Headlining the music festival Friday in Schenley Plaza is Insomniac DJ and Pittsburgh native, Robert Balotsky, aka Buku. Joining the electronic national EDM star is future-brass-thunder-funk machine, Beauty Slap, and local monthly funk and soul dance party, Title Town. More musical acts are to be announced soon.
"We want to go back to the roots and give back to the community," says Ascender program director Jenny Sharpe.
During previous Thrival events, musical acts included international players such as Matt and Kim, GRiZ, Logic, and De La Soul, to name a few, but for 2019, all acts will have some sort of tie to Pittsburgh. The local community is the main focus. Now in its seventh year, the tagline for Thrival 2019 is "By Pittsburgh. For Pittsburgh. For the world."
Partnering with Wicked Pittsburgh, in addition to music, there will be an immersive imaginarium featuring the work of over 50 artists for attendees to play and interact with.
Stay tuned for more Thrival Innovation and Music Festival updates and announcements.