“Well, hello, Atlanta,” purred “it” girl Iggy Azalea to the rowdy (and sold-out) crowd at Piedmont Park for the 2014 two-day Music Midtown festival. Produced by Live Nation, the still-growing event — now in its 16th year — has enjoyed a recent expansion, with organizers upping each night to two headliners. This year the new format hosted the powerhouse foursome of Eminem, Jack White, John Mayer and Zac Brown Band. Azalea, Lorde and Lana Del Rey courted the youth vote, the lattermost artist indulging in selfies with fans prior to her set and enjoying a sea of “Lana Del Bae” signs littering the crowd. Hometown affection was felt for Decatur, Ga.-based B.o.B, rocking a Falcons hat, and Atlanta native T.I., who surprised Azalea on “No Mediocre,” while a nostalgic Mayer shared that he used to live on nearby Lindbergh Drive. Perhaps avoiding another Kanye West-esque rant, the recently antagonistic White also shared his love: “You’ve been standing out there for hours and hours listening to music. That means a lot to me, and I hope it means a lot to you.”
