After much anticipation and with only a few weeks until the show, organizers canceled Philly’s 2023 Made In America. Originally started by Jay-Z, the Made In America music festival has been hosted since 2012, aside from 2020, of course. This festival has grown into a highlight of many Haverford students’ high school experience, so its cancellation came as a shock.
The festival, scheduled for September 1-2 on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, was suddenly called off in a statement published across multiple social media platforms.
“Due to severe circumstances outside of production control, the 2023 Made in America festival will not be taking place.”
This is all they said, aside from the fact that they look forward to next year’s festival and that all tickets will be refunded.
This year’s lineup was set to include headliners SZA and Lizzo, along with Metro Boomin, Latto,
Doechii, Lil Yachty, and more.
“I felt it was really unruly, and I was really hyped to see SZA.”
Chase Nelson ’24
Sixth Cormer Chase Nelson expressed his disappointment.
“I feel it was really unruly, and I was really hyped to see SZA,” Nelson said.
For Nelson, it was his last year to see the festival.
“I won’t be able to see it next year ‘cause I’ll be in college,” Nelson said.
Other students felt differently about the cancellation.
“I honestly was relieved. I spent most of the summer worrying about saving up for the tickets, so when I heard it was canceled, I was a bit thankful,” Fifth Former Aaron Bonaparte said. “There were some artists like Doechii and SZA who I wanted to see, but I can figure out a different time to see them.”
The reason for the festival’s cancellation is unclear, but many theorize that it could be due to headliner Lizzo’s recent scandal. A week prior to the festival’s cancellation, many of Lizzo’s former dancers sued the singer, claiming sexual harassment, body shaming, and a hostile work environment. This seemed unexpected, as Lizzo has been a clear advocate for body positivity in the past, but it could be a valid reason for the festival to be canceled.
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