HN announces fifth annual Take Cover concert; Dolores Diaz and the Standby Club to play O’Leaver’s; TKO hosts ‘Best of Omaha’ hip-hop showcase

HN announces fifth annual Take Cover concert

If you’ve ever wanted to hear your favorite local act cover their favorite Nebraska song, that time of year quickly approaches.

Hear Nebraska has announced its fifth annual Take Cover concert in both Lincoln and Omaha. This year, we’re featuring a total of 37 full-band set ups, each playing one original song and one cover of another Nebraska artist in Take Cover tradition. In the past, the concert staged mostly solo artists or singer/songwriter setups.

Zoo Bar will host Take Cover Lincoln Saturday, Jan. 23 show, with both an early 6 p.m. show and a later 9 p.m. show (RSVP here). The Omaha concert is at O’Leaver’s on Saturday, Jan. 30 at 9 p.m. (RSVP here). Tickets are $10, and all proceeds benefit HN’s paid internship program (which we’re excited to roll out in 2016).

Stay tuned to our news section for lineup announcements.

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Dolores Diaz and the Standby Club to play O’Leaver’s

O’Leaver’s has announced that country cover band/Omaha supergroup Dolores Diaz and the Standby Club will play the venue January 3. The band’s lineup includes Dolores Diaz, Matt Maginn of Cursive, Dan McCarthy, Ben Brodin, Phil Schaffart of Con Dios, Miwi La Lupa, Roger Lewis of The Good Life/Oquoa, Mike Mogis of Bright Eyes and Conor Oberst. Scottish/American songwriter Johnathan Rice will open the show.

The announcement, made Tuesday evening, is the first news of Oberst’s return to the stage since Desaparecidos was forced to cancel the remainder of its fall tour. That band announced that its frontman had fallen ill on Oct. 28.

RSVP to the show here, and probably get your tickets quickly.

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TKO hosts ‘Best of Omaha’ hip-hop showcase

Omaha rapper TKO aims to showcase the city’s best talent in a new concert series.

“Best Of Omaha, Vol. 1” launches tonight at The Waiting Room, with the goal of reaching new fans and national acts with talent in the city’s hip-hop scene. TKO himself will perform along with King Iso, 20 Grand, J Shah, Greco and Nugz (RSVP here).

TKO (who prefers to go by his stage name) says that he wants to give talent the proper stage and performance time to “effectively present their brand.” He plans to hold similar showcases every couple of months, and is already planning Volume 2.

In addition, he aims to clear some preconceived notions about hip-hop.

Hip hop is frowned upon in many circles, a large portion of hip hop fans are unaware of some of the talent out here and fear these shows because of the genres nature,” TKO says. “I want to help change all of that.”

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Concert Round-Up

Nebraska Hardcore is looking to brighten the Christmas season for kids in need.

Tonight, the organization teams with Lookout Lounge to host “See Nebraska Give,” a charity concert and toy drive to benefit Omaha’s Open Door Mission. Seven bands will play the benefit, including Bent Life, Purgatory, Cordial Spew, The Ridgeways, Third Eye Merchants, Kovacs and Time Cat. The show is free with donation of a new or lightly used toy, or $5. All money collected will be donated. RSVP to the 6 p.m. show here.

As always, head to our statewide calendar at hearnebraska.org/events for a full listing of this week’s shows. If you do not see your show or one you plan to attend, email us at news@hearnebraska.org, or add it yourself. And keep those song submissions, story ideas and news tips coming.