Juicy Fest 25
Juicy Festival Review: A Night of Legendary Performances
Now in its third consecutive year, Juicy Fest took place at Accor Stadium in Sydney's Olympic Park on the 18th of January, delivering an electrifying showcase of RnB and Hip-Hop icons. Despite facing lineup changes ,The festival again solidified its place as one of Australia’s premier music events, maintaining a high standard of professionalism and pulling together a star-studded international roster that delivered an unforgettable night of music.
While storm clouds threatened for most of the day, attendees only had to deal with a couple of showers, which didn’t dampen the energy or the excitement of the crowd. The festival continued without a hitch, and the light showers added a bit of cool relief, keeping the vibe upbeat and the performances rolling smoothly. The festival’s general seating around the complex provided a relaxed space for attendees to take a break between sets. While seating was available on a first-come, first-served basis, the two massive screens flanking both sides of the stage provided excellent viewing, ensuring no one missed any of the action. This setup allowed festival-goers to unwind comfortably while the next performance ramped up or just soak up the action while taking a break from dancing.
Performances
The event kicked off with RL from Next, who was all smiles, reminding the crowd why the group’s songs are still as popular today as they were back in the day. Bobby V, Pleasure P, and Ray J followed, joining forces to deliver an interactive set that had the crowd fully engaged, including an up-close visit by Pleasure P to those in the front row. Baby Bash came next, showcasing why he's an icon in the game, delivering hits including fan favourite ‘Suga, Suga’ that had the crowd on their feet.
Montell Jordan, who is now a pastor, returned to his roots, taking the audience back to the 90s with his timeless hits, setting the nostalgic tone for the rest of the night. Jay Sean kept the energy high with an electrifying performance while also giving thanks to the crowd for their continued support and devotion. Jacquees brought his “King of R&B” energy, while Barbados native and only Queen on the tour, Shontelle belted out her hits with power, reminding everyone of her impressive vocal prowess.
Layzie Bone proved once again why he's a living legend in the game, holding down the stage with a swagger while delivering the Bone Thugs n Harmony hits. Fat Joe continued the party with a mix of his old-school hits and new bangers. Jeremih kept the momentum up, bringing a lucky fan up onto the stage for an intimate moment of dancing and even pulling off a shoey in true Aussie style.
Akon continued to elevate the experience with unmatched charisma, performing all the classic tracks fans were clamouring to hear before diving into the crowd in a giant inflatable clear ball, making unforgettable connections with fans before returning ball-free to take photos with the attendees close by phones. The night was wrapped up by Ludacris, who closed the festival with his iconic hits, hyping the crowd from start to finish. In a set that seemed too short, Ludacris was definitely who a lot of people came to see and his high-energy performance didn’t disappoint.
VVIP Experience
This year’s VVIP Juicy Fest experience was one to remember. In addition to elevated viewing, free drinks, and food, VVIP ticket holders enjoyed rare opportunities to snap selfies with the artists. As the performers made their way back to the artists' area deep in the Accor Stadium complex, these lucky few got a chance to capture those exclusive moments, making the experience even more unforgettable.
Juicy Fest once again proved why it’s a force to be reckoned with, expertly curating an international lineup that resonates with both loyal fans and newcomers. With this year’s event being another huge success, it’s clear that Juicy is here to stay, continuing to elevate Australia’s RnB and Hip-Hop scene.
Big thanks go to the Juicy Fest Fam and the Timeless Group for having us along and always looking after us so well.
