St. Louis鈥� musical heritage is foundational to the city鈥檚 culture. Scott Joplin, Chuck Berry, Miles Davis, Tina Turner, Uncle Tupelo and Nelly are among the musical bedrock that new waves of local artists build upon today.
Concertgoers in 2023 have had a bounty of opportunities to watch their favorite artists perform again, as the live music industry continues its post-pandemic recovery. Evolution Festival had a strong showing in its inaugural year, Music at the Intersection drew its largest crowd yet 鈥� and Beyonc茅 included a St. Louis stop on her world-renowned Renaissance tour.
If you're itching for a concert, here's your guide to finding the right show 鈥� whether it's a high-production stadium megatour, an intimate club show or something in between.
When big names come to town
Downtown St. Louis has multiple venues to accommodate huge crowds, none larger than the 82,000-seat , where Beyonc茅 performed. There鈥檚 also the 18,000-seat and Chaifetz Arena, which seats about 10,600. The in Maryland Heights 鈥� or 鈥淩iverport,鈥� as many stubborn locals continue to call it 鈥� accommodates about 20,000 people.
Midsize concert venues worth keeping on your radar include:
- 鈥� 6504 Delmar Blvd., University City
- 鈥� 6133 Delmar Blvd., St. Louis
- 鈥� 527 N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis
- 鈥� 17105 N. Outer 40 Road, Chesterfield
- 鈥� 2231 Washington Ave., St. Louis
- 鈥� 1200 S. 7th St., St. Louis
- 鈥� 6161 Delmar Blvd., St. Louis
- 鈥� 1403 Mississippi Ave., Sauget
鈥� 1400 Market St., St. Louis
St. Louis Symphony OrchestraConductor Stephane Deneve leads the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra at Powell Hall.
For a classical night out
Performances by the Grammy Award-winning St. Louis Symphony Orchestra are normally held at . But during its 2023-24 season, most of the symphony鈥檚 subscription concerts will take place at the , located at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, while Powell Hall undergoes a $100 million renovation and expansion.
The symphony will stage special events at the 鈥� which seats more than 3,000 patrons 鈥� including concerts that accompany film screenings, plus classical and holiday shows.
If you鈥檙e a fan of classical music, you might be interested in attending a performance by the Opera Theater of St. Louis at the on Webster University鈥檚 campus in Webster Groves.
Summer music festivals聽
Following the demise of LouFest in 2018, local concertgoers were left without a flagship music fest that brought national acts to Forest Park. But that changed in 2023 when promoters Steve Schankman and Joe Litvag organized Evolution Festival. Aside from the music, the festival features vendors showcasing a variety of bourbons while local pitmasters hawk barbecue.
The Kranzberg Arts Foundation鈥檚 Music at the Intersection festival has become an annual force in Grand Center. Its lineups lean toward hip-hop, jazz, R&B and the blues. This year also saw the expansion of the , which was hosted for the first time at the Chesterfield Amphitheater. Its lineups emphasize alternative rock, country and Americana music.
The is an open-air concert series held every week from May to August at the Missouri Botanical Garden. is a free, annual street festival that takes place the first Saturday of October in the Grove. Aside from music, the a classic car display, a bubble bus, karaoke, fire performers and eating contests.
Smaller venues for more intimate vibes
Although the exhilaration and atmosphere of being surrounded by thousands of other music fans can be electrifying, smaller venues have their own special ambiance because of the intimate connection artists can have with the audience, regardless of the genre.
in Grand Center is a premier destination to check out a jazz show in St. Louis. You can listen to live performances there on 漏 2024 外网天堂 at 8 p.m. Fridays and Sundays on .
While the showcases the musical history and impact of the blues, it also hosts live blues concerts by St. Louis-based and nationally acclaimed blues musicians.
For live country music, in Wildwood is a must-visit, especially if you like dancing. The historic music hall on Old Route 66 has been around since 1935. If you're looking for something closer to downtown, you can catch a similar twang at the .
Other intimate venues to check out:
- 鈥� 700 S. Broadway, St. Louis
- 鈥� 364 N. Boyle Ave., St. Louis
- 鈥� 736 S. Broadway, St. Louis
- 鈥� 3730 Foundry Way, Suite 158, St. Louis
- 鈥� 3610 Grandel Square, St. Louis
- 鈥� 2028 S. 9th St., St. Louis
- 鈥� 3509 Lemp Ave., St. Louis
- : 鈥� 4501 Manchester Ave., St. Louis
- 鈥� 3648 Washington Ave., St. Louis
- 鈥� 7423 S. Broadway, St. Louis
: 3333 Washington Ave., St. Louis
Brian Munoz/漏 2024 外网天堂Patrons eat dinner while listening to a set in December 2021 at Jazz St. Louis in Grand Center.
How to keep up with events
There are always news shows popping up and tours rolling through St. Louis. Watch these local concert calendars for up-to-date info about concerts around the region:
- (indie, punk and experimental music)
- (jazz)
- (blues)
If you have any questions, comments or venue recommendations we can add to this article, email us at welcome@stlpr.org.
