Derby Remix: Top 10 InfieldFests
The infield concert at the 2017 Preakness at Pimlico (Photo by Photos by Z)
September 23rd, 2020
The lack of spectators at the Preakness (G1) is bad news for those of us who hoped Shaq Diesel would grab the mic during his DJ set at InfieldFest and bust out a bit of "Shoot, Pass, Slam" for old times' sake.
Still, it's a great reason for Derby Remix to look back at the top 10 InfieldFests! There have only been 11 Preakness Day InfieldFests, so we had to leave out. We couldn't justify including 2018 with all the other good renewals!
10. 2017
It's fitting that the futuristic-named Cloud Computing won the Preakness when InfieldFest featured a country musician ahead of his time, the hip hop-tinged Sam Hunt.
With LOCASH and High Valley on the bill, most of the show catered to the cowboy-hat set, though Good Charlotte lured a few pop-punk kids to the track, too.
9. 2010
The original InfieldFest in 2009 was a tough act to follow.
But if you liked a more laid-back Preakness day, the cool twang of Zac Brown Band, the jam rock of O.A.R., and the 90s radio nostalgia of Collective Soul meant any ruckus in the infield that year was far easier to blame on the drinks than the tunes.
8. 2016
You're no "Exaggerator" to say this was the last of the expansive, genre-bending InfieldFests.
The harmonic emo of All Time Low, the hook-laden hip-hop of Fetty Wap, and the dance-pop of the Chainsmokers made it a fun year for anyone who means it when they say they listen to all kinds of music.
7. 2019
With acts like Diplo, Kygo, and Fisher, whichever InfieldFest planner wanted to turn the event into an electronic music festival won their "War of Will."
Though, between the emo-rap of Juice WRLD and "1-800-273-8255" hitmaker Logic, hip-hop that was an earnest breath of fresh air, compared to the hectic party going on in the infield, and gave the crowd a chance to get introspective between fits of dancing.
6. 2011
Shackleford's blaze may have been about the only thing that stood out more than Kegasus, the newly unveiled Lord of the InfieldFest.
Headliner Bruno Mars was on his way up and Train was still riding high on "Hey Soul Sister." Though, the most apt anthem for Kegasus may have been sung by opening act Puddle of Mudd: "Blurry."
5. 2013
Pitbull's blend of rap and Latin pop joined the wholesome country of Rodney Atkins. The iconic 90s alternative of Goo Goo Dolls joined the upbeat flow of Macklemore and Ryan Lewis.
Oxbow's winning soundtrack was another vintage renewal of InfieldFest's genre-spanning days.
4. 2015
Perhaps it was fate that an all-time great like American Pharoah won the 2015 Preakness. Though rains before the race forced fans to take cover, it wasn't until after they experienced a couple of all-time greats in the infield — globetrotting trance DJ Armin van Buuren and brilliant rapper/singer/actor/writer Childish Gambino.
3. 2014
It was as hard to find someone who didn't love California Chrome as it was to find someone who didn't find music they liked on the 2014 InfieldFest bill.
From the modern pop of Lorde to the poetic hip-hop of Nas, from the thoughtful rock of Switchfoot to the laid-back twang of the Eli Young Band, there really was something for everyone.
2. 2012
The "Young, Wild, and Free" flow of Wiz Khalifa? Maroon 5 at their "Moves Like Jagger" peak? The return of Kegasus, Lord of the InfieldFest?
No wonder a horse named I'll Have Another won the Preakness.
1. 2009
It was the original and best. Headliners Z Z Top are legends of cool, and how perfect was it that Buckcherry played? After all, their best song proclaimed, "You've got one life here to make it for the movies."
Preakness winner Rachel Alexandra took that precept to heart.
Derby Remix is a weekly series that crosses the lines of culture and racing contenders.
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