Cyrus Langhorne
Entertainment company Live Nation isn’t here for Made In America changing locations. The concert organization has addressed drama surrounding the annual Philadelphia event’s future.
In a new statement, Live Nation stood up for Roc Nation boss JAY-Z and his desire to keep the multi-day showcase at Philly’s Ben Franklin Parkway.
Live Nation wholeheartedly supports Jay-Z and Roc Nation’s bid to keep the Made In America Festival at its home on the Ben Franklin Parkway. We have yet to hear a compelling or plausible explanation for why the festival cannot return to the site where it has successfully been housed for six years and generated $102.8M in positive economic impact to the city.
From Billie Holiday to Will Smith, Patti LaBelle, Jill Scott, The Roots and countless others, urban music is an indelible part of Philadelphia’s culture and history. By handicapping Made In America’s ability to bring the best show possible to the best site possible, this administration makes a statement about how it values the arts and plans to protect and expand the city’s vibrant musical heritage. (Statement)
A few hours ago, Philadelphia’s Mayor Jim Kenney‘s camp called the entire situation a misunderstanding.
“The City of Philadelphia supports the Made in America festival and is greatly appreciative of all that it has done for Philadelphia. We are committed to its continued success and thank them for their partnership,” a representative for Kenney’s office tells Billboard. “We hope to be able to resolve what has been an unfortunate misunderstanding. We are working with Roc Nation and Live Nation to resolve this issue and we are committed to continuing our partnership with the Made in America festival.” (Billboard)
[Made In America: 5 Things You (Probably) Didn’t Know About JAY-Z’s Annual Music Festival]
Yesterday, JAY publicly shared his frustrations with Mayor Kenney not reaching out before reaching a decision to disrupt the Made In America festival location.
This week, buzz developed about the annual festival having to find a new spot in 2019.
Just like it has for the past six years, when Labor Day weekend rolls around this summer, the Ben Franklin Parkway will be transformed into the site of a giant music fest curated by superstar Jay-Z. But this will be the last time. The 2019 Made in America festival will not take place on the parkway, Billy Penn has learned. Roc Nation is adamant the fest will be returning to Philly next year anyway. A rep cites the city’s spirit and brotherhood as an essential part of the concert’s identity. (Billy Penn)
