St. Louis rock band Ludo returned last night for a pair of back-to-back sold out Halloween shows, and fans were elated. This one night only celebration was the band’s first event in six years.
Lines of eager fans draped every inch of sidewalk surrounding The Pageant, where the shows took place, for at least an hour and a half before the doors opened. If you didn’t know what show was taking place at the venue, it could’ve easily been assumed that the show featured a chart topping national touring act rather than a local group that had disappeared six years prior.
The “Love Me Dead” band touted the same lineup with vocalist Andrew Volpe, guitarist Tim Ferrell, drummer Matt Palermo, and keyboardist Tim Convy. Adam Brooks filled in on bass and was a nice edition to the energetic-as-ever group.
Known for their past Christmas shows, it was no mistake that Ludo made their comeback in the form of another holiday show, turning Halloween into HalLUDOWeen. Dressed in ghostly costumes when they took the stage, they eventually shed their sheets, revealing skeleton onesies that they, to no surprise, rocked quite well.
By the strum of the first chord of the night, it was as if nothing had changed since 2012. Convy bouncing around and energizing the crowd while Volpe jams out on his guitar felt as authentic and effortless as it had years ago. Overall, their set, lasting 90 minutes, was nostalgic and on point for a band that hadn’t played together in more years than you can count on one hand.
Volpe made it clear during their set that they were taken back by how many fans showed up to see them play after so many years and that they’d expected a few people to show up for nostalgia. Oh, were they wrong! With nearly 5,000 fans in attendance to their back to back shows, St. Louis made clear that any stage we have to offer is one we would love to see Ludo play on for the rest of time.
Photos © Alyssa Bardol
