![]() But it’s pretty much impossible to see everything, and Barnedo’s photos capture the electricity that drove tens of thousands of fans to Douglass Park. Some of my favorite artists are decidedly less famous, and they hit the stage within the first few hours-including DCG Brothers and Dreamer Isioma. Photographer Dylan Barnedo was on the grounds for the Reader on Friday and Saturday, and he caught some of the biggest, most magnetic acts at Summer Smash. ![]() Last year, a chaotic stampede led to festival bar staff walking out in the middle of the event. I waited two hours for food during the first Summer Smash, for instance-though to be fair, in year two, organizers did a decent job handling the safety and logistical nightmare wrought by the storms that put Sunday’s music on hold for a few hours. Summer Smash has also had a spotty track record when it comes to taking care of people inside the festival grounds. The final day of Summer Smash fell on Juneteenth, an obvious problem for North Lawndale residents who wanted to celebrate in Douglass Park. Summer Smash is the first of three major festivals to occupy Douglass Park this year: the EDM-inflected Heatwave debuts next month, and Riot Fest returns in September. I’ve had mixed feelings about all sorts of large-scale events since their mid-pandemic return, and I’m increasingly uncomfortable with how many for-profit fests are taking over public parks-whether the neighborhood folks who use them year-round want it or not. The Douglas Park festival had barely started its second dayit. I wasn’t in town for this year’s Summer Smash, and I’m not sure I would’ve gone anyway. In a strange way it was a blessing when Sunday afternoon’s severe thunderstorms put the Lyrical Lemonade Summer Smash on hold. The lineup: Headliners include Busta Rhymes, Lupe Fiasco, BJ the Chicago Kid, Marsha Ambrosius, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Jay Illa, Malik Shabazz, Wyld Chyld, Deejay Alicia, Terry Hunter, and Boolu Master. This holiday season, save a space for local journalism. Set to headline the three-day event are award winning artists Post Malone, Lil Uzi Vert, and Playboi Carti, accompanied by Lil Yachty and first-time Summer. ![]() Best of Chicago 2022: Sports & Recreation Lil Uzi Vert performs during the Lyrical Lemonade Summer Smash Festival at Douglass Park on June 17, 2022, in Chicago.Click here to join the Reader Membership Community today! Close
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