On Friday, September 6, the 6th annual Shadow Ridge Music Festival will bring the perfect summertime jam band lineup to West Omaha. This year’s headliner, platinum selling band O.A.R. is widely regarded as one of the best live acts around, having sold out shows at the country’s most prestigious venues including Madison Square Garden and Red Rocks Amphitheater. They also have a special tie to Omaha with their hit song “This Town,” which serves as the official song of the College World Series.
“O.A.R. has built one of the most committed fanbases in the country because of the popularity of their live shows” said festival founder Justin Shanahan. “I have been trying to book them as our headliner since 2019, and I am really excited we finally were able to bring them here. I feel like they are the perfect fit for the Shadow Ridge Music Festival.” Joining O.A.R. is Colorado’s own Big Head Todd & The Monsters, who headlined the first ever Shadow Ridge Music Festival. “Big Head Todd has been one of my favorite bands since I was 16 years old, and they were the ones to get this whole thing started,” Shanahan said. “They are the first and only band we’ve ever invited back, and it will be awesome to have them play our festival again.”
The Freddy Jones Band, a roots rock band out of Chicago, and Iowa legends The Nadas will open the show. “I am not sure we’ve ever had as cohesive a lineup as this,” Shanahan said. “It is the perfect, late summer, outdoor show.”
In addition to great music and cold beverages, Shanahan shared that a dozen local restaurants and food trucks will be on hand for festival goers to enjoy. “Great food is important, and we always include local food trucks that represent Omaha’s diverse culinary scene. We have some great additions this year that festival goers will love.”
Once again, the Shadow Ridge Music Festival has partnered with the Lane Thomas Foundation, founded locally by Matt and Melissa Graves, and a portion of every ticket sold will go to supporting families of children in need of life-saving transplants.
“It is important to me that our Music Festival has a bigger purpose in our community, and by supporting the Lane Thomas Foundation, we are making a positive impact beyond just entertaining people.” Shanahan said. I encourage everyone to visit LaneThomas.org and learn about the incredible work Matt and Melissa are doing to support these families who are facing incredible adversity.”
With nearly 6,000 in attendance last year, the Shadow Ridge Music Festival was one of the largest paid outdoor concerts in Omaha in 2023, securing its place on the map as West Omaha’s premier concert event of the summer and the current, longest running major Omaha Music Festival. Shanahan added, “We were the second longest running behind MAHA Music Festival, and when it didn’t return this year, we took over as the longest running Omaha Music Festival. I am proud of what we’ve built, and I look forward to another great show this September.”