First impressions are important. Both Milo Greene and Bahamas made excellent ones down at the Firebird on Wednesday night during their first stops ever through St. Louis.

Members of Milo Greene were repeteatedly stunned with how many people were at the Firebird last night for their first show in St. Louis, and they showed gratitude throughout the night.

My favorite thing to do when I get to a show early is people watch, and, with three openers before the Fresh & Onlys took the stage at the Firebird on Friday night, I had a lot of time to survey the crowd.

Thursday night at the Firebird was a great place for a geek. Using video game sound cards, Super NES controls and an old NES Power Pad with chiptune, pop-rockers I Fight Dragons made references ranging from Edgar Allan Poe to Star Wars to Moby Dick.

On Tuesday night the Whigs' frontman Parker Gispert came out kicking before a sparse but engaged audience at the Firebird. Literally kicking.

Upon entering the parking lot of the Firebird Friday night, there was an unexpectedly large amount of people, and a long line that reached clear out the door and into the lot.

Young people packed the Firebird to hear two much-hyped indie bands: Geographer and Freelance Whales.

The line at the door of the Firebird snaked through the parking lot. This was the first sign. Then -- the smiles, the excitement, no one worrying about not getting in -- a sense of fate in the air.

After the first song at the Firebird last night, Grace Sophia's bassist stepped on stage, removed his jacket and jumped into the following song as if he was saying, "Sorry I'm late, guys. Traffic." It was a quick set, followed by a quicker set break.

A healthy heap of rock was doled out Sunday night at the Firebird.