Afropunk Festival

Love the energy here, the atmosphere, the styles, the colors of the rainbow, diverse music, food vendors…
Quench truck filled with water tasted BAD though, like I was drinking the inner lining of it. Much prefer the NYC tap water option that was by the food trucks.
Have and will gladly return, and will make sure to bring lots of water!

Awesomeness!!! Definitely a festival I would attend again and again. I was working at the Sailor Jerry tent, but i still had a blast. Met all kinds of people from all over. The vibe was so friendly and laid back. Very chill and a sense of togetherness. I got a chance to walk around and check out the different food trucks. Tried the Korean tacos and they were pretty decent. There was kimchee, cheese sauce, and your choice of bagogi (sp) beef, spicy pork, or chicken.
I got to see Lenny kravitz, so I’m happy I got to see at least one performance.
Can’t wait till next year!

I have been coming to AP since it’s inception and let me say, this festival is AMAZING. It showcases the other side of black culture that we never see in mainstream media which is great because we aren’t a multifaceted group of people. That said, I always feel at home here being the off-​beat person of color I am.
This year was awesome. Headlining acts included Lauryn Hill, Kelis, Gary Clarke Jr., and Lenny Kravitz. Lenny blew my damn mind… his closing set was the
so it is safe to say that he outdid himself. I also checked out some of the vendors like Carol’s Daughter, who had a cute photobooth and chilled at the beer garden to sip some spiked cider. Afropunk is the perfect end to summer and I suggest that everyone, especially people of color, come support this important event.

Honestly and truly one of the best events Brooklyn has to offer every summer. Afropunk Festival is called the «most multicultural festival» of the year and it really is. A visual overload of fashion, art, and beauty book ends an impressive and exhaustive music line up that does not fail to impress. That’s because artists who perform at Afropunk aren’t just happy to be there, they are PROUD to be there and their shows are delivered with an extra bit of energy in honor of a very special audience. Plenty have written about Afropunk’s fashion and musical impact, but few mention that the energy throughout the event is one of positivity, love, and community for anyone that is truly all about those values. It’s one of the most sincere and genuine demonstrations of live and love I’ve had the privilege to be a part of.
Staff, volunteers, vendors, and artists set up an impressive round of entertainment that keeps festival attendees engaged for 24 – 48 hours. Time flies when you are at Afropunk. If you are aversive to festival crowds and nuances, Afropunk is a good festival for you. The event is run with an eye to managing all of this for two days straight. Oh, and the app is incredibly useful and should be nominated for a best festival/​live event app. It’s a darn good use of technology and you absolutely need to download it before you go. If you like a little something extra, the VIP ticket is worth the shorter drink/​food lines and pockets of smaller groups assembled.
I like to think I’ve lived a few lives and seen a few things in my time. The best part of my Afropunk experience was that I walked away feeling like I had learned something and seen something through an entirely new perspective. Now THAT, is something everyone should experience more than once in their lifetime. For that alone, go to Afropunk– listen to everything, look at everything, talk to someone you never thought you would, and leave with the sense that you were just a part of something that really mattered.

Nyc 2015 was good. There are a variety of artists to listen to. The phone app was very helpful in knowing who was performing and where. Should organize entry into park better. Day 1 line was winding around the corner and took 1hr+ to get in. Food truck lines are obnoxiously long (I’m talking 1 hr long lines for food!). I didn’t really notice any improvements from last year to this year even though this year wasn’t free.
The performers are great. Overall it’s good time with new artists and chill vibe.

Afro Punk Misses the Mark: Focuses on the Wrong Issues
I’m making this post in hopes that we can engage a fuller discussion of this event that moves beyond the styles and bodies of the beautiful people who descend on this gathering.
To be sure there was the usual beautiful energy of the people. It was palpable all around and so my joy of people watching was amply fed. The music on day 2 was amazing and Lenny Kravitz and his band were spot on. Everything was tight and his joy at playing in his native BK for the first time in his career was palpable. Grace Jones on day 1 was a treat. At 67 she is still going strong and I totally respect her for it.
I do want to use this space to talk about some of the important ways in which the organizers missed the mark here. Hopefully, this would help them think through changes for 2016 or for the ATL leg.
The issues were common across both days of the event but somehow amplified on day 2. So that’s where I will focus. Day 2 was a sweltering August afternoon. We arrived earlier than day 1 to beat the unreasonably long lines — the lines that on day 1 confirmed somebody didn’t make a note to self that 500 people being checked in by 8 personnel would make for tired and irritable patrons on the other side of the gates. This meant that we waited for 1.5 hours in line on day 1 to get in.
Day 2 entry was like day 1 on steroids. I missed my friend’s text message telling me that they were being ruthless in the bag and body searches at the gate and so I should eat anything I wasn’t prepared to lose. I was carrying a small pack of Asian rice snacks and some chocolate. On day 1 I had a brief fainting spell (likely from not having eaten and then entering the heat and press of the crowds). If this happened again on day 2, I would have had to walk (about 10 minuntes) though the crowd in order to get to the nearest open space and then join a line of at least a 25 min wait to get something to «up my sugar.» The lady who searched my bag at the gate told me unless I could show «proof that I was diabetic» she had to take the chocolate bar from me. Among the other items I saw as mine were being added to the «confiscated» pile was a banana. A BANANA?! My friend lost her cashew nuts and a pack of vegan cookies. Meanwhile as soon as you get through the check in, patrons were being greeted with «free» samples of kettle potato chips! Somebody needs to lose a job when the policy that is put in place says «take snacks from patrons, no matter what they might be.» This is an absurd position when one considers that there are no healthy options available at any of the stands on the inside — certainly not any natural or raw food options nor any fruit being sold. Add to this to the fact that you have thousands of fans in a space where demand for food and amenities significantly outstrips supply resulting in long and off putting lines at every good truck/​stand. This was just the first of the stupid and shortsighted policies put in place. Someone overnight (between days 1and 2) happened upon the «brilliant» idea of keeping drinking restricted to designated areas. This meant that after having our energy sapped in the process of getting in and finally finding a spot to set up, we had to leave the music and our blankets to go the bar for a drink which we had to completely consume there before being allowed to leave the area. Go figure. So not only is my food taken away but I can’t sit on my blanket with a beer under the 85degree sun and come down from the madness?! Who thought of this? Interestingly, alcohol ran out by 5:00 PM and the bars that previously sold them only had red bull.
A final word about amenities. There were not nearly enough portable bathrooms to accommodate the number of patrons. This meant that the relatively few provided were filthy from quite early. Those I saw were overflowing with toilet paper and waste (if you could imagine that). There was a water station that was provided for patrons to fill their bottles for free. This was removed at 5:00 PM on day 2 when the temperature was at its hottest for the day and the show had at least another 6 hours to go.
So I say the Afro Punk organizing committee needs to go back to the drawing board and remedy this madness. Focus on what’s important. Here’s the top 5 list of things they missed:
1. Get sufficient people to man the gates so that patrons don’t have to spend frustrating hours on line.
2. Get the porta-​potty situation right. This is a fundamental health issue.
3. Allow patrons to enter with light snacks (nobody wants to roll up there with a picnic anyways) and provide some healthy food options, including fruit and fresh juices.
4. Get a properly stocked bar that won’t end a full 7 hours before patrons disperse.
5. Stop limiting where people can drink. Are you crazy? This is a concert!
Am not prepared to attend this event in the future unless there is an acknowledgement of these missteps with a clear plan for improvement.

The good: I choose to give this 4 stars even with the few gripes that I have about it because it’s the only thing like it and there are so many amazing people and things to see that it’s hard to talk bad about it. The vendors, the fly people, the sights and sounds make this festival worth it plus the fact that it’s pretty much free is also worth it. If you love music and you love being around people that love music, art, and style, and culture then this is a festival for you! The scenery is also wonderful, this festival is in the heart of inner-​city Brooklyn and I’m from Philly so I felt right at home.
I didn’t appreciate waiting around for D’angelo with a sore back from standing all day but when he came on he showed out and proved why he’s still lauded as a great artist.
The bad: I think they should be a little more informative with what is and isn’t allowed in the park.
Crowds cramped into one area is going to be annoying no matter how you slice it. It’s still not easy to navigate between the stages but they have managed to fix that somewhat. It’s also pretty annoying when the schedule isn’t followed closely and acts get pushed back but this is all a part of going to music festivals.
The ugly: The porta-​potty situation needs to be addressed. It’s not so much that I’m too bougie to use a porta-​potty, it’s the fact that after coming out the porta-​potty there was no soap in the soap dispenser at the water pump. It’s pretty gross not to have soap when you’ve already endured the traumatizing experience of a portable bathroom. Next time I’ll know to come prepared with a huge bottle of hand sanitizer.

Such an amazing time with so many beautiful creative people with amazing vibes enjoying music art life and food definitely was a highlight of the summer

So many beautiful people at one place at one time! Great acts, great environment, great location, everything. So happy I got to see my favorite singer D’Angelo despite him performing material not from his albums, it was still amazing. I paid $ 25 for the quick pass thing that also included 2 free drinks. I had a Blue Moon and some Cabernet Sauvignon and it actually had me feeling right. And I’m not a lightweight.
Either way… this is a must attend event in NYC. Everything it stands for is great. Very accepting and inclusive of everyone. I love Afropunk!

I went to this year’s festival for the first time and I would definitely go again. I went both days and was very happy that D’Angelo actually showed up on the last day.
The park is huge and I love the fact that there are park benches to shade yourself from the heat. There wasn’t any bag-​checking on the first day, but on the second day they got brand-​new. I bought the fast-​pass ticket which is supposed to give you a no-​line-​wait entrance into the park. Not the case. You still have to wait, and in a line as well, but at least you get in before everybody who didn’t pay for a ticket. When you get past the people checking tickets, you walk past the food trucks and down to the little staircase where someone else will check to make sure that you have your fast-​pass ticket. The chick on the second day took her job too seriously, wanted to recheck bags and sh**. She let up, but give these people just a little bit of power and they go crazy. Are non-​police security types like that?
The food trucks outside of the park were alright. Kimchi Taco was my favorite with their burrito. There was a BBQ truck whose name I forget (will try to update when I track down their name) that had terrible food. I got the brisket and the sauce which I now wish I hadn’t poured, no, squirted onto my brisket because it was so oily and not thick, has this very weird after taste. The roll, the potato salad with the pickles, the brisket with and without the sauce, all had this nasty glue-​flavored taste. It was disgusting. Didn’t try the trucks inside.
The artists were varied and I loved seeing Alice Smith and Meshell N., and became a fan of Loaf Muzik and Cakes da Killa. That is all.
Next time I’d bring closer to $ 200 to purchase from the vendors selling clothes and purses and such. And would also come with a boo, so many people were coupled up, served for me feeling some type of way!
What they need to do is have better directions to get to the park. I ended up walking down and over from the Dekalb stop on the Q, through a friggin housing project, and that was the shortest journey I found/​stumbled upon. Hopstop has gotten really bad with their directions.
I’d go again. With an empty water bottle and cash for food throughout the day you’ll be good, or better stock up when you first get there so you don’t have to wait in long-​behind lines and risk seeing a performer that you really want to later. They’ll say on your ticket you can’t bring chairs that fold up but so many people had them, that pissed me off.

This is my second time attending AP fest. The first time I went was incredible, and I got to see Chuck D. along with some local bands. This time around it was the 10^th anniversary of Afropunk fest. So many artists across 4 stages, so it was virtually impossible to see every single one.
I did get to see Lianne La Havas, Valerie June, Alice Smith, plus a few local acts on day one. The atmosphere was quite different this year throughout the venue because of the events in Ferguson. Example of that was when Ice T was performing with his band Body Count and he did f*** the pigs. It was on everybody’s mind but regardless there was fun to be had in a safe environment.
Day two was even more live, DJs were doing sets, old school house and hip hop blasting all around, the greenery burning, and people dancing. I got to see SZA, The Internet (odd future), even Zoe Kravitz band Lolawolf came to perform. I wish I could’ve told Zoe I love her, but security would’ve crushed me.
The main event was D’Angelo!!! The one name legend himself was the main headliner and best believe when 8pm came around there was a army waiting for him to bless us with his presence. Since it’s well documented that he’s a recluse and a no show to events both free and paid, people became upset when he took too long to hit the stage. Then alas relief when Questlove came out with other members of The Roots getting the crowd ready. Then HE came!!! He came out! I was hyped. He didn’t do any of his more commercial hits, but who cares. The songs he did do were appropriate for the mood and he killed the Sly and the Family Stone’s «Thankful and Thoughtful» and Prince’s «She’s in My Hair»
It was a experience, and I went home happy and satisfied, not to mention high as hell from the 7 hour contact high and drunk off the nutcrackers being sold.

The festival was awesome from music (Alice Smith, Sharon Jones and the Dap — Kings, Bad Brains, Body Count etc…), food really a stellar line up of food truck’s outside the park a few inside, and loads of cool art, jewelry, body products and clothing to shop ! And the beautiful people I may have enjoyed that most of all just seeing all the gorgeousness it was awesome !

Wow!!! What an amazing time I had at this festival!!! And in my opinion the pics that are posted on Unilocal don’t give this event justice
The people that walk through the park look like true rockstars and I couldn’t help but to just stare and admire … Afropunk creates the perfect atmosphere for people watching, and different people even approached me to ask if I wouldn’t mind getting my picture taken which was really awesome… one guy from a food truck even gave me a complimentary meal because he loved my outfit!!!
My advice for anyone who hasn’t been yet, bring an open mind and be prepared to meet some really cool people… The eclectic mix of music, the cute little independent businesses and the smell of marijuana in the air was just the icing on the cake
Oh how I love New York

My stars will remain a solid five stars, and my original review is still valid. But, an update is necessary for this year’s Afropunk Festival.
I came back to the fest with two of my favorite people. The first thing we did when we entered was hula hoop (yes, hula hoop). There was a section for hula hooping while listening to the music play from one of the four stages at the festival. So cool! After we were all hula hooped out, we decided to shop around at the market area. My best friend and I purchased super cool shades for $ 7. I also purchased a ring for $ 2. Both of my items are pretty good quality. After shopping around, we headed to a beer garden to power up on blue moon and sangria. Then we headed to Nuchas empanada truck (peep my review) for quick eats. While we were eating our empanadas we spotted NYC mayor, Bill de Blasio, and his wife! They were walking away as soon as we got up to ask for a picture. Darn it! After we ate, we walked around for a little while, and then decided to leave a bit early since none of the artists we liked were performing.
I love everything about Afropunk Festival. Great crowd, cool outfits, lots of space, chill vibes, yummy food trucks. What else does a girl need?

Best free concert in NYC by far. Excellent music, great vendors, diverse crowd. You best be wearing your flyest garb because this crowd is trendy as f. Taking in the main stage with the (relatively new) Downtown Brooklyn skyline behind you is awesome.
Pro Tip: to Skip the line make a donation of any size (even if its $ 10)

5 fucking stars, it was the best free concert I have ever been to and I pretty much go everywhere. If you call me a social whore, I would not really disagree with you. I thought the day I went sunday had a really impressive lineup. It was nice to see the art, music, food vendors and just over all vibes of the people around that day.
I saw the stage mostly that included Danny Brown (huge following, most people came just for him), Big Freddia, Trash Talk, and Chuck D was actually last to perform at that stage. Living Colour performed on the other stage and had many GOOD songs, not just CULT OF PERSONALITY (the CM PUNK song). Questlove did become the last official performer on the other stage on other side of field. There was some pushing and shoving in the front of the crowd during Danny Brown set but it was okay, I felt like he gave 110% that day to the crowd.
I loved going to this event, I am not gonna lie. I think if you missed the saturday or sunday events, you really missed out. I had to work on the saturday and could not make it. Had some really good food too at the Fried Chicken and more truck. Loved the reggae section on the other entrance of the park, got to chill over there for a bit and heard some great music. THANKS Afropunk, it was so nice to go and get the free candy and just enjoy being with all these amazing people. No real crazy fights or whatever, at least from where I was. See you next year AFROPUNK FESTIVAL. York Street on the F train was closest stop to event.

Some weird people here man. It’s fun to people watch. I felt like I was too basic to be there. GOOD! I basically stood out since everyone dressed so hippy and edgy (?). Not sure if that’s what you want to call it. Many different smells going on…
Bags were checked, water bottles were confiscated, except mine. Mine was in my reusable container, just a word to the wise for the future. The vendors were great, the food looked amazing and the shade was plenty although we mostly stayed in the shaded grassy area with this banging ass DJ named DJ Larry B, I believe. He was weird too but he was an amazing DJ! This was a nice experience. We’ll see about next year.

Most awesome thing ever!
Live music — art– great people — great scene– great weekend.
2 stages with 2 different styles of rock and close contact with the acts
I feel it was pretty well ran and organized.
They had EVERYTHING from free nutrition bars and water while on line.
A yoga program/​opening + mini dance jam. So many different types of vendors (food, clothing, indie films), and array of well known leading rock acts. No pretention.
Just fun
The people that moshed were respectful and stayed in their area, unlike how at other Rock venues — I’ve seen people get taken out bloody from wild over zealous crowd surf accidents, & moshing accidents, drugged out of thier mind, vomiting anywhere.
You could have been close to the stage, or off laying in the grass relaxing.
Its a really big park with different sections.
Harley Davidson exhibits, bmx bike trickers, & showmen, as well as a wall for rock climbing, hearty restaurant on wheels food trucks
Check out thier instagram, & those of people who went, it was awesome.
Yes by night fall I realized some people had smoked cigarettes. It is so big with so much going on, its hard to regulate or catch that.
I didn’t mind the marijuana smell though. the VMAs were up the block, so Afro punk had cool unexpected guests
Cant believe this was all free

The diversity of people, music, culture, art — experience: Wonderful! All LOVE!
Will definitely come again next year! Totally recommend! The food truck assortment is great! Weather: great! People: great! Love: encompassing!
Wonderful all round! Don’t hesitate, just go! I will… again. Maybe next time, I’ll be selling some wares, too :)

Way too packed with no space to move your arms. People cutting in line. Others smoking weed and cigarettes.
The Afropunk Festival was fun, but just be prepared for all of the above. The crowd were for the most part friendly and there to have a good time.
I would come back here.