Cadenza
Stuck in St. Louis? Three musical moves for spring break
For some reason or another, some of you may have the unfortunate pleasure of being forced to stick around in St. Louis for spring break while everyone else jets off to ski the Rockies or to rediscover what the sun and warmth feel like on a sandy beach further south. Fear not: it’s not all bad. Aside from the fact that it looks like temperatures are finally about to climb out of the single digits for an extended period of time, there are actually things to do in the city! Who would’ve thought? Here are three musically motivated events that will get you out of your St. Louis-based depression.
Elvis Costello
Monday, March 9 at The Pageant
Coming in at the start of the break, an Elvis Costello show will be a sure-fire way to brighten up the rest of your break. This English singer-songwriter is a legend, inductee of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and one of the most diverse artists working in the business today, drawing elements from punk, folk and new wave, with just enough pop sensibility to make him palatable to first-time listeners. A holdover from the musical heyday of ’70s England, Costello is still producing music and teaming up with some of the best musicians in the business. Undoubtedly, he will have a wide category of music to draw from for his showing at The Pageant, and the night promises to be unpredictable, eye opening and undoubtedly a great way to slough off that pre-break midterm stress.
Show begins at 8 p.m. Costello is supported by Larkin Poe.
Echosmith
Saturday, March 14 at The Ready Room
Yes, it’s that latest smash hit band behind infectious radio single “Cool Kids.” Echosmith will be hitting the Lou at the tail end of spring break. A season spent playing on the Warped Tour and a breakout song that resonated with outcasts everywhere, and that was seemingly escapable for months, have ensured Echosmith’s speedy rise to prominence. The band’s debut album was released in late 2013, and it is characterized by the same kind of dreamy ’80s synth pop that colors “Cool Kids.” See the album’s title track as well as opener “Come Together,” for more song along the same vein, and to prepare your lyrical knowledge for sing-alongs come Saturday.
Show begins at 8 p.m. Support provided by California indie pop band The Colourist.
‘Phantom of the Opera’
March 4-15 at The Fabulous Fox Theatre
Lucky for all musical theatre fans, the North American tour of “The Phantom of the Opera” is installed in the beautiful Fox theatre downtown for a large portion of spring break. This production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s legendary musical is adapted by Cameron Mackintosh and promises all the big-stage splendor of a huge Broadway show, re-imagined for new audiences. Longtime fans can experience their favorite numbers once more in all the grandeur of the lush costuming and staging, and new inductees into the “Phantom” fandom can be promised a show to truly convert them—and just watching the movie doesn’t translate for seeing the action unfold right in front of you with the singers belting out the passionate songs “Phantom” is known for. Despite the stereotypes of this big musical productions, tickets can be affordable for students too, if you book ahead and pick your seats carefully.