The rockin’ Roots Picnic
On May 30, The Festival Pier at Penn’s Landing will be hosting the eighth annual Roots Picnic. The Roots produce the event and co-headline each year along with another big name in rap music. Past co-headliners include Snoop Dogg and Naughty by Nature. The picnic features mostly rap music along with some indie and alternative tastes thrown in.
This year’s 18-act line-up, the biggest one yet, promises some amazing performances. Highlights include A$AP Rocky, Rae Sremmund (#NoFlexZone), Erykah Badu, and the Weeknd. Even if you’re not a huge fan of all the performers, you only know one song, or you’re only interested in the headliner, you shouldn’t miss out on the fun this event has to offer. The picnic has a music festival vibe but on a smaller scale, because it’s only one day. Early concertgoers can enjoy an actual picnic on blankets spread out in front of the main stage before it gets too crowded. Usually there are three stages, with the acts distributed between them throughout the day. The picnic is always the weekend after Memorial Day, but, fortunately, it doesn’t conflict with the craziness of early June (@seniors).
Each year that I have gone, I have discovered amazing new music that was incredible live. At the same time, if you aren’t dying to see everyone, you and your friends are left with plenty of time to peruse the vendors and simply enjoy the atmosphere. It’s best to enter with an open attitude, ready to go with the flow and to discover awesome artists. I love the Roots Picnic (this will be my third year going), and I’m sure you will love it too.