Mayor Garcetti and rapper/entrepreneur Jay Z will bring the Made in America Music Festival to Downtown Los Angeles Labor Day weekend, August 30-31, in Grand Park. The two-day festival, produced by Live Nation and sponsored by Budweiser, will feature multiple stages and beer gardens and is expected to draw up to 50,000 concert-goers. According to Jay Z, the festival is meant to bring together artists from diverse musical genres in an accessible urban venue, unlike larger out-of-the-way festivals that require long drives and overnight stays. Despite being a ticketed event, he insisted that the festival is meant to be inclusive and accessible to those who may not be able to afford to travel to concerts. Speaking in front of City Hall facing Grand Park, the rapper lauded the beauty of the park and its accessibility “to everyone,” and went on to praise Mayor Garcetti for his efforts to bring the festival to LA. “Los Angeles, you all should be very proud of this incredible mayor you have, who pulled this thing together in record time,” says Jay Z.
The event is expected to provide an economic boost to downtown businesses and a portion of proceeds will benefit the United Way of Greater Los Angeles, but some on the City Council have voiced concerns that it will be disruptive for residents in the area and that the ticketed, for-profit nature of the event clashes with Grand Park’s mission of being a “people’s park.”. However, County Supervisor Gloria Molina stated that the city “know[s] how to handle” an event of this size in the park, citing the Lakers’ victory parade and the Grand Park New Year’s celebration, as well as the “tremendous benefit” expected from the economic infusion to local businesses by concertgoers.
If you live or work in Downtown Los Angeles, you’ve got greater concerns, namely, how to survive not only a concert that will bring 30,000 people a day to the area, but also how to navigate all the pre- and post-show street closures. To help Downtown make it through the Jay Z spawned event, Los Angeles Downtown News has put together information related to street closures, who to call for problems, and more.
Law enforcement will be out en masse. Los Angeles Police Department Capt. John McMahon said Sheriff’s Department deputies will patrol the festival grounds. On the surrounding streets, some 200 LAPD officers will be on hand. They’ll be watching for intoxicated people causing problems, and other issues. In the case of an emergency, call 911. If there’s a less-vital problem, call Central Division’s main line at (213) 486-1094.
Those with an issue or complaint inside or outside the festival can call or text (424) 271-4415 for community liaison Ginny Brideau. Text the words “Metro” or “parking” to get info and links for both. Additionally, Live Nation spokeswoman Jacqueline Peterson said there will be ample event staff inside the show who can help.
Getting Around
Some road closures have already begun. Here is what to expect in upcoming days:
Monday, Aug. 25-Wednesday, Aug. 27: As crews run power, set up tents and fences and build stages, Spring between Temple and First streets will be open to bus traffic only. Additionally, two lanes of First between Main and Spring will be closed.
Thursday, Aug. 28: The load-in continues and a perimeter fence will be erected. Spring between Temple and First streets will be totally closed and two lanes of First between Main and Spring will be shuttered.
Friday, Aug. 29: Spring between Temple and First will be totally closed. First between Main and Spring and Spring and Grand will be closed beginning at 7 p.m. Additionally, Hill, Broadway, Spring, Main and Olive between First and Second will close at 7 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 30-31: Gates open at noon, and the last acts finish by 11 p.m. Completely closed are: Main, Spring, Hill and Broadway between Temple and First; First between Main and Spring and Spring and Grand; Hill, Broadway, Spring, Main and Olive between First and Second; Main between First and Second; and First between Main and Los Angeles. There will be southbound traffic only on Grand between Temple and First.
Monday, Sept. 1: The show is over, but the street closures aren’t. Still totally closed are: Main, Spring, Hill and Broadway between Temple and First; First between Main and Spring and Spring and Grand; and Hill, Broadway, Spring, Main and Olive between First and Second. Again, there will be southbound traffic only on Grand between Temple and First.
Tuesday, Sept. 2: The only full street closure is Spring between Temple and First.
Wednesday, Sept. 3: Things are mostly back to normal. The traffic lanes closest to the curb will be closed on Main Street between Temple and First and Temple and Judge John Aiso Street.
Thursday, Sept. 4: Every street and lane in Downtown is fully open. Well, except for all those shut down due to work on the Regional Connector.
Public Transit
If you’re trying to escape the crowds on shows days, be warned: There are three entrances to the festival, and they’ll be full of people. The north gate is on Broadway at Temple, the south gate is on Second between Broadway and Hill Street, and the west gate is on First at Grand Avenue. The closest Metro options are Pershing Square, Union Station and the Gold Line’s Arts District/Little Tokyo Station. Note: The Civic Center/Grand Park Metro station will not be open on Saturday or Sunday. No trains will stop there. We mean none!