7 Best Moments From Music At The Intersection Festival 2024
The city of St. Louis celebrated the vibrant spirit of its community with the fourth annual Music At The Intersection festival, a dynamic gathering that showcased a diverse lineup of artists from across the nation and beyond. Nestled in the heart of the Grand Center Arts District, the festival united locals and visitors alike through the transformative power of art and live performance, with a particular focus on highlighting its homegrown talent.
Presented by the Kranzberg Arts Foundation in collaboration with the Steward Family Foundation and the Regional Arts Commission (RAC), Music At The Intersection first launched in 2021 and has blossomed into a must-attend event, drawing an estimated 12,000 attendees this year. Despite forecasts of rain, the skies cleared just in time for festival-goers to enjoy a beautiful weekend filled with music.
Featuring over 50 performers across multiple genres, the festival spanned four vibrant stages, complemented by a variety of vendors and street artists that echoed St. Louis’ rich cultural tapestry. While we couldn’t catch every set, several unforgettable performances truly captured the essence of this year’s celebration.
Here are several of the most memorable moments from this year’s Music At The Intersection festival that left us yearning for more.
Jordan Ward’s Energy Proves Kinetic
Image Credit: Preezy Brown
Jordan Ward‘s electrifying performance at the Music At The Intersection Festival in St. Louis showcased his unique blend of R&B, hip-hop, and soul.
His setlist featured a mix of fan favorites and tracks from his latest releases, engaging the crowd with both high-energy songs and more introspective moments.
Putting forth a high-octane set, the crooner treated festival-goers to popular tracks like “Drew Barrymore” and “Something to Hold On To,” alongside newer material that highlights his evolving sound.
His stage presence and ability to connect with the audience made for an unforgettable experience, solidifying his reputation as a rising star in the music scene.
Lady Wray Delivers Personality And Soul
Image Credit: Preezy Brown
Lady Wray‘s appearance at the Music At The Intersection Festival was a reminder of the magic that can occur when an artist has full command of the stage.
Running through various fan favorites from her catalog, the veteran songstress took time to share how her life informs her art throughout her set, including anecdotes from her personal life before launching into her songs.
Paying homage to her mentors Missy Elliott and Timbaland—the architects of her breakout 1999 single “Make It Hot,” Lady Wray put forth a masterful display. She also brought the crowd to their feet with a rendition of Frankie Beverly and Maze’s 1980 release, “Joy and Pain.”
The Virginia native matched the lushness of her vocals with the charisma of a showman, resulting in one of the more entertaining sets of the weekend.
Chingy Receives A Hometown Hero Welcome
Image Credit: Preezy Brown
Chingy delivered an energetic performance at the Music At The Intersection Festival in St. Louis, where he thrilled fans with a mix of his classic hits and newer material.
His set featured crowd-pleasers like “Right Thurr” and “Pullin’ Me Back,” igniting nostalgic vibes among attendees. Overall, Chingy’s performance was a standout at the festival, as the Midwestern legend celebrated his roots while basking in his impact on its Hip-Hop scene.
A native of the city, the hometown hero even received a proclamation during the appearance. The Mayor of St. Louis officially declared Sept. 14 as “Chingy Day,” adding additional sentiment to the moment.
Keyon Harrold Headlines With His Own All-Star Lineup
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Keyon Harrold lit up the stage at the Music At The Intersection festival with an unforgettable performance that featured an impressive lineup of guest artists.
The esteemed trumpeter was joined by Goaple, who captivated the audience with her classic 2002 single “Closer,” while also providing backing vocals to accompany Harrold and his bands’ grooves.
Another costar who contributed to the vibes was Malaya, a vocalist who translated her time on American Idol into a reputation as a musical powerhouse.
Hailing from Michigan, Malaya would take center stage while showcasing her powerful serenades at a festival after-party alongside Harrold, Los Angeles boardsman and instrumentalist Terrace Martin, and other musicians later in the evening.
Adding to the dynamic atmosphere, actor Omari Hardwick stepped into the spotlight to share his poetic stylings, proving that his talents extend well beyond the world of acting.
Not only was Harrold’s star-studded set a celebration of musical collaboration that left the crowd in a soul-induced euphoria, it also proved there’s strength in numbers.
Big Boi Brings The Dungeon To St. Louis
Image Credit: Nicole Guillen
Big Boi took the stage at the Music At The Intersection festival in St. Louis and his performance had Hip-Hop fans buzzing.
The legendary rapper served up a mix of classic OutKast hits, including “Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik,” “Player’s Ball,” “Elevators,” “Rosa Parks,” and the anthemic “B.O.B.”
He didn’t stop there—Big Boi also showcased tracks from his solo catalog, rocking the crowd with “Kryptonite,” “Shutterbugg,” and “All Night,” all with the assistance of Dungeon Family vocalist Sleepy Brown.
With his signature flow and engaging stage presence, Big Boi reminded everyone why he’s a cornerstone of Hip-Hop, leaving fans energized and craving more.
Esperanza Spalding Pulls The Crowd’s Heartstrings
Image Credit: Preezy Brown
Esperanza Spalding‘s performance at the Music At The Intersection Festival was a highlight of the event, showcasing her extraordinary musicianship and captivating stage presence.
Known for her innovative blend of jazz, R&B, and classical influences, Spalding delivered a set that resonated deeply with the audience. Renowned for her prowess behind the chords, the five-time Grammy Award winner demonstrated her versatility while serenading the audience with her timeless hits, “I Know You Know,” “Good Lava,” Unconditional Love,” and “Jewel.”
Spalding’s set was a testament to her status as a leading figure in contemporary music, leaving a lasting impression on festival-goers.
Chaka Khan Reminds Us She’s An Ageless Diva
Image Credit: Nicole Guillen
Legendary singer Chaka Khan graced the stage, delivering an unforgettable performance that had the crowd on their feet.
The Queen of Funk treated fans to a setlist filled with her biggest hits, including the soulful “Sweet Thing” and the empowering anthem “I’m Every Woman.”
After teasingly walking offstage and garnering chants for an encore, Khan closed the night with a show-stopping and mesmerizing rendition of her classic hit “Ain’t Nobody.”
Her powerful vocals and magnetic stage presence reaffirmed why she remains one of the most celebrated artists in music history, making the festival finale a night to remember.
