St. Louis Music Park in Maryland Heights had the unenviable task Tuesday night of presenting its grand opening concert while one of rock music’s biggest live bands played down the street. Blackberry Smoke’s “Spirit of the South Tour†opened the new venue, while Foo Fighters performed at Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre.
“Thank you for choosing ‘Spirit of the South’ instead of the Foo Fighters — and we love the Foo Fighters,†said Devon Allman of the Allman Betts Band, one of Blackberry Smoke’s support acts.
While Blackberry Smoke doesn’t have the marquee value of Foo Fighters, the modest crowd at St. Louis Music Park got what it wanted, thanks to the band’s fierce, unrelenting musicality.
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Charlie Starr of Blackberry Smoke performs Aug. 3, 2021, at the St. Louis Music Park grand opening.
Originally scheduled for July 2020, the “Spirit of the South Tour†was a five-hour celebration of Southern rock that fittingly put the venue on track.
Before its grand opening, St. Louis Music Park at the Centene Community Ice Center opened softly July 16 with a concert by St. Louis-based Rolling Stones tribute act Street Fighting Band. Blackberry Smoke kicked off a condensed lineup that will include Machine Gun Kelly, Alice Cooper, Judas Priest, Counting Crows, 311, Rod Wave, Wilco, Brett Eldredge, Trippie Redd and more.
After a prerecorded medley referencing the state of Georgia — a nod to Blackberry Smoke’s new album, “You Hear Georgia†— the band emerged with “Six Ways to Sunday,†ushering in the band’s smooth Southern rock sheen and frontman Charlie Starr’s soulful vocals.
It was smooth sailing from there. Blackberry Smoke’s 90-minute set leaned into “You Hear Georgia,†with new songs such as “Live It Down,†“Hey Delilah,†“Ain’t the Same†as well as the title track. Starr referred to the album as his “newest little baby. We think it’s cute as a button.†He wasn’t lying.
An older song, “Ain’t Got the Blues,†came with an instantly recognizable Chuck Berry “Maybellene†intro. Other older favorites included “One Horse Town,†“Waiting for the Thunder†and “Medicate My Mind,†though nothing could come close to matching the exuberant jam “I’ll Be Ramblin’†late in the set. The rousing song was the most fun one could ask for on a Tuesday night.
“You can’t even imagine how good it feels to be out on the road with all my friends,†Starr said.

From left: Berry Duane Oakley, Devon Allman and Duane Betts of the Allman Betts Band perform Aug. 3 2021, at St. Louis Music Park.
The spirit of the Allman Brothers Band hung in the air not only through Blackberry Smoke’s aesthetic, but because Allman Brothers Band descendants were in the house. The Allman Betts Band features three sons of Allman Brothers Band players: Devon Allman (Gregg Allman’s son), Duane Betts (Dickey Betts’ son) and Berry Duane Oakley (Berry Oakley’s son).
Allman Betts Band knows how to find a great groove and ride it out brilliantly, as it did from the top with the sprawling opus that is the instrumental “Savannah’s Dream†from the band’s recent “Bless Your Heart†album.
Throughout its hourlong set, the band performed from “Bless Your Heart†and more, with “King Crawler,†“Airboats & Cocaine†and “Southern Rain.†“Pale Horse Rider†featured Allman’s son Orion Allman on a Hammond B-3 organ, continuing the family legacy.

Ricky Young (left), Joel King and Brett Moore of The Wild Feathers, a country rock band formed in 2010 in Nashville, Tenn., play to the crowd as the opening act to a three-band concert including the Allman Betts Band and Blackberry Smoke at the St. Louis Music Park's Grand Opening on Tuesday, Aug. 3 2021. Photo by Jerry Naunheim Jr.
Country rock outfit the Wild Feathers — whose killer hats were matched by the band’s musical prowess — previewed its upcoming album, “Alvarado,†with its first single, “Ain’t Lookin’.†The set also included “Hard Times,†dedicated to the last 18 months while hoping for better times moving forward.
The band announced it would be back in town Oct. 30 at Off Broadway.
The show was capped by Blackberry Smoke bringing the Allman Betts Band and the Wild Feathers back for a final set honoring songs of the South. The set packed nothing but mighty punches with covers of Allman Brothers Band’s â€Áè±ð±¹¾±±¹²¹±ô†and “Midnight Rider,†as well as Little Richard’s “Southern Child,†Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Tuesday’s Gone†and ZZ Top’s “A Fool for Your Stockings,†in front of an image of ZZ Top’s Dusty Hill, who died in July.
Going into the evening, some wondered whether music from the much larger Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre would spill over to St. Louis Music Park. Foo Fighters were the perfect test, and there seemed to be no issues with bleeding sound.
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After a year of waiting, we finally got to have our first concert and it’s been one amazing night with , , & !
— Saint Louis Music Park (@STLMusicPark)
LIVE MUSIC IS BACK and we can’t wait for a summer filled with concerts !
Photos by
Brother Charlie Starr holding a revival at St. Louis Music Park I’ll Keep Ramblin’ (Partial) - via
— Michelle Brus (@STLTerpMB)
Well thank you and and for a great show tonight in ðŸ‘ðŸ»ðŸ»ðŸ’ªðŸ¼ Loved the at the end and tribute to & ðŸ™ðŸ¼â¤ï¸ and ðŸ‘🻠But I think I liked the best !
— BEERSFORBILLY (@beersforbilly)
Awesome tribute to Dusty Hill, by the combined bands of and
— The Ghost of Cyber Past (@joel_rasmus)
As good as it gets If you haven’t heard em or seen em, do yourself a favor & check em out. Good stuff
— Michael Yarberry (@YarberryMichael)
iParty • Blackberry Smoke performs at St. Louis Music Park
Blackberry Smoke concert

Charlie Starr of Blackberry Smoke plays Aug. 3, 2021, at the opening of St. Louis Music Park in Maryland Heights.
Blackberry Smoke concert

Duane Betts of the The Allman Betts Band, featuring the sons of three of the original Allman Brothers Band, plays to the crowd during a three-band concert including the Wild Feathers and Blackberry Smoke at the St. Louis Music Park's Grand Opening on Tuesday, Aug. 3 2021. Photo by Jerry Naunheim Jr.
Blackberry Smoke concert

Berry Duane Oakley (left), Devon Allman, Duane Betts and Johnny Stachela of The Allman Betts Band, featuring the sons of three of the original Allman Brothers Band, play to the crowd during a three-band concert including the Wild Feathers and Blackberry Smoke at the St. Louis Music Park's Grand Opening on Tuesday, Aug. 3 2021. Photo by Jerry Naunheim Jr.
Blackberry Smoke concert

John Shanahan Jr. (left) of Overland and Jennifer Crowley of Florissant enjoy a three-band concert including the Wild Feathers, the Allman Betts Band and Blackberry Smoke at the St. Louis Music Park's Grand Opening on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2021. Photo by Jerry Naunheim Jr.
Blackberry Smoke concert

Julie Douglas (left) and Matt Arana, both of St. Charles, enjoy a three-band concert including the Wild Feathers, the Allman Betts Band and Blackberry Smoke at the St. Louis Music Park's Grand Opening on Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021. Photo by Jerry Naunheim Jr.
Blackberry Smoke concert

From left: Berry Duane Oakley, Devon Allman and Duane Betts of the Allman Betts Band perform Aug. 3 2021, at St. Louis Music Park.
Blackberry Smoke concert

Dawn Sullivan (left), and Donna Hill, both of Hazelwood, take a selfie as they enjoy a three-band concert including the Wild Feathers, the Allman Betts Band and Blackberry Smoke at the St. Louis Music Park's Grand Opening on Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021. Photo by Jerry Naunheim Jr.
Blackberry Smoke concert

John (left) and Laura Streett, both of Richmond Heights, enjoy a three-band concert including the Wild Feathers, the Allman Betts Band and Blackberry Smoke at the St. Louis Music Park's Grand Opening on Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021. Photo by Jerry Naunheim Jr.
Blackberry Smoke concert

Heather Graham (left), and Eric Mitchell, both of St. Louis, enjoy a three-band concert including the Wild Feathers, the Allman Betts Band and Blackberry Smoke at the St. Louis Music Park's Grand Opening on Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021. Photo by Jerry Naunheim Jr.
Blackberry Smoke concert

Dawn Sullivan (left), and Donna Hill, both of Hazelwood, take a selfie as they enjoy a three-band concert including the Wild Feathers, the Allman Betts Band and Blackberry Smoke at the St. Louis Music Park's Grand Opening on Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021. Photo by Jerry Naunheim Jr.
Blackberry Smoke concert

Jessica (left) and Graham Yeo, 8, and Travis Warne, all of Cape Girardeau, enjoy a three-band concert including the Wild Feathers, the Allman Betts Band and Blackberry Smoke at the St. Louis Music Park's Grand Opening on Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021. Photo by Jerry Naunheim Jr.
Blackberry Smoke concert

Matt (left) and Lori Hey of St. Peters enjoy a three-band concert including the Wild Feathers, the Allman Betts Band and Blackberry Smoke at the St. Louis Music Park's Grand Opening on Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021. Photo by Jerry Naunheim Jr.
Blackberry Smoke concert

Tayor Burns (left) and Ricky Young of the Wild Feathers perform Aug. 3, 2021, at St. Louis Music Park.
Blackberry Smoke concert

Lauren (left) and Keith Goodman, both of Chesterfield, enjoy a three-band concert including the Wild Feathers, the Allman Betts Band and Blackberry Smoke at the St. Louis Music Park's Grand Opening on Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021. Photo by Jerry Naunheim Jr.
Blackberry Smoke concert

The Wild Feathers, a country rock band formed in 2010 in Nashville, Tenn., play to the crowd as the opening act to a three-band concert including the Allman Betts Band and Blackberry Smoke at the St. Louis Music Park's Grand Opening on Tuesday, Aug. 3 2021. Photo by Jerry Naunheim Jr.
Blackberry Smoke concert

Raquel (left) and Scott Null, both of Pacific, enjoy a three-band concert including the Wild Feathers, the Allman Betts Band and Blackberry Smoke at the St. Louis Music Park's Grand Opening on Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021. Photo by Jerry Naunheim Jr.
Blackberry Smoke concert

Josh (left) and Jessica Deadmond of Troy, Mo., enjoy a three-band concert including the Wild Feathers, the Allman Betts Band and Blackberry Smoke at the St. Louis Music Park's Grand Opening on Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021. Photo by Jerry Naunheim Jr.
Blackberry Smoke concert

Ricky Young (left), Joel King and Brett Moore of The Wild Feathers, a country rock band formed in 2010 in Nashville, Tenn., play to the crowd as the opening act to a three-band concert including the Allman Betts Band and Blackberry Smoke at the St. Louis Music Park's Grand Opening on Tuesday, Aug. 3 2021. Photo by Jerry Naunheim Jr.
Blackberry Smoke concert

Anthony Russo (left), of St. Charles and Nadia Albulet of Las Vegas, Nev., enjoy a three-band concert including the Wild Feathers, the Allman Betts Band and Blackberry Smoke at the St. Louis Music Park's Grand Opening on Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021. Photo by Jerry Naunheim Jr.
Blackberry Smoke concert

Jeff Dezenski and Doug Sanderson, both of Atlanta, Ga., enjoy a three-band concert including the Wild Feathers, the Allman Betts Band and Blackberry Smoke at the St. Louis Music Park's Grand Opening on Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021. Photo by Jerry Naunheim Jr.
Blackberry Smoke concert

Jeff Dezenski (left) and Doug Sanderson, both of Atlanta, Ga., and Tom Ernst and Larry Los, both of Ontario, Wis., enjoy a three-band concert including the Wild Feathers, the Allman Betts Band and Blackberry Smoke at the St. Louis Music Park's Grand Opening on Tuesday, Aug.3, 2021. Photo by Jerry Naunheim Jr.
Blackberry Smoke concert

Christy (left) and Brian Cooke, both of Clayton, enjoy a three-band concert including the Wild Feathers, the Allman Betts Band and Blackberry Smoke at the St. Louis Music Park's Grand Opening on Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021. Photo by Jerry Naunheim Jr.
Blackberry Smoke concert

Lauren McGrath (left) and Tyler Doty, both of Springfield, Mo., enjoy a three-band concert including the Wild Feathers, the Allman Betts Band and Blackberry Smoke at the St. Louis Music Park's Grand Opening on Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021. Photo by Jerry Naunheim Jr.
Blackberry Smoke concert

Jim (left) and Marianne Bouras, both of Ballwin, Dave and Arlene DeNoyer, both of South St. Louis County, and Rick and Lisa Smith, both of Washington, Mo., enjoy a three-band concert including the Wild Feathers, the Allman Betts Band and Blackberry Smoke at the St. Louis Music Park's Grand Opening on Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021. Photo by Jerry Naunheim Jr.
Blackberry Smoke concert

The Allman Betts Band, featuring the sons of three of the original Allman Brothers Band, plays to the crowd during a three-band concert including the Wild Feathers and Blackberry Smoke at the St. Louis Music Park's Grand Opening on Tuesday, Aug. 4 2021. Photo by Jerry Naunheim Jr.
Blackberry Smoke concert

Photo by Jerry Naunheim Jr.
Devon Allman performs Aug. 3 2021, at St. Louis Music Park.
Blackberry Smoke concert

Benji Shanks (left), Paul Jackson and Brandon Still of Blackberry Smoke play to the crowd during a three-band concert including the Wild Feathers and the Allman Betts Band at the St. Louis Music Park's Grand Opening on Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021. Photo by Jerry Naunheim Jr.
Blackberry Smoke concert

Brandon Still of Blackberry Smoke plays to the crowd during a three-band concert including the Wild Feathers and the Allman Betts Band at the St. Louis Music Park's Grand Opening on Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021. Photo by Jerry Naunheim Jr.
Blackberry Smoke concert

Charlie Starr of Blackberry Smoke performs Aug. 3, 2021, at the St. Louis Music Park grand opening.
Blackberry Smoke concert

Devon Allman (left) and Duane Betts of the Allman Betts Band perform Aug. 3 2021, at St. Louis Music Park.
Blackberry Smoke concert

R. Scott Bryan of the The Allman Betts Band, featuring the sons of three of the original Allman Brothers Band, plays to the crowd during a three-band concert including the Wild Feathers and Blackberry Smoke at the St. Louis Music Park's Grand Opening on Tuesday, Aug. 3 2021. Photo by Jerry Naunheim Jr.
Blackberry Smoke concert

Devon Allman (left) and Duane Betts of the Allman Betts Band perform Aug. 3 2021, at St. Louis Music Park.
Blackberry Smoke concert

Berry Duane Oakley (left), Devon Allman and Duane Betts of The Allman Betts Band, featuring the sons of three of the original Allman Brothers Band, play to the crowd during a three-band concert including the Wild Feathers and Blackberry Smoke at the St. Louis Music Park's Grand Opening on Tuesday, Aug. 3 2021. Photo by Jerry Naunheim Jr.
Blackberry Smoke concert

John Ginty of the The Allman Betts Band, featuring the sons of three of the original Allman Brothers Band, plays to the crowd during a three-band concert including the Wild Feathers and Blackberry Smoke at the St. Louis Music Park's Grand Opening on Tuesday, Aug. 3 2021. Photo by Jerry Naunheim Jr.
Blackberry Smoke concert

Devon Allman of the The Allman Betts Band, featuring the sons of three of the original Allman Brothers Band, plays to the crowd during a three-band concert including the Wild Feathers and Blackberry Smoke at the St. Louis Music Park's Grand Opening on Tuesday, Aug. 3 2021. Photo by Jerry Naunheim Jr.
Blackberry Smoke concert

Paul Jackson of Blackberry Smoke plays to the crowd during a three-band concert including the Wild Feathers and the Allman Betts Band at the St. Louis Music Park's Grand Opening on Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021. Photo by Jerry Naunheim Jr.
Blackberry Smoke concert

Charlie Starr of Blackberry Smoke performs Aug. 3, 2021, at the opening of St. Louis Music Park.
Blackberry Smoke concert

The Allman Betts Band, featuring the sons of three of the original Allman Brothers Band, plays to the crowd during a three-band concert including the Wild Feathers and Blackberry Smoke at the St. Louis Music Park's Grand Opening on Tuesday, Aug. 4 2021. Photo by Jerry Naunheim Jr.
Blackberry Smoke concert

Berry Duane Oakley of the The Allman Betts Band, featuring the sons of three of the original Allman Brothers Band, plays to the crowd during a three-band concert including the Wild Feathers and Blackberry Smoke at the St. Louis Music Park's Grand Opening on Tuesday, Aug. 3 2021. Photo by Jerry Naunheim Jr.
Blackberry Smoke concert

Benji Shanks (left) and Paul Jackson of Blackberry Smoke play to the crowd during a three-band concert including the Wild Feathers and the Allman Betts Band at the St. Louis Music Park's Grand Opening on Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021. Photo by Jerry Naunheim Jr.
Blackberry Smoke concert

Heather Graham (left), and Eric Mitchell, both of St. Louis, enjoy a three-band concert including the Wild Feathers, the Allman Betts Band and Blackberry Smoke at the St. Louis Music Park's Grand Opening on Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021. Photo by Jerry Naunheim Jr.
Blackberry Smoke concert

Blackberry Smoke plays to the crowd during a three-band concert including the Wild Feathers and the Allman Betts Band at the St. Louis Music Park's Grand Opening on Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021. Photo by Jerry Naunheim Jr.
Blackberry Smoke concert

Eric Mitchell (left) and Heather Graham, both of St. Louis, enjoy a three-band concert including the Wild Feathers, the Allman Betts Band and Blackberry Smoke at the St. Louis Music Park's Grand Opening on Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021. Photo by Jerry Naunheim Jr.
Blackberry Smoke concert

Johnny Stachela of The Allman Betts Band, featuring the sons of three of the original Allman Brothers Band, plays slide guitar during a three-band concert including the Wild Feathers and Blackberry Smoke at the St. Louis Music Park's Grand Opening on Tuesday, Aug. 3 2021. Photo by Jerry Naunheim Jr.
Blackberry Smoke concert

Katie Sniffen (left) and Erik Andrew, both of St. Louis, enjoy a three-band concert including the Wild Feathers, the Allman Betts Band and Blackberry Smoke at the St. Louis Music Park's Grand Opening on Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021. Photo by Jerry Naunheim Jr.
Blackberry Smoke concert

Karen (left) and Tim Davis, both of Mundelein, Ill., enjoy a three-band concert including the Wild Feathers, the Allman Betts Band and Blackberry Smoke at the St. Louis Music Park's Grand Opening on Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021. Photo by Jerry Naunheim Jr.
Blackberry Smoke concert

Leland (left) and Julie Foster, both of Joplin, enjoy a three-band concert including the Wild Feathers, the Allman Betts Band and Blackberry Smoke at the St. Louis Music Park's Grand Opening on Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021. Photo by Jerry Naunheim Jr.