“The energy here tonight is crazy,” Joshua Hong, the only Los Angeles-raised member of K-pop band Seventeen, yelled to the crowd after the group performed its chart-topping hit, “HOT,” during the first evening of the inaugural two-day LA3C Festival at Los Angeles State Historic Park on Saturday.
It was an accurate description of the die-hard vivacity fans exuded for the international superstars, who proudly waved their Seventeen-branded lightsticks throughout the show, illuminating the festival grounds.
“We use our lightsticks for K-pop groups to show unity and support for whichever group we see,” said Shannon Lure, 22, who drove down from Colorado specifically to catch Seventeen’s set. “It’s a big thing to have your lightstick seen at any show you go to, so that’s why there’s so many here tonight, including me.”
Whether guests came to LA3C as a Seventeen fan or not, it seemed the group won over a majority of the crowd after its captivating hour-long performance.
The band had the crowd mesmerized with its near flawless choreography, their lush short hairstyles, the bad boy designer attires and the lyrics that had everyone shrieking at least every 30 seconds. The group also broke off into smaller pockets of performances with just a few of the members to show off the versatility in genres and dance moves with songs like “2 MINUS 1,” “Left & Right,” “Game Boy,” “Second Life” and the fan-requested track “Rock With You.”
The Los Angeles-formed group Free Nationals, famously known for being Anderson .Paak’s backing band throughout the years, brought down the house with a groovy R&B set. The group played its hits — which typically have artists like Daniel Ceaser, Syd, Kali Uchis and .Paak on vocals — including “Beauty and Essex,” “Gidget” and after playing “Time,” the group shouted out late rapper Mac Miller, who collaborated on the 2019 track.
Located across the festival grounds, the secondary Hot Import Stage served as an area for DJs and EDM music. Los Angeles-based indie artist Cuco spun some classic Latin hits like “La Chona” and tracks from Los Angeles Azules. It was a unique and fun set, especially for Latin fans in attendance. With DJs like Vice, Kim Lee, Freya Fox and Paper Idol dictating the sound, there was enough room in the area to dance and frolic away since the majority of the crowd set up camp at the LA3C main stage.
If there was anything overly surprising about this festival it was the appearance of primatologist Jane Goodall, who warmed up the crowd before Long Beach rapper Snoop Dogg took the stage. She delivered a 15-minute speech on climate change to a mostly young crowd.
“Together we can, together we will, together we must change the world,” she repeatedly declared until it was shouted it back in unison.
Snoop Dogg then ran on stage, coming out with “The Next Episode.” The rap icon wasted no time playing his top hits including “Drop It Like It’s Hot,” “Gin & Juice,” “Nuthin’ but a ‘G’ Thang” and “I Wanna Love You.” Snoop also brought out one of his crew members, costumed as his Bored Ape NFT, Dr. Bombay, and the pair threw out money into the crowd.
Near the end of his set, Snoop paid homage to rappers Tupac and the Notorious B.I.G. by doing covers of “Hypnotize” and “2 Of Amerikaz Most Wanted.” Both tributes had fans shouting the words and throwing their hands up in the air. Snoop ended his turn by asking everyone to “put your left hand over your heart and sing our national anthem.” He then launched into his 2011 hit, “Young, Wild and Free.”
Rapper Lil Baby closed out the first evening of LA3C. The Atlanta, Ga. artist was a last-minute replacement for Megan Thee Stallion, who was unable to perform “due to unforeseen circumstances,” per the festival performers last week. Lil Baby started his turn nearly 25 minutes late and it cut deeply into his hour-long set, though he did manage to keep the crowd energized with songs like “Wants and Needs” and “My Dawg.”
Music wasn’t the only thing that made the first edition of LA3C so intriguing. The food offerings highlighted some of the best of Los Angeles with vendors like Lil Bobacita (which also had an appearance at Besame Mucho at Dodger Stadium), Ramen Hood, GoGo Tacos, Tepito Coffee, Cena Vegan and a few others. Additionally, Los Angeles-based artists like Edgar Ramirez, Patrick Martinez and Tiffany Alfonseca impressed guests with art installations placed across the festival grounds.
There was also a lot of shopping courtesy of areas like the SHEMedia Meaningful Marketplace. Though it seemed a bit abnormal to have so many activations in one festival setting, it worked well. With the marketplace feeling like a condensed version of a Silver Lake or Melrose flea markets, guests could walk down the path to check out goods from small businesses such as Latinx With Plants, Little Chimes, Sole, Drunk Astrology, The Klay Shop, Spicewell, Boy Potions and more.
The inaugural LA3C festival continues on Dec. 11 with performances from Snow Tha Product, Cam Girl, TOKiMONSTA, Fonseca, Gerardo Ortiz, Maluma and more.
LA3C Festival
When: Saturday, Dec. 10
Where: Los Angeles State Historic Park, Los Angeles
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