Overview
- Organizers and the City of Philadelphia announced the concert on Thursday as a six-hour, free public event on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway with gates opening at 3:00 p.m. and the main program from 5:00 p.m. to about 11:45 p.m.
- The confirmed lineup includes Christina Aguilera, Will Smith with DJ Jazzy Jeff, The Roots, Jill Scott, Seal, State Property, Kathy Sledge, Infinity Song and appearances by Gillie Da King and Wallo 267, with Wanda Sykes serving as host.
- ESM Productions is producing the event with executive producers Scott Mirkin, Shawn Gee and Questlove; Wawa is an announced sponsor but organizers say the show is a separate production from the city’s Wawa Welcome America series.
- Organizers plan a fireworks finale over the Philadelphia Museum of Art just before midnight and say broadcast, streaming and detailed transportation logistics will be announced in the coming weeks.
- The Roots framed the concert as a homecoming to reestablish the Parkway July 4 tradition, and the large free show is expected to draw major crowds, which could strain city transit and public-safety planning if details are not released soon.