One of the most talked-about music festivals in the entire world, Summer Smash, has released its headlining performers along with dates to save for anyone interested in taking the drive to Chicago to see some of the world’s biggest hip-hop and rap artists on the biggest stage.
The three day festival takes place June 12-14 in Bridgeview, Illinois just outside of Chicago. This will be the eighth consecutive year Lyrical Lemonade has run this event and looks to break the attendance record for the third year in a row.
Teens and young adults all around the country prepare to plan rides, hotels, and various other factors to make the musical weekend trip of their lives.
“My hot take is that multiple day music festivals are way better than concerts. You get to see way more artists all on the same stage in the span of a few days,” senior Eva Sula said. “I am so excited for Playboi Carti. I was a huge fan of his in middle school, so I feel like it will be a bit nostalgic hearing him live. I’m also so excited for Lil Baby. I think his older songs are way better than his newer ones, so I hope he plays those.”
Planning for a festival like this is definitely difficult especially considering it takes place the weekend of Greendale’s last week of school and graduation ceremony.
“Last year, me and my friend Dylan went super last minute. I wanted to go initially when the lineup dropped but without access to an AirBNB I kinda just forgot about it,” senior Zayd Cartagena said. “We drove up really early in the morning and had a horrible drive home that same night but it was worth it. I met some really cool people, ran into some other friends, and got really close when Lil Tecca and Future performed.”
Headlining performers this year include Lil Uzi Vert and Chief Keef on Friday, Skrillex on Saturday, and Playboi Carti and Lil Baby on the final day on Sunday.
“I’m really hoping I can find a way this year and make it to Summer Smash. Lil Baby performs and he’s my favorite artist ever, I need to see him,” senior Tatiana Edwards said. “Chief Keef also performs on Friday but we have graduation the next day so I don’t think that’s gonna work, but that’s even more of a reason to see Baby on Sunday.”
