Music Midtown unveils eclectic lineup for 25th anniversary festival

Music Midtown’s 25th anniversary lineup has been unveiled, and it’s aiming toward a demographic that probably wasn’t alive when the popular festival was hatched in a lot along Peachtree Street.

Headliners include eccentric rapper Travis Scott, pop rockers Vampire Weekend, Charlie Puth, Billie Eilish, Lil Yachty, Lord Huron, and Panic! at the Disco, which also performed in 2015.

Like the past few years, Music Midtown will be a two-day weekend affair on Saturday and Sunday, September 14 and 15.

It opens at noon both days and closes at 11 p.m. Saturday and 10 p.m. Sunday.

The festival, as ATL old-timers might recall, debuted in 1994 on what was undeveloped land at 10th and Peachtree streets, where the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta now stands. Construction of that building booted the fest to Centennial Olympic Park, where it operated for a couple of years in the area now occupied by the World of Coke and Georgia Aquarium.

Music Midtown

A move to Central Park in Old Fourth Ward—where Shaky Knees and Beats festivals are now held—saw Music Midtown attendance numbers explode, until the festival took a six-year hiatus beginning in 2006.

Since relaunching in Piedmont Park, Music Midtown has hosted an array of some of the world’s biggest acts, including Coldplay, Eminem, Bruno Mars, Pearl Jam, Elton John, Drake, Foo Fighters, Kendrick Lamar, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Imagine Dragons, Zac Brown Band, the Killers, and many others.

Within about three hours of the Music Midtown lineup announcement today, more than 1,200 comments had amassed on the festival’s Facebook page. Many, but not all, were critical. A sampling:

“Not a bad lineup for newer artist[s] ... May not be the taste for every person in the world, but I’m not complaining ... I listen to several of these artists ... Times change and so does music.”

“I really don’t wanna be a hater, but in all honesty, who’s booking this festival these days? ... This is the lineup for a sweet sixteen birthday party.”

“I guess I’m in the minority. I’m excited for several of these acts. Count me in.”

“This used to be a great festival with all kinds of music. But they are catering to the littles again. Way to go. Those of us who live in that neighborhood prefer a musically significant lineup. Not Coachella super light nonsense—again.”

Tickets become available Friday morning.

Two-day options range from $155 (general admission, before fees); $305 (general admission plus, with access to special viewing areas); $600 (VIP access, with included food and booze); and $1,250 (super VIP, access to air-conditioned lounges, premium food and booze, and golf-cart transportation).