MATI Releases Footprint Map; Full Performances and Activations Schedule
The 5th annual music festival, September 12-14 in Grand Center Arts District, features 100+ performances and presentation across 19 stages and venues
St. Louis, Mo. – August 6, 2025 – MATI (Music at the Intersection) is coming into its fifth year with a new look and a full embrace of its acronym. Additionally, the festival and conference - now expanded to three days - is reimagining its format with more stages and venues, as well as an open footprint that will welcome thousands more people into Grand Center Arts District – with Washington Avenue being the main activation area.
Musical 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.
Common & Pete Rock
Patti LaBelle
MATI Main Stages, MATI Places and a Community Block Party
MATI weekend features more than 100 national, regional and St. Louis-based performances and presentations across 19 stages and venues (four MATI Main Stages and 15 MATI Places).
MATI Main Stages weekend passes are $150. Weekend four-packs are available for $400 through August 14. A limited number of MATI Main Stages single-day passes are also on sale for $60-$90 ($60 for Friday, $90 for Saturday, $90 for Sunday).
Attendees who purchase a MATI Main Stages pass (weekend or single day) will have access to the entire festival and conference footprint, including the four MATI Main Stages: The Big Top, The Sovereign (3300 Washington Avenue), Field Stage and Sophie’s Artist Lounge. The MATI Main Stages feature the festival’s headlining musical acts, as well as an incredible lineup of regional and St. Louis-based artists.
All MATI Main Stages passholders will have access to indoor restrooms, expanded seating, lounge areas, shade structures and curated food and beverage options. The Big Top and Field Stage will feature new video elements, while The Sovereign - brand new for 2025 - will offer a state-of-the-art audio and visual concert experience. MATI Main Stages pass holders will be able to come and go freely from the Washington Avenue block party to the performance areas, showing their pass at security checkpoints to gain access to the Main Stages.
Additionally, MATI is activating more than a dozen stages and venues throughout Grand Center and Locust Business District, called MATI Places. Access to all MATI Places is included with a MATI Main Stages pass.
For those looking for a lower barrier to entry - to experience the festive atmosphere, support a favorite St. Louis-based artist or poet, attend the conference, or participate in a community workshop - MATI Places ONLY single-day passes are available for $20.
MATI Places include Central Stage, High Low, Jazz St. Louis, Urban Chestnut Brewing Company, The Dark Room, The Key (3221-3225 Olive), Work & Leisure x Kre8 Space, and .ZACK, as well as non-ticketed, publicly-accessible spaces including CAM (Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis), Counterpublic, Golden Gems and Hidden Gem, Metro Theater, The Pulitzer Arts Foundation, Sally’s Rooftop Garden, and Strauss Park. Programming at MATI Places includes a wide variety of community curations: everything from musical performances, DJ sets, poetry slams and family-friendly raves to rooftop yoga, artist workshops, industry panels and keynote speakers.
Note: a full schedule of all MATI performances and activations. with exact set times, can be viewed at www.MATIstl.org or via the MATI app.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12
MATI Places programming starts at 11 a.m. on Friday with MATI Main Stages performances kicking off at 5 p.m. and going until 1 a.m.
MATI Main Stages (requires MATI Main Stages pass)
The Big Top - Saint Boogie Brass Band; Playadors St. Louis Superjam; Weedie Braimah & The Hands of Time feat. Pedrito Martinez and Keyon Harrold
The Sovereign - K Kudda Muzic & Friends; Pirulo Y La Tribu; Barrington Levy; Coco & Breezy; The House of Tucci/Ish Ensemble SUPERJAM
Field Stage - no programming
Sophie’s - MATI Members Networking Happy Hour; Materia Takeover
MATI Places (requires MATI Main Stages pass or MATI Places pass)
Central Stage - Goodish presents: MATI Underground Sound, with dance music, projection mapped stage visuals and club vibes
High Low -
Poetry in Motion presents: Write On: The Power of the Pen Panel + Writer’s Workshop - tips on getting published and presenting your work to the public
Frizz Fest’s Frizzy Lounge at the Intersection: inspired by Frizz Fest’s natural beauty festival celebrating Black joy, culture and creativity, the lounge is filled with color, murals, flower crown-making, photo ops, hair care demos and networking with women entrepreneurs
Jazz St. Louis - Anita Jackson
UCBC - Laz Jazz presents: STL Guitar Workshop; Noel Spiva Happy Hour
The Dark Room - TIDAL presents: A-Game; Niko Brim and Kai Ca$h
The Key - Marquise Knox with Funky Butt Brass Band
.ZACK - MATI Conference panels:
Arnold Donald Unscripted: Entrepreneur Spotlight - a business leader’s bold path from idea to impact
Arch Grants presents The Founders Lunch (RSVP required) - lunch series with St. Louis’ top founders
How to Make Money as a Creative Entrepreneur - money-making mindsets
Crash. Learn. Rise. - real talk on entrepreneurship, mistakes and bouncing back
Content Creators Roundtable - how to leverage podcasts, TikTok and Instagram
CAM** - Quilting Connections: a community quilting experience led by Black elders and textile artists. Learn quilting techniques, engage in storytelling, enjoy brunch and a live DJ. Take home a personal quilt square
Golden and Hidden Gem** - Tulips, Tattoos + Tunes: a laid-back pop-up feat. local women tattoo artists, a DIY floral bar, and a playlist full of femme power
Metro Theater** - Recess Rewind: an open space for adults to recharge, laugh, and relive recess while building community and cross-generational connection
The Pulitzer** - Regular museum hours; open to the public
Sally’s Rooftop Garden** - Urban Harvest STL Flow and Bloom:
Rooftop Yoga and Garden Tours: a serene rooftop escape offering half-hour yoga sessions and garden tours every hour on the hour
Hands-On Garden Workshops: from flower arranging to DIY jewelry, get creative while connecting with nature
21+ Sunset Happy Hour: unwind on the rooftop as the sun sets with a cocktail crafted from garden-fresh ingredients
Strauss Park** - Grand Center Arts Academy; Central VPA High School; Scooter Brown; Fox Teen Talent; MATI Playlist; Branden Michael Lewis; Frankie DoWop & The Thundacats
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13
MATI Places programming starts at 11 a.m. on Saturday with MATI Main Stages performances kicking off at 3 p.m. and going until 1 a.m.
MATI Main Stages (requires MATI Main Stages pass)
The Big Top - Drea Vocalz; The Womack Sisters; The S.O.S. Band; John Medeski’s Mad Skillet
The Sovereign - T-Dubb-O; Ryan Trey; The Budos Band; Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe
Field Stage - Whitworth; Leela James; Lucky Daye; Common & Pete Rock
Sophie’s - KC Mackey; Enoch Ravi and the Indigenous Groove; Marc Buxton; Santo; DJ Sinamin
MATI Places (requires MATI Main Stages pass or MATI Places pass)
Central Stage - Goodish presents: MATI Underground Sound, with dance music, projection mapped stage visuals and club vibes
High Low -
Poetry in Motion presents: Unapologetic Voices Take the Mic feat. K’La Dee, Hope Price Lindsay, Joss Barton, Diya Abbas, Phree and Maurice Minor
Poetry in Motion presents: Word Warriors Take the Mic feat. Shine Goodie, Jason Vasser-Elong, Cheryl D. S. Walker, Kamau O. L. Walker, Jacqui Germain, Jane Ellen Ibur and Pacia Elaine
Frizz Fest’s Frizzy Lounge at the Intersection: inspired by Frizz Fest’s natural beauty festival celebrating Black joy, culture and creativity, the lounge is filled with color, murals, flower crown-making, photo ops, hair care demos and networking with women entrepreneurs
Jazz St. Louis - Adam Maness Trio feat. Bob DeBoo & Kaleb Kirby
UCBC - Laz Jazz presents: Percussion Clinic with instructors Pedrito Martinez, Brenda Navarrete and Matthew Henry; Antonio Foster Trio Happy Hour; Joe2Morrow; Mesonjixx
The Key - APR Entertainment presents: Salsa Class by Carmen Guynn from Almas Del Ritmo Dance Company; The Boogaloo Crew of St. Louis; DJ Erik Sensation
Work & Leisure x Kre8 Space - Pregame Olympics: play retro video games, yard games, and card tournaments while enjoying live DJs, pop-ups, prizes and sponsor giveaways
.ZACK - MATI Conference panels:
Watch Me Now! - the future of video content creation
CAM Presents: The Brown Bag Art Lunch (RSVP required)
Fight the Power - the art and voice of hip-hop protest culture
The Recording Academy Presents: Beyond the Break - sustaining success in the music business
CAM** -
Break and Flow Rest Lab: a midday space for mindfulness and release, including breathwork, writing, shredding personal reflections, cozy resting zones and quiet moments of pause
Break and Flow Evening Shed: an evening of healing expression through music, poetry, and performance. Experience live instrumental sets, dance and an open mic hosted by local creatives
Counterpublic** - Porch Party: a day of yard games and light refreshments with a DJ playing on the lawn. Limited tours of the Judson House available
Golden and Hidden Gem** - Golden Gems Open House: a curated retail experience celebrating bold, vintage-inspired style and local flair. Late Night at Hidden Gem: sip, dance and turn up the volume with a DJ set in one of STL's most stylish bar spaces
Metro Theater** - Family Rave: a family-friendly daytime rave featuring live DJs, immersive theatrical performances, and interactive music-making stations. Includes excerpts from Carmela Full of Wishes, dance-offs, glow-toy crafting and baby rave zones for little ones and their caregivers
The Pulitzer** - Regular museum hours; open to the public
Strauss Park** - HEAL Youth Band, Central VPA Alumni Tap Troupe; PACK Dance; St. Louis Shakespeare Festival “A Midsummer Night’s Dream;” Community Salsa Dancing; Cassette with Charlie Chan Soprano & Rhashad La Rocka
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14
MATI Places programming starts at 12 p.m. on Saturday with MATI Main Stages performances kicking off at 2 p.m. and going until midnight.
MATI Main Stages (requires MATI Main Stages pass)
The Big Top - Jazz STL celebrates Miles feat. Danny Campbell, Keyon Harrold, Dustin Shrum, Dawn Weber, Kasimu Taylor & Brady Lewis; The Baylor Project; Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio; Branford Marsalis
The Sovereign - Matt “The Rattlesnake” Lesch; Butcher Brown; Arooj Aftab; Keyon Harrold feat. Pedrito Martinez and Brenda Navarrete
Field Stage - Eldraco+FreeNation; Leon Thomas; De La Soul; Patti Labelle
Sophie’s - Papa Ray; Chilly C; DJ Crucial & Agile One; DJ Mahf; Biko
MATI Places (requires MATI Main Stages pass or MATI Places pass)
High Low -
Poetry in Motion presents: Drum Voices Take the Mic (Tribute to Dr. Eugene B. Redmond and EBR Writers Group) feat. David AN Jackson, Cheryl D. S. Walker, Pacia Elaine, Carlos Lumpkin, Jaye Williams with mic drops-ins from Ratu Johnson and Felice McClendon
Poetry in Motion presents: Tongue + Fire Take the Mic feat. Ajaa La’Starr, Treasure Shields Redmond, T Spirit, Poet Lightening, Olajuwon Ali and Cheeraz Gorman
Jazz St. Louis - Matthew Henry’s Agbara
UCBC - Laz Jazz presents: Brothers Lazaroff Super Friends; Blvck Spade & The Cosmos
The Key - S.L.U.M.fest presents: Bo Dean, Davie Napalm, Dormir, FreshMan, Greze Gutta, Poet-X, Remember Buddha, ROTN, Sir Eddie C, Soopaman DJ Speed, Track Vandals, Thr3e Caliph and Treevilla - a culture event showcasing all four elements of hip-hop with live performances by DJs, emcees, breakdancers and live graffiti art
Work & Leisure x Kre8 Space - Pregame Olympics Creative Collab Day: large-scale mural painting, DIY bracelet-making, flash tattoos and a video confessional booth, with live performances and spontaneous art moments
CAM** -
Thread and Tune Doc Day: inspired by Doc Day from the Black Quilters Association, this session focuses on artistic preservation. Visitors can document their quilt squares, connect with textile artists, and learn archival practices that honor community memory and creative legacy
Break and Flow Echo Assemble: using shredded writings from Saturday, visitors co-create collages with artists using paper, natural materials, and personal elements. This community reflection transforms emotional release into art. DJ sets, drinks, and nature-themed ambiance included
Golden and Hidden Gem** - Golden Gems Open House: a curated retail experience celebrating bold, vintage-inspired style and local flair
Metro Theater** - Recess Rewind: The Playground for Grown Folks: this nostalgic, playful activation blends old-school dance tutorials, beat-making, a "Then & Now" photo booth, and glow toy making
The Pulitzer** - Regular museum hours; open to the public
Strauss Park** - Steward Stiles; DJ Phonzeito; Sunday Morning Gospel Park Jam with Harris-Stowe State University Choir; The Lady J Huston Show; Old School Party with G.Wiz and the Time Travelers
** indicates non-ticketed, publicly-accessible spaces
Additionally, Washington Avenue will be a fully-connected Grand Center walking experience for those with tickets and without. After passing through security, the community is welcome to explore Washington Avenue between Theresa Avenue and Leonard Avenue, 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.
Commitment to Tornado Relief
On May 16, a large area of St. Louis was impacted by a devastating tornado. MATI is committed, now and in the long term, to aiding in the recovery.
MATI is donating $10 from each MATI pass – that the festival has sold and will sell - to 4theVille to assist in their boots-on-the-ground efforts.
MATI is also raising funds for 4theVille through a special benefit t-shirt / merch collab. The shirt features imagery of a mural located at 4157 Dr. Martin Luther King Drive in The Ville neighborhood, celebrating Tina Turner’s life and legacy - specifically highlighting her time in St. Louis, graduation from Sumner High School in 1958 and early performances at Club Imperial. The mural was created by St. Louis father and son duo William Burton Jr and William Burton III. The shirt can be purchased at www.MATIstl.org.
“We’re designating MATI an official benefit festival and conference for 4theVille, to help fuel the incredible recovery work they’re doing in St. Louis’ northside,” said Hansen. “Throughout festival weekend, and in the months leading up to it, we’ll be leveraging MATI’s voices, stages, platforms, partners, artists and overall reach as an engine for good. This festival is about St. Louis, and we’re committed to aiding in its recovery in whatever ways we can be most effective.”
On-site during festival weekend, attendees will be given multiple opportunities to contribute through purchase round-up options at food, beverage and vendor booths; text-to-donate prompts; charitable contesting; and more. Additionally, MATI will serve as a resource drop off location (needed items and instructions will be sent via a pre-fest email), with festival plus-up incentives for those who participate.
Additionally, MATI’s 2025 community ticket program, fueled by MATI Members and festival sponsors, will focus on residents impacted by the tornado, with a goal to bring just a bit of hope and joy through music to those who have lost so much.
Join the MATI Movement
MATI 2025 will not offer VIP tickets. Instead, fans looking for an elevated experience are encouraged to become a patron and join the MATI Movement. Depending on level of membership, MATI Members get access to non-public areas in the footprint - like Scene Champions Lounge - artist meet-and-greets, exclusive merch and special programming year-round.
The new MATI Members program asks attendees to become patrons, helping ensure that the festival - created and funded by St. Louis non-profit and civic organizations - grows and thrives for generations to come.
“This isn’t just another music festival. MATI is by St. Louis, for St. Louis,” said Chris Hansen, executive director of Kranzberg Arts Foundation. “If you’ve been to MATI, you can feel that it’s special. It’s a microcosm of the city: all ages, races, ethnicities. No neighborhood divides. People who can afford tickets and people who can’t. All joyous. All together in the streets of Grand Center. We want to keep MATI a true, representative community experience, and while Kranzberg Arts Foundation, Steward Family Foundation and Regional Arts Commission can continue to take up the mantle, we want everyone to feel ownership. That’s what the MATI Movement is about. It’s a way for everyday St. Louisans - who are passionate about music, who love art and culture - to be in this with us. It’s about giving a little bit more to achieve a whole lot more, together.”
As part of a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, MATI is about more than entertainment. The festival and conference is about accessibility, community and ensuring the arts remain central to St. Louis’ identity, tourism and growth. MATI Member contributions go to fund:
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.
Fans can join the MATI Movement at a variety of levels, ranging from $200 to $2500, making them not only a generous patron of the St. Louis arts, but also a MATI Member with insider access to festival weekend and year-round programming, special perks, and more. Learn more at www.MATIstl.org.
MATI Artist Lineup: STL Made and STL Inspired
With a special focus on “St. Louis Made,” MATI pays homage to the city’s imprint on the American songbook, as well as the relationship St. Louis has with its Mississippi River roots. The festival aims to celebrate musical heritage, from the West African coasts to the Caribbean islands, up through the Mississippi Delta. MATI honors the giants who shaped genre and sound - across blues, jazz, soul, R&B, hip-hop and rock n' roll - as it also calls up and gives platform to a new wave of artists.
A majority of the lineup has direct ties to the St. Louis area. R&B artist Ryan Trey spent time growing up in St. Louis, East St. Louis and University City. Trey opened for fellow St. Louis native SZA at the Ready Room in 2017; he’s also performed and collaborated with MATI alum Jordan Ward. Marcus Baylor, of the husband-wife jazz duo The Baylor Project, is from St. Louis. Drummer Weedie Braimah was born in Ghana but raised in East St. Louis. Trumpeter (and MATI Artist-in-Residence) Keyon Harrold is from Ferguson.
Other artists hail from the Caribbean, Mississippi Delta and sister river cities, from which St. Louis shares music and cultural roots. Pedrito Martinez was born in Old Havana Cuba and began his musical career at age 11. Fellow Cuban Brenda Navarette honed her drumming skills at Havana’s Interactivo musical collective. Latin tropicale group Pirulo y la Tribu was founded in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Reggae legend Barrington Levy started performing in Jamaican dance halls in the mid-70s. Branford Marsalis was born in New Orleans to a jazz singer mother and pianist father; his three brothers are also jazz musicians. John Medeski's Mad Skillet is a New Orleans funk band. Lucky Daye, also from New Orleans, and has a soulful, southern influence in his R&B music.
Additional national acts are tied to St. Louis by musical genre. The influence of St. Louis-born or raised artists - like Chuck Berry, Tina Turner and Miles Davis - have had a lasting impact on the sounds of today. R&B rising star Leon Thomas, Pakistani-American singer Arooj Aftab, and jazz veteran Branford Marsalis all credit Miles Davis as an influence.
The 2025 lineup was chosen by a programming committee made of St. Louis tastemakers, industry leaders, musicians and event professionals - along with guidance from Artist-in-Residence Keyon Harrold. A select number of artists were also chosen via an open call for applications.
Since its inception in 2021, MATI has grown in size and ambition year-over-year, garnering rave reviews from attendees, as well as attention from The Recording Academy and national press outlets - including PEOPLE, The Source, Billboard, VIBE, Ebony, Live for Live Music, SPIN and Forbes.
MATI is presented by Kranzberg Arts Foundation in partnership with Steward Family Foundation and The Regional Arts Commission (RAC) of St. Louis.
About MATI:
MATI (Music at the Intersection) is a civic-led effort presented by Kranzberg Arts Foundation in partnership with Steward Family Foundation and The Regional Arts Commission (RAC) of St. Louis. First held in 2021, the festival tells the story of St. Louis’ musical, cultural and artistic heritage. It celebrates the city’s imprint on the American songbook, as well as the relationship St. Louis has with its Mississippi River roots. The festival aims to celebrate musical heritage, from the West African coasts to the Caribbean islands, up through the Mississippi Delta. MATI honors the giants who shaped genre and sound - across blues, jazz, soul, R&B, hip-hop and rock n' roll - as it also calls up and gives platform to a new wave of artists.
For updates and additional information, visit Music at the Intersection at www.matistl.org or follow the festival on social media: Facebook (www.facebook.com/matistlouis), Twitter (www.x.com/matistl), Instagram (www.instagram.com/matistlouis) and TikTok (www.tiktok.com/@matistl).