Concert review: The Judge w/ Sisser & Everfelt | 08.23.25, Platypus (with photo gallery)

Photo of The Judge by Katie Pinkston

It was a cooler night and we were in The Grove, headed to Platypus. Voted the Best Under-the-Radar-Bar in the country. Is it really under-the-radar now that it was voted under-the-radar? I’m writing about it so is it now actually on the radar? Is a platypus really a mammal? Too many questions. Not enough time. I can answer that Saturday night at Platypus was incredible. Three bands, one stage, and excellent vibes all around.

Everfelt kicked off the night with a set that was electrifying. Everfelt is an American rock band that blends psychedelic metal with heavy progressive blues. Their percussionist, Danny, recently had a very successful surgery but unfortunately wasn’t able to perform. The band chose to open the show acoustically. Their sound is best described as a fusion of psychedelic waves and dark metal undertones. We were all drawn in immediately. Hearing them play acoustically and then going back and listening to their music with the full band was really cool too. While it does sound different, the energy is the same.

Next up was Sisser, a St. Louis indie rock band with roots stretching back to 2018. I was hooked when I saw that one of the guitarists was also the keyboardist. I’m a sucker for a keyboard. Where Everfelt felt otherworldly, Sisser would be best described as mystifying. Their songs pull you in and don’t let go. I particularly enjoyed “Rabbit Hat Smash” and “Witch Like Me.” Every note played felt intentional and they were all so in sync with each other. Sisser had a kind of stage presence that made you not want to run off to grab another drink because you didn’t want to miss any of the magic happening on stage.

Then came the closer. The Judge. (Cue the imaginary bailiff in my head yelling “All Rise”!) Honestly they should hire one. Enough of my nonsense. Court was finally in session.

The Judge is a heavy psychedelic/bluesy rock band and their music makes it feel like you stepped into a time machine. One minute it’s 2025 and you’re at Platypus with a beer in hand and the next minute it’s sometime in the 1970s and you’re in a smoke filled room listening to raw roaring riffs. They opened with an older song, “Empty Halls,” but also graced our eardrums with some new songs like “The Rat” and “Sorrows Dawn.”

They closed the show with “The Witcher,” a favorite of mine. I particularly enjoyed how they faked us out, thanking the crowd and other bands as if the song was over, only to dive back in and let the music keep flowing. Their music is great and they’re a cool group of guys who know how to perform.

My closing argument: if you weren’t at Platypus the night of August 23rd, you missed out on three bands conjuring absolute magic together. You won’t regret seeing any of them perform at a show. | Katie Pinkston