St. Louis is getting another reminder of what’s possible when a city invests in its own music and arts scene. Music at the Intersection, the homegrown festival that brings national headliners and local talent together in Grand Center, is expanding for its seventh year with two major venues joining the lineup: Powell Hall and The Sheldon Concert Hall.
The July 15-18, 2027, festival will feature eight main stages across the Grand Center Arts District, building on the neighborhood’s concentration of historic performance spaces, arts organizations and cultural institutions. The expansion gives MATI more room for ambitious programming while keeping a substantial part of the festival free and open to the public.
Presented by Kranzberg Arts Foundation, MATI will offer ticketed shows Thursday through Sunday at five indoor venues: Powell Hall, The Sheldon, The Fabulous Fox Theatre, The Sovereign and Jazz St. Louis. Rather than requiring attendees to buy a single- or multiday festival pass, the 2027 format will let them purchase tickets to individual performances.
That change gives festivalgoers more flexibility to build their own schedules while making room for shows in some of the city’s most prominent venues. Tickets are expected to go on sale in spring 2027, with artists and performance details to be announced.
The outdoor portion of MATI will remain completely free. On Friday and Saturday, July 16 and 17, The Big Top, a mobile stage along Washington Avenue and Counterpublic’s Performance Green Stage on Samuel Shepherd Drive will host national and St. Louis-based artists, alongside nonmusical performances.
The free community block party will connect the indoor and outdoor stages along Washington Avenue, bringing art, music, food and shopping into the streets. Visitors can expect family-friendly activities, mural and art exhibits, a vendor market and opportunities to explore food and drink from local businesses, as well as nearby bars, restaurants and retailers.
“The capacity and caliber of Grand Center’s world-class venues allow us to secure top-tier artists and really unique programming,” said Chris Hansen, executive director of Kranzberg Arts Foundation. He noted that the costs associated with those performances informed the decision to offer individual show tickets instead of a more expensive weekend pass. Attendees can choose the concerts they want to see and fill the rest of their weekend with free outdoor entertainment.
Beyond the eight main stages, MATI’s programming will extend throughout Midtown. MATI Places, a collection of venues that includes The Key, The Grandel, The Dark Room and Metro Theater, will host performances, partner events, clinics and workshops. Businesses and arts organizations in Midtown Alley and Grand Center’s visual arts corridor, including the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis and Counterpublic, are also planning special events and activations.
The festival’s annual thought leadership conference will return to .ZACK with panels, keynote conversations and networking opportunities for artists, creatives and entrepreneurs. The conference and much of the programming at MATI Places will be free as well.
Since its inaugural year in 2021, MATI has grown into a multiday celebration of St. Louis’ musical legacy and its influence on American music, spanning blues, jazz, soul, R&B, hip-hop and rock ’n’ roll. The festival also looks beyond the city’s musical past, giving emerging artists a platform alongside established performers. Its growth has drawn national attention from outlets including Billboard, Essence, Forbes and PEOPLE, as well as The Recording Academy.
With additional stages, a flexible ticketing model and a free outdoor footprint, MATI’s 2027 edition will once again put Grand Center’s cultural infrastructure to work on a citywide celebration of music, art and the people who make St. Louis creative.
The full lineup and ticket information will be announced ahead of the festival. For updates, visit matistl.org.
