Smile Politely

The Overture: April 2-8

MONDAY, April 2nd

There are no shows scheduled for Monday, April 2nd.

TUESDAY, April 3rd

Matt Woods and the Natural Disasters, Jared Grabb, The Nic Gundy Experience

► nightshop in Bloomington // cover unknown // 7 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, April 4th

Bach Cantata Series: BWV 4

► McKinley Presbyterian Church // free // 12:15 p.m.

Joe Deninzon

► Krannert Center for the Performing Arts’ Colwell Playhouse // free // 7:30 p.m.

Adelitas Way, Sons Of Texas, Taking Dawn

► The Castle Theatre in Bloomington // $15 advance / $18 door // 7:30 p.m.

Ian Shepherd, James Jones, Mitchell Killough

► Blackbird // free // 8 p.m.

CHISongwriter, Chase Baby, Jay Moses, Nick G, James Dali, Forrest Bump

► The Canopy Club // $7 // 9 p.m.

THURSDAY, April 5th

STRFKR

► Foellinger Auditorium // $12 students / $15 general // 7:30 p.m.

Although the environment won’t be as fun as a club show (like when they performed at the Accord a year or so ago), Polyvinyl’s STRFKR returns to C-U as a part of Star Course’s annual concert lineup. Be on the lookout for our interview with their frontman, which comes out tomorrow.

Jupiter String Quartet, Timothy Ehlen, Lisa Gay Dixon

► Krannert Center for the Performing Arts’ Foellinger Great Hall // $10-25 // 7:30 p.m.

The quartet-in-residence at the University of Illinois, Jupiter String Quartet are a must-see if you’ve never been to one of their performances. Their performances last upwards of two hours, so here’s something to connect with and disconnect with the outside world for a second on what will be a chilly C-U this week.

Billy Strings, Still Shine

► The Castle Theatre in Bloomington // $12 advance/ $15 door // 8 p.m.

The Bashful Youngens

► Blackbird // free // 9 p.m.

Hyborian

► Loose Cobra // donation suggested // 9 p.m.

FRIDAY, April 6th

Jon Small Group

► Blackbird // free // 5 p.m.

Jordan and the JordanEars

► The Iron Post // cover unknown // 5 p.m.

Reckasto 

► Broadway Food Hall // free // 5 p.m.

Mother Nature, CJ Run, JONT500

► Blackbird // $10 // 8 p.m.

C-U ex-pats Mother Nature — comprised of Klevah and T.R.U.T.H — return home for a show with another excellent rapper, CJ Run. CJ has a handful of dates forthcoming, and check out our interview with Mother Nature from a few years back. This should be a fun one lined up at Blackbird.

Dennis Stroughmatt

► The Rose Bowl Tavern // cover unknown // 8:30 p.m.

While the photo above isn’t of Dennis Stroughmatt, it is a photo from Rose Bowl from a few years ago at PYGMALION (taken by Justine Bursoni). The Rose Bowl will be celebrating their 24th anniversary on Thursday night, so go check out one of the coolest places in Urbana for a real honkey-tonk experience.

Charlie and the Possible Winds

► The Iron Post // cover unknown // 9 p.m.

MALAA

► The Canopy Club // $30 advance/$35 door // 9 p.m.

DJ Tim Williams

► Blackbird // free // 12 a.m.

SATURDAY, April 7th

Kayla Brown, Love Handles, Kelsey Sharp, Cii La’Cole, Rogue Tendency, SPRK, Etumu Elmari

► Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center // donation // 3 p.m.

Here’s a show that’s functioning as both a benefit for Girls Rock! C-U, as well as a pop up shop for ShadeLite Style. The lineup is above, and some of the proceeds will go to benefit Girls Rock! which is a good enough reason to go check this out at the IMC.

Almost a Quintet

► The Iron Post // cover unknown // 6 p.m.

Inktrail, Disorganizer

► nightshop in Bloomington // cover unknown // 7 p.m.

Songs of Freedom

► Krannert Center for the Performing Arts’  Colwell Playhouse // $10-$35 // 7:30 p.m. 

Grammy Award-winning drummer Ulysses Owens Jr. leads this jazz ensemble and trio of vocalists at Krannert Center this weekend.  This outfit includes classically trained jazz artist Alicia Olatuja, Grammy Award-nominated Theo Bleckmann, German-Zimbabwean singer Joanna Majoko, and more.

North Mississippi Allstars

► The Castle Theatre in Bloomington // $23-$28 // 8 p.m.

Deamonweed, Cosmic Lung, Arboris, This Is A Stickup!

► Blackbird // $7 // 8 p.m.

Feudin’ Hillbillys

► The City Center // $10 // 8 p.m.

ZXO, Moon Ruin, Metaphysics

► Cowboy Monkey // $7 // 9 p.m.

Psych rock outfit ZXO is performing on Saturday night at Cowboy Monkey, and they’ll be joined by some friends that are worthy of your time and attention as well. Jared Bartman’s project Moon Ruin joins the bill, and you can stream one of their newer tracks here from their upcoming album Slow Down Ego, which actually comes out the day before this show.

The Mighty Pines, Samuel Payne

► The Iron Post // cover unknown // 9 p.m.

Asian American Jazz Trio

► Krannert Center for the Performing Arts’  Stage 5 // free // 9:30 p.m.

Escaping Neverland

► Memphis on Main // cover unknown // 9:30 p.m.

SUNDAY, April 8th

Wild Earp & The Free for Alls

► Loose Cobra // free // 5 p.m.

Judas Priest

► Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington // $48-$58 // 7 p.m.

———

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.

Executive Editor

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