According to the festival’s website, this year’s two-day event has been cancelled “due to circumstances beyond our control”. However, Sources directly connected to the festival blame GA’s recently relaxed gun laws.

Live Nation, the company over Music Midtown, has yet to comment on the exact reason behind the festival’s cancellation, but Atlanta City Council Members make direct hints toward safety issues and concerns.

“A sad day as Atlanta’s Music Midtown is cancelled. Public policy has real impacts and in this case, economic and social implications on a great tradition,” said Atlanta City Council President, Doug Shipman via Twitter.

Music Midtown, is usually held at Piedmont Park; a place where guns can be openly carried without consequence. However, festival rules prohibit the presence of firearms and explosives, therefore, issuing conflict between company standards and legal rights.

As a resolution attempt, Shipman tells Rolling Stone that the issue will likely have to wait until state legislature reconvenes in January 2023, but plans to meet with the city attorney to discover a solution.

What is Music Midtown?

Music Midtown is a weekend-long music festival that has existed in Atlanta’s culture scene since 1994. Run by Live Nation, the festival has seen iconic performers like Earth, Wind, & Fire, Elton John, Foo Fighters, Al Green, Train, Kool & The Gang, John Mayer, Kendrick Lamar, Lizzo, and so many more.

The festival prides itself in diverse, eclectic sounds for music lovers of all kinds.