By Kim SoMajor
Since its earlier years, Music at the Intersection (MATI) has consistently blended legends with innovators. In 2023, the festival drew massive crowds with Big Boi, Thundercat, Herbie Hancock, and Arrested Development. The following year brought Chaka Khan, Chingy, Cameo, and Lady Wray, cementing MATI as a must-see destination for both icons and rising voices.
Now in 2025, MATI has expanded beyond its traditional footprint with MATI Places; neighborhood venues, pop-ups, and art activations that make Grand Center feel like a city-wide cultural celebration. Inside the festival grounds, the Field Stage, Big Top, and Sovereign continue to host headliners, but Washington Avenue itself has transformed into a public block party filled with food trucks, vendors, and even a Ferris wheel.
Here are 10 things I’ve learned so far at MATI 2025, with one more day still to come.
1. MATI has grown into a district-wide celebration.
With the addition of MATI Places, the festival spilled into nearby venues like Sophie’s Artist Lounge, The Dark Room, and Legends Gallery. That shift turned Grand Center into one giant cultural hub rather than a gated-off festival.
2. Accessibility made MATI more inclusive.
Washington Avenue opened as a block party with food trucks, vendors, and a Ferris wheel. Locals without badges could still experience the vibe, while ticketed stages remained intact for headliners.
3. MATI leaned into being family-friendly.
Kids rode carnival rides, families browsed vendors, and everyone could wander freely through the street scene. It marked a notable shift from previous years, when festival grounds felt more closed-off.
4. Industry partners are betting on St. Louis.
Tidal Presents hosted an official showcase at The Dark Room with Nico Brim and, underscoring how national platforms now view MATI as a cultural destination.
5. Friday night proved St. Louis thrives on fusion.
St. Boogie Brass Band brought local fire, reggae legend Barrington Levy lit up The Sovereign, and Weedy Braimah & Hands of Time showcased Latin-jazz excellence with Pedrito Martinez and Keyon Harrold.
6. Local stages gave new voices a platform.
Acts like Santo at Sophie’s Artist Lounge and youth poetry slams at Strauss Park reminded everyone that MATI isn’t only about legends. It’s also about nurturing the next wave.
7. The SOS Band showed music unites across generations.
Their set had fans of all ages dancing together, proving that nostalgia and vitality can thrive side by side. The exchange of energy between audience and band captured the festival’s healing power.
8. Common and Pete Rock gave hip hop a home in St. Louis.
Common ran through a full set of his classics, freestyled for nearly ten minutes, and jumped into the crowd to dap up fans, calling St. Louis cousins. When Pete Rock joined him, it became a history lesson in hip hop, complete with Run DMC and Nas studio stories, a J Dilla salute, and “They Reminisce Over You” with Keyon Harrold’s trumpet soaring over the stage.
9. Art and activism expanded MATI’s footprint.
Chuck D’s “Roll Call” art show honors heroes with 30+ works, while other venues hosted poetry jams, jazz collectives, and community showcases. MATI reminded audiences that its mission includes visual art, spoken word, and activism.
10. Sunday is set to close with icons.
From the Miles Trumpet Summit to Leon Thomas, De La Soul, and the legendary Patti LaBelle, the final day is stacked. For those leaning jazz, Branford Marsalis headlines the Big Top. Keyon Harrold returns with Pedrito Martinez and Brenda Navarrete, underlining how 2025 has gone international.
The takeaway: MATI 2025 is proving to be more than just a music festival. It is about accessibility, community, and cultural connection. With one more day left, from De La Soul, and Patti LaBelle to the Miles Trumpet Summit, and Leon Thomas, the weekend is set to close on an unforgettable note, a reminder that in St. Louis, music doesn’t just play, it heals, unites, and uplifts.
For more information, visit www.musicattheintersection.com or download the Music at the Intersection app (MATI) for artist details, full schedules, and news updates.