The weekend of Sept 12-14, the Grand Center Arts District will once again transform into a fully activated artistic playground as the MATI (Music at the Intersection) Festival and Conference returns for its fifth year with a diverse, roots-inspired and decades-spanning artist lineup, a new footprint, and expanded opportunities to engage.
Headliners include 3x Grammy winning rapper Common with superproducer Pete Rock, the godmother of soul Patti LaBelle, New Orleans R&B singer-songwriter Lucky Daye, neo-soul R&B singer-producer Leon Thomas, legendary hip-hop group De La Soul, and jazz great Branford Marsalis. Headliner performances will take place across three MATI Main Stages: The Big Top, The Sovereign (set to open fall 2025 at 3300 Washington Avenue) and Field Stage.
The former Washington Avenue stage is being removed to create a barrier free, fully-connected Grand Center walking experience for the entire community to enjoy. Washington Avenue will be lined with vendors, food trucks, buskers, pop-up performances and sponsor activations. MATI will also have a variety of family-friendly activities, including carnival-themed rides and games.
Beyond the Main Stages, MATI is also activating more than a dozen stages and venues throughout Grand Center and the Locust Business District, called MATI Places. Programming at MATI Places will include a wide variety of community curations: everything from musical performances and DJ sets to poetry slams and artist workshops. The conference portion of MATI is also part of MATI Places and spread throughout the weekend, allowing attendees (musicians, entrepreneurs, creative professionals and more) to sprinkle learning, discovery – and freely exploring Midtown – into their music festival schedule.
KAF Executive Director Chris Hansen says, “It will be everything people already love about MATI, but expanded and more accessible—allowing the neighborhood to be fully connected. We want those who live or work in the area who may not be interested in the full festival to still be able to walk down the streets and enjoy artistic experiences in the community, even if they’re just passing through.”
Also new this year is an opportunity for MATI superfans to deepen their relationship and support by joining the MATI Movement and becoming an official MATI Member. Members will enjoy special perks like access to non-public areas in the footprint, artist meet-and-greets, exclusive merch, insider access to MATI festival weekend and year-round programming. More importantly, they help support the overall mission of MATI, including:
- Access for all. Last year, MATI provided more than 3,000 free festival tickets to community members who may not have otherwise afforded to attend.
- Supporting artists. MATI fuels the work of musicians, visual artists and thought leaders. The event also creates job opportunities within the arts and entertainment sector of St. Louis, from performance to production.
- Building community. The festival and conference ensures a space where ideas, creativity and connections thrive, establishing St. Louis as a premier arts and entertainment destination while building civic pride.
Those who have been to MATI know that it’s special. It’s a microcosm of the city: all ages, races, ethnicities. No neighborhood divides. All joyous. All together in the streets of Grand Center. While KAF, along with the Steward Family Foundation and Regional Arts Commission, continue to take up the mantle of keeping MATI a true, representative community experience, the MATI Movement allows everyone to feel ownership. It provides an opportunity for everyday St. Louisans who are passionate about music and who love art and culture – to give a little bit more to achieve a whole lot more, together.
“MATI members are our true ambassadors,” Hansen says. “They are championing the effort and establishing it as something of cultural importance that they want to help sustain year over year.”
In addition, MATI is working to support those in the St. Louis community impacted by the May 16 tornado by donating $10 from each pass that the festival sells to 4theVille to assist in their continued boots-on-the-ground efforts. MATI’s 2025 community ticket program, fueled by MATI Members and festival sponsors is also focusing on impacted residents with a goal to bring just a bit of hope and joy through music to those who have lost so much.
For all things MATI, including daily lineups, ticket information and membership, visit MATIstl.org.
