Why travel to a music fest, when we have one in our backyard
“Standing in the “Pit” for seven hours to not lose your spot to see the headliners is pure dedication”
The line is building up
Last minute checks
Event staff headed to work
Headed towards the media tent
World Wide Tech main stage area
Entering the main festival grounds
While the sun beamed down on concert-goers and vendors, the energy steadily rose as crowds gathered to hear their favorite bands from across the globe. With three stages spread across a spacious, easy-to-navigate layout, festival-goers could comfortably find a spot that fit their vibe — whether up close and dancing or relaxing farther back.
Saturday morning brought the hum of pre-festival hustle: event crews finalizing sound checks, vendors prepping booths, and the grounds coming alive with anticipation.
Food and drinks were a major highlight. Choices ranged from pizza, burgers, and barbecue to teriyaki chicken bowls and chicken on a stick, offering plenty of variety for every palate. The free refillable water station was a crowd favorite, keeping everyone cool and hydrated under the late-summer sun. Energy drinks, craft beer, cocktails, and classic sodas rounded out the drink options, making it easy to refresh and recharge between sets.
When the music finally came alive, the crowds roared in excitement. The energy was high, yet the vibe remained warm and welcoming to all — whether lifelong fans or first-timers discovering new artists. Final sound checks built anticipation until the first notes hit the air. As the sets began, people of all different backgrounds danced and swayed together in harmony. Fans shared blankets, handheld fans, and even food with strangers, creating a sense of connection rarely found at large events.
It was beautiful to witness this collective joy and generosity — a moment of togetherness and escape from the chaos of daily life, where music and community took center stage.
This entire festival — featuring an incredible lineup of musicians including The Velveteers, The Pharcyde, Corinne Bailey Rae, Public Enemy, Sublime, Sam Fender, Pokey LaFarge, TLC, Lenny Kravitz, and many more — would not have been possible without the vision and dedication of Steve Schankman. His time, energy, and commitment to bringing world-class music to St. Louis have made the Evolution Music Festival the huge success it is today. As Lenny Kravitz closed out the weekend on Sunday night, the final crowd surged forward, the music blasted through Forest Park, and concert-goers got exactly what they came for — an unforgettable weekend of community, connection, and music that transcended the ordinary.
April Jones- media reporter for Hi Neighbor
