Don’t Kid Me: A Comedy Night for Reproductive Rights
All proceeds to benefit NEAR – Nebraska Abortion Resources. www.neabortionresources.org
The Motet
Formed over two decades ago, the funk six-piece The Motethave learned to work as an interlocking unit, with each member bolstering one another towards the best creative output. This symbiosis has led to a unique style and cohesive musical chemistry, as seen in the band’s immaculate live performances and seamless blend of funk, soul, jazz, and rock. With a fervent fanbase in tow, The Motet have sold out shows across the nation, performed seven headlining slots at Red Rocks and sets at festivals such as Bonnaroo, Bottlerock, Electric Forest, Bumbershoot, Summer Camp, and High Sierra. But even after their 20+ years of accolades and recognition, the legendary outfit -composed of Dave Watts(drums), Garrett Sayers(bass), Drew Sayers(keys and saxophone), Ryan Jalbert(guitar), and Sarah Clarke(vocals)-are still exploring new sonic ideas and finding new ways to showcase each other’s skill sets.
Wic Whitney
Are you gay? Do you believe in god? Are you mysteriously attracted to humanoid cartoon animals? Well, Wic Whitney answered yes to two of those questions. Hi, my name’s Jadè, I’m Wic Whitney’s dying house plant. 2025 was a busy year for Wic, opening for the Nicotine Dolls on two separate cross-country tours, headlining his first tour in the summer and dropping his first full length project “Foolhardy” in the Fall. All of which went exceedingly well, or so he told me while putting the finishing touches on his grandmother’s casserole (see below). His eclectic genre-full combination of hip-hop, folk, and funk is held together by his soulful vocals and thoughtful lyricism that entices the listener to take a breath and be present in whatever feeling life is throwing their way. He’s also a sensational lay. With a heart that doctors call “too large”, Wic puts his whole foot into the unique charismatic sound he creates, and it shows in both his live performance and his online presence. Amassing hundreds of thousands of followers and millions of views and streams there’s just something about this grey eyed dandy with sleep apnea that people like. In 2026, Wic started strong with a show at Chicago’s famous Lincoln Hall and will be performing at Chicago Pride Fest before hitting the road for his headlining tour in July. As a plant, I need three things to live : sunlight, water, and feel-good music. Wic Whitney gives me exactly two of those things. If I’m not alive in the coming months may life be merciful to you and may Wic Whitney have gained another fan. Mona’s Chicken Dorito Casserole • 2 1/2 cups diced chicken • 1 1/2 cups chicken broth • 1 can cream of mushroom soup • 1 can cream of chicken soup • 1 (4oz.) can chopped green chilles • 1 lb bag Cheddar cheese, grated • 1 (8 oz) Doritos, crushed Mix all ingredients except Doritos and cheese. Cover bottom of greased 13×9 inch baking dish with 1 cup chips. Layer in order: 1/2 chicken mixture, 1/3 cheese. Top with chips and remaining cheese. Bake at 350° for 45 minutes.
Criteria Record Release Show
Saturn Ascends: A Tool Live Tribute Experience
Omaha, it has been several years since we have seen this now legendary show, but it is finally returning for one night only at The Waiting Room Lounge. The phenom known as Saturn Ascends makes their triumphant return to their Omaha home to once again bring you the show that thousands of fans have come to know and love and heralded as one of the very best tribute shows in the Midwest. This is by far one of the most in demand and requested shows that we host. It doesn’t matter if you close your eyes and just listen or watch the spectacle taking place on stage. You will swear you are watching and hearing the real thing. Please get your tickets on Etix ASAP as this show always sells out in advance. We look forward to making the pieces fit with you one more time!
The Body
The Body is a prolific musical force whose creativity is matched only by the astonishing weight of their sound. Duo Lee Buford and Chip King have established their own musical language that reimagines how rhythm, dynamics, and sonics can shape or dismantle song structure. Over the course of two decades, the duo has consistently challenged assumptions and defied categorization, redefining what it means to be a heavy band. On their new album, The Body are again pushing limits and testing the boundaries of the studio to explore the extremes and microtonality of distortion to find its maximal impact. I’ve Seen All I Need To See is The Body at their most incisively bleak, a towering monolith of noise. I’ve Seen All I Need To See marks both a return and departure for The Body. In contrast to the electronic-centric instrumentation and production-heavy arrangements of previous albums and Buford’s work in Sightless Pit, this album is focused on their core live sound: Buford’s booming, resolute drums paired with King’s obliterated guitar and howl. Following albums with extensive guest performances and acclaimed collaborations with Thou, Uniform, Full of Hell, and more, I’ve Seen All I Need To See is almost entirely the core duo. Guests vocalist/pianist Chrissy Wolpert and vocalist Ben Eberle are used very sparingly. Course, bristling distortion contorts every instrument, with samples of spoken word, cymbals, toms and King’s already noxious tone emerging from layers of feedback. The myriad of tonal interplays, captured in detail, has a movement all its own. The Body, together with engineer Seth Manchester of Machines With Magnets, capture the complexities of distorted sound in stunning detail. The clarity and the cacophony exceed anything they’ve created before, morphing desolate, festering soundscapes into an exhilarating sonic universe.
Spitalfield
Kurt Vile And The Violators
Released in God’s year of 2026, the 250th anniversary of the founding of America in Kurt Vile’s fine city of Philadelphia, Philadelphia’s been good to me finds one of our nation’s greatest songwriters staking a claim on his hometown. “This is my ‘bringing it all back home to Philly’ record,” Vile says. “I’m treating it like my last one. I put everything into it. It’s my best vocal record. It’s my best electric guitar record. It’s my most organic record, made in the comfort of my own zone.” Largely self-produced, with assists from Adam Langellotti, keys wiz Matthew Jugenheimer, drummer Kyle Spence, guitarist Jesse Trbovrich, and longtime Violators boardsman Rob Schnapf, the record embodies Vile’s understanding of music as a conversation between people across time and space. The title track is an ode to his hometown that doubles as an homage to Tom Petty’s homage to California. The barn-burning “Chance to Bleed” features guest spots from Memphis OGs Natalie Hoffman and Greg Cartwright but boasts a music video proudly shot at the Philly venue Kung Fu Necktime and features a cameo by local legend Schoolly D. “You Don’t Know Cuz It’s My Life” is Kurt’s take on a stadium anthem, building up to a laid-back yet triumphant chant of “I’m from Phil-a-del-phiaaaaaaah!” that you can imagine a crowd of Eagles fans screaming along to, Twisted Teas pointed towards the heavens. Make no mistake: Philadelphia’s been good to me is the sound of Philly’s constant hitmaker coming back to kick ass, son the haters, and put on for the City of Brotherly Love — and in true Kurt Vile fashion, doing so while sounding more relaxed than ever. Between the 250th anniversary of America and its hosting of select World Cup games, 2026 is shaping up to be a big deal for Philadelphia. “And then there’s one other thing,” Vile says. “I gotta be that third thing. Because I am Philadelphia. I gotta own it. I gotta rise to the occasion.”
Night Moves
Secret Weapon Turns 21!
Secret weapon. They’re back. It’s been a year since their super fun 20th bash celebration — don’t miss this official coming of age party!