; however, all shows and performances are subject …
Decadents celebrate a decade in Champaign with new album and release party
What happens when three guys armed with a smattering of musical know-how, a shared passion for rock, and a determination to make some noise get together? In the case of local indie band Decadents, the …
The Avett Brothers to bring their inclusive music to State Farm Center
Music, in its boundless ability to touch the human soul, is often touted as the universal language. Its nuances transcend boundaries, cultures, and political ideologies. For Seth Avett, one half of the acclaimed folk-rock duo …
The Overture: August 7-13
The Overture is a rundown of live music and performances happening in and around Champaign-Urbana each week. All of the information is as accurate as we can publish; however, all shows and performances are subject …
Ann Wilson brings her legacy of rock n’ roll to the Virginia
On Thursday night, the legendary Ann Wilson of Heart made an impressive stop at the Virginia Theater in Champaign with her backing band, Tripsitter. The performance was Wilson’s first stop in Champaign since 1987’s Heart …
Lively indie rock music fills The Canopy Club once again
On a sultry Tuesday summer night, the Canopy Club in Urbana witnessed a dynamic display of Canadian indie rock prowess in the form of Peach Pit and Babe Corner. It was an evening filled with …
Champaign-Urbana’s Girls Rock! Fest: Power chords and empowerment
On July 29th the Champaign-Urbana chapter of the Girls Rock! Camp Alliance (GRCA) held its camp showcase and festival fund-raiser at the Rose Bowl Tavern in Urbana. Four bands made up of campers played in …
From high school poems to heartland ballads, Chicago Farmer evolves
From his humble roots in Delavan, Illinois, Cody Diekhoff’s (Chicago Farmer) journey into the world of music began with earnest simplicity. “I started out on a barstool with just my guitar and harmonica, playing songs …
The Overture: July 31 – August 6
Monday, July 31st James Mauck’s Forebeat ► Rosebowl Tavern // Tips in bucket // 5:30 p.m. Experience an extraordinary performance by Forebeat, a one-man band where “Beats collide in an accelerator, frozen together within the …
Primitive Lights: Retro and modern-day cosmic
Primitive Lights’ latest album reawakens the magic of Led Zeppelin III with a country-cosmic twist, in the confines of a desolate old church. A Google photo search of the Fairfield Church in Newman, Illinois, reveals …
The Overture: July 24-30
Monday, July 24th Stark/Rebone/Sanchez ► Rose Bowl Tavern // tips in bucket // 5:30 p.m. Don’t miss Brian Stark’s grand finale at the Rose Bowl Tavern, before he embarks on his teaching journey at Colgate …
Lorenzo Goetz band to play reunion show at Rose Bowl
The thriving local music scene in Champaign has been blessed with a fresh wave of nostalgia. Lorenzo Goetz, a prominent band of the early 2000s, is making their long-awaited return for a reunion show on …
Behind the curtain: Unveiling the magic of show booking at the Virginia Theatre
I have recently had the pleasure of attending a couple of excellent concerts at the Virginia Theatre in Champaign: Pat Metheny and Lyle Lovett and his Large Band. As I sat there enjoying the concerts, …
The Overture: July 17 – 23
The Overture is a rundown of live music and performances happening in and around Champaign-Urbana each week. All of the information is as accurate as we can publish; however, all shows and performances are subject …
Enchanting performances and personal stories at Rose Bowl Tavern’s Writers in the Round
This past Sunday evening I visited a staple of the Champaign-Urbana music scene, Rose Bowl Tavern, to check out their Writers in the Round hosted by Gloria Roubal and featuring Paul Kotheimer, David Howie, and …
Snack’d Out’s full album release show a treat for filled up Space
This past Thursday, July 6th, marked a special occasion for local band Snack’d Out. Not only was their debut album, Obstacle Illusion launching on streaming platforms, but the band welcomed it in by playing the …
The Overture: July 10-17
The Overture is a rundown of live music and performances happening in and around Champaign-Urbana each week. All of the information is as accurate as we can publish; however, all shows and performances are subject …
Banditos’ musical journey strengthens their bond
You would expect a band treading dangerously close to infringing on the copyright for a notorious biker gang to be such a loving band of troubadours, but Banditos are just that. They think of each …
Lyle Lovett and Champaign in mutual love affair Friday night
When recording artist Lyle Lovett says he travels with a large band, he isn’t kidding. He brought his Large Band, including horns, electric, acoustic, bass, steel guitars, violin, piano, drums, and background vocalists to Champaign …
The Overture: June 26 – July 2
The Overture is a rundown of live music and performances happening in and around Champaign-Urbana each week. All of the information is as accurate as we can publish; however, all shows and performances are subject …
Frenzied punk energy fuels Mid Nite Leg’s burst into the scene
As the sounds of live music begin to thump through the summer air all over C-U, Mid Nite Leg has other plans for the season. Only just forming in the fall of 2022, the band …
The Hangovers aren’t sleeping off their Music City dreams
“I started singing basically when I was born,” Mollie Kruger tells me from my computer screen. “I would just stand outside and scream sing to my neighbors. I’m sure they loved it!”, she laughs. I …
A harmonious rhapsody at The Virginia Theatre with Pat Metheny
Editor’s Note: Photos weren’t allowed during the performance. The photos in this review of Mr. Metheny are from his social media. Jazz aficionado and eminent guitarist Pat Metheny, the recipient of 20 Grammy Awards across …
The Overture: June 20-25
The Overture is a rundown of live music and performances happening in and around Champaign-Urbana each week. All of the information is as accurate as we can publish; however, all shows and performances are subject …
Passing through town: Right Here Music brings artists to Champaign-Urbana
It’s rare to find an organization with the vision to support local music that also first considers what the local scene actually needs (instead of just what they want to do). Right Here Music (RHM), …
Tom Faux’s musical journey to C4A
I recently sat down with Tom Faux, music professor at Illinois State University and one of the founders of Community Center for the Arts (C4A) — an oasis for music lovers of all ages and …
The Overture: June 12-18
The Overture is a rundown of live music and performances happening in and around Champaign-Urbana each week. All of the information is as accurate as we can publish; however, all shows and performances are subject …
New WEFT station manager has local ties and an inclusive vision
Champaign’s own WEFT community radio has a new station manager, Eric Bohlen, a prodigal son of Champaign with a family legacy connected to WEFT. In an exclusive interview, Bohlen shared his excitement about his homecoming, …
From basement dreams to big beats reality: The Half House Studios story… so far
Within the heart of the ever-evolving hip-hop scene, there’s a creative force making waves: Half House Studios. At its helm are Joshua Harris (a.k.a. Mousepad) and David Counter (a.k.a. Whiptrip6), whose story is one of …
The Overture: June 5-11
The Overture is a rundown of live music and performances happening in and around Champaign-Urbana each week. All of the information is as accurate as we can publish; however, all shows and performances are subject …