It was one of those perfect St. Louis nights at Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre—cool air, clear skies, and that buzz that only happens when you know you’re about to see something special. People were already trickling in hours before showtime, grabbing merch, overpriced drinks, and trying to get over parking prices. The energy was casual on the surface, but underneath it all, you could feel it—this wasn’t going to be just another night of live music.
Then Tedeschi Trucks Band took the stage, and everything shifted…
There are guitar players, and then there’s Derek Trucks. The man doesn’t just play notes—he makes his slide guitar sing, cry, and soar in ways that don’t seem humanly possible. Watching him work the fretboard is like watching someone wrestle lightning into melody. Every phrase had this uncanny blend of precision and abandon, like he was channeling something bigger than himself. Pair that with Susan Tedeschi’s powerhouse vocals and the rest of their twelve-piece ensemble, and Tedeschi Trucks Band didn’t feel like an opener at all.
The set’s high point? Their cover of With a Little Help from My Friends. Tedeschi pushed her voice right to the edge of gospel, the band behind her building this huge wave of sound, and then suddenly the whole crowd was singing too. It was one of those moments where you catch yourself wondering, “Why are they opening this tour?” By the time the song ended, people were on their feet, roaring like they’d just seen a headliner’s encore performance.
And honestly? That was the problem. Because as much as I hate to say it, Whiskey Myers never stood a chance following that performance. The energy dipped the second Tedeschi Trucks cleared the stage. A lot of people left right then, which told me they were here more for the opener than the closer. What was left of the crowd tried to rally, but the vibe never quite reached the same peak.
It didn’t help that the venue wasn’t the right fit. The lawn was practically empty, which is rare for Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre. Whiskey Myers is a hell of a band, don’t get me wrong, but they’re not an amphitheatre band. They’re a sweaty, rowdy, honky-tonk bar band at heart—that’s where they shine. East Texas grit just feels better when it’s spilling out of a club or a mid-size venue, not echoing across a half-empty lawn. Honestly, I couldn’t stop thinking they’d kill at The Factory next time around. Not every band is built for arenas, and that’s okay.
So yeah—Tedeschi Trucks Band blew the doors off like a headliner, and Whiskey Myers had the misfortune of trying to walk into that fire. They gave it everything they had—guitars growling, drums pounding, vocals rough-edged and lived-in—but the setup wasn’t in their favor. They’re still a band worth seeing, but preferably up close, in a venue that can bottle their energy instead of spilling it out.
Together, the night was unforgettable for reasons both expected and not. Tedeschi Trucks left people floored, Whiskey Myers reminded us that sometimes the venue makes the show. In the end, it wasn’t about who opened or who closed. It was about two powerhouse bands sharing a stage and filling St. Louis with music that will stick to our bones for a long time to come.
Melissa O’Rourke aka WickedWitchofSTL is a jack of all trades. By day she’s an established tattooist and piercer, by night a mother to her amazing son (who is a hell of a guitarist). Melissa has a musical background and can often be found at a local karaoke joint, or a concert when she’s not driving across the country for an adventure. This social butterfly always welcomes conversation so come say hi! See y’all at the next gig!
