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Goldfinger brought their signature high-energy ska-punk chaos to to St. Louis Friday night for the first time since 2019, and the sold-out crowd at The Pageant ate it up. Sharing the bill with Unwritten Law and openers Squint and Sullvn, the night felt like a throwback to the late ’90s/early 2000s vibe—fast, fun, and unapologetically nostalgic.
Doors opened at 6:00 PM, with the support acts kicking things off promptly. Sullvn got the room moving early and towards the end of the set I popped into the Halo Bar to swap some camera gear…. I heard “The Impression That I Get Playing” and honestly assumed that it was just music playing between sets until I realized the band was still playing… I thought to myself, this was a damn good cover and then realized Dicky Barrett was on stage with them! They were followed by Squint’s tight set that primed everyone for the main support. Unwritten Law took the stage around 8:40 PM and delivered a solid punch of melodic punk, warming up the floor for Goldfinger’s headlining slot starting just before 10:00 PM.
From the moment John Feldmann and the band exploded onto the stage, it was pure adrenaline. Goldfinger leaned hard into their classics, blasting through fan favorites like “Here in Your Bedroom,” “99 Red Balloons” (their iconic cover), “Get Up,” and “Superman.” The horn section was sharp, the guitars crunchy, and Feldmann’s charisma was on full display—he spent as much time jumping around and hyping the audience as he did singing. The band even threw in some newer tracks like “Freaking Out A Bit” and “Chasing Amy” and covers like The Cure’s “Just Like Heaven” and The Blur’s “Song 2” to keep things fresh, but the set was heavy on the hits that had the entire venue singing along word-for-word.
The Pageant’s sound was crisp, letting the ska rhythms cut through while the mosh pit stayed active without getting too chaotic (all ages show, after all). The energy never dipped. One attendee called it their favorite Goldfinger show ever, praising the extended performance and how the band just kept going with extra songs when it seemed like they were done.
If there was a downside, it might’ve been the late 9:50pm start for the headliner, but no one seemed to mind once they launched into the set and got the adrenaline flowing. Goldfinger proved once again why they’ve stayed a live staple for decades: they deliver relentless fun, tight musicianship, and that infectious “feel-good” punk spirit. St. Louis got exactly what it came for—a high-octane night that left everyone sweaty, smiling, and probably a little hoarse from shouting choruses.
If the appetizer and entree weren’t perfect enough, the dessert came after the show when The Last Stanza took the stage at the adjacent Halo Bar. This St. Louis-based punk outfit delivered a spirited late-night performance that perfectly captured the intimate, unpretentious vibe of the venue. Drawing a dedicated crowd still buzzing from the headliners, The Last Stanza showcased their tight riffs and heartfelt lyrics, offering a fresh contrast to the evening’s ska-infused chaos while proving why hometown bands remain the heartbeat of the scene. For those seeking local, authentic, grassroots rock energy, The Last Stanza is a rising name worth catching before they break out even bigger.
All Over Now (Wasted)
Listen to All Over Now (Wasted) on Spotify. Song · The Last Stanza · 2025
PHOTO GALLERIES WILL BE ADDED HERE LATER:
Goldfinger – Unwritten Law – Squint – Sullvn – The Last Stanza
