Mustard fits and rain ponchos: Rain delays Charlotte fans but not Kendrick fun
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Weekend of music: Lovin’ Life Festival and Kendrick Lamar in Charlotte
Enjoying tremendous success as a brand-new musical festival presents an inherent challenge, one that the Lovin’ Life Music Fest now must confront: Can it meet the high bar it established in its debut?
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The Queen City is ready to pop out and show folks they not like us!
Kendrick Lamar is finally hitting the stage at Bank of America Stadium, alongside SZA, on his Grand National Tour. This weekend is a music lover’s dream with the second annual Lovin’ Life Music Fest happening just down the road, but Saturday night was all about Kendrick.
As his only stop in North Carolina, fans came dressed to the nines and ready to scream “Mustard!” at the top of their lungs.
No vibes were going to be killed tonight. Here’s how the pre-concert hours went:
4:52 p.m. at the Brooklyn Village Station
As the rain started to pour, Indica, Seven and Shazo were hurriedly making their way to Bank of America stadium. Decked in a Mustard sweater, Seven said rain and all he was ready to listen to all of his favorites, including “wacced out murals.”
5:30 p.m. outside the stadium
The rain has eased up, but the screams of merchants selling ponchos is growing louder. “Get your ponchos! $10 — it’s going to rain all night!” He boomed to concertgoers. BoA stadium issued a seek-cover warning, but no details yet on whether the concert will be delayed.
6 p.m. outside the stadium
With an hour left until showtime, concertgoers are lining up at the gates in clear ponchos, soaked to the bone but ready to pop out. The rain is a light drizzle for now, and concertgoers should know umbrellas are not allowed inside. Security guards at the gate say they haven’t been notified of any rain delays.
6:11 p.m. Outside the East Gate or the Blue Cross Blue Shield gate
Concertgoers are waiting in long lines heading all the way down Mint Street, but be sure to check the gate. There are multiple lines to get inside!
7:10 p.m. The show is set to start at 7!
No music can be heard outside of the East Gate just yet, but the line is extending down to Mint Street — all the way to Graham Street.
7:20 Near the East Gate
The muffled sounds of music can be heard outside the East Gate. The streets are rumbling with the sound of the bass and some line frustrations. Lines are dwindling, but fans are encouraged to find their gates for easy seat access and to search for the shorter line.
7:35-7:50 p.m. Just outside the metal detectors
Fans show us their fits and talk about why they’re excited to be here:
8 p.m. No more lines
The lines were pretty short an hour into the show outside the East Gate. A few stragglers sat comfortably in pedicabs blaring Kendrick Lamar tunes and hoping out of stalled Ubers sitting in traffic along E. Brooklyn Village Ave. It’s a wrap for those who don’t have tickets. Better luck next time.
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This story was originally published May 3, 2025 at 8:15 PM.
