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| Saturday at the Made in America Festival; Hip Hop shines on the Parkway |
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 by: iradioal - Philadelphia, PA
started: 09/02/12 4:46 am | updated: 09/02/12 4:53 am |
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SEE ALSO: Made in America Festival Information, Schedule, Road Closures, Video Stream, etc.
The first day of the much hyped "Made in America" Festival has came and went without any major issues of any kind. The weather was warm, but not oppressive, and not a drop of rain in sight. Sunday will be much cooler, but there is a chance of a late afternoon storm. All of the preparations that went into the security of the venue site worked to keep away anyone from thinking about crashing the show. The Philadelphia Police reported no arrests and only a few minor injuries from falls or alcohol. It also helps that the crowd was kept to a maximum 50,000, giving everyone plenty of space, especially during most of the day when fans were spread out amongst the 4 different stages and not as many people had passed through the gates.
The goal in putting together the lineups was to give a diverse array of musical genres, but it does seem to lean towards Hip Hop and R&B overall, with a little bit of Indie Rock thrown in and of course the Dance tent. It does lend itself to a diverse crowd and an interesting mash of artists.
Here is some of what I managed to catch. Gary Clark Jr. started things off on the Rocky Stage with a set of his searing blues and rock to the fans who came out early. Many haven't heard of him before, but his song “Bright Lights†has been getting alternative radio play.
Prince Royce played the Liberty Stage and offered a Latin flavored twist to the afternoon (singing/speaking in English and Spanish) with a lot of crowd interaction that the women certainly enjoyed.
Maybach Music Group took over the Main Stage with their hit laden catalog. Philly's own mix-tape maven Meek Mill, Wale, and MMG boss Rick Ross were just a few to crowd the stage.
Janelle Monae graced the Liberty Stage and showed how she is an all around performer. She may be small but she can certainly sing and dance, and the combination with her band just explodes off the stage. She played some of her hits such as “Tightrope†and “Cold Warâ€.
D'Angelo was next up on the Rocky (Main) Stage. He can be described as a magician. The soul singer and multi-instrumentalist seems to craft magic on stage and cast a spell on the audience. He moved with ease from microphone to guitar to keyboard, communicating to the band and connecting with the crowd.
Passion Pit, who had to cancel a number of dates this summer including the Firefly Fest in July, were able to make this date and played next. They performed a good set, opening with their latest single “Take a Walk†and closing with 2009's “The Reeling.†The diverse crowd was left with some not exactly into the indie rock Passion Pit after neo-soul D'Angelo, but that is what can happen with so many interests to please.
Jay-Z performed an electrifying set that had the entire crowd jumping, each hit building off the last. President Obama made an appearance by recorded video to praise the message “Made in America†and Jay-Z's own journey coming from nothing. The president also encouraged everyone to get out and vote in November regardless of their stances. Jay-Z stepped aside around 10:30 so that Kanye West could take the stage. He performed a short set including a few from his upcoming G.O.O.D. release. The “surprise†performance was a solid rumor all week, but almost a lock when girlfriend Kim Kardasian tweeted a photo from a helicopter ride late this afternon saying she was headed to Philly. Beyonce did not make an appearance, though she was in attendance. Jay-Z came out to join Kanye to close out the show with one more song, “That Shit's Crazy,†which ended with fireworks from behind the stage.
Sunday will have another day of music on the Parkway. It kicks of at 2pm with The Hives on the Liberty stage with lots of great acts hitting the stages all around Eakins Oval throughout the afternoon. The biggest name on the schedule is of course Pearl Jam. They'll get 2 full hours to play. It'll be interesting to see how the Seattle rockers close out this first of it's kind festival for Philadelphia. Hopefully everything goes as smoothly as it's been reported today.
Going tomorrow and looking for more information? Check out our guide:
Made in America Festival Information, Schedule, Road Closures, Video Stream, etc.
Listen to iradiophilly's Jamz for Philly's Explicit Hip Hop and R&B
Listen to iradiophilly's Rift for Indie Rock
Listen to iradiophilly's Skin for Philly's New Rock Alternative
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| (8) responses |
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| by: iradioal - Philadelphia, PA | responded: 09/02 4:48 am |
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| The crowd in front of the Art Museum Rocky Stage watching Jay-Z perform at the Made in America Festival |
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| by: iradioal - Philadelphia, PA | responded: 09/02 4:48 am |
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| President Obama makes an appearance during Jay-Z's set at Made in America Fest |
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| by: iradioal - Philadelphia, PA | responded: 09/02 4:49 am |
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| Dirty Projectors perform on the Liberty Stage on Saturday at Made in America Fest |
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| by: iradioal - Philadelphia, PA | responded: 09/02 4:50 am |
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| Passion Pit play the Rocky Stage on Saturday at Made in America Festival |
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| by: iradioal - Philadelphia, PA | responded: 09/02 4:51 am |
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| D'Angelo plays on the Rocky Stage on Saturday at the Made in America Festival |
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| by: iradioal - Philadelphia, PA | responded: 09/02 4:52 am |
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| Janelle Monae plays on the Liberty Stage at the Made in America Fest |
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| by: iradioal - Philadelphia, PA | responded: 09/02 4:52 am |
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| Prince Royce performs on the Liberty Stage on Saturday at the Made in America Fest |
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| by: iradioal - Philadelphia, PA | responded: 09/02 4:53 am |
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| Gary Clark Jr. opens the Made in America Festival on Saturday on the Rocky Stage |
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