photo by Underground Image
video and words by Jacob Frese
Omaha. Lincoln. Ames. Eureka Springs. Lawrence. Kansas City. Minneapolis. St. Paul. These places are the focal points of a burgeoning scene; not just in Nebraska, but across the Midwest. The major label execs might not know it, but there's a lot more going on in "flyover country" than meets the eye.
Just a quick drive down I-29, Kansas has a lot in common with its northern neighbor. Rowdy rock clubs. Up-and-coming record labels. And most importantly, a dynamic community of musicians with serious talent. United by more than mere geographic locality, Nebraska and Kansas feature many bastions of culture amidst a landscape of silos and cornfields.
I've spent a lot of time in Nebraska frequenting live music staples in Omaha and Lincoln. As a longtime fan of both scenes, I wanted to share some of the best venues in the area with my northern neighbors, including (but not limited to): the dives, the local speakeasy staples, the places where the music lives.
Although less than half the size of Lincoln, Lawrence has been a cultural epicenter for generations. Never afraid to make stand against the status quo (it was burned to the ground by slavery advocates during the Civil War), Lawrence has remained a blue dot in a sea of red for decades. There is a lot to love about Lawrence, from the downtown just off the river to the fledgling warehouse district further east. More than just a university town, Lawrence is a safe haven for artists of all types.
Kansas City is another place steeped in history. Known for its barbeque, jazz and fountains, Kansas City has been called "the Paris of the Plains" for its rich culture and abundance of boulevards (second only to Paris — in boulevard count, at least).
As for The Replay Lounge, what makes a music venue special? It's more than just putting found objects on the walls to create a false sense of history. What a makes a venue special is an intangible quality — not something that is constructed, but earned over decades of existence.
When you walk into The Replay Lounge in Lawrence on a lazy Sunday afternoon, the psychedelic street art of TM2 emblazoned on the walls and the intoxicating aroma of cheeseburgers filling your nose, you know you're in some kind of live music heaven. This is not a place trying to be something else, but rather, a place that simply is what it is. That is to say, something very special indeed.
Originally opened in 1993 as an arcade/burger stand, The Replay has cultivated an aura of authenticity other so-called dive bars could only dream of. In a town full of great venues, The Replay is the gold standard. Home to a record label as well as shows, it's a place where townies, scenesters and college kids all live in perfect harmony. To live music fans in Lawrence, The Replay Lounge is the place to be on a Saturday night. Featuring a beer garden, live music and pinball, The Replay is a must-visit for out-of-towners. Although the venue is modestly sized, you'll find simultaneous live acts on the patio and inside on most weekends. The Replay quickly fills to capacity even on the ugliest winter nights, thanks to the generously heated patio. As long as you are willing to overlook the the frequently … let's say, less-than-clean, bathrooms, you will find yourself in one of the most unique music venues in all of the Midwest.
Free State Folk is a video dispatch spotlighting music venues in the state of Kansas. From bluegrassers to punksters, from hipsters to folksters, the Free State has it covered. The bands featured in this video are Oils, The Ready Brothers and Maw.
Jacob Frese is a Kansas City-based contributor for Hear Nebraska. He is a longtime supporter of music in Nebraska and Kansas. Reach him via HN's managing editor at chancesp@hearnebraska.org.