Diandra Reviews It All- Billboard Fest Is The Rising & Risen of The Industry

Billboard is a legend. Its name and decisions, literally, define people’s career, and whether are not you top its charts or cover its magazines signifies status. Thus, its takeover of Long Island was fascinating, particularly, because Billboard “Hot 100” Fest is a festival for the youth.

From Panorama to OZY, when I go to festivals I expect more twenty or thirty something than anything, but Billboard Fest was the first time I saw the under 18 living it up like it was Coachella, and it makes sense. The younger you are, the more you live for music that is now. Meanwhile, the older you are, the more you look back to the musical tastes that defined your youth. Thus, from Lil Xan to Bexey, kids were flocking to the the three stages, Hot 100, Sun, and Beach, to hear the artists defining their times, and singing to their angst.

From Rich The Kid to Rozes, artists sang to either being vulnerable or being valuable, and it made me wonder for rising generations. I was listening to what others were listening to, and became pensive on how it will mold their minds. These rising generations have a dichotomized music sphere that Billboard Hot 100 perfectly captured. You go to Shoreline Mafia, and they were all about not caring, but if you journeyed over lovelytheband, they sang to caring too much. It was as if the music nowadays was blaring how divided people/ the youth feel between feeling destroyed and wanting to destroy. If you, actually, analyzed the artists in attendance, it was not diverse but a good opportunity to learn how smart Billboard. then rand, is and why they have decades of musical influence.

Now, I will not say that it was only youth abound. As in life, the night progressed, and the adults came to enjoy artists like Future, Halsey, Rae Sremmurd, and French Montana. These acts go beyond age because they are the premier of the radio; it is impossible not to have heard and jammed out to their music. Yet, you could not deny that, during the day, you witnessed the acts of tomorrow. From Justine Sky to Logan Henderson, these stars are rising now to reach you tomorrow, and it was Halsey, herself, that acknowledged it. A few years ago, she would have been attending or opening, but, now, at her request, she asked to headline, and, with her power, she got that opportunity.

Admittedly, being at Wantagh’s Jones Beach Theater, it was difficult for people to find a ride or cheap uber to make the trek, but it was worth it. This theater is massive, open, and looks like it was a Colosseum for gladiator fights on the side. All the stages were easily accessible, and everyone flowed to their musical desires. Therefore, I mention location because Billboard Hot 100 Fest felt like a “city festival” that was, by chance, in its outskirts. It could have easily been in Central Park, Randall’s Island, or defined Barclays for a weekend. All these locations are synonymous with major concerts, and, by all means, Billboard Hot 100 Fest, was major.

Seeing Billboard Hot 100 signs everywhere and walking around the food alley, with 3 separate DJ booths happily soundtracking your dance or eat-offs, the weight of this brand was felt. More than with other festivals, stickers, banners, and the pure ambiance screamed BILLBOARD! Thus, whether you were still in high-school or are readying to go to your reunion, the festival united people on the weight of its name and it impeccable selection of artists that have and will define charts. Click Here for my artists reviews.