OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — The Omaha metro music scene is slowly getting some normalcy back as in-person concerts make a return.
"It changed absolutely everything," said Omaha musician Jared Gottberg.
In March, coronavirus led to the closure of venues across Omaha, leaving musicians like Gottberg uncertain of the future.
"Everything kind of comes down to planning and planning out,” said Gottberg.
Gottberg performs solo and with his band The Party After. There's a lot he's missed about playing shows.
"I can still sit here and play all day long but I make no money and I make no new friends," he said.
He almost tripled his productivity being in the studio so often and has several records coming out soon.
"I think that there's going to be a lot of neat subject matter, a lot more music coming out, relatable to what we've been going through. I think it's making all of us hungrier,” said Gottberg.
Gottberg was averaging about three or four shows per week before the pandemic hit.
"Right now it's cut down to one or two if I'm lucky. I'm a very blessed musician to be able to have regular gigs weekly, I still have a show,” he said.
Since some venues have opened back up, Gottberg has performed at a few different locations, including Thomasville Lounge and the Down Under Lounge.
"It's definitely a different vibe but I think everyone is really excited to be able to come out and for the most part, everyone's being pretty careful," he said.
"I think our biggest mandate has been adapt and survive,” said Daniel Butler, booking manager of the Down Under Lounge.
The Down Under Lounge, a music venue and bar at 35th and Leavenworth Streets closed the day before St. Patrick's Day. Their closure lasted about three months, leading to thousands of dollars lost in revenue for staff and musicians.
Since reopening, the lounge has started hosting more outdoor shows, including one that will take place on October 10.
"When we started having live music, people who I hadn't seen in forever came out to see it because they didn't notice how much they missed it. You don't really know what you have until it's gone," said Butler.
The business has prioritized safety with its reopening.
"I haven't been a place that's stricter, and it's just because we want people to feel safe here,” said Spencer Barak, assistant manager of the Down Under Lounge.
Both Butler and Barak are appreciative of the Omaha music scene for their continued support while working towards a new normal.
"People realize that without music and arts that it's a pretty dull life," said Butler.
