My Top 20 Concerts of 2023
Plus Today's Live Music Happenings
Here is a link to this week's calendar, where you can check out tonight’s live events and plan for the week ahead. Tonight is all of the weekly standard events only, along with the monthly jam at Brazen Head. Things will start getting busier tomorrow.
Here are my 20 favorite concerts of 2023. I haven’t done a count of the number of shows I saw this year, but I would put it around 100 plus, which is nowhere near my prime. Omaha really stepped up its concert game this past year, with game-changing new venues and a live music lineup that I feel was the best in a decade. There was so much happening that I missed out on a dozen shows because I had to make choices, and that will become more of a trend going forward, it looks like.
Cruel World-May 20th-The Rose Bowl
This one-day festival turned into two days because of a storm. This worked out well for me as I got to see some acts that I would have otherwise skipped, like Iggy Pop and Gary Numan, whom I have seen multiple times prior. I got to knock off so many bucket list acts like Love & Rockets, Siouxsie Sioux, ABC, and Echo & The Bunnymen. I got to see some favorites again, like The Human League and Modern English, and peeked in on Billy Idol and Squeeze also. The Vapors, Berlin, Animotion, and Gang of Four also delivered well beyond my expectations. It was such an easy-to-navigate festival, and it was just a fantastic experience for me.
Nick Cave -State Theater-Minneapolis-October 2nd
I saw Nick Cave and Peter Gabriel back to back in Minneapolis, and it is almost a toss up to which show would be number two on this list, but I have found myself thinking about the Nick Cave show a lot. This was my first time, and it was just him and a piano and Colin Greenwood of Radiohead on bass. It was dark and not the most dynamic show, and he got into some deep weeds from his catalog. The sheer artistry of it—his back and forth with the audience and delivering some truly special songs from his catalog towards the end of the performance—just got inside me and will be one of those shows I can relive in my head song for song for a long time.
Peter Gabriel -Excel Center-St. Paul-October 3rd
Peter Gabriel has been a huge part of my music listening experience and is easily in my top ten most-listened-to artists. Seeing him was a huge bucket list item for me, and one I had figured would not happen at this point. I loved that he focused on his stunning new album, I/O, as he was inspired both musically and visually, and that is way more interesting than nostalgia for nostolgias sake. His voice was top-notch, his band of veterans and young players was phenomenal, and the stage and visuals were mind-blowing. Some of us have a support group to talk about this show with each other, as it’s so hard to explain to people who have not seen it.
Maha Festival-Stinson Park-Omaha-July 28th and July 29th
The final Maha at Stinson Park was the festival's best. The lineup included Big Thief, whom I have considered the ultimate get for any festival in the area, and the band more than delivered on what ended up being a beautiful night at the park. Alvvays, The Beths, Say She She, and Black Belt Eagle Scout also delivered fantastic festival sets. The festival moves downtown to The Riverfront this year, and there are a lot of other changes happening with the festival, so we will have to wait to see how it looks this year and going forward. This was the perfect end to this chapter, though.
Ondara -The Slowdown-Omaha-May 27th
This is my second time seeing my favorite artist in recent years. It was nice to see him in Omaha among a lot of my friends that I have hyped him up to, and he really delivered. He was charming, his voice mesmerized, and he even played some songs from his small but mighty catalog that I figured would never happen. I got to interview him prior to this show and meet him after, and that made this experience even more special for me.
Ethel Cain-The Slowdown-Omaha-October 9th
Ethel Cain is way too big to play Slowdown, but she has an obsession with Nebraska and added this show to her tour. It sold out in minutes, and fans lined up all day to get in. Cain is one of the best new artists out there, and I am sure her shows are always incredible. Her excitement to be playing Nebraska and her connection with the audience took this to another level. It was such a joy to witness.
Charley Crockett,-The Admiral Omaha-June 22nd
I have seen Charley a handful of times in the past five years. Red Rocks, The Bourbon Theatre, The Slowdown, and this year at The Admiral. Essentially the same shows and vibe, and this show felt like a comfortable old shoe, but the venue was the perfect fit for him and his band, who have been on the road so much that every show, while similar, gets inside you. I hope for a re-tooled set the next four times I see him.
Martin Zellar-Reverb Lounge-Omaha-November 3rd
It had been decades since I had seen Martin Zellar perform, and in the past, I almost always had to travel to see him. So, to have the Gear Daddies frontman come to Omaha on tour for his new album Head West was a treat. He brought along his son, some Gear Daddies bandmates, and played a set full of old and new favorites. It was an absolute blast.
Willi Carlisle-Reverb Lounge-Reverb Lounge-March 28th
I liked Willi’s album, but I had no idea what I was in for live. Talk about a surprise. His performance was so entertaining, engrossing, and engaging. It’s a non-stop whirlwind that's very hard to explain. Luckily, you can see for yourself when he stops again next year at The Slowdown.
Tank & The Bangas and McKinley Dixon-The Waiting Room Omaha-March 26th-
This is my third time seeing Tank and my first time seeing McKinley. At the time, I didn’t know that Dixon’s album would become a favorite for me this year, but his live performance drove the songs in and allowed me to sink easily into that album when listening after. Tank & The Bangas put on a performance that can only be described as joyful. So much positivity, and the songs are so funky and soulful. We all had smiles on our faces all night long.
Amyl & The Sniffers at The Waiting Room-Omaha-October 18th
The band, for whom many of us were waiting to come to Omaha, finally came, and they destroyed. Originally, it was supposed to be at The Admiral, but things changed and allowed us the most intimate show on the tour.
Jason Isbell at The Orpheum-Omaha-May 2nd
I have seen Jason Isbell a lot; what made this show unlike many of the others was fresh material from his excellent new album and that his wife Amanda Shires joined the show as they were on their way to Red Rocks. When Shires is in the band, it takes their performance up many notches.
Margo Price-Waiting Room Lounge-Omaha-June 28th
Margo and her band brought a Tom Petty-esque rock show to The Waiting Room and a setlist that really touched on all of the high points of her expanding catalog of music. She was on fire that night.
Ratboys-Reverb Lounge-Omaha-October 19th
Even though they have many albums in their career, it felt like we were watching the next big thing. If you look at all of the end-of-year lists, we probably were.
Slothrust/Pronoun-Reverb Lounge-Omaha-November 17th
I went in not knowing anything about Pronoun and they immediately had me engaged and all in on what they were doing. Slothrust isn’t touring on an album, so we get a “best of” set, and they just get better every time they come through.
The Hooters-Liberty First Credit Union Arena-Ralston-August 30th
Huge bucket list band for me. I have been a fan since I was a teenager and never thought I would see them, as they rarely tour America. They opened for Rick Springfield (who was also very good), and I had low expectations, but damn, if they are not inspired and they are still excellent musicians. Fun show to watch, and they sounded great.
Kayla Ray-Buck’s Bar and Grill-Venice-December 9th
I went into this show blind on some recommendations. She just blew me away with her songs, her voice, her personality, and just being as real-deal country as I think you can get.
Abby Hamilton-The Slowdown-Omaha-October 24th-
I enjoyed Abby’s album and expected a nice show, but she delivers on stage, and she and her brother have chemistry up there.
Josh Carterer-Zipline Brewing-Omaha-July 22nd
The Smoking Popes frontman made a stop for an intimate “living room” show at Zip Line. Hearing those songs in the setting with his great voice and him being so friendly and engaging was a special treat.
Screaming Females/Generacion Suicida-Reverb Lounge-Omaha-April 16th
I guess we saw what ended up being one of the last Screaming Females shows, and they were a lot of fun live. It was Generacion Suicida and their urgent yet accessible punk that really won me over on this night.
Some other artists I saw in 2023 include
G Flip, Emily Nenni, Todd Rundgren, Jehnny Beth, The Church, George Clinton Jonas Brothers, Liz Phair, Hotline TNT, Black Hippie, Dr. Mambo’s Combo, Wilco, Sextile, Nina Nastasia, Die Spitz, Civic, Mark Eitzel, Jason Eady, Shannon Curtis, Kimmi Bitter, Al Oleander, Daryl Hall, Drayton Farley, Macie Stewart Colby Acuff, LA Guns Tommy Stinson, Joshua Ray Walker, Jade Jackson, Wyatt Flores, Nick Lowe, Elvis Costello, Los Straitjackets, Amytyst Kiah, Wild Pink Water From Your Eyes, Sierra Ferrell, Jaymie Wyatt, Randall King, Delvon Lamar, Chew. They Might Be Giant, Soccer Mommy, The Regrettes, Julia Jacklin, Tom Kiefer, Tori Amos, Ice Cube, Flaming Lips, Tesla, New Pornographers and Snail Mail