“OMAHA! The last time I was here was in 1967. It was a little different then, but the people are warm as ever,” exclaimed Roger Daltrey once he too the stage last Friday night for the Memorial Park concert.
The annual concert and fireworks show has been a staple event for the Omaha community for over four decades. Always a free event, thanks to sponsors, it has showcased highly notable artists and bands like Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, The Temptations, The Beach Boys, REO Speedwagon, and Smash Mouth.
This year, Omaha was treated to a show from The Who’s founder and lead singer, Roger Daltrey and an opening act from Dublin band, Inhaler.
Omaha took over Memorial park for the night, with the crowd spread all the way from the bridge across Dodge street to the monuments and Embracing Peace Statue.
Many made a day out of it, setting up their territory with their blankets and chairs, some even bringing full living room coffee tables and furniture.
Before the show began, screens, made possible by KPAO Public Television, featured videos of local bands, a tradition to shine a spotlight on talent from the Omaha Metro area.
Fans of Inhaler travelled to come see their opening performance, some from out of state. “No way you are all from Nebraska! I was thinking we don’t have that many fans in Nebraska,” Inhaler frontman, Elijah Hewson, admitted to the audience between songs. Hewson is the son of U2’s frontman, Bono, a fact that connected the band to the Gen X audience members while Inhaler’s typical fanbase is primarily Gen Z.
Inhaler played through their hits, including “Cheer Up Baby” and “My Honest Face.” Once their set was concluded, they joined the audience and sat in folding chairs on Memorial Park’s grass like the rest of Omaha to watch Roger Daltrey take the stage.
From the initial moment Daltrey came out, to when he and his band played their final song while fireworks filled the sky, the crowd was fully engaged, waving The Who flags, holding up signs, and interacting with Daltrey as he answered some audience questions.
Daltrey and his electric/acoustic band had almost as much fun as the audience as they each soloed and connected with each other.
Fans got the chance to scream their lungs out for “Won’t Get Fooled Again” and dance with their loved ones under the stars to all their favorite hits and some special covers Daltrey sang to highlight other artists.
Even though Omaha is a tad bit different from the last time Daltrey gifted us a concert, Omaha was as ready as ever for it. Friday was another year of the Memorial Park concert that won’t be forgotten quickly, if ever.
To learn more visit memorialparkconcert.com.
