Festivals are always a bit of a gamble. Lineups can shift, artists cancel (looking at you, D’Angelo), or worse? Your must-see acts end up performing at the same time. And then, of course, there’s the weather. Producers try their best to plan outdoor festivals when conditions are most likely to cooperate, but Mother Nature is as reliable as Morrissey when it comes to concerts.
This year, she did her best to derail the Roots Picnic. In fact, on Friday evening, organizers were on the verge of canceling the whole thing due to the relentless rain that soaked Philadelphia in the weeks leading up to the event, leaving Fairmount Park and the Mann Center a muddy disaster. Instead, they opted to delay the gates and do what they could to clear the mud. Crews were using heavy equipment to dump mulch on the grounds right up until the gates opened.
Unfortunately, that decision left many fans stuck in long lines—frustrated and soggy. The shaky start threatened to set the tone for the weekend, but by Saturday evening , the crowd had largely moved on, and the good vibes returned.
They call it a "picnic" for a reason. The Roots Picnic is less about being a traditional music festival and more about community. People danced with strangers, laughed with new friends, and helped each other from falling in the mud. There’s a real family feel to the crowd, and it was on full display this year.
The lineup was as eclectic as ever, spanning generations and genres. From ’90s club icons CeCe Peniston and Crystal Waters, to hip-hop legends like Funkmaster Flex, to newcomers like GloRilla and Tems, the weekend served up dance, funk, soul, and even some rock, courtesy of Lenny Kravitz and his ridiculously tight band. Tems warmed up the crowd Saturday evening with her lush vocals and command of the stage, washing away any lingering irritation from the earlier delays. Powerhouse headliner Miguel closed out Day 1 with a confident and polished set.
GloRilla
Originally, The Roots were set to headline with D’Angelo, but his cancellation brought in R&B legend Maxwell as a last-minute replacement. The Roots still delivered a powerful solo set Sunday at the Mann stage, featuring a surprise appearance by Philly’s spoken word icon Ursula Rucker. Alongside Rahzel, the Godfather of Noize, they tore into their seminal album Do You Want More?!!??!, one of the weekend’s standout moments.
Sunday brought even more energy. D.C.’s Backyard Band had the entire crowd on their feet, dancing in the aisles—so much so that security eventually gave up trying to keep people in their seats. CeeLo Green joined them for a soulful performance that kept the good vibes flowing. Another Sunday highlight was J.Period’s mixtape performance, which turned into an onstage freestyle session with Black Thought, Pusha T, 2 Chainz, and more.
Kaytranada
It was no surprise that Kaytranada drew a massive crowd with his signature mix of hypnotic beats and immersive visuals. The energy built all day and culminated in a massive turnout for Philly’s own Meek Mill, who closed the festival on Sunday night with a passionate set, weaving messages of hope and growth between hit after hit.
Despite the rough start, this year’s Roots Picnic reminded everyone why it's one of the most beloved gatherings on the summer festival circuit: the music is top-tier, the crowd feels like family, and not even a downpour can stop the soul from shining through.
Take a look at more photos from the event below.
Miguel
Miguel
Miguel
Pusha T
Pusha T
Pusha T
Pusha T
The Roots
J. Period
Meek Mill
Meek Mill
Meek Mill
GloRilla
GloRilla
GloRilla
Kaytranada
Kaytranada
Kaytranada
Kaytranada
The Roots
The Roots
The Roots
Tems
Tems
Crystal Waters
Crystal Waters
Toyota Music Den
Backyard Band with CeeLo Green
Backyard Band with CeeLo Green
