Omaha's 6th Annual Shadow Ridge Music Festival Made September 6th Unforgettable

6J9A9086 — O.A.R. on the stage at Shadow Ridge Music Festival on Friday, September 6, 2024. [Photo credit: Dean Birkheimer]

DEAN BIRKHEIMER | Go Venue Magazine

With 60,000 square feet and a 60-foot stage, the Shadow Ridge Music Festival has more than enough room for the fans as well as the performers. The set-up is perfect as the stage boasts two massive LED video screens for those who prefer to be in the back. For those who want to be a part of the action, the standing room general admission is directly in front of the stage. There is also reserved seating, VIP lounges, a food truck village with open seating, multiple bars, merchandise tents, and over 60 restrooms throughout the venue. Overall, it is an exceptionally organized event.

The Shadow Ridge Music Festival started back in 2018 with Big Head Todd and the Monsters as the main attraction. Big Head Todd and the Monsters return but this time in a supporting role. For the 6th edition of the festival, multi-platinum selling band O.A.R. would headline a bill of bands that would be the pride of any venue. A portion of every ticket sold goes to the Lane Thomas Foundation. The money will go to families of children in need of life-saving transplants.

Forming in 1995 in Ames, Iowa, The Nadas were, as Playboy magazine said in 2001, “The Best College Band You’ve Never Heard Of”. Today, and especially in Nebraska and Iowa, The Nadas are as popular as a Runza or a loose meat sandwich. They are members of the Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame but that honor did not go to their heads as according to their Spotify profile, they are out there swinging for the fences, driving the van and carrying their own instruments. The band creates a hypnotic sound with meaningful lyrics that meets somewhere between Mumford and Sons and John Prine.

The gates opened at 5 p.m. and The Nadas start time was 5:15 p.m. When they hit the stage, there may have been more photographers than the fans. It wasn’t long, however, that the bands’ music drew everyone to the stage in a hurry. By the 3rd or 4th song, hundreds of fans were filling the general admission area. The Nadas let us know from the start that this was going to be an incredibly fun night.

The Freddy Jones Band took the stage next. According to a 1992 interview, then guitarist Wayne Healy stated the band name was “inspired by a big fat comic strip character named Freddy. No matter, after all, wasn’t it Shakespeare who wrote “What’s in a name?” This four-piece band performed a killer set that had the Shadow Ridge crowd standing, singing and dancing. Fans of all ages were mesmerized by the fellas on stage. The guitar work was perfection as it filled the open air venue. The set was energetic and strong. The set’s high points included “One World” and closed with the break-out hit “In A Daydream.” After 30 years, the song is still a piece of impeccable sound. The band as a whole are quality musicians who sincerely had fun on the stage.

This may have been the only time anyone from Colorado would be cheered this weekend in Nebraska, as the big College Football game on Saturday would have the Huskers hosting the Buffalos. Hailing from Boulder, Colorado, Big Head Todd and the Monsters who recently released their 12th studio album, Her Way Out, and their first release in seven years, put on a show that saw them leave it all on stage. Highlights included a cover of Looking Glasses hit, “Brandy”. No other band is quite like BHT&TM. Their sound infuses several genres of music, including funk, punk, jangle pop and blues. Their musicianship is stellar and really showcased itself during “Bittersweet” and the final song of the set, “Highway Star.” Yes, the same “Highway Star” from Deep Purple. That last song had me flashing back to my late teens cruising the strip in my 73 LeMans. The entire set was masterfully crafted and gave us all a show that will live forever in our minds.

Of A Revolution, or as they more commonly known, O.A.R. was tonight’s closers. What a way to end a festival. From “I Go Through” to “That Was a Crazy Game of Poker”, the entire set was a joy to see and hear. This band has set a high standard of excellence that other bands can only wish to achieve. Every member is superb at what they do, and it’s obvious they do it for the pleasure it brings them and their fans. There is a special connection between O.A.R. fans and the band. A connection that has grown even more since the band formation in Maryland back in 1996. The sound that O.A.R. emits is spectacular. As clean a sound as you can get, that simply energized the 5,000 plus in attendance. This wasn’t just your normal show, it was an outdoor party that had us all grooving. It was an exhilarating experience, and those of you who were there know exactly what I’m talking about. If you can, please see these guys.

Now, a quick word about Shadow Ridge and it’s people. I’ve covered this festival every year and I need to tell you that these guys and gals are the most accommodating people that I’ve come across. From the ticket takers to the ushers. Everyone is always welcoming and smiling. Even President Steven Shanahan of Shadow Ridge Country Club and his wife Linda Shanahan, who happened upon me while I was waiting for my credentials, personally reached out to see if I was being taken care of or needed anything. From the President to the important clean-up crew, everyone at Shadow Ridge should be proud of their festival and the happiness it brings to anyone who attends.