Jay Z is packing up his Budweiser Made in America festival and moving it West. The rapper is slated to join Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and other dignitaries at City Hall in downtown Los Angeles at 12:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday (April 16) to announce that the Labor Day blowout will switch coasts this summer.
Last year’s inaugural event in Philadelphia featured sets from Jay, Rick Ross, Passion Pit, Skrillex, Nine Inch Nails and Beyoncé.
According to Variety, the two-day fest will take place in L.A.’s Grand Park, making it the first event of its kind to visit the city’s downtown. The shows are expected to draw tens of thousands of fans to an area that stretches from Los Angeles Music Center to City Hall.
Not everyone is psyched for the announcement, though. Variety reported that City Councilman Jose Huizar introduced a motion last month asking the city to withhold permits for the festival until there were answers to his questions about how Made in America might disrupt downtown business due to street closures. He’s also reportedly concerned about holding a for-profit, ticketed concert where alcohol will be served in a public venue.
By most accounts, last year’s Made In America was a success, spawning a documentary directed by Oscar-winner Ron Howard that featured footage of the performances and a re-telling of Jay’s rags-to-riches story.
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