Lincoln Band Wins IBC Championship, NPR Tiny Desk Winner and Grammy Nominee In Town, Area Bands To Play The Astro
Tuesday and Wednesday Live Music Lineup
Welcome to Tuesday and/or Wednesday. We will combine both together this week as it’s a little slow mid-week, with a lot happening on Thursday and through the weekend. There is a good show to talk about and a few news items though.
Let’s get this out of the way one time first.
I have some Omaha Buzz merch I have put together. I have no idea what I am doing and no experience in doing any of this. I did spend a silly amount of time putting this together, and people are saying the website has issues loading, and it has for me also, but it seems to be working this morning. From doing research, it has to do with our caches or something, and I didn’t know that was still a thing. Seems like a long time since I have had to worry about that.
Anyway, it is up, and there are t-shirts that just have the logo, some with some sayings on the back, and some other fun things. I just did their ridiculous big dumb cup for fun; I don’t expect anyone to spend that kind of money on that, but if you do, you might be the only one that has one. I ordered a couple of t-shirts for myself, and they turned out really good. Also, while I will include a link in posts, do not worry; I will not be talking about merch in these posts often, if at all. If this site doesn’t work out or has issues, I will try another one down the road. Thanks for all of your support. HERE is the link.
A big congratulations to Josh Hoyer and Soul Colossal, who won first prize at the International Blues Challenge this past week in Memphis. The International Blues Challenge has been happening since 1984 under different names. Local blues organizations from around the world send a solo artist and/or a band to compete in the event that happens at various venues around Memphis. Over the years, artists such as Susan Tedeschi, Tommy Castro, Albert Cummings, Zac Harmon, and many more have competed.
Each year The Blues Society of Omaha sends a band and a solo artist to the event, and it is rare for a blues organization to have two winners, but Omaha’s does. Hector Anchondo won in the solo/duo category in 2020, and now Josh Hoyer and Soul Colossal have clinched the band category win for 2025. Anyone that knows Josh and the band knows he has been grinding for many years, and to say he has put the work in would be an understatement. Blues music’s success doesn’t happen on TikTok or recorded music for the most part; it happens on live stages. Winning the IBC opens up a lot of opportunities on live music stages, and I look forward to seeing where Josh and Soul Colossal are heading. Congrats again.
Speaking of Hector Anchondo, he and his band will be headlining a FREE evening of music at The Astro on March 22nd. You will be able to enjoy and chat with makers of your favorite craft brews and enjoy the music of Speck Nelson and the Ralstones, The Broadways, and Hector Anchondo Band. They made 500 reserved tickets available a few days ago, but those sold out already. There will be 1500 tickets available, though, on the day of the event.
The big show for the mid-week is Tank and the Bangas at Waiting Room Lounge. I have seen funk and soul band a handful of times, including in their hometown of New Orleans. The band is a blast live, and their last Waiting Room show was one of my favorites of the year. They have also headlined the Lincoln Calling festival in the past and are sure to bring some heat to Omaha on Wednesday.
Here is the full schedule for our area for Tuesday and Wednesday
Tuesday January 14th
The Jazzocracy at The Zoo Bar 7PM (Lincoln)
Shake a Tailfeather Tuesday at The Zoo Bar 9PM (Lincoln)
Open Mic/Open Mic Work Shop (alternates weekly) at Culxr House 7PM (Omaha) FREE
Open Mic at Brokedown Palace 8PM (Omaha)
Live Jazz with Kevin Lloyd at Red Lion Lounge 7PM (Omaha)
Wednesday January 15th
Tank and the Bangas at Waiting Room 8PM (Omaha)
The Brits at Bogies West 6:30PM (Omaha)
Jimmy Little at Copacabana 9PM (Omaha)
Stephen Monroe at Pit BBQ Lounge 6PM (Papillion)
Daddy Mac & The Flak at Candlelight Bar & Grill 6:30 PM (Omaha)
Vibe Check at The Zoo Bar 9PM (Lincoln)
Kevin Lloyd at Mr. Toads 7PM (Omaha)
Live Jazz with Red Lion Quartet at Red Lion Lounge 7:30PM (Omaha)
Open Mic at Razorwire Productions 6:30PM (Omaha) FREE
Open Mic at Down Under Lounge 8PM (Omaha) FREE
Open Mic at The Tavern 9PM (Omaha) FREE
Open Mic at Dubliner Pub (Omaha) FREE
NOMA Underground Open Jam at North Omaha Music and Arts 7PM (Omaha) FREE
Georgie and Friends at Down Under Lounge 5PM (Omaha)
Jam Session at Vino Mas 6PM (Omaha)