Closing out this year's installment of An Under Cover Weekend in the usual grand style, five St. Louis bands -- Arthur and the Librarian, Last to Show First to Go, Palace, Dots Not Feathers and Via Dove -- raised the bar and left the crowd anticipating next year's party at the Firebird.

The latest in the long-running series of KDHX benefits and artist tributes, Back to Rockville: A Tribute to R.E.M. and 88.1 KDHX Benefit brought 10 bands and a few hundred music lovers out to Off Broadway on Friday to celebrate the songs of one of the most influential bands of the past 30 years.

Blame belated Tax Day, the Cardinals home game or Willie Nelson's set at the Pageant for the small crowd at the Old Rock House for Los Angeles garage punk/bluesman Hanni El Khatib.

KDHX invited an eclectic group of St. Louis musicians to weigh in on their favorite concerts of the year. A formidable task, to be sure.

Friday night of An Under Cover Weekend 5 at the Firebird was soulful, funky and most exceptionally hard-rocking.

The idea behind An Under Cover Weekend is simple: Local bands transform themselves into their favorite artists to pay tribute to them for 30 minutes. The result of months of hard work culminates in two nights of rock celebration at the Firebird that captures the essence of rock 'n' roll.

Free Energy made love to the past last night playing its third generation version of that all-too-familiar classic rock sound. St. Louis fans energetically danced, displayed rock hands and sang along at the Firebird last night.

The STL Loud showcase at Off Broadway on Friday night brought 6 bands and songwriters together to give the crowded room an evening filled with a variety of sounds from some of our local talent.