Friko Brought Something Worth Waiting For to Life in Chicago

Friko's Something Worth Waiting For release show at Metro in Chicago (Photo: Hannah Skiotis)

If you’ve never seen someone scream into the hollow of an acoustic guitar mid-song, then you clearly weren’t at Friko’s sold out show celebrating the release of their newest album, Something Worth Waiting For. Needless to say, Friko are high energy performers, stirring up their hometown crowd to dance, sway, and sing their lyrics back word for word (even the songs released less than 24 hours before). You can feel the maturity in their stage presence and sound. Their movements across the stage and absorption in their instruments feels like they are being taken over by the music, drawing the crowd in too.

Niko Kapetan (Photo: Hannah Skiotis)

There is no way to describe Chicago’s Indie Rock scene without mentioning Friko. Spending years building up their local fanbase, music community ties, and stage presence in the city's small venues. 2024 served as a transformative year for the band as their debut album Where we’ve been, Where we go from here, launched them into international recognition and touring. Founding members Niko Kapetan and Bailey Minzenberger have since been officially joined by Korgan Robb and David Fuller to form the current 4-piece band. Now with the release of their second album, Something Worth Waiting For, the band is able to reintroduce itself to the city that shaped it. 

Headlining a show at the Metro is an aspirational achievement that every Chicago band dreams of. An iconic venue just north of Wrigley Field, the Metro’s stage has been broken in by artists like Nirvana, The Strokes, Bob Dylan, and Fall Out Boy to name a few. This is THE Chicago venue, the perfect fit for hosting Friko’s sold out album release show. 

Aptly named, Something Worth Waiting For, has been the much anticipated follow up to Friko's breakout debut. It shares the story of a band on the move, as they toured and transformed. Niko’s signature raspy and moody voice returns, accompanied by addictive guitar licks. 

During the show, footage of trains and bicycles appropriately flicker behind them as they play "Choo Choo" and "Dear Bicycle." A clear fan favorite, the first single "Seven Degrees" had the room ringing as the crowd echoed the words back. Overall Friko stays true to their Indie Rock sound in the new album, returning with a better sense of themselves and their sound, giving their long-time fans exactly what they’ve been waiting for and more.

For our many Atlanta readers, Friko will be coming to Terminal West October 28th on the fall 2026 Something Worth Waiting For North America tour.