Music at the Intersection Festival 2024: Day 2

Our second day in Saint Louis was unforgettable, filled with amazing music and some unexpected surprises.

Sunday began with a delicious brunch at Tin Roof, a live music bar and restaurant that perfectly aligned with our vibe. The DJs were spinning tracks, creating a fun atmosphere and setting the tone for our day. In high spirits, we headed to the City Museum, a place that can only be described as “weird and wonderful.” This whimsical playground felt like a jungle gym for all ages, and we had a blast exploring before heading back to the festival. 

Upon our arrival at MATI, we made a beeline for Keyon Harrold’s set in the Big Top Tent. A Saint Louis native and a trumpet legend, Keyon is the only artist to have performed at the festival all four years. This year, he took on the role of artist-in-residence, curating the lineup and making surprise guest appearances throughout the two days. There were also special activations around the festival grounds, and we were thrilled to be invited to the after-party he was hosting.

Keyon and his band were nothing short of flawless, and he brought out several incredibly talented guests to share the stage. Malaya, a rising star from Detroit, captivated the audience with her powerful vocals on their collaboration “Don’t Lie.” Next, the enchanting Goapele graced the stage, followed by the iconic Omari Hardwick, who performed spoken word and rap pieces alongside Keyon. 

 

Backstage, we had the chance to chat with Keyon about his involvement in MATI and his recent accomplishments. “This is such a special opportunity to come home and bring back the things that I’ve picked up along the way from all over the world,” he said. Keyon and his band have been touring non-stop, sharing their magical music with the globe. When we asked about his biggest win of the past year, he beamed while discussing his NPR Tiny Desk feature, which is truly incredible. Keyon’s music embodies messages of peace, love, and honesty, making him a perfect spokesperson for Saint Louis’s rich musical culture.

 

Shortly after, the rain began, and we found refuge backstage in the Big Top. Not a bad spot to be stuck at all! We caught all of Esperanza Spalding’s unique and avant-garde set, which offered a refreshing change of pace from the back-to-back high-energy acts. She acknowledged the shift in her performance style, and later, when we asked about it, she admitted she had worried about the crowd’s reaction but ultimately felt welcomed and embraced. 

 

Esperanza, who has been in the industry since childhood, possesses genius-level musical skills that have propelled her impressive career. When we asked about how she’s navigated the music industry, she said, “I’m fortunate to have wise and generous mentors. I realized early on that it wasn’t worth it to sacrifice what was true to me for the sake of an opportunity or favor from powerful players.” She also credited her “insubordinate badass” mother as a significant influence while growing up. Shout out to all the supportive moms out there! Lastly, when asked for advice to up-and-coming artists, she urged, “Learn the music and don’t let outward metrics of success dictate whether you’re doing what you want.”

 

Next up was probably the festival’s most anticipated artist, Chaka Khan. The crowd erupted in cheers for her arrival, and she did not disappoint. Chaka delivered fan favorites like “Through the Fire,” “I Feel For You,” and “Ain’t Nobody.” She looked stunning, with her long red hair flowing as she commanded the stage, transporting us back to the ‘80s. 

At the end of her set, she was presented with a proclamation declaring September 15th as Chaka Khan Day. We love to see it!

 

 

We wrapped up the festival once again in the Big Top Tent with Marquise Knox and the Funky Butt Brass Band, who never fail to impress. This local Saint Louis band was the highlight of our festival experience last year, and getting to dance the night away with Marquise again was an absolute delight. 

 

 

Although the festival concluded, the party was far from over. We made our way to Keyon Harrold’s star-studded afterparty at The Dark Room, unsure of what to expect. We were blown away by the amount of star power in one room. The atmosphere felt more like an intimate yet powerful jam session with our festival favorites. Keyon and his band brought back Malaya, Goapele, Omari Hardwick, and even featured legendary saxophonist Terrace Martin, among others. It felt like history was being made right before our eyes.

 

As we said last year, we’ll say it again: Music at the Intersection is an incredibly underrated festival that unites legendary and accomplished musicians for one spectacular weekend. The palpable love for music and the sense of community among the crowd and artists make this festival a joyous celebration of music, STL, and its rich history and culture. Music is one of the things that put STL on the map, so it’s only fitting to encapsulate that in one jam-packed, exhilarating weekend. The entire experience is one of the highlights of our year, and we cannot wait to see what the future holds for MATI.