The New Year is bringing plenty of fresh comedy and concerts to St. Louis as locals kick off resolutions and wrap up holiday cheer. Comedian Gary Owen is coming to town, plus January will bring concerts from Cody Johnson, Chrisette Michele, Skillet and more.
Gary Owen
Gary Owen
- When: 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. Jan. 3-5
- Where: Helium Comedy Club, 1151 St. Louis Galleria Street
- How much: $42-$52
- More info: st-louis.heliumcomedy.com
Gary Owen got his big break on the classic BET stand-up series “Comic View” in 1997. He later starred alongside Eddie Murphy in the 2003 film “Daddy Day Care” and with Shawn and Marlon Wayans in the movie “Little Man.” Owen recently landed in hot water after taking offense to a line in the new Kendrick Lamar song “wacced out murals,” where the Compton rapper said, “Don’t let no white comedian talk about no Black woman, that’s law.” Owen, who is white and speaks about his relationships with Black women in his stand-up, took to his Instagram page to say, “If that’s the law that makes me a criminal,” despite many of his followers believing Lamar’s lyrics were directed at comedian Andrew Schulz. Owen brings his reality-based, observational style of comedy to Helium for three nights in January.
People are also reading…
Root Mod
- When: 7:30 p.m. Jan. 4
- Where: City Winery, 3730 Foundry Way Suite 158
- How much: $25-$38
- More info: citywinery.com/st-louis
St. Louis-based R&B band Root Mod has been moving and grooving since 2017. The band — which includes siblings Daniel and Bianca Fitzpatrick, their cousins Greg Fitzpatrick and Thomas Paden, and their friend Peter Plank — has become a local favorite at music festivals such as Music and the Intersection and events like Q in the Lou. Although the quintet has released a string of singles, Root Mod is preparing to drop its debut album “This That n’ the Third” on Jan. 2. The band celebrates the album with an official release concert at the City Winery.
Meshell Ndegeocello
Meshell Ndegeocello
- When: 7:30 p.m. Jan. 10
- Where: City Winery, 3730 Foundry Way Suite 158
- How much: $60-$75
- More info: citywinery.com/st-louis
A beacon in the neo-soul music genre, Meshell Ndegeocello has earned 11 Grammy nominations and two wins, channeling jazz, hip-hop, reggae and funk through her music, poetry and bass instrumentation. Ndegeocello was born in West Berlin in 1968, where her father served as a sergeant in the U.S. Army. Later, her music skills were fine-tuned while growing up in Washington, D.C. She’d go on to top the charts in the ‘90s with songs like “Wild Night,” a duet with John Mellencamp; her 1996 Bill Withers cover “Who Is He (and What Is He to You)?”; and the song “Fool of Me” featured in the classic film “Love and Basketball.” Throughout the years, Ndegeocello has remained a longstanding source of inspiration in the music community. Her current tour features songs from her 2024 album “No More Water: The Gospel of James Baldwin.”
Robert Glasper
Robert Glasper
- When: 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Jan. 12-13
- Where: City Winery, 3730 Foundry Way Suite 158
- How much: $58-$75
- More info: citywinery.com/st-louis
Robert Glasper has always rode his own wave. The five-time Grammy Award–winning pianist, arranger, producer and songwriter worked with artists like Maxwell and Mos Def before breaking into the mainstream with his 2012 album “Black Radio.” It won the Grammy for Best R&B Album in 2013. Over a decade later, Glasper continues to shine as a musical force combining jazz, R&B and hip-hop flair while collaborating with everyone from Erykah Badu to Kendrick Lamar. Glasper dropped four albums in 2024, so expect to hear a mix of old and new records.
Nicholas Payton
Nicholas Payton and Nouveau Standard
- When: 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Jan. 15-19
- Where: Jazz St. Louis, 3536 Washington Avenue
- How much: $45-$50
- More info: my.jazzstl.com
Jazz trumpeter Nicholas Payton recently became chair of the Berklee College of Music Brass Department 30 years after releasing his first album “From This Moment” in 1995. The Grammy Award–winning musician has been credited on more than 20 albums, collaborated with artists like rapper Common and neo-soul songstress Jill Scott, and developed a reputation as a multi-instrumentalist musical force. Payton released his most recent album “DRIP” in 2023 and will be joined by his band, the Nouveau Standard, which includes pianist Kevin Hays, bassist Vicente Archer and drummer Bill Stewart.
Funky Butt Brass Bandw
Funky Butt Brass Band
- When: 7:30 p.m. Jan. 16
- Where: City Winery, 3730 Foundry Way Suite 158
- How much: $20-$25
- More info: citywinery.com/st-louis
The Funky Butt Brass Band is a St. Louis favorite that performs all around town. Now it’s headlining a show at the City Winery to kick off the New Year. Formed in 2008, the Funky Butt Brass Band includes six musicians from different walks of life, who each bring a unique twist on the funk, Southern rock and soul music that embodies the band’s second-line, New Orleans–style sound. Expect to hear some cover songs and original records from its 2020 album “Onward.”
Comedian Tim Convy
Tim Convy
- When: 7:30 p.m. Jan. 16-19
- Where: Funny Bone Comedy Club, 614 West Port Plaza Drive
- How much: $20
- More info: stlouis.funnybone.com
Comedian and radio host Tim Convy got his start in entertainment as a member of the band Ludo, which rocked the early 2000s with its hit song “Love Me Dead.” The band performed all over the country, appearing on shows like “The Tonight Show” and “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” before taking a hiatus as a group and giving Convy time to dive into a new passion — stand-up comedy. Convy draws inspiration from his real life as a father and husband, his upbringing in St. Louis and other reality-based subjects. Selected by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch at one of the five local, must-watch stand-up comedians, Convy brings four nights of humor and storytelling to the Funny Bone.
Winter Jam 25 with Skillet, Anne Wilson, KB and Colton Dixon
- When: 6 p.m. Jan. 18
- Where: Enterprise Center, 1401 Clark Avenue
- How much: $15
- More info: jamtour.com
Christian rock band Skillet released its 12th studio album “Revolution” in November 2024. Despite changing members over the years, the multi-platinum-selling band has continued to reign as a favorite for contemporary-rock music lovers since emerging on the scene in 1996. Skillet will hit the stage as the official headliner of Winter Jam 25, the country’s largest annual Christian music tour. Joining Skillet are Christian and contemporary music acts Anne Wilson, KB and Colton Dixon.
Cody Johnson
Cody Johnson
- When: 7:30 p.m. Jan. 24
- Where: Enterprise Center, 1401 Clark Avenue
- How much: Sold out
- More info: ticketmaster.com
Country music star Cody Johnson has been touring all year following the release of his ninth studio album “Leather,” which won Album of the Year at the 2024 Country Music Awards. A Platinum-selling recording artist with more than 7.5 billion global streams, Johnson is keeping real country music alive. He brings his sold-out show to town with supporting sets from country singer Ashley McBryde and Drew Baldridge. Expect to hear songs like “The Painter” and “Whiskey Bent” from “Leather.”
Chrisette Michele
- When: 6 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Jan. 25
- Where: City Winery, 3730 Foundry Way Suite 158
- How much: $68-$85
- More info: citywinery.com/st-louis
With one of the most unique voices in R&B, Chrisette Michele has made her mark in music history. Her 2013 single, “A Couple of Forevers,” was recently certified gold after spending 39 weeks on the Billboard Adult R&B Airplay charts following its release. The track is the Grammy-winning singer’s second RIAA-certified single. Her 2009 single “Epiphany (I’m Leaving)” was certified gold in August 2024. Michele hasn’t released an album since “Out of Control” in 2018, however, she’s been consistent with releasing singles each year so expect to hear her new single “Home” and some fan favorites.
Tom Hamilton of Aerosmith
Close Enemies featuring Tom Hamilton of Aerosmith
- When: 7:30 p.m. Jan. 29
- Where: City Winery, 3730 Foundry Way Suite 158
- How much: $45-$60
- More info: citywinery.com/st-louis
Grammy-winner and Rock-and-Roll-Hall-of-Famer Tom Hamilton spent decades touring as the bassist for Aerosmith. But after the classic rock band announced its retirement in August 2024, Hamilton decided it was time for something new. The 72-year-old rocker is hitting the road with his new band Close Enemies. The supergroup features rock ’n’ roll hitmakers from at least one of everyone’s favorite bands including The Baby’s founding member drummer Tony Brock; Sheryl Crow’s former guitarist Peter Stroud; former AC/DC guitarist Trace Foster; and singer Chasen Hampton, who starred on Disney’s “The Mickey Mouse Club” in the 1990s. The band’s first single “Sound of a Train” is scheduled for release on January 1.
Billy Gibbons
Billy F. Gibbons
- When: 8 p.m. Jan. 31
- Where: The Pageant, 6161 Delmar Boulevard
- How much: $45-$140
- More info: ticketmaster.com
Godfathers of rock ’n’ roll ZZ Top brought their long beards, cool sunglasses and iconic guitar riffs to St. Louis in 2024 when they stopped in town for their “Elevation” tour. Now, the band’s guitarist and vocalist, Billy F. Gibbons is circling back for a solo show. Gibbons has released three albums as a solo act. His 2021 album “Hardware” showcased his rockstar finesse and highlighted why the Texas musician has strongly influenced the modern blues and rock genres. Gibbons will be joined on stage by drummer Chris “Whipper” Layton and blues organist Mike “the Drifter” Flanigin.
Sean Canan's Voodoo Players performs the music of Dave Matthews Band during the grand opening of Atomic by Jamo, in the Grove neighborhood of St. Louis on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024.
Honorable Mentions
Comic Roulette with Brandon Taylor, Terry Dangerfield, Comedi Ann Walker, 7 p.m. Jan. 2, the Sheldon, $36-$46, metrotix.com
Sean Canan’s Voodoo Players, 8 p.m. Jan. 3-4, the Pageant, $15-$30, ticketmaster.com
Elevation Memphis: A Tina Turner Tribute Experience, 7 p.m. Jan. 5, City Winery, $30-$40, citywinery.com
Brian Regan, Steven Rogers, 8 p.m. Jan. 10, the Pageant, sold out, ticketmaster.com
Arnez J, 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. Jan. 17-19, Helium Comedy Club, 1151 St. Louis Galleria Street, Richmond Heights, $32-$42, st-louis.heliumcomedy.com
Natalie Jane, Chandler Leighton, 8 p.m. Jan. 25, Delmar Hall, 6133 Delmar Boulevard, $25-$164.60, ticketmaster.com
Tom O'Keefe, booking and marketing manager at the Family Arena, breaks down some simple ways to make sure you're paying the best price for concert tickets.
