Hugh Prestwood and Chris Sayre
2023-09-01 19:30 (America/Chicago) | 7th Street Loft, 504 South 7th Street, Lincoln, NE, 68508, United States

Leslie Mendelson
2023-10-14 19:30 | 7th Street Loft, 504 South 7th Street, Lincoln, NE, 68508, United States

The Sandy Creek Pickers
2023-11-10 19:30 | 7th Street Loft, 504 South 7th Street, Lincoln, NE, 68508, United States

April Verch and Cody Walters
2024-01-26 19:30 | 7th Street Loft, 504 South 7th Street, Lincoln, NE, 68508, United States

Joe Crookston
2024-02-17 19:30 | 7th Street Loft, 504 South 7th Street, Lincoln, NE, 68508, United States

Kittel & Co.
2024-03-08 19:00 - 21:30 | First Presbyterian Church, 840 S. 17th St., Lincoln, United States

The Weary Ramblers
2024-03-23 19:30 | 7th Street Loft, 504 South 7th Street, Lincoln, NE, 68508, United States

The Honey Dewdrops
2024-04-12 19:30 | 7th Street Loft, 504 South 7th Street, Lincoln, NE, 68508, United States

Daniel Boling
2024-05-18 19:30 | 7th Street Loft, 504 South 7th Street, Lincoln, NE, 68508, United States

LAFTA Annual Meeting and Potluck with High Lonesome Bluegrass Band
2024-06-30 17:00 - 20:00 | Wooly’s Big Back Yard, 6115 Huntington Ave, Lincoln, NE, United States

The Wildwoods
2024-09-27 19:30 - 22:00 | 7th Street Loft, 504 South 7th Street, Lincoln, NE, 68508, United States
In the heart of Lincoln, Nebraska, The Wildwoods, a folk/Americana trio led by Noah and Chloe Gose, accompanied by the bassist Andrew Vaggalis, deliver a musical journey through the soul of American roots. With international songwriting acclaim and festival triumphs, their latest release, “Foxfield Saint John” (2023), solidifies them as a captivating force in the folk scene. They have been semifinalists in the International Songwriting competition and finalists in the FreshGrass Music Festival Band Competition. Their music, though comfortably under the folk/Americana umbrella, weaves intricate chord structures and emotional textures that defy genre boundaries. Together, their harmonies resonate with artful sincerity, drawing inspiration from nature, their shared experiences of growing up in Nebraska, and life on the road.

Bettman & Halpin
2024-10-11 19:30 - 22:00 | NE
Bettman & Halpin ─ Stephanie and Luke, respectively ─ have a well-earned reputation for hypnotizing performances filled with irresistible lyrics, transcendent harmonies, and roof-raising instrumentals. They have created their own blend of bluegrass, Americana, pop, ballads and jazz which they intersperse with storytelling and playful banter. During their 15 years of touring they have twice been a featured act at the Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, Kansas, and they have garnered credentials including first prize in the folk category of the 2021 USA Songwriting Competition. Their catchy melodies and lyrics will stick with you long after the concert is over.

Mollie O'Brien & Rich Moore
2024-11-08 19:30 - 22:00 | NE
For nearly 30 years Mollie O’Brien and her husband, guitarist Rich Moore, have found, mined and reinvented other artists’ songs, showing their genius at interpreting the songs of their era as their own. As songwriters, they have added many of their own tunes to the American roots music canon. Mollie is a singer at the very top of her game, unafraid to take risks both vocally and in the material she chooses. She won a Grammy in 1997 for her part in Sugar Hill Records True Life Blues and is a member of the Colorado Music Hall of Fame. Rich, while producing some of the funniest onstage running commentary, is also a powerhouse guitarist. Between them they have released fifteen CDs including a CD with their daughters, Brigid and Lucy Moore, and Rich’s solo Voiceless, recorded in 2020.

Moors & McCumber
2025-01-31 19:30 - 22:00 | 7th Street Loft, 504 South 7th Street, Lincoln, NE, 68508, United States
Moors & McCumber, on the LAFTA stage only once before, were overdue for a return engagement. A vocal harmony duo 15 years in the making, Moors & McCumber have done more than just endear themselves to fans ─ they’ve built a genuine community. Bridging the gap between classic folk rock and present-day Americana, they write heartfelt songs inspired by life’s experiences. With their latest record, released in 2023, Wired to the Moon, they have created some of their most compelling work to date. James is a gifted singer and songwriter, while Kort specializes in creating vocal harmonies and captivating arrangements through inventive instrumentation. With their voices combined, they create a truly special sound.

Jack Hotel
2025-02-21 19:30 - 22:00 | 7th Street Loft, 504 South 7th Street, Lincoln, NE, 68508, United States
Jack Hotel is not some guy named Jack, but a group of talented Lincoln musicians. The band consists of Gunter Volker on guitar and vocals, Josh Rector on fiddle, Joe Salvati on resophonic and lap steel guitars and Kim Taruc on bass. They have put out three fine albums and have been a mainstay of the local music scene since 2012. The group showcases the songwriting of Volker and carefully picks covers from more obscure corners of the Americana repertoire. Add to this the fact that everyone in the band is fully in control of ─ and is expressive on ─ their instruments, and you have a recipe for an outstanding performance presented outstandingly.

Spencer & Rains
2025-03-08 19:30 - 22:00 | 7th Street Loft, 504 South 7th Street, Lincoln, NE, 68508, United States
Tricia Spencer and Howard Rains are folk artists ─and fiddlers, singers, guitar players and visual artists as well. Tricia grew up in Kansas, learning old-time music from her grandparents. She has studied with some of the great masters in old-time music and is highly sought after as a performer, dance fiddler and instructor. Howard is an artist and fiddler from Texas, coming from a family rich in both traditions. They have performed around the world, singing traditional American folk songs and playing old-time fiddle tunes. Both are steeped in traditional music, yet at the same time, often take traditions in very personal directions with their tight vocal harmony and distinct twin fiddling.

Cindy Kallet & Grey Larsen
2025-04-12 19:30 - 22:00 | 7th Street Loft, 504 South 7th Street, Lincoln, NE, 68508, United States
Cindy Kallet and Grey Larsen, each well-known for decades of music-making, come together to present contemporary and traditional songs and tunes. Cindy is a superb singer, guitarist, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Grey is one of America’s finest players of the Irish flute and tin whistle, as well as an accomplished singer and concertina, fiddle, piano and harmonium player. As composers each contributes to the unique tapestry of contemporary folk and world music in America today. Together they weave their music with vibrant colors and subtle textures. Their repertoire includes Cindy’s sparkling originals, traditional Irish music, Scandinavian-style fiddle duets, old-time fiddle and guitar tunes from southern Indiana, and new music that Cindy and Grey are inventing together.

Jacob Johnson
2025-05-17 19:30 - 22:00 | 7th Street Loft, 504 South 7th Street, Lincoln, NE, 68508, United States
Jacob Johnson has graced the LAFTA main stage twice now, bringing fresh material, positive energy and virtuosity each time. Presenting both cover songs and original material, he stretches the boundaries of what the guitar can do, whatever the song: percussion, two-handed fretting and fingerboard tapping, as well as intricate fingerpicking. No Depression Magazine states, “The guitar is not just an instrument in the hands of Jacob Johnson ─ it’s his soul-mate.” We couldn’t agree more. If you like your singer/songwriters to come with a generous side of instrumental innovation, you’ll want to come see Jacob close out the LAFTA season with this show.

LAFTA Backyard Concert & Annual Meeting - Wooly's Big Back Yard
2025-05-24 17:00 - 22:00 | NE
Please join LAFTA for a free concert and potluck in Wooly’s Big Backyard (6115 Huntington Ave.) Saturday May 24th, featuring Lincoln musicians Keith Grotrian and Brian Barnicle. Potluck supper starts at 5:00 pm, with music starting at 6:30 pm. In between sets LAFTA will hold a brief business meeting.

Daniel Christian w/ Steve Hanson & Jim Pipher
2025-09-27 19:30 - 22:00 | 7th Street Loft, 504 South 7th Street, Lincoln, NE, 68508, United States
Daniel Christian blends a pop/rock sensibility with country/folk roots. He weaves hooky, stick-in-your-head melodies backed by big harmonies with thought-provoking lyrical content. The result is a style of art and entertainment which, according to fans, “sounds like cinnamon rolls taste!” Daniel has won two National Country Music Festival awards and has earned nine Omaha Entertainment Award nominations in his native Nebraska, including Best Singer-Songwriter, Best Alternative/Indie Artist, Best Christian/Gospel, Album of the Year, and Artist of the Year. In his LAFTA appearance Daniel will be accompanied by Steve Hanson and Jim Pipher, two local stalwarts of the folk scene. The concert will be preceded by a free chili feed starting at 6:30 pm. Feel free to bring a side dish to share (not required).

Hadden Sayers
2025-10-18 19:30 - 22:00 | 7th Street Loft, 504 South 7th Street, Lincoln, NE, 68508, United States
Native-Texan Hadden Sayers is just as comfortable on a massive festival stage with a Stratocaster in his hands as he is strumming an acoustic guitar in your living room. Born in Nacogdoches and raised on a steady diet of Texas Roots and Blues music, Hadden Sayers has become a Blues Rock Master. Millions of miles of touring the world and 9 albums in, Sayers’ rise has been anything but meteoric. It’s been a consistent and steady ascent to a level of expertise that few achieve. His passionate songwriting twists roots rock, blues and soul music into something completely fresh, is what sets him apart from the pack.

Jeff Black
2025-11-14 19:30 - 22:00 | 7th Street Loft, 504 South 7th Street, Lincoln, NE, 68508, United States
Jeff Black has forged a reputation as a true folk troubadour, entertaining audiences globally for over three decades. Originally from Kansas City, but now based in Nashville, Jeff is a master songwriter and performer. He was voted one of the top 100 Folk Artists of the last 25 years by Boston’s WUMB listeners. In addition to a dozen albums of his own, his songs have been recorded by a diverse array of artists including Allison Krause, Waylon Jennings, Dierks Bentley, Jerry Douglas, and Sam Bush. Jeff Black has the baritone contemplation of Leonard Cohen and the roots dialect of Townes Van Zandt; he writes songs that ache and haunt you.

LAFTA Meets ContraDance
2025-12-06 19:00 - 22:00 | NE
Did you know that Lincoln Contra Dance is under the umbrella of LAFTA? This dance event takes place on the first Saturday of every month. No experience? No worries. We have a caller, similar to square dancing, and you don’t have to bring a partner. Instructions come through a “walk-through”. Live music will be provided by local band “Hot Rosin”. So much fun for all ages! We can guarantee to bring a smile to your face. Admission at the door: Adults $8.00, Students with ID $5.00, children under 12 free. Family $20.00.

Ellis Island
2026-01-17 19:30 - 22:00 | 7th Street Loft, 504 South 7th Street, Lincoln, NE, 68508, United States
What happens when a former two-time World Kickboxing Champion from Dublin, Ireland meets a mental health professional from Denton, Nebraska, and a research scientist/Irish Fiddle player from England to play and perform Irish music? You get a tough, yet sensitive, frenzied yet polished, delivery of modern and traditional Irish music from the pub to the concert stage. With well over a dozen instruments played on stage, this very talented trio have the gift of bringing the Irish Pub experience to everyone, everywhere. Voted Best Ethnic band by the Omaha Entertainment Awards and past winners of best band in a Pub/Festival by the Irish Music Association Awards, the group is led by Mick Doyle and Dave Marsh.

Andrea von Kampen
2026-02-13 19:30 - 22:00 | 7th Street Loft, 504 South 7th Street, Lincoln, NE, 68508, United States
Deemed “a fine singer with guitar work reminiscent of the cult hero Nick Drake” by the New York Times, singer-songwriter Andrea von Kampen is known for her captivating melodies and introspective storytelling. After releasing a handful of EPs, von Kampen released her independent debut album “Old Country” in 2019 and her sophomore album “That Spell” with Fantasy Records in 2021. Her third full-length record, “Sister Moon”, was recorded in the winter of 2023 and focuses on themes of climate change, the connectedness of nature, and the stories of Richard Powers. Please help welcome back this talented musician who grew up in Seward, NE.

FY5
2026-03-28 19:30 - 22:00 | 7th Street Loft, 504 South 7th Street, Lincoln, NE, 68508, United States
Fort Collins, Colorado-based FY5 delights audiences with thoughtful original songs delivered with strong singing and musicianship. Formerly known as Finnders and Youngberg, FY5 have won numerous awards over the years with their mix of bluegrass, honky-tonk and swing. Guitarist and primary songwriter Mike Finders has won the Merlefest songwriting competition twice; he shares lead singer duties with bassist Erin Youngberg. Banjo and pedal-steel player Aaron Youngberg is a proud native of Lincoln.

John Gorka
2026-04-25 19:30 - 22:00 | 7th Street Loft, 504 South 7th Street, Lincoln, NE, 68508, United States
John Gorka is a long-standing pillar of the American folk music community. John describes his music as a blend of folk, rhythm and blues, and gospel, though he doesn’t mind calling himself a folksinger. He has appeared with artists such as Suzanne Vega, Shawn Colvin, Christine Lavin, Cliff Eberhardt, David Massengill, Frank Christian and Lucy Kaplansky. He joined with Kaplansky and Eliza Gilkyson to form the folk supergroup Red Horse in 2010, touring together and releasing a self-titled album on which they performed each other’s compositions. John has graced the stage of Austin City Limits, Mountain Stage, and E-town.

The Vogts Sisters
2026-05-30 19:30 - 22:00 | 7th Street Loft, 504 South 7th Street, Lincoln, NE, 68508, United States
The Vogts Sisters, Maggie and Abigail, stand out from the crowd with their sweet sisterly harmonies from America’s Heartland. Hailing from a small town in southeast Kansas, they have toured extensively in the Midwest, blending original songs and covers in their acoustic Americana-Folk style. The sisters have garnered many awards in regional and international songwriting competitions, including Best Duo in the 15th Annual International Acoustic Music Awards. Prepare to hear haunting harmonies and wickedly creative songs.
