Andy Frasco & The U.N. - Try Not to Die Tour w/ Kris Lager

Name: Andy Frasco & The U.N. - Try Not to Die Tour w/ Kris Lager
Start: 2025-03-16T19:00:00-05:00
Location: 1202 3rd St SE Suite 200, Cedar Rapids, IA, United States, Iowa 52401

Schedule

Sun Mar 16 2025 at 07:00 pm

UTC-05:00

Location

1202 3rd St SE Suite 200, Cedar Rapids, IA, United States, Iowa 52401 | Cedar Rapids, IA

VIP TICKETS AND LOCAL PRESALE THURSDAY, NOV. 21ST AT 10AM - 10PM
TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY, NOV. 22ND AT 10AM
Doors Open at 7:00 PM
Opener Kris Lager at 8:00 PM
Andy Frasco & The U.N. at 9:15pm

Andy Frasco & The U.N. have long been the high-flying DIY renegades of the touring scene known and loved for their kaleidoscopic musical fusion and one-of-a-kind onstage audacity. Now celebrating their longevity, the band is shaking things up with L’Optimist (Fun MachineRecords/Soundly), as its title suggests, Frasco’s most hopeful and enthusiastic collection thus far. A testament to Frasco’s wide-ranging influences and boundless energy, his band’s sixth released studio album sees the magnetic frontman continuing to chart his path of self-exploration and personal discovery through increasingly introspective lyricism and musical adventure.
Songs like “Everything Bagel (Feat. Artikal Sound System)” and the deeply moving “Iowa Moon” touch on matters of the heart and mental health, emotional struggle and the sheer vulnerability of the human experience, all relayed through a wildly eclectic approach navigating funk, jazz, surf rock, blues, swing, gospel, reggae, exotica, and more with horn-blasted positivity and soulful power. “I fight depression every single day,” Frasco says, “and the only way to fight depression is through optimism. I try to write optimistic songs because optimism keeps me going. As humans, I don't think we're all that much different. Everyone needs a little optimism to keep going.”
Having spent the first part of his career making his bones as a fun-loving frontman with a self-proclaimed “gift of gab,” Frasco pushed his song writing in more personal directions with 2020's Keep On Keepin’ On and 2022’s Wash, Rinse, Repeat.

Kris Lager
Hailing originally from Lincoln, Nebraska and currently based out of Omaha Kris Lager is a ‘MUST-SEE TO BELIEVE’ singer/songwriter, guitarist, and entertainer. A true and rare trifecta of an artist who possesses a signature style musically and vocally, who can write catchy and memorable songs while also being an impressive showman, all in one.
Possessing a charisma and charm that could only be fortified from decades on the road honing his craft. Kris Lager started out as a ripping young blues guitar player who spent the majority of his early days playing his heart out. It wasn’t until he made a conscious effort to connect with his audience and open his eyes when he realized there was something more to the equation.
“My whole world as a performer changed when I started making eye contact with everyone around me”. It seems simple, but it is so powerful and awakening”. Explains Kris. I try to convey that message to every young performer who asks what my secret is. It’s as simple as just looking at your audience and at the band. There’s a quantum energy that happens when we notice each other, smile, and vibe with each other. It changes the whole dynamic of the situation.’
“That’s what we are here to do: to connect, congregate, sing, and dance and guess what I? I am here and ready for this moment! I got just the medicine you need!” Explains Kris with a laugh.