Conny Franko plays the crowd as DJ Kethro looks on last Saturday at Beer Nebraska at The Slowdown.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

Pretty durn good turnout at Beer Nebraska Saturday night at The Slowdown considering that Chvrches was going on at the same time up in Benson.

I’m not a beer connoisseur but I know what I like, and for me, Zip Line’s Sticky Blossoms and First Street Brewery’s Freakastout got the gold medals in the Lazy-i Taste Test. Drinking five samples of local microbrews made for a different kind of listening experience than my usual Rolling Rock tallboys.

But what about the music? I caught sets by Mesonjixx, Freakabout, Conny Franko and Icky Blossoms.

Franko and DJ Kethro (who was terrific, playing tracks by Thundercat, Kids See Ghosts, Mayer Hawthorne, J Cole and Sade, among others) were the evening’s highlight. That said, as much as I like The Slowdown’s sound system, I couldn’t make out a word Franko rhymed, which is problematic when you’re talking about an art form that emphasizes words as much as beats. Still, you caught the vibe, and his a cappella reading that closed his short set was impactful.

Icky Blossoms at Beer Nebraska at The Slowdown, Aug. 4, 2018.

Icky Blossoms had their usual strong performance (with a few technical glitches early in the set). They play so infrequently that every time I see them I hear something different, though I’m still waiting anxiously for their next album (if one is even in the works).

Mesonjixx rhythm section is what floored me about their set, along with some tasty guitar solos. Their drummer slayed. As did the drummer for Freakabout.

Fun night and a fun crowd there to support Rabble Mill.

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Tonight Chicago singer/songwriter Sam Vicari headlines at Reverb Lounge. Magu and Win/Win open. $7, 8 p.m.

Also tonight, former indie starts Portugal, The Man headline at Stir Concert Cove. 8 p.m. show, tix are in the $40 range…

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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 © 2018 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

High Up at Reverb Lounge July 25, 2015. The band plays Saturday night at The Slowdown.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

Here’s the rundown for the weekend, none of which is brought to you by The Knitting Factory…

Tonight at fabulous O’Leaver’s Silversphere headlines. Never heard of them? Neither have I, though the listing indicates that Silversphere includes members of legendary local duo The Lepers. Also on the bill are Ruby Block and DWNR. $5, 9:30 p.m.

Also tonight, Milk Run has Chicago power-pop dude Sam Vicari, whose most recent LP came out on Sip City Records. Opening are The Fat Timmys (hey now) and Briner. $7, 8 p.m.

That wraps it up for Friday night.

Saturday night 2015 break-out band High Up headlines at The Slowdown. This is the blue-eyed soul band you’ve been dreaming about. Also on the bill is KC band Yes You Are, the project headlined by Kianna Alarid, who you might remember from a little ol’ band called Tilly and the Wall. Kianna talks about those Tilly days and her new band in this lengthy Kansas City Star article. Carl Miller & The Thrillers kick things off at 9 p.m. $5

Meanwhile, back at O’Leaver’s Saturday night Lincoln rockers Red Cities headlines a bill that includes the always-mesmerizing Domestica. Bullet Proof Hearts open at 9:30. $5.

If that weren’t enough, everyone’s favorite garage band Sucettes (featuring Dave Goldberg and Jeremiah McIntyre, among others) headlines at The Brothers Lounge Saturday night. Warming up the corner for them is Lineman’s Rodeo and David Nance Band. No price shown for this one, but I suspect it’ll be around $5. Starts at 9:30.

Finally, back at Milk Run, Omaha emo heroes Super Ghost headlines another emo bill that includes a bunch of emo bands that are new to me: Mighty Ships, Secret Stuff and The Foxery. It’s another show where the promoter forgot to list the price, so I’m guessing around $5. Starts at 9 p.m.

That’s all I got. If I missed your show, put it in the comments section. Have a great weekend.

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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 © 2016 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.