If you’ve ever seen Playing with Fire founder Jeff Davis in full groove mode – joyous arms waving, those happy feet stomping, a grin so wide you could project a movie on it – then you know all about the “PwF Spirit.” That blissful “spirit” is equal parts passion, playfulness, and a deep belief that music this good should be free, frequent, and as accessible as sunshine.

“Every time we bring a band to Omaha, we want people to feel what we feel when we hear that first note,” says PwF founder Jeff Davis. “The spirit of Playing with Fire is all about building a community through the power of music, and we’ve been doing that for the past 21 years – one free concert at a time.”

Two more of those concerts are coming this weekend on Friday and Saturday, August 15 and 16, at The Slowdown. And PwF is bringing back a stacked lineup of fan-favorites and international stars. Friday night kicks off with opener Hector Anchondo, then turns the heat up with UK guitar wizard Ben Poole in the support slot, before Scottish blues-rock juggernauts King King close the night as headliner. 

Saturday serves up Navajo-rooted blues from Levi Platero as the opener, the horn-fueled soulful-southern rockin’ blues of Bywater Call in the support spot, and Welsh powerhouse Cardinal Black topping the night. It’s the Playing with Fire Encore Weekend, and every one of these artists has earned their place on the PwF stage by leaving Omaha crowds buzzing in years past.

Put it all together, and it’s another highly anticipated chapter in the Playing with Fire journey, one that has seen tireless work from Jeff and Vanessa Marie, co-producer, energetic organizer, and PwF’s unofficial cheer captain. These two music-lovers have been globe-trotting musical matchmakers for more than two decades – chasing riffs at pubs in Glasgow and London, ducking into late-night jam sessions in Toronto, or discovering gold in the blues guitar dens of Wales. They don’t just find talented blues musicians – they find the kind of artists who are rooted in traditional and modern blues, but who also weave in elements of soul, funk – or even a dash of jazz. They can turn a casual toe-tap tune into an all-out, eyes-closed, lose-your-voice-by-the-last-song kind of night.

Indoors for the First Time in 21 Years

This year, for the first time in Playing with Fire’s history, the concerts are moving indoors – straight into the beating heart of Omaha’s NoDo entertainment district at The Slowdown. No relentless mosquitoes, no nose and shoulders burn to a crisp, and no rain delays or wondering if your blanket will be soaked before the first set. Instead, you’ll get every goosebump-raising guitar lick in pristine detail, with only the storm fronts coming from the stage.

“It’s a game-changer,” Davis says. “You still get the high energy and big sound, but now every note lands crisp, every solo gets all the attention they deserve – and the crowd feels like one big, happy, music-loving PwF family.”

Of course, with the air-conditioning and improved sound quality comes a limited capacity. Since The Slowdown reaches capacity at 600 people for Playing with Fire, seating is first-come, first-served. Doors open at 5 p.m. each night, and music begins at 6:30 p.m.

They’re Baaaack!

And how about that Bywater Call horn section? The band is making a return to the Playing with Fire stage after playing the free event in 2023 and 2024. They’re back, along with King King, Cardinal Black, and several other fan favorites. We couldn’t decide! Who are you most excited to see this weekend at the Slowdown?

Encore Weekend Lineup – Friday, August 15

• Hector Anchondo (Class of 2017) – Omaha’s own blues guitar sage returns with a sound that’s part Mississippi mud, part Nebraska grit. His solos don’t just tell stories, they invite you onto the porch, hand you a beer, and make you a character in the tale. Watch Hector Anchondo – “Let Loose Those Chains.”
• Ben Poole (Classes of 2013 & 2017) – The UK’s answer to, “How much emotion can you wring out of six strings?” Poole’s guitar runs and soulful vocals feel like they’ve been aging in oak barrels for the past 50 years. His 2013 debut at PwF still lingers in local lore like a favorite campfire story. Watch Ben Poole – “Time Might Never Come”
• King King (Class of 2024) – If a Scottish pub brawl made peace with a gospel choir, it might sound something like King King. Led by Alan Nimmo, these blues-rock crusaders bring anthems so big they could raise Loch Ness from her nap. Watch King King – “Rush Hour” performed at Playing with Fire 2024.

Saturday, August 16

• Levi Platero (Class of 2022) – From To’Hajiilee, New Mexico, Levi’s Navajo-rooted blues ripple with history, heart, and the kind of tone you can feel in your bones. He’s equal parts river and thunderstorm, smooth and free flowing one minute, powerful and loud the next. Watch Levi Platero – “Red House” Live
• Bywater Call (Classes of 2023 & 2024) – Imagine a freight train powered by soul, fueled with Southern blues-rock attitude and driven by a vocalist who can break – and then mend – hearts in the same breath. Add horns hot enough to set off sprinklers, and you’ve got Toronto’s Bywater Call. Watch Bywater Call – “Talking Backwards”
• Cardinal Black (Class of 2024) – Wales sends us Cardinal Black, a band that can make you close your eyes and swear you’re hearing something you’ve loved your whole life… even if it’s the first time. Chris Buck’s guitar work glides like silk, while Tom Hollister’s vocals are pure velvet thunder. Watch Cardinal Black – “Tell Me How It Feels”

Unsung Heroes – from a Legal Pad to a Load ’Em Up and Break ’Em Down

While you’re swaying, singing, and sipping your drink, some quiet heroes are hard at work behind the curtain – long before it ever opens.

The patron saint of legal documents, Omaha attorney Maggie Ebert, the legal counsel for Playing with Fire, spends months making sure every artist’s visa is approved, every fee is paid, and every obscure government form is filled out correctly (and yes, new ones are being added as we speak!). Without Maggie, Ben Poole’s guitar might still be somewhere over the Atlantic, and Bywater Call’s horn section could be charming customs agents instead of Omaha music fans.

The web wizard and branding magician of PwF is longtime professional graphic designer and PwF associate, Irene Ippersiel. She’s the creative force behind our sharp, buzz-worthy videos and the visual branding that makes PwF instantly recognizable. Without her work, PwF would be like a house of bad blues without a good coat of paint to bring its story to life.

Our rock-solid production team volunteers are the extra pair of hands supporting Jeff and Vanessa every step of the way. We’ve got to give a high-five and a big shout-out to Don Keller, Andrew Ebert, Catie Geier, and Kellie Schoon. Without them, we’d still be stuck on the loading docks, riding the midnight train.

And finally, our Day-of-Show Volunteers – the ones who make the final push to bring PwF to life. From set-up to breakdown, supporting artist merch sales, keeping things running smoothly both in front of and behind the stage, and working until the last box is loaded and the final brow is wiped, PwF volunteers keep the show’s heartbeat thumping along. 

Jeff and Vanessa are forever grateful to the many PwF volunteers, and they’re hoping you can share some kindness and pass along a smile and a thank you to everyone who helps keep the PwF vision alive.

A Spirit You Can Feel

Ask Jeff and Vanessa why they log tens of thousands of travel miles each year to scout bands, and why Jeff has funded this wonderful musical endeavor since 2004 – and they won’t hesitate: 

“There’s nothing like watching someone discover their new favorite band for the first time. It’s magic – and we get to make that magic happen and we share it with everyone, for free, right here in Omaha.”

That’s the spirit of Playing with Fire, and that’s why it’s more than just a catchphrase. 

It’s that shared grin when a stranger catches you belting out the same lyric. 

It’s the knowing nod when a solo bends just enough to make your jaw drop. 

It’s Jeff breaking into a spontaneous dance mid-show (yes, we’ll get more video!). 

And it’s Vanessa, reminding us between sets that “the music at Playing with Fire is not just heard, it’s felt. The music is what brings us together. But the feeling of community is why we stay.”