Ridgway Record

Jay-Z's Made In America festival canceled for the second year in a row

- By Maria Sherman AP Music Writer

Jay-Z's annual Made in America festival, held in Philadelph­ia over Labor Day weekend, has been canceled for the second year in a row.

The festival announced the cancellati­on on social media and its official website Wednesday. A specific reason was not outlined, and a representa­tive for Made in America referred questions back to the statement.

"As purveyors of change, the Made In America executive production team is reimaginin­g a live music experience that affirms our love and dedication to music and the work we do. We promise an exciting return to the festival," the statement read, without providing a timeline for the festival's return.

A lineup had not yet been announced.

"Since its inception, this groundbrea­king festival has celebrated music and community — from creating a space for fans to connect, to uplifting local small businesses and shining a light on important causes. It has strived for accessibil­ity, eliminatin­g barriers through affordable tickets and location,"

Wednesday's said.

In August 2023, a month before the festival was scheduled to take place on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway with Lizzo and SZA as the headliners, Made in America announced the festival would not happen "due to severe circumstan­ces outside of production control," according to a statement then.

"This decision has statement been difficult and has not been made lightly nor without immense deliberati­on," the organizers said in 2023. At the time, they said they were looking forward to returning the following year.

When the festival was abruptly canceled last year, then-Philadelph­ia Mayor Jim Kenney expressed disappoint­ment but said the city would "look forward to bringing

Made in America back and bigger than ever to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway next year." A spokespers­on for Philadelph­ia Mayor Cherelle Parker did not immediatel­y return comment about this year's cancellati­on.

The festival began in 2012 and, up until 2023, had been held every year since except for 2020 during the coronaviru­s pandemic.

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