Headliners Charli XCX, Best Coast, Angel Olsen top Lincoln Calling’s first-wave lineup announcement

Boom. Clap. The first wave Lincoln Calling lineup is here and we’re pleased to present some big names.

Charli XCX, Best Coast, Angel Olsen, and Charles Bradley and his Extraordinaires headline this year’s downtown Lincoln Festival (which you’ve seen by now if you follow any of our social channels) Sept 28-30, presented by Allo Communications and produced by nonprofits Hear Nebraska and The Bay. The lineup also features Frankie Cosmos, Pup, (Sandy) Alex G, John Moreland, Kemba, Julie Byrne, Flint Eastwood, Wand, Cakes Da Killa, Cayetana, CupcakKe, Future Punx, and Navy Gangs.

Yesterday’s announcement — which took place at Duffy’s Tavern and included the re-launch of LincolnCalling.com — was the first of more to come throughout the summer. Musical performances will take place in at least 8 indoor and outdoor venues across downtown Lincoln, including The Bay, Bourbon Theatre, Zoo Bar, Duffy’s Tavern (indoor & backlot), Bodega’s, 1867 Bar, and in our Night Market.

Watch the lineup reveal video — directed by Harrison Martin — below:

The 14th-annual Lincoln Calling features much more than just a great musical lineup, with innovation-related community programming Sept. 24-30. That includes YP Week, Startup Week, Make Lincoln (maker’s fair), workshops, a three-day skateboarding contest at The Bay, and a women’s wellness event. This year’s focus on innovation seeks to celebrate young professionals, DIY-ers, and burgeoning entrepreneurs, all the while inspiring new ideas to stimulate community growth.

It all happens throughout the week and Thursday through Saturday at the festival’s aforementioned night market, which is a new addition with the help of Lincoln Young Professionals Group. It takes place on a closed-down 14th St between O and P Streets and will feature artists, vendors and a live local music stage.

Lincoln Calling is committed to environmental sustainability. In partnership with Carson+Co Global and Lincoln Mayor Chris Beutler’s Office, and with support from dozens of volunteers as well as venue collaboration, Lincoln Calling 2016 captured 1.25 tons of recycled materials from venues over three days, as well as offering a special bus route to encourage mass transit.

Again, this is just the first of more to come. Check out the new website here and get to know the festival artists with our Spotify playlist here.

General admission, three-day passes are now on-sale for $59. Additional options include the VIP “SPEED!” pass — which includes a variety of amenities and grants fast passage into venues — and a limited number of day and venue passes, which will be announced later this summer.

Buy festival passes here.

Lincoln Calling is presented by Allo and produced by Hear Nebraska and The Bay. It’s made possible by support from Lincoln Convention & Visitor’s Bureau, Downtown Lincoln Association, Nebraska Bank of Commerce, Omaha Steaks, Nebraska Lottery, Whole Foods, Eagle Printing & Sign and many other fine community organizations.

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Photo coverage: CJ Mills, The Morbs, Emily Bass & the Near Miracle at Duffy’s Tavern

Following last night’s lineup announcement party, CJ Mills, The Morbs and Emily Bass & the Near Miracle played the Duffy’s Tavern indoor stage. HN multimedia intern Connor Lepert got the shots, which can be seen below.

CJ Mills

The Morbs

Emily Bass & the Near Miracle

Photos by Connor Lepert

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Concert Round-up

There’s a ton going on in shows this weekend, and we picked a few below. See a fuller listing here and tell us where you’re headed in the comments. As always, our inbox is open: email news tips, story ideas and suggestions/comments to news@hearnebraska.org.

Friday

Ojai, Pleiades & the Bear, Kristen Taylor at O’Leaver’s – Omaha indie rock band Ojai releases its sophomore LP On The Mend tonight at the Club. The Michael Hulstein-led project dropped the video for lead single “All I Can Ask” in late March; watch it below. 9:30 p.m., $5, RSVP here.

FiFi NoNo, Vampyre, Oozer at Brothers Lounge – Omaha hardcore punk band FiFi NoNo plays its first show tonight, alongside Austin, Texas bands Vampyre and Oozer. FiFi NoNo released its first pair of tracks today via its Bandcamp page. Listen below. 9 p.m., $5, 21-plus, RSVP here.

Saturday

McCarthy Trenching with High Up at the 1200 Club – Omaha folk duo McCarthy Trenching plays a special show at the Holland Center’s intimate 1200 Club. Our former managing editor/current contributor Chance Solem-Pfeifer caught up with Dan McCarthy earlier in the week to talk about his early start writing lyrical music, his Scott Joplin deep-dive and to run through a lightning round of questions. Read the interview here. Omaha indie/soul band High Up opens the show. 8 p.m., $15, RSVP here.

Serengeti, Ceschi, Chisme, Hakim, M Shah at Duffy’s Tavern – Chicago-based indie rapper Serengeti comes to Lincoln with New Haven rappers Ceschi and Chisme. Serengeti has worked prolifically since his debut LP in 2003, his most recent record, Testarossa, with WHY?’s Yoni Wolff. Ceschi Ramos is the founder of New Haven-based independent label Fake Four Inc.  Locals M Shah and Hakim open the show. 8 p.m., $8, 21-plus, RSVP here.

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