[Editor’s note: view Thursday coverage here, Friday coverage here.]
The Kickback had played 99 shows in 2016 before its appearance at Lincoln Calling, so many of us wanted to ensure it hit the century mark with a little celebration. Near the conclusion of the band’s Duffy’s Tavern indoor set, HN executive director Andrew Norman and Freakabout vocalist Cortney Kirby presented the Lincoln Calling veterans with a cake.
Being the eccentric, energetic frontman that he is, Billy Yost proceeded to smash it right there on stage, covering himself and his guitar in crimson frosting.
“I set a new low for the stupidest thing I’ve ever done on stage,” Yost said according to the Lincoln Journal Star.
Maybe the densest of the three-day weekend, Lincoln Calling’s Saturday night brought its fair share of memorable moments: No Thanks dousing itself in fake blood to start the night; The Mynabirds and High Up joining forces for a touching tribute to Charles Bradley, who was forced to cancel his headlining appearance after being diagnoses with stomach cancer; guitarist/bassist Sara Bertuldo (See Through Dresses, Anna McClellan) and drummers Jordy Elfers (Unmanned, Universe Contest) and Nate Van Fleet (Little Brazil, See Through Dresses) pulling double duty; legendary Lincoln punk act Sideshow’s impromptu reunion at The Bay; and much more.
See them below in our Saturday photo essay.
[Quick thanks to all the local sponsors who made this year’s festival possible, including Lincoln Convention & Visitors Bureau, Visit Nebraska, Lincoln Community Foundation, Nebraska Bank of Commerce, Union Bank & Trust,Pen-Link, Firespring, Omaha Steaks, Nebraska Lottery, Downtown Lincoln,Eagle Printing and Sign, Lincoln Industries, Assurity Life Insurance Company, Tetrad Property Group, Lee R Stuart Family Foundation, The Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel, Courtyard by Marriott Lincoln Downtown,Embassy Suites by Hilton Lincoln, Uber, Bulu Box, KZUM, 92.9 The Eagle (KTGL), KFRX, KIBZ, KZKX and The Daily Nebraskan.]
No Thanks vocalist Brendon Leahy, covered in fake blood, screams from the stagefront gravel during the Omaha band’s opening set Saturday at Duffy’s Tavern | photo by Lauren Farris
Once A Pawn vocalist/drummer C Balta does both at once during the band’s Saturday set at Duffy’s Tavern | photo by Lauren Farris
Bomb Shelter Radio’s Joshua Short sets up shop in Tower Square | photo by Lauren Farris
DJ Relic packs up after his opening set Saturday at The Bourbon | photo by Ingrid Holmquist
The Way Out opens The Bay’s Saturday night showcase at Lincoln Calling | photo by Tarah Dawdy
Little Brazil frontman Landon Hedges sings during the band’s Duffy’s Tavern indoor show | photo by Bridget McQuillan
Better Friend vocalist Meghan Munyon roars during the band’s Saturday back lot set at Duffy’s Tavern | photo by Lauren Farris
Anna Gebhardt (Annalibera) performs a solo set at The Bay Saturday for Lincoln Calling | photo by Tarah Dawdy
High Up vocalist Christine Fink points to the sky during the band’s Saturday set at The Bourbon | photo by Ingrid Holmquist
Bien Fang bassist/vocalist Courtney Morrow in the Duffy’s Tavern back lot | photo by Lauren Farris
The latest iteration of Mesonjixx (from left: Myles Jasnowski, Nate Asad aka INFNTLP, Mary Lawson) after its set at The Bay | photo by Tarah Dawdy
Josh Hoyer belts it out during Soul Colossal’s set at The Bourbon | photo by Ingrid Holmquist
Mad Dog & the 20/20’s plays to a packed Bodega’s Alley Saturday at Lincoln Calling | photo by Connor Lepert
Domestica rocks The Bay Saturday night for Lincoln Calling | photo by Tarah Dawdy
The Bottle Tops open the music Saturday at Zoo Bar | photo by Matt Mejstrik
Cake Eater spins a DJ set at Bodega’s Alley | photo by Connor Lepert
See Through Dresses plays the Duffy’s Tavern back lot; bassist Sara Bertuldo (left) pulled double duty, heading to The Bay later that night to play with Anna McClellan, with whom she toured the west coast in the weeks prior | photo by Lauren Farris
Anna McClellan and her band (from left: Jim Schroeder, McClellan, Daniel Ocanto, Bertuldo) play their first show back in Nebraska following a west-coast tour | photo by Tarah Dawdy
Red Cities performs inside Duffy’s Tavern | photo by Bridget McQuillan
Laura Burhenn (The Mynabirds) pays tribute to Charles Bradley, whom she replaced as Saturday night headliner following the soul singer’s stomach cancer diagnosis | photo by Ingrid Holmquist
Screaming Females performs in the Duffy’s Tavern back lot Saturday | photo by Lauren Farris
HN Executive Director Andrew Norman (left) and FREAKABOUT vocalist/Duffy’s booking agent Cortney Kirby present The Kickback with a cake celebrating the Chicago band’s 100th show of 2016 | photo by Bridget McQuillan
The Kickback’s Billy Yost destroys the cake, spreads it all over himself and the ground | photo by Bridget McQuillan
The Kickback’s Billy Yost | photo by Bridget McQuillan
Ceremony headlines the Duffy’s Tavern back lot show Saturday for Lincoln Calling | photo by Lauren Farris
Chrissy & Hawely perform Saturday at Bodega’s Alley | photo by Connor Lepert
No Thanks’ Brandon Leahy (left) and guitarist Michael Huber in the 14th & P parking garage on Saturday during Lincoln Calling | photo by Lauren Farris
Lloyd McCarter & the Honky Tonk revival close Lincoln Calling at Zoo Bar | photo by Matt Mejstrik
Universe Contest closes the two-stage Duffy’s Tavern show Saturday at Lincoln Calling | photo by Bridget McQuillan
In Vessel Live tradition, the post-show dance party in the Duffy’s Tavern back lot | photo by Lauren Farris