There’s no single sound that defines alternative, and that’s the point. It’s a genre built on restlessness, and seeing it live is the only way to understand why. Here’s where the local scene keeps things interesting.

May 1

  • Canopy Club, Arcy Drive – The Pit Tour, 708 S. Goodwin Avenue, Urbana, 8 pm

May 2

  • Illini Union – South Quad, WPGU Battle of the Bands, 2 pm – 5 pm
  • Bookie’s Tavern, Courtney and the Meeks, 8 pm

May 3

May 4

  • Shine District, Wednesday Reset, 3605 N. Cunningham Avenue, Urbana, 5 pm – 6 pm

May 5

May 6

May 7

  • The City Center, Saving Abel, 505 S. Chestnut Street, Champaign, 8 pm

May 8

May 9

May 10

May 11

May 12

  • Hound’s Rest
    • Lyrics Unleashed, 120 N. Walnut Street, Champaign, 7 pm – 9 pm
    • Dario Cohen, 120 N. Walnut Street, Champaign, 7 pm – 9 pm

May 13

May 14