Sleep Theory Brings The Afterglow Tour to Lincoln, NE

June 12, 2025 Robert Chadwick Concert Reviews Comments Off

PAM WHISENHUNT | Go Venue Magazine

Sleep Theory’s The Afterglow Tour converged on the Bourbon Theatre in Lincoln, NE June 10, 2025. The buzz before the show was that people were surprised by the huge crowd; like Sleep Theory was their secret band. Well, the secrets out. Sleep Theory’s first headlining tour has been a blowout success, packing houses and selling out shows. If the Bourbon Theatre wasn’t sold out, it was close. Sleep Theory filled the bill with great friends and talented musicians in bands Stray View, Oxymorrons and Nevertel.

Stray View a metalcore band out of Dallas, Texas opened the show. Stray View had tons of energy. Frontman Dave Escamilla really wanted to get a pit going, he was very persistent. I think he got a small one going, but the crowd wasn’t really feeling it yet. Escamilla gave ‘em a pep talk asking for “everything you’ve got”. The crowd did get jumping and waived their hand back and forth. Stray View did a great job getting the crowd pumped. I thought they’d be a tough act to follow. Then Oxymorrons took the stage.

Oxymorrons a rap rock band hailing from Queens, New York came out swinging, literally jumping and swinging. They really connected with the audience, keeping them hyped up. They also took time to acknowledged the kids in the crowd. The crowd was really into the band feeding off their energy. The only real pause in the action was when there were some technical issues with Jafe Paulino’s guitar, stating it wasn’t the first time and won’t be the last. It took a while to get back on track. The issue got fixed but set time must have been about up. The crowd wanted more chanting “Let them play! Let them play!”. Oxymorrons wrapped up the set with “Justice”.

Nevertel out of Tampa, Florida was direct support for the night. They must have drawn some fans to the show because they were raging and singing along throughout the set. They kept the energy going interacting with the masses. Nevertel closed out their set playing their newest release “Criminal”.

Finally, what the fans were waiting for. Sleep Theory took the stage nugging out the first part of their set with barely taking time to breath. They played a full 19 song set playing everything off the Afterglow album with a few additions including “Another Way”, “It’s Over” and three covers “Can You Stand the Rain” by Boyz II Men, “Bye, Bye, Bye” by NSYNC and “My Heart” by Paramore.

Cullen Moore (lead vocals) took time to call out a few people that let a crowd surfer fall on his skull. He checked to make sure everything was alright but said they’re gonna keep pushing unless someone’s seriously injured. Moore commented, if it feels we are moving along and not talking, it’s because we’re not here to preach, we’re here to perform. Moore did take some time to tell us about what a privilege it is to be touring with some of their best friends and that it’s made for a very special tour.

Sleep Theory wrapped up the night telling the crowd not to ask for an encore, ‘cause they don’t have one. Moore told them it’s the last song, so get all your energy out. The crowd did just that, leaving the Bourbon Theatre with the song “Static” reverberating in their heads.

Thanks to 104.1 the Blaze for reeling in this monster show and giving Lincoln a reason to get out and rock on a Tuesday night.