Juicy

Accor Stadium, Sydney, NSW - 14/01/23

For a festival that many called ambitious and was labelled a scam, Juicy delivered everything they promised… a festival of epic proportions. Every artist advertised was delivered. The vibe was unmatched and the music took us all back to a time we all remember fondly.

**Water being handed out at each of the three barriers**

The punters started lining up at 11, bursting with an energy so great you could actually feel it in the air. This didn’t create any drama as the security and stadium staff were extremely pleasant and helpful and this continued throughout the entire event which always makes a festival that little bit more enjoyable. Gates opened at 1 pm, an hour before the first act was due on stage so attendees took the time to get a drink(or four) and a feed so the hospitality lines swelled almost instantly. A lot of people went looking for Merch at this time but due to some transport issues this didn’t arrive till around 2:30, this was a tiny issue in the world of festival production and it was the only one the Juicy event in Sydney suffered.

Ticket holders were met with walls of police upon entry and their presence was felt all day, maybe it’s because we all craved what we didn’t have during Lockdowns and restrictions but like all the post-Covid festivals we have attended, there was very little for them to do, their activities mainly consisted of chatting, joining in photos and the occasional “are you ok” questioning that was more in the realm of the paramedic’s duties. Free drinking water stations were positioned throughout the venue including on the border where the dance floor met the seating area, given the temperature on the day this was not only convenient but essential to stop people from dropping like flies from heat stroke or dehydration.

As the Juicy we attended took place in Stadium (Accor Stadium) festival-goers were treated to an abundance of toilets, plenty of shaded/inside areas to sit, all the food facilities you find in these types of venues and a multitude of bars, and not just limited to one designated area, these were easily accessible no matter what set of stairs/gate you came out of. VVIP was definitely in a class of its own, positioned upstairs, these pass holders had an uninterrupted full stadium-wide view, their own outdoor seated viewing area, toilets, a smoking area, waitstaff and free food and drinks for the entire event.

“This is her first festival and she is loving it”

— First-Timers Friend

The Artists at this event were all CLASS and demonstrated why even after some 20-plus years they are still some of the biggest draw cards in the industry and how they have been able to not only keep but increase their loyal fan base over the last two decades. They came out and gave the punters exactly what they wanted…hit after hit after hit. They were charming and engaging. They were appreciative of the people standing in the sun all day just to see them. They were professional to the media (us) waiting to take their photos and kind and accommodating to the lucky few that got the chance to meet them. ALL CLASS.

We would like to send a massive Thankyou to Raw, Kristin, Ciska, and the entire Juicy Crew. Thanks also to Mick, Stephen and the team from Anchor Security, Shekira from Culture Kings and a shout out to Lloyd’s Manager, thanks for the gift ;)

Artists Highlights:

Twista - Do U?, Badunkadunk & Gucci Louis Prada

Pretty Ricky - Let’s Talk About Sex, Your Body, Nothing But A Number and Grind With Me

Lloyd - Southside, Hey Young Girl & Lay It Down

Mya - Case Of The Ex, Ghetto Sopastar & Can We Just Talk

Chingy - Damn Girl, Holidae In & Pullin Me Back

Xzibit - Front 2 Back, Concentrate, Choke Me Spank Me (Pull My Hair), Beware Of Us & Paparazzi

Bow Wow - I Think They Like Me, Where The Party At, Been Doin This & That’s My Name

Ja Rule - Livin It Up, I’m Real, Mesmerize, Thug Lovin’, Murder Reigns & Always On Time

Ne-Yo - Irreplaceable, Give Me Everything, Let Me Love You, Let’s Go, Closer, Time Of Our Lives & So Sick.

Nelly - Dilemma, Shake Ya Tailfeather, Ride Wit Me, Hey Porsche, The Fix, Play It Off, Just A Dream, Move That Body & Hot In Herre

Festival Highlights:

Pretty Ricky’s Pleasure P joining Bow Wow on stage for Shorty Like Mine

Ja Rule being wheeled out on a stretcher before jumping up and launching into Livin It Up

Nelly doing a cover of ACDC’s You Shook Me All Night Long

Juicy 2023