Picture Book: Music Midtown at Piedmont Park, September 24

By Eileen Tilson; photos by Ken Lackner

Well, for its first year back, Music Midtown 2011 ended with a bang, literally, as Coldplay shot off fireworks into the Piedmont Park sky. After our week of interviews with the bands, Atlanta was set for a great time. The day was littered by musicians as Atlanta’s The Constellations kicked things off, and played some of their new songs due out on their follow-up to Southern Gothic, due out in the beginning of next year. By two o’clock on that beautiful sunny Saturday, the crowd was already rocking and swaying (with or without help from intoxicators). Some of the most surprisingly awesome acts from the day were definitely the energetic Joy Formidable and Young the Giant. Cage the Elephant did not disappoint with their rowdy, thrashing sound, and Georgia boys, Manchester Orchestra, brought it hard with songs from their latest album, Simple Math.

Personal favorite from the day was Ohio natives, The Black Keys, who I think shocked a few folks with their heavy handed duo-ness. Coldplay came out to a full 40,000 people filled with balloons, singing classics from past albums, tunes from their upcoming release, and even giving REM a shout out by doing an acoustic version of “Everybody Hurts.” 

Congratulations to Live Nation, Peter Conlon, and 360 Media for a job well done. The city thanks you and is looking forward to next year.

Full gallery after the jump. Check out the pics we took of the crowd HERE – find you and your friends, and buy the photo!

Young the Giant:

Cage The Elephant:

Manchester Orchestra:

The Black Keys:

Coldplay: