Dogstar, The Backfires!
All In Now Tour
Steelhouse, Omaha, Nebraska
August 31, 2026
Words and photos by Adam Tibbott
Some concerts announce themselves with a roar. Others build gradually throughout the evening until the entire room is invested in the experience. Dogstar’s stop at Steelhouse Omaha on August 31st fell squarely into the latter category.
For longtime concertgoers in Omaha, the evening offered something of a novelty before a single note was played. Steelhouse’s floor, which typically accommodates a standing audience, was transformed into a reserved seating layout. It was the first time I’ve personally seen the venue configured this way, and while the setup certainly provided comfort, it initially created a subdued atmosphere that felt somewhat at odds with a live rock show.
Opening the evening were New York indie rockers The Backfires!, who delivered an energetic set that deserved a more animated response than it initially received. Despite the audience remaining largely seated throughout their performance, there were clear signs that the band was winning people over. More than a handful of attendees could be seen singing along, swaying in their seats, and reacting enthusiastically between songs.
Still, I found it difficult not to wonder why so many people remained planted in their chairs. Concerts are meant to be experienced, not observed at a distance. Reserved seating may have been the format, but nothing was preventing fans from standing and engaging with the music. The Backfires! brought plenty of energy to the stage, and while the crowd appreciated it, the overall response felt more restrained than the band’s performance deserved.
That changed the moment Dogstar took the stage. Any notion that the reserved seating arrangement would dictate the evening quickly disappeared. Within moments of the band’s arrival, audience members were on their feet. The chairs suddenly seemed more like suggestions than actual boundaries. Fans began gathering in the center aisles, lining the sides of the venue, and moving wherever they could find a better vantage point.
The atmosphere transformed from polite appreciation into genuine excitement. Throughout the set, attendees sang along, danced when space allowed, and embraced the communal aspect that makes live music special. Dogstar’s chemistry remains one of the band’s strongest assets. While bassist Keanu Reeves inevitably draws a significant amount of attention, the group’s appeal extends well beyond celebrity curiosity. The connection between Reeves, vocalist and guitarist Bret Domrose, and drummer Robert Mailhouse is undeniable, and that chemistry translates naturally to the stage.
What stood out most was how comfortable and genuine the performance felt. There was no sense of spectacle for spectacle’s sake. Dogstar simply delivered the kind of straightforward, heartfelt rock show that allows the songs and musicianship to do the heavy lifting. By the second half of the set, the audience was fully invested, creating an atmosphere that felt considerably larger than the venue itself.
One aspect of the evening that remained invisible to most attendees was the level of security surrounding Reeves.
By the time doors had opened, and fans started making their way to their seats, venue security had already confiscated two counterfeit “all-access” passes. Additionally, security personnel had been provided with an extensive list containing the names and photographs of individuals with active restraining orders who were prohibited from entering or approaching the venue. These precautions were understandably not publicized to attendees, and the vast majority of concertgoers were completely unaware of the measures taking place behind the scenes. What struck me most was remembering that similar precautions were implemented when Dogstar previously performed in Omaha in 2024, and the realization that it likely happened on every stop of the band’s tours. The existence of such security measures is not surprising given Reeves’ international visibility, but hearing about the scope of them was nevertheless sobering.
It’s easy to forget that while Dogstar functions as a working rock band, Reeves cannot simply disappear into relative anonymity the way most touring musicians can. The reality of celebrity comes with challenges that extend far beyond autograph requests and photographs. Knowing what was happening behind the scenes added a different perspective to the evening. If anything, it left me feeling sympathetic toward Reeves and the realities he continues to navigate during his every day life. While the audience was enjoying a night of live music, security personnel were working diligently to ensure that everyone, including the band, could do so safely.
Fortunately, none of those concerns overshadowed the actual show. In the end, Dogstar and The Backfires! delivered an enjoyable evening that showcased two bands at different stages of their careers yet equally committed to connecting with their audiences. The Backfires! proved themselves more than capable of winning over a crowd, while Dogstar demonstrated why their reunion continues to resonate with fans. And despite Steelhouse Omaha’s unusual, seated configuration, the audience eventually did exactly what concert audiences are supposed to do: stand up, sing along, and lose themselves in the music. That’s when the night truly came alive.
PHOTOS PENDING
