Concerts – Waiting Room Lounge

The Mezcal Brothers ft. Dave Gonzalez

The Mezcal Brothers – Final Farewell Show After 28 years of rock ’n’ roll, The Mezcal Brothers are preparing to say their final goodbye. The band will be releasing their final studio album, Bing Bang Boom, marking the closing chapter of a remarkable journey that helped define roots rock and rockabilly in Nebraska and beyond. This release, and the shows that follow, will stand as a celebration of the music, the memories, and the brotherhood forged over nearly three decades. Joining the Mezcals on stage for this historic Farewell Show will be guitar legend Dave Gonzalez of The Paladins. This final performance will also serve as a heartfelt tribute honoring their fallen brother, Benjie Kushner, whose presence, passion, and legacy remain forever woven into the soul of the band. One last album. One final night.

AM/FM

Rewind AM/FM pressed play for the #Totally80s Dance Party in May 2013. Growing up in the 70s and 80s, the guys in AM/FM were excited to bring audiences all of the fun 80s music they grew up listening to and playing. In 2022, the band welcomed Jadyn Cree Olesen, who took over as Lead Singer. Jadyn’s versatile voice and style opened up the playlist options for AMFM. Pause In 2024, Jadyn auditioned for Season 27 of NBCs “The Voice.” Michael Buble saw and heard what we already knew and took Jadyn under his wing for what would become an incredible run on the show. Week in and week out, Jadyn wowed the judges and audiences with her powerful, spot on performances. After finishing 5th Overall in the competition, Jadyn is back performing with AM/FM, working on her first album of original material, and the band sounds better than ever! Fast Forward AMFM has performed at major area music festivals, including HEAR G.I., Capital City Ribfest, Celebrate Lincoln and FrogFest as well as Lincoln and Omaha clubs like The Royal Grove and The Waiting Room…and warmed up the stage for the likes of Gin Blossoms, David Cook, Blue Oyster Cult and Hairball.

moe.

Thirty-five years ago, a posse of University of Buffalo-based musician-friends got together to play music. Out of freewheeling sessions bursting with bold, genre-defying creativity and tongue-in-cheek humor, a 6-headed monster named moe. emerged. Decades later, moe.’s tireless work ethic, DIY resourcefulness, infectious songwriting, and highly-engaged fanbase—the Famoe.ly—have enabled the sextet to earn a successful career. Yet, the guys have never rested on their laurels as “jam band pioneers.” They average 100 shows per year, and regularly release vital new music, including the band’s latest album, Circle of Giants (ATO), its 13th release. Circle of Giants was almost all tracked when bassist/vocalist Rob Derhak’s 25-year-old son died tragically, but it’s no downer. Visceral and vulnerable, the 10-collection confronts life’s challenges with grace, humor, hard-fought wisdom, and jaw-dropping musicality. Creatively-invigorated by the addition of keyboardist Nate Wilson to the full-time lineup, moe. has created a milestone album while processing an unfathomable loss. moe. is a brotherhood, featuring Derhak, Schnier, guitarist/vocalist Chuck Garvey, drummer Vinnie Amico, percussionist/vibraphonist Jim Loughlin, and keyboardist Nate Wilson. The six-piece band came up in the primordial pouch of the early jam band scene, alongside Blues Traveler, Spin Doctors, Widespread Panic, and Phish. Lauded by American Songwriter for its “mind-bending musicality,” moe. is beloved for its sonic adventurousness, unbridled showmanship, and its witty and insightful songwriting. NYS Music has said: “moe. has redefined what’s possible within the genre, leaving a lasting impact and challenging listeners to rethink the limits of musical expression.” Since releasing its foundational album, Fatboy, in 1992, moe. has issued a vast and varied series of now-classic records. Select studio album highlights include 1998’s Tin Cans & Car Tires; 2004’s Wormwood; 2007’s The Conch (which reached #1 on Billboard’s “Heatseekers” chart); and 2012’s critically-acclaimed What Happened To The La Las. ###

Don’t Kid Me: A Comedy Night for Reproductive Rights

All proceeds to benefit NEAR – Nebraska Abortion Resources. www.neabortionresources.org

The Motet

Formed over two decades ago, the funk six-piece The Motethave learned to work as an interlocking unit, with each member bolstering one another towards the best creative output. This symbiosis has led to a unique style and cohesive musical chemistry, as seen in the band’s immaculate live performances and seamless blend of funk, soul, jazz, and rock. With a fervent fanbase in tow, The Motet have sold out shows across the nation, performed seven headlining slots at Red Rocks and sets at festivals such as Bonnaroo, Bottlerock, Electric Forest, Bumbershoot, Summer Camp, and High Sierra. But even after their 20+ years of accolades and recognition, the legendary outfit -composed of Dave Watts(drums), Garrett Sayers(bass), Drew Sayers(keys and saxophone), Ryan Jalbert(guitar), and Sarah Clarke(vocals)-are still exploring new sonic ideas and finding new ways to showcase each other’s skill sets.

Criteria Record Release Show

Saturn Ascends: A Tool Live Tribute Experience

Omaha, it has been several years since we have seen this now legendary show, but it is finally returning for one night only at The Waiting Room Lounge. The phenom known as Saturn Ascends makes their triumphant return to their Omaha home to once again bring you the show that thousands of fans have come to know and love and heralded as one of the very best tribute shows in the Midwest. This is by far one of the most in demand and requested shows that we host. It doesn’t matter if you close your eyes and just listen or watch the spectacle taking place on stage. You will swear you are watching and hearing the real thing. Please get your tickets on Etix ASAP as this show always sells out in advance. We look forward to making the pieces fit with you one more time!

Kurt Vile And The Violators

Released in God’s year of 2026, the 250th anniversary of the founding of America in Kurt Vile’s fine city of Philadelphia, Philadelphia’s been good to me finds one of our nation’s greatest songwriters staking a claim on his hometown. “This is my ‘bringing it all back home to Philly’ record,” Vile says. “I’m treating it like my last one. I put everything into it. It’s my best vocal record. It’s my best electric guitar record. It’s my most organic record, made in the comfort of my own zone.” Largely self-produced, with assists from Adam Langellotti, keys wiz Matthew Jugenheimer, drummer Kyle Spence, guitarist Jesse Trbovrich, and longtime Violators boardsman Rob Schnapf, the record embodies Vile’s understanding of music as a conversation between people across time and space. The title track is an ode to his hometown that doubles as an homage to Tom Petty’s homage to California. The barn-burning “Chance to Bleed” features guest spots from Memphis OGs Natalie Hoffman and Greg Cartwright but boasts a music video proudly shot at the Philly venue Kung Fu Necktime and features a cameo by local legend Schoolly D. “You Don’t Know Cuz It’s My Life” is Kurt’s take on a stadium anthem, building up to a laid-back yet triumphant chant of “I’m from Phil-a-del-phiaaaaaaah!” that you can imagine a crowd of Eagles fans screaming along to, Twisted Teas pointed towards the heavens. Make no mistake: Philadelphia’s been good to me is the sound of Philly’s constant hitmaker coming back to kick ass, son the haters, and put on for the City of Brotherly Love — and in true Kurt Vile fashion, doing so while sounding more relaxed than ever. Between the 250th anniversary of America and its hosting of select World Cup games, 2026 is shaping up to be a big deal for Philadelphia. “And then there’s one other thing,” Vile says. “I gotta be that third thing. Because I am Philadelphia. I gotta own it. I gotta rise to the occasion.”