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University of Nebraska, Omaha
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| Venues |
 The Slowdown
729 N 14th St.
The 640-person capacity Slowdown has been open almost a year now and recently survived a scare (economically, at least) when the Omaha City Council voted not to enact a ban on all-ages shows at venues that serve alcohol. Built from scratch by the duo that owns Saddle Creek Records, this indie hot-spot located just north of downtown Omaha has hosted some of the most popular mid-sized concerts in town since its first day of business. Lauded for its impeccable sound system, The Slowdown has played host to local favorites like Bright Eyes, Cursive and Neva Dinova, but also is the place to be when bands such as The Black Keys, They Might Be Giants or Silversun Pickups roll through town.
 The Waiting Room
6212 Maple St.
Another newer local venue run by a noteworthy duo, this Benson neighborhood fixture is run by the guys behind One Percent Productions, the most productive music promotions company in Nebraska. A little smaller in size than the Slowdown, maxing out at about 300 people, the Waiting Room plays host to live music almost every day of the week. Again, indie rock is this venue's bread and butter, but the Waiting Room also showcases metal, hip-hop, alt-country and blues acts. On nights when music isn't on the slate, patrons can still try their hand at Wii bowling, “Guitar Hero” or karaoke with a live band.
 O'Leavers Pub
1322 S Saddle Creek Rd.
Perhaps the smallest of Omaha's dependable music venues, O'Leavers Pub can fit about 50 patrons before the place becomes a packed house. Popular with bands because of its "bands drink free tap beer" policy, it’s a venue that acts often play their first time coming through Omaha to get their feet wet before tackling larger venues like the Sokol Underground or the Waiting Room. Okkervil River, Thunderbirds Are Now! and Summerbirds in the Cellar are a few of the traveling bands that have performed at the Saddle Creek Road haunt. Locally, bands like Cursive, Neva Dinova and Simon Joyner have been known to drop in to practice new songs in front of an intimate audience before taking them out on the road.
 P.S. Collective
6056 Maple St.
Located inside of the Pizza Shoppe in the heart of the Benson neighborhood, this full-time restaurant and part-time venue (with a show capacity of about 100) is popular with the all-ages crowds. Up-and-coming bands like Capgun Coup, Flowers Forever and UUVVWWZ often play shows on the weekends for less than $5 if not for free, and the family atmosphere provides a great location for parents who are comfortable with their kids seeing live music in a non-bar setting. The walls are filled with works by local artists, creating a comfortable ambiance for all.
 Sokol Auditorium
2234 S. 13 St.
The Sokol Auditorium is run as a full-time gymnasium and used to house a bowling alley in its basement. These days, gymnasts can still be found within the building’s confines most days, but after dark, the speakers often come out as the venue hosts concerts both on the main level and in the basement, depending on the size of the show. The auditorium is the perfect size for the biggest of the Saddle Creek bands, but recently has hosted fewer shows, as newer venues like the Waiting Room and the Slowdown bring in more talent to play. -Jeremy Buckley
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This section's contents are produced entirely by student journalists, brought to Billboard.com by UWIRE, the leading provider of student-generated content. UWIRE aims to identify and promote the brightest young content creators and deliver their work to a larger audience via professional media partners such as Billboard.com. Visit UWIRE.com to learn more. |
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This town profile was produced entirely by student journalists from The Daily Nebraskan, the leading news source for the University of Nebraska community. You can learn more about the individual student contributors by visiting their profiles on UWIRE.com:
Text: Jeremy Buckley
Photo: Sean Welch
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