We've decided to bite the bullet and put on a festival in this here town. Lord knows we need one. A real, honest-to-goodness music festival and conference, showcasing the best of our city's talent and bringing in regional and national acts. Plus panels and workshops, for information, education and that all-important networking. A place where independent bands can see and be seen, so to speak.

The first annual PLAY:stl Music Festival & Conference will take place Sept. 21-23 in the University City Loop (both venues at Blueberry Hill, Cicero's and Vintage Vinyl, plus an acoustic venue and two outdoor stages). PLAY:stl coincides and will be tightly intertwined with Cicero's 30th anniversary celebration, which continues on through Sept. 23. We'll have a day of industry panels on Sept. 21, followed by two nights and two days of music and entertainment.

Check out the full lineup here.

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More about PLAY:stl

The objectives of PLAY:stl are twofold: (1) increase awareness of the St. Louis area as a musical hub, rich with talented musicians and music-loving fans, and (2) provide festival performers and attendees with a broader audience as well as educational and networking opportunities to increase their career success.

PLAY:stl is a community event, incorporating the ideas and efforts of a number of local musicians and movers 'n' shakers. Behind the festival is PLAYBACK:stl, the five-plus-year-old music and entertainment magazine founded and run by Laura Hamlett and Jim Dunn, in print four and a half years before going web-only last fall. More than just a collection of words, PLAYBACK:stl has long been involved in booking shows, hosting events, and drawing attention to the local music community and independent artists. Also driving PLAY:stl is Bigfatcat, a local management, public relations and graphic design firm. An offshoot of PLAYBACK:stl, Bigfatcat focuses on booking, promotions and advancing artists' careers.

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