Charles Bradley headlines this year’s Lincoln Calling Festival.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

If you are an Omaha music fan, you’d have to be living off the grid (or lost on a Pokemon-fueled dumb-rush) to not know that Hear Nebraska released the list of primary artists for this year’s Lincoln Calling festival.

Heading up the 100+ list of musicians (and comedians?) performing on eight Lincoln stages Oct. 6-8 are Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaires, Real Estate, Kali Uchis and Cloud Nothings. With my indie-focused music myopia, I had no idea who Charles Bradley was, and quickly discovered he’s currently signed to Daptone (which also releases music by Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings and The Budos Band).  I did know (of course) Real Estate and Cloud Nothings. And someone described Kali Uchis to me as “Columbia’s Lana Del Rey.” No doubt this first tier shows how broadly LC is casting a net for its audience.

The next tier is more indie-centric: Twin Peaks, Ceremony, Screaming Females, Allan Kingdom (Peanut Butter Prince), White Mystery and Icky Blossoms. I think all of these have played in Nebraska before (and recently).

Smaller-font bands include Esmé Patterson (who’s playing at Reverb in August), Megafauna, a reunion of local faves Neva Dinova (who saw Jake Bellows on TV the other night backing up M Ward?), David Dondero, Simon Joyner, A Giant Dog, Gosh Pith, The Kickback, HIDE, Twinsmith, Shy Boys, Modern Vices, Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal, See Through Dresses, The Architects, Plack Blague, Uh Bones, Conny Franko (a.k.a. Conchance), Both, Bib, Cory Call (Arliss Nancy), Echo Beds, Lloyd McCarter and Little Brazil.

The press release says this is “the initial line-up,” so expect even more names, but these are the big ones. Early-bird and “later bird” tickets are gone. General admission 3-day passes are $49. Being from Omaha, I won’t be driving to Lincoln for three days, so I’ll be strategically picking my one day to make the trek. I’d have to look long and hard at that one-day schedule to see if it’s worth $50. On the other hand, one-day tickets might available, maybe… This festival could conceivably sell out. Certainly that’s Hear Nebraska’s goal…

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A Go Fund Me campaign has been set up to help cover funeral expenses for the family of Frank Maxwell, who passed away this week. For decades, Frank and his brothers, Kelly and Danny, have played important roles in the Omaha music scene, which is still in shock from his unexpected loss. Click this link and open your wallet and remember the good times…

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Tonight at Milk Run, Connecticut indie band The Most headlines. The band just released its latest album, At Once. Check it out below. Also on the bill are Trevor Rothanzl and Doom Lagoon. $5, 9 p.m.

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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 © 2016 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.