Three Nights, Three Genres: Concert Weekend Showcases the Variety of the Omaha Metro Music Scene

4–5 minutes

By Marisa Dawson
Photo Credit-
Of Monsters & Men: Nick Scofield
Halestorm: Marisa Dawson
Mammoth: Nick Scofield

Close-up of a musician's hands playing a bright green electric guitar, featuring a skull ring on one hand.

From indie folk beneath a colorful Iowa sunset to hard-hitting rock performances in La Vista, last week’s concert lineup proved there was something for every music fan. Over the course of three nights, audiences packed Harrah’s Stir Cove and The Astro Theater for performances by Of Monsters and Men, Halestorm and Mammoth, each delivering a distinctly different experience while highlighting the depth of today’s live music scene.

Of Monsters and Men Bring Icelandic Charm to Stir Cove

A band performing on stage with a vibrant green backdrop and illuminated spotlights, while a crowd enjoys the live music.

The weekend began Tuesday, July 14, as Icelandic indie folk favorites Of Monsters and Men brought their Mouse Parade Tour to Harrah’s Stir Cove in Council Bluffs. Known for blending soaring harmonies, folk instrumentation and anthemic choruses, the band has built a devoted following since breaking through with the global hit “Little Talks.” Their current tour also highlights newer material, including songs from The Mouse Parade.

A performer on stage with arms outstretched, wearing a blue shirt and a black skirt, with a ribbon award attached. A musician with an acoustic guitar is positioned to the left, and the backdrop features large studio lights and umbrellas.
A singer-songwriter performs passionately on stage, holding an acoustic guitar and singing into a microphone, with a colorful background of windows.

Opening the evening was August Ponthier, an indie pop artist from Allen, Texas. Performing with a minimalist two-person setup, Ponthier’s songs carried a quiet intimacy, feeling less like traditional performances and more like pages pulled from a personal journal. Her music explored themes of heartbreak, love and moving forward after difficult relationships, creating a gentle atmosphere before the night’s headliner.

As fans of all ages filtered into Stir Cove, anticipation steadily built. With the sun setting behind the Omaha skyline, the venue provided a picturesque backdrop as Of Monsters and Men took the stage.

A band performing on stage, featuring four musicians: one with an acoustic guitar, one on electric guitar, a female vocalist with an electric guitar, and another on bass. The backdrop includes decorative umbrellas and stage lights.
A male musician playing a bass guitar on stage, wearing a striped shirt and black pants, with a fan and stage lights in the background.
A musician performing on stage with a guitar, wearing a ruffled skirt and standing in front of a microphone, with decorative umbrellas in the background and stage lights illuminating the scene.
A live music performance featuring a band on stage, with four members playing various instruments, including guitars and keyboards, under stage lights during an outdoor event.
A musician performing on stage, wearing a white t-shirt with blue lettering and a cap, singing into a microphone while playing an acoustic guitar.
Musician playing a Nord Electro 6HP keyboard on stage, wearing a cap and glasses, with a microphone in front of him and colorful lighting in the background.
A female musician is performing on stage with an acoustic guitar, surrounded by colorful stage lights and sound equipment. A male guitarist stands nearby, partially visible.
A male musician playing a black bass guitar on stage, with blue lighting and decorative lanterns in the background.
A black and white image of two musicians performing on stage. One is a man playing an acoustic guitar and singing, while the other is a woman with an acoustic guitar, also singing. They are surrounded by stage equipment and soft lighting.

One of the band’s greatest strengths throughout the evening was its versatility. One song invited the audience to dance, while the next encouraged quiet reflection. The lighting design evolved with each mood, perfectly complementing the emotional shifts in the music.

Fans enthusiastically sang along to favorites including “Little Talks,” while newer songs such as “Television Love” and the encore “Fruit Bat” were embraced just as warmly, demonstrating how seamlessly the band’s latest material fits alongside its beloved classics.

Halestorm Delivers Another High-Energy Performance

A large crowd of concert attendees with raised hands, enjoying a live performance under a clear sky.
A crowd at a concert with hands raised in a rock gesture, while a performer is on stage in the background.

The energy shifted dramatically Thursday night as Grammy-winning hard rock band Halestorm took over The Astro.

Kurt Deimer opened the show with a classic hard rock sound that proved to be a natural fit for the evening. His set quickly energized the audience and created a seamless transition into Halestorm’s performance.

A musician performing on stage, wearing sunglasses and a black cowboy hat. He is holding a microphone and wearing a stylish outfit with multiple bracelets and rings.
A guitarist with long hair performing on stage, playing a bright blue electric guitar during a live music event.
A musician with a thick beard passionately playing an electric bass guitar on stage, with a focused expression and wind-blown hair.
A drummer performing on stage, playing a drum kit with a clear drum shield, wearing an ear monitor and looking focused.
A musician playing an electric guitar on stage, with long, flowing hair and tattoos visible on his arms.

From the moment the band stepped on stage, Halestorm delivered the powerful live show fans have come to expect. Frontwoman Lzzy Hale commanded the room with her unmistakable vocals and commanding stage presence, effortlessly balancing blistering rock anthems with slower, emotionally driven performances.

A musician passionately performing on stage, wearing a black leopard-print outfit and playing a red electric guitar.
A female guitarist performing on stage, wearing a leopard print outfit and playing a red guitar, with a microphone in front and a colorful backdrop.

The setlist blended longtime fan favorites with newer material from the band’s recent catalog, keeping the show fresh while giving longtime listeners plenty to celebrate.

One of the night’s biggest highlights came during drummer Arejay Hale’s solo. After showcasing his speed and technical skill behind the kit, he finished the performance using oversized drumsticks, drawing one of the louder ovations of the evening.

A shirtless drummer energetically playing a bright green drum set on stage, surrounded by instruments and lighting effects.

From start to finish, Halestorm’s performance was energetic, polished and entertaining, reinforcing why the band remains one of rock’s premier live acts.

A musician performing on stage, playing an electric guitar, wearing sunglasses and a sleeveless top, with a backdrop of smoke and lights.
A group of concertgoers at an outdoor event, with one young person holding a pride flag, while others cheer and display excitement.
A musician with long hair passionately playing a bright green electric guitar on stage.

Mammoth Shows Wolfgang Van Halen Has Forged His Own Path

The weekend concluded Friday night as Mammoth returned to The Astro on The End Tour. Led by Wolfgang Van Halen, the project has steadily established itself as one of modern rock’s most respected acts, with Wolfgang writing, performing and recording nearly every instrument on the studio albums while showcasing his versatility on stage.

Canadian rock band Big Wreck opened the evening with songs from its latest album, The Rest of the Story. Their signature guitar-driven sound and exceptional musicianship immediately impressed the crowd, with soaring solos earning enthusiastic applause throughout the set.

A live band performance featuring four musicians on stage, with a large backdrop displaying the words 'BIG WRECK' and a cartoon-like drawing of a bird.
A male guitarist passionately performing on stage with a red electric guitar, microphone in front, under vibrant green stage lights.
A bassist performing energetically on stage, with a large 'BIG WET' backdrop and musical equipment in the background.
A musician performing on stage in front of a large screen displaying the text 'BIG WRECK' with a cartoon character illustration.

That momentum carried directly into Mammoth’s performance.

Wolfgang Van Halen demonstrated his musical versatility throughout the night, seamlessly moving between guitar, keyboards and vocals while leading the band through material from its newest album, The End. Songs including “The Spell,” “Epiphany,” “Happy” and the title track translated exceptionally well to the live setting, with fans already singing along to many of the choruses.

The emotional centerpiece of the evening came during “Distance,” the heartfelt tribute to Wolfgang’s late father, Eddie Van Halen. The song brought a more reflective moment to an otherwise high-energy performance and showcased the emotional depth that has become a hallmark of Mammoth’s music.

A musician performing on stage with a yellow guitar, singing into a microphone, surrounded by colorful stage lights.

Rather than relying solely on his famous last name, Wolfgang continues to carve out his own identity as a songwriter and performer. Mammoth’s blend of modern rock, technical musicianship and genuine emotion has helped the band stand confidently on its own while respectfully honoring the legacy that inspired it.

Whether audiences preferred indie folk, hard rock or modern arena rock, last week’s concerts offered memorable performances across the metro. While each show featured a different sound and atmosphere, all three shared the same ingredients that make live music special: talented musicians, engaged crowds and performances that left fans already looking forward to the next show.

A guitarist performing live on stage, raising one hand while playing an electric guitar, with colorful lights and a band member in the background.
Musician playing a yellow electric guitar on stage with red lighting.
A musician performing on stage, playing a bass guitar, with dramatic lighting in shades of red and shadows. Another band member is visible in the background.
Drummer performing on stage with colorful psychedelic background lights.
A musician performing on stage, playing a guitar. The artist has curly hair, wears a leather jacket, and stands under stage lights, with a focus on their passionate expression and dynamic pose.
A musical performance on stage with a band playing in front of a large audience. The background features vibrant visual effects, including abstract images and colorful lighting.

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