El Monstero & Blue Öyster Cult at Hollywood Amphitheatre in St Louis, Missouri on August 2, 2025
Photos and Review by The Pit Magazine Contributor Sevauna Photography
On a summer evening beneath the twinkling St. Louis night sky, the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre hosted an unforgettable gathering of music lovers, all drawn together by El Monstero, the city’s beloved Pink Floyd tribute band. The night was off to a perfect start with Blue Öyster Cult, pioneers of classic rock, who took to the stage playing a generous helping of their timeless hits.
Blue Öyster Cult
Taking the stage with a casual confidence, Blue Öyster Cult wasted no time diving into their nine-song setlist filled with nostalgic charm that perfectly set the tone for the night. They opened with “Dr. Music,” a deep cut that immediately hooked the crowd with its infectious energy and Eric Bloom’s vocal delivery.
The mood shifted with “Then Came the Last Days of May,” a ballad that hushed the crowd, Buck Dharma’s guitar lines creating a tenderness that hit hard. The energy roared back with “Godzilla,” the iconic riff-heavy song that had the audience stomping along. Closing out the set was, of course, “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper,” the timeless classic that turned the amphitheater into a sea of swaying bodies and sing-alongs. The iconic cowbell hits had everyone clapping along, perfectly primed with nostalgia for the main act
El Monstero
El Monstero transformed Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre into a psychedelic wonderland, kicking off the show with flashlight-wielding guards emerging onto stage, one of their many theatrical touches that recurred throughout the night. The set opened with “Take It Back,” its melody giving way to the rebellious “The Happiest Days of Our Lives” and “Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2,” the crowd shouting along to the iconic chorus. Saxophonist Bryan Greene secretly made his way to the middle of the venue during “Dogs,” playing a solo that electrified the audience. The show’s visuals peaked with elegant pole dancers during “Empty Spaces” and “Young Lust,” their graceful moves syncing with the song.
The band tackled the entirety of The Dark Side of the Moon with precision, starting with the cosmic “Speak to Me” and “Breathe (In the Air),” mellowing the swaying audience. During the instrumental of “Us and Them,” all of the large screens shot over to the front-most seat of the venue, empty, with Ralph Morse’s photo, “Wish you were here” written on the seat. This sat heavy onto the audience, Morse being El Monstero’s biggest fan who tragically passed in a recent car accident. Fans also littered the crowd wearing shirts in his memory, along with his iconic hat covered in Pink Floyd pins.
The opening coin clatter of “Money” filled the venue with cheers and bathed the stage in green light, the pole dancers returning to amplify the song’s funky groove. “Eclipse” perfectly closed the album’s run.
The encore, “Comfortably Numb,” was a beautiful finale, Mark Quinn’s guitar solos soaring over pink and purple lights. The flashlight guards made one last sweep as Blue Öyster Cult joined alongside El Monstero, bringing the night to a cathartic climax. El Monstero’s blend of nostalgic music and theatrical flair made for an unforgettable Pink Floyd tribute under the St. Louis stars.
Photos by The Pit Magazine photographer Sevauna Photography in St. Louis, Missouri. ©2025.
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