Name: Friko
Start: 2026-10-15T19:00:00-05:00
Location: First Avenue & 7th St Entry

Friko — Something Worth Waiting For: The Tour
7th St Entry
Thursday, October 15, 2026
18+ show
Tickets on sale Friday, April 3 → https://firstavenue.me/48h98Jo
7:00 PM Doors
8:00 PM Showtime

Fans know Friko (Bailey Minzenberger, Luke Stamos, and frontman Niko Kapetan) as vital rising stars in the Chicago scene. The music, which freelancer Britt Julious described as “perfect slices of indie-pop” in the Chicago Tribune last January, is complex, layered, and dynamic. Over the band's time together, it has become clear they are comfortable embracing multiple musical extremes at once. Take a listen to the explosive and hypnotic beat of "In_Out" off their self managed 2022 EP release, Whenever Forever, and juxtapose it against the serene, strings soaked tracks that follow, "Half as Far" and "Can I See U Again." It becomes even more pronounced in live performance, where a frenzied floor, grinding with wailing guitars and animation, in the very next minutes finds itself collectively holding its breath silently as the band eases them into a spell. Lyrically, Kapetan explores the possibility and risks of a life given over to music, interrogating what a life well-lived means to him. The duality rings out in the compositions, evoking rock and folk icons such as Leonard Cohen and Nick Drake. As Friko plays out sweeping melodies, held up by thrashing guitar and punchy beats, it feels as if Kapetan sings to you. Crooning about stories you know, memories you had but have somehow forgotten. The band is planning tour dates, and is near completion of what is to become the core of a new full length album.

$1 from every ticket sold will go to Santa for a Day, a certified 501 (c) (3) Public Charity who answers letters to Santa from kids in underserved communities. This two-pronged literacy component is vital to their mission: Volunteers helping, teaching youngsters the power of the pen… and then donors rewarding their efforts, by translating their wishes into reality, This process helps children feel seen, heard, and valued—often for the first time—while fostering family dignity and empowerment that extends well beyond the holidays as participants author a different, more positive narrative about life, one sparked by optimism and the vision of a brighter future. Founded in 2018, SFAD has fulfilled more than 50,000 letters and delivered nearly 100,000 gifts to children across eight U.S. cities.