You can’t knock The Roots work ethic. The band calls Philadelphia home, plays daily in New York on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and their drummer Questlove hosts and DJ’s a weekly party on Thursday nights at the Brooklyn Bowl. These dudes are downright busy, but that isn’t stopping them from announcing their very own festival.
That’s right folks; the Roots Picnic is back for its 4th annual installment of the best outdoor throw down the City of Brotherly Love has to offer. This year the one-day party will return to Philadelphia’s Festival Pier at Penn’s Landing with multiple stages throughout the site on Saturday, June 4th.
Once again The Roots took it upon themselves to curate the festival lineup that boasts a number of hip hop heavyweights including headline performances by hometown heroes The Roots, New York’s Nas (with The Roots) and Pittsburgh’s poster boy Wiz Khalifa. The lineup also includes some up and comers in the rap world like the new pride of the south Yelawolf and the fast rising Mac Miller.
But don’t think you need a flat brim and a pair of Air Force 1’s to attend this festival because The Roots carefully selected a number of acts to keep everyone entertained. Recent Grammy winner for Best New Artist, Esperanza Spalding will be playing the main stage and one can only speculate that she will surely collaborate with various artists throughout the day. Additionally the indie kids will be happy to know that The Dismemberment Plan, Little Dragon, Ariel Pink and Man Man will all make appearances.
Tickets for the eclectic Roots Picnic will go on sale Friday, March 4 at 10am via Ticketmaster. Grab a couple and head down I-95 for a weekend field trip because you know you want to.
