KC acts & Tech N9ne happy to land coveted spot at one-day Boulevardia music fest
This weekend, Boulevardia, one of Kansas City’s biggest music festivals, returns for its 10th year of performances, food, and beer. Over the past decade, the festival has served as a major opportunity for local acts to showcase their music to some of the largest crowds in the metro area.
Traditionally held over two days, this year’s Boulevardia will take place in a single day. With more than 40 local and national acts performing across five stages, spots on the roster are more coveted than ever.
For rapper and hip-hop artist Tech N9ne, who is this year’s headliner, being invited back is a meaningful honor.
“That first year I did, there was like 20,000 people,” said Tech. “I have no idea what to expect this year but I’m excited because when people call you back to do something so massive that means it was like success the first time.”
The festival, founded in 2014 by local brewery Boulevard Brewing Company, was originally held in Kansas City’s West Bottoms. Since then, it has become a proving ground for the city’s most talented musicians, offering a wide and diverse audience to perform for.
Tech N9ne’ previously performed during the festival’s early years and even debuted a limited-edition beer called Bou Lou. Although has performed at festivals around the world, headlining in his hometown still holds special meaning.
“I am honored because anytime I am home, if it is Rockfest, KC Live, The Midland, KC Symphony, Arrowhead, there is just no place like home,” he said.
Tech says that he will be debuting new songs from his new album 5816 Forrest set to drop June 27.
For many acts performing this year, sharing the stage with Tech N9ne is an achievement in itself. Chalis O’Neal, a jazz trumpeter, will return to Boulevardia for his second appearance. He first performed in 2017 and is thankful to be one of the few jazz artists included in this year’s lineup.
“I have done festivals before but being able to play the biggest festival in KC as a band leader is big,” said O’Neal. “The stage performance will definitely be different because we will be playing in front of a huge crowd as opposed to an intimate club, so we will be more high energy.”
O’Neal, the younger brother of local jazz musician Harold O’Neal, is proud to represent the jazz community within the festival’s diverse offerings of rock, hip-hop and alternative music. At 37, O’Neal feels that despite Kansas City’s rich jazz history, the genre is often underrepresented at large-scale events, something he hopes to help change.
“Jazz is America’s classical music and I hope me being there opens up the door for more jazz musicians being featured,” he said.
Vanessa Ramirez, who performs as DJ NE$, will be returning for her third year at Boulevardia. As one of the few Hispanic female DJs in the area and often the only one on the lineup, she is proud to take the stage again.
Though she only began her DJ career in 2022, Ramirez has built a name for herself in the Kansas City metro area with dynamic sets blending Hispanic music, R&B, and eclectic sounds.
“I think finding your sound is hard,” said Ramirez. “You have to find your niche, your aesthetic, your vibe and my audience grows. But I love playing Latin music, or across genres, and that is okay. The hardest part for a DJ is learning where you connect most with the audience.”
Ramirez, who also DJs for the KC Currents, shares O’Neal’s appreciation for the opportunity to perform in front of thousands.
“I think Boulevardia is a good representation of the raw talent that Kansas City has to offer, and it has become such a platform for developing support and being seen,” she says.
She also hopes to inspire young girls in the crowd who may not see a DJ career as an option for women. Ramirez is grateful that Boulevardia has made space for her voice and presence in the lineup.
Tech N9ne believes the festival has become a hub for local music talent and is proud of the community it cultivates. While many performers are thrilled to share a bill with the hip-hop icon, Tech is equally excited to stand alongside Kansas City’s up-and-coming artists.
“To have these performers being so thrilled to be on the same bill is an honor,” said Tech. “To hear that performing with Tech as the headliner is so big to them, is big to me, and I am proud of the artists here in KC.”
This story was originally published June 12, 2025 at 10:01 AM.
