On Friday night, Delmar Hall in St. Louis’s vibrant Delmar Loop welcomed a powerful double bill featuring Nashville-based singer-songwriter Emily Justin and New York City rockers Nicotine Dolls. The intimate, beautifully sounding venue provided the ideal backdrop for an evening filled with raw talent, emotional storytelling, and high-energy rock ‘n’ roll that left the packed crowd thoroughly energized.
Opening the night was 25-year-old Emily Justin, who delivered a captivating 40-minute set of rock, bluesy, and gospel-inspired music. Her powerful and versatile vocals skillfully blended the fiery spirit of Janis Joplin and Stevie Nicks with the soulful edge of Amy Winehouse, creating a sound that felt both timeless and fresh. Justin’s commanding stage presence and personal songwriting quickly won over the St. Louis audience… and then there was Beau, whose t-shirt declaring his two favorite baseball teams—“The Cubs and any other team playing against the Cardinals”—added a lighthearted touch to the evening and drew plenty of laughs and boos from the hometown crowd.
Taking the stage at 9:00 p.m., Nicotine Dolls—led by the dynamic and charismatic vocalist Sam Cieri, alongside guitarist John Newsome, bassist Alex St Kitts, Abel Tabares on drums, and a touring keyboardist (whose name I was unable to find, sorry)—commanded the room for a high-octane 90-minute performance. The 2017-formed group launched their set with pure rock ‘n’ roll energy, opening strong with “Just Enough” before flowing seamlessly into the slick “How Do You Love Me.”
The band moved fluidly between high-energy rockers and more intimate moments. Highlights included the unreleased, gentle “Waiting on California,” the gritty and swaggering “Wild,” and a fan-favorite anthemic performance of “What Makes You Sad.” The group also paid homage to rock and soul legends with a powerful cover of Tina Turner’s “The Best” and a fun, crowd-participation take on Aerosmith’s “Dream On,” featuring strong support from the touring keyboardist. Cieri later delivered a raw, acoustic rendition of “nothin’ i do” before jumping into the audience, making his way to the middle of the floor, standing on a chair, and leading a memorable sing-along to Cher’s “Believe.”
The night closed on a high note with the band’s brand-new, harder-edged track “To the Wolves,” followed by a gritty, show-stopping cover of Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love.”
Nicotine Dolls continues to prove that classic, heartfelt rock ‘n’ roll is alive and thriving. Their authentic stage presence, musical prowess, and ability to blend originals with inspired covers created an electric atmosphere that Delmar Hall’s excellent acoustics and sightlines only enhanced. This was far more than a standard concert—it was a celebration of live music at its most passionate and engaging. Both Emily Justin and the Dolls delivered career-defining performances that will keep fans talking for a long time. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a night of real musical connection.
PHOTOS (Coming Soon)
Nicotine Dolls –
Emily Justin –
