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John Mellencamp

Concert Rock

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An artist whose work fuses the bold punch of arena-ready rock with defiant, thoughtful songwriting, John Mellencamp’s most famous music is full of passion, heart, and an understanding of the lives of ordinary folks living in the American Midwest.

One of the cornerstone artists of the heartland rock movement of the 1980s, Mellencamp’s musical roots lie in the sounds of the ‘60s, particularly the muscular wallop of the Rolling Stones and their garage-y imitators, along with the folk-rock revolution pioneered by Bob Dylan. His early hits, such as “Hurts So Good,” “Jack & Diane,” and “Pink Houses” are knowing sketches of small-town life accompanied by a crack rock & roll band, and albums like 1982’s American Fool and 1983’s Uh-Huh took him to stardom. As his career progressed, Mellencamp evolved toward socially conscious storytelling. He co-founded the charity Farm Aid the same year he released his defining album, 1985’s Scarecrow, which reflects the same kind of populist philosophies, and his characters changed little with time, even when his music did. Elements of folk, blues, and other roots rock music became more prominent in his arrangements, and his themes grew more introspective beginning with 1993’s Human Wheels – those themes became dominant in his work as the ‘90s gave way to the 2000s. 2010’s No Better Than This marked the point where he fully immersed himself in folk and roots music as his voice gained the grit of an elder statesman, and 2023’s Orpheus Descending was a tough, rootsy blend of political and personal observations.

An artist whose work fuses the bold punch of arena-ready rock with defiant, thoughtful songwriting, John Mellencamp’s most famous music is full of passion, heart, and an understanding of the lives of ordinary folks living in the American Midwest.

One of the cornerstone artists of the heartland rock movement of the 1980s, Mellencamp’s musical roots lie in the sounds of the ‘60s, particularly the muscular wallop of the Rolling Stones and their garage-y imitators, along with the folk-rock revolution pioneered by Bob Dylan. His early hits, such as “Hurts So Good,” “Jack & Diane,” and “Pink Houses” are knowing sketches of small-town life accompanied by a crack rock & roll band, and albums like 1982’s American Fool and 1983’s Uh-Huh took him to stardom. As his career progressed, Mellencamp evolved toward socially conscious storytelling. He co-founded the charity Farm Aid the same year he released his defining album, 1985’s Scarecrow, which reflects the same kind of populist philosophies, and his characters changed little with time, even when his music did. Elements of folk, blues, and other roots rock music became more prominent in his arrangements, and his themes grew more introspective beginning with 1993’s Human Wheels – those themes became dominant in his work as the ‘90s gave way to the 2000s. 2010’s No Better Than This marked the point where he fully immersed himself in folk and roots music as his voice gained the grit of an elder statesman, and 2023’s Orpheus Descending was a tough, rootsy blend of political and personal observations.

More about Omaha Performing Arts
Omaha Performing Arts (O-pa) is the steward of two landmark venues – the Orpheum Theater and Holland Performing Arts Center, plus a third live music venue “Steelhouse Omaha” opening in 2023. O-pa presents a wide spectrum of the performing arts, including Broadway, jazz, dance, comedy, family, popular entertainment, and live music. With a commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility, O-pa serves a growing audience in Omaha and the region through a broad range of education and engagement opportunities. As Nebraska’s largest arts institution, O-pa is recognized as a leader both locally and nationally. Support is provided by the Nebraska Arts Council, Nebraska Cultural Endowment, and National Endowment for the Arts, the City of Omaha, and Douglas County. We also rely on corporate sponsors, donors, and foundations. Ticket Omaha is the official ticket retailer for all performances at the Orpheum Theater and the Holland Performing Arts Center. Tickets purchased from other ticket retailers such as secondary ticket agencies or brokers may be more expensive and may not be valid. Due to the nature of live entertainment, all programs, performers, prices, dates, and times are subject to change.
When & Where
Apr 7, 2024, 8:00pm to 10:00pm Timezone: CDT
$49.50

Parking
1666 Howard St Omaha, NE 68102

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