Amidst the cornfields and farmlands that are characteristic of Nebraska, you'll find that the Cornhusker State boasts a deep-seated musical heritage and a lot of homegrown musical talents. Many well-known artists have emerged onto the big stage from this Midwestern state, particularly in the rock and roll, jazz, and rhythm and blues genres. And you won't have any problem finding a place for live performances. Nebraska has plenty of music venues ranging from intimate little nightclubs to mega-arenas seating thousands. In addition to concert venues, there are a number of music festivals held annually throughout the state.
City Beats
When seeking the sounds of Nebraska, the best way to find live music is by city, as different places throughout the state vary in the music venues and concert halls they have to offer. Also, a number of well-known names in assorted genres hail from various locales all around the Cornhusker State.
Lincoln
The capital city of Lincoln is a college town that has had a thriving music scene since the 1950s. It was in the late 1970s, however, with the arrival of the punk rock movement that Lincoln had an exponential number of rock bands burst onto the city's musical mainstage.
During the latter part of the 1980s and throughout the'90s, popular rock bands like For Against, The Millions, Sideshow, and Mercy Rule all came out of Lincoln. More recent recognizable artists to hail from the capital include Ideal Cleaners, Straight Outta Junior High School, Brimstone Howl, and Eagle*Seagul.
In addition to local rock talent, Lincoln has a number of music venues. Pershing Auditorium is a 4,526-seat multi-purpose arena that features large tours and national acts like Phish. For local and regional acts, head to smaller venues like Knickerbockers, Box Awesome, Duffy's Tavern, and Duggan's Pub. Don't forget the Pla-Mor Ballroom, a premier spot for dancing and music, plus home of the award-winning Sandy Creek Band. And for specialty concerts, venues like the Zoo Bar, a blues nightclub in downtown Lincoln, are ideal places to take in some tunes.
Omaha
As the largest city in Nebraska, Omaha has a rich musical heritage founded in jazz and R&B. These genres were particularly popular from the 1920s through the 1960s in North Omaha, where African American music was a mainstay in the area's entertainment culture. The community's flourishing R&B and jazz scene attracted popular jazz, swing, and blues bands from all over the country to venues like the famed Dreamland Ballroom.
The Dreamland makes it home in the Jewell Building, which has been standing since 1923 and is one of the state's oldest music venues. For more than 40 years, the Dreamland featured such legendary artists as Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Louis Armstrong, and the Original Nat King Cole Trio. Though the Dreamland Ballroom no longer operates, the Jewell Building is listed on the National Registrar of Historic Places, and has been designated a Landmark by the city of Omaha. Other happening venues for jazz and R&B during the time were Jim Bell's Harlem, McGill's Blue Room, and Allen's Showcase Lounge.
Though North Omaha saw its share of celebrity African American musicians on tour, plenty of homegrown talent comes from the region as well. Preston Love became an international jazz legend, growing up in the Cornhusker State alongside influential guitarist Buddy Miles. Also from Omaha are Big Joe Williams, who was an American Delta blues musician and songwriter; funk band leader Lester Abrams; and Omaha native Wynonie Harris, one of the founders of rock and roll.
Along with being the birthplace of many well-known jazz and R&B musicians, Omaha is known to some as the "Indie Rock Capital" of the world. Despite being landlocked, the city has spawned a number of popular surf rock bands, a style of music associated with the surf culture of California. A surf rock group called the Chevrons, best known for their hit single "Lullaby," were voted Omaha's most popular band in 1966. Other talents in the surf genre native to Omaha include The Echo, 7 Legends, and Freedom Road. During the late 1990s, Omaha became known as the starting point for the popular rock group 311 and the record label Saddle Creek Records.
Omaha's plethora of music venues make it easy to take in a concert during your vacation. Opened in 2005, the Holland Performing Arts Center is a newbie to the Nebraska music scene. The center was designed particularly to accommodate events that need an environment with good acoustics, like performances by the Omaha Symphony Orchestra. Also, it's Peter Kiewit Concert Hall can seat 2,005 people, and it's Suzanne and Walter Scott Recital Hall allows for 486 patrons. There's even the Courtyard for events in a semi-enclosed area that seats 1,000.
Classical music lovers should check out the Omaha Symphony Orchestra, which performs at the Holland Performing Arts Center. Founded in 1921, the orchestra puts on about 60 productions each year for more than 300,000 listeners. The group of 93 members has a regular season that includes a seven-concert "Masterworks" series, six "Symphony Pops" performances, a three-concert "Family Series," and a three-concert "Casual Classics" series. As well, the orchestra performs at schools throughout the state and puts on a six-concert chamber orchestra series at the Strauss Performing Arts Center on the campus of the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
Other places in Omaha for concerts include the Qwest Center Omaha arena, which can seat 18,300; and the Sokol Auditorium, a local historic icon.
Fremont
Fremont has its own musical legacy, with several rock and roll talents originating in the city. The Nomads were one of the first rock bands to come out of Fremont, followed by The Sneakers, The Fugitives, and The Invaders.
The most influential band from Fremont, however, is the Haywood-Wakefield Band, one of the longest-running rock and roll bands from Nebraska. Lead guitarist and vocalist Ken McMahon formed the band in 1978. McMahon came up with the band name from the manufacturer's stamp under his dining room table. Today, the Haywood-Wakefield Band performs at regional lounges, private parties, and street dances, so you may be able to catch a show by these local legends during your stay.
Music Festivals
Along with concert halls and other music venues, Nebraska also has its fair share of music festivals, at which you can enjoy live music and more. Jazz in June is a festival of jazz music set in the great outdoors, accompanied by good food and a whole lot of fun. The event is organized by the Nebraska Art Association, and has been a musical tradition in Lincoln for more than 16 years. In 2007, artists like Kendra Shank, Hot Club of San Francisco, and Stan Kessler and the Sons of Brasil all performed at the four-day long concert series. Apart from the performances, Jazz in June also sponsors garden tours at the University of Nebraska Lincoln Gardens and Arboretum.
Another Nebraska music festival is the three-part Comstock Music Series, held in the city of Comstock. The first part of the event is the Comstock Windmill Festival, which has featured big-name artists like Kenny Rogers, Jamie O'Neal, and Sawyer Brown. Running for three to four days in June, the festival allows patrons to stay at the campsite the whole time so they won't miss a beat. The next event in the three-part series is the Comstock Rock Festival in July. Comstock Rock has hosted such artists as Peter Frampton, The Guess Who, Jackyl, and Great White. Camping out is allowed at this event as well, and there's even a professional wrestling show. Finally, there's Godstock in August. This event features Christian music, with artists like Noah, Pilot for Kite, and Sonic Flood gracing the stage.
Live music is definitely a must when exploring Nebraska's culture and entertainment. The Cornhusker State has plenty to go around when it comes to music venues, especially in the major cities. And if you can't make it to a concert hall, festivals are another option for getting your live music fix.
Nebraska has an active Arts and Entertainment scene.
