Announcing the Fall 2026 Season
Songbird Concerts is proud to announce our Fall 2026 Season, marking 17 seasons of intimate shows, unforgettable artists, and a community built around the joy of live music in St. Louis.
There’s something about fall that feels made for Songbird.
Maybe it’s the earlier sunsets. Maybe it’s the instinct to gather. Or maybe it’s simply that some songs seem to land a little deeper when the air turns crisp and the room grows warm with shared attention.
Whatever the reason, we’re thrilled to announce the Fall 2026 Songbird Concert season at The Focal Point.
Three evenings. Twelve remarkable artists. Countless stories shared in the round.
For those new to Songbird, our concerts are built around a simple format that has become something special. Four songwriters take the round together, sharing original songs one at a time across six rounds. No elaborate production. No distractions. Just the songs, the stories behind them, and the rare kind of listening room experience where every voice has space to be fully heard.
And if this past season taught us anything, it’s this: these nights fill up.
FALL 2026 SONGBIRD SCHEDULE
August 26
We begin the season with a lineup that promises emotional range, sharp songwriting, and unforgettable voices.
St. Louis favorite Violet Vonder Haar brings her signature blend of intelligence, theatricality, and emotional honesty, creating songs that feel both cinematic and deeply personal. Alongside her, Irene Allen offers the kind of songwriting that settles in slowly and stays with you.
Tom Wood, a longtime Songbird favorite and beloved craftsman of song, brings his unmistakable warmth and storytelling sensibility to the round, while Alencia Norris adds a fresh perspective and voice to complete an evening that feels equal parts grounded and electric.
Expect a night of nuance, heart, and more than a few lyrical turns worth carrying home.
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TICKETS: $20 advance | $30 week of show
TIMES: 6:30 PM doors open | 7:00 PM show starts
Violet Vonder Haar (Columbia, MO)
Irene Allen
Tom Wood
Alencia Norris
SEPTEMBER 23
September brings a lineup rooted in strong musicianship, emotional storytelling, and the kind of performances that thrive in an intimate room.
Springfield artists Shannon Stine and Natalie Wlodarczyk, The Shandies, make the trip east, bringing distinct voices and perspectives shaped by Missouri’s rich songwriting tradition.
Joining them is Allie Vogler, whose warm, expressive voice and emotionally resonant songwriting create the kind of connection Songbird audiences know and love. With roots in indie folk, Americana, and soul, her performances balance intimacy with quiet power.
Rounding out the evening is Jakob Baxter, a respected St. Louis guitarist and musician whose grounded, expressive style adds another compelling layer to the night.
This one feels built for listeners who love strong melodies, thoughtful lyrics, and the occasional goosebump moment.
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TICKETS: $20 advance | $30 week of show
TIMES: 6:30 PM doors open | 7:00 PM show starts
The Shandies, Shannon Stine (Springfiled, MO)
The Shandies, Natalie Wlodarczyk (Springfield, MO)
Allie Vogler
Jakob Baxter
OCTOBER 28
We close the season with a lineup that stretches across geography and genre while staying true to Songbird’s heart: exceptional songwriting.
Tim McAvin brings his seasoned musicianship and distinctive storytelling voice to the round, joined by Lo Stone, whose songwriting carries emotional immediacy and edge.
From Nashville, Paul Burch arrives with decades of acclaimed songwriting, blending American roots traditions with a distinctly modern sensibility. His work has earned admiration across genres, and his presence promises one of the season’s most anticipated evenings.
And from Austin, Vanessa Lively brings her soulful vocals, poetic songwriting, and globally influenced folk sound shaped by resilience, compassion, and a fierce artistic spirit.
October’s lineup feels expansive, richly textured, and like the perfect closing chapter for the season.
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TICKETS: $20 advance | $30 week of show
TIMES: 6:30 PM doors open | 7:00 PM show starts
Tim McAvin
Lo Stone
Paul Burch (Nashville, TN)
Vanessa Lively (Austin, TX)
PREVIEW PLAYLIST
FALL 2026 SONGBIRD SONGWRITTERS + MUSICIANS
FOCAL POINT
2720 SUTTON BLVD.
MAPLEWOOD, MO
Every Songbird night is a little different. That’s part of the magic.
No two rounds unfold the same way. No two audiences experience the room quite alike. But what remains consistent is the feeling: a shared space where songwriting takes center stage, stories matter, and local and touring artists alike are given room to truly be heard.
If you’ve joined us before, we’d love to welcome you back.
And if you’ve been meaning to come? Fall is a beautiful time to start.
MEET THE ARTISTS
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ST. LOUIS, MO
Alencia Norris is a Chicago singer-songwriter whose music blends elements of R&B, jazz, classical, and neo-soul with emotionally rich, poetic songwriting. With roots in the Chicago Children’s Choir and formal training in both performance and music business, her work reflects both technical depth and artistic versatility. Her songs explore themes ranging from love to social justice, delivered with a soulful voice and thoughtful perspective that make her a compelling emerging artist.
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ST. LOUIS, MO
Allie Vogler is a sweetheart from Arkansas that formally hails from popular ex-St. Louis folk duo of River Kittens. Two time Ryman Auditorium performer and seasoned road dog her beautiful alto timbre is only outshone but her masterful songwriting abilities.
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ST. LOUIS, MO
Irene is not much of a marketer, but she can sing, and is a serviceable songwriter. She's been blessed to have gone into 14 local studios, singing backups to the likes of The RoundUps, Union Electric, Ellen Hilton Cook, Alley Ghost, The Defeated County, Old Souls Revival, The Bottoms Up Blues Gang, The Maness Brothers, and even lead sometimes. She's been honored to have residencies in local venues including Off Broadway, Pop's Blue Moon, the Livery and Magee's. She can't believe her luck currently, as she's joined by Eric McSpadden, Sharon Bear and Jake Maness Sundays 5pm, at Yaquis on Cherokee. But the greatest thrill remains being Kim Massie's backup singer, and soprano section leader of Kim's gospel choir, almost 25 years ago. She plays mostly ragtime, vintage rhythm & blues and cowboy lullabies.
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ST. LOUIS, MO
Jakob Baxter is a seasoned songwriter whose fluency on the guitar is only matched by his deep love of American history. Being the frontman of the beloved rock band Yard Eagle, Baxter maintains a residency in many bands and projects in STL’s music scene.
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ST. LOUIS, MO
Lo Stone is a St. Louis-based singer-songwriter whose music blends indie folk and pop with warm, reflective lyrics. She weaves acoustic and piano textures while exploring musings on resilience, hope, and the emotional depth of everyday life. Lo released her debut album “With a Long Arc” in 2023, followed by her second album “Only a Sound” in 2025.
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NASHVILLE, TN
Paul Burch is a genre-spanning songwriter whose work blends classic roots traditions with a distinctly modern sensibility. Over a three-decade career, his music has drawn fans from rock to bluegrass, highlighted by his latest release Cry Love, created alongside longtime collaborators The WPA Ballclub. In addition to an expansive discography featuring collaborations across generations, Burch is also an acclaimed author, with his debut novel Meridian Rising earning national recognition for its imaginative take on the life of Jimmie Rodgers. Whether through music or writing, his work reflects a deep commitment to craft, storytelling, and the enduring spirit of American song.
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SPRINGFIELD, MO
The Shandies are Shannon Stine (vocals/guitar) and Natalie Wlodarczyk (vocals/guitar), a married female folk duo from the vibrant local music scene in Springfield, Missouri. The Shandies deliver intimate, harmony-rich performances shaped by a decade of traveling and performing together. Their crisp acoustic guitar textures, story-driven songwriting, and fun spousal banter leave new audiences feeling like they’ve known them for years. Their sound incorporates folk, rock, and pop influences marked by their signature “fresh-squeezed harmony” which can be heard on their four albums of original music. The Shandies have opened for Mary Gauthier, Katie Pruitt, The Ozark Mountain Daredevils, and Sarah Lee Guthrie and were chosen by the Springfield Sister Cities Association for a tour in Isesaki, Japan in 2019. Their song “The Bird And The Cage” was a runner-up in the 2025 Unsigned Only Music Awards and winner of the 2025 Original Ozark Folk Festival Songwriting Contest.
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ST. LOUIS, MO
Tim McAvin is a multi-instrumentalists, singer-songwriter from Saint Louis. Since 1989 he’s been a sideman in many original acts: The Heebie Jeebies, Lydia’s Trumpet, Tight Pants Syndrome to name a few. Over the years, contributing songs to bands, the songs added up. In 2009, Tim formed Karate Bikini and over the next decade released five recordings. His songs range from folk to punk. He’s a recently retired teacher spending his time working on a solo acoustic set, painting, and watching old movies.
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ST. LOUIS, MO
Tom Wood is a seasoned singer-songwriter and acoustic troubadour whose work blends Americana roots with reggae influences, reflecting a rich and diverse musical perspective. Known for his strong live performances and respected presence in the St. Louis music scene, he has earned recognition from critics, audiences, and fellow musicians alike. A prolific independent artist, Wood has released seven original albums and has performed at SXSW as well as music festivals throughout the Midwest.
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AUSTIN, TX
Vanessa Lively is a bilingual songwriter and nonprofit founder whose music blends folk traditions with worldly rhythms and a distinct Latin influence. Known for her soulful, expressive vocals and poetic songwriting, her latest release Truth Is reflects both resilience and an unshakable sense of joy. Beyond the stage, her work is rooted in compassion and advocacy, including founding Home Street Music, a nonprofit that brings music to individuals experiencing homelessness. Through both her artistry and her impact, Lively creates music that is as heartfelt as it is powerful.
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COLUMBIA, MO
Violet Vonder Haar is a Mid-Missouri songwriter whose music moves fluidly between intimacy and intensity. As the voice behind Violet and the Undercurrents, she crafts songs that feel both personal and expansive. Violet's music is rooted in indie rock and folk traditions, but guided by a deeper sense of purpose. A performer, educator, and community builder, Violet has spent years using music as a tool for connection, healing, and expression, both on stage and within the communities she serves. Her work invites listeners to slow down, listen closely, and step into something that feels equal parts grounding and transformative.