Have you ever wanted to meet some Major League Baseball stars and see artists like Weezer, Pitbull, and Imagine Dragons all on the same day? Look no further: Innings Festival is where you need to be. On March 18th, 2023, crowds from all over gathered at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida for day one of the Innings Festival. With a total of three stages, two batting cages, two pitching stations, 10 musical acts, one talk show, five MLB icons, and "the energy of two million people," as Pitbull said, Innings Festival Florida day one was a party. Even though there weren't actually two million people in attendance, the massive crowd was packed in and enjoying every minute.
As soon as you enter the festival grounds, you are engulfed in music, food, people, fun activities, and sunny rays.
The batting cages and pitching stations were a fun addition to the event. Fans could show off their skills or maybe try something for the first time while meeting some professionals! I personally met with former MLB All-Stars Rafael Furcal and Ray Lankford. However, Wade Boggs, Ryan Klesko, and John Kruk also made appearances at the batting cages and pitching stations.
Friends and families traveled from near and far to see some of their favorite artists, and even if you attended alone, there was always a chance you'd meet your new best friend...
Music of many genres shared the stages, and the diverse crowd was lively throughout every set. Some people even attended dressed like their favorite artists, such as Pitbull.
The stage presence of every act was highly entertaining, and the crowd interactions were beautiful and seamless. Every band went on their scheduled time, with no delays at all, even with some rain! Everything you'd want and expect out of a festival. The genreless Briscoe and alternative band Cydeways started off the day with some amazing vibes. Then, Joey Valence & Brae changed the feeling and got the crowd jumping with their high-energy hip-hop act. Tai Verdes and Japanese Breakfast were up next, both bringing more rhythm and indie sounds to the crowd. Next, GROUPLOVE hit the stage with their fun and entertaining set that featured their widely known fan-favorite, "Tongue Tied."
Pitbull and his entourage of dancers and instrumentalists hit the stage next as the day began to turn to night and the entire crowd was dancing and singing along to Pitbull's iconic hits such as "Hotel Room Service," "Fireball," and more! Weezer closed out the Right Field Stage with an amazing performance, of course playing their iconic tracks "Say It Ain't So" and "Beverly Hills." Imagine Dragons closed out the night on the Home Plate stage. A beautiful light show that incorporated some small fireworks and pyro. The entire band put on a stellar performance playing a wide range of their discography, including at least one song from every studio album they've released. Though their radio hits earned the loudest crowd response, the energy from the crowd the entire night was insane.
Innings Festival is definitely an event you don't wanna miss out on in the future! Check out the full gallery below and stay tuned for our coverage of day two, coming soon!
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