Get your festival outfit(s) together because music festival season is upon us. The temperatures are getting hot, the colorful festival ads are going up, and word is, this year the acts are better than ever. With such a flavorful variety of festivals, how’s one fan to choose? Whether you’re looking to see one specific act or try and catch all your favorites (we’ve been there before, the mad dash between stages should be an Olympic sport), read on for our top music festivals happening soon. If you’re feeling adventurous, grab a friend, grab some tickets, and prepare your vocals for a memorable day/weekend.
- Coachella
We couldn’t not mention one of the most anticipated festivals of every year. Selling out fast, this festival turns the Indio Valley in California into a buzzing hive of pool parties and an insane variety of artists. This year the festival takes place on the weekends of April 12th and the 19th. Some of the acts for the festival include Childish Gambino, Ariana Grande, Khalid, and The 1975, among others. It’s safe to say this festival is on many people’s bucket list!
2. Lollapalooza
– This one weekend festival is known for cementing a lot of artists’ careers. Taking place in Grant Park, Chicago, the festival welcomes over 10,000 music enthusiasts every year. Though the lineup is announced closer to the date of the festival (weekend of August 1st), past acts include Bruno Mars, Jack White, and The Weeknd.
3. Electric Daisy Carnival Las Vegas
– EDM fans rejoice and highly anticipate this festival, taking place May 17-19 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Past acts include Afrojack, Martin Garrix, and Diplo. This fairytale carnival experience is not only popular in the US, but has also visited Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the UK.
4. The Governor’s Ball
– Headliners for this year’s Governor‘s Ball are insane. Not only will they include the likes of Florence + the Machine, Major Lazer, Lil Wayne, and Brockhampton, but we will also be seeing the highly anticipated return of acclaimed band, The Strokes! Takes place May 31- June 2nd in Randall’s Island. We wouldn’t mind an extra ticket or two!
5. Bonnaroo Music Festival
– A festival that’s been praised by Rolling Stone Magazine as being among “The 50 Moments that Changed Rock & Roll” definitely deserves a spot on this list. Some of this year’s acts include Post Malone, Cardi B, and Solange Knowles. The festival takes place the weekend of June 13th in Great Stage Park in Tennessee.
6. Made in America
– Founded by Jay-Z, this festival is known for bringing together various genres of music, particularly hip hop, pop, r&b, and rock. Held in Philadelphia, this year the festival will be taking place on the weekend of August 31st. Past headliners include Jay-Z, J. Cole, and The Chainsmokers, among others.
7. AFROPUNK FEST
– This festival mixes music, culture, and activism. Held in Brooklyn, NY, on August 2019. It attracts over 60,000 guests and celebrates black culture and gives a sense of community to those who feel marginalized or on the outside. The festival is also hosted in Atlanta, GA, and also international cities like Paris, France, London, U.K., and Johannesburg, South Africa. Past musical acts include Erykah Badu, Miguel, Tyler the Creator, and Jaden Smith.
8. Rolling Loud
– Held in Los Angeles on the weekend of May 10th, Rolling Loud is the largest Hip-Hop music festival in the world. Originated in Miami, Florida, the festival also is hosted in LA, California, and Oakland (The Bay Area), CA. The festival also has plans to expand to Japan, China, and Europe. Some of the acts for this year’s festival include Cardi B, Migos, Travis Scott, and others!
9. Electric Forest
– Taking place in Rothbury, Michigan on the weekend of June 27th, this festival brings together bands with Electronic DJs. This year’s lineup includes ODESZA, Bassnectar, and Alison Wonderland, to name a few.
10. Hot 97 Summer Jam
– Not necessarily a weekend-long festival, but this event showcases some of the integral acts in the hip-hop game. It takes place on June 9th in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Some of the acts from last year’s lineup included Kendrick Lamar, Lil Wayne, and Tory Lanez.
Music festivals allow fellow music lovers to come together and see some of their favorite acts. The versatility and variety offered in music festivals is unbeatable, and the events on this list are just a few of the many out there. Take this list as an introduction or a basic bucket list to the world of music festivals, and hopefully this will motivate you to go on a whim and cross one of these off your wish list!
