7.10.25

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Doesn’t it seem like so much music is coming out of St. Louis lately? From singles to music videos and new full-length albums, local artists seem to be creating more music than ever. The week ahead continues this summer’s hot streak of shows with a star-studded celebration for The People’s People, the latest EP from legendary local hip-hop headbangers Midwest Avengers, at Red Flag on Friday.

Saturday is absolutely stacked with the sixth iteration of WerQfest and an especially innovative event called 24 HR Drive for the North Side, a seven-venue fundraising effort that features 16 area DJs, including event co-organizer Stan Chisholm a.k.a. 18andCounting. While the recent holiday means there were fewer concert announcements than usual, I’m looking forward to the Mindclot/Man With Rope 7” record release show happening early next month at South Broadway’s favorite punk rock dive, The Sinkhole.

As always, we’d love to hear from you, so feel free to reply directly to this newsletter with any thoughts, questions, or story tips that you think should be on our radar.

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WerQfest returns this Saturday. Photo by Tyler Small

Critic's Picks

JULY 10 | THE HI-POINTE THEATRE

Kitz Row

What to Know: When songwriter Jed Buechele played his first show under the name Kitz Row in summer 2022, he did so with little more than a guitar, a microphone, and a laptop that was used to manage crunchy backtracks. His debut EP, Fig, Crackers, U and Me, served up a collision of genres including disco, funk, city pop, and buoyant synths across its six tracks. The 2023 release 50-40-90 is certainly a shorter jaunt, at just three songs, yet the sonic palette has been expanded to include saxophone by Steven Johnson. It was only a matter of time before Buechele brought in other musicians to help flesh out his project's lush instrumentation in a live setting, and, with new recordings on the horizon, Kitz Row will perform at the Hi-Pointe Theatre with a full band in tow.

Double Feature: Not to be confused with the live music venue that used to be located above the Hi-Pointe in the '90s and early '00s, this concert will take place inside the theatre. The event is the latest in a series of monthly concerts that pairs local bands with screenings of music-adjacent films. The feature presentation will be 2015's Love & Mercy, a film about the life of the Beach Boys' Brian Wilson from the production of Pet Sounds in the '60s to his subsequent struggles with mental illness. Doors open at 7 p.m., with live music starting at 7:30 before the film screening at 8 p.m.

JULY 12 | 24 HR Drive for the North Side

16 DJs including 18andCounting

Organized Chaos: Starting at 6 a.m. at Art Hill in Forest Park and ending at 6 a.m. the next day at Screwed Arts Collective, this 24-hour fundraising event is a one-of-a-kind affair that takes place across seven venues throughout St. Louis. This collaboration between 18andCounting, Alex Braden, and Steve Smith of the Royale offers an expansive lineup of local DJs including L. Heartbreak, Cappason, NNN Cook, Innergy, Agile One, DJ David Kirkland, Maxa, Prospect, Atomic Ace, Landy Dandy, Jaxon Noon, Crim Dolla Cray, Ill Temperament, and Saylor. Proceeds will benefit St. Louis tornado survivors. Check out the full schedule for the day’s festivities.

Virtual Reality: Those who aren’t able to attend this multi-venue community event can still tune in online as the live stream will be going all day. Whether you’re experiencing the party through your phone or attending in person, the 24 HR Drive for the North Side is a cause worth supporting.

JULY 12 | ATOMIC PAVILION

WerQfest

WerQfest was founded in 2020 as a vehicle to celebrate Black queer artistry in the River City, but this year’s festival almost didn’t happen. SLM’s Jackson Cooper recently talked with WerQfest organizers Tre’von Griffith and Shelton Boyd-Griffith about the grassroots efforts that saved the event. The 2025 edition shows just how far WerQfest has come with headliner Avery Wilson, a Connecticut native who has serious accolades across several artistic disciplines. The R&B singer first appeared on NBC’s The Voice in 2012, when his elimination during the show’s third season was considered to be a major upset. Regardless, he dropped the single “If I Have To” in 2015 to much critical acclaim, and he reappeared on that year’s season of The Voice to perform the breakout song. More recently, in 2024, Avery played the Scarecrow in the Broadway production of The Wiz, which landed him a Grammy nomination for Best Musical Theater Album. Of all the multidisciplinary artist’s songs to check out, we suggest starting with last year’s hit single “Kiss The Sky.”

Live and Local: While Wilson is an incredible anchor for this year’s WerQfest, the innovative event continues its long tradition of elevating local artists with a lineup of St. Louis natives including Golliday, Soumir, DJ Naybahood, Anansi Spins, and DJ PBNJEFFY. Grab your tickets here.

Photography by Nicholas Coulter

A MESSAGE FROM MAPLEWOOD SPECIAL BUSINESS DISTRICT

Let Them Eat Art features a vibrant mix of music

Experience an eclectic soundtrack at Maplewood's Let Them Eat Art, from blues, singer-songwriter performances, to lively Brazilian music.

Learn More »

Newly Announced Shows

Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band

• 🗓️ November 6 📍Off Broadway
• Indiana’s favorite hoosier musician Reverend Peyton brings his virtuosic guitar playing back to St. Louis with his bluesy backing band in tow.

Mindclot / Man With Rope 7” Record Release

• 🗓️ August 8 📍The Sinkhole
• Two of St. Louis’ crustiest punk bands celebrate the joint release of their split 7” record alongside like-minded local bands T.U.F.T. and Cause of Pain.

Black Magic: The Santana Experience

• 🗓️ September 5 📍Atomic Pavilion
• St. Louis has an incredible Carlos Santana tribute act. The 10-person band explores the legendary guitarist’s expansive discography.

Check out the full concert calendar »

Midwest Avengers hosts release party for ‘The People’s People’ this Friday

Celebrating 33 years of ‘headbanger hip-hop,’ the genre-splicing band will be joined by a star-studded lineup at Red Flag.

Read More »

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In case you missed it 

🌈 WerQfest moves to Atomic Pavilion for its fest celebrating Black queer artistry: R&B artist Avery Wilson will headline the Saturday evening celebration. Read Now »

📅 Top things to do this month in St. Louis: Concerts, performances, exhibits, and more. Read Now »

🎤 Free 4 All brings an accessible, all-local celebration of music to Grand Center: The new music showcase composed solely of local acts will take place across 10 venues on September 6 and 7. Read Now »