Dreamville Day 1
I had the pleasure of attending my first festival since the Covid lockdown. Although it got off to a late start due to bad weather, The Dreamville Festival certainly ushered it back with a bang and was an unforgettable experience.
As a relatively new music festival founded in 2018 by the one and only J. Cole and his manager Ibrahim Hamad, Dreamville Festival did not disappoint. With its impressive lineup of hip-hop and R&B artists, this festival was bursting with energy and talent. From the established acts to the up-and-comers, every performance was incredible and had me on my feet the whole time. The Dreamville Festival has quickly become a popular event, drawing in fans from not just North Carolina but all over the country.
The performances were a highlight of the night, with incredible sets from Jesse Reyez, Sean Paul, Ari Lennox, and Usher. While there were some technical sound issues during EARTHGANG's and City Girls' sets, it was sorted out by the time the headliners went on.
During Usher's set, the crowd erupted with excitement as he announced a special guest, Beyonce. The atmosphere was electric as everyone eagerly awaited her appearance, but it turned out to be an April Fool's joke. Although we were a little disappointed, Usher gave an unforgettable performance that more than made up for it.
As the night drew to a close, the festival and the city of Raleigh did experience some logistical issues that made it challenging to leave. However, that didn't take away from the overall experience, which was a vibrant mix of all generations coming together and enjoying the music.
Overall, Day 1 of the Dreamville Festival was an incredible experience that catered to the older fans of the genres. It had its fair share of execution problems, but the festival was still lively and had an electric atmosphere that made it all worth it.
Extra points to:
+Jesse Reyez’s guitar player and drummer (they seriously killed it)
+The fans at the merch booth who helped a guy overdosing a little too early in the day (gotta pace yourself and stay hydrated)
+The Churro Stand (when it hits it hits)
+Everyone who complimented my wife’s and my matching light up shoes (we’re cool, I promise)
Minus points to:
-Usher’s April Fool’s joke (I didn’t know I needed to see Beyonce)
-Uber’s price gouging
