I'm going to make this fast. Try to keep up.

It all started at 8pm with 90 Minute Cassette. The duo features Chuck Whittington on guitar and Hillary Watts on keyboard leads. Whittingon's gentle voice carried most of the vocals, while a computer delivered percussion and additional electronics. The band describes itself as synthpop, but its compositions don't align cleanly with any particular synthpop scene. It's safe to say the twosome's sound is retro – I mean, it's right there in the name – but exactly what era it is referencing is hard to pin down. This meant the audience was given an eight-song set full of variations on the electronic pop theme. One carried that With Sympathy-era Ministry charm. Another, sung by Watts, was delightfully brassy. The late-set "Among the Stars" was a highlight filled with shimmering guitar work that dripped with reverb. Someday there will be an album – and it better be released on cassette – but until then, you can stream a handful of singles at all the usual places.

At 9pm From Me took the stage. The local trio is fronted by Logan Park (vocals/guitar) with Logan Gillespie (bass/vocals) and Dane Bridges (drums) providing the rhythm. I remembered them as a softer pop/rock band, but this set was loud. Park's strong clear voice competed with the Smashing Pumpkins-esque thickery of his guitar, and his solos were unexpectedly aggressive. The rare vocal harmonies were a nice touch. By law (Too Much Rock Statutes §16) support acts aren't permitted to play encores, but because From Me's family and friends danced with such abandon and energy, I was able to look the other way. As a bonus, a little birdie tells me that those loved ones will soon be rewarded with an upcoming EP.

Time out. Some context is necessary: The Rino has a unique vibe – one that is built for musical showcases rather than traditional rock shows. As a result, it's ridiculously accessible with a low barrier for entry. Want to invite your realtor sister and her eight-year-old daughter to a show? This is the place. Don't want to get bumped into by a sloppy drunk on a rampage? Welcome to The Rino. Want to step away to decompress, get a vegan gluten-free ice cream cone, and have a conversation at a table in a well-lit room? Well, then there's only one venue for you, and this is it. The Rino is a polite space for polite bands and their polite fans. Anyway, this bill was classic Rino fare. That's all. Now back to the recap.

The Sexy Accident headlined the night. For over twenty years, vocalist/guitarist Jesse Kates has been leading this pop-gilded indie rock project for the masses. He's probably had just as many line-ups. This performance included Rachel Jaggard (vocals), Ryan Leip (guitar/keyboards), Mark Hamblin (bass), and Ramone Hall (drums), although the audience was warned that Hamblin was a fill-in. Maybe twenty was an undercount. Kates has a strong clean voice that immediately returned me to the era of adorned chamber pop that flourished in KC when the act began. Jaggard has been doing this just as long, only now her voice was more controlled than when I first saw her perform with Dolls on Fire so long ago. Anyway, the two voices blended well. Although flustered by technical difficulties, Kates kept the banter light and fun. That's when the group was at its best. The bright pop songs from the band's deep catalog stuck in my ears – "Goats, Biscuits, Bees" was a gem – while the darker, roiling rock numbers felt out of character. Rumor has it a retrospective vinyl album is due in October to let fans argue about which Sexy Accident is best. I've already made my call. You should try to keep up.