The weather held and tens of thousands of music-loving fans — the majority in their late teens and 20s — descended upon Piedmont Park for the sixth annual installment of Music Midtown on Saturday.
The first of the two-day event welcomed a diverse lineup ranging from the Joe Jonas-fronted DNCE to Atlanta rapper Big Boi to buzzy young pop-punk band Twenty One Pilots.
“I think people are having fun,” said Peter Conlon, president of Live Nation Atlanta, which produces the event that typically generates about $50 million for the area. “I think people are responding well to the two full days of music.”
Since its return in 2011, Music Midtown has previously been held on Friday night and in 2012 expanded to all-day Saturday as well. This year it offers a complete weekend of music.
The Sunday slate includes Alabama Shakes, Kesha, The Lumineers and The Killers. Tickets are still available at the two-day price of $135 for general admission.
One snafu that irritated some attendees on Saturday was the congested “will call” lines. Conlon apologized for the long waits and said changes were quickly instituted to move the process along more quickly. Though ticket pickup was available on site since Wednesday, most people opted to wait until the day of the event to retrieve their access wristbands.
Once inside, however, fans shouted and sang along with the multitude of artists spread across four stages.
Kira Tharp, 22, and Kellie Allen, 22, both enjoy live music and attend several shows a year. Music Midtown was their ultimate musical indulgence.
Standing fewer than 100 feet from Jonas and his band, they were giddy.
“I have been in love with Joe Jonas since I was in 6th grade,” said Allen. “He is so beautiful and funny. And I love his music.”
They were also eager to see Twenty One Pilots and Big Boi.
“To be outside and see all of these great acts all at once is really great,” Tharp said.
Music Midtown continues today with gates opening at noon.
Staff writer Helena Oliviero contributed to this article.
