On Friday night Lawrencians decked in sequins and feathers filled Downtown Lawrence to start a new year, but you could have fooled me. With the bands I saw gracing the stage, it (happily) felt like 2004.

We packed like sardines (very nicely dressed sardines) into the Jackpot to see the return of Minus Story. The last time I saw them perform was in the very same spot at the Jackpot about six years ago.

They played all my sentimental favorites, and it wasn’t just me. One person I talked to said she felt like the band played her “Best Of Minus Story” list. Joyless Joyless, Open Your Eyes, You Were On My Side….These were songs I loved watching them perform live, songs I would rush home to learn on the piano in my younger days.

It was absolutely effortless for Minus Story to sound beautiful like that, and that same effortlessness was there on New Year’s Eve. With a conversational frontman who helped the audience feel very at home, you couldn’t help but strive to be well to one another, as we all raised our glasses above the tinsel towards the band.

We decided to try and shuffle back and forth between the Jackpot and the Replay. The Jackpot had mostly indie rock, the Replay had metal.

You could immediately sense a change in the attitude at the Replay. Folks were just a little more pushy, and I saw more than one person succumb to alcohol when they fell to the floor. They were dropping like flies! I wanted to avoid the mess and watch the band.

We went inside just in time to catch the end of Wrath and Ruin. I like them. A lot. They performed around a tight group of fans, two of which were rocking out in front. I only wish that the vocals were louder. I liked the singer, but could barely hear him, so I hope the next time I see Wrath and Ruin they turn it up, because I”m pretty sure it’ll melt my face off.

By the time we made it back inside to the Jackpot, The Willnots had the folks feeling good. They counted down to midnight, we all exchanged some smooches, and the band played on until local hip hop favorite Approach took the stage.

Approach kicked off the new year proper. He began the set perched up high, jumping around with an energy that can’t be matched. Approach is also someone I’ve watched over the last few years, bringing in even more happy waves of nostalgia. He eventually left his perch to get in with the crowd and get them worked up.

We were too cold to walk to any other venues, and kept it tight between the Replay and the Jackpot. But eventually the Replay became just a bit too crowded and out of on control, so we stayed at the Jackpot and ended the night with the sounds of the Appleseed Cast in the background. They were, as always, atmospheric, wonderful, inspiring and reminded me why I call this city home.

In one night i saw indie rock, metal and hip hop. I would have seen more had it not been so cold, but it was still a true Lawrence party done right. I didn’t see one sour face at the Jackpot, everyone was happily drinking their troubles away with Lawrence’s finest onstage. Isn’t that how we’re supposed to start the new year? Surrounded by our old friends, but looking forward? Auld Lang Syne was right…we shouldn’t forget the old acquaintances. I’m happily immersed in musicians that hold their ground here in Lawrence.