Commentary by Chelsea Hoag, Campus Carrier Managing Editor

Music Midtown rang in the end of summer for the fourth consecutive year after a long overdue hiatus. The two-day festival, located in the heart of Atlanta’s Piedmont Park, kicked off the Sept. 19-20 weekend with a crammed set list. 

Almost every artist overlapped or performed at the same time as other popular artists, making fans choose which show to attend hours before in order to get a spot close enough to the stage to hear the music clearly. 

An estimated 100,000 people attended the music festival between Friday and Saturday. Mainstream headliners attracted a much younger crowd than last year, with performers like Iggy Azalea, Lorde, Bastille and Eminem. 

This year rates low on a positivity scale compared to other large music festivals like Bonnaroo and Counterpoint. Going to the restroom was a dangerous 45-minute feat in itself mixed with name-calling and line cutting. Normally standing in line is a chance to make new friends or check your phone. Some share stories or dance together from the surrounding performances. However, people thought it was okay to barge through the restroom area where festivalgoers waited as patiently as possible in incredibly long lines. 

The days began cool and refreshing, then turned into Satan’s lair toward late afternoon. Clear skies with highs in the 80s left many fans sunburnt with little to no shade to hide under. The majority of attendees took the heat with thankfulness compared to last year, when it rained non-stop. The entire park turned into a giant mud pit filled with slips and mud fights. 

Ron Pope kicked off the festival on Friday afternoon. The Marietta native moved to New Jersey after receiving a baseball scholarship to Rutgers University. He began his musical career after getting injured and transferring to New York University. Well known for his popular single, “A Drop in the Ocean,” Pope released “Lick My Wounds” at the beginning of this year, getting some quality radio play. 

Bear Hands and Banks played at the same time as each other. 

Bear Hands has climbed the post-pop, indie scene with their single, “Giants.” The band out of New York has been touring for the majority of the summer. 

Banks emerged onto the stage in a haunting black on black outfit that proved highbrow and moody at the same time, much like her vocal ballads. Her dancing was interesting, intimate and unique. The Los Angeles singer has toured with popular R&B artist The Weeknd, and is currently touring throughout the year. 

Run-D.M.C started shortly after Ron Pope, Bear Hands and Banks.  The duo performed their groundbreaking Aerosmith cover “Walk This Way” along with “Peter Piper,” “It’s Tricky,” “It’s Like That” and a tribute to disc jockey Jam Master Jay, who was murdered in 2002. 

Fans swarmed the AT&T Live stage trying to get a first person look at Australian “Fancy” singer Iggy Azalea. People were climbing trees to see her better. Atlanta local T.I. joined Azalea to sing their newly released song, “Mediocre.” 

Lorde played next, sounding crisp and her stage presence was impeccable for only being 17 years old. Because she was the only artist playing during the time slot, the New Zealand native was nearly impossible to get close to due to overcrowding. 

Both known for their mesmerizing guitar skills, Jack White and John Mayer’s set were scheduled for the same time as well. White opened his show with the infamous battle cry “Icky Thump” from sibling duo The White Stripes. Sporting a new haircut, White played many songs from The White Stripes and The Raconteurs including “We’re Going to Be Friends” and “Seven Nation Army.” 

Mayer sported a short haircut and thick-framed glasses pleasing the crowd by playing many of his most famous songs and only a few off of his recent record. He began his career in Atlanta and showed his love for the locals while performing “Neon.” Fans sang along in unison during the line mentioning Peachtree Street. 

Sleeper Agent, Magic Man, The Strypes, Aer and Vic Mensa opened the early Saturday afternoon. Aer was late to their set and were cut off mid song. 

Third Eye Blind took everyone back to the late 90s by performing “Semi-Charmed Life,” “Jumper” and “Never Let You Go.” They mixed up their set list a bit with covers of Beyoncé’s “Mine” and the Jackson Five’s “I Want You Back.” 

Twenty One Pilots’ lead singer Tyler Joseph climbed up the entire side stage where he sang the last verse of “Car Radio” while wearing a ski mask. Their unique style did each artist justice with covers of Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling In Love” and an upbeat version of Lana Del Rey’s “Summertime Sadness.”

Bobby Ray Simmons, Jr. (B.o.B) rocked an Atlanta Falcons’ jersey playing a full 25 song set list. His performance wasn’t anything to go crazy over but many fans gathered around to see the Decatur local. 

A “Ramblin’ Man” himself, Gregg Allman of The Allman Brothers filled the night air with groovy charisma. The band’s mixture of rock, country, jazz and blues paved the way for Southern rock in many aspects. Allman’s performance was refreshing in a festival only showcasing music on the radio. 

NEEDTOBREATHE showed off their rhythmic Southern and Christian rock style during the sets of B.o.B and Fitz and The Tantrums, who are becoming popular for “The Walker.” 

The sound wasn’t loud enough even at a somewhat close distance to hear the iconic Lana Del Rey’s melodramatic voice. She wore a red baby doll dress and delivered an impressive set even though rumors were circulating that she canceled due to sickness. 

As the festival came to a close, the crowds became thicker and more difficult to navigate.

Bastille, Eminem and Zac Brown Band closed the festival.

Bastille covered TLC’s “No Scrubs” in front of a roaring crowd. Eminem exhausted himself with playing every well-known song of his and then some. 

Zac Brown Band closed at the AT&T Live stage as the festival’s only country band, playing a cover of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” and transitioning to “Chicken Fried” to finish their encore. 

Overall, the bands and artists left it all on the stage. Next year, Music Midtown organizers should pick less mainstream bands to give ticket buyers the chance to see some newer and newer and more unique performances.