Doors at 5:00pm
Main Room
Free admission until venue reaches capacity.
A limited number of guaranteed admission tickets are availble now through August 5.
Facebook RSVP
All ages show. Check entry requirements at theslowdown.com/All-Ages
About Playing With Fire
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Playing with Fire bridges communities through the power of music. Our mission as a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization is clear: to champion local non-profits and foster connections between people worldwide, all through the magic of free live music concerts. At Playing with Fire, we believe in the transformative power of music to unite, inspire, and uplift. Through our events, we bring the world to Omaha while sharing the spirit of Omaha with the world. Each concert features extraordinary, award-winning musicians from around the globe, offering unforgettable experiences for our local community and fans worldwide. Join us in our journey to celebrate diversity, support local causes, and create lasting bonds through the universal language of music. Together, we're igniting passions, breaking down barriers, and spreading joy – one free concert at a time.
About King King
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Named after the legendary L.A. blues club, Scotland’s King King delivers exactly what the name promises — big sound, big emotion, and a commanding stage presence. Formed in 2008 and led by irrepressible, kilt-wearing frontman Alan Nimmo, the band has become one of the most celebrated acts in modern blues-rock.
High-profile support slots with John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, Thunder, and Europe introduced King King to wider audiences, but it was pure talent, relentless touring, and explosive live shows that built their international following. They’ve appeared multiple times on Joe Bonamassa’s “Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea” cruises, sharing stages with artists such as Peter Frampton and Eric Bibb.
With five studio albums and two live releases since 2011, King King has earned major acclaim, including a five-award sweep at the 2014 British Blues Awards (Best Band and Best Album among them) and additional honors in 2016 for Reaching for the Light. Never content to stand still, the band's refreshed lineup, featuring Stevie Nimmo (guitar/vocals), Jonny Dyke (keys), Jonathan Lodge (drums), and Zander Greenshields (bass), led by frontman Alan Nimmo, has set a fire of evolving sound.
Their recent album Maverick and 2025 live release Live… Again!!, along with singles “Strong” and “Cried Out For Love,” showcase a band still pushing forward. A sold-out UK headline tour in 2025 confirmed what fans already know — King King remains at the top of their game.
When Alan Nimmo strides onstage. fists raised, kilt swinging, grin wide, the energy is immediate. And once the band locks in, it’s undeniable: King King doesn’t just play a show, they ignite a crowd.
About Will Wilde
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Will Wilde is redefining the harmonica in modern blues-rock — and doing it with blistering intensity. A powerhouse player with a voice to match, Wilde pushes the harp to the front of the stage, delivering the kind of fire and authority usually reserved for a lead guitar.
Influenced as much by Gary Moore as Sonny Boy Williamson, Wilde is constantly stretching the boundaries of his instrument. He even developed his own custom “Wilde Tuned” harmonicas, allowing him to execute bold, guitar-like licks that expand what audiences think is possible from a blues harp.
Wilde first exploded onto the international scene through viral YouTube videos, where his harmonica renditions of classic rock guitar solos — including Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Free Bird” — racked up millions of views and built a global following. His explosive style caught the attention of blues legend Walter Trout, who invited Wilde to perform on his Billboard No. 1 Blues Album Broken. Trout later returned the favor by appearing on Wilde’s acclaimed release The Blues Is Still Alive, which topped the IBBA Chart and reached No. 5 on the UK Official Jazz & Blues Albums Chart.
With multiple studio albums to his name, including Bad Luck Friday (2022), Wilde has evolved from traditional Chicago blues roots into a bold, contemporary blues-rock force. In 2025, he won the HRH “Lord of the Blues” Award and received UK Blues Award nominations for Instrumentalist of the Year and Contemporary Blues Artist of the Year.
When Will Wilde hits the stage, expect searing harmonica, commanding vocals, and a high-voltage performance that flips the script on what a blues harp can do.
About The Pocket Architects
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The Pocket Architects are an emerging blues-funk powerhouse from the Omaha metro area — young in years but deeply rooted in the blues tradition. With a combined decade of blues instruction and performance experience, this quartet blends tight musicianship, infectious grooves, and the kind of chemistry that can’t be taught.
Graduates of the Blues Society of Omaha’s BluesEd program, the band members have grown up on Omaha stages — with several having performed at Playing with Fire over the years. In 2026, they took a major leap forward, winning the Nebraska Blues Challenge and earning the honor of representing Omaha in the Band Division at the Blues Foundation’s International Blues Challenge in Memphis — a remarkable achievement for a young group.
At the heart of the band is Cameron Bothwell (vocals, keys, bass), a classically trained pianist and vocalist whose powerhouse voice has earned national recognition, including being voted Best Vocal Soloist in the Nation during the 2024 show choir season. A featured Nebraska All-State soloist and BluesEd performer, Cameron brings both technical precision and soulful command to the stage.
Wes Burns (electric guitar) delivers fiery leads and expressive phrasing shaped by years of blues devotion. Inspired early by Brad Paisley and Eric Clapton, Wes has earned multiple Best Band awards in school jazz and show choir programs and has honed his craft through BluesEd, including a Youth Showcase performance at the 2025 International Blues Challenge.
Multi-instrumentalist Cameron Vakili (keys, bass, guitar) adds depth and texture with his jazz-influenced approach. A formally trained pianist and Nebraska Music Teachers Association competition winner, he seamlessly bridges classical discipline with blues improvisation, strengthening the band’s dynamic range.
Driving it all is Caden Pendleton (drums, percussion), whose rhythmic command and leadership have powered award-winning show choir and marching band programs. A drummer since age three, Caden anchors the band with both precision and punch.
Individually accomplished and collectively electric, The Pocket Architects deliver an energizing mix of originals and covers that bring the funk as fiercely as the blues. Together, they represent the next generation of Omaha blues — and the future sounds bright.
