MAHA Festival '25: PIXIES, WAXAHATCHEE, MAGDALENA BAY, BAND OF HORSES, more / ALL ACCESS (VIDEO)

This week, I am reviewing the return of the MAHA FESTIVAL. Maha is an indie music festival that takes place every year in Omaha. Except for 2024, when it took the year off to re-organize.

This year, the festival was moved to downtown Omaha, and took place at the Heartland of America Park. The park is situated next to the Missouri River. There was a great crowd, the weather cooperated (for the most part), and every band was spectacular.

This year's line-up:

PIXIES

WAXAHATCHEE 

BAND OF HORSES

MAGDALENA BAY

SILVERSUN PICKUPS

LITTLE BRAZIL 

I have photos and video of all the bands that played.

WAXAHATCHEE Live at Maha Music Festival, Omaha, NE 8/2/25

Katie Crutchfield of Waxahatchee at Maha Music Festival in Omaha NE 8/2/25

 

PIXIES Live at Maha Music Festiva, Omaha, NE 8/2/25 (PHOTOS)

Pixies closed out the Maha Music Festival in Omaha, NE on August 2, 2025

Black Francis of Pixies at Maha Festival

Joey Santiago of Pixies at Maha Festival

Emma Richardson of Pixies at Maha Festival

Pixies at Maha Music Festival, Omaha, NE 8/2/25

The Joy Formidable LIVE at Maha Music Festival, August 20, 2016 (PHOTOS)

Here is Ritzy from The Joy Formidable at the MAHA Music Festival, August 20, 2016. To see a video wrap-up from the 2016 Maha Festival, click here.

Diet Cig LIVE at MAHA Music Festival August 20, 2016 (PHOTOS)

 Indie rockers, Diet Cig, performing at the MAHA Music Festival in Omaha, August 20, 2016.

PRIESTS Live at Maha Music Festival, Omaha, NE August 19, 2017

Katie Alice Greer of PRIESTS at Maha Music Festival, Omaha, NE 8/19/17

 

Aimee Mann and Ted Leo as THE BOTH at Maha Music Festival 2014 (PHOTOS)

I'm a big fan of Aimee Mann. I used to love her 80s band, 'Til Tuesday, and I have loved her solo career, as well. Unfortunately, I have only seen her in concert one time. She performed with her short-lived band, The Both (her + Ted Leo) at the Maha Music Festival on August 16, 2014.

The Both: Aimee Mann and Ted Leo

The Kills at Maha Music Festival, 2018 (PHOTO)

Cool shot from the side of the stage of The Kills at the Maha Music Festival, August 8, 2018 in Omaha. This was the one and only that I have seen The Kills (so far).

 

MAHA 2014 in Photos

Once again, I worked at the MAHA Music Festival. I was the stage manager for the Omaha Gives Stage, which I re-named the "OG Stage." Unfortunately, the heat this year proved to be a little too much for me and I succumbed to heat stroke, and nearly passed out. I was sent home right after the last band performed on the OG Stage. Therefore, I missed The Head and The Heart and Death Cab For Cutie. I got photos of pretty much all the other performances.

Domestica

Matt Whipkey

Twinsmith

M34N STR33T

Doomtree

Radkey

Aimee Mann (The Both)

The Both

Aimee Mann (The Both)

Ted Leo (The Both)

The Both (Aimee Mann and Ted Leo)

Aimee Mann (The Both)

Local Natives

Local Natives

It Might Be a Wet One Tomorrow at MAHA

The forecast for tomorrow's MAHA Music Festival is calling for a high probability of rain. Hopefully, it won't dampen anyone's spirits too much. It will still be a good time. Fortunately, I have a pretty decent set of rain gear that I bought last year for the third night of Riot Fest in Chicago.

I will be managing the second stage this year, so if you're there, that's where I'll be. Say hi if you see me.

Me in 2013 at Riot Fest getting rained on

Last time I will be mentioning this, but here is the line-up of this year's festival: Death Cab For Cutie, Local Natives, The Head and The Heart, The Both (Aimee Mann + Ted Leo), Doomtree, Radkey, The Envy Corps, Icky Blossoms, Twinsmith, Domestica, Matt Whipkey, and M34N STR33T. For tickets and more information, go to MahaMusicFestival.com.

Get completely up-to-date on the Maha Festival and hear some music from the artists by listening to this episode of the Dark Stuff Podcast dedicated to the festival:

The Dark Stuff Podcast 111: MAHA Music Festival

For episode 111, I interviewed Bill Sweet from the MAHA Music Festival. MAHA is an annual music festival that takes place in Omaha, Nebraska. This will be the festival's sixth year; and it has grown in both quality and stature with each year. The date is August 16, 2014. 

This year's line-up includes: Death Cab For Cutie, The Head and The Heart, Local Natives, The Both (Aimee Mann and Ted Leo), Doomtree, Radkey, The Envy Corps, Icky Blossoms, Domestica, Twinsmith, Matt Whipkey, and M34N STR33T. 

MAHA is a unique festival in that it is a non-profit operation. The festival is run entirely by volunteers, and is supported with donations from local sponsors. In addition to the two music stages, there are also tents that feature local artists, poets, and comedians. 

Bill and I talk about the origins of the festival, its goals for the future, and how much actual work goes into pulling off one of these things. For more information on the festival and getting tickets, go to mahamusicfestival.com 

 Thanks for listening. Enjoy.

 ©2014 The Dark Stuff Podcast

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Upcoming Podcasts

Hopefully, you are keeping up with the re-launch of the podcast (I have links posted below, if you haven't). It has been going well, I think. Last night, episode #104 was posted. It was part two of my interview with Josh Haden, best known for his work with the group, Spain.

Next up is an interview with guitar legend, Ace Frehley. Besides being one of the most famous rock stars of all-time due to his time in KISS, Ace is also an accomplished solo artist, and a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Following the Ace interview with be my interview with Annie Clark aka St. Vincent. I conducted this one in person with Annie when St. Vincent was recently in Omaha on her "Digital Witness" tour. It is a really great interview.

I have interviews currently scheduled with one of the founders of the MAHA Music Festival, and bands See Through Dresses and Drakes Hotel. They are two my fave local bands, and I can't wait for you to hear them.

Here are the links for the podcast:

itunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dark-stuff/id201997514?mt=2

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Podomatic: thedarkstuff.podomatic.com/

Youtube: youtube.com/user/howard0213/

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MAHA Music Festival Announces 2014 Line-Up

Last night, the folks behind the annual MAHA Music Festival announced the 2014 line-up. As usual, there is some serious, top-notch indie talent booked for the festival. This year's headliner is Death Cab For Cutie. Other acts on the main stage are The Head and the Heart, Local Natives, The Both (Aimee Mann + Ted Leo), Doomtree, Radkey, The Envy Corps, Twinsmith, and Matt Whipkey.

Here is the official announcement video:

It is likely that I will be one of the stage managers again this year. Looking forward to meeting Aimee Mann.