The Roots Picnic Festival Tips & Recap
Hey Cuties,
Babe and I finally went to the 9th Annual Roots Picnic; we’ve talked about going to the Roots Picnic for years. This year we finally made it and I don’t plan on ever going back. The Roots Picnic is a musical festival held in Philly each year at Festival Pier. They have a full slate of artist that play on three different stages all day long. The Roots are a hip hop/neo-soul band from Philly, that was formed in the late 80’s. The Roots have a very eclectic hip-hop style. If you are unfamiliar with urban culture they are the house band for The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon.
We headed up to the city of Brotherly Love. I’m fat so I wanted time to stop by Reading Terminal Market so Babe could check it out and I could get grub. I’m hiding an ice cream cone in the picture above. Yes, it was early in the morning and I was eating ice cream. Judge ye not!
This time around I just had to go to Beiler’s Bakery. The line was wrapped around the establishment because #FatSnacks. It was that was the last time too but I was on another eating mission so I missed out.
They are owned by the Amish so they are closed on Sunday. I’m fat so I got a dozen doughnuts and because it was a cool morning I thought they would be okay in the car. Then it got hot and I didn’t want to try it so I ended up tossing them out when I got home. UGH! The Fat Girl in me wanted to take a bite out of each one before I did…
All food can and should be consumed any hour of the day. She cute though, those thighs getting thick. We walked around, I ate and now it is time to head to the festival. I had a bit of anxiety at the thought of the crowd. I was also worried about what we could and couldn’t bring. The website had a list for the venue but then stated that it could change depending on the event. Um, not helpful thanks.
Festival tip #1: Check the venue website for what you can and can’t bring.
Festival Tip #2: Take deep breaths, the security will TRY YOU. You could bring in lawn chairs and cameras depending on what security was at the entrance. The first guy told us no chairs, yes you want us to be out here for 12 hours with no chairs? REALLY SIR!
Festival Tip #3: Bring bottled water if you can, it is hot and you will easily get dehydrated. Plus the venue bottled water was $5.00 and they kept the plastic tops. Did someone get killed by a plastic top and I miss the story?
Festival Tip #4: Keep your bladder in mind while you are out there getting chocolate wasted. The more you drink the more you have to use the nasty portable potty. The more alcohol you consume; the more water you need to drink the more potty breaks. As the crowd grew thicker the lines to the bathroom grew longer. I’m talking up to an hour-long just to use the bathroom.
Festival Tip #5: This is not for kids if you won’t want them around a lot of cursing. Artist is unedited when they hit the stage. They will drop a lot of F-bombs. People smoke weed, I’m talking a lot of freaking weed, cigarettes (apparently that is still a thing) and cigars. I didn’t until I came to this festival!
We decided to stay at the Main Stage all day. We had an amazing spot and I didn’t want to lose it. This is Jodie Abacus; I hadn’t heard of him but he was pretty good. He is British.
Zoe Kravitz, daughter of actress Lisa Bonet from the Cosby Show and rock star Lenny Kravitz. Her stage name is Lolawolf. Her shirt was sheer and so was her bra. She looks just like her Mom but is carving out her own lane. Her music was real chill but fun. She made sure they kept her cup full, including asking for a refill between songs.
She is gorgeous, just like her fine parents. She commented on the picture I posted of her on IG.
This is another I was unfamiliar with but I loved everything about his music. His energy was electric, he put on a show and he had the crowd rocking.
Willow performed on the North Stage which means I missed it because I wasn’t moving. But she came over to the main stage to party. Here is an image of her and her famous dad Actor Will Smith performing his classic summer anthem Summer Time.
Kehlani was a crowd favorite, but again I wasn’t familiar. I really enjoyed her though, she is really pretty. She is the perfect combo of edgy yet soft and feminine. She started out on America’s Got Talent in a group called Poplyfe.
DMX hit the stage and killed it. I knew all the words to all of his songs. Long live old school rap music. It was great to see him give it his all. The crowd was rocking and rhyming right along with him. I had some dope audio but his lyrics are a bit vulgar.
Those two arrows are Babe and I, we had that spot all day long.
I spotted actor Anthony Mackie in front of us, he was in a few Captain Americas, Ant-Man, Black and White, and many others. I liked him in She Hates me.
At 9 PM the Roots took the stage to close out the show with the one and only Usher.
This is who I’ve been waiting for all day long. I have been a fan since he hit the scene in 1994. He hit the old songs and the new songs and I got my life the entire time.
We had fun, we enjoyed the acts but we won’t be doing that again. I need assigned seating, I’m not about that stay outside for 12 hours in the sun, jockeying for position life. Maybe we should have gone when we were ten years younger.
Have you attended outside festivals? What was your experience like? Chat with me in the comment below or FB, IG or Twitter.
I was at the Reading Terminal Market when I was in Philly last summer and was SO excited to see all the good food options there. Sounds like a fun festival!
Yes Robin, you can eat your heart out in the place.
Wow!! Looks like y’all had a blast. I would love to take a trip to that donut store. Good tips for having a good time at any festival.
The place is magical.
That looks like it was a blast!! I love outdoor concerts, they are a lot of fun with a ton of people! I would love to go to one of these, it’s been too long!
It was a great way to see new artist and enjoy some old favorites.
What a fun festival. I go to all that I can find in our area. I really love listening to music. Those donuts have me drooling and wishing I lived in the area to purchase a dozen or so.
Nice Terri. I have to go back so I can try them out.
IT sounds like this was a really unique experience. It’s cool that you got to go even if you won’t be going back. And how cool was it to see Anthony Mackie?
Pam it really was, I’m glad we had the experience together. It was really cool to see Anthony Mackie being regular like us.
Looks like tons of fun! I’ve never experienced anything like this (a festival) looks like it would be something to look forward to in the future!
It is a full day of adventure for sure.
I would love to have attend this festival. You had awesome seats and i know all of the sets were jamming. Bringing your own water bottles is a must.
Each set gave so much energy. It is so much standing.
This sounds like a great festival! I went and saw Usher years ago and he put on an awesome show.
Bella he is such a great entertainer. I love when an artist gives their all.
So I have to admit that I have not heard of any of these performers, okay well besides Usher. Glad you had a good weekend!
No worries Jennifer, a lot of them were new to me as well. Usher is the one I really wanted to see.
Wow! This sounds like an amazing gathering! What a fun experience, and you got to see Anthony Mackie, too!!
It was nice to see other celebs out there having a good time.
I love the roots and it looks like this was a great line up. I can definitely agree with you on the assigned seating.
Right, I can’t deal with rude people pushing and all of that. Just give me a seat.
The Roots sounded familiar but l couldn’t place them till you mentioned Jimmy Fallon. It must have been amazing to see DMX (old school is right 🙂 ). I had to crack up at the fact that you said you won’t be doing that again. I commend you for going in the first place. I wouldn’t have attempted it. l’m too old for that too. Glad you had fun though.
You never know with DMX so I wasn’t sure if he would actually show up. He still has it though. Yeah girl, never again.
What a great concert and festival. I could tell you really enjoyed the experience with all the awesome photos you posted.
Thanks Kathleen, it was a bit magical.
I LOVE…LOVE the Roots! I’ve always wanted to go to their annual picnic but that crowd does not have my name on it (lol). Saw them live in Montreal at Jazz Fest and they brought the house down! Usher…hmmm sad that I missed him! Fabulous pictures…Y’all were super close!
Yeah, we had a great spot but I feel you. I won’t be doing it again, that heat and all that standing. Nope, and people are rude, hella rude.
The Roots Picnic sounds fun and those donuts!!! Oh, how I wish I was there as well. BTW, I love your jeans!
Thanks Peachy, donuts makes everything better.
This looks like a ton of fun! Thanks for sharing pictures of the event! The donuts… you might have inspired me to ditch my diet and indulge this morning 😉
Chrissy, donuts are such a great reason to skip out on a diet.
Looks like fun, I haven’t attended a festival in a long time. I would have loved to see DMX perform. I also love me some Zoe.
Oh Jamila, DMX took us all the way back. I was shocked I still knew the words. This was my first time hearing Zoe sing, but I so dig her style.
I love a good foodie city. I have not been to Philadelphia in a long time and I think I am overdue for another trip. My friends always enjoy the Roots Picnic so I am defnitely going to have to add this to my bucket list for next year. What a great line up of artists. I love festivals because they allow you to enjoy several artists for one concert price.
Tia that is the draw to the event, that you get to see a bunch of artist for the price of one. That was huge and they had a good mix of big star, to not as big stars and stars on the rise.
That seems like an awesome festival! I would have especially wanted to see Usher. Like you, I have been a fan forever.
Your tips were great as well. I think they can transfer to alot of other summer festivals.
Yes girl, he did not disappoint at all.
This looks like something my music lover hubby would love and I would hate. Lol. I can’t do large crowds and smoking and all that. I’d enjoy it watching it on the couch. Lol
Girl I so feel you, large crowds aren’t my deal anyway. Add in all of these other factors and it is a total no go for me.
Both my dad and god father are musicians, appreciate a live band. I did a festival called Best of the Best in Miami. It featured the top Caribbean artists at the time. It was fun, but I agree to not standing up for all those ours. I would love to go to the roots picnic, but I don’t think my feet will survive. I hear they’re coming to NYC.
Yes, I see that they do one in New York as well. Girl, your feet and hips won’t be the same again.
I like outdoor concerts, i usually try to catch atleast one each summer at Wingate Park Brooklyn.
Nice Nicole, I need to do a more low key one to get a different experience.
That looks like a real party! You guys had a great spot. The last concert my husband and I went to was Dave Matthews Band, and we couldn’t hang for too long. I would have to build up to an all day music festival. Looks like a fun one to start with 🙂
Oh Eva I love the Dave Matthews Band. We had awesome spots.
I love the Roots on Jimmy Fallon. This is definitely a picnic that I would love to attend. Outside of Essence Fest I haven’t been to many festivals. Hoping to change that this year.
Oddly enough this is my first year going to Essence Fest. Are you going again this year?
This looked like such a fun time with amazing artists! You caught some great moments as well!
Thanks Valerie.
This looks like this was so much fun!! I see you posted some good looking donuts!! Yummy!!!!
Nikka my love and devotion to food is crazy, I know it.