The 10 Best Concerts in St. Louis This Weekend: January 9 to 11

Photo by Cameron Wittig

The Bad Plus plays a double-header this weekend at the newly renovated Jazz at the Bistro.

St. Louis has become a frozen hell of cutting wind and bleak skies. Bands like Cowboy Mouth and the Bad Plus seek to save us from our icy doom. Benefit shows rule the weekend with heavy hitters like Res and Talib Kweli raising money for the Prison Performing Arts association of St. Louis. While it's a less noble affair, Better Off Damned headlines a Dudes Weekend fundraiser that's sure to light some fires (metaphorically, hopefully). There's plenty of warmth to go around, just leave the house and find out for yourself.

Friday, January 9

Cowboy Mouth Friday, January 9 Old Rock House 8 p.m. | $20-$35 St. Louis loves Cowboy Mouth. This is a fact proven over and over again in our fair city. Show some love; they certainly reciprocate. (DH)

Jollys w/ Shitstorm, Baby Sun God Friday, January 9 Foam Coffee & Beer 9 p.m. | free Fans of Chicago's Mr. Maam will be disappointed to know that the band just dropped off this bill. Not to worry, Jollys brings that kind of revved up garage rock goodness that makes you wish you had a full head of greasy hair just to swing around. Shitstorm leaves little earworms through catchy little riffs and rough-edged drum beats. (JH)

Prologue IV Release Party w/ Hands and Feet, Subtle Aggression Monopoly, 18andcounting, CaveofswordS, Abnormal and Centipede, Adult Fur, Blank Generation, Black James, Hubble Friday, January 9 2720 Cherokee Performing Arts Center 8 p.m. | $5 Every year must begin with a prologue, so says local producer Damon Davis. See that list of performers? That's most of the active FarFetched roster -- proof that this label brings the best out of St. Louis hip-hop and electronic. (JH)

Zak Marmalefsky w/ Janet, Ryan Markovich, Nancy Cilantro Friday, January 9 Kismet Creative Center 8 p.m. | free Zak's crooning mingles with dense, melodic riffs played through a hollow body guitar. His songs were dropped here by a time-warp -- we're just not sure if they came from the future or the past. (JH)

Saturday, January 10

The Bad Plus Saturday, January 10 Jazz at the Bistro 7:30 p.m., 9:30 p.m. | $40 The Bad Plus likes to start every year with a string of shows in St. Louis. Since Jazz at the Bistro just re-opened following world-class renovations, this event sees the trio explore the new space. (JH)

Dudes Weekend Fundraiser w/ Better Off Damned, The Chill Dawgs, Daren Gratton Saturday, January 10 The Demo 8 p.m. | $10 This show's proceeds will help to fuel the three days of unbridled punk rock debauchery that is Dudes Weekend later this month -- one of the finest (and rowdiest) fests this town has to offer. Show your support! (DH)

Mobile Deathcamp w/ Stinkbomb, Final Drive Saturday, January 10 The Firebird 7:30 p.m. | $10-$12 Featuring one-time Beefcake the Mighty player Todd Evans. Not quite the same as the Gwar experience, but definitely worthwhile in its own right. (DH)

Res w/ Jessica Care Moore, Talib Kweli, DJ Needles Saturday, January 10 Fubar 8 p.m. | $40 This show is a benefit for the Prison Performing Arts association of St. Louis, which helps to get prisoners and former inmates involved in the arts -- a noble cause, in our book. Learn more about the program here. (DH)

Sunday, January 11

Hands Like Houses w/ Too Close to Touch, Show Me Sunday, January 11 The Firebird 6:30 p.m. | $15-$17 Vegemite sandwich. G'day mate. Whatever, I don't know any good Australia jokes. Kangaroos and whatever. Just shut up and go to this show because the band is good and they came a long way, OK? (DH)

Happy Birthdayy w/ Dem Scientist, Smallpox Champion Sunday, January 11 Revisionist Inn 10 p.m. | $5 Happy Birthdayy comes by way of Oklahoma City, bringing their bent and broken post-rock to the living room of Cherokee street art space Revisionist Inn. Dem Scientist worships Devo -- you might know its apostles from punk bands Trauma Harness, Nos Bos and Lumpy & the Dumpers. (JH)

Note: Though we wish we could, we can't feature every great show happening in town in just one post. Peruse the St. Louis concert calendar for more ideas, and let everyone know what else you're looking forward to seeing this weekend in the comments below. To be considered for coverage in RFT Music, submit show info online or drop us a line anytime.