Last year’s Juneteenth reportedly drew an overflow crowd into the River Market district, an estimated 15,000 or more at the amphitheater alone. Today, from the looks of the crowd arriving this afternoon, last year’s crowd may easily be topped.
The fans are coming to hear some of the top names in hip-hop and R&B music, brought here by Power 92 radio station and Broadway Joe Booker. The music started at 4 p.m. and will go on into the night. Interestingly, we’re told, not all of the headliners are being held out to late in the evening: some are playing early and then quickly flying out of here to Dallas or wherever nearby for other shows later this evening. Here, they’re only playing for 15 minutes or thereabouts, but not long sets. That’s every one of them, including the headliners. It’s called promotion, and likely isn’t costing Power 92 much at all, and the admission raised is helping Rev. Hezekiah Stewart’s charities. Today’s show even started with a prayer, led by Rev. Steward, which should keep some of the hip-hop frenzy down. We hope.
Admission is $20, and you’re still likely to catch some more great music through about 11 p.m. Good luck parking, however.