The weather outside may be frightful, but the shows that campus offers will be nothing short of delightful. As we all return to campus after a refreshing break, get ready to dive right back into the Champaign-Urbana music scene, complete with touring artists, themed parties, cultural celebrations and more.
If you aren’t sure where to start, here are some of the can’t-miss performances that venues across C-U will present this spring.
At The Canopy Club
The Canopy Club is back with a series of recurring events and various artists making tour stops through the area. The spring semester will start strong with a visit from hip-hop duo Atmosphere on their “Imagine The Fun Tour.”
Los Angeles DJ trio Cheat Codes will stop by The Canopy Club on Feb. 8, while rapper Rio Da Yung OG will come through on his “Welcome Home Tour” on Feb. 21. Other featured artists at the venue will include Houndmouth on March 4, Sommer Ray on March 28 and Post Sex Nachos on April 26.
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Themed nights at The Canopy Club this spring include a Latin Night with DJ Zay on Jan. 25, a One Direction Night on Jan. 30, a K-Pop Night with assorted dance crews on Jan. 31, and a Bollywood Night with TwoSisterzz on Feb. 7.
A complete list of The Canopy Club’s upcoming events can be found here.
At Krannert Center for the Performing Arts
Krannert Center for the Performing Arts is providing a star-studded second half of its 2024-25 season, filled with acts of all varieties and a plethora of University ensembles.
The semester will start with a visit from actress and soprano Renée Fleming on Jan. 25, preceded by a panel discussion on Jan. 24. An ultimate musical collaboration from Imani Winds and Boston Brass will follow on Jan. 30.
Music will continue at KCPA with alternative-rock band 10,000 Maniacs performing on Feb. 11, a themed “Romantic Masterworks” performance from Sinfonia da Camera on Feb. 14, a collaboration of the Aris Quartet and Jupiter String Quartet on March 13 and a visit from Jessie Montgomery and Third Coast Percussion on April 26.
KCPA will celebrate the Lunar New Year with its own FusionFest on Feb. 2 and Carnaval on March 4. Theater performer Geoff Sobelle will present “Food” on March 6-8, while musical legends Mandy Patinkin and Nathan Gunn will perform a combination of folk, opera and pop favorites on April 9.
KCPA’s monthly calendar can be found here.
Around town
With live music every single night, the Rose Bowl Tavern is a prime spot to witness the top local talents of C-U. This spring’s features will include the C-U Folk and Roots Winter Weekend on Feb. 7 and 8, the usual trivia and jazz jams every Wednesday night and The Urbana Hootenanny every Monday night. The Tavern’s event calendar can be found here.
Aside from hosting Illini basketball games, State Farm Center will host Gabriel Iglesias on his “Don’t Worry, Be Fluffy World Tour” on March 16, as well as an R.E.S.P.E.C.T. Aretha Franklin tribute concert on April 8 and Christian music band MercyMe on April 12. The stadium’s complete spring calendar can be found here.
The annual Roger Ebert Film Festival will return to the Virginia Theatre on April 23-26. The 2025 film schedule has yet to be announced, but passes are currently available for purchase online.
Local venues such as The Space and Gallery Art Bar will announce different live shows throughout the semester. Regularly featuring local artists and DJs, The Space and Gallery Art Bar’s respective calendars promise endless entertainment for weekend ventures into downtown C-U.
