STL

St. Louis, Missouri’s emerging Evolution Festival will mark its second year this fall with a killer lineup — literally. Alt-rock anthem makers The Killers will join anti-folk funk-soul rocker Beck as headliners of the event, which returns to Mound City’s leafy Forest Park on Sept. 28-29 following a successful debut in 2023.
Joining the veteran headliners will be fellow seminal acts Jane’s Addiction, Blondie and Nile Rodgers & Chic. The rest of Evolution’s stacked lineup includes recent Grammy winner Killer Mike, Americana singer Elle King, studio wizard Todd Rundgren and singer-songwriter Pete Yorn, along with Robert Finley, S.G. Goodman, His Lordship, Beachwood Sparks, The Mysterines, Lola Kirke, 95 Bulls, Tre Burt, The Asteroid No. 4 and more.

Like other area festivals, namely Music at the Intersection, Evolution co-producers Contemporary Presentations and The Just Listen Company make sure to weave in local acts as well. This year, the honors go to alt-country statesmen Son Volt and a group simply called Nadine. The former helped popularize the genre following the collapse of frontman Jay Farrar’s earlier band, Uncle Tupelo; the latter produced a series of beloved indie albums that evolved from straight-on roots to more atmospheric territory during a brief run in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

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Organizers hope to build on the momentum of Evolution’s inaugural event, which attracted over 25,000 attendees last August for a lineup that included Brandi Carlile, The Black Keys, Ice Cube and Sugarhill Gang, plus a curated program of local culinary offerings and craft-y spirits.

“We are thrilled to bring Evolution Festival back to Forest Park for its second year,” said festival producers Steve Schankman and Joe Litvag. “Building upon the success of our inaugural year, we are committed to creating a dynamic and inclusive experience that celebrates music, food, and community. We look forward to welcoming fans to what promises to be an unforgettable weekend.”

Attendees can choose from two general admission tiers, starting at $129.50, or spring for one of three VIP or ‘Platinum’-level packages that provide special seating, access to lounge areas and special food offerings. All options will be available for purchase on Wednesday, Feb. 28 at 10:00 a.m. CST.