When Mark Hutchins approached us about a unique “songwriter’s showcase” to introduce his stunning new album, Sleepy Furnace, we were immediately all-in. Mark performed along with three of his favorite local artists, right here at OLG. An extraordinary night.

We provided artistic direction and curation for the fourth installment of Down the Line — the annual Embassy Theatre fundraising concert we helped to create in 2007. This year's sold-out show featured a stellar lineup and helped bring DtL's fundraising total to more than $100,000!

OLG’s Matt Kelley could go on and on about what it meant to have Ike Reilly perform as part of Lucky Ten — and he did. (Follow the link below.)

read: Ten Years to Life — The history of Ike and OLG

Eef Barzelay and Clem Snide returned for the third time in two years, and frankly, it's still more than a little amazing to us — the band actually requested the tour supporting their excellent new record be kicked off in Fort Wayne (before hitting smaller markets, in this order: Chicago, Madison, Minneapolis, Portland, Seattle, San Fran...you get the idea).

On this evening, Fort Wayne’s Metavari — featuring OLG’s Nate Utesch — unveiled their vinyl release, Loosen the Bands, with its gorgeous music and soundscapes, and equally gorgeous artwork. The epic night included performances by Seattle's critically lauded The Sight Below and Norway’s Svarte Greiner.

Marah’s latter-day-Replacements-playing-early-day-Springsteen-with-Rocky-on-in-the-background sounds have always delivered the passion & purity and volume & velocity of most everything OLG ever wanted to be. On Father's Day at The Brass Rail, it was hearts a-bustin' and eardrums a-blowin' with the kids from Philly.

This year, our own Metavari toured to Austin, TX and back, and then up the East Coast and into Canada. All along the way, they played with incredible bands, and Fort Wayne music lovers lucked out when Metavari returned the favor and hosted many of those same bands in our fair city. This Lotus Gallery show was especially amazing.

The Ike Reilly Assassination was given a great slot at Chicago’s annual mega-festival, Lollapalooza. To warm up for that performance, Ike and the band lit out on a week-long barnstorming tour of their favorite venues, from the Windy City to NYC and back. Ten shows in seven days, kicked off in Fort Wayne at the request of Mr. Reilly himself.

Punk Party took everyone back to the Brass Rail, back when the lights would go out every once in a while. Fast, no-nonsense, Ramones-influenced riffage, and cheap beer. Let’s shred.

In its two years of existence, Arts United’s Taste of the Arts has proven to be one of downtown Fort Wayne’s great days—and Dessert has been the best way to top it off. This year’s event was hot, loud and delicious.

For the 11th Lucky Ten event — on 11-10-10, of course — we worked with Cinema Center to bring in 13 Most Beautiful, a collection of Andy Warhol’s silent screen tests with an all-new, original soundtrack from Dean & Britta. With support by Mark Hutchins and Metavari, it was a loud, provocative and one-of-a-kind evening.