Students share mixed feelings for Made in America 2022

Nahla Thomas AIS ’23, Ali Islam ’23, Meklit Tedla AIS ’23, and Love McCune ’23 enjoy Pusha T’s set at Made in America at the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, September 3, 2022 – Teddy Busser ’23

Every Labor Day weekend, high schoolers and college students gather to watch their favorite artists take the stage at the Made in America festival on Center City’s Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Originally created by entertainer Jay-Z, the festival has come to Philadelphia every year since 2012, excluding 2020 due to the pandemic. This year’s lineup consisted of headliners Bad Bunny and Tyler, the Creator, along with other acts like Lil Uzi Vert, Jazmine Sullivan, Burna Boy, and more. Several Haverford students were in attendance this year, leaving the festival with mixed feelings.

Fifth Former Anthony Carter enjoyed the festival.

“I was with my friends and some of my family members and we just all had fun and we hung out, listened to good music, and had a good time,” Carter said. “I got to meet and see new people, and hang out with people I haven’t seen all summer, so I really liked going.” 

Many also decided not to go this year, mostly due to the lineup. 

“I didn’t go because the lineup wasn’t that good this year. There was Tyler, the Creator, and Lil Uzi Vert, some good artists, but the lineup wasn’t that good,” Fifth Former Brady Stallkamp said.

 My favorite performer was Tyler, the Creator by far. He had the best set out of everybody. He had costumes and different dancers, he was putting on a show.

Anthony CARTER ’24

Fifth Former Noah Trexler agreed, saying, “I did not go to Made in America because the music selection wasn’t as good as it has been in previous years. There’s a possibility that I go next year, but first I have to see the artists that are performing, and also if my friends are going.” 

Those who went, however, seemed to have had a great time. 

Tyler, the Creator – via Wikipedia Commons

“My favorite performer was Tyler, the Creator by far. He had the best set out of everybody. He had costumes and different dancers, he was putting on a show. He had lights, fireworks, it was just really high production value,” Carter said. “But last year was much more fun.… They had better people, more suited for my personal music taste than this year.”