[Lincoln Calling music festival rolls on Friday, Oct 7 with Real Estate, Cloud Nothings, Allen Stone, Adam Cayton-Holland and more. View our full festival guide here and purchase tickets here.]

[Editor’s note: View Friday coverage here, Saturday coverage here.]

In the run-up to his bumping, emphatically fiery Duffy’s Tavern back lot set Thursday, Domo Genesis was quite the opposite. He, like the hundreds of festivalgoers in attendance, was braving the first authentically seasonal evening of Nebraska fall, and like most of those who muttered under their instantly visible white breaths, he had a few choice words.

I ain’t even gone front it’s cold as shit lmao.

— Suavecito. (@DamierGenesis) October 6, 2016

Six hours later, the Inglewood-native rapper was dripping in sweat during his Lincoln Calling headlining set, unleashing an array of style both smooth and incisive. It whipped the crowd to a frenzy, bouncing along in rhythm on the wet gravel.

Domo’s reaction?

Goddamn Lincoln that was sick as fuck!! I’m stoked as shit! Inspired!

— Suavecito. (@DamierGenesis) October 7, 2016

Place however much or little stock in Tweets as you’d like, but there’s something undeniably satisfying about hearing such encouraging words from a small-market festival headliner. This year’s Lincoln Calling (presented by Allo Communications) was already going to be different: new production, more bands, wider physical and musical reach. Some reassurance goes a long way.

HN’s multimedia team captured night one in photos (and video, which can be viewed here). View it through their lens, which saw Domo Genesis, Icky Blossoms, Esme Patterson and much more.

Rothsteen plays the Duffy’s Tavern back lot | photo by Peter Barnes

Brendan Kelly (of the Lawrence Arms) plays solo set at The Bay | photo by Lauren Farris

Lincoln Calling festivalgoers check in outside Duffy’s Tavern on a cold, rainy 14th St | photo by Peter Barnes

A Ferocious Jungle Cat’s Ariel Sinha at Bodega’s Alley | photo by Peter Barnes

A Summer Better Than Yours at The Bay | photo by Peter Barnes

Zoolarious at Zoo Bar; counterclockwise from bottom left: Grant Parsons, Jordan Kleine, Ross Brockley, Ariel Sinha, Brad Stewart, Matt Cobbs, Cory Brewer, James Lindsey, Will Dougherty | photos by JP Davis

AZP’s Zachary Watkins at Duffy’s Tavern | photo by Tarah Dawdy

Gaelynn Lea plays violin at Vega | photo by Ingrid Holmquist

Walk By Sea at Duffy’s Tavern | photo by Tarah Dawdy

Conny Franko plays the Duffy’s Tavern back lot

The Ambulanters’ Sam Costello (left) and Jim Rhian at The Bay | photo by Lauren Farris

Singer/songwriter David Dondero performs Thursday night at Vega | photo by Ingrid Holmquist

Icky Blossoms’ Sara Bohling (left) and Derek Pressnall | photo by Lauren Farris

Simon Joyner and the Ghosts at Vega | photo by Ingrid Holmquist

Megafauna at Bodega’s Alley | photo by Connor Lepert

Heather Hottman of The Hottman Sisters at Duffy’s Tavern | photo by Tarah Dawdy

Ryan Chrys & The Rough Cuts at Zoo Bar | photo by JP Davis

Marah in the Mainsail at Bodega’s Alley | photo by Connor Lepert

Thirst Things First at Duffy’s Tavern

Laughing Falcon frontman Kevin Chasek at Duffy’s Tavern | photo by Tarah Dawdy

Esmé Patterson plays Vega | photo by Ingrid Holmquist

Domo Genesis plays the Duffy’s Tavern back lot stage | photo by Andrew Dickinson