A signal that something extraordinary was about to happen resounded through the opening note of The Red Pears concert at Omaha’s Reverb Lounge on Oct. 12. This show was a full-on garage-rock revival that had the audience hooked from start to finish.
The High Curbs kicked off the night by instantly energizing the crowd. Their gritty garage rock set—with standout tracks like “Want,” “Always on My Mind,” and the Spanish-language gem “Besos”—won everyone over immediately, and lead singer Ed Moreno prompted loud cheers of support from Spanish speakers in the audience.
Ultra Q followed with a lively punk-infused set, showcasing songs like “Waiting” and “Gror” from their latest album, Empty Eddy. Lead singer Jakob Danger’s commanding stage presence, combined with the energy of the entire band, had all eyes fixed on them. New fans in the audience were anything but subtle in expressing their admiration.
With the atmosphere already charged and the crowd eager for more, The Red Pears wasted no time in reigniting that energy as they took the stage themselves and launched into their opener, the familiar “Didn’t Realize.” The crowd knew every word, and bounced along to every beat. For the next hour, that excitement never wavered.
The trio of Henry Vargas (vocals/guitar), Jose Corona (drums), and Patrick Juarez (bass), played a tight, exhilarating set that spanned old favorites and new tracks from their latest album, Better Late Than Never, hardly taking a moment to catch their breath between songs.
The highest-energy point of the show came in the middle of the set, with “House of Mirrors” showcasing Vargas’ vocals. This led into a particularly lively sequence of “Hello-Sin-Nation,” “Run ’N’ Hide,” and “Not in the Cards,” reaching peak excitement during “Beach Song,” where a mini mosh pit broke out in the center of the crowd. Despite the lighthearted pushing and shoving, the mood was nothing but fun and good-natured.
Corona, seated behind the drums, was a force throughout the night, his powerful playing driving the momentum forward. His interactions with the other members as they traded smiles and laughs highlighted the bond that makes The Red Pears’ live shows so engaging. Juarez, who kept his black sunglasses on for the entire show, exuded a calm, cool confidence, his basslines pulsing through the crowd as the perfect complement to Vargas’ vocals.
The trio was supported by friends Albert and Luis onstage throughout the show, with Albert taking the lead on guitar and delivering several standout moments, while Luis brought his own flair and energy into the mix. The five of them amplified each other’s strengths for an overall electrifying night.
The pace slowed down with “Tired,” a personal favorite that stood out for its raw emotion and beautiful ballad feel, followed by “Away,” another fan-favorite that had the crowd singing every word. Before launching into “Away,” Vargas teased that they had only two songs left, prompting fans to yell out their last-minute requests. The band smiled and even acknowledged several suggestions, embracing the personal connection with the audience.
The set closed with “Daylight/Moonlight,” with the crowd joining in for a massive sing-along during the final moments. But the show wasn’t quite over. As half the crowd shouted “encore!” and the other half yelled “otra!” (another), The Red Pears huddled by Corona’s drum kit before launching into the fast-paced number “Time Bomb.” The familiar chord progression of the song immediately sent the crowd into another happy mosh pit, the band giving their all for a garage-rock finale that left everyone on a high note.
Throughout the show, The Red Pears remained true to their roots, sounding impressively close to their studio recordings with a distinct live energy. Their ability to engage with the crowd extended beyond the music, with moments of playfulness as they posed for fans taking selfies from the crowd and engaged with concert-goers after the set.
As fans slowly made their way to the exits, many still chatting with the band members, there was a lingering buzz in the air—proof that The Red Pears had delivered something special. With smiles and merch in hand, the crowd left Reverb Lounge knowing that garage-rock is far from fading. It’s thriving in the hands of this trio.
For more information about The Red Pears, visit theredpears.com.