On June 1, 2025, the band CAKE performed live at The Astro Amphitheater in La Vista, Nebraska (basically Omaha). The Sacramento-based band is known for blending genres, including rock and funk.
The crowd was bursting with excitement, and the weather was beautiful. Their setlist was very well mixed with some of their older releases as well as their new songs that they have been working on. CAKE also announced that they are working on their ninth studio album, which will be released in the fall of this year. The crowd went crazy over their well-known hits like “The Distance” and “Short Skirt/Long Jacket”.
The band's lead singer, John McCrea, has an iconic voice and a sarcastic sense of humor that stood out to me. In between every song, he stopped to talk to the crowd as well as joke with some of the fans in the crowd. They had interactive songs that they gave the crowd instructions to follow along with, which was a fun time.
I have been to The Astro before, but only the indoor venue, so this was my first time at the Amphitheater, and I was stunned. It was such a beautiful venue, and it is one that I hope I get the opportunity to return to very soon. The only downside to the venue is that the lines for concessions and merch were quite long and slow, so that made the flow of the venue a little strange, but I didn’t think it was too terrible. The show started in the evening and happened during sunset, so that was also a very beautiful sight. People from Nebraska know that we have the best sunsets.
Overall, I thought it was an amazing show filled with great songs, and it made me appreciate their music even more. Their music is filled with instruments, for example, their iconic saxophone, so hearing and seeing that live was very special. If CAKE is ever around Nebraska again, it will be a show I will be looking to go to. The all-around chill vibe of the show, the beautiful weather, and the crowd made it a truly special concert.
