On Saturday April 27th, over 30,000 attendees joined Broccoli City at the seventh annual Broccoli City Festival at FedExField. The festival’s lineup featured some of the music’s most influential and genre-defying artists. This star-studded lineup included Childish Gambino, Lil Wayne, Teyana Taylor, City Girls, Ella Mai, 6lack, Lil Baby, Gunna, and more. With its second-year partnership with Live Nation Urban, the annual weekend provided tools for millennials to be environmental sustainability advocates for their communities while simultaneously developing a further understanding behind the importance of coming together for a greater cause.
“The power we bring as a unit is what compels us [Broccoli City] to create a space to celebrate, and provide programmatic resources and education through uplifting our supporters and extended community,” said Brandon McEachern, co-founder of Broccoli City Festival. “The community serves as the catalyst for all that we do, and we are thrilled to continue providing live entertainment experiences that mobilize millennials around issues plaguing our most vulnerable communities.”
The weekend-long celebration also included a pre-festival commemorative demonstration of musical bliss hosted by B.Simone, with performances by Bri Steves, Tobi Nwigwe, and TrippieRedd.
With a preview of such a renowned festival including profuse artists of that stature, you can only imagine what opulence would be on display day-of.
Captured by @broccolicity
FedExField served as the landing mark for the undeniable influx of unified glee exemplified as a result of demonstrated musical prowess. Each artist in attendance was sure to captivate the essence of their performance, challenging the next person up to carry a sustained momentum from festival attendees.
Captured by @shaughncooper
Host Rodney Rikai and Uncle Scooty both did a phenomenal job at maintaining active crowd engagement transitioning in-between sets, being sure to display full cognizance on the reason behind why thousands gathered at FedExField for more than just music.
New Impressionz, a talented band specializing in go-go and different renditions to some of music’s most popular songs, opened up the festival and did not disappoint. Their live instrumentation was engaging and caused a reaction among the masses to move their feet in a suggestive fashion.
“Did this 5 mins from my mama’s crib. Thank you @broccolicity” is a captioned post from DMV native Ade who followed up the band with a mesmerizing set that pervaded the field grounds.
YBN Cordae, a Murrland native, decide to spread the wealth and surprise fans with an impromptu performance from the self-proclaimed “100RoundGoon” Q Da Fool. Making the homeland proud, the two artists put on a commanding performance indicative of embracing genuine love from their adoring fans.
Captured by @shaughncooper
The City Girls provided an assuring, confident energy that enabled fans to detach from the societal pressures behind conforming to the social norm and instead embrace the resounding power deriving from uttering the word “period”.
Lil Baby showcased a mere glimpse into his musical catalog in performing songs off his most recent collaborative project with 300ent artist Gunna. As he swayed from one end of the stage to another, I couldn’t help but become distracted by the sun glistening off his newest jewelry acquisition. Gunna’s set followed and essentially was a trap-karaoke occasion as fans recited the lyrics to his music word for word.
Ellai Mai displayed nothing short of musical professionalism as she elegantly delivered a soprano cooked up with a charming smile that was indicative of her heart-warming character.
Teyana Taylor’s set was accompanied by her phenomenal dancers that graced the stage and matched the vivacious energy that was on display. All of which of course was overshadowed by the MVP Ms.Junie.
Lil Wayne exemplified nothing short of musical excellence as fans embraced his influence. The same influence that has single-handedly served as a catalyst for aspiring artist alike. Followed by a set from East-Atlanta native 6lack that emphasized the importance of how being nonchalant, yet blunt, can enable you to excel. A true testament to his artistry.
Captured by @madenchynna
Childish Gambino served as the official headliner for the festival and his set was very telling as to why that decision was made. Whether it was the 70’s disco inspired spaceship-esque infrastructure he balanced on, or his reassuring decree that “this is a spiritual experience not a show”, either way, the performance was amazing.
Overall, Broccoli City Festival was an awesome experience from beginning to end. In regards to any words of advice for the forthcoming year, I would strongly advocate wearing your best walking shoes. Making that trip from the Broccoli Stage to the City stage was not for the fainthearted, especially when you’re saying “excuse me, pardon me” among thousands.
Huge thank you to Broccoli City staff and the sponsors: Toyota, Wingstop, AT&T, Champs Sports, Capital City Co., I Stand with Immigrants, Diageo, Jack Daniels, and Pepsico for putting one spectacle of a festival.
See you next year!
