Festival Review – Music Midtown 2023

The 2023 Music Midtown Festival was a weekend of musical enchantment, resilience, and unexpected surprises that captivated Atlanta’s Piedmont Park. As festival-goers gathered in anticipation, little did they know that this edition would be marked not only by a star-studded lineup but also by the unpredictable challenges of rain and an overwhelming amount of mud; not that it stopped any of the fun!

Mother Nature simply threw a curveball at festival-goers with light, but steady rain that created a treacherous amount of mud. However, this seen or unforeseen challenge — depending on who you ask — only served to unite the attendees in a unique way. Music and mud, who knew! The festival’s resilience in the face of the elements became part of its legend. Fans creating memories of dancing in the rain, making new friends while huddled under makeshift shelters under the trees, and turning the mud into a canvas of creative expression. In the end, the weather added an unexpected layer of adventure and community to the Music Midtown experience.

The festival opened with a slew of notorious acts that ranged from festival openers, Skaiwater, to the mind-blowing, P!NK; who delivered a performance was nothing short of mesmerizing, showcasing both her artistic evolution and just how much of an adrenaline-junkie she is with towering acrobatics; all in the name of showmanship. Among other first day notables were the the DJ showcase from Flume and the party-like excitement from Mr. 305 or Mr. Worldwide himself, Pitbull.

Not to be outdone, Day II of the festival displayed many top-notch acts like Yung Gravy, The 1975, One Direction alumni, Niall Horan, Fletcher and many more. But, without a doubt, the night belonged to the immensely talented, Billie Eillish. The pop-star’s haunting vocals, insane stage display, pyro and mesmerizing stage presence left the audience spellbound. Day II went out with a huge BANG!

Alas, Sunday! Closing day showing brought out classic rock acts like Incubus and Guns N’ Roses — more on them in a bit — and the hip-hop and R&B brilliance of Lil Baby, Young Nudy and the memorable performance by the multi-instrumentalist and gifted, Masego. Most of the end-of-festival activities went off without a hitch, except for the terribly disrespectful, Glorilla. The crunk/trap songstress ran roughly 45 minutes late to her 1 hour show, leaving fans waiting most of that day with an abysmal 15-minute or so long performance.

The time arrived to showcase the festival’s ace, Guns N’ Roses, rock legends. A fever pitch overtook Piedmont Park, as the California-based titans of industry gripped the public and took them on a walk through memory lane. Axl Rose, Slash, and the rest of the crew took the stage, and unleashed a three-hour performance that will be etched in festival-goers’ foreseeable memories.

Guns N’ Roses delved into their extensive catalog, delivering electrifying renditions of classics like “Sweet Child o’ Mine,” “November Rain,” and “Paradise City.” Axl’s vocal prowess and Slash’s iconic guitar solos were as captivating as ever, creating an atmosphere of pure rock ‘n’ roll euphoria.

Despite the challenging weather conditions, Guns N’ Roses delivered a performance that felt like a triumphant victory for both the band and the devoted onlookers. The energy and passion poured into their music transformed a waterlogged field into a rock paradise, leaving plenty in attendance satisfied that the effort to stay under the conditions paid off.

The 2023 Music Midtown Festival was a testament to the enduring power of music and the indomitable spirit of its attendees. From the star-studded headliners to the challenges on the ground, this year’s festival provided a rich tapestry of experiences and emotions. Guns N’ Roses’ triumphant performance in the face of adversity served as the grand finale to a weekend that will be remembered for a while. Over 90 thousand attendees over the weekend, Music Midtown 2023 was more than a festival; it was an epic journey of music, community, and resilience, reminding us that the magic of live music knows no bounds, rain or shine.