Tuesday night brought some tenderness and twang to The Factory as Orville Peck’s Stampede Tour rolled into St. Louis.
L.A.-based Gold Star, a.k.a. Marlon Rabenreither, kicked the night off with the harmonica-laden, “Beneath The Wheels” to a growing crowd. Of Gold Star, Ghettoblaster said “Rabenreither makes music that is as chromatic as an old convertible glittering in the desert sun. His music is nostalgic, hazy, and often cavernous.” His set included the Dylan-esque “Wild Boys” and the upbeat, dreamy “Surrender.”
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In the second slot of the night, the now Nashville-based Jaime Wyatt, outfitted in a powder-blue suit, performed her outlaw country music for 35 minutes. Wyatt and the backing band kicked off her set with the twangy “Neon Cross” and slid into the toe-tapping “Back to the Country” from her November 2023 album, Feel Good. Most of her set was dedicated to songs from the recent album. Known for her deeply personal and unguarded lyrics, Wyatt ended the set with her own wish for everyone to see a “World Worth Keeping.”
Promptly at 9 p.m., Orville Peck and band members strolled on stage to cheers while Johnny Paycheck’s “The Spirits of St. Louis” piped in overhead.
If you took Elvis Presley, Chris Isaak, and Roy Orbison and rolled them into one person, you’d have the beginning of Orville Peck. He’s carved out a niche that’s a little bit country, a little bit rock ’n’ roll, and a whole lotta crooning that is purely Peck. He’s on tour to support his third studio album, Stampede, set for an August 2 release that is full of reimagined covers from country to pop and beyond—each sung as duets with leading performers.
Peck’s set began in shadows with the sultry “Big Sky” while the lights slowly rose to reveal the artist clad in an all-chartreuse outfit, cowboy hat, and his signature eye mask. Early on, he removed his suit jacket to reveal an even more toned appearance than the last time he came through St. Louis in 2019—to appreciative whoops from the audience. Peck is all about style. He’s also all about music, substance, and engaging the audience.
It didn’t take long for Peck to capture the full attention of the all-ages crowd, several clad in their own themed getups. “There are three rules,” he said, “Sing along, even if you don’t know the words. Dance. And if you feel like crying, cry.” He then flashed a smile and dug into the night with fan favorites such as “Roses Are Falling,” (he tossed roses to fans during his set), “C’mon Baby, Cry,” and “Dead of Night.”
Peck paused at one point to share that Bronco was written during a dark place for him and was cathartic. (He canceled his 2023 tour to work on his mental health.) He shared with the crowd that he is in a much better place now, and introduced the gentle “Hexie Mountains” as his favorite song from the sophomore album.
Introducing his cover of Ned Sublette’s “Cowboys Are Frequently, Secretly Fond of Each Other,” Peck said that, “Not only did Willie Nelson want to do a song with me, but one about gay cowboys, which is on brand for me if you hadn’t noticed.” He then continued to charm the crowd, flashing a hearty smile, a few high kicks, and a steady stream of captivating and seductive tunes that melted hearts and had everyone in a swoon.
Not on board with any of these artists? Giddy up to your favorite record store or streaming service and give ’em a listen, or better yet, buy their music so they’ll keep saddling up and riding through town.
More photos from the night: https://bit.ly/OrvillePeck24cz
