Big Mike & Blue City All Stars at Joes Cafe

This is one of reasons we love this town!!

Funky, quirky and unique barely begins to describe Joe’s Cafe in St. Louis’s DeBaliviere community. Buried in a neighborhood, artist Bill Christman’s place is an intimate music venue, storefront, workshops and a garden filled with robots. The Cafe is strictly BYO. The only thing they are selling is music maybe once or twice a week.

Last night was extra special. The Blu City All Stars played. Big Mike Agiurre had returned to the Lou after a four year absence. He had gone to play a solo gig in the Caribbean when covid hit. At first he couldn’t come home. Then he didn’t come home. Now he has. What a joy.

Matt “The Rattlesnake” Lesch sat in with the band on guitar. He is a young rising star with his own band and a new album, “Blues Cut Like Glass,” that had just hit #1 on the blues charts. These five talented musicians were totally in sync.

Mike and Matt took turns playing lead guitar playing with and off each other in perfect harmony. Nate Hersheys soulful fingers danced on the keyboard while Andy Coco’s bass and Kevin Bowers rhythm section drove the music. The vocalization and harmonies were icing on the cake. The joy of these guys playing together again was apparent. They blew the crowd away. Linda Bergman said it was the best show she had seen in years. The friends we were with all agreed.

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