PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The 2023 Made in America music festival, an annual event on Philadelphia’s Benjamin Franklin Parkway, has been canceled.
In a statement shared Tuesday, festival organizers said:
“Due to severe circumstances outside of production control, the 2023 Made In America festival will no longer be taking place. This decision has been difficult and has not been made lightly nor without immense deliberation.
“Made in America has a legacy of delivering exceptional experiences for music fans and concert goers, and it is our commitment to always deliver a top-tier festival experience.
“We look forward to returning to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and the great city of Philadelphia in 2024.
“All ticket holders will be refunded at original point of purchase.”
Festival organizers did not go into further detail. Mayor Jim Kenney expressed disappointment at the abrupt cancelation.
Some people interviewed on the parkway on Tuesday pointed to high ticket prices and speculated about poor sales. The cost to concertgoers was $200 each, plus fees, for a two-day pass. VIP tickets — at $750 apiece — granted fans access to an air-conditioned lounge with a cash bar.
The two-day festival, curated by Jay-Z, debuted in 2012. Every year since then, with the exception of 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Philadelphia has hosted MIA over Labor Day weekend.
Grammy Award-winning performers SZA and Lizzo were to be this year's headliners, making it the first time in the festival's history that two women were the top acts.
Taye Adams from Hunting Park said he's bummed the MIA festival is a no go.
"I think the reason is because of Lizzo," Adams said. "I think they shouldn't cancel Made in America. I believe there is a lot of value that it adds to the Philadelphia area. It brings a lot of tourists in. Helps a lot of small businesses in the Center City area and just in Philadelphia in general."
While festival organizers did not say anything to suggest a connection, the cancellation comes a week after three dancers filed a lawsuit accusing Lizzo of sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment and alleging misconduct by her production company and her dance captain.
Related
Nira, who declined to give her last name, said she is disappointed the festival was called off.
"It's not one person's show or this person's show. It's everyone's show. You can't shut this down. This is our one-time thing. Everyone knows about this in Philly," she said.
Not everyone is disappointed. Nina, who declined to give her last name, thought past festivals were a hassle for those who lived nearby.
"I just heard a lot of noise and then all of the streets were closed down so it was a little bit inconvenient and you couldn't really have access to (a) car or anything."