Photos: Gabe’s celebrates 50 years of live music in Iowa City

The venue has hosted acts including Smashing Pumpkins, Nirvana and Flaming Lips before they made it big

Sep. 22, 2024 1:34 pm

Worst Impressions perform during the 50th anniversary show at Gabe’s in Iowa City on Saturday. The longtime Iowa City music venue, which has hosted performances by dozens of bands who went on to make it big, featured a slate of local acts in celebration of the milestone. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)

Sinner Frenz performs in the beer garden during the 50th anniversary show at Gabe’s in Iowa City on Saturday. The longtime Iowa City music venue, which has been known by other names — including Gabe’s Oasis — over the years, hosted a slate of local acts in celebration of the milestone. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)

Billy MacKenzie (left) of Acoustic Guillotine performs during the 50th anniversary show at Gabe’s in Iowa City on Saturday. MacKenzie has been playing music at Gabe’s since 1984. The longtime Iowa City music venue hosted a slate of local acts in celebration of the milestone. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)

Worst Impressions perform during the 50th anniversary show at Gabe’s in Iowa City on Saturday. The longtime Iowa City music venue hosted a slate of local acts in celebration of the milestone. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)

Billy MacKenzie of Acoustic Guillotine performs during the 50th anniversary show at Gabe’s in Iowa City on Saturday. MacKenzie has been playing music at Gabe’s since 1984. The longtime Iowa City music venue hosted a slate of local acts in celebration of the milestone. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)