Evandale. Annaliese, Dakøta
The Reverb Lounge, Omaha, Nebraska
July 17, 2026
Photos by Adam Tibbott
Words by Adam Tibbott, and Heather Clarke
Some nights are built around a tour. Others feel like a celebration. At Omaha’s Reverb Lounge, the co-headlining show featuring ANNALIESE and DAKØTA was unmistakably the latter.
Unfortunately, I missed Evandale’s opening set and arrived midway through ANNALIESE’s performance, but it didn’t take long to understand why the room was buzzing. The evening doubled as a celebration of her birthday and her newly signed recording deal, giving the show an unmistakable sense of optimism. Reverb Lounge was packed with friends, family, and what could only be described as Omaha’s extended music scene family. Familiar faces from Emphatic, Through Fire, LGHTBRNGR, and The Tale Untold filled the room in support, while members of Devil In the Details joined ANNALIESE on stage as her backing band. It felt less like an ordinary concert and more like a city coming together to celebrate one of its own. The crowd responded with enthusiasm as she blended heartfelt originals with an emotionaly upbeat cover of Story of the Year’s “Until the Day I Die,” a fitting choice that showcased both her vocal range and her connection with the audience.
As memorable as ANNALIESE’s set was, DAKØTA transformed the atmosphere entirely. Opening with “Sincerely” before weaving through fan favorites like “Lost Control,” “The Cycle,” “Strangers,” “Beneath My Skin,” and “Memories,” the Des Moines trio delivered a performance that was equal parts crushing and deeply human.
The emotional centerpiece came with “Strangers.” It’s a song about loss, something every one of us has experienced. Some songs are simply heard, but loss is felt, and DAKØTA turned that pain into something unforgettable. Rather than simply performing the song, Dakota Newcomb poured every piece of herself into it. When she smiled between those emotionally heavy moments, you could see the genuine joy and passion she has for creating music. It never felt rehearsed or manufactured; every moment felt honest. Then came the screams. Raw, visceral, and seemingly pulled from somewhere deep inside, Dakota’s primal vocals didn’t just hit your ears, they echoed somewhere much deeper, lingering long after the final note faded. It was the kind of performance that reminds you heavy music isn’t just about volume or aggression. At its best, it’s about giving emotion a voice when words alone aren’t enough.
By the end of the night, Reverb Lounge had hosted more than just another local show. It celebrated a rising artist reaching a major career milestone while showcasing another band whose emotional honesty continues to resonate with an ever growing audiences. ANNALIESE offered hope and celebration; DAKØTA delivered catharsis. Together, they made for an evening that lingered well beyond the last songs
