Sometimes there’s no better place to see a local show than Love Garden. Lawrencians huddled into the record store on Friday as part of Final Fridays. Along with the art opening (some lovely pieces from Amber Hanson and Nicholas Ward), we were treated to a couple of performances.

Colony Collapse was the main act on this night. By the time they started playing we were all packed in like sardines, happily mingling throughout every nook and cranny of the store.

I like this band for the simple fact that they are learning to master the art of the build up. Each song introduces you to a slow and steady pace that becomes more energized with every passing second.

They very much are creating that Lawrence sound that I love so much, and it’s always nice when a band incorporates a trumpet into the mix. The lead singer doesn’t introduce you to his vocals too often, but he doesn’t have to. The music is beautiful and fantastic either way.

Before Colony Collapse went on, Jordan Geiger (of Hospital Ships and Minus Story fame) performed solo. It was quiet, intimate and the store hadn’t become quite so claustrophobic yet. We gathered around the performer, propped up against racks of CDs and records and enjoyed the melodic start to the night. He played some new songs, old songs and a Daniel Johnston cover.

At one point Jordan, who recently spent quite a bit of time on the road, peered out into the sea of friendly faces and talked about why it was nice to come back to Lawrence. “Thank you, for just being yourself.”

Not a bad homecoming, if I do say so myself.