Headed to Made in America? What you need to know.

How to Get There

From Villanova, the easiest way to access the festival is by train. Take the Center-City bound train and get off at Suburban Station. From there, The Ben Franklin Parkway is about a ten-minute walk. 

Who to Watch for

J. Cole: This isn’t the rapper’s first time at MIA. He took the stage in both 2014 and 2015, but he’ll be back as a headliner for the first time. Whether you’re a rap fan or not, the energy of his set is electric.

               Standout Songs: No Role Modelz, Workout            

Cash Cash: If you haven’t heard of this DJ trio yet, you’ll want to catch up on their music catalog ASAP. Their 2016 album featured artists like Nelly, Bebe Rexha, B.o.B and Busta Rhymes.

               Standout Songs: Surrender, Devil

Solange: Although less popular than her older sister Beyoncé, she has received mass critical acclaim for her Motown-influenced R&B/pop records. Jay-Z’s sister-in-law is sure to give an unforgettable performance.

               Standout Song: Cranes in the Sky  

Lizzo: Named to Time’s list of Artists to Watch back in 2014, Lizzo has continued a strong and steady climb towards a major label produced R&B pop breakout. Her sass is fun to listen to and even more fun to watch.

               Standout Song: Good as Hell

The Chainsmokers: You love to hate them, but you can’t deny you know the words to every Chainsmokers single from the past three years. Their set is bound to be one of the most fun of the festival.

               Standout Songs: Closer, Roses

Beyoncé: No, she’s not performing, but in the past, she’s been spotted in the VIP tents watching and dancing along just like the rest of us. If we’re lucky, she’ll join her husband, Jay-Z, on stage to make her official post-baby comeback.

Festival Hacks

Download the app: The official Made in America app is free from the Apple App store and includes a festival map, lineup and live updates. You can even customize your lineup to keep track of when and where your must-see artists are performing. 

Reserve a charging locker: Charging lockers are available for reservation on Made in America’s official website (madeinamericafest.com) and run at $35 for two-day unlimited access. Yes, it’s an investment, but if you always find yourself with a dead phone by the end of the night, it might be worth splitting with a few friends.

Be on the lookout for freebees: The festival’s sponsors and partners set up tents throughout the festival and many of them have free snacks, drinks and gear for attendees. Swing by Cause Village, located on the righthand side of the Parkway between the Skate and Liberty stages, to grab some of the best giveaways.  

What to Bring (and What Not to Bring)

Make sure to bring money (most food vendors accept both cash and card), sunglasses, a portable phone charger if you have one and a sealed water bottle. You can also bring in an aluminum or Camelback water bottle, but it must be empty. Free water stations will be available throughout the festival for refills. Don’t try to bring any glass containers, flags, signs, lawn chairs, or alcoholic beverages as security will confiscate them. Small bags and backpacks are allowed, but they cannot be larger than 12” x 12”.