Old 97’s Hit St. Louis Stage at Old Rock House

Tour Spotlight In St. Louis

Last night, on June 20, alt-country quartet Old 97’s lit up the Old Rock House in St. Louis with a rousing two-hour showcase that blended their signature rock grit and storytelling charm. Nestled in the Grove’s historic district, the 450-capacity venue’s intimate layout intensified every guitar lick and drum fill. The group opened with “Roll On” from their latest album Twelfth, setting a brisk pace before diving into classics like “Barrier Reef” and “Timebomb.” Lights pulsated behind frontman Rhett Miller as drummer Phillip Peeples hammered the beat and Murry Hammond’s deep bass and harmonies filled the room. Guitarist Ken Bethea tore into solos that earned cheers, while Miller paused mid-set to joke about last seeing St. Louis crowds back in 2004 at The Pageant. A two-song encore featuring “Rollerskate Skinny” brought the evening full circle, capping off one of their tighter recent performances. After the final encore, the band mingled with fans outside, sharing high-fives and signing posters under a neon marquee that read “Old 97’s – Tonight Only.”

Midwest Tour Momentum

The St. Louis date marked the penultimate night of Old 97’s three-stop Midwest swing. On June 19, they brought the energy to Indianapolis’ The Hi-Fi, teasing fans with a pumped-up Instagram post.
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Their “INDIANAPOLIS IN / JUNE 19 / @thehifiindy / LET’S GO!” caption racked up dozens of excited comments and sparked last-minute ticket runs. Inside the venue, the band’s tight renditions of “Murder (Or a Heart Attack)” and “Question” had the crowd singing along in full voice. That buzz carried over into St. Louis, where local media praised the group’s seamless energy and stage chemistry. Post-show recap even landed on local station 97X’s evening stream, with fans tuning in online for highlights.

Band Roots And Legacy

Formed in Dallas in 1993, Old 97’s have charted a singular path by fusing country twang with electric grit. Founders Rhett Miller (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Murry Hammond (bass, backing vocals), Ken Bethea (lead guitar) and Phillip Peeples (drums) have guided the band through twelve studio albums, from the alt-country landmark Too Far to Care to the more rock-driven Fight Songs. Over the years, they’ve showcased at high-profile festivals like Bonnaroo and Austin City Limits, and collaborated with artists ranging from John Mayer to Lucinda Williams, broadening their Americana footprint. Miller’s solo work and Hammond’s side projects have added depth to their catalog, while anniversary tours—most recently their 30th—highlight the enduring devotion of a fanbase first courted at South by Southwest. Their music has amassed over 20 million streams on platforms like Spotify and Apple Music, illustrating how their legacy spans multiple generations.

Next Stops For Fans

Looking beyond the Midwest run, Old 97’s have locked in a fall date at the legendary Billy Bob’s Texas in Fort Worth. They teased: “JUST ANNOUNCED / We will be at @billybobstexas, on Friday, September 19. Tickets go on sale THIS FRIDAY at 10 AM CST!”
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Opened in 1981 as the world’s largest honky-tonk, Billy Bob’s welcomes up to 6,000 country music lovers. Old 97’s plan to mix deep cuts such as “Four Leaf Clover” with unreleased tracks, promising a set that honours their roots and pushes creative boundaries. The Fort Worth date will include a live broadcast to the honky-tonk’s adjacent dance hall, ensuring overflow crowds catch the performance. After that, the band wraps the run with festival stops in Colorado and Washington before closing out the season back in Dallas, offering a regional tour perfect for long-time devotees and new converts alike.

Fans are invited to follow Old 97’s on their social channels for live setlist updates, behind-the-scenes clips and pop-up merch releases at each gig. Limited-edition tour posters hit the merch table at every stop, and early arrivals often snag signed copies. Vinyl editions of Satellite Rides and Drag It Up arrive in stores this fall to coincide with the tour’s final legs. As 2024 heats up, Old 97’s show no signs of slowing—on stages large and small, their blend of heartfelt lyricism and raw rock continues to resonate.

Reporter

Reshmi Das

 

Reshmi Das has over four years of experience as a content writer, covering parenting and films. She writes for Hollywoodjunction and Momjunction. Her interest in journaling and writing made this biotechnology postgraduate to take up content as her full-time profession.

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