Four-time Super Bowl champion Rob Gronkowski's Gronk Beach bash during the NFL Draft in Las Vegas last year has inspired Kansas City Chiefs superstar Travis Kelce to do the same this month.
Kelce, who won this second Super Bowl with the Chiefs this year, announced on Tuesday that he will host his first festival, called "Kelce Jam," during NFL Draft weekend, which is being held in the state. The event will be held April 28 at the Azura Amphitheater in Bonner Springs, Kansas.
The event will feature performances by Machine Gun Kelly, Rick Ross, DJ duo Loud Luxury and Kansas City rap legend Tech N9ne, and ticket prices range from $49.99 (£40) to $224.99 (£180.05). "I took note from what Gronk did last year," Kelce said. "I want to throw a big party knowing that the draft is coming to Kansas City. It's a special event for the city to host. ... I'm going to need Kansas City to come out and be electric with me."
Kelce, 33, is taking full advantage of his surging popularity after the Chiefs beat the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII in February. Last month, he hosted "Saturday Night Live," and he co-hosts a podcast with his brother, Jason Kelce, who plays for rival team the Eagles.
"Every door that's been opened because of winning the Super Bowl, I've been running through them," he said. "It's not going to stop anytime soon -- especially with Kelce Jam. I think this will be the nail-in-the-coffin for the 2022 season."
Kelce also believes that the event could lure 15,000-plus to Kansas for the festival. "With the draft coming to KC, I think it's perfect timing for me to throw the biggest music festival that's ever come here," Kelce added. "We'll have some unreal stage productions, Kansas City's best food, tons of attractions and football-related games. This will be a whole lot of fun."
Machine Gun Kelly, whose real name is Colson Baker, grew up not far from Kelce in Shaker Heights, a suburb of Cleveland. In fact, Kelce knew of MGK while growing up in the area.
"We actually grew up right down the street from each other,” Kelce said. “And I knew of Cols growing up. But for the most part, I’ve just been a big, big fan of his through high school, through college. Being able to see his success has been really cool knowing that we’re from the same area. He’s one of my favourite performers. He brings the juice every single time."
