Saint Motel packed in the fans at The Hawthorn* in St. Louis on the next-to-last night of their The Symphony in the Sky Tour.
And the fans of all ages got what they came for. Saint Motel is one of those bands who, by now, should be performing in much larger venues as their music is perfectly, well, fun. But they don’t. And that makes their concerts even better. This Wednesday night was no exception.
Touring to promote their February release of The Symphony in the Sky album, the LA-based band did perform several songs from the album, which is more dream pop than power pop they but expertly interspersed fan favorites for a good mix. On this tour, they brought a few extra members along to play strings and brass since the album does have an orchestral air about it. The night kicked off with frontman A. J. Jackson stepping on a small, short podium, back to the crowd, wearing a starry suit to “conduct” the string quartet (who remained behind a curtain) in a rousing, fan-favorite of the quirky, plucky “Puzzle Pieces” from Voyeur.
New songs included the swirly, spacious “Fine Wine” and the sweeping, lovely “Steady Hand,” which frontman Jackson sat down on the edge of the stage to sing. After an energetic “Cold Cold Man,” Jackson left the stage prior to the encore and reappeared in an outfit change, entering through the front doors of the venue as the band launched into the dreamy “A Bluer Blue.” The night ended with the upbeat, pure power-pop, “My Turn.”
As an aside, this concert photographer has enjoyed seeing how Saint Motel has grown over the years after first photographing them at the now-shuttered The Firebird nearly 10 years ago (July of 2015) for the now-defunct Eleven Music Magazine.
Knowing “A Good Song Never Dies,” here’s hoping Saint Motel keeps creating with varying styles without ever quite losing the quirkiness that garnered them so many fans from the get-go. This concert photographer can’t wait to see what’s next.
Opening for Saint Motel was Brigitte Calls Me Baby. It wasn’t hard to see why they’re the current darlings of Chicago.
Lead singer, Wes Leavins, has a cool, effortless, brooding, sultry essence (think James Dean) that anyone with a pulse will swoon over. Couple that with gorgeous vocals, and this band is ready to soar even higher than they recently have been. Each band member had their own distinct fashion style that somehow worked. But are they good? If you like a variety that wafts between an ’80s vocal synth sound on songs such as “Too Easy” to a cross between Roy Orbison and Orville Peck on “Eddie My Love” and “I Wanna Die in the Suburbs,” then check them out sooner than later.
*During MLS soccer season, be sure to check if there are any home games when heading to this venue because parking will be a bear.
See all photos from the night: https://bit.ly/SaintMotel25cz
Saint Motel setlist https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/saint-motel/2025/the-hawthorn-st-louis-mo-6b5ebe3a.html
Brigitte Calls Me Baby setlist https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/brigitte-calls-me-baby/2025/the-hawthorn-st-louis-mo-13466df1.html
