SLCene Suggests: King Niko, Hang Time, Cathy Foy

KING NIKO/HANG TIME/CATHY FOY, THE URBAN LOUNGE, Saturday, March 16, 9 p.m., Free

The first time I heard King Niko, a few months before they won City Weekly’s “band of the year” in 2011, they came on as a swaggering, brash pop-rock machine with a stage presence that was undeniable, even if some of the songs were still evolving into shape. A couple years later–a couple of hard-working years, full of gigs, tours, writing and recording–the band emerges with a new set, Oh, Hey, that is a rock-solid step forward in their energetic evolution. And thankfully, the swagger remains. While this show serves as a CD release party for Oh, Hey, it also includes some more dance-party-worthy locals on the bill in the form of Hang Time, the latest project of Will Sartain, Cathy Foy, Andrew Sato and TJ Fitzgerald, as well as Cathy Foy celebrating her own solo CD release. It’s a big fat night of local excellence–and you can dance to it! I suggest you do.