Two of St. Louis鈥 biggest music festivals are unfolding this September bringing live performances, art, food and more to the city. Music at the Intersection, aka MATI, kicks things off Sept. 14 and 15 with four stages of internationally renowned and local artists representing everything from hip-hop and R&B to intergalactic funk and jazz. This is the festival鈥檚 fourth year and it continues to grow, with 12,000 visitors taking over the Grand Center Arts District at last year鈥檚 event.
Evolution Fest is back and hoping to be even bigger in 2024. Last year, it attracted 25,000 people, making it St. Louis鈥 biggest festival debut to date. It will return to Langenberg Field in Forest Park, though now in late September rather than August like last year, with more acts and an additional stage. Evolution Fest will also offer new interactive guest experiences and a colorful artist lineup, with plenty to see and do in between performances.
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鈥淭his year, Evolution Festival features not only a diverse music lineup with national, regional and local artists but offers wide-ranging food, spirits and art,鈥 says Steve Schankman, festival co-executive producer. 鈥淲e have new cuisine such as hibachi food while still featuring our crowd favorite barbecue. We鈥檝e added a beer garden and third stage and have grown the marketplace to include various vendors from wellness to jewelry. We will also feature an artist village representing the best talent that St. Louis has to offer.鈥
With both festivals offering community engagement and musical excitement, figuring out all the details can be time-consuming. Instead of losing sleep wondering if you can bring your lawn chair or hoping that your purse will be allowed through the entry gates, we鈥檝e got you covered. Here鈥檚 your ultimate guide to prepare to attend Music at the Intersection and Evolution Fest this year.
Who鈥檚 performing this year?
The main question everyone wants answered about any music festival is who鈥檚 performing.
Music at the Intersection鈥檚 lineup leans heavily into St. Louis鈥 history in blues and jazz music, especially on Day 2, with Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue, Grammy Award鈥搘inning bassist and singer Esperanza Spalding, and Grammy Award鈥搘inning jazz singer Samara Joy hitting the stage. There will also be a performance from jazz infusion pioneer the Stanley Clarke Band and gospel act the Robert Randolph Band. Then at 7:30 p.m., the Queen of Funk Chaka Khan will headline.
Grammy Award鈥搉ominated psychedelic-soul duo Black Pumas headlines on Saturday night following performances from Big Boi, from the hip-hop group OutKast, and St. Louis鈥 own Chingy. Cuban musician Cimafunk, singer Lady Wray and Joe Russo鈥檚 Selcouth Quartet also perform on Sunday night, igniting the stage with R&B, avant jazz, and Afro-Caribbean flavor.
Evolution Fest, unfolding Sept. 28 and 29, had some late-stage lineup changes when Blondie dropped out and Billy Idol stepped in. He鈥檒l be performing before alt-rocker Beck headlines on Saturday. The Nile Rodgers and Chic and Pete Yorn will set the stage earlier in the day. There are also performances from blues singer and guitarist Robert Finley, country-rock singer S.G. Goodman, folk singer Tre Burt and seven other alternative rock, grunge punk and country music acts.
The Killers headline on Sunday evening after a day full of hip-hop, rock and folk music. Grammy Award鈥搘inning rapper Killer Mike will perform along with rock band Jane鈥檚 Addiction and singer Elle King, daughter of actor and comedian Rob Schneider. Alternative pop singers Pearl Charles and Sunny War will perform on Sunday as well as experimental rock band 95 Bulls, Daddy Long Legs and a few others.
What local acts are hitting the stage?
With a city chock full of talent, any music festival here would be remiss not to include it. Evolution Fest has a handful of artists from St. Louis performing including bands Nite Sprites and Nadine. Belleville, Illinois, rock band Son Volt will perform on Sunday as well as St. Louis鈥 Trackstar the DJ alongside Killer Mike during his set. Also returning for a special performance in his hometown of St. Louis is Brian Hurd, the lead singer of Brooklyn-based band Daddy Long Legs.
Music at the Intersection has more local artists performing this year than national and regional. More than 20 St. Louis artists are hitting the stage, both during the festival and its pre-festival kickoff party on Sept. 13 at the Big Top. Hip-hop ensemble Bates and the Strangers will perform on Saturday. Intergalactic disco band Starwolf, rapper Tef Poe and songstress BeBe the Neo-Soul also perform that day, with the latter bringing a few special guests along to rock the stage. Local talent continues to shine on Day 2 of Music at the Intersection with performances from Keyon Harrold, Marquise Knox, Jazz St. Louis and more.
What鈥檚 included with general admission tickets?
Music at the Intersection and Evolution Fest have similar ticket structures that include a standard general admission and add-on options called General Admissions+. If there鈥檚 one act in particular you鈥檇 like to see, festivalgoers also have the option to purchase single-day passes instead of attending both days.
General admission at both festivals allows entry for one and access to the music stages, food and beverage spaces and vendor activations.
At Evolution Fest, the GA+ ticket tier also includes festival seating on a first come, first served basis in the general admission area. Music at the Intersection offers a bit more with its plus package, including access to indoor air-conditioned restrooms and hangout spaces in Sophie鈥檚 Gallery viewing area.
What鈥檚 included in VIP?
Like general admission, both festivals offer standard VIP and VIP+ ticket options this year. Standard VIP at Evolution Fest includes all general admission amenities as well as expedited entry lanes, a VIP viewing area on Stage 1 and a commemorative festival gift. Festivalgoers can also relax in the Lakeside Lounge with comfortable chairs, device charging stations, air-conditioned restrooms, and premium dining options and merchandise for purchase. VIP+ includes these amenities and first come, first served seating in the VIP+ area during performances.
At Music at the Intersection, festivalgoers can enjoy standard VIP admission that includes all GA+ perks, expedited entry lines, DJ performances in Sophie鈥檚 Artist Lounge with special cocktail and bar items for purchase and a festival poster. Music at the Intersection鈥檚 VIP+ ticket includes all of that plus a dedicated viewing area with seating, a festival merchandise package, select free beverages, a parking pass, speed passes for the food truck court and more.
What are the food options?
Music festivals are a hotspot for delicious grub and unique food options from local restaurants and food trucks. Evolution Fest will have over 30 food vendors waiting to serve festivalgoers this year, including barbecue restaurant Sugarfire and the savory glizzy experts from Steve鈥檚 Hotdogs. New to Evolution Fest鈥檚 VIP lounge this year are cocktail and culinary demonstrations from barbecue pitmaster James Boatright and Urban Chestnut Brewing Company, providing guests with interactive, step-by-step insight into creating some of their favorite dishes and drinks.
Back at Music at the Intersection鈥檚 food truck court, festivalgoers can enjoy various onsite dining and beverage options. The Cajun Seduction food truck is back again with their bayou-inspired cuisine as well as Grace Meat + Three and African restaurant FUFU n鈥 Sauce, which won season 3 of the PBS cooking competition show 鈥淭he Great American Recipe.鈥 Music at the Intersection has 10 food and drink trucks this year. Neither festival allows outside food and drinks on festival grounds.
Are you allowed to bring in bags?
Both Music at the Intersection and Evolution Fest have bag policies designed to get festivalgoers safe.
Music at the Intersection only allows large clear bags and small, solid-colored clutches into this year鈥檚 festival.
Evolution Fest discourages attendees from bringing bags along. However, guests can bring clear small backpacks, drawstring bags and totes that follow size restrictions listed on their website based on the bag type. Solid color fanny packs and small bags and purses are allowed.
Keep in mind that mesh bags are not considered clear and that full size backpacks are not allowed at either festival.
What鈥檚 the parking situation? If I don鈥檛 drive, how do I get to the festival?
Figuring out where to park can be a hassle at any major festival or event. Thankfully, both music festivals have you covered on where to easily find a spot once you reach the festival footprint. Evolution Fest has free parking throughout Forest Park. However, attendees are encouraged to use rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft instead of driving. There will be a designated drop-off spot for those arriving by rideshare and taxi. There is also a Metrolink stop seven minutes from Forest Park for those who decide to park and ride the train to the festival grounds.
Music at the Intersection is also encouraging festivalgoers to ditch driving and ride Metro, the festival鈥檚 official transportation partner. The festival has also partnered with Lyft to provide free rides to attendees up to $30 in value. From 10 a.m. on Sept. 14 through 11:30 p.m. Sept. 15, you can catch a Lyft from anywhere in the St. Louis metropolitan area to the festival grounds using the code BBGGMATI24. Festivalgoers who want to take advantage of the free rides should enter 3301 Washington Avenue as the pickup or drop off location in the Lyft app.
For those who decide to drive to Music at the Intersection, both the Grand Center and St. Louis University parking garages will be open. However, there may be a cost depending on where you park.
Will there be shopping and vendors?
A festival wouldn鈥檛 be complete without plenty of swag and trinkets to take home afterward. Not only will festivalgoers be able to grab exclusive festival merchandise at both Evolution Fest and Music at the Intersection, but the opportunities to shop with local craftsmen and small businesses are plentiful.
This year, Evolution Fest has 12 vendors in its marketplace including Wally鈥檚, Amini鈥檚 furniture store and Lit Cigar Lounge. There will also be five local artists selling products from their respective lines.
Festivalgoers will find their fill of shopping on Vendors Row at Music at the Intersection. The festival鈥檚 market of makers includes 35 vendors including local businesses, street artists, and family friendly activities like abstract art from Christine Binns; cosmetology brand 老澳门六合彩开奖结果 Braid Bar; and Paint Littles, where kids can spray paint a masterpiece.
Is the fun over after the festival ends? What are the official nightlife options?
The fun doesn鈥檛 end once the performances conclude. Instead, both Music at the Intersection and Evolution Fest have official nightlife options for guests ready to turn up once the music dies down. Evolution Fest will host the official Sunday Night Evolution Afterparty following the Killers鈥 performance at 10 p.m. at the Halo Bar inside the Pageant, 6161 Delmar Boulevard. On Saturday night, Music at the Intersection will have an official after-set at 9 p.m. at .Zack, 3224 Locust Street.