Save Ferris at Holland Music Club in Omaha, Nebraska on January 16, 2026.
Photos and Review by The Pit Magazine Contributor, Peter Amisano Photography
The Holland Music Club, in Omaha on January 16, 2026, was a high-energy throwback to the golden era of ska, proving that Save Ferris, led by the charismatic Monique Powell, still has what it takes, more than two decades after their rise to fame.
Despite the bitter cold, with temperatures likely dipping well below freezing, the Holland Music Club felt warm and intimate. The venue, a sleek modern space with excellent acoustics, provided the perfect backdrop for Save Ferris’s horn-driven sound. The crowd, a mix of longtime fans and younger newcomers, was enthusiastic and engaged throughout. Save Ferris kicked things off strong with Turn It Up, immediately going into Anything and then The World is New, and had the audience bouncing.
The setlist continued, leaning heavily into classics from their 1997 debut It Means Everything and follow-up Modified, delivering fan favorites like Everything I want to Be, Goodbye, Super Spy, Little Differences, and Sorry My Friend. Monique Powell’s vocals remain powerful and distinctive—her signature blend of soulful swagger and punk edge intact, even if the band has evolved with some lineup changes over the years. The horn section, consisting of trombone & sax, was tight and punchy, adding that essential ska feel to tracks like “I’m Not Cryin’ for You” and “The Only Way to Be.”
Mid-set highlights included a lively What You See Is What You Get, complete with band introductions that had the crowd cheering and into a costume change for Monique. The set continued with several covers such as 2 Drunk 2 F*ck (as written on their set list), Santeria, and probably their biggest hit from their debut album Come on Eileen.
The show was amazing! Entertaining, engaging, just a great time. If you’re a fan of the ska revival scene, I highly recommend catching their 2026 tour. It was my first time seeing them and I will make it a point to see them the next time they come to town.
Photos by The Pit Magazine photographer, Peter Amisano Photography in Lincoln, Nebraska. ©2026.
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