Concert review: Hamilton Leithauser | 07.17.26, Off Broadway (with photo gallery)

Photo of Hamilton Leithauser by Laura Jerele

I can’t remember the last time Hamilton Leithauser was in St. Louis (either solo or with The Walkmen), so I was not about to miss covering this one. I was clearly not the only one thinking this because Off Broadway was basically at capacity, which is always a good way to spend a Friday night. I got there early thinking that would buy me some breathing room and nope, the place filled in fast, shoulder to shoulder because St. Louis clearly knew what it was getting and was not going to miss out despite so much going on in town that night. 

What we got was a masterclass. A phenomenal performance that seriously kicked ass.  I don’t know how else to describe the show other than that. Hamilton Leithauser is a phenomenal songwriter, singer, and performer and I don’t say that lightly. He’s also a killer guitarist and isn’t afraid to get lost in his songs and his performance. I loved that he powered through hits, yet he’d also take a moment to talk through a song to let us know what that song meant to him before playing it and that context changed everything. We got the inside track to the track. He pulled songs like “A 1000 Times,” “In a Blackout,” “Knockin’ Heart,” “Sick as a Dog” (complete with jokes about the current salad situation and a hilarious story about performing sick after also having to endure a bleu cheese and beer tasting, ewwww), and “Happy Lights” complete with a story about idiotic choices we make in our youth. Every song landed like he meant it. Because he does. These songs tell the story of his life, his losses, his experiences, his mistakes and those always make for the best songs. 

His voice is still that same rich, gritty instrument it’s always been. Worn in exactly the right places, he’s incredibly unique and the second you hear him sing, you cannot ever confuse him with another vocalist. He joked about playing Off Broadway once before, but that it had been way too long. I freaking agree! His touring band was incredible with how they matched him at every turn, tight where the songs needed control and unruly when they could run loose and man, I could tell they were having a blast! He mentioned that his drummer and bassist hail from St. Louis as well!  I had no idea he had a local connection this fair city!

And notably, no Walkmen songs. This was solo material only, front to back, which meant the whole night stayed rooted in who he is now instead of trading on the past when he was part of a band. Bold choice. Paid off completely. Almost sold-out room, a songwriter at the top of his game, that voice, a band that meant it. One of the best nights of live music I’ve had in a while and I am thrilled I was able to cover it. | Laura Jerele