The Lyrical Lemonade Summer Smash 2022 Presented SPKRBX Recap

By: iLLANOiZE Team

Photo By: Brandy Fik @BRANDLEIGHH / Summer Smash Festival

Chicago was treated with an early summer kick off. The three-day extravaganza, Lyrical Lemonade and SPKRBX Summer Smash Festival, was held in the busy Douglass Park section of the West Side. Outside of the festival grounds, you would have found around-the-clock hustling. Much love to the entrepreneurial spirit coming from Chicago residents. 

From bootleg T-shirts being sold for $20, cold water, snowballs, food and we can't forget to mention tickets. 

All of those chants wrapped around the heavily-policed intersection of Ogden and Sacramento; A mix of CPD, staffed security, and medics all played a part in ensuring public safety.

If you needed to stay hydrated inside the festival. There was plenty of drinks to go around along with lounged drinking areas calling for an ID and an accompanied wristband to enter certain drinking areas; Brands such as Monaco, D'usse, and SKRT Seltzer, which was debuting its brand, and Post Malone was a sponsor of SKRT and a headliner on Saturday, and we can't forget to mention how Lyrical Lemonade provided drinks throughout everybody's 3 day experience. 

Lyrical Lemonade stand and Drinks. (Credits: @GroovNuke)

With over 60+ acts scheduled, it was best to strategize what was a must-see for you. Food choices were plentiful, and the lines could be a handful to deal with at times, but to say the least, it was good to see Chicago vendors such as Harold's on the grounds again. We recommend grabbing food once you enter the festival grounds.

Day One

AG Club was one of the first acts of the three-day event. (Credits: @GroovNuke)

The first day started with a new feel on Douglass Park grounds. The Festival felt further expanded than in previous years. It fit for the record-breaking 90,000 concertgoers over the three-day weekend.

Lyrical Lemonade gave media members room to challenge creativity; Impromptu interviews and skits took place during the three-day event. Media members were across different levels of the festival. Access of general admission area, photo pit,  backstage, and onstage allowed credentialed media to capture breath taking moments.

In the photo pit, at times we'd have to manuever around to comfortably capture shots. Safety was a focus in the pit, security made sure of it. Staying clear and stepping back in the midst of raging came as second nature.

One of the best and most surprising acts of day 1 was Wiz Khalifa. "Black & Yellow", “In The Cut”, and “Mezmorized” sounded great with a live band. With Wiz on the bill, you knew you would get a good performance. Wiz gathered the Summer Smash crowd and gave nostalgic vibes from the SPKRBX Stage. 

Photo By: Frankie Vergara @FRANKIEVERGARA / SUMMER SMASH FESTIVAL

Lil Uzi Vert served as the headliner for Friday night. His presence is a gem to giving a great show; Uzi can make the crowd feel him with his thrilling personality and hit songs. With that mixture, he is suitable to rock a festival. Fans want to have a good time with him and go all the way up with his music. 

Lil Uzi Vert was the Friday night headliner. (Timmy Risden/Summer Smash Festival)

Day Two

Day two of Summer Smash had plenty of Chicago artists in the building. Saturday was the mildest day as far as the weather. At night, a hoodie was essential; G Herbo, Polo G, Dreezy, Femdot, Supa Bwe, and special guest Queen Key all came out to take in the outpouring of love from the fans. Their sets gave the hometown feel that set a mold for the city-based festival. 

Polo G takes the stage at the Summer Smash Festival Saturday. (Credits: @Groovnuke)

G Herbo hits the stage at the Summer Smash Festival. (Credits: @OfficialBekoe)

You couldn't help but think of which of these artists could rise and become a future Chicago headliner at Summer Smash; The Late and great Juice WRLD was the previous hometown headline, and his influence still reigns across festival grounds. Several acts continue to show love and provide immense tributes in his honor. 

​Bia, Ski Mask the Slump God, and  XXL Freshman Kali all had energizing performances. Famous Dex, another Chicago artist for Saturday, returned home for an upbeat performance. He was another great reason to add on the homecoming feel for Saturday.

Bia on stage Saturday at Summer Smash Festival (Credits: @OfficialBekoe)

Post Malone hit the stage with a fan-fueled set. “Posty” chants filled the air well before he hit the stage. You know his performance was good when Super Bowl Champion Antonio Brown crowds surfing during the midst of the performance. 

Saturday headliner Post Malone. Credits: @GroovNuke

 

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Day Three

Day Three of the festival took place on Fathers Day and Juneteenth holiday. Douglas Park was squeezed in with barbecues and gatherings outside of the concert. A big day was ahead for those who attended. A few special guests made their way onto the Lyrical Lemonade stage.

PRE artist Key Glock took the stage in the evening. Glock dedicated most of his set to his late, great cousin and PRE Founder Young Dolph. Cordae, Quavo, and Takeoff came off to catch the fans on their feet with their sets. 2Chainz hosted a great set as well, playing tracks such as Chance the Rapper’s “No Problem” (ft. Chainz and Lil Wayne) and “No Lie” (ft. Drake).

Key Glock hits the stage on day three. (Credits: @GroovNuke)

Playboi Carti took it home with a massive, black pyramid on stage. Pandemonium broke out during his set as he performed from the top of the pyramid. Photo pit safety precautions could not prepare us for what was to come behind his performance. EMTs pulled fans from the crowd, getting them to safety and medical attention. 

The best way to place an event such as this into perspective is by putting yourself in the shoes of those who’ve curated it. From the artists to the concert, management had to be steady to pull something like this off. A lot of people left the festival grounds with feelings of inspiration. An independently-run festival is more of a reason to be inspired if you are an aspiring creator. 
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With 90,000 people in three days, your best foot is effort when it comes to accommodation. Lyrical Lemonade, SPKRBX, and company gave hats-off efforts to provide the time of your life as a concertgoer. Ensuring safety across all corners of the festival was a big emphasis. Shout out to LL for sharing their space with media companies such as ourselves and other prominent brands across the city and country. 

Playboi Carti on top of a pyramid as the closing headliner. (Credits: @GroovNuke)