Japanese garage punk band Guitar Wolf had the crowd whipped into a frenzy at the Firebird on Thursday night. DinoFight!, Ded Bugs and Transistors opened the show.

Music is one of those rare things that is understood by everyone, regardless of location or language spoken. Guitar Wolf gave evidence in favor of that statement, and a PSA for hearing protection, Thursday night at the Firebird.

It could have happened in any dimly-lit bar or club over the past 33 years. Mission of Burma, the iconic post-punk power trio from Boston, could have played any number of venues that have come and gone in St. Louis, but they didn't. In that sense, their show at the Firebird last night was indeed historic.

The Blind Eyes and Morning Teleportation rocked Plush as the artists for this year's lineup for LouFest rolled across a screen.

The Firebird was crowded with eager indie music lovers ready to witness two separate duo acts take the stage.

I'll be the first to admit that I was definitely 100% more interested in seeing the War on Drugs Saturday night at the Luminary Center for the Arts than headliner, Sharon Van Etten.

Philadelphia's Denison Witmer opened with a set of introspective tunes concerned with self-study and literary metaphors. After a few minutes of self-deprecation about his height, Witmer slipped into "Light on My Face" from 2012's "The Ones Who Wait." The track stood out as a meticulous ode to love and careful passion. Here, Witmer, with his slight nasal rasp, conjured the solo work of Get Up Kids lead singer Matthew Pryor.

A late start and delays getting into the Luminary Center for the Arts did little to dampen the crowd's spirit. Sharon Van Etten held the crowd rapt with her confessional songwriting and layered harmonies. Co-headliners the War On Drugs, from Philadelphia, started off the night.

Ben Kweller rocked Off Broadway Friday night with openers the Dig and Sleeper Agent.

A sold-out crowd packed the Peabody Opera House on a lovely spring Friday night to see if a rock legend still had the chops.