On Saturday night, people made their way to the Rose Bowl Tavern to indulge in music from the heart of Champaign-Urbana. The local band, The K-Tels, took the stage at 8 p.m. to deliver a performance of vintage music to the community.
The three-piece ensemble has performed around the area with covers of classic R&B, rock and soul songs from the ’60s and ’70s. The trio has previously played at other local stages, like the Market & Taylor Stage in downtown Champaign for the Friday Night Live series, giving patrons the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the local music scene.
As the band started its set at Rose Bowl’s outdoor stage, more people appeared to hear some of the retro sound. The relaxed atmosphere attracted people of all ages to spend their Saturday night listening to live music with friends and family.
“I believe (I) have seen (The K-Tels) play here before,” said George Wright, an Urbana resident. “They’re good, and they play good music for a night out.”
The three members of The K-Tels — Kenny Reiss, Mitch Marlow and Jack Brighton — each contributed vocally throughout the performance, creating variety in the group’s sound. Rather than relying on one lead singer, the trio was made up of drums, bass and guitar and shared vocal duties as they moved through their setlist.
One of the songs the band performed was “Spirit in the Sky,” a classic rock hit from 1969 originally released by Norman Greenbaum. The familiar song fit naturally into The K-Tels’ collection of music and added to the nostalgic vibe of the evening. As the night progressed, the band brought out more hits from other ’60s and ’70s groups, one being Steely Dan.
The band’s set demonstrated the variety that can be found within the local music scene. Moving between genres, The K-Tels brought songs from previous generations to the audience while putting its own spin on familiar sounds.
“I am not familiar with the band, but I am familiar with the music,” said Lisa Little, a Champaign resident. “I think live music events like these should be more available because it’s a great way to hear old and new age music.”
As the night continued, more patrons from inside the tavern found their way outside to listen. Some groups danced around their tables when they heard a song that they were familiar with, while other groups watched the band perform with drinks in their hand surrounded by fellow community members.
For some attendees, performances at local venues like Rose Bowl offer an opportunity to hear live music in a casual, community setting. Local bands regularly take the stage, making the area a place where both musicians and audiences can connect through live performances.
“I love coming out to the Rose Bowl,” said Layla Khan, senior in LAS. “There’s always the opportunity to hear great music or go to cool events here. It’s fun for everyone.”
As The K-Tels continued its set, the outdoor stage located in downtown Urbana was filled with lyrics from the past and sounds from the present. The trio’s performance gave the crowd another Saturday night of live music that highlighted the local talent in the C-U music scene.
