By Marisa Dawson, Photos by Carlos Novais

Fans of ’90s rock will have the chance to see one of the era’s most recognizable bands take the stage Friday evening as Candlebox performs a free concert at The Astro Amphitheater in La Vista.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m., with the show beginning at 7:30 p.m. General admission is free on a first-come, first-served basis, while pit and table upgrades are available through The Astro’s website (see below).

Formed in Seattle in 1991, Candlebox quickly rose to prominence with the release of its self-titled debut album, which sold more than four million copies worldwide and produced hit songs including “Far Behind,” “You” and “Cover Me.” More than three decades later, lead singer Kevin Martin said the excitement of performing hasn’t faded.

“It’s seeing those smiling faces and hearing those people sing back to us,” Martin said. “It’s not going to the studio making records. It’s not getting on a tour bus. It’s not traveling across the country. It’s seeing those smiling faces every night.”

That connection with fans remains the driving force behind the band, especially as a new generation has begun discovering Candlebox’s music.

“We’ve started to kind of see this new younger crowd, which is amazing,” Martin said. “A lot of it has to do with parents bringing their children and the children bringing their children, and it makes it that much more special.”

For concertgoers attending their first Candlebox show, Martin promises an authentic performance.

“We’re not a band that’s, you know, playing by or painting by numbers,” he said. “It’s a live show. There’s no tracks. It’s us.”

While many bands rely on the same performance each night, Martin said Candlebox changes its setlist regularly, making every stop a little different. Before taking the stage, the members often spend time discussing upcoming shows, refining setlists and even squeezing in a little friendly competition.

“We play a lot of video game golf,” Martin joked.

Although the music industry has changed dramatically since the band’s breakthrough in the early 1990s, Martin said one of the biggest adjustments has been adapting to the modern world of social media and direct fan engagement.

“We’ve grown as artists, we’ve grown as musicians, we’ve grown as songwriters, we’ve grown as players,” he said. “And the biggest change, really, is just how you have to network with your audience now, which is not a bad thing.”

Martin also credits the musicians alongside him for helping keep Candlebox moving forward.

“I’m very lucky to have the guys playing with me that I have,” he said. “And it’s really nice to have Pete back, the original guitar player. That’s been pretty awesome.”

Omaha has long been a favorite stop for the band. Martin recalled years of performing in the area, visits to Homer’s Records, friendships that date back to the early 1990s and even his appreciation for the Midwest, where he spent part of his childhood growing up in Kansas.

“It’s always been a special place for Candlebox,” he said. “We’ve always had great shows there.”

Tonight’s concert is part of Candlebox’s “Can’t Quit You Tour” and The Astro’s Encore Summer Series. Be sure to check back with the Bennington Buzz to see photos from the show and more interview content from our conversation with Kevin Martin!

If You Go

Who: Candlebox

When: Friday, July 10

Doors: 6:30 p.m.

Show: 7:30 p.m.

Where: The Astro Amphitheater, 8302 City Centre Drive, La Vista

Admission: Free (first come, first served)

Upgrades: Pit and table upgrades are available at https://theastrotheater.com/event/candlebox/