The 2025 Roots Picnic delivered on every front: community, culture, and colossal talent. Held at Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park, this year’s festival felt like a love letter to the city and the sounds that shape it. Whether you came for the legends, the rising stars, or the local heroes, Roots Picnic made sure no moment fell short of magic. Despite the rain, the love of music conquered all.
For me, it was personal. I got the chance to meet and talk to Grammy-winning crooner Miguel — one of my all-time favorite musicians. His set was soul-stirring, electric, tantalizing and easily one of the most memorable moments of the weekend. Add Maxwell to the mix, who closed out day 2 with timeless classics — smooth falsettos, graceful harmonies, and unforgettable notes. Watching him live was nothing short of a bucket list experience.
I also caught one of my favorite British voices, Tiana Major9, gracing the Toyota Stage. Her warm vocals made time stand still, a beautiful reminder of how global the reach of soul music really is.
Philly’s own showed OUT. I interviewed SNACKTIME, the hometown brass band whose chemistry is just as contagious in conversation as it is on stage. Lay Bankz delivered a high-powered set, making fans go wild when she brought out Sturdy Youngin and Mizz — a surprise moment that had the crowd screaming and dancing in sync. Kur hit the stage not once but twice, appearing on both the Toyota Stage and the Roots Picnic Mann Stage. N3WYRKLA also gave fans an exciting show. Freeway and Beanie Sigel hit the stage. The Roots’ annual set never misses — and DJ Diamond Kuts kept the energy high, while Lena L and D West joined Black Thought and J. Period for an electrifying Live Mixtape that reminded us how deep the city’s talent pool runs.
Sibby Liv came through with All Spice World Dance and Interna$hional Bounce brought the riddim and island heat to the Parkside stage, while Glorilla and Latto delivered explosive energy and fan-favorite hits to massive, screaming crowds. And of course, the heat kept coming. Jeezy, 2 Chainz, and Pusha T and No Malice) hit us with cult classic, no-skips sets. On the smoother side, Tems, Elmiene and Musiq Soulchild gave us slower moments to exhale, delivering serene, soulful sets that reminded us to feel as much as we dance.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JUNE 01: Lenny Kravitz (Photo by Taylor Hill/Getty Images for Live Nation Urban)
The iconic Lenny Kravitz hit the stage, firing off generational hits like: American Woman, Fly Away, and Are You Gonna Go My Way. This offering was one of the most unforgettable musical moments of my life — a pure rockstar performance soaked in soul and passion.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JUNE 01: Meek Mill performs . (Photo by Taylor Hill/Getty Images for Live Nation Urban)
Meek Mill owned the final moment. Closing out day 2, he brought the entire city to its feet. It was a celebration of Philly, legacy, and love. A performance that felt like a full-circle moment for both the artist and the city.
Roots Picnic 2025 wasn’t just a festival. It was a soundtrack for summer, a spotlight on talent, and a weekend full of moments that music lovers dream about.
© 2025, Siani Leigh. All rights reserved.
