Spring has officially arrived, and as the trees begin to leaf out and flowers start to emerge, the sound of songbirds will soon fill the air. Meanwhile, the stage has been set for another kind of singing in Central Nebraska with the annual Livin’ Out Loud music festival just four short months away.

Livin’ Out Loud 2026 will be held Aug. 15 and 16 at Lake Helen in Gothenburg. The outdoor Christian music event is free to attend, thanks to the generosity of many private donors and business sponsors. Each year, the grass area on the west side of Lake Helen is transformed into a praise and worship event that attracts thousands of people from all across the United States.

Now in its 13th year, the lineup for the summer concert has been confirmed. Starting the show on Saturday, Aug. 15, at 4:45 p.m. will be the acoustic duo of Logan and Katie. This husband and wife team from northern Virginia features two acoustic guitars and dynamic vocal harmonies. Though they characterize their style as acoustic folk rock, Logan and Katie have a unique style and wide range to appeal to all types of music lovers.

Next up is a very familiar band to repeat attendees of the event. All the Noise, formerly Chye, is the touring band for the high school outreach group the Todd Becker Foundation. The band has been together for 15 years and will be making their third appearance at Livin’ Out Loud. The band has recorded three albums, drawing inspiration from artists like Crowder and Andrew Ripp.

Also returning to the LOL stage will be Band Reeves. Brothers Jeramy and Cody Reeves hail from East Texas and say their music has been heavily influenced by country and rock backgrounds. The brothers were a big hit at the 2025 event, and the LOL board said they are excited to have them back! The band recently released a brand new album titled “My Country,” and their single “Outrun You” from that album is already getting lots of attention.

As evening begins to set in, those in attendance will be treated to the angelic voice of Megan Woods. From a small town in northern Massachusetts, Megan says God put a love of music in her at a very young age. Megan’s debut single, “The Truth,” is a driving piano ballad that showcases her powerhouse alto vocals and is a deeply personal proclamation. “This song is my life story,” she says. “I wanted to write a song that’s a reminder for people every day of who they are in Jesus. We don’t belong to the lies, we belong to God – that’s the truth. When the lies are closing in, this song can remind them of the truth.”

Closing out the 2026 Livin’ Out Loud event will be another returning artist. Danny Gokey made his first visit to this area of Nebraska in 2017, the first year that LOL was held at the 4-plex where the Impact Center now sits. Danny gained national attention as a thirdplace finalist on season eight of American Idol, and has never looked back.

His album “Haven’t Seen it Yet” produced several hit singles, including the title track, “Love God Love People”, and “New Day”. Danny brings a high energy to the stage, coupled with lyrics that touch the heart and connect with his listeners.

Mark your calendars now and plan to be in Gothenburg Aug. 15-16 for this very special Christ-centered outdoor event.