How I survived my first Made In America festival

Made in America | photo by Cameron Pollack for WXPN

Earlier this month, the 2016 Made in America Festival took to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philly for two days; you can see our full photo coverage here and here. Today, our Lissa Alicia comes to us with her full experiential account of the Philly megafestival; highs and lows alike.

This year’s Made In America fest was my very first one, and I was not at all prepared for what was in store for me that weekend. By no means was this my first rodeo (festival). Earlier this year I attended The Roots Picnic. In the past I have hit up both Governors Ball, Mad Decent Block Party, and Afropunk Festivals. Attending those festivals were for pleasure. Although I was looking forward to Made In America, I was work minded since I was covering the show. I am only 25, so I figured moderate energy and a banana for breakfast would get me through day one. I mean I did survive moshing and raving at Mad Decent while nursing a legendary hangover and only existing on half a blueberry muffin. I guess I am too old for all that jazz now.

I spent about a good hour trying to find the press entrance that was located on 24th and Pennsylvania Ave after walking from 19th and Market. For some reason I didn’t think to look for the location in the email that I got from MIA PR. During my quest, I came across a raging house party about a half a block from the festival’s main entrance. The folks there looked about my age, all the girls were super pretty with their faces beat to the Gawds – the fellas were equally as dapper. I asked a dude who was hanging out in the large bay window, with a orange foam finger in one hand and a bottle of liquor in the other, if I could come through. He said sure and directed me to go. When I tried to enter the building, I got turned away by the front desk. Apparently I needed someone from the residence to escort me in. I chalked up my loss and proceed to look for the media entrance.

Day one started with a bang when Philadelphia’s very own Lil Uzi Vert was the first to perform on the Rocky Stage. Much of his performance was spent in the crowd and atop speakers. His set included fan favorites such as “WDYW.”

Although Uzi was the first act I caught at MIA, this was not my first time catching him tear up the stage, and speakers, and photo pit, and audience. I saw him live a few years ago at Foxtail Fest, although he was obviously high out of his mind and not actually rapping at that particular show; it was something about his music and energetic performance that made me a fan. When I saw him at the Roots Picnic, and here at Made In America, I was thoroughly pleased. His energy was all the way turn up as usual. Half of Uzi’s set was spent in the crowd (at one point he even jumped a fence). The other have he was on stage dancing his signature shimmy, making with his girlfriend, and actually rapping.

Shortly after Lil Uzi Vert ended his performance, sweet songstress SZA followed up with tracks from her 2014 release Z. SZA, who donned a red blouse that read “Fuck Donald,” engaged in playful banter with the crowd before inviting TDE labelmate Schoolboy Q to perform his hit single “That Part.”

I absolutely adore SZA, so anything that she planned on doing was ok with me. I was beyond elated when Schoolboy Q made and appearance, because he is also one of my ultimate faves. It was actually quite a nice surprise to see his typically scruffy and wolf-life face tamed and close-shaven. He also was naked of his trademark bucket hat. For that I was grateful as well. A full set from him at MIA would have been ideal in my opinion.

Over on the Liberty Stage, A$AP Ferg took to the stage to perform trap anthems like “New Level” and “Shabba.” Festival goers of all backgrounds rapped along to each word – the vibe was mob-like.

I know I keep saying all of these artist are my favs, but A$AP Ferg is on a new level – pun intended. After Uzi, folks with media passes were no longer allowed in the pit, and had to mingle with the general population. I am really grateful for this because I don’t think it would be good practice to mosh in the pit – no pun intended. The only problem with Ferg’s set was the fact that when his white boy fans rapped along, they did not refrain from using the “N” word. I was already over the bros, but bros dropping that bomb in a sea of American flags was just too much.

Jay Electronica performed an unscheduled set filling in for Philly rapper Eve, (who was supposed to be filling in for Grimes). Jay Electronica is a special case in my opinion. He is one of the best rappers who have never dropped a final project. Maybe a hip-hop aficionado understand this phenom, but I sure don’t. The performance reached its peak when Electronica invited the crowd onstage with him. The turn-up was short lived after police and security cleared the stage. I knew better than to run for the stage — the last time I did that, I lost the nail on my big toe.

The most Philly moment of day one at Budweiser’s Made In America Festival occurred when ColleGrove (2 Chainz and Lil Wayne) brought out Freeway. The Philly hip-hop legend performed OG classic “What We Do.” An obvious sense of hometown pride was felt throughout the audience.  I honestly felt like my heart was going to explode with Philly pride. I have never rapped along to a song in my entire life. And yes, I rapped all he “N” words.

After ColleGrove, I decided to explore the land away from the two main stages. I decided to get on one of the amusement rides. I chose the swing that stood about 4 stories high that spun passengers above the city. I picked that over the ferris wheel because I like a thrill. Unfortunately, I was not prepared for this ride. I was anxious the whole time. It is a weird feeling to be up in the sky over your own city as opposed to flying over Six Flags or some other theme park.

Closing the evening with an electrifying performance was Rihanna, who is in the middle of her Anti world tour, gave a nearly two hour high-energy performance. Between songs spanning her career, Rihanna urged festival goers to vote in this year’s presidential election.

I was honestly drained beyond belief, therefore I do not even think that I was able to appreciate the amazingness that is even Rihanna.

For some reason, Made In America brings out the desire for artist to perform their sets in odd and somewhat unsafe places. During day two, Travis Scott performed “3005” in the crowd…in a tree above the crowd. Thankfully he made it back to the stage in one piece.

Over on the Rocky Stage DJ Khaled’s set the evening off on a major key. His set was definitely geared towards those who were around during hip-hop’s golden era of the 90’s and early 00’s. Mixed in with “All I Do Is Win” was DJ Kool’s “Let Me Clear My Throat.” Reminiscent of day one, DJ Khaled called on Freeway to join him on stage. Freeway once again performed “What We Do.” This encore was followed by the Young Gunz’ “Can’t Stop Won’t Stop.” Overall DJ Khaled’s set was an ode to Roc-A-Fella circa 2004. Folks may have been like “why would Free perform this song two days in a row,” but I feel like the people who would ask that question are not actually from Philly, maybe someplace like Doylestown or something.

Much of day two for me was spent chasing shade and trying to stay hydrated. After a full day one of MIA, having a full blown cold, and worried about starting my new job in the AM, my head was just not in the game. Much of the day I was trying to lay low and catch all the important acts.

The man behind the 2016 go-to party anthem “Panda,” Desiigner, hopped on the Tidal Stage to debut his new music. Like most of his performances, the energy was very high energy and included dabbing and aerial microphone tricks. Many hip-hop purists don’t like Desiigner simply because they don’t understand his style or because they feel like it is not real hip-hop, forgetting that fact that the craft is transient and ever-changing. For me Desiigner, embodies what it means to be a #carefreeblackboy. He is out here fuckin’ shit up, causing a ruckus, making money and having a hell of a lot of fun doing it.

British rockers, Coldplay, wrapped up the evening and the festival with a beautiful display of music and color. A ethereal laser light show illuminated festival goers as the musicians performed “Yellow” and “Hymn For The Weekend.”

I really tried to stay for all of the Coldplay. I know how other people think they are so amazing, and I am sure they are, but that music was just not my cup of tea. In actuality my body needed a real good cup of ginger tea to fight off the cold that was ravaging my festival weary body. I had to call it a night.

All in all, I had a lovely time popping my Made In America cherry. The lesson that I am walking away with is that I am too old and unhealthy to be going as hard as I did. Next fest, I shall be more mindful.