The Good Living Tour ends on emotional high note
[The 2017 Good Living Tour is presented by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development with generous support from Peter Kiewit Foundation, Humanities Nebraska, Nebraska Cultural Endowment, Nebraska Community Foundation, Pinnacle Bank, Nebraska Loves Public Schools, Union Pacific, The Center for Rural Affairs, and the Nebraska Arts Council.]
A small group of children gathered in front of the Brickyard Park amphitheater stage Saturday afternoon, in the waning minutes of Hastings’ Good Living Tour concert. In the tour’s final performance, AZP was its usually boisterous, crowd-pleasing self and, in response, many who had sat back on the complex’s grass berm came forward.
The Lincoln hip-hop/rock band did not waste the moment, bringing most of those young music fans up onto the stage for its closing song, “Save Yourself.” Sheer joyfulness ensued as band and youthful audience sang and clapped together. Kids jumped up and down with their hands in the air. Some in the stands appeared tearful.
AZP’s spontaneous gesture punctuated the Good Living Tour by aiding one of its chief goals — inspiring the next generation of Nebraska musicians. Not only were those kids privy to a variety of genres through the six-band bill that included the huge, dramatic R&B of Dominique Morgan & the Experience; the drawling indie rock of Oquoa; and the angelic folk of Andrea von Kampen. They were made part of the action, taking it in from a different point of view and, hopefully, on the way toward starting bands of their own.
One cannot know who will comprise the next generation of Nebraska music, but the Good Living Tour’s final weekend was graced by some of the best of the current one. On Friday, Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal and Jocelyn — both having recently appeared on talent search competitions The Voice and Undercover Boss, respectively — incited the Lyons crowd to dance along to their infectious grooves and engage with their bright stage presence. Ted & Alice Miller enchanted under the moonlight with earnest, acoustic songs about love, friendship and crying. The small northeastern Nebraska community got a taste of “tractor punk” as Wagon Blasters sped through a loud, buzzing opening set.
The following day, tour ended in Hastings, but not before AZP anchored a hefty set. The concert — part of Hastings’ ctiy-wide, eclipse-hyping SolFest — saw singer/songwriters Samuel Scott McCumber and Andrea von Kampen give intimate performances to the vast park grounds. Oquoa and Miwi La Lupa cruised through their sets; the former rang loudly with keys and horns and Max Holmqust’s siren voice, the latter churning out well-crafted rock songs. The one-two punch of Morgan & Co and AZP was as emotional and memorable an ending to the Good Living Tour as anyone could have hoped.
None of the Good Living Tour could have happened with the Nebraska music community and those willing to support original artists. Thanks to every single band that played and everyone who turned out to see them. Thanks to every statewide and community sponsor who threw their name behind it. Thanks to every volunteer who helped pair these concerts with community-driven activities, food trucks, beer gardens and more. Thanks to Hear Nebraska’s entire ass-kicking Good Living Tour staff for producing, promoting and documenting every bit of it. We cannot wait for next year.
Below, see photos from the end of the 2017 Good Living Tour.
Lyons
Wagon Blasters
Jocelyn
Ted & Alice Miller
Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal
photos by Lauren Farris
Hastings
Samuel Scott McCumber
Oquoa
Andrea von Kampen
Miwi La Lupa
Dominique Morgan & the Experience
AZP
Photos by Lauren Farris
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Concert Round-Up
One quick note: This Friday’s Hear Lincoln concert, presented by Hear Nebraska and KZUM, has been moved from Tower Square to Black Circle Records, 9th & O. I Forgot To Love My Father and one yet-to-be-determined act will perform atop the record store’s roof from 5-7 p.m. RSVP here.
Plan for your week in concerts with our statewide event guide here. Add events, band profiles and venue listings by using the “contribute” feature here. Send all news tips, story ideas and HN Radio song submissions to news@hearnebraska.org.