Now a staple of Labor Day weekend in Philadelphia, the Jay-Z-curated two-day music festival, Budweiser Made in America returns to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway for a sixth year Sept. 2-3.
Jay-Z himself will headline, along with J. Cole and The Chainsmokers. The many other performers, in what sounds like a hip-hop/dance-leaning lineup this year, include Kaskade, Marshmello, Migos, Solange, Run the Jewels, Little Dragon, 21 Savage, Sampha, Cash Cash, R3hab, Pusha T, Vic Mensa, DMX, Marian Hill, Tiwa Savage, Getter, Stormzy, SuperDuperKyle, WizKid, A Boogie Wit da Hoodie, Lizzo, Dirty South, Broods, Kelela, Francis and The Lights, Ugly God, Yung Lean, PnB Rock, Rob $Tone, Rapsody, Netsky, Green Velvet, Beach Slang, BURNS, Jorja Smith, Salva, Vanic, They, London On Da Track, Kap Slap, Smino, Nick Grant, Mt. Joy, Kodie Shane, Flor, Earthgang, Medasin, Tommy Genesis, Devault, Mozart La Para, Carter Winter (a rare-for-Made-in-America country singer), Maleek Berry, Japanese Breakfast, Karen Rodriguez, J.I.D, Busty & The Bass, Ari Lennox, Downtown Boys, Queen of Jeans, Public Access TV and more.
Thousands of visitors and festival-goers are expected to be in the City of Brotherly Love that Saturday and Sunday. The event is all ages, but you need to be at least 21, with ID, to enter the beer garden areas.
After the inaugural Made in America festival in 2012, the event generated at least $10 million in economic impact for the city’s economy, according to an official festival press release.
The release also says a primary goal of Budweiser Made in America is to have a positive impact on the communities involved. This year’s concert will benefit the ACLU of Pennsylvania and the United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey’s initiatives for youth success and family stability to break the cycle of intergenerational poverty in the region.
Two-day weekend Passes are $162 and available at www.ticketmaster.com and www.livenation.com. You’re limited to eight two-day passes, and note that once you’re in, there’s no exit-and-re-entry allowed.
Here’s what not to bring: Glass containers, drugs, alcohol, animals (except service animals), weapons, lawn chairs, fireworks, bicycles, scooters, skateboards, motorized vehicles, glow sticks, food or drinks (there will be food trucks and free filtered water service with many stations, coolers (unless for medical reasons), flags, signs or banners, instruments, professional cameras, laser pointers, spray paint, balls, balloons, frisbees, backpacks larger than 12×12 inches, bottles or cans (empty aluminum and factory sealed bottles up to one liter are OK), sealed packages, ladders, step stools, Botta bags or camelbacks (only empty). Smoking is also prohibited.
Out of the area during Budweiser Made in America? TIDAL will be livestreaming it at www.tidal.com.
Visit www.madeinamericafest.com for a playlist of this year’s artists, a map of the festival area, a Made in America app, information on reserving a charging locker, where to park, where to find hotel accommodations and more.
