Each week, we bring you our picks for the best concerts of the next seven days! To submit your show for consideration, click here. All events are subject to change, especially in the age of COVID-19, so do check with the venue for the most up-to-date information before you head out for the night. And of course, be sure that you are aware of the venues’ COVID-safety requirements, as those vary from place to place and you don’t want to get stuck outside because you forgot your mask or proof of vaccination. Happy show-going!
George Benson w/ Eric Marienthal, Randy Brecker, George Whitty
7 p.m. Thursday, August 4. The Factory, 17105 North Outer 40 Road, Chesterfield. $59.50. 314-423-8500.
In what has become an all-too-common occurrence these past two years, legendary singer-guitarist George Benson had to swiftly and suddenly postpone his show at the Factory back in May. Thankfully the 10-time Grammy Award winner rescheduled for a simmering summer date in St. Louis, which also includes an opening set by three renowned jazzmen including Eric Marienthal, Randy Brecker and George Whitty. If that seems like too much heat for a single night, keep in mind that Benson will likely keep things cool with "Breezin'" — his chart-topping track that went on to become a jazz-fusion standard following its original release in 1976. This is a man with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a well-deserved honor considering how influential he's been across the R&B, pop and jazz communities since his mainstream breakout in the late '70s. Whether he's writing solo or working in tandem with other world-class musicians, Benson has pumped out hit after hit for the better part of six decades, which has rightfully earned him accolades such as an honorary doctorate of music from Berklee and the title of "Jazz Master" via the National Endowment of the Arts. To say that the 79-year-old music pioneer is worth seeing live is an understatement — Benson is essential listening for any fan of jazz (or any other genre, for that matter).
Starting Off Strong: This show would come highly recommended even without Benson on the bill. The opening band features a trio of prolific players and frequent collaborators who have amassed hundreds of recordings between them. You're guaranteed a night of incredible jazz.
—Joseph Hess
Ace of Spit Album Release Show w/ Roadhouse, Liquid Lunch, Nick G, the Crisis Walk-Ins, Skin Effect, DJ Ghost Ice
7:30 p.m. Friday, August 5. The Golden Record, 2720 Cherokee Street. $8 to $10. No phone.
Known affectionately as Gabe the Babe to fellow rock & roll lifers and concertgoers alike, the lead guitarist of power trio Ace of Spit has for years been responsible for putting together a number of punk shows inside myriad spaces throughout south St. Louis. His latest band is a surf-rock act landlocked by the dry landscape of the American Midwest, inclusive of the trash and debris lining the long lonely highways between major cities. When the pandemic hit and the band was forced to lock itself away from the packed dive bars of yore, its members dutifully jammed out for months on end to build a set of songs rife with searing riffs. On this night Ace of Spit celebrates the release of this self-titled debut record via Sophomore Lounge, a label with a reputation for releasing your favorite band's favorite albums — a real collection of underrated sonic oddities that spans multiple genres. Gabe and his cohort will welcome like-minded rockers Roadhouse (of Jefferson, Indiana) and Liquid Lunch (of Minneapolis, Minnesota) alongside a slew of local basement dwellers for a marathon of loud guitars, punchy bass and pounding bass drums.
Don't Call It a Comeback: This show marks the first appearance by Skin Effect, the brainchild of St. Louis musician and sound artist Steve Whetstone, who is returning to live performance after a long hiatus. Expect droning, dark ambient music crafted with handmade instruments — a standout in this already-eclectic mix of bands.
—Joseph Hess
Devin the Dude w/ Willy J Peso
8 p.m. Saturday, August 6. Old Rock House, 1200 South Seventh Street. $20. 314-588-0505.
Houston's Devin Copeland, better known to rap aficionados as Devin the Dude, has never really achieved mainstream success, in spite of a work ethic that could be reasonably described as tireless. It's somewhat perplexing, really: The rapper has long been lauded by critics and has worked with everyone from De La Soul to Gucci Mane to Tech N9ne. His most prominent feature came on Dr. Dre's classic Chronic 2001, on which he lent some unforgettable bars to the track "Fuck You," and yet household-name fame has continued to elude him. With an unassuming and humorous delivery, the Dude often rhymes about marijuana — evidently his favorite lyrical subject matter — and chasing women. Despite never breaking through to rap's upper echelons, Copeland maintains a steady cult following that will surely fill Old Rock House with smoke this Saturday.
Smoked Out: Fellow lover of weed Willy J Peso will bring his cannabis-fueled rhymes to the stage alongside Devin the Dude for this outing. With albums including Danksgiving, 12 Plants, Indica, Sativa and Stoned Like Willy, Peso just might give the headliner a run for his money on the marijuana rap front.
—Daniel Hill
-A-Game: 8:30 p.m., $10. Blue Strawberry Showroom & Lounge, 364 N Boyle Ave, St. Louis, 314-256-1745.
-Brother Francis and the Soultones: 7 p.m., free. Das Bevo Biergarten, 4749 Gravois Ave., St. Louis, 314-224-5521.
-Comedy Bang! Bang! Live: 7 p.m., $39.75-$59.75. The Pageant, 6161 Delmar Blvd., St. Louis, 314-726-6161.
-A Garden of Sound: 5:30 p.m., free. Missouri History Museum, 5700 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, 314-746-4599.
-George Benson: 7 p.m., $59.50. The Factory, 17105 N Outer 40 Rd, Chesterfield, 314-423-8500.
-Graham Curry & the Missouri Fury: 7:30 p.m., free. The Frisco Barroom, 8110 Big Bend Blvd., Webster Groves, 314-455-1090.
-Horse Jumper Of Love: w/ Babehoven, Sadurn 7:30 p.m., $15/$18. The Sinkhole, 7423 South Broadway, St. Louis, 314-328-2309.
-Izaak Opatz: w/ Little Cowboy 8 p.m., $12-$15. Off Broadway, 3509 Lemp Ave., St. Louis, 314-498-6989.
-Potterless: 8 p.m., $20. Blueberry Hill - The Duck Room, 6504 Delmar Blvd., University City, 314-727-4444.
-Restless Road: w/ Jenny Teator 8 p.m., $10/$15. Old Rock House, 1200 S. 7th St., St. Louis, 314-588-0505.
FRIDAY AUGUST 5
-Ace of Spit Album Release: w/ Roadhouse, Skin Effect, Liquid Lunch, Nick G Band, Crisis Walk-ins 7:30 p.m., $8-$10. The Golden Record, 2720 Cherokee Street, St. Louis, N/A.
-Beau Diamond: w/ The Centaurettes, Chainsaw Boyz 8 p.m., $10. Blueberry Hill - The Duck Room, 6504 Delmar Blvd., University City, 314-727-4444.
-Bonnie Raitt: w/ Mavis Staples 8 p.m., $43.50-$126. The Fox Theatre, 527 N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis, 314-534-1111.
-Chris Brown: 7 p.m., $29.50-$249.50. Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, I-70 & Earth City Expwy., Maryland Heights, 314-298-9944.
-Fair Weather Friends: 6 p.m., $10. The Attic Music Bar, 4247 S. Kingshighway, 2nd floor, St. Louis, 314-376-5313.
-Hitchcock & the Hitmen: 7:30 p.m., free. The Frisco Barroom, 8110 Big Bend Blvd., Webster Groves, 314-455-1090.
-Jimi Hendrix Experience: Live in Maui Screening: 7:30 p.m., $12. The Factory, 17105 N Outer 40 Rd, Chesterfield, 314-423-8500.
-Justine Petersen's 25th Year Anniversary Block Party: w/ Murphy Lee, KY Juan, DJ Boogie Corleone, EL-TRA!N 4 p.m., free. Justine Petersen, 1023 N Grand Blvd, St. Louis, (314) 533-2411.
-King of Pain: A Tribute to The Police: w/ Ashes to Stardust 8 p.m., $20. Delmar Hall, 6133 Delmar Blvd., St. Louis, 314-726-6161.
-Ruby Jubilee: A Burlesque Birthday Bash: 7 p.m., $20. The Crack Fox, 1114 Olive St., St. Louis, 314-621-6900.
-Skamasala: 7 p.m., free. Das Bevo Biergarten, 4749 Gravois Ave., St. Louis, 314-224-5521.
-Starlight Soiree at City Museum: 8 p.m., $25. City Museum, 750 N. 16th St., St. Louis, 314-231-2489.
-Thre3: Unplugged: 8 p.m., $15-$25. The Dark Room, 3610 Grandel Square inside Grandel Theatre, St. Louis, 314-776-9550.
-Whitehall: w/ Bleach Balta 8 p.m., $12/$15. The Sinkhole, 7423 South Broadway, St. Louis, 314-328-2309.
SATURDAY AUGUST 6
-Boxcar: 4 p.m., free. Alpha Brewing Company, 4310 Fyler Ave., St. Louis, 314-621-2337.
-Buffalo Rose: 7:30 p.m., $15-$20. The Focal Point, 2720 Sutton Blvd., Maplewood, 314-560-2778.
-Daytime Television: w/ Stoker, Sweetheart 8 p.m., $10. Off Broadway, 3509 Lemp Ave., St. Louis, 314-498-6989.
-Devin the Dude: w/ Willy J Peso 8 p.m., $20. The Old Rock House, 1200 South Seventh St., St. Louis.
-Grace Basement: 8 p.m., $15. Joe's Cafe, 6014 Kingsbury Ave, St. Louis.
-Joe Park & the Hot Club of St. Louis: 7:30 p.m., free. The Frisco Barroom, 8110 Big Bend Blvd., Webster Groves, 314-455-1090.
-Lany: w/ Surfaces 7 p.m., $39.50-$69.50. St. Louis Music Park, 750 Casino Center Dr., Maryland Heights, 314-451-2244.
-Mammoth Piano: 9 p.m., $10-$20. The Dark Room, 3610 Grandel Square inside Grandel Theatre, St. Louis, 314-776-9550.
-MUNA: 8 p.m., $31-$36. Delmar Hall, 6133 Delmar Blvd., St. Louis, 314-726-6161.
-Nite Frvr: 8 p.m., $10. The Heavy Anchor, 5226 Gravois Ave., St. Louis, 314-352-5226.
-One Republic: w/ NeedtoBreathe 7 p.m., $29.50-$149.50. Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, I-70 & Earth City Expwy., Maryland Heights, 314-298-9944.
-Patrick Clark Band: 8 p.m., $8. Blueberry Hill - The Duck Room, 6504 Delmar Blvd., University City, 314-727-4444.
-Rock Inc.: 7 p.m., free. Das Bevo Biergarten, 4749 Gravois Ave., St. Louis, 314-224-5521.
-Salty Ginger & The Surfers: 6 p.m., $10. The Attic Music Bar, 4247 S. Kingshighway, 2nd floor, St. Louis, 314-376-5313.
-When We Were Local Fest: 7 p.m., $8-$10. Pop's Nightclub, 401 Monsanto Ave., East St. Louis, 618-274-6720.
-Zyi Li Music's 2-Band Fundraiser Showcase: 7 p.m., $20-$25. Blue Strawberry Showroom & Lounge, 364 N Boyle Ave, St. Louis, 314-256-1745.
SUNDAY AUGUST 7
-Charlie Berry Project: w/ the Maness Brothers 8 p.m., $15. Blueberry Hill - The Duck Room, 6504 Delmar Blvd., University City, 314-727-4444.
-Coheed and Cambria: w/ Alkaline Trio 6:30 p.m., $29.50-$79.50. St. Louis Music Park, 750 Casino Center Dr., Maryland Heights, 314-451-2244.
-Inner Peace: w/ Rob Funkhouser, Hippyfuckers, Fried E.M. 8 p.m., $12. Off Broadway, 3509 Lemp Ave., St. Louis, 314-498-6989.
-The Jazz Troubadours: 11:30 a.m., free. Evangeline's, 512 N Euclid Ave, St. Louis, 314-367-3644.
-Red Fang: 7 p.m., $20. The Ready Room, 4140 Manchester Ave, St. Louis, 314-833-3929.
MONDAY AUGUST 8
-Count Buckley's Royal Rascals: 7 p.m., free. Yaqui's on Cherokee, 2728 Cherokee St, St. Louis, 314-400-7712.
-Doll Spirit Vessel: w/ Yuppy, No Antics 8 p.m., $10-$12. Off Broadway, 3509 Lemp Ave., St. Louis, 314-498-6989.
-Laurence Levy and Professor Longhair: 7 p.m., $10-$15. Blue Strawberry Showroom & Lounge, 364 N Boyle Ave, St. Louis, 314-256-1745.
-Scout Gillett: w/ Punk Lady Apple, Inches from Glory 8 p.m., $10. The Sinkhole, 7423 South Broadway, St. Louis, 314-328-2309.
TUESDAY AUGUST 9
-Black Pistol Fire: w/ Lillie Mae 8 p.m., $20. Delmar Hall, 6133 Delmar Blvd., St. Louis, 314-726-6161.
-Courtney Barnett: w/ Lucy Dacus, Quinn Christopherson 7 p.m., $36. The Factory, 17105 N Outer 40 Rd, Chesterfield, 314-423-8500.
-Five For Fighting: w/ The Verve Pipe 8 p.m., $39.50-$49.50. The Pageant, 6161 Delmar Blvd., St. Louis, 314-726-6161.
-Jake Richter Quartet: 7 p.m., $10-$15. The Dark Room, 3610 Grandel Square inside Grandel Theatre, St. Louis, 314-776-9550.
-Spider Gang: 7 p.m., $25-$49.50. Red Flag, 3040 Locust Street, St. Louis, 314-289-9050.
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 10
-Andrew Bird: w/ Iron & Wine, Meshell Ndegeocello 6:30 p.m., $41-$75. Chesterfield Amphitheater, 631 Veterans Place Drive, Chesterfield.
-The Barflies: 6:30 p.m., free. Candicci's Italian Restaurant & Bar, 100 Holloway Road, Ballwin, 636-220-8989.
-Dispatch: w/ O.A.R., G. Love 7 p.m., $25. St. Louis Music Park, 750 Casino Center Dr., Maryland Heights, 314-451-2244.
-Drivin' N Cryin': w/ the Minks 7:30 p.m., $25. Lincoln Theatre, 103 E. Main St., Belleville, 618-233-0123.
-Machine Gun Kelly: 7:30 p.m., $26.50-$126.50. Enterprise Center, 1401 Clark Ave., St. Louis, 314-241-1888.
-Murder by Death: w/ Amigo the Devil, Samantha Crain 8 p.m., $27.50. Red Flag, 3040 Locust Street, St. Louis, 314-289-9050.
-The Spill Canvas: 8 p.m., $20/$22. Off Broadway, 3509 Lemp Ave., St. Louis, 314-498-6989.
-Voodoo Eagles: 9 p.m., $12. Broadway Oyster Bar, 736 S. Broadway, St. Louis, 314-621-8811.
