Jake Bellows performs tonight at Slowdown Jr.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

Kevin Coffey yesterday got the scoop on this year’s “Loessfest” at River’s Edge Park. Maybe they should rename it Lostfest because the way they’re using that amazing park is a real loss (Get it?) for folks who live on either side of the river.

This year’s “big” concert — Three Dog Night, The Guess Who and Loverboy May 25. Wow. I thought Omaha’s Memorial Park concert featuring Blues Traveller and Smashmouth couldn’t be beat for all-out craptacular-ness, but once again Council Bluffs and its gambling money trumps us all.

No, I’m not surprised by the lackluster line-up. Well, maybe just a little. When River’s Edge Park launched last year I thought the venue might be a game-changer, especially after they announced that it would host the Playing with Fire Concert Series featuring Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings. Even though Jones and Co. ended up cancelling due to medical reasons, there was hope that someone calling the shots might be a little more, let’s say ‘progressive’ then what we’ve come to expect from organizers of large free park concerts (i.e., Memorial Park). Instead, here we are with three dinosaur acts that would fit right in playing Stir’s county fair concert series…

It’s a shame because River’s Edge Park would have been the perfect location for a massive, quality outdoor concert series akin to the Maha Festival. I guess it’s a Loess cause…

* * *

Tonight at Slowdown Jr. it’s the return of Omaha ex-pat Jake Bellows. Jake’s been on the road supporting his 2013 Saddle Creek release New Ocean. Joining him is the incomparable McCarthy Trenching. $8, 9 p.m.

Also tonight, local legend Dereck Higgins performs at MarQ Manner’s Library Pub Wednesday night songwriters’ series. Joining him is Dave Mainelli. 8 p.m. and FREE.

* * *

Read Tim McMahan’s blog daily at Lazy-i.com — an online music magazine that includes feature interviews, reviews and news. The focus is on the national indie music scene with a special emphasis on the best original bands in the Omaha area. Copyright © 2014 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.