YAM HAUS - Reviewed
- Mitchell West
- Apr 7
- 2 min read
Mitch West
Saturday night's lineup promised a perfect marriage of emerging Midwestern talent: Minnesota's evolving indie rockers YAM HAUS headlining, with Lincoln's folk-rock storyteller Steady Wells setting the stage. As guitars were tuned, the crowd pressed forward, and the air felt charged with the magic that happens when genuine musical craftsmanship meets an eager audience ready to witness artists in transformation. It was a night of storytelling, love, and community. There's genuinely something to Midwest music, and this show proved it.
Steady Wells provided a homegrown Americana set playing some of that easy-listening music. Jordan Smith, better known as Steady Wells, stepped up with an unassuming confidence that immediately commanded attention. With his Fender Stratocaster in hand, he invited you in bringing you into his world. The Lincoln troubadour brought his signature blend of Americana and vintage pop sensibilities filtered through a distinctly contemporary lens. With each strum and lyric, Smith's musical lineage became apparent – the storytelling prowess of David Ramirez and the understated brilliance of Michael Nau, all while channeling the timeless essence of Tom Petty and The Band. There's something profoundly authentic about watching a hometown artist whose sound feels simultaneously rooted in Nebraska soil yet capable of resonating far beyond state lines. His compact but impactful set included standouts like "Good Again," "Open Fire," "Fools Dream," "Hurts," "As Time Goes," and "Battles" - the 2020 release that started his musical journey.
When Minneapolis-based Yam Haus took to the stage, it became clear that this wasn't just another tour stop but a declaration of artistic evolution. Gone was the polished pop veneer that first brought them attention; in its place stood a more mature, guitar-driven outfit eager to showcase their musical metamorphosis. The band's recent sonic shift, epitomized by their heartland rock single "One Bullet Left," served as the evening's North Star, guiding longtime fans and new listeners through their musical journey. As they launched into their set, Yam Haus embodied that rare and thrilling moment when a band stands confidently at the threshold between what they were and what they're becoming. At no point did it feel like they took a year off. 15-song set that had us dancing and grooving throughout. From "Rafters" and "Green Lights" to "Spit in My Face" and "Sandcastle," they navigated their catalog with the energy of a band reborn, straddling their past and future with impressive clarity and purpose.
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