Falling for BCFest All Over Again In 2024: A Black Music Lovers Dream!

Day One Review

For those unfamiliar, Broccoli City Festival (BCFest) stands as a celebration of music, food, and culture. While festivals like Coachella, Rolling Loud, and Made In America dominate headlines, it’s high time the spotlight also shines on Washington, DC's vibrant Broccoli City Fest. Often referenced as the largest music festival in the US for people of color, BCFest holds special significance in DC, famously known as Chocolate City.  

BCFest debuted in 2013 with only 5,000 attendees and has since drawn over 20,000 eager attendees annually, with this year projected to host 25,000 attendees each day. Historically held at RFK Stadium and FedEx Field, with its roots at St. Elizabeth's, BCFest 2024 has set its sights on a new home – Audi Field, the home of the DC United soccer team.

A New Venue: Audi Field

The fresh venue brings a series of welcome changes. Audi Field provides reserved seating and cozy indoor areas, sparing attendees from the unpredictable climate—a stark improvement from the all-outdoor settings of past events. From a smooth check-in process to indoor food and modern beverage stalls, the new venue keeps guests comfortable and dry in between sets.

2018: A Year to Remember

My love affair with BCFest reached its peak in 2018, a year unforgettable for its remarkable performances. Cardi B turned the stage into her playground, and Nipsey Hussle delivered a soul-stirring set with his award-winning album, "Victory Lap." His tragic passing in 2019 made that year’s memories even more poignant.

2024 Lineup: Star-Studded and Diverse

This year’s lineup is a diverse mix of artists sure to satisfy all Black music lovers' palettes. Headliners like Megan Thee Stallion, Gunna, PartyNextDoor, Kaytranada, Victoria Monét, Key Glock, Sexyy Red, and Teezo Touchdown are expected to set the stage ablaze. The festival also brings other incredible performers like Fridayy, Veeze, Amaarae, Jordan Ward, Skilla Baby, Baby Tate, Ryan Trey, and ChloTheGod, along with special appearances by Lil Yachty and The Concrete Family.

More Than Music: BroccoliCon

But Broccoli City Fest is more than live music and DJ sets. BroccoliCon offers a space for thought-provoking conversations on cultural issues, adding another layer to the festival experience. Whether you’re into beats, intellectual discussions, networking, or amazing food, BCFest has something to offer.  

First Day Highlights

Day One of BCFest 2024 exceeded all my expectations. The choice of Audi Field proved to be a masterstroke. The ease of check-in, the luxury of indoor refreshment options, and varied seating—including accessibility accommodations—made the festival truly inclusive. In addition to different seating choices, this was one of the easiest places to reach, being right between two metro stops, and full of food spots for folks to visit before or after the event. Plus, shifting the dates to late July helped avoid the often unpredictable weather of early summer, which could bring heavy rain or unbearably high temperatures. This change made a world of difference.

Mouse Jones and Little Bacon Bear excelled in keeping the crowd fired up between acts at Converse Stage. Each performer brought their A-game, but the highlight was undoubtedly the closing artist Megan Thee Stallion. With an introduction by Issa Rae, Megan took the crowd on a thrilling ride that left everyone begging for more. Her performance was a perfect mix of energy, dance, and connection, offering a tantalizing taste of her Hot Girl Summer Tour. 

 

Final Thoughts

Having experienced only the first day, it’s clear how much effort the BCFest planning team has continuously dedicated to making this event exceptional for Black music lovers within and outside of the DMV. The superb venue, a large variety of food, and seating choices tailored to everyone’s needs have already made BCFest 2024 a standout year. With Day Two still to come, excitement is through the roof.

See you all there!

Easy Listening, The Urban Music Enthusiast.