St. Louis artists protest new music festivals

ST. LOUIS -- Protests from some local musicians aren't keeping St. Louis elected leaders from tentatively embracing a pair of planned summer music festivals that promoters say could attract fans from across the country.

Summer Rocks LLC wants to lease the Soldiers Memorial area downtown for a country music festival over Memorial Day weekend and a Labor Day weekend rock concert.

The company is owned by the Los Angeles talent agency ICM Partners, which books some of the country's biggest festivals, including Bonnaroo, Coachella, Lollapalooza and South by Southwest.

A board of aldermen committee voted Wednesday to approve a 10-year contract with a 10-year renewal option. The vote came after 15 people spoke against a proposal they said could damage more home-grown local efforts.

The concert contract still requires full board approval.