The Ridgways, Video Ranger and Plague Widow at Urban Outfitters

photos by Randy Edwards | words by Gabriella Martinez-Garro

Sounds of punk rock and clashing metal took over downtown Omaha’s Urban Outfitters for July’s First Thursday show.

As part of a collaborative series between Urban Outfitters and Hear Nebraska, Omaha punk bands Video Ranger and The Ridgways, and the Sacramento-based Plague Widow, played a free concert inside the clothing store. Whether to grab a free slice of pizza and beer or to check out the artists inside (or both), a large crowd gathered inside Urban Outfitters throughout the two-hour event.

Video Ranger’s 5-piece band opened the show with their double guitarists and trombonist Ian Fleming to deliver their garage punk tunes.

Omaha artist Carter Paulsen displayed his film photography and colorful, trippy artwork in the center of the store, and projected a video of skateboarding tricks onto four Hanes t-shirts behind the bands.

Clad in all black, Plague Widow performed garage metal until the evening ended with The Ridgways’ dark, pop-punk songs. People thrashed, bobbed their heads and lingered with friends long after the music had ended. See photos below.