Steel Panther Kicks Off Feel the Steel 15th Anniversary Tour in Lincoln
By Mitch West
Photo Credit: @thatonemitchkid
LINCOLN, Neb. — Steel Panther, the iconic glam metal band, launched their Feel the Steel 15th Anniversary Tour with a high-energy performance at The Bourbon Theatre on Wednesday, delivering their signature '80s-inspired sound and theatrical antics to a packed crowd. Joined by opening act Moon Fever, the Los Angeles-based quartet brought nostalgia, humor, and heavy metal to Nebraska fans eager to celebrate the 2009 debut album that propelled them to fame.
Moon Fever Sets the Stage Ablaze
Seattle-based hard rock band Moon Fever opened the show with a fierce, unexpected energy that quickly won over the audience. The four-piece group—vocalist Triston Bracht, drummer Troy Wageman, bassist Dave Orton, and lead guitarist Mitch Micoley—delivered a dynamic set that rivaled headlining acts. Their performance featured tracks like "Nothing Left to Lose," "Getting Loud," "Taking Cover," "Forever Sleep," "Bury Me," "Decayed," and an extended version of "Feels So Good."
The set was loud, intense, and unapologetically raw, perfectly priming the crowd for the night ahead. Bracht closed their performance with a heartfelt shout: "Thank you for making us nobodies feel like somebodies. We really appreciate that."
Steel Panther: A Night of Nostalgia and Excess
Steel Panther, self-proclaimed "greatest heavy metal band in the history of the world," lived up to their reputation with a performance that blended musical prowess, irreverent humor, and exaggerated '80s rock personas. Formed in 2000, the band—Michael Starr (vocals), Satchel (guitar), Stix Zadinia (drums), and Spyder (bass)—rose to fame on the Sunset Strip, and their Lincoln show was a testament to their enduring appeal.
The setlist leaned heavily on their debut album, Feel the Steel, with crowd favorites like "Eyes of a Panther," "Fat Girl," "Asian Hooker," "Community Property," "Stripper Girl," "Girl From Oklahoma," "Party All Day," "Turn Out the Lights," "Death to All but Metal," and "Gloryhole." The band also sprinkled in surprises, keeping the energy electric. Fans headbanged, moshed, and raised devil horns, with some claiming to have seen Steel Panther perform over 20 times.
The show was a whirlwind of spandex, glow sticks, virtuosic guitar solos, and cheeky stage banter, transforming a Wednesday night into a full-blown weekend party. The only downside? The night had to end.
What's Next for Steel Panther
Steel Panther's Feel the Steel 15th Anniversary Tour continues across the U.S. through late March, followed by the Northern Exposure Tour with Buckcherry. International dates are scheduled from June to early July. For the latest updates, visit Steel Panther's official website.
