Not Your Average Shindig: Guymon's Alternative Music Event

Bob’s Cowboy Bar and Saloon is set to host Not Your Average Shindig, a 21+ event on October 19th, from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., bringing a fresh spin to Guymon’s typical western and country music scene. Organized by Guymon native Christian Luera and his No Man’s Land Subculture, the event promises an eclectic lineup of rock, rap, and electronic music, offering a night of "loud music and a good time." With live performances, local food trucks, and the unique addition of a smoke bus, Not Your Average Shindig is all about giving alternative musicians and artists a platform in the Panhandle.

The Purpose Behind the Event

At the heart of this event is Christian’s desire to make his hometown happy—starting with himself. "Honestly, I'm trying to make myself happy," Christian admits. Having grown up in Guymon, Christian experienced firsthand the limited platforms for alternative music in the Panhandle. "There are plenty of places to showcase western art and music culture, but limited when it comes to the alternative," he explains. As someone who played in a thrash metal band in high school and later became a dubstep DJ, Christian saw a lack of support for artists like himself. “We played shows in the band, but there wasn’t a promoter out here trying to help locals and definitely no one doing rave-style events.”

With that in mind, Christian set out to bring the Colorado rave culture he had experienced back to his roots in Guymon, while also giving fellow musicians a platform. "My main focus is to bring the rave culture that I experienced while living in Colorado to my hometown. While I do that, I'm going to help out fellow musicians by letting them be a part of the show too." This event, like others Christian has organized, is a melting pot of genres—featuring a rock band, a rapper, and several electronic DJs.

A Growing Movement

This isn’t Christian’s first rodeo when it comes to organizing alternative events. “I’ve been doing these style events for the last two years, with them becoming more consistent in the last year,” he shares. The inaugural event took place on April 20, 2022, and since then, the shows have been running about every other month. No Man’s Land Subculture, Christian’s brainchild, is a collective of artists he curates for each event.

What to Expect

For those attending the event, Christian promises a high-energy night full of diverse performances. Local food vendors like KJ's Kitchen and Icy Cow Ice Cream Truck will be on-site to satisfy any cravings, while local businesses like High Prairie Farms and Tayco Farms will be there to educate attendees on their products. The event is being held at Bob's Cowboy Bar, located at 132 N. Ellison St. in Guymon, and Christian advises, "Show up early to get a good parking spot. The lot fills quickly, but there are plenty of side streets to park on."

The Lineup

The evening’s lineup features a range of local and regional talent. Last Wood, a rock band performing a mix of covers and originals, will represent Guymon’s rock scene. Luv Scars, a local R&B/hip-hop producer and rapper, will bring his unique sound, and if you’re lucky, you might catch him joining Last Wood for a few Deftones covers. Fricshun Awakened, originally from Colorado but now a Guymon resident, is an old-school hip-hop turntablist who scratches vinyl alongside the other DJs.

The electronic acts will feature Hi-Me, an all-around DJ known for playing everything from dubstep to trance; Revenge Killing, a house DJ specializing in deep, ghetto, and tech house; and Gorillaphant—Christian’s own DJ moniker—who mixes dubstep, left-field bass, and hip-hop influences. Hi-Me, Revenge Killing, and Gorillaphant are all part of Couch Land Collective, a Denver-based artist collective.

The Smoke Bus

One of the unique aspects of Christian’s events is the presence of the "Smoke Bus"—a school bus where smoking is allowed. The bus provides a designated space for those who wish to smoke.

Looking Ahead

Christian isn’t slowing down anytime soon. "Absolutely!" he says when asked about future events. "Be on the lookout for something in December. It's my birthday month, so I'd like to do something fun."

Christian Luera is on a mission to transform the music scene in Guymon, and his passion for bringing alternative culture to the Panhandle shows no signs of fading. Whether you're a rock fan, a hip-hop head, or a lover of electronic beats, there’s a place for you at one of his events. 

If you want to keep supporting the local music scene, check out Loud and Heavy Booking for more local events!