Evolution Festival Details Inaugural Lineup: Brandi Carlile, The Black Keys, Brittany Howard and More

February 13, 2023

Today, Evolution Festival detailed the list of performers who will be joining them for their inaugural gathering at St. Louis’ Forest Park on Aug. 26 and 27. The festival is inspired by the city itself and aims to be a catalyst for building a stronger community while celebrating the soul of the city.

“St. Louis is home. My partner Joe and I are both born and raised here, and we’ve both always worked hard to create unforgettable live entertainment experiences here for our hometown community,” said Co-Executive Producer Steve Schankman in a press release. “We both agreed that there is something missing here, an event that will welcome everyone from our great city to come together to celebrate our diversity, inclusion, and to offer a renewed focus on our musical culture and the arts. Evolution Festival does just that, and this event will not only create long-lasting memories, but it will be a strong economic driver for the city, the region, and the state for years to come, as well.”

The event will welcome a diverse lineup comprised of over 15 artists over two days, including Brandi Carlile, The Black Keys, The Black Crowes, Brittany Howard, Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals, Ice Cube, Morgan Wade, Cautious Clay, Michigander, Modern English, Nikki Lane, The Sugarhill Gang, The Nude Party and more.

“When Steve and I put our heads together to come up with the vision for Evolution Festival, we thought about what kind of festival we’d actually like to attend ourselves,” added Co-Executive Producer Joe Litvag. “An amazing food and beverage experience is just as important as the music is to us, and having a relaxed atmosphere with room to spread out, sit down, and socialize is a big part of what will make this event special. And watching incredible artists like Brandi Carlile, The Black Keys, The Black Crowes and Ice Cube doesn’t hurt either! It’s going to be a special weekend!”

The festival will also celebrate nationally acclaimed barbeque pit masters “Phil The Grill” Johnson, James “Boatright’s BBQ,” Fred Minnick, along with other award-winning chefs and restaurateurs like Sugar Fire Smoke House, Pappy’s Smoke House, Beast Craft BBQ, Gobble Stop Smoke House, Heavy Smoke BBQ, Treaux’s Cajun BBQ, and more.

A portion of Evolution Festival’s proceeds will be donated to Forest Park Forever, a non-profit that works to restore, maintain, and sustain Forest Park as one of America’s great urban public parks. “Forest Park Forever works year-round to restore, maintain and sustain Forest Park for a diverse community of visitors to enjoy. Supporting that mission, we’re excited to see the Evolution Festival introduce a new Forest Park experience for local visitors while showcasing this great urban park to new visitors and musical artists from across the nation,” said Lesley S. Hoffarth, President and Executive Director of Forest Park Forever.

The festival will also work closely with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital through its Music Gives campaign to raise money and awareness for the fight against childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

Tickets to Evolution Festival will go on sale Friday, Feb. 17 at 10 a.m. CT. A limited number of pre-sale tickets will be available starting Feb. 14 at 10 a.m. CT. Learn more and find tickets to Evolution Festival here.