The crowd filtered in slowly during opener SUSTO’s set at The Pageant on this Thursday night in February 2025. The second night on tour with Houndmouth, the indie folk-rock band formed in Charleston in 2014, was a perfect fit. Amid hazy, low lights, SUSTO gave the audience 45 minutes of songs such as the dreamy, languid “Mt. Caroline” and the slight, gentle jangle of “Friends, Lovers, Ex-Lovers: Whatever.” The seven members in this version of the band were integral in creating full, sweet sounds of passionate longing.
Houndmouth, the American alt-blues band from New Albany, Indiana, took to the darkened stage at 9:15 p.m. to an almost sold-out venue with a crowd revved to see them. Amid heavy blue lights, the members strode on stage and immediately kicked off the nearly 90-minute show with the catchy, pleasant, “Waiting for the Night.” They incorporated several hits throughout the night, including the easy “Cool Jam,” the happy-go-lucky “Miracle Mile,” and, a staple in concerts, “Palmyra,” emanating in longing.
While their 15-song set plus 6-song encore was full of solid, strong, engaging songs, some left this night befuddled, saying the performers were lackluster except for the last few songs during the encore, which included the well-known “Sedona.” A Reddit forum has posters opining that the chemistry is gone and this tour is missing the magic. Is it because lead vocalist and guitarist Matt Myers is the sole original member of this now 4-piece band that formed in 2011? Or some other reason, as another attendee mentioned how spectacular they were at Red Rocks last year?
If you have tickets to a future show (the tour ends on April 10), please still go, but perhaps close your eyes and simply let the melodic music wash over you.
More photos from this concert https://bit.ly/Houndmouth25cz
Houndmouth’s setlist https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/houndmouth/2025/the-pageant-st-louis-mo-635b2627.html
Houndmouth
Houndmouth with opener SUSTO performed in St. Louis at The Pageant on February 27, 2025. Originally photographed for Litehouse Media.
Houndmouth
Houndmouth with opener SUSTO performed in St. Louis at The Pageant on February 27, 2025. Originally photographed for Litehouse Media.
Houndmouth
Houndmouth with opener SUSTO performed in St. Louis at The Pageant on February 27, 2025. Originally photographed for Litehouse Media.
SUSTO
Houndmouth with opener SUSTO performed in St. Louis at The Pageant on February 27, 2025. Originally photographed for Litehouse Media.
SUSTO
Houndmouth with opener SUSTO performed in St. Louis at The Pageant on February 27, 2025. Originally photographed for Litehouse Media.
SUSTO
Houndmouth with opener SUSTO performed in St. Louis at The Pageant on February 27, 2025. Originally photographed for Litehouse Media.
