VIA PARTISAN ARTS
Afrobeat pioneer Femi Kuti will bring his band the Positive Force to the Sheldon this Friday.
Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre brings a packed week with Chicago on Saturday, June 18 and Dead & Company on Tuesday, June 21. Look out for Juneteenth-adjacent shows going down all weekend long with Femi Kuti leading the pack at the Sheldon on Friday, June 17. Whatever your flavor, St. Louis has you covered, but you should maybe consider bringing a covering of your own — for your face that is. Venues are starting to bring back COVID-19 precautions, so have your mask and/or proof of vaccination at the ready, and be sure to check online to see what will be required before going out for the night. Of course, this can be circumvented by sticking to outdoor shows, but this nasty heatwave we're in will make that hard. Regardless, we've built a calendar that should cater to just about any taste in the river city.
Femi Kuti & the Positive Force
8 p.m. Friday, June 17. The Sheldon, 3648 Washington Boulevard. $30-$40. 314.533-9900.
Building on the Afrobeat legacy established by his father, Fela Kuti, songwriter Femi Kuti brings his band Positive Force and its socially conscious set of songs to the Sheldon just two days before Juneteenth. This special event showcases Kuti's full musical heritage as the next generation iterates on the family's historical contributions to the culture. Femi Kuti first joined his father's band as a teenager, so it's fitting that his own son Mádé Kuti has followed a similar path by touring with the family band as early as eight years old. In fact, this father-son duo recently received a Grammy nomination for debut double album Legacy+, which includes Femi's Stop the Hate and Mádé's For(e)ward, released in February. Such an approach is rare to see, yet it's not at all surprising that the Kuti family would break the mold with their seminal recording projects. Expect music from that double release, including Mádé's debut single from 2020, "Free Your Mind," which demonstrates the modernization of Afrobeat from the bloodline that revolutionized the beloved musical genre.
Time to Celebrate: Speaking of Juneteenth, we'd be remiss if we didn't mention the Paige Alyssa Quintet show going down at the Harold & Dorothy Steward Center for Jazz on June 19. The concert itself is sold out — which is why we're not covering it in greater depth — but if you can somehow secure tickets, you'll be treated to a special night, with brand new arrangements of songs originally written and performed by Mary J. Blige.
—Joseph Hess
CHRISTINE MACKIE
Punk stalwart Jeff Rosenstock will deliver a wide range of genres and sounds at his show at the Duck Room on Sunday.
Jeff Rosenstock w/ Nnamdï, Catbite
8 p.m. Sunday, June 19. Blueberry Hill's Duck Room, 6504 Delmar Boulevard. $20. 314-727-4444.
One doesn't expect to see punk or its many subgenres described as "carefully composed," which is unfortunate because there are many examples of modern musicians who have pushed the medium beyond what was thought possible only decades ago. Take Long Island, New York, songwriter Jeff Rosenstock, for instance, who has been playing myriad forms of punk since the early aughts as bandleader of Bomb the Music Industry! The name of his former band wasn't just for show — Rosenstock is also credited as the founder of the first online donation-based music label Quote Unquote Records, which has released work from We Versus the Shark, Cheap Girls and more than three dozen other musical acts based around the world. Rosenstock himself is just as likely to drop a meditative ambient track on his Bandcamp page as he is to surprise the world with a ska-injected reimagining of an old album. And that's exactly what he did in April 2021 with the release of Ska Dream, a record that adds checkerboard print and tasteful skanking to 2020's No Dream. Rosenstock's work as composer on Cartoon Network's hit show Craig of the Creek shows the multi-instrumentalist's whimsy in full effect, which exemplifies his singular approach as he gleefully slinks from genre to genre.
Arrive on Time: Bedroom-pop wunderkind Nnamdï has been an indispensable part of the Chicago music community for well over a decade at this point, and his name can be found in the album credits of many different projects across multiple genres. Expect a musical kaleidoscope that playfully blends beats, adjacent melodies and vocals that leap from octave to octave as Nnamdï takes command of the stage.
—Joseph Hess
POONEH GHANA
Broncho’s latest tour, hitting Old Rock House on Wednesday, is the band’s first in more than three years.
Broncho w/ Labrys
8 p.m. Wednesday, June 22. Old Rock House, 1200 South Seventh Street. $20 to $25. 314-588-0505.
After a period of relative dormancy, Oklahoma's Broncho hits the road again for the I Know You tour, its first outing in more than three years. The indie-rock act will perform songs from across its decade-plus career, delivering the playful catchiness of 2011's Can't Get Past the Lips and 2014's Just Enough Hip to Be Woman alongside 2016's moody Double Vanity and the bona fide pop of 2018's Bad Behavior. Fans of the band know what to expect, as Broncho combines the fuzz and fury of garage-rock with the energy of punk, while tossing in a dash of new wave poppiness for good measure. Essentially, if you put the Stooges and the Ramones in a blender with the Cars and T. Rex, you'd get a fair approximation of Broncho's sound — not to mention a fine set of summer anthems worthy of a night out in the St. Louis heat.
Top Secret: NPR listeners will no doubt recognize Broncho's latest song, 2021's "It's Confidential" from the podcast Museum Confidential — the Kinks-inspired track was written in collaboration with host Jeff Martin, and serves as the theme song for the show.
—Daniel Hill
THURSDAY JUNE 16
-Anita Jackson Sings Nina Simone: 7:30 p.m., SOLD OUT. The Harold & Dorothy Steward Center for Jazz, 3536 Washington Ave, St Louis, 314-571-6000.
-Bayside: w/ Thrice, Anxious 8 p.m., $30/$35. The Pageant, 6161 Delmar Blvd., St. Louis, 314-726-6161.
-Billy Strings: 8:30 p.m., $39.50-$69.50. Centene Community Ice Center, 750 Casino Center Dr, Maryland Heights.
-Cave States: 8 p.m., $15/$20. Joe's Cafe Gallery, 6010 Kingsbury Ave., St. Louis, 314-862-2541.
-Eric McSpadden and Margaret Bienchetta: 5 p.m.; June 30, 5 p.m.; July 11, 4 p.m.; July 26, 5 p.m., free. Broadway Oyster Bar, 736 S. Broadway, St. Louis, 314-621-8811.
-Hembree: w/ Dante Elephante, Post Sex Nachos 8 p.m., $12/$15. Off Broadway, 3509 Lemp Ave., St. Louis, 314-498-6989.
-Lost Stars: w/ Day Tvvo 8 p.m., $12/$15. Blueberry Hill - The Duck Room, 6504 Delmar Blvd., University City, 314-727-4444.
-River City Tanlines: w/ The Uppers, Prunes 8 p.m., $10/$13. The Sinkhole, 7423 South Broadway, St. Louis, 314-328-2309.
-Shannon Arview: 6 p.m., free. Copperfire, 200 E Main St, Belleville, (618)235_5010.
-Tim & Lisa from Uncle Albert: 7 p.m., free. Evangeline's, 512 N Euclid Ave, St. Louis, 314-367-3644.
FRIDAY JUNE 17
-AmberFade: 8 p.m., free. Copperfire, 200 E Main St, Belleville, (618)235_5010.
-Beau Diamond: w/ The Legendary Tiger Rider, Weak Daze 8 p.m., $10. The Heavy -Anchor, 5226 Gravois Ave., St. Louis, 314-352-5226.
-Bon Iver: 7 p.m., $35-$100. Centene Community Ice Center, 750 Casino Center Dr, Maryland Heights.
-Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band: 9:30 p.m., $12. Broadway Oyster Bar, 736 S. Broadway, St. Louis, 314-621-8811.
-Femi Kuti: 8 p.m., $30-$40. The Sheldon, 3648 Washington Blvd., St. Louis, 314-533-9900.
-Good 4 the Soul with Horns: -18, 7:30 p.m., SOLD OUT. The Harold & Dorothy Steward Center for Jazz, 3536 Washington Ave, St Louis, 314-571-6000.
-Kevin Buckley: 4 p.m.; July 15, 4 p.m., free. Broadway Oyster Bar, 736 S. Broadway, St. Louis, 314-621-8811.
-Mariner 5: 8:15 p.m., free. Evangeline's, 512 N Euclid Ave, St. Louis, 314-367-3644.
-Nick Gusman & the Coyotes: w/ Mac Leaphart and The Mudpie Revue 8 p.m., $12. Off Broadway, 3509 Lemp Ave., St. Louis, 314-498-6989.
-Number One Sons: w/ The Chandelier Swing, Sewer Urchin 8 p.m., $10. The Sinkhole, 7423 South Broadway, St. Louis, 314-328-2309.
-Poncé: 10 p.m., free. Evangeline's, 512 N Euclid Ave, St. Louis, 314-367-3644.
-Sacrifice the Sacred: w/ Elusive Darkness, Atlas On Fire, Roseshands 8 p.m., $12. Red Flag, 3040 Locust Street, St. Louis, 314-289-9050.
-Sonic Slam 2022: 7 p.m., $37-$72. Family Arena, 2002 Arena Parkway, St Charles, 636-896-4200.
-Sullivan King: 9 p.m., $25. Old Rock House, 1200 S. 7th St., St. Louis, 314-588-0505.
-Thelma and the Sleaze: w/ Brother Lee and The Leather Jackals 9:30 p.m., free. Halo Bar, 6161 Delmar Blvd., St. Louis, 314-726-1414.
SATURDAY JUNE 18
-4 Hands Anniversary Party with Jeff Rosenstock: w/ NNAMDÏ, Catbite 8 p.m., free. Delmar Hall, 6133 Delmar Blvd., St. Louis, 314-726-6161.
-All Roostered Up: noon; June 25, 4 p.m.; July 2, noon; July 16, 3 p.m.; July 23, noon; July 30, noon, free. Broadway Oyster Bar, 736 S. Broadway, St. Louis, 314-621-8811.
-Ben Wah Bob's "The Dude Abides": 8 p.m., free. Copperfire, 200 E Main St, Belleville, (618)235_5010.
-Bill Nace: w/ Emily Robb, Sloopy McCoy, Jane Wave, Nick G 8 p.m., $10. CBGB, 3163 S. Grand Blvd., St. Louis.
-Charlie Yaeger & the Suburban Cowboys: 9 p.m., free. Evangeline's, 512 N Euclid Ave, St. Louis, 314-367-3644.
-Chicago and Brian Wilson: w/ Al Jardine, Blondie Chaplin 7 p.m., $35.50-$130.50. Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre - St. Louis, MO, 14141 Riverport Dr, Maryland Heights.
-Doug Dillman: 8 p.m., free. Evangeline's, 512 N Euclid Ave, St. Louis, 314-367-3644.
-Good 4 the Soul with Horns: June 17-18, 7:30 p.m., SOLD OUT. The Harold & Dorothy Steward Center for Jazz, 3536 Washington Ave, St Louis, 314-571-6000.
-HYFY: 10 p.m., $10. Broadway Oyster Bar, 736 S. Broadway, St. Louis, 314-621-8811.
-Kurt Reeder Organ Trio featuring Jose Gobbo Jr.: 10 p.m., free. Evangeline's, 512 N Euclid Ave, St. Louis, 314-367-3644.
-Mads and Co: w/ Humans and Strangers, The Hangovers 8 p.m., $12. Red Flag, 3040 Locust Street, St. Louis, 314-289-9050.
-Matt Cox: 7 p.m., free. Evangeline's, 512 N Euclid Ave, St. Louis, 314-367-3644.
-Natalie Huggins: w/ Middle Class Fashion, Pretty Talk 8 p.m., $10/$12. Blueberry Hill - The Duck Room, 6504 Delmar Blvd., University City, 314-727-4444.
-Queens Blvd: 6 p.m., free. Chesterfield Amphitheater, 631 Veterans Place Drive, Chesterfield.
-Rex Orange County: 8 p.m., $35-$55. Centene Community Ice Center, 750 Casino Center Dr, Maryland Heights.
-Talkin Trash with Bobby Stevens: 6 p.m., free. The Heavy Anchor, 5226 Gravois Ave., St. Louis, 314-352-5226.
-Tesla: w/ Bad Marriage, Signal 13 8 p.m., $44.50-$74.50. The Pageant, 6161 Delmar Blvd., St. Louis, 314-726-6161.
SUNDAY JUNE 19
-The 411 featuring the Paige Alyssa Quintet: 6:30 p.m., SOLD OUT. The Harold & Dorothy Steward Center for Jazz, 3536 Washington Ave, St Louis, 314-571-6000.
-Actual/Actual: w/ Bryerton - Smith Duo, Adam Goodwin 8 p.m., $10. The Sinkhole, 7423 South Broadway, St. Louis, 314-328-2309.
-Brian Curran: 2 p.m., free. Broadway Oyster Bar, 736 S. Broadway, St. Louis, 314-621-8811.
-Eddie 9V: 9 p.m., $12. Broadway Oyster Bar, 736 S. Broadway, St. Louis, 314-621-8811.
-Hot Swing Jazz Brunch with Miss Jubilee and the Yas Yas Boys: 11:30 a.m., free. Evangeline's, 512 N Euclid Ave, St. Louis, 314-367-3644.
-Klose Kuarters: w/ Skylark Bros 1 p.m., free. Copperfire, 200 E Main St, Belleville, (618)235_5010.
-Matchbox Twenty: 7:30 p.m., $30.50-$851. Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, I-70 & Earth City Expwy., Maryland Heights, 314-298-9944.
-Rent Romus' Actual / Actual: w/ Bryerton-Smith Duo, Adam Goodwin 8 p.m., $10. The Sinkhole, 7423 South Broadway, St. Louis, 314-328-2309.
-Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers: w/ Nate Bergman 8 p.m., $22/$25. Off Broadway, 3509 Lemp Ave., St. Louis, 314-498-6989.
MONDAY JUNE 20
-Ben Nichols: w/ Cory Branan 8 p.m., $17-$20. Old Rock House, 1200 S. 7th St., St. Louis, 314-588-0505.
-Butch Moore: 5 p.m.; July 6, 4:30 p.m.; July 14, 4 p.m., free. Broadway Oyster Bar, 736 S. Broadway, St. Louis, 314-621-8811.
-Soulard Blues Band: 9 p.m.; June 27, 9 p.m.; July 4, 9 p.m.; July 11, 9 p.m.; July 18, 9 p.m.; July 25, 9 p.m.; Aug. 1, 9 p.m.; Aug. 8, 9 p.m., $5. Broadway Oyster Bar, 736 S. Broadway, St. Louis, 314-621-8811.
-Welcome to Night Vale: The Haunting of Night Vale: 8 p.m., $30/$35. The Pageant, 6161 Delmar Blvd., St. Louis, 314-726-6161.
-The Wrecks: w/ Girlhouse, Mothé 8 p.m., $20/$25. Delmar Hall, 6133 Delmar Blvd., St. Louis, 314-726-6161.
TUESDAY JUNE 21
-Dead & Company: 7 p.m., $56.50-$201.50. Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre - St. Louis, MO, 14141 Riverport Dr, Maryland Heights.
-Eric Lysaght: 9 p.m.; July 10, 9 p.m.; July 19, 9 p.m.; July 24, 9 p.m., free. Broadway Oyster Bar, 736 S. Broadway, St. Louis, 314-621-8811.
-Steve Reeb: 5 p.m.; July 1, 4 p.m.; July 13, 4:30 p.m., free. Broadway Oyster Bar, 736 S. Broadway, St. Louis, 314-621-8811.
WEDNESDAY JUNE 22
-Broncho: w/ Labrys 8 p.m., $20/$25. Old Rock House, 1200 S. 7th St., St. Louis, 314-588-0505.
-Chloe Kay: 7 p.m., free. Evangeline's, 512 N Euclid Ave, St. Louis, 314-367-3644.
-Ghalia Volt: 8:15 p.m., free. Evangeline's, 512 N Euclid Ave, St. Louis, 314-367-3644.
-Milly: w/ Life’s July, Umlouse 8 p.m., $10/$12. The Sinkhole, 7423 South Broadway, St. Louis, 314-328-2309.
