St. Louis’ Delmar Loop came alive Wednesday night as multi-platinum rockers Skillet headlined a packed, high-energy show at The Pageant on their Comatose 20 Years, Still Screaming Tour, joined by openers Autumn Kings and Escape The Fate. In a venue known for its intimate-yet-powerful atmosphere, the evening delivered wall-to-wall anthems, electric performances, and the kind of communal release that defines the best nights in live rock.
Autumn Kings opened the night with infectious, high-voltage energy that immediately won over the early-arriving crowd. Drawing heavily from their recent Hopeless Records album Epiphanies, the Canadian/Michigan-based quartet (vocalist Joseph Coccimiglio, guitarist Jake Diab, drummer Troy Dawdy, and touring bassist Sky Werth) blended driving hard-rock riffs, soaring choruses, and dynamic rap-infused verses. Tracks like “Sleep When I’m Dead,” “Gone Gone Gone,” and “Hellbound” showcased their genre-bending style and stage presence, with Coccimiglio’s commanding vocals and the band’s tight chemistry setting an energetic tone that carried through the evening. Their performance was a strong reminder that the next wave of rock is in capable hands.
Escape The Fate followed with a polished, crowd-pleasing set that bridged metalcore roots and hard-rock hooks. Frontman Craig Mabbitt led the band through a well-curated mix that included “The Flood,” “Gorgeous Nightmare,” “Broken Heart,” “Low,” and their signature closer “One For The Money,” with blistering guitar work from Matti Hoffman and the rest of the lineup (including Robert Ortiz on drums and Erik Jenson on guitar). The group smartly tailored the performance to the room—keeping the intensity high while staying accessible—drawing both longtime fans and newer listeners into the mix. Their veteran stagecraft and catchy choruses made them an ideal bridge to the headliner.
When the lights dimmed for Skillet, a nostalgic intro video traced the band’s 30-year history, building anticipation before John Cooper, Korey Cooper, Jen Ledger, and Seth Morrison launched into “Rebirthing” amid CO2 blasts and a roaring response. True to the tour’s focus, the first half of the set revisited nearly the entirety of the 2006 landmark album Comatose (omitting only “Say Goodbye”), including deep cuts and live rarities such as “Falling Inside the Black,” “Those Nights,” “The Older I Get,” “Whispers in the Dark,” and “Looking for Angels.” The emotional centerpiece arrived with an acoustic “Yours to Hold,” featuring Cooper and Morrison on guitars alongside Ledger stepping out from the drums for shared vocals—a tender, memorable moment that highlighted the band’s range.
The second half shifted into overdrive with modern anthems and catalog staples: “Feel Invincible,” “Awake and Alive,” “Legendary,” “Scream,” “Psycho in My Head,” “Hero,” and the inevitable “Monster.” Cooper’s between-song banter was warm and genuine, connecting with multi-generational fans (including families and longtime Panheads) while underscoring themes of hope and resilience without overshadowing the music. Ledger’s powerful drumming and backing vocals, the dual-guitar attack of Korey Cooper and Seth Morrison, and Cooper’s commanding presence kept the energy relentless. The night closed with the encore “The Resistance,” sending the sold-out-feeling room out on a high note.
For a band that has spent three decades proving rock can be both massive and meaningful, the Comatose 20 Years stop at The Pageant felt like both a celebration and a statement. Autumn Kings and Escape The Fate elevated the bill, while Skillet delivered the night’s definitive performance—loud, heartfelt, and still very much screaming. In a city that knows how to support live music, this was one of the standout rock nights of the fall.
