Hear this Week – Live Music in St. Louis April 17 – 23

Spring has sprung, and great live music is starting to float outside with patios opening and festivals starting. Here are just a few Bands of Note:
Tuesday, April 18 – Singer/songwriter Hayes Carll brings his roots-oriented tunes filled with plainspoken poetry and sarcastic humor to Off Broadway. Band of Heathens opens. Doors open at 7, $20–$35.
Wednesday, April 19 – If you’ve a hankerin’ for some Texas blues, head over to Hammerstone’s where the John McVey Band will be playing. 8, no cover.
Thursday, April 20 – If you’re looking for a late afternoon party, the Anheuser-Busch Biergarten has local party band Fanfare playing from 4 to 7. No cover.
Friday, April 21 – As part of the Greater St. Louis Jazz Festival, the Touhill Performing Arts Center is putting on a Tribute to Louis Armstrong feature Wycliffe Gordon, Terell Stafford, Chris Vadala, and the amazing UMSL Jazz Ensemble. 8, $15–$35.
Saturday, April 22 – You don’t know what a good time is until you’ve seen Marcia Ball bang on her piano as only this Louisiana daughter can. She’s bringing her high-energy, raise-the-roof southern boogie and roadhouse blues to the Broadway Oyster Bar. 10, $20–25.
Sunday, April 23 – Rock legends the Flaming Lips bring their lush, multi-layered psychedelic rock to the Pageant. Cherry Glazerr opens. Doors open at 7, $70–$134.
What the Locals Know: The annual Record Store Day is April 22 and it is practically a city-wide holiday here in St. Louis. Many of our great LP-dealing stores will feature live music. Vintage Vinyl in University City will have eight live music acts including Pokey LaFarge, the Manness Brothers, and Looprat, among others 10:30–7. Free.
Music Note of Note: The great T-Bone Burnett was born here in 1948. A gifted musician and songwriter, he’s most known as a great producer having made and critically acclaimed albums for scores of diverse artists including the Wallflowers, Elvis Costello, John Mellencamp, Diana Krall, Steve Earle, Elton John, and B. B. King.
— Hear This Week is written by local writer, musician, and live music fan Kevin M. Mitchell