The magic of a music festival often crystallizes in a single, powerful moment: the reveal of the lineup. For music lovers in the Midwest and beyond, the unveiling of the MAHA Festival’s 2023 roster was one such moment. It wasn’t just a list of names; it was a statement. In a post-pandemic world where festivals compete with colossal, genre-spanning giants, MAHA curated a lineup that was intentional, artistically rich, and perfectly balanced between raw, emotional power and infectious indie charm. Headlined by the visceral hardcore energy of Turnstile and the intricate folk-rock poetry of Big Thief, the 2023 festival was a masterclass in curation. Looking back, it’s clear this wasn’t just a collection of popular artists; it was a carefully woven tapestry of sound that defined the summer for thousands of attendees in Omaha’s Stinson Park.
At the pinnacle of the bill were two bands that, on the surface, seem worlds apart, yet share a core of uncompromising authenticity. Turnstile, the Friday night headliner, brought a tidal wave of energy that was nothing short of revolutionary. Their 2021 album, GLOW ON, had catapulted them from hardcore scene legends to global phenomenons, nominated for three Grammys. Their music defies easy categorization, blending blistering hardcore punk with dreamy synth-pop, groovy funk, and Latin rhythms. Seeing them live in 2023 was witnessing a band at the absolute peak of their powers. Their performance wasn’t just a concert; it was a physical, communal experience. Frontman Brendan Yates commands the stage with an electrifying presence, encouraging a constant flow of energy between the band and the audience. For MAHA, booking Turnstile was a bold move that paid off immensely. It signaled that the festival was in touch with the pulse of modern rock music, where genre boundaries are not just blurred but obliterated. The crowd’s reaction—a swirling, joyous pit of fans from all walks of life—was a testament to the band’s unifying power.
On Saturday, the atmosphere shifted with headliner Big Thief. Where Turnstile offered explosive catharsis, Big Thief provided an introspective, deeply emotional journey. Led by the captivating Adrianne Lenker, the band’s performance was a study in dynamics, moving seamlessly from hushed, delicate folk melodies to sprawling, noisy guitar squalls. Touring in support of their monumental 2022 double album, Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You, their set was filled with moments of profound beauty and raw vulnerability. Lenker’s songwriting is the heart of the band—her lyrics are poetic, personal, and often heart-wrenching, yet they resonate with universal truths about love, loss, and the search for meaning. The band—Buck Meek on guitar, Max Oleartchik on bass, and James Krivchenia on drums—operates as a single, intuitive entity, their chemistry palpable on stage. To watch them at MAHA was to be invited into their world, to feel every crack in Lenker’s voice and every soaring guitar solo. Placing them as the final act was a perfect choice, leaving the audience with a sense of quiet contemplation and emotional fulfillment.
Beyond the headliners, the 2023 lineup was stacked with an incredible undercard that solidified its legendary status. The Canadian indie-pop heroes Alvvays were a massive draw. With their critically acclaimed 2022 album Blue Rev, they brought a perfect blend of dreamy, jangle-pop and shoegaze-inflected noise. Songs like “Archie, Marry Me” are modern classics, but their newer material showcased a band pushing its sound into exciting, more complex territory. Their set was a sun-drenched, feel-good moment, a perfect counterpoint to some of the heavier acts on the bill.
Sharing a similar wavelength were New Zealand’s The Beths. Known for their witty, anxious, and incredibly catchy power-pop, the band delivered a set brimming with high-energy hooks and harmonies. Frontwoman Elizabeth Stokes has a remarkable talent for turning neuroses and self-doubt into anthemic rock songs. Their performance was a blast of pure, unadulterated fun, proving that clever songwriting and powerful guitar riffs are a timeless combination. For many, the one-two punch of The Beths followed by Alvvays was an indie-pop dream come true.
But the festival’s curation also highlighted the new wave of artists shaping the future. EKKSTACY, the Vancouver-based post-punk prodigy, brought a darker, more melancholic energy. His sound, which pulls from early goth rock and new wave, resonated deeply with a younger audience, offering a space for introspection amidst the festival’s more upbeat moments. Similarly, Los Angeles-based songwriter IAN SWEET delivered a set of fuzzy, emotionally charged indie rock. Jilian Medford’s music is confessional and cathartic, exploring complex feelings with a raw, unfiltered honesty that was both captivating and powerful.
MAHA 2023 wasn’t just about rock, however. The inclusion of the Omaha-based hip-hop collective J. Crum & The Daj Crew was a vital nod to the local scene, providing a platform for homegrown talent to shine on the biggest stage. Their performance was dynamic and soulful, showcasing the incredible depth of artistry within the city. This commitment to local music is a cornerstone of MAHA’s identity, reminding everyone that a great festival is as much about celebrating community as it is about bringing in national acts.
Ultimately, the MAHA Festival 2023 lineup was a triumph of vision. It was a bold, diverse, and cohesive collection of artists who, each in their own way, represented the pinnacle of their craft. From the hardcore fury of Turnstile to the tender poetry of Big Thief, and all the brilliant shades in between, the festival offered a complete emotional and musical spectrum. It was a weekend that celebrated authenticity, challenged genre conventions, and left an indelible mark on everyone lucky enough to be there.
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