Music at the Intersection, now known simply as MATI, returns this fall for its fifth and biggest year yet, boasting a powerhouse lineup of artists, a newly expanded three-day format and a refreshed festival footprint that aims to draw thousands to Grand Center Arts District from Friday to Sunday.
This year’s headliners include three-time Grammy-winning rapper Common with legendary producer Pete Rock, soul icon Patti LaBelle, New Orleans singer-songwriter Lucky Daye, hip-hop pioneers De La Soul, acclaimed R&B singer-producer Leon Thomas, and jazz titan Branford Marsalis. Festival veteran and Ferguson native Keyon Harrold returns as MATI’s Artist-in-Residence, while Cuban percussionist Pedrito Martinez will appear as Artist-at-Large, performing across various sets throughout the weekend.
Set for September 12 to 14, MATI 2025 expands from two days to three and features more than 100 performances across 15 stages and venues, with Washington Avenue serving as the primary activation zone. The festival’s main stages – The Big Top, The Sovereign and Field Stage – will host headline performances from mid-afternoon until after midnight.
Weekend passes go on sale Friday, April 18 at 10 a.m. via MetroTix, priced at $150 for general admission and $400 for four-packs. A limited number of single-day and MATI Places passes will be available in mid-July.
MATI passholders will enjoy upgraded amenities including indoor restrooms, lounge areas, shaded viewing platforms, and curated food and beverage offerings. Notably, The Sovereign, a brand-new venue debuting mid-2025, will offer a state-of-the-art concert experience.
True to its roots, MATI’s 2025 theme emphasizes “St. Louis Made” and pays homage to the city’s pivotal role in shaping American music. More than half of this year’s lineup has direct ties to the region.
Among them are R&B artist Ryan Trey, who grew up in University City and East St. Louis; Marcus Baylor of The Baylor Project, who hails from St. Louis; and drummer Weedie Braimah, raised in East St. Louis. Artist-in-Residence Keyon Harrold also returns home from Ferguson, continuing his four-year streak at MATI.
The lineup also draws from sister river cities and regions with shared cultural roots, including New Orleans and the Caribbean. Martinez, born in Havana, will represent Cuban jazz, while Pirulo y la Tribu brings Puerto Rican tropicale rhythms. Marsalis, a New Orleans native, and funk group John Medeski’s Mad Skillet deepen the festival’s southern connection.
Additional national acts include Arooj Aftab, The S.O.S. Band, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, Butcher Brown, and Leela James – all representing genres influenced by legends like Chuck Berry, Tina Turner and Miles Davis.
The full lineup features more than 70 national, regional and local artists, curated by a committee of St. Louis musicians, tastemakers and event professionals, with input from Harrold and an open artist call.
MATI’s evolution includes more than just its name – a nod to its expanded focus on Music, Art, Thought and Innovation – and its format. The festival’s footprint now includes more than a dozen indoor venues and community stages, collectively known as MATI Places. These spaces will host a wide range of programming including artist talks, workshops, poetry slams, DJ sets and more.
MATI Places venues include Jazz St. Louis, High Low, Urban Chestnut Brewing Co., The .ZACK, Sophie’s Artist Lounge, Harris-Stowe’s Center of Innovation, and others throughout the Grand Center and Locust Business District.
The festival continues its emphasis on accessibility, inclusivity and civic pride. As a nonprofit initiative led by the Kranzberg Arts Foundation in partnership with the Steward Family Foundation and the Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis, MATI reinvests in the local arts ecosystem by creating job opportunities, supporting emerging artists and offering thousands of free tickets to those who might otherwise be unable to attend.
Rather than offering traditional VIP packages, MATI is encouraging fans to join the new MATI Movement, a membership-based patron program with benefits like exclusive access, artist meet-and-greets, insider merch, and year-round events. Memberships start at $200 and go up to $2,500.
“This isn’t just another music festival. MATI is by St. Louis, for St. Louis,” said Chris Hansen, executive director of the Kranzberg Arts Foundation, in a release. “We want to keep MATI a true, representative community experience. That’s what the MATI Movement is about – giving a little more to achieve a whole lot more, together.”
Since its inception in 2021, MATI has drawn national acclaim from outlets including Billboard, PEOPLE, Ebony, VIBE, and Forbes, with recognition from The Recording Academy for its diverse, genre-spanning approach and focus on community.
For passes, lineup updates and more, visit MATIstl.org.
This article appears in April 2025.