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 to change at any time. Thank you for understanding.
Did we miss something this week? Have a show coming up you think we should know about? Email us at [email protected] with the details.
MONDAY, February 27th
The Noah Brooks Coalition
► Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 5:30 p.m.
Aiming to create “pop music presented in a traditional jazz setting,” the Noah Brooks Coalition will entertain fans of all genres of music.
The Urbana Hootenanny
► Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 8 p.m.
Every Monday at the Rose Bowl, come hang out with some great musicians. A sort of open mic meets song share, you can expect a variety of music and performers.
The Painkiller Blues Band
►WEFT Sessions // free // 10 p.m.
Tune in to WEFT 90.1 FM to hear the Painkiller Blues Band play some tasty blues tunes.
TUESDAY, February 28th
University of Illinois Concert Jazz Band
► Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 5 p.m.
One of the U of I’s many jazz bands, the Concert Jazz Band is a big band led by Chip McNeill.
WEDNESDAY, March 1st
Chip McNeill Quartet
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 5 p.m.
Saxophonist Chip McNeill returns to bang out the tunes with his quartet.
KAYZO
►Canopy Club // $19+ // 8 p.m.
Electronic DJ Kayzo hits the Canopy Club stage with support from LAYZ and Automhate.
THURSDAY, March 2nd
Jose Agusti
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 5 p.m.
Jose Agusti brings retro and modern Americana with a side of pop.
Dr0psy Trio
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 8 p.m.
James Mauck on drums, Mitchell Killough on bass, Mark White on guitar. They bring blues, funk, jazz, soul, rock, and more with covers and originals.
FRIDAY, March 3rd
Billy Galt
►Hubers // free // 7 p.m.
Billy Galt returns to Huber’s to play some great blues.
Lang Lang
►Krannert Center // $65 // 7:30 p.m.
I’m so bummed I didn’t snag tickets for this concert. Lang Lang is incomparable on piano and is incredibly expressive in his playing. There is currently a waiting list for tickets for this show.
SATURDAY, March 4th
Human Rites Trio
►Krannert Art Museum // free // 1 p.m.
Another entry into the Sudden Sound concert series sees Human Rites Trio taking the stage at Krannert Art Museum, playing avant-garde, improvised music.
Rev. Robert and The Rhumba Bums
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 2 p.m.
Bringing a vast array of musical styles and influences, blues guitarist Reverand Robert brings rhythm and a great acoustic sound to the Rose Bowl.
Magnificent Musical Pilgrimage
►Parkland College // free // 3 p.m.
Go on a musical journey on Saturday afternoon with the Parkland College Chamber Singers and Guitar Ensemble.
Caleb Cook Band
►Huber’s // free // 7 p.m.
The Caleb Cook Band will be providing some outlaw country over at Huber’s this weekend.
Champaign-Urbana Symphony Orchestra
►Krannert Center // $40 // 7:30 p.m.
The CU Symphony Orchestra plays Mendelssohn’s Elijah with the help of some talented vocal soloists.
Miles Nielsen & The Rusted Hearts
►Rose Bowl Tavern // $10 adv, $15 door // 8 p.m.
The Rusted Hearts are led by Miles Nielsen (son of Cheap Trick’s Rick Nielsen) and this band is known for crafting great tunes, wonderful four-part harmonies, and being a very tight live band. Opening the night up is Big Daddy Pride and the East Side Five.
DJ Grapes
►Bentley’s Pub // free // 10 p.m.
DJ Grapes spins some funk, soul, reggae, hip-hop and dancehall at Bentley’s Pub.
SUNDAY, March 5th
The Goldman-Lewis-Olson Trio
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 4 p.m.
This trio (aka The GLO Trio) is a new group, made up of Ben Goldman, Reggie Lewis, and Sam Olson.
L’sGA
►Urbana Independent Media Center // free // 6:30 p.m.
Hip-hop artist Kao Ra Zen, 3Arts multidisciplinary artist A.J. McClenon, and Urbana poet laureate and dancer Ja Nelle Davenport-Pleasure re-interpret and re-present Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address and Sal Martirano’s 1967 antiwar classic, L’sGA.
Space Port
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 7 p.m.
A big ole lineup of local jazz greats, Space Port brings jazz fusion with some funk mixed in as well.