After a stellar 2024 with the release of their debut album to critical acclaim, Chicago-based indie rock band Friko made a stop through in Atlanta at Smith’s Olde Bar in the Music Room.
First up on the docket though was Los Angeles-based Avant Pop band Peel Dream Magazine, also supporting their 2024 album, Rose Main Reading Room, making for a great night of Indie Rock at Smith’s. Seeing the band live for the first time, it was clear why they’ve become a beloved indie band since releasing their debut in 2018. Hypnotic ear worms seems an appropriate way to describe their set with the band’s ability lull you into a trance multiple times even over one song. The way the guitarists and drummer can change rhythms mid song and bring the listener right back to them is off the charts.
While the double bill made this a must catch show, there was no doubt there was plenty of excitement for the packed out crowd as Friko prepared to take the stage. Releasing their debut album Where we’ve been, Where we go from here in February of 2024, and an expanded edition in November, Friko’s first album landed on year end lists like Bob Boilen’s, Steven Hyden’s, PASTE, A.V. Club and more. They sound a little more like a 2000’s indie rock band than say a 2020s, and that’s certainly proved to be a good thing in the Music Room of Smith’s. But it’s not just early 2000’s indie, there is obvious Beach Boys, The Beatles, and Leonard Cohen vibes mixed in The Cure, Smiths, Modest Mouse, and even Radiohead all wrapped together for their own vibe in 2025. It was all just elevated live too.
Live, whether it was a rocker like “Chemical” or set closer “Get Numb to It!”, or the just stunning quiet, piano driven ballad “For Ella”, or the euphoric eruption of “Where We’ve Been”, vocalist Niko Kapetan and Friko seem destined to continue their ascent. It’s raw, it’s emotional, experimental and the live show is an actual release. Go see Friko live when you get the chance.
Check out photos below from the Friko & Peel Dream Magazine at Smith’s Olde Bar in Atlanta, GA on Friday, February 28th, all photos by Mike Gerry:
PEEL DREAM MAGAZINE
FRIKO
FRIKO ONLINE:
WEBSITE // BANDCAMP // FACEBOOK // INSTAGRAM // TWITTER
UPCOMING FRIKO TOUR DATES
Fri. March 7 – Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
Sat. March 8 – Cambridge, MA @ The Sinclair
Mon. March 10 – Montreal, QC @ Bar Le Ritz
Tue. March 11 – Toronto, ON @ The Great Hall
Thu. March 13 – Ferndale, MI @ The Loving Touch
Fri. March 14 – Columbus, OH @ A&R Music Bar
Sat. March 15 – Indianapolis, IN @ Turntable
Wed. April 30 – Boise, ID @ Neurolux
Fri. May 2 – Vancouver, BC @ The Pearl
Sat. May 3 – Seattle, WA @ Madame Lou’s
Sun. May 4 – Portland, OR @ Mississippi Studios
Wed. May 7 – San Francisco, CA @ Rickshaw Stop
Fri. May 9 – Los Angeles, CA @ Lodge Room HLP
Sat. May 10 – San Diego, CA @ Soda Bar
Wed. May 14 – Las Vegas, NV @ Swan Dive
Sun. May 18 – Denver, CO @ Marquis
Tue. May 20 – Omaha, NE @ Reverb Lounge
Wed. May 21 – Des Moines, IA @ xBk
Thu. May 22 – Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line
