The Bottleneck was filled to the brim Friday night for a variety show of soulful, folksy indie rock. A hefty crowd was already gathered by 10 p.m. when the opening band finally took the stage and from there the bar just kept filling up. From near and far, joyful fans of the three bands playing Friday gathered together to take in the diverse acts that shared the stage that night.
First up was Olassa, a three-piece group of talented local musicians. Featuring mastery of the rarely-seen, but well-loved accordion and tuba, the band brought together folk and indie rock to make something nostalgic, yet new. Including acoustic guitar, drums, keys and from two of the three musicians for different songs, listeners could hardly believe they were hearing all that sound come from just three people.
The dance floor was positively packed by the time the Kansas City Bear Fighters got set up on stage. The four gentlemen lined up before the audience brought the crowd's excitement to new heights with their banter and fun-filled songs. The distinctive vocals and folksy jams brought out good vibes from a positive crowd of eager listeners. This set lasted well over an hour, completely filling the Bottleneck with warm energy in preparation for the headliner.
White Ghost Shivers came up from Austin, Texas, to show Lawrence a musical act that reaches back through time to bring out the best ragtime and vaudeville music of the 1920s and 30s, combined with modern rock. The big band of seven filled the stage with classic strings, playing their own unique brand of retro folk tunes that poured over the Bottleneck and drove many in the crowded dance floor to swing and dance despite the limited space. The group has the old-timey sound of vaudeville down like they came to Lawrence in a time machine. Anyone looking for a live show of music that's been almost lost and forgotten for nearly a century should check this band out!
Now for Previews:
This Monday, local psychedellic rock band L5 will be playing with Battle Royale, Living Ghost, and Chicago-based headliner T'Bone at the Jackpot for just $5! The combination of post-punk, hardcore rock and psychedellic tendencies in these bands will blow your mind and possibly your ears. Be prepared.
Then Friday Thee Oh Sees will play the Granada with Total Control, The Spook Lights and Mouthbreathers for $10-12! The Spook Lights are one of Lawrence's most impressive and diverse bands, combining surf-rock with horror-punk among other sounds, while Thee Oh Sees - coming all the way from San Francisco - are a psychedelic indie rock band with a bit of fuzzy noise thrown into their jams. This should make for an interesting mix of the pleasantly bizarre.
Comments