INDIANAPOLIS — On Saturday, numerous artists rocked the stage in downtown Indianapolis.
The “I Made Rock and Roll” festival — which celebrated the roles Black artists have played in creating American rock music — drew thousands of fans to the American Legion Mall.
”To be completely honest, I don’t think everybody has a full grasp of the impact that African Americans or Black people contributed to what rock and roll is right now,” said Kwesi Rogers.
In a month of May that has seen the debut of the Fever’s Catlin Clark, a Pacers NBA playoff run and the running of cars at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, downtown rocked to sounds that took popular music back to its roots and looked to its future.
Gary Clark Jr. blew the roof off the outdoor concert venue with his Texas style of blues-infused rock. Clark Jr. was wedged in the middle of a lineup that included local artists, DJs and headliner Janelle Monae.
”We’ve gone to all of the vendors all at the front of the yard,” said Kennedi Burroughs. “And we’ve also gone to check out the food. We looked at the rock box that has like videos going on, playing a bunch of Black artists, so we’ve been a little bit of everywhere so far.”
Promoters GANGGANG and Forty5 were anticipating 4,000 attendees for the inaugural concert. Depending on the financial viability of the first year, promoters will be better able to determine if such a show should become an annual event in downtown Indianapolis.
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