Two rock legends, Skillet & Seether, returned to Omaha with up-and-comers Royale Lynn for 89.7 The River’s annual show “River Riot”. Both headlining acts have toured through Omaha numerous times over the years but this was their first appearance at one of Omaha’s newest premiere venues, Astro Amphitheater. While October outdoor shows can wrestle with risky weather conditions, it was warm and clear, setting the tone for a perfect evening for one of the year's last outdoor concerts.
89.7 The River's "River Riot" has been a staple of Omaha’s rock scene for years, bringing together a mix of rock and metal bands every summer. What started as a local radio station event has grown into one of the area’s most anticipated music festivals, hosting acts such as Alice in Chains, Korn, Shinedown, & Halestorm. I recall seeing numerous up-and-coming bands and iconic rock stars share the stage for this event.
Royale Lynn kicked off the night with high energy from the jump. I was confused when I looked this group up before the show as all their music online was country, but they brought a rock show on par with both headliners on the tour package. It was cool to hear their story about getting 10 years of rejections after moving to Nashville before landing a major tour with two bands like Seether and Skillet, who they grew up listening to. It’s funny how female rock vocalists generally try to avoid comparisons to Amy Lee and Hayley Williams, but vocalist Royale Lynn leaned into it, even stating she intentionally wrote songs she wanted to sound like Evanescence. They had a different sound than the other bands but felt like a great way to start the show. If they keep up the performance they brought to River Riot, I’m sure we’ll be seeing a lot more of them on the tour circuit soon!
Seether followed, and things took a turn for the heavier. The momentum picked up in the crowd as well. The band wasted no time diving into their deep, grungy riffs but any Seether fan knows the star of the show is front-man Shawn Morgan’s, raspy voice. I love that a band touring on a new album opened up the show with 3 classics, “Gasoline”, “Fine Again”, & “Broken”. They continued their set, playing a mixture of older tunes spending their entire discography as well as new tracks off their recent release, The Surface Seems So Far. From the photo pit to the back of the amphitheater, it was amazing to see fans echoing every lyric he sang, especially during “Remedy,” which lit up the whole amphitheater. It was really cool to see them back on this line-up as they were one of my first big rock shows back at River Riot 2008, performing alongside Staind, 3 Doors Down, & Finger Eleven.
Finally, Skillet stormed the stage, and the energy hit another level. I was pleasantly surprised at how much energy this band still brings to the stage after all these years. Between the cyro-blasts, the crowd jumping in sync, the famous risers for the violin player, and the incredible vocals from John Cooper, it was clear the band hadn't lost their touch. I don’t mean to keep tying everything back to my past experiences but this show was super nostalgic for me. The one and only time I’ve seen Skillet, I saw them play in the Spencer, Iowa High School Gymnasium when I was about 15. I’ve always loved the way the band blends hard rock with symphonic touches but still manages to keep the crowd moving their whole set.
Although I miss the days when River Riot was an all-day event the audience definitely got their money’s worth. This was such a well-rounded show with great weather, great music, and great fans alike to share the experience with. The audience clearly got what they came for but just enough that they were still left wanting more.
