It was fun while it lasted.

After three years trying to establish itself as the city’s signature music event, the Evolution Festival will take a year off in 2026. If and when it returns, it could take an entirely new shape.

Although attendance was lower this year than organizers hoped, Founder and Executive Producer Steve Shankman said he’s taking a pause because he doesn’t want to compete for corporate sponsorships next year with other events — particularly ones celebrating the nation’s 250th birthday on the grounds of the Gateway Arch .

“We did a lot less people than we thought [we would]. But money wasn’t the issue,” Shankman said. “Instead of everybody hitting up Anheuser Busch and Worldwide Technology, we feel the right thing to do is to step aside.”

He also cited socc

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