Few cities embody the spirit of American creativity like St. Louis. Forged on the banks of the Mighty Mississippi, the Gateway City has long mirrored the American story itself: resilient, diverse and boldly original.
When it comes to American music, St. Louis didn’t just echo the evolution of ragtime, blues and jazz, rock ‘n’ roll, punk and hip-hop; it helped write the notes. In this milestone year, as the country reflects on its past and looks toward its future, the rhythms born here remind us that the country’s greatest anthem has always been its enduring power of reinvention.
As the Mississippi River carried commerce and chords north, St. Louis became a creative wellspring – in a time when creativity wasn’t always welcomed. In the early 1900s, the city danced to Scott Joplin’s “Maple Leaf Rag” and the riverfront inspired W.C. Handy’s “St. Louis Blues,” arguably the most popular blues song in history. Later decades saw Miles Davis cut his teeth in local jazz joints and Chuck Berry and Johnnie Johnson fuse musical styles to create rock ‘n’ roll.
The region’s celebrated musical history continues with a lineup of legends such as Josephine Baker, Henry Townsend, Ike and Tina Turner, The Welders and Nelly – “plus, the radio stations that, against all odds, promoted them,” says SPIN author Daniel Scheffler in an article about the St. Louis music scene. In 1979, St. Louis radio station WESL became the first in the nation to play The Sugarhill Gang’s “Rapper’s Delight,” marking a pivotal moment in hip-hop history.
Today, St. Louis honors its legacy with a vibrant music scene that encompasses annual festivals such as Music at the Intersection and hundreds of live music venues, including the newly renovated Powell Hall where the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra – the second oldest orchestra in the country – plays. Blueberry Hill, where Chuck Berry played once a month for 209 consecutive months, remains a pilgrimage site for music lovers, and down Delmar Boulevard, The Pageant and Delmar Hall both host national touring acts in an intimate yet electric atmosphere.
Just south of downtown, Broadway Oyster Bar and Old Rock House keep the beat all week, getting people on their feet and dancing to live funk, soul, country and rock music. And in Grand Center, The Sheldon presents a roster of global icons in a concert hall known for its stunning acoustics while Jazz St. Louis and The Dark Room at The Grandel embrace the unexpected.
For a monumental experience, don’t miss the biggest names in music at Busch Stadium, Enterprise Center, Hollywood Casino Amphitheater, Saint Louis Music Park, Stifel Theatre, The Dome at America’s Center and The Factory.
Experience live music any way you like with our complete list of concert venues.
From steamy blues sessions in underground bars to soaring orchestras in grand halls to rousing country concerts in outdoor amphitheaters, St. Louis is more than a city – it’s a soundtrack. Come for the history, stay for the show.
