Beyond the music, the festival highlighted St. Louis culture with local business vendors, captivating hometown artwork, and a bustling food truck court overflowing with mouthwatering local fare. It felt like the whole city was coming together to celebrate, making the festival feel big yet intimate at the same time, which is one of our favorite aspects of the whole experience. MATI excels each year at honoring the rich history and culture of St. Louis, attracting a crowd that’s truly passionate about the music. This marks our second year attending MATI, and thanks to the festival team and Explore Saint Louis, it was a weekend packed with unforgettable experiences. We’re excited to dive into the highlights of this fun-filled celebration of all things STL.
The Prequel (Friday):
We arrived in Saint Louis on Friday afternoon, eager to check in at The Angad Arts Hotel for the second year in a row. This hotel not only dazzles with its carefully curated artwork from local Saint Louis artists, but it’s also just a short walk from the festival. Talk about a perfect combo! This year, we stayed in the blue room, symbolizing freedom and creativity, which suited the vibes perfectly.
Our first stop with the STL music fam was 4 Hands Brewing Company, the largest craft brewery in the St. Louis area. We got a behind-the-scenes look at the brewing process and had the chance to sample a variety of beers. What stood out to us was Four Hands’ strong focus on community and philanthropy, something we truly admired.
Next, we indulged in a mouthwatering meal at Salt + Smoke, a beloved local barbecue joint. We couldn’t pass up the chance to try some iconic Saint Louis staples like toasted ravs and bacon cheddar popovers, both of which we’re still dreaming about!
After dinner, we wandered through The Loop, one of Saint Louis’ most historic and vibrant streets. The night ended on a high note with live music at The Pageant, where we caught part of The Bridge City Sinners’ show, a fun little appetizer for the music-packed weekend ahead.
Day 1 (Saturday):
Day 1 kicked off bright and early with a visit to La Pâtisserie Chouquette, a chic Black-owned French bakery brimming with delectable treats and drinks. We indulged in a variety of goodies, including their famous darkness croissant (pro tip: arrive early or order ahead, as they sell out fast), delicious macarons, and a refreshing strawberry matcha.
After savoring our pastries, we ventured to the Saint Louis Zoo for a fun and wholesome experience. The highlight was the orangutan family, who recently welcomed a new member #CutenessOverload. Following our zoo adventure, we made our way to the Saint Louis Art Museum (SLAM) for a tour and some lunch, before finally heading to Day 1 of MATI.
As we entered MATI, we noticed a slightly different layout from last year, but all four stages were still alive with energy. Bubbles floated through the air as festival-goers set up their lawn chairs, eagerly anticipating a day filled with incredible music. We wished we could catch every act, but those we did see were fantastic. The first set we caught was by Jordan Ward, a Saint Louis native who had the crowd on their feet, a perfect homecoming to kick off our exciting weekend.
Next, we made our way to the Big Top Tent, our favorite stage, to see Lady Nicole Wray. The whimsical atmosphere of the circus tent provided an intimate yet colorful backdrop for the performance. “We’re at a festival, not a funeral,” Lady Wray exclaimed, encouraging the crowd to dance, and everyone happily obliged. Her vibrant set quickly became one of our favorites.
Following her performance, we headed to the main stage for the electrifying set by seven-time GRAMMY Award-winning artist Big Boi, who is best known as one half of the hip-hop duo Outkast. Hearing “Ms. Jackson” live was an iconic moment.
Next, we danced under the sparkling lights of the Big Top Tent to Cimafunk, an energetic Cuban musician and band that seamlessly blends funk and hip-hop with Cuban and Afro-Caribbean rhythms.
Amidst the festival excitement, we managed to catch up with Chingy backstage for an interview before his set. The STL native was down-to-earth and eager to express his love for his hometown. After decades in the industry, he offered sage advice to new artists: “Take your craft seriously, keep good people in your circle, and learn a bit about the business.” Chingy’s also dropping some new music on September 27th, which you can pre-order here.
Despite facing technical difficulties at the start of his performance, Chingy brought the house down with classics like “Right Thurr” and “Move Bitch.” Although we had to leave early to catch the next artist, we later learned that STL had declared September 14th “Chingy Day.” It doesn’t get more iconic than that.
We ended Day 1 with Black Pumas, who genuinely knocked our socks off. Hearing “Colors” live, accompanied by remarkable guitar solos, was an unforgettable bucket list moment. Lead singer Eric Burton electrified the crowd with his incredible energy and stage presence. In a thrilling moment, he jumped over us in the photo pit and into the audience, dancing and singing along. Did he almost crush us? Yes. Would we have said thank you? Absolutely. It was a high note to end Day 1 of Music at the Intersection.
Day 2 promises performances from Chaka Khan, Keyon Harrold, Esperanza Spalding, and more.
- SHOW REVIEW: Inhaler – New York City, NY – 10/18/2024 - November 25, 2024
- Music at the Intersection Festival 2024: Day 2 - October 2, 2024
- Music at the Intersection Festival 2024: Day 1 - September 29, 2024
