Made in America Festival

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September 3, 2012 | 12:11 PM | By

Want to know what happens at a Skrillex concert?

Photo via http://www.facebook.com/skrillex


One of the highlights at this weekend’s Made In America festival was the set Skrillex DJ’s on Saturday night. The festival featured many electronica music artists including Afrojack, DJ Shadow, and Calvin Harris, but it was Skrillex who set the bar high with his over-the-top mix of dubstep and electronic dance music. To fans, Skillex is one of the foremost producers and performers on the electronic dance music (EDM) scene. So, what happens at a Skrillex concert? Below, watch the first couple minutes of his set from the other night. From start to finish it was a visceral, hi-energy body moving experience.

FILED UNDER: Artists, Concert Reviews, Events, Scene, Made in America Festival, Skrillex
September 3, 2012 | 11:22 AM | By

Day Two at Made In America: Pearl Jam, Drake, Odd Future, Jill Scott and the return of Run DMC


It was just another typical star studded day fun day of music at day two of Made In America yesterday on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Jay-Z performed “99 Problems” with Pearl Jam. Pearl Jam covered The Who, The Clash and ended their set with Neil Young’s “Rockin’ In The Free World.” Drake brought out 2 Chainz to perform “No Lie,” then introduced French Montana to rap with him. Philly soulsinger Jill Scott brought Eve out on stage for a couple of songs. Jay-Z and Beyonce walked throughout the crowd and stood on the side of the stage for a dazzling set by Gary Clark, Jr. (Clark was the only artist to play both days). Tyler, the lead rapper from Odd Future, was dancing on the street to Drake. Even the fans got in on the action; Santigold invited several dozen audience members to dance on stage during “Creator.” While Pearl Jam were the headliner favorites of the day, it was the return of Run DMC that got the most exuberant reception from the crowd. Under a banner that said Jam Master Jay Forever (jay was murdered in 2002), Run and DMC rocked the classics including “Walk This Way,” “My Adidas,” “Mary, Mary,” and “Rock Box.” They paused a moment to remember their DJ and brought out Jay’s two sons, who are adept DJ’s themselves, for a short set. It was a poignant moment during MIA’s second incredible day of music. Below, watch a fan videos of Jay-Z and Pearl Jam performing “99 Problems.” Via Youtuber That Guy In Philly watch Run DMC’s “It’s Like That,” “It’s Tricky,” and “Walk This Way.” Go here to see Pearl Jam’s complete set list.

FILED UNDER: Artists, Concert Reviews, Events, 2 Chainz, Drake, Jay-Z, Jill Scott, Made in America Festival, Odd Future, Run DMC, Santigold
September 2, 2012 | 10:46 AM | By

Tonight’s Concert Picks: DJ Shadow Made in America Afterparty at the TLA, Galactic and Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears at Wiggins Park Labor Day Music Festival, and Black Swans and Meg Bairs at Studio 34

Besides day two of the Made in America Festival, there’s a bunch of shows going on in the Philadelphia area tonight. If you’re hitting up the festival today and looking for something to do afterwards (or just feel like taking in some impressive turntable skills), DJ Shadow will be spinning a late night Made in America afterparty at the TLA. The show starts at 11 p.m. and tickets are available here for $18. Check out a roundup of some of our favorite DJ Shadow moments here.

Galactic

If you’re looking for free outdoor music, the Camden County Freeholders are hosting a free Backyard BBQ tonight at Wiggins Waterfront Park. Performances include Galactic featuring Corey Glover, Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears, Royal Southern Brotherhood with Cyril Neville, 61 North, and Mia Boarders. The music starts at 2 p.m. and goes all day. For more information click here. Check out the video for Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears’ song “Mustang Ranch” below.

Finally, if your looking for something folksy, check out the Folkadelphia Presents show at Studio 34 with The Black Swans, Meg Baird, and Glenn Jones tonight. The doors open at 8 p.m. and tickets are on sale here for $10. For more details check out the Facebook event page here. Below, listen to The Black Swans’ song “Nap.”

FILED UNDER: Artists, Concert Previews, Events, Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears, Black Swans, DJ Shadow, Made in America, Made in America Festival, Meg Bairs, Studio 34, TLA, Wiggins Park
September 2, 2012 | 10:07 AM | By

Made In America – Day One Review and pictures

Photo via http://www.facebook.com/MadeInAmericaFest


Yesterday was the first day of Jay-Z’s Made In America festival. Overall, the festival delivered on the promise of a fantastic, eclectic lineup, and a fun experience on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia. The seemingly mostly under-30, racially mixed crown (upwards to 50,000) filled the Parkway for nine hours of music that alternated between two stages and a DJ tent. Gary Clark, Jr started the day on the Rocky Stage (the main stage at the feet of the Art Museum steps), and ended with an incredible set from Jay-Z (wearing a Brooklyn Nets cap) with special guests Kanye West, and his G.O.O.D record label pals Big Sean, 2 Chainz, Pusha T, and Common. Earlier in the set, Jay-Z brought out Memphis Bleek, Swiss Beatz, Young Chris and Freeway. From the start of Jay’s set (with a snippet of “Made In America”) to the set closer “N—– In Paris,” it was an historic moment in rap music.

The festival atmosphere was energetic, hot and slightly breezy, and even with the large attendance, it didn’t seem too overcrowded. There was plenty of police presence but the police reported no major and a just a few minor problems during the day. There were food trucks alongside local favorites Tony Lukes and Chickie & Pete’s, a local market featuring local artists and crafts, and plenty of water stations offering refills.

Aside from the star studded headliners for the day, musical standouts included an absolutely fantastic set from Janelle Monae (including a terrific cover of The Jackson 5′s “I Want You Back), Gary Clark, Jr., rapper Jay Electronica, Passion Pit, D’Angelo and Skrillex, who DJ’d in a spaceship in front of a breathtaking light and screen show. Skrillex performed on the side stage (the Liberty Stage) yet should have performed on the main stage. As one of dub step’s poster DJ’s right now, Skrillex’s show was a pleasant shock of high energy beats and drops and reggae that was massively fun.

Skrillex in his space ship. Photo by Getty Images

Gary Clark Jr. photo by Getty Images

The musical highlight of the day though was the hour and 1/2 set by Jay-Z and his special guests. Jay delivered a hit filled set (“99 Problems.” “Empire State of Mind,” “Dirt Off Your Shoulder,” “What We Do” (with Freeway), “Encore,” “Izzo (H.O.V.A),” “Excuse Me Miss,” “Run This Town,” and more. Jay is an impeccable showman and was backed by a funky, flawless live band. He introduced Kanye West and along with Big Sean, 2 Chainz, Pusha T, and Common they performed new songs including “Mercy,” and “New God Flow.” The crowd sang along with almost every song (Common’s “The Light” was a standout) and the evening came to a close with a fireworks display behind the set over the Philadelphia Art Museum.

Jay-Z photo by Charles Sykes, via AP

Today’s lineup at MIA includes headliners Pearl Jam, Drake, Odd Future, DJ Shadow, The Hives, Santigold, Run DMC and more. Go here for more information about today’s show.

FILED UNDER: Artists, Concert Reviews, Events, Janelle Monae, Jay Electronice, Jay-Z, Made in America, Made in America Festival, Skrillex
August 31, 2012 | 2:05 PM | By

Get stoked for Made in America with Jay-Z’s photo gallery

Pearl Jam

The much-anticipated Made in America festival kicks off tomorrow on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, and sizable swath of the internet has spent this week nerding out about the lineup – the promoters included. Today, a photo gallery was posted on Jay-Z’s website, collecting various images that capture the performers in action in glorious black and white. Check out the gallery here, and if you’re attending M.I.A. this weekend, party safe and have fun!

FILED UNDER: Artists, Concert Previews, Events, Jay-Z, Made in America, Made in America Festival, Pearl Jam