Roots Picnic 2025: Rain, Rhythm, & Resilience

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Written By: Ava Mosby

Photos By: Ava Mosby

Closing out the month of May and bringing in June, The Roots Picnic made its highly anticipated return to the historic Mann Center in Philadelphia. As always, the festival brought an eclectic mix of jazz, funk, soul, rock, and hip-hop to the stage, setting the tone for the summer ahead.

Day one: Rain-Soaked and Soul-Filled

Day one of the festival felt more like a slip n’ slide than a concert. Heavy rain drenched the festival grounds early on, creating extremely  muddy conditions and testing the crowd’s resilience to stand through the mud for music. But even under these conditions, the spirit of the Picnic was alive. Thankfully, a stacked lineup of powerhouse artists was able to shift the energy and reminded everyone why this annual celebration is worth it, shine or in this case, a lotttt of rain. 

Here’s a look into the sets I was able to catch: 

Day 1:

Elmiene

Elmiene opened the day with a set that felt both intimate and powerful. His smooth, soulful voice floated over the crowd like a protection against the weather, which held out during his set. While relatively new to the scene, his vulnerability and vocal control captured my attention. Being a British musician, he was really able to break ground in the US. I’m hoping to catch him back on our soil soon. 

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GloRilla

Next up was GloRilla, whose stage presence is undeniable. I’ve seen her perform before, around last fall at the Liacouras Center right on Temple’s campus, and her energy never disappoints. She brought that same spark to the Roots Picnic stage, accompanied by high-energy backup dancers and a setlist packed with crowd favorites. Capturing her performance here felt like a full-circle moment, watching her grow and command bigger stages.

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Tems

Tems’ set was one of the weekend’s most moving performances. As someone who’s been a fan for years, finally seeing her live was surreal. While her stage setup was minimal with no dancers or elaborate choreography, her voice and presence more than filled the space. She radiates a soft energy, and her connection with the crowd was undeniable. Toward the end of her set, Tems became visibly emotional, nearly breaking into tears as she thanked the audience for their love. “I don’t want to leave,” she said, smiling through teary eyes. It was a moment of pure vulnerability, and the crowd felt it deeply. I hope to catch her in the US again soon! 

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Miguel

Miguel closed out my night with a set that was as sensual as it was electric. He opened with a melodic, live-looped version of “Girl With the Tattoo (Enter.lewd),” capturing the crowd with his ethereal vocals. Though his set was on-and-off accompanied by a light rain, the weather only seemed to elevate the experience. Tracks like “Adorn” and “How Many Drinks?” hit even harder against the backdrop of a rainy sky. Miguel is a seasoned performer who knows how to build intimacy even on a large stage, and if you haven’t seen him live yet, now’s the time. A memorable way to end night one!

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Despite the weather challenges, day one of The Roots Picnic delivered. From soul-stirring ballads to infectious Afrobeat grooves and strong hip-hop acts, the festival reminded us that music, especially in a city like Philly, is about more than perfect conditions. It’s about connection. 

DAY 2: Rhythm, Reunion, and Roots

Day two of The Roots Picnic was just as rich in sound and soul as the first, with a lineup that continued to honor the festival’s deep musical roots and Philly pride. While I could only catch two sets in person, both were standouts, and I definitely felt a bit of FOMO for the acts I missed below: 

SNACKTIME
A local Philly brass band that has been making serious waves with their high-energy, genre-blending street performances. Born out of pandemic-era street jams in Rittenhouse Square, SNACKTIME has evolved into one of the city’s most exciting live acts, fusing funk, jazz, punk, and hip-hop with a raw, joyful energy that’s impossible to ignore. I had the pleasure of interviewing Sam and Eric from the Band, which will be coming to the site shortly!

Backyard Band
Hailing from Washington, D.C., Backyard Band is a legendary go-go group with deep roots in the DMV music scene. Known for their infectious grooves and live instrumentation, they brought the go-go sound to Philly, bridging regional styles and reminding audiences of the deep interconnectedness of Black music culture. As someone who comes from the DMV, seeing a go-go band spotlighted at The Roots Picnic was truly special.

Crystal Waters
A true icon of ’90s house music, Crystal Waters lit up dance floors with hits like “Gypsy Woman (She’s Homeless)” and “100% Pure Love.” Her inclusion on the Roots Picnic lineup added a nostalgic, feel-good layer to the weekend. Known for her smooth voice and club-ready anthems, she’s a living legend who continues to inspire generations of dance artists and fans.

The Roots
And of course, the namesake of the festival, The Roots. Always a highlight, always unforgettable. Their set is more than just a performance; it’s a love letter to Philly, to hip-hop, and to live music itself. With Questlove and Black Thought at the foreferont, their sets often feature surprise guests, jaw-dropping musicianship, and a deep reverence for the culture. Missing their set stings a bit, so I will make sure not to miss them next year.

Sets I Caught: 

Kaytranada

Kaytranada brought the groove, as expected. His set is always a vibe, electrifying, immersive, and impossible not to move to. I’ve seen him perform before, but there’s something about his fusion of house, hip-hop, funk, and future beats that hits different each time. His transitions are flawless, creating a sonic journey that feels both spontaneous and masterfully curated. The crowd was electric, and it’s no surprise Kaytranada has become a staple on the festival circuit, his energy is infectious and his sound is unmatched.

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Meek Mill

No Roots Picnic would be complete without honoring Philly, and Meek Mill did just that. His set felt like a homecoming celebration, with the crowd showing up in full force for the hometown hero. Meek performed hit such as “Dreams and Nightmares”, “All Eyes on You”, “Ima Boss” and “24/7” featuring Ella Mai. He performed with purpose and passion, reminding everyone of his journey and the city that shaped him. Seeing him on stage in Philly, not far from the streets that raised him, was a full-circle moment, powerful, personal, and unmistakably Philly.

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Final Thoughts on Day 2

Even though I only caught a small section of day two, it was a powerful one. From Kaytranada’s genre-bending beats to Meek Mill’s hometown tribute, the energy never wavered. And knowing what other acts brought to the stage, it’s clear that Roots Picnic 2025 was a rich, multifaceted celebration of Black music, culture, and community.

Thank you Roots Picnic! Looking forward to doing it all again next year, rain or hopefully only shine. 

Compiled By: Ava Mosby