Ultimate Fakebook at The Press on New Year’s Eve, Wednesday, December 31, 2025.[Photo credit: Reagan Johnson]

REAGAN JOHNSON | Go Venue Magazine

This Wednesday, Dec 31st, The Press in Manhattan, KS, hosted the hottest New Year’s Eve party of the year for their grand opening.

The concert, comprised of four of the best local favorite bands, marked the first ever at the new indoor venue. Years in the making, the unveiling of the indoor stage and event area was exactly what locals and venue regulars had dreamed of since the first shows at The Press. It was wonderful to see this vision come to life and to watch Manhattan’s greatest venue level up for 2026.

Fittingly, Pink Fuzz was the first band to officially break in the new stage. This band has been the backbone of countless local shows, with the frequency of their gigs in Manhattan picking up over the last few years. At this point, though they are from Denver, Pink Fuzz are honorary Manhattanites. They brought all the same energy and stage presence  that they are known and loved for to the stage on Wednesday night. The setlist was embellished perfectly with songs off their latest record in addition to all of the favorites, and the crowd loved it. From start to finish, Pink Fuzz knows how to work a crowd and deliver a killer-sounding set.

Up next was KC band Agga Dagga. I’ve long heard tales about Agga Dagga, and until Wednesday night, had yet to take it all in for myself. The four-piece band took the stage in the snazziest silver sequin suits I’ve ever seen. Not only did their holiday garb dazzle, but so did the delivery of their live performance. Agga Dagga sounded incredible and brought the moves to match. These guys know their stuff and perfectly showcased why they are the KC legends that they are. All of the hype around Agga Dagga is well earned and much deserved.

Next up was local music giants, Headlight Rivals. I don’t mean to sound biased, but if I said I wasn’t looking forward to their set all night, I’d be lying. Every time these guys take the stage, you can rest assured that you’re in for some incredible live music. The newly four piece band nails vocals, instrumentals, and vibes every time. The setlist incorporated some newer songs that are insanely catchy. The band also performed a stellar cover of Bruce Springsteen’s Dancing in the Dark before segueing into the fan favorites for the home stretch. One of the highlights of the night came when lead vocalist Eric Kleiner asked his daughter to bring his girlfriend Kate to the stage, where he asked her to marry him. The crowd was buzzing, and the emotional moment was a beautiful end to 2025. I couldn’t be happier for the two of them.

After all of the fun and great music so far, we were only just kicking the night off. The real party started as soon as a man in a black cloak came to the stage, ceremoniously holding a candle. He implored the crowd to help summon the Manhattan legends, instructing one side of the room to chant “MHK” and the other to reply “UFB” over and over. After the suspense reached its boiling point, Ultimate Fakebook rushed the stage. Their energy is explosive, and their fans always reciprocate tenfold. This band has drawn the largest crowds that The Press has seen, and that is a testament to their lasting legacy as well as their ability to keep producing great, relevant music. This band’s reach goes well beyond Manhattan, as they have fans all over the world. I still meet people from all over the US who fondly remember listening to Ultimate Fakebook on their local radio stations. The stage could hardly contain the party, and the crowd squeezed forward eagerly, keeping the movement going into the new year. The band paused between songs to count us down and ring in 2026. They were joined by a few friends on stage throughout the set. The final guest of the night was Stephen Egerton of The Descendents, dropping by to perform Inside Me, Inside You alongside Ultimate Fakebook. The crowd was at an all-time high, and it was easily the most electric night that The Press has ever had.

This opening show was one for the books, and 1531 Yuma Street was bursting at the seams with good vibes and laughter. I can’t think of a better way to get rid of the old and ring in the new. It’s only up from here for The Press, and Manhattan is going to be on fire in 2026.

Ultimate Fakebook Headlight Rivals Agga Dagga Pink Fuzz All images © Reagan Johnson

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