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, May 20th
Julieta Iglesias ft. Ruben Tedesco
► Rose Bowl Tavern // $10 Suggested Donation // 5:30 p.m.
The Urbana Hootenanny
► Rose Bowl Tavern // Tips in bucket // 8 p.m.
Tuesday, May 21st
Shtrunes Klezmer Duo
► Rose Bowl Tavern // Tips in bucket // 5 p.m.
Shtrunes Klezmer Duo, featuring Frances and Cody from the Papashoy Klezmer Band, will take you back in time with their traditional klezmer music played on fiddle and tsimbl (cimbalom). Their performance at Rose Bowl Tavern promises an authentic klezmer experience reminiscent of 19th-century Jewish Eastern Europe, perfect for an evening of soulful melodies and lively rhythms
Unified Currents
► Rose Bowl Tavern // Tips in bucket // 7 p.m.
Wednesday, May 22nd
Vine Street Syncopators
► Rose Bowl Tavern // Tips in bucket // 5 p.m.
Thursday, May 23rd
Solshine Reverie Pre-Party
► Three Sisters Park (Chillicothe) // $84.50 // noon
While the Solshine Reverie Festival runs officially May 24th through the 27th, the gates will open at 12 p.m. on Thursday, May 23rd for the hearty pre-partiers (and the primo campsite hunters). The lineup for the pre-party festivities includes local bands Sitrus Sol, Half House, Sun Stereo and DJ Belly. The String Cheese Incident and moe. will also be performing. While pre-party tickets are sold separately, you still need a 3 Day General Admission pass to enter the festival. You can read about all the artists with ties to Central Illinois in last week’s preview article.
Ernie Hendrickson
► Rose Bowl Tavern // Tips in bucket // 5 p.m.
Join Ernie Hendrickson at Rose Bowl Tavern for an intimate Americana Happy Hour. Hendrickson, a seasoned singer-songwriter known for his soulful blend of country, folk, and rock, will captivate you with his heartfelt storytelling and acoustic melodies. His performance, featuring songs from his critically acclaimed albums, promises to be a moving and reflective experience.
Calum Beckett
► Riggs Taproom // free // 6 p.m.
DeeOhGee w/ Colonel James Presents
► Rose Bowl Tavern // $10 to $15 // 8 p.m.
Prepare for a night of high-energy and genre-blending music with DeeOhGee, a band known for their dynamic performances and eclectic sound that combines rock, soul, and blues. Joining them is Colonel James Presents, adding their own unique flair to an evening that promises to keep you entertained with a variety of musical styles.
Friday, May 24th
EDITOR’S PICK: Solshine: A Music & Arts Reverie
► Three Sisters Park (Chillicothe) // $199.50 and up // noon
Solshine: A Music & Arts Reverie, the new incarnation of Summer Camp Music Festival officially gets underway in Chillicothe at Three Sisters Park. Under one name or another, this music festival, organized by Ian Goldberg of Jay Goldberg Productions, has successfully blended multiple genres of music, mainly jam bands and electronic dance music, and has created an ethereal experience that festival-goers flock back to year after year. The festival officially extends from Friday, May 24th through Sunday, May 26th, and features headliners such as .moe, Umprhey’s McGee, The String Cheese Incident, Goose, John Summit, Deadmau5 as well as many acts local to Central Illinois. Last year was my first year at the festival, and I’m looking forward to the music and especially the friendly, laid-back vibe that permeates every corner of Three Sisters Park for the better part of five days.
Jim Pryor Trio
► Rose Bowl Tavern // Tips in bucket // 5 p.m.
Doublewide Blues Band
► Huber’s West End Store // free // 7 p.m.
The K-Tels & Friends: Funk vs Punk
► Rose Bowl Tavern // $12 to $15 // 8 p.m.
Get ready for an energetic showdown as The K-Tels & Friends bring their Funk vs Punk night to Rose Bowl Tavern.
Dead Rock Radio, Acid Frog and Day Shift
► The Space // $10 // 8 p.m.
Get ready for Dead Rock Radio, Acid Fog, and Day Shift to deliver a thrilling night of live music at The Space. Dead Rock Radio brings their energetic alternative rock sound to the stage, promising a dynamic performance. Acid Fog, known for their stoner-doom and psych-rock vibes, will immerse you in heavy, psychedelic tunes, while Day Shift adds their unique flair to the evening, ensuring a diverse and engaging musical experience. Don’t miss out on this exciting event in an intimate venue.
David Howie
► Cowboy Monkey // free // 8 p.m.
Candlelight Serenade: Jazz Edition
► The Lake House in Crystal Lake Park // free // 8:30 p.m.
Enjoy a serene evening with the Candlelight Serenade: Jazz Edition at The Lake House, featuring live jazz under the stars. The Candlelight Serenade Jazz Edition will take place at the Lake House in Crystal Lake Park. This event features live jazz from the CU Jazz Festival and candlelit paddleboat rides; tickets are $25 per boat (seating up to four people) or $10 per person for patio-only seating.
Saturday, May 25th
The Moondogs
► Rose Bowl Tavern // Tips in bucket // 3 p.m.
EDITOR’S PICK: Kangaroo Court and The Knee Hi’s with Edging
► Rose Bowl Tavern // $10 // 8 p.m.
The boys (and girls!) are back! The walls of Rose Bowl Tavern will need to be reinforced to withstand the onslaught of rock that former Urbana, now Chicago-based band Kangaroo Court will unleash as headliners for this night of prog rock and punk angst. They’re bringing along their friends, the equally vivacious Knee Hi’s. The last time I saw these two bands at Rose Bowl Tavern, there was moshing and crowd-surfing, so be prepared for a night of sonic energy, and to hoist band and audience members above your head. Edging kicks off the night of debauchery at Rose Bowl Tavern promptly at 8 p.m.
Gloria Roubal
► Huber’s West End Store // free // 7 p.m.
Gloria Roubal will perform her soulful songs at Huber’s West End Store, providing an intimate musical experience.
Oxymorrons with Post Profit
► The Castle Theatre // $16 // 8 p.m.
The Oxymorrons will take the stage with Post Profit at The Castle Theatre, delivering an electrifying performance.
Thotcrime, Safety Always off and Harpe
► The Space // $10 // 8 p.m.
Thotcrime, Safety Always Off, and Harpe are set to deliver a night of electrifying performances at The Space. Thotcrime, an innovative cybergrind band with members from Champaign-Urbana, Philadelphia, and Nottingham, pushes musical boundaries with their blend of heavy guitar riffs and electronic elements, creating a unique and dynamic sound. Safety Always Off brings a high-energy punk vibe to the stage, while Harpe adds their own distinct flavor to this diverse lineup.
Sunday, May 26th
John Drake
► Alto Valley Vineyards // free // 2 p.m.
Afro D and the Global Sound Waves
► Rose Bowl Tavern // Tips in bucket // 7 p.m.