A 105.7 The Point “Way Back Weekend”-themed, three-band bill featuring Filter, Finger Eleven, and Local H turned the St. Charles Family Arena into a throwback celebration of ‘90s and 2000s alternative rock on Friday night. All three bands’ songs are like a well-worn pair of jeans or a faded concert T-shirt–familiar, comfortable, and classic.
Local H: Getting the Party Started
Local H opened the night with a punchy, no-frills, seven-song set that immediately energized the early crowd. The Illinois duo—guitarist/vocalist Scott Lucas and drummer Ryan Harding—once again proved how full-bodied two musicians can sound. Local H was the original power rock grunge duo, years before The White Stripes and The Black Keys. They kicked things off with “Back In The Day,” quickly sliding into fan favorites like “I Saw What You Did, And I Know Who You Are,” which had the audience clapping along, while “Eddie Vedder” brought laughs and nostalgia. By the time the band tore into their signature hit “Bound for the Floor,” fists were in the air, and the crowd shouted the famous refrain back at the stage.
Despite their brief opening slot, Local H delivered a tight, high-energy set that reminded everyone why they’ve remained a cult favorite for over three decades. After finishing their set, Lucas headed to the merchandise stand to autograph albums and CDS, meet fans, and sell a concert tee or two.
Finger Eleven: Pure Energy
The quintet Finger Eleven followed with a polished and melodic performance that broadened the night’s sonic palette. The Canadian rock veterans leaned into their knack for and winning formula for mixing heavy riffs with radio-ready hooks. They opened strong with “Above” before diving into crowd favorites like “Good Times” and the reflective hit “One Thing.” Frontman Scott Anderson’s powerful voice filled the arena, and the band’s tight musicianship gave the songs a heavier live edge. Guitarists James Black and Rick Jackett were hurling their guitars around, throwing them in the air, catching them, and playing some tasty licks between the acrobatics. Visually, it was great fun for the audience to see whether they could do all these tricks without dropping their instruments. They never did; they are professionals after all.
The band finished with a medley of “That’s All,” segued into their breakthrough hit, “Paralyzer,” and then finished with an abbreviated version of AC/DC’s anthem, “Back In Black. The band also spotlighted newer material from their recent album, reminding the crowd that they remain a vital presence on modern rock radio.
Filter: Industrial Pop Hitmakers From Cleveland
By the time headliners Filter took the stage, the crowd was fully primed. Red lights, fog, and industrial textures filled the nearly darkened stage of the arena as frontman Richard Patrick led the band into a thunderous opening run that included opener “You Walk Away” and then segued into “The Drowning.” Filter’s sound—equal parts industrial crunch and alternative melody—felt especially powerful in the arena setting.
The band balanced aggressive material with their biggest hits, including “Take a Picture,” which turned the show into a massive sing-along as phone lights swayed across the venue. “Take A Picture” is a modern rock hit and a classic alternative rock radio staple, and it was the breakthrough song and video that broadened Filter’s audience.
The highlight of the night came with the final number of the evening when the unmistakable riff of “Hey Man Nice Shot” exploded through the speakers. This song was written after founder Richard Patrick watched a video of a public official committing suicide on live TV at a public hearing. It is still one of the defining anthems of 1990s alternative rock, and it sent the crowd into its loudest reaction of the evening.
Clad in a black jacket and shades, a spiky, handsome haircut of full white hair, Richard Patrick stalked the stage with relentless energy, clearly feeding off the audience’s enthusiasm as the band closed the night’s proceedings.
What made the show special was the sense of shared history between the bands. All three acts have toured together or crossed paths over the years, creating a lineup that felt both nostalgic and genuine. Local H has played St. Louis local clubs including Mississippi Nights, The Firebird, and the Ready Room. Filter has played both headlining and supporting sets, including Jerry Cantrell’s show last year at The Hawthorn downtown. Finger Eleven, a staple on the Point, has also played both headlining shows, as well as support, and dates at the Pageant or as part of the lineup for past Pointfest Festivals.
By the time the house lights came up, fans slowly filtered toward the exits—some hoarse from singing, others buzzing from the wall of guitars that had filled the arena. For one night in St. Charles, three veteran rock bands–Filter, Finger Eleven, and Local H proved their songs still hit just as hard as they did decades ago. Long live the 90’s!
