Lincoln Exposed 2025: The 20th Anniversary

There’s something special about live music: a connection between the audience and the performer. The energy remains the same whether it’s a sold-out stadium show or an intimate backyard set with a handful of people in attendance. In those moments, music has a way of bringing people together.  

BY MARCUS FERTIG

Lincoln’s local music scene is no exception. It’s a community built on passion, talent, and a love for live performance. Lincoln Exposed is a prime example of this outstanding scene. 

Pete Watters, owner of Zoo Bar, is credited with the original vision for Lincoln Exposed. In 2005, he realized, “Nobody has an idea about the music talent there is in Lincoln.” This simple but profound statement was the driving force behind his dedication to Lincoln Exposed. From many nights spent at the Zoo Bar, he knew the potential for this event.   

 “I wanted to showcase all the different bands, all the different genres, and celebrate the talent this city has to offer,” Watters said. And with that, Lincoln Exposed was born. It would soon become the heart and soul of the vibrant music scene in Lincoln. 

It was an immediate success. In the first year, 22 local bands took the stage at Zoo Bar over the course of the week. Lincoln music lovers enjoyed the event because it was entirely local, showcasing the city's live music scene.  

In 2007, Duffy’s joined the mix and not only added a new venue but added a new element to the event. Now, event-goers could bar hop between sets, catching their favorite bands or hearing something new in a tradition that would become a key experience of Lincoln Exposed. 

As the years went on, venues like the 1867 Bar, Bodegas, and the Bourbon Theatre hosted their lineup of shows for the event. With every additional venue, Lincoln Exposed kept growing into a cornerstone event.

With so many venues and different moving parts packed into one weekend, balancing the lineup is no easy task. “When you have that many different bands and genres, not everyone will be interested in every band. It's hard to do a reggae band followed by a country band,” Watters explained, “it’s the great thing about Lincoln Exposed because people get to curate their own experience.”  

Organizing an event of this scale requires a dedicated team. Among them are Kelsey Graves, owner of 1867 Bar, and Dustin Hunke, bookings and promotions director at The Bourbon Theatre. These two key figures work tirelessly behind the scenes to bring Lincoln Exposed to life each year.  

In 2025, the festival boasts over 120 Lincoln bands for the weekend. “With so many moving pieces and so many people involved, it can get chaotic," says Graves. “The success of the event depends on everyone sticking together and collaborating closely.  “We are communicating the whole weekend to make sure everything is happening on time,” Hunke stated. The commitment to teamwork allows the festival to run smoothly each year despite the challenges.  

Keeping the integrity of the event is a significant focus within the team. The mission remains the same: to showcase the incredible talent in Lincoln. “There's so much to offer.  We want people to see as many different bands as possible, so we never play two genres back to back at a venue,” says Hunke.  This approach keeps the festival diverse while allowing bands to play in new venues. You’ll catch a punk band rocking out at Bodegas or an EDM group bringing the energy to Zoo Bar (a historic blues bar). This creates a unique experience for both the audience and the performer. 

“Supporting local business is a big focus of mine,” explains Graves. “We’ll typically get breweries to sponsor our stage, and we’ll sell their product for the event.” This commitment to supporting local businesses is just one way Lincoln Exposed brings the community together. People from all corners of Lincoln come together yearly to celebrate the music and support the city’s culture, making the event a true reflection of community spirit.

“I’m not surprised we made it twenty years because I know what the talent this city has to offer and there will always be an audience for it,” said Watters. Over the years, the festival has become a beloved tradition for the Lincolnites and a true reflection of this city's culture and music community. What began as a 22-band lineup has exploded into a celebration of 120 local bands performing this weekend.  It is a true testament to the strength of Lincoln’s music scene.  

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