With work, family, and food that needs eating, who has the time to find out about the best shows happening in Champaign-Urbana? No need to fear, because the editors here at Smile Politely have taken care of it. Here are the must-see shows of the week.
When: Friday, Feb. 27
What: Elsinore, Mazes, Post Historic
Where: Canopy Club, 12 a.m., $5
Edward Anderson, singer-songwriter of Chicago’s psych-pop band The 1900s, and a couple friends comprise the fantastic group Mazes. Check back on Thursday for our interview with the group. Local favorites Elsinore and Post Historic share the bill. Click here to enter to win tickets to this show.
When: Saturday, Feb. 28
What: New Ruins, Tractor Kings, Common Loon
Where: Cowboy Monkey, 10 p.m., cover tba
Come celebrate the release of New Ruins new album, We Make Our Own Bad Luck. Check out today’s SPlog for a sneak peek at “Lake,” the second track from WMOOBL. Common Loon starts the night off promptly at 10 p.m., and you can enter to win tickets to this show by clicking here.
When: Saturday, Feb. 28
What: Santa, Foundry Field Recordings, World’s First Flying Machine
Where: Illini Union Courtyard Café, 9 p.m., $3 student/ $5
Experience the fine pop stylings of Columbia, Mo.’s Foundry Field Recordings sandwiched between two local rock acts [Ed note: the author of this article plays in World’s First Flying Machine]. If you caught Foundry Field Recordings’ set at Pygmalion last year, then you know that they bring the rock.
When: Sunday, March 1
What: Sara Bareilles
Where: Foellinger Auditorium, 7:30 p.m., $20 student/$25 public
She’s not going to write you a love song, but she’ll sing some great piano-driven ditties about other subjects. Really, there are plenty of other places to get your love songs, anyway.