Travis Shinn
The Pixies
1. A band that influenced Nirvana and is still active today? Look no further than the Pixies. The alt-rockers are credited with developing the extreme loud/quiet dynamic that pervades the genre. September 17. The Factory.
2. Big Freedia, the queen of bounce (New Orleans–style hip-hop), has collaborated with hugely popular artists, including Drake, Kesha, and Beyoncé. We love her and opener Too Many Zooz, for their eclectic, danceable music. September 19. Delmar Hall.
KOURY ANGELO
Bill Burr
3. Here’s your Bill Burr starter pack: the Netflix animated series F Is for Family (he’s the creator and star); Breaking Bad (he plays Patrick Kuby); The Mandalorian (he plays Migs Mayfeld); his podcast, Monday Morning Podcast; his standup special Paper Tiger; and his no-holds-barred SNL monologue from October 2020. September 29.The Fox Theatre.
4. For more than 30 years, 311 has been blending rock with reggae, rap, metal, and more, resulting in a platinum greatest-hits album. On September 15, the band plays the new Saint Louis Music Park. Later in the month, on September 25, rock legend Judas Priest will also grace the venue. Saint Louis Music Park.
5. The Great Forest Park Balloon Race is back. Beginning at 5 p.m. on September 17, the glowing balloons will dot the grounds of the park’s Central Fields, creating a lantern-like effect and great photo ops. The next day, the balloons will launch at 4:30 p.m. in a “hare and hound”–style race: The balloon pilot who comes closest to dropping a bean bag on an X marked by the PNC “hare” balloon wins. September 17 & 18. Forest Park.
Scooter Brown
6. East St. Louis saxophonist Scooter Brown presents his “life music,” his name for his genre-defying sound, on September 17 and 18. Later that month, the Adam Maness Sextet will celebrate John Coltrane’s birthday, on September 24 and 25. The Harold & Dorothy Steward Center for Jazz.
7. To guide her exhibition, “in c/o,” at the Luminary, artist Andrea Yarbrough considered: “What practices of care are necessary to move us into the harm-free society we dream of?” Peep the assemblage of art created as a result. September 25–November 11. The Luminary.
8. The Factory has more than just rock music this month. Long-lived, critically acclaimed hip-hop band The Roots, currently the house band for The Tonight Show, is known for its excellent live sets. September 5. The Factory.
9. For more than 50 years, the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra’s free concerts have drawn crowds to Art Hill. The internationally recognized orchestra has won nine Grammys, but you can expect more than excellent music at this performance—it concludes with fireworks. September 22. Forest Park.
Tower Grove Pride
10. After a cancellation last year, Tower Grove Pride Festival gets back down to business this month with more than 100 vendors and food trucks, live music, and activities. September 25. Tower Grove Park.
