St. Louis’ biggest annual music festival, Evolution Festival, celebrated hip-hop, rock and a little bit of R&B with 15 acts across three stages on Saturday. Day 1 of the festival kicked off with performances from the Sunday Mourners, Brooklyn band TVOD and St. Louis’ Jimmy Griffin and the Incurables.
Many festivalgoers enjoyed the shows on the main stage from the new Club Evolution VIP lounge and the newly added pit area, which provided prime, standing-room-only viewing for those who desired to get closer to the on-stage action.
Although attendance appeared sparse earlier in the day, the festival footprint was full by nightfall. Three hours before Sublime’s performance, Grammy Award-winning singer Corinne Bailey Rae hit the Lindenwood Stage just as the sun was setting.
She said early evening was her favorite time of day to perform at festivals, and she was a welcoming accompanist to the twilight as temperatures cooled after a hot day in the park.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of Bailey Rae’s breakout single “Like a Star,” and the U.K. singer didn’t disappoint as she presented two decades of songs to an excited crowd of fans. But before she reached her hit ballad, Bailey Rae dived into tracks that showcased her creative growth and showmanship.
Her set included fan favorites like “Been to the Moon” and “Trouble Sleeping” along with songs from her 2023 album “Black Rainbows.” Bailey Rae led into most songs with an anecdote to set the tone or share her inspirational catalyst. She served up ethereal, soprano vocals on “Paris Nights/New York Mornings.” Her voice was light and airy as she sang, despite being slightly drowned out by the band on songs like the rock-forward “New York Transit Queen.”
She vocally shone on “Closer,” delivering a coy performance full of high notes and accompaniment from background vocalist Anita Moses.
The British soul music star also heightened her set by employing an array of handheld instruments. She played the tambourine on “The Blackest Lily” and jingled windchimes and bells during “Earthling.” It was the perfect addition to an outdoor festival set, as if Rae had invited St. Louis into her backyard for a private show.
Towards the end, Bailey Rae took her time crooning the heartfelt lyrics to “Like a Star” before wrapping up with her hit single “Put Your Records On,” concluding a fun-filled, playful show, speckled with highlights.
Following a high-energy, crowd-unifying set from hip-hop pioneers Public Enemy and roaring rock vocals from Sam Fender, West Coast ska punk band Sublime performed in St. Louis with its new lineup for the first time.
Leading the pack was Jakob Nowell — the son of the original lead singer, Bradley Nowell, who died in 1996. While critics and fans have questioned if Jakob has what it takes to fill his father’s shoes, the 30-year-old front man hushed naysayers with his Evolution Festival performance.
Nowell led Sublime fans down a rabbit hole of 23 songs, maintaining extremely high energy throughout the set as he danced and jumped around in socks. He brought a youthful playfulness to the band, which was warm and unforgettable, as he sang his father’s verses on songs like “Garden Grove” and “Prince of Sin.”
Although his vocals were underwhelming on “The Ballad of Johnny Butt” and “Smoke Two Joints,” Nowell exuded a charming confidence from start to finish. Even when he stopped to sit on the stage edge and sing “Doin’ Time” and “40oz. to Freedom,” Nowell remained a ball of excitement with a commanding presence as he made conversation with the crowd between songs and invited everyone to join him at McDonald’s after the show.
It was clear that Nowell was the main character on stage, backed by a cadre of seasoned punk rockstars who were happy to have him jamming along. The rest of the band glided through melodies with ease as they ran through Sublime’s catalog.
Trey Pangborn delivered a memorable guitar solo on “Badfish,” with Bud Gaugh shining under the strobe lights as he beat the drums during “Greatest Hits.” Eric Wilson bounced between the bass guitar and the synthesizer, while standing a few feet away from a giant, inflatable Dalmatian in a top hat representing Sublime’s old stage mascot, Lou Dog.
Nowell joined Sublime in 2023, so it’s no surprise that he’s still building his skills as a showman. But he proved he’s off to a good start, with backing from founding band members “Uncle Eric and Uncle Bud.”
He was a wave of fury and fun performing “Scarlet Begonias,” while smiling broadly and shining on the song’s rap verse. He delivered passionate, grit-filled vocals on “Live at E’s,” and danced around as he sang the fast-paced lyrics on “All You Need.” His energy never wavered, and his excitement felt organic and sincere as he sang the band’s new single “Ensenada.”
The band concluded Day 1 of Evolution Festival with the ballad “Santeria,” leaving the main stage drenched in punk rock angst and Long Beach sunrays as it awaits Lenny Kravitz on Sunday night.
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Jasmine Osby | Post-Dispatch
Music reporter
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