Upcoming Events

Multiple Blues Music Award Winner – NICK SCHNEBELEN - “What Key Is TROUBLE In” TOUR 2023
A high energy, blues-rock show, with Nick Schnebelen (guitars/ vocals), Cliff Moore (electric bass) & Adam Hagerman (drums & percussion).

Arkansauce
Thursday, March 2.
6-9pm.
$12
TICKETS: Tickets for Arkansauce | TicketWeb - Zoo Bar in Lincoln, US

LISTEN: https://www.youtube.com/live/IarXJsi_K1w?feature=share

Arkansauce is a genre-hopping, four piece string band from northwest Arkansas, bending the rules and blurring the lines between bluegrass, newgrass, folk, americana, with notes of country, blues, and funk. With a loyal following growing every day in the Natural State and along their tour routes, the band is proud to be stepping into a hard-driving sound unique to the Arkansas quartet.

Their fourth album, Maybe Someday, (release in late 2019) expands the groups sonic direction with introspective songwriting, driving rhythms, tight harmonies, and detailed instrumental arrangements.
The hard-working musicians have been beating up the road playing shows from Colorado to Connecticut over the last several years in addition to two tours in Europe. They supported Yonder Mountain String Band for a leg of their summer tour in 2019, and played mainstage spots on festivals with bands (including but not limited to) Greensky Bluegrass, Railroad Earth, The Del McCoury Band, Billy Strings, Leftover Salmon, Tauk, The Wood Brothers, and shared the stage with the legendary Sam Bush as a guest.
The band’s roots go back to 2011 when founding members Ethan Bush, Zac Archuleta, and Stephen Jolly began writing together after becoming acquainted through mutual connections in the close-knit Fayetteville music scene. After a couple of years building a repertoire of original music and releasing their first album (Hambone) as a trio, they were joined by Tom Andersen on the upright bass and Adams Collins on the five-string banjo. The road-tested chops Andersen and Collins brought to the table helped to cultivate the mature, well-rounded sound needed to accommodate their sophomore release “All Day Long.”
An Arkansauce show is riddled with improvisational guitar, banjo, and mandolin leads, paired with powerful harmonies and heart-felt songwriting, all held together by deep foot-stompin' bass grooves. There’s an undeniably intimate connection between the band and their fans that's contagious and leaves everyone in front of, and on the stage wanting more. Arkansauce holds their head high, as they look forward to enjoying everything life and music has in store for them and their fans.

The Selfless Lovers are a piano-driven rock n' roll band from Austin, Texas. The group's original music draws on classic rock, soul, blues and southern rock influences. The Selfless Lovers are a must-see live act; showcasing an energized retro sound, fantastic musicianship and danceable original songs.

Drummer extraordinaire, Harrison ElDorado, fronts this improvosational groove that will have your mind and body vibing.

Twin Pages was just nominated Oustanding New Artist in 2021 and Oustinading Pop in 2022 at Omaha Entertainment Awards.
LISTEN: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNCYbbMpK4o

JoHoSoCo at the ZOO!
EARLY SHOW Saturday March 4.
5pm.
$10.

LISTEN: https://youtu.be/iyf2YfG50UU

Nightafter night at their live shows, Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal leave it all onthe table, bringing crowds palpably authentic music. This is a real workingband; music for the people, by the people. You hear the veracity in Hoyer’svoice. You hear the strife of a guitar amp being pushed to its limits. You hearkeyboards hammering notes home while emboldened horns soar over the top of arhythm section akin to a freight train. The raucous funk and smooth soulemanating from the stage dutifully pays homage to the past soul giants whilesimultaneously charging forward, piloting themselves into the modern era. Thisis soul music.                  

Rascal Martinez DEBUT at the ZOO!
Saturday March 4.
9pm.
$10.

LISTEN: https://youtu.be/Mhj6BaJi7QQ

Channeling a mix of Indie-Rock and Americana. Rascal Martinez is a singer/songwriter from Nebraska who connects with a soulful audience. Since a young age, Rascal always connected with people through his music ability and stories. Now he is connecting with a wide variety of audiences who can see themselves in his songs. Spending time on the road has enriched Rascal’s connection with people. He sees himself heartfelt with America but has also found an audience throughout the world - Brazil, UK, Canada, and Romania.

TICKETS: Tickets for Rev. Horton Heat | TicketWeb - Zoo Bar in Lincoln, US
Tickets are available online or in person at The Zoo.


REVEREND HORTON HEAT
“I’m afraid I’m on the Willie Nelson retirement program, which means I’ll never retire,” promises Jim Heath, sounding every inch a Texan. By day, Jim Heath is a mild-mannered musical historian well-versed in the birthing days of rock and roll. But when the sun goes down, he straps on his signature Gretsch 6120, steps up to the mic, and is transformed into REVEREND HORTON HEAT, a hellfire-spewing, rock and roll dare-demon. Jim’s tome is iconic: From recording with Lemmy Kilmister, being revered by country music legends like Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, touring with Soundgarden, ZZ Top, The Cramps, Social Distortion, White Zombie and the Sex Pistols.

SCOTT H BIRAM
He will still the room with haunting South Texas blues, then turn it upside down, into a truck driver's mosh pit. Like he says, it might be baptism, or it might be murder, either way…you gonna see the light.

Friday-March 10
5pm

Jarekus Singleton is a musical trailblazer with a bold vision for the future of the blues. Springing from the same Mississippi soil as Charley Patton, Muddy Waters and B.B. King, Singleton’s cutting-edge sound—equally rooted in rap, rock and blues traditions—is all his own. He melds hip-hop wordplay, rock energy and R&B grooves with contemporary and traditional blues, turning audiences of all ages into devoted fans. With his untamed guitar licks and strong, soulful voice effortlessly moving from ferocious and funky to slow and steamy to smoking hot, Singleton is a fresh, electrifying bluesman bursting at the seams with talent. Jarekus has quickly become a Zoo fan favorite.

Oddits Tour Kick Off!
9pm.
$8.

Alt Indie Rock originally from Blair, NE.
Kyle Thomas - guitar
Andrew Sorensen - bass
Adrian Choate - drums

FUNKY BOO GA LOO, BOOKER T. & THE MG'S, THE METERS, RARE GROOVES, GUITAR, BASS, ORGAN, DRUMS, GIT DO

Lucas Parker Band + Jessica Paige at ZOO Bar!
Saturday, March 11
9pm.
$10

LISTEN: https://youtu.be/qQQEDmDxYUU

Lucas Parker is a rock / fusion recording artist and session guitarist based out of Denver, CO and Kansas City, MO. His energetic stage performance and unique playing style has gathered and held the attention of concert goers and electric guitar enthusiasts in the Midwest live music scene for 10 years. Leading the Lucas Parker Band and as a member of Groovement and Jessica Paige, Lucas plays an average of 100-150 shows a year and has supported numerous acts including: George Clinton & P. Funk, Public Enemy, Andy Frasco, Marbin, Tauk, The Nth Power, The Motet and many more. Lucas has earned a reputation as one of the hardest working performing and recording guitarists in the area and his long history in the festival scene has yielded a loyal fanbase of music fans and party people alike. Lucas has appeared on NPR Tiny Desk with Tech N9ne, as well as having performed on stage with Joe Bonamassa, Warren Haynes, Nikki Glaspie, Benny Bloom, and many others. Lucas Parker’s debut LP 0 to 60 is scheduled for release in early 2022 and will feature bassist Stanley Sheldon of Frampton Comes Alive fame.

Mesonjixx  with DJ Hair Brain and Think Paint at ZOO!
Wednesday, March 15
6-9pm.
$15

LISTEN: https://youtu.be/B4pP4XZgQ9I

Mesonjixx is an artist who currently resides in Omaha. Her father is black American born and raised in the Alabama Ozarks and her mother is a South Pasifika islander from Honolulu. Mesonjixx is the middle child of five. While living in Chicago (2009-2014) she honed her songwriting and musical style. She’s since returned to Nebraska to find balance in her interconnected nature of her identities as a woman, as one who belongs to two diasporas of two hemispheres, and as a young black midwesterner who finds the plains of America her home.

Mesonjixx creates music to find her unique center. Soon after her performance debut in 2015, Mesonjixx has not only become a fixture of the Nebraska music scene, but has risen to the top of artists in the Midwest. Both as a solo artist and as a leader of a trio and quartet, which has drawn the most talented musicians of Nebraska. In 2017 Mesonjixx released the EP “In the Middle” recorded, mixed, and produced at Omaha’s Make Believe Studios. Her current trio, with keyboardist Nate Asad (f.k.a. INFNTLP of Omaha hip-hop duoBXTH) and percussionist John Evans, was selected to open for Kamasi Washington’s recent performance in Omaha, and was a returning festival favorite at this year’s True/False Independent Film festival in Columbia, Missouri. The trio’s most recent work includes arrangements of productions from Oddissee.Mesonjixx is an artist who currently resides in Omaha. Her father is black American born and raised in the Alabama Ozarks and her mother is a South Pasifika islander from Honolulu. Mesonjixx is the middle child of five. While living in Chicago (2009-2014) she honed her songwriting and musical style. She’s since returned to Nebraska to find balance in her interconnected nature of her identities as a woman, as one who belongs to two diasporas of two hemispheres, and as a young black midwesterner who finds the plains of America her home.

Mesonjixx creates music to find her unique center. Soon after her performance debut in 2015, Mesonjixx has not only become a fixture of the Nebraska music scene, but has risen to the top of artists in the Midwest. Both as a solo artist and as a leader of a trio and quartet, which has drawn the most talented musicians of Nebraska. In 2017 Mesonjixx released the EP “In the Middle” recorded, mixed, and produced at Omaha’s Make Believe Studios. Her current trio, with keyboardist Nate Asad (f.k.a. INFNTLP of Omaha hip-hop duoBXTH) and percussionist John Evans, was selected to open for Kamasi Washington’s recent performance in Omaha, and was a returning festival favorite at this year’s True/False Independent Film festival in Columbia, Missouri. The trio’s most recent work includes arrangements of productions from Oddissee.

Acoustic Americana and Bluegrass - featuring the vocals of father & son, Kelly McGovern (guitar) and Brian McGovern (mandolin). The McGovern String Band’s repertoire includes songs from a variety of genres with a Bluegrass style.  The band is anchored by Nebraska Performing Arts Hall of Fame bass player David Morris, and includes Lincoln Legend Steve “Fuzzy” Blazek on resonator guitar, and Daren Blythe who injects his innovative 5 string banjo talents. Their three- and four-part harmonies, combined with a percussive acoustic instrumentation, recall that legendary high lonesome sound of Bluegrass.

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ST PATTY'S WITH UNIVERSE CONTEST??!!!
9pm.
$10.

LISTEN: https://youtu.be/CzHYLRgh9zU

"Lincoln’s Universe Contest is a spastic indie rock band that has been threatening to break out into a full-scale indie music phenomenon for the last year. The question is more when will it happen rather than if it will. The band perfects theatricality in their live sets, while still delivering melodic precision. Modest Mouse is the usual comparison thrown Universe Contest’s way but there’s elements of the last decade’s best, messy indie pop acts in here. If you’re already inclined to liking acts like Tapes N Tapes or the Dismemberment Plan, you’ll find lots to like in Universe Contest." - Tim McMahan, Omaha Reader

" The search for the 'next big thing' is a frustrating exercise as old as rock music itself. Who will 'break through' to the 'next level' and make a 'big splash' on the national scene? Molded in a prog rock sound reminiscent of early Modest Mouse- and driven by a rabid fan base emanating from the Star City- Universe Contest is poised to be the next big thing. Let's leave it at that." - www.hearnebraska.org

“Arthur Mauseth designed and built a light rig to fit the Duffy’s stage and then cranked up the most impressive club light show I’ve seen since the Flaming Lips rolled through a decade ago. And the lights were perfectly fitted to UC’s post-modern rock which can be delicate and thundering, anthemic, herky jerky and melodic -- sometimes all in one song.” - L Kent Wolgamott, Lincoln Journal Star

"The quintet of guitarists/vocalists Tim Carr and Joe Humpal, drummer Brenton Neville, bassist Jon Dell and keyboardist John Freidel donned their halloween costumes early, called all their friends and put on what I’m calling the best rock ‘n’ roll show Lincoln has hosted in five years. Yeah, I said it. Where to begin?

Saturday Night Collective feat. Ether Saure, Wick O'Rya and Jonathan Leach
R&B/Soul/Pop 
Saturday March 18.
9pm.
$10.

LISTEN: https://youtu.be/ChjgOiyCemk

Evan Bartels returns to Lincoln!
Tuesday March 21
6-9pm.
$15adv/$18dos.

LISTEN: https://youtu.be/oHHB4m6_Gtw

TICKETS: https://www.ticketweb.com/event/evan-bartels-zoo-bar-tickets/12868665

Evan Bartels comes from a town of 100 people called Tobias. Found on a lone stretch of highway that cuts across the Nebraskan prairie, it’s a place that offers immeasurable freedom, while threatening a life of unanswered wanting. It was here the sentiment behind his work was forged.

JIG JAM
Wednesday, March 22.
6-9pm.
$12

LISTEN: https://youtu.be/UJ7QukgWs_E

When virtuoso Irish playing jumps the pond running naked through the wide open fields of bluegrass/Americana JigJam is born.
Bluegrass and American Folk music originated from their homes and now JigJam are here to take it back!

This Offaly and Tipperary born band have started The first wave of attack in the new Irish invasion of Americana with two new members from Glasgow injecting the magic of Scottish folk music!

‘Foot stomping’, ‘high energy’ and lots of badass is what you’re in for when you see this musical powerhouse live in concert.
Founding members from Offaly Jamie McKeogh (Lead singer and guitar) and Daithi Melia (5 String Banjo and Dobro) were joined by Tipperary born Gavin Strappe (Mandolin and Tenor Banjo) in 2016. This year they are joined by two Glasgow boys in Calum Morrison (Double Bass) and Danny Hunter (Fiddle) to make up this iGrass (Irish Bluegrass) quintet.

Described as ‘The best Irish band in bluegrass’ and ‘sparkling, infectious’ these lads have been hailed as ‘Ireland’s answer to New Grass Revival’

Bluegrass has it’s roots in Irish music and Irish immigration. iGrass and JigJam is what happens when the Irish find their prodigal son.