Courtesy of The Lot on the Landing
Funk band Lettuce
Drew Jameson has a passion for driving around the city. Everywhere. All the time. It’s how he ran across an empty lot on Laclede’s Landing next to the former location of Mississippi Nights. Now Jameson, the owner of concert promoter Jamo Presents, is getting ready to launch the second iteration of his concert series, The Lot on the Landing (1000 North Leonor K. Sullivan), in that spot steeped in St. Louis music history. The series will run September 16–October 10.
Last year, Jameson transformed an empty lot downtown for his first concert series, The Lot. There, in the middle of the pandemic, concertgoers could socially distance in pods and take in acts like The Mighty Pines and Tonina. The unique activation of different locations throughout the city was a project Jameson had wanted to do for years—the fact that the same concept could work at a time when indoor concerts weren’t possible was all the more motivation to launch. That the location was an empty lot and not a proper venue? A challenge for sure.
“I have never been blessed with having every room that I wanted to work in St. Louis at my fingertips,” Jameson says, “so getting creative has always been necessary. This is just such a blank canvas. It's a big obstacle, a big hurdle, but it also is a beautiful challenge.”
New this year is a partnership with STL Made as well as a series within the series aimed to showcase St. Louis acts called The Lot Goes Local. Pod seating, like in last year’s series, is “a lever we can pull if we need it,” Jameson says. To add to the experience will be cocktails by STL Barkeep, Schlafly beer, and Sugarfire Smoke House barbecue.
As for the stage, Jameson says not to miss opening weekend with funk band Lettuce (September 17) as well as rapper Talib Kweli paired with Reggie Son and NandoSTL (September 18), both local. The first Lot Goes Local performance will take place September 24 and includes Little Cowboy, Yannon, Pasteurized Milk, DJ Limewire.Prime, Choir Vandals, and Jr. Clooney.
Important to remember is that with the activation comes a little work for the spectator, too. You should plan to bring your own chair (there will be a limited number of them available to rent). There are three paid lots to park, located at 1st and Laclede's Landing Boulevard, 2nd and Lucas, and 1st and Lucas.
For more information on The Lot on the Landing, including how to purchase tickets, click here.
