Cursive at O’Leaver’s, Dec. 20, 2013.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

Cursive followed its three-day “residency” at The Waiting Room with a two-day “residency” at fabulous O’Leaver’s this past weekend. I’m told both nights also were recorded and may be used as part of a package promo for the proposed “Live at The Waiting Room” album (maybe a “Live at O’Leaver’s” bonus collection?).

Needless to say, The Club was packed Friday night as word got out about the “secret show.” Cursive had been billed as Crystal Wolf from McCallen, Texas (They were Bear Antlers Saturday). The set-up was the same as at TWR shows but with a lot less room (but more Christmas lights). I won’t go into the set list other than to say it was a lot of same material — pop songs, rock songs and rarities from more than a decade of recordings.

The difference soundwise is what you’d expect going from TWR’s huge system to a small club environment. The performance sounded more intimate but no less dynamic. If there’s a nit to pick it may be that Matt Maginn’s bass was a tad bit overpowering at times, though hardly distracting. It would be very interesting to hear how the two recordings sound side-to-side. Keep your fingers crossed that something comes out of these five nights of shows.

Now that the Cursive residency is over, what am I going to do with my Thursday nights?

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It’s a special night for fans of the old Ranch Bowl as a handful of bands that were regulars at that long-gone classic venue will take the stage tonight at The Waiting Room. Headliner Mandown was part of Omaha’s pop-punk scene from the early 2000s identified by Big Fish/BJM Studios/GetGo! Records bands like Pomoroy and Lowercase i. Joining Mandown tonight is 8th Wave and The Fonzarellies. $10, 9 p.m.

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Check back tomorrow for the huge Music Year In Review story that includes my top-10 list and favorite live shows from 2013.

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Read Tim McMahan’s blog daily at Lazy-i.com — an online music magazine that includes feature interviews, reviews and news. The focus is on the national indie music scene with a special emphasis on the best original bands in the Omaha area. Copyright © 2013 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.