2019-11-10 07:01:46
Travis Scott knows how to put on a festival. His second annual Astroworld Festival is a blueprint others should follow. Perfect time of year. A diverse, fresh lineup. A smart blend of local nostalgia and current culture. And he keeps people guessing. The lineup, a diverse mix of genres, dropped just before noon Friday and included shock rocker Marilyn Manson, Pharrell Williams and the Houston All Stars rap collective. That meant it was at the top of social media trends as a lead up to Saturday. It was great to see two women, local breakout Megan Thee Stallion and Spanish singer Rosalía, breaking up the testosterone - even if they were both relegated to the smaller second stage. Last year's inaugural fest was all men. Tickets sold out in September, but more were released Friday. More than 50,000 people were expected to attend Saturday at NRG Park, across the street from the old Astroworld location. Scott has frequently mentioned the iconic amusement park that entertained locals with roller coasters, a water park and an outdoor concert venue. He's named the festival, an album and tour after it and has used old Astroworld footage as a promotional tool. Astroworld opened on June 1, 1968 and closed on Oct. 30, 2005. Buoyed by Scott's love for the park, Mayor Sylvester Turner has vowed to bring it back. He tweeted last month to expect an announcement before the end of the year. Until then, Scott's extravaganza is a solid substitute. Aside from music, the daylong event featured carnival rides and games. Some opted for the funhouse, complete with warped mirrors and mazes. Others congregated at an old-school arcade that boasted skee ball, air hockey and a prize crane. A large silver skull that...
