School is almost out and every student is beginning to finalize their plans for the summer. Are you going to go back home for summer break? Will you work a ton in order to save up? Are you going on a study abroad or service learning trip? Maybe a family vacation?
One of my summer priorities is making an effort to travel to a few summer music festivals. Upon doing research to see which ones best suited me and my financial/commute limitations, I realized just how many festivals there are across the nation.
No matter where you live or what your style is, there is almost a 100% chance that you can find a festival that will fit to your liking. Because I think it's important that people indulge in these kinds of experiences, I've drawn up a summer music festival master list. Enjoy!
Shaky Knees Music Fest (Atlanta, GA)
Dates: May 13th-15th.
Notable headliners: The 1975, Cold War Kids, Wolf Alice, Crystal Fighters, My Morning Jacket, Walk the Moon, The Decemberists, Foals, Deer Tick, Florence + the Machine, Explosions in the Sky, Young the Giant, Deftones, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Atlas Genius
Basic info: You'll find something for you at Shaky Knees, no matter what your interests. They have paired with many vendors to give concert-goers an extremely wide range of food options, free giveaways, and fun activities. Also, you can recharge at one of Samsung’s Fast Wireless Charging Stations or rehydrate at one of CamelBak’s Water Filling Stations.
Hangout Festival (Gulf Shores, AL)
Notable headliners: The Weeknd, Calvin Harris, Florence + the Machine, Alabama Shakes, Ellie Goulding, Lenny Kravitz, Flume, Haim, Cage the Elephant, Panic! at the Disco, The Chainsmokers, Grimes, Leon Bridges, Walk the Moon, Run the Jewels, Fetty Wap, Foals, The Neighborhood, Portugal. The Man, Alessia Cara, and many more.
Basic info: This festival is for those 18 or over. If you are 17 and younger, you must have a guardian with you that is over the age of 21. This festival is one of the only of it's kind because it is located right on the white sandy beached surrounded by palm trees.
Boston Calling (Boston, MA)
Notable headliners: Sia, Sufjan Stevens, Odezsa, Borns, Miike Snow, The Vaccines, City and Color, Disclosure, Haim, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, and many more.
Basic info: Boston Calling is a big party of a music festival for all ages. It offers easy access to each stage and to all of the food/beverage vendors. All three days are rain or shine events.
BottleRock Napa Valley Music Festival (Napa, CA)
Dates: May 27th-29th.
Notable headliners: Stevie Wonder, Florence + the Machine, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Grouplove, Cold War Kids, Andy Grammer, Death Cab for Cutie, Walk the Moon, Atlas Genius, The Joy Formidable, The Lumineers, Misterwives, and many more.
Basic info: This festival is promoted heavily because of the high-brow artists performing, but another large part of the festival is celebration of the best food and wine offered by Napa's greatest chefs.
Sasquatch! Festival (Gorge, WA)
Dates: May 27th-30th.
Notable headliners: Florence + the Machine, A$AP Rocky, Disclosure, Sufjan Stevens, M83, Jamie XX, Mac Demarco, Lord Huron, X Ambassadors, M. Ward, Wolf Alice, and more.
Basic info: Taking place on Memorial Day Weekend, rain or shine, the annual Sasquatch! Music Festival is a must go-to. The "internationally acclaimed concert venue" has been carved in the basalt cliffs high above the Columbia River Gorge. They also have unique camping packages for go-ers to get the prime experience.
Governor's Ball Music Festival (Randall and Island Park, NYC)
Dates: June 3rd-5th.
Notable headliners: Kanye West, The Strokes, Beck, Of Monsters and Men, Jamie XX, Matt and Kim, Bloc Party, Father John Misty, The Killers, M83, Haim, Mac Miller, Purity Ring, Lord Huron, Jon Bellion, Catfish and the Bottlemen, Misterwives, Death Cab for Cutie, Two Door Cinema Club, Chet Faker, Chvrches, and many more.
Basic info: The Governor's Ball Music Festival launched in 2011 and each year it showcases the best musicians from an array of different genres like electronica, indie, alternative, rock, hip hop, etc. There, you can find a slew of things like yard games, food trucks, visual art, etc.
Bunbury Music Festival (Cincinnati, OH)
Dates: June 3rd-5th.
Notable headliners: The Killers, Ice Cube, Florence + the Machine, Of Monsters and Men, Grimes, The Neighborhood, X Ambassadors, The Mowgli's, Foxing
Basic info: This annual festival has been known to host some of the top alternative artists and have modified their festival layout to provide a more intimate concert experience for the fans. Check the website for prohibited items and for information about lodging and available payment plans.
Bonnaroo (Manchester, TN)
Dates: June 9th-12th.
Notable headliners: Pearl Jam, J Cole, Tame Impala, Macklemore, M83, Halsey, Chvrches, Band of Horses, The Chainsmokers, Father John Misty, Purity Ring, Tyler the Creator, Two Door Cinema Club, Death Cab for Cutie, and seriously so many more,
Basic info: As one of the nations most loved and attended annual music festivals, Bonnaroo offers four of the best days ever. On average, 85,000 campers get to indulge in the provided music, art, dancing, fresh air, a mini film festival, and so much more. At Bonnaroo, festival-goers will have an array of fun, new experiences as they meet many new people.
Carolina Country Music Festival (Myrtle Beach, SC)
Dates: June 10th-12th.
Notable headliners: Tim McGraw, Keith Urban, Florida Georgia Line, Chase Rice, Cole Swindell, Chase Bryant, and more.
Basic info: This festival site spans about 18 acres of the coast side along Myrtle Beach, making it one of the most unique and scenic festivals yet. The main stage is located at the boardwalk as well.
Firefly Music Festival (Dover, Deleware)
Dates: June 16th-19th
Notable headliners: Mumford and Sons, Kings of Leon, Florence + the Machine, Deadmau5, Ellie Goulding, Disclosure, Blink-182, A$AP Rocky, M83, Tame Impala, Flogging Molly, Fetty Wap, Catfish and the Bottlemen, The 1975, Of Monsters and Men, Chvrches, Two Door Cinema Club, Ludacris, Earth Wind and Fire, Wet, and literally so many more.
Basic info: The Firefly Music Festival is one of the rare festivals that permits and encourages camping on the two provided camp grounds in order to enhance the festival atmosphere and experience. It is set "among lush wooded landscapes" and allows you to witness "unforgettable performances and engaging attractions nestled around every turn."
Electric Forest Festival (Rothbury, MI)
Dates: June 23rd-26th.
Notable headliners: Bassnectar, The String Cheese Incident, Major Lazer, Fetty Wap, and more.
Basic info: Held at the Double JJ Resort, on-site camping is not only permitted, but advised as part of the Electric Forest experience. The festival is annually a host to electronic and jam bands. People who have attended in past years swear the place is made of magic because it is so alive and rich with festival culture. Perhaps because of this, this festival started has a program called The Electric Forces Program which is an invitation for Military Veterans to experience healing and community at the annual Electric Forest music & arts festival.
Summerfest (Milwaukee, WI)
Dates: June 29th-July 3rd and July 5th-10th.
Notable Headliners: Paul McCartney, Luke Bryan, Weezer and Panic! at the Disco, Selena Gomez, Chris Stapelton and Alabama Shakes, Blake Shelton, Def Leppard, Tim McGraw, Willie Nelson, Rise Against, Passion Pit, Death Cab for Cutie, Jason Derulo, Hunter Hayes, Gavin DeGraw, Nelly, The Fray, Billy Idol, Young the Giant, Weird Al Yankovich... you get the picture... literally everyone is going to be there.
Basic info: Summerfest self-proclaims itself as the "World's Largest Summer Music Festival," and I've gotta say, it makes sense. For this festival, it would be best to look at the lineup by each individual day and decide which day passes to buy because there are too many days and too many artists. It is held on a 75 acre festival park and is sure to have every accommodation you would need because of it's size and capacity.
Forecastle Fest (Louisville, KY)
Dates: July 15th-17th.
Notable headliners: The Avett Brothers, Alabama Shakes, Death Cab for Cutie, Grouplove, Brandi Carlile, Grouplove, Dr. Dog, and many more.
Basic info: Forecastle has grown from a neighborhood event to one of the most anticipated music festivals of the summer. Forecastle promotes local artists, well-known indie and alternative artists, and the importance of outdoor recreation and creativity. They sometimes even have speakers come from prominent activist organizations.
Chicago Open Air (Bridgeview, IL)
Dates: July 15th-17th.
Notable Headliners: Chevelle, Ministry, Of Mice and Men, Devil Wears Prada, Hollywood Undead, Korn, Breaking Benjamin, Slipknot, Five Finger Death Punch, Marilyn Manson, and many more hardcore punk/rock bands.
Basic info: Aside from offering a place to see your favorite metal bands, the Chicago Open Air festival has several "experience" tents you can visit to indulge in the music scene as well as the Gourmet Man Food.
Sloss Music and Arts Festival (Birmingham, AL)
Notable headliners: Death Cab for Cutie, Ray Lamontagne, The Flaming Lips, Grouplove, Fitz and the Tantrums, Logic, Glass Animals, Dr. Dog, Sylvan Esso, JR JR, Betty Who, and many more.
Basic info: Sloss is a historic industrial site in Birmingham, a place that is sometimes referred to as the "magic city." This festival has something to offer everyone, from great live music to watching the hand-pouring of iron in the metal arts at Sloss Furnaces. All in all, this festival is a celebration of Birmingham culture.
Buzz Beach Ball (Kansas City, MO)
Dates: July 16th-17th.
Notable headliners: Alabama Shakes, Cage the Elephants, Fitz and the Tantrums, Glass Animals, Bleachers, Portugal. The Man, The Violent Femmes, The Head and the Heart, X Ambassadors, The Joy Formidable, and many more.
Basic info: The Buzz Beach Ball music festival is something that most Kansas City residents get really excited about each year. This concert festival is annually put on by KC's favorite radio station, KRBZ (96.5 The Buzz) and showcases not only local, but also very big and popular indie rock and alternative rock bands for two fun-filled summer days.
Country Jam USA Music Festival (Grand Junction, CO)
Dates: June 16th-19th.
Notable headliners: Zac Brown Band, Brad Paisley, Blake Shelton, Trace Atkins, Lee Brice, and more.
Basic info: Country Jam is an outdoor festival that caters to lovers of rock and country music. It continues to flourish as a successful annual festival because of the renown artists they continue to snag each year and because of the traditional locations they hold it in.
Panorama Music Art and Technology Fest (Randall's Island Park, NYC)
Dates: July 22nd-24th.
Notable headliners: A$AP Rocky, Alabama Shakes, Arcade Fire, Blood Orange, DJ Khaled, FKA Twigs, The Front Bottoms, Grace Potter, Kendrick Lamar, Lindsey Stirling, Major Lazer, Melanie Martinez, The National, Run the Jewels, Sia, and Sufjan Stevens.
Basic info: Many call this a "one-of-a-kind celebration." The lineup is diverse and represents a "cross-section of artists pushing musical boundaries," said Jamieson Cox from an article on The Verge.
Newport Folk Festival (Newport, RI)
Notable headliners: Flight of the Conchords, Norah Jones, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Father John Misty, Ray Lamontagne, The Staves, The Oh Hellos, and much more.
Basic info: This festival, held at Fort Adams Park, features four stages of folk and indie music, as well as food and crafts. The ways to transport back and forth are very organized and cohesive. Check out this festival for a very organic and chill festival experience.
Lollapalooza (Grant Park in Chicago, IL)
Dates: July 28th-31st.
Notable headliners: Radiohead, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, LCD Soundsystem, J Cole, Lana Del Rey, Future, Ellie Goulding, Major Lazor, Disclosure, G-Easy, The 1975, HAIM, Two Door Cinema Club, Halsey, Grimes, Bastille, Local Natives, Foals, A$AP Ferg, Daughter, City and Color, St. Lucia, Mutemath, Third Eye Blind, and many more.
Basic info: Chicago's very own Lollapalooza started in 1991 and has since flourished to become one of the most talked-about music festivals in the nation. "With 8 stages, and 170+ bands from all over the world, every Lolla lineup makes hands wave, heads nod, and crowds holler."- notes the festival's website. It is every music-lover, photographer, and artist's dream.
Outside Lands (San Fransisco, CA)
Dates: August 5th-7th.
Notable headliners: Radiohead, Lionel Richie, Lana Del Rey, LCD Soundsystem, Zedd, Sufjan Stevens, Chance the Rapper, Beach House, Miguel, Halsey, Third Eye Blind, St. Lucia, and many more.
Basic info: Like many of these other featured festivals, the music lineup at Outside Lands is just one component of the experience. Food vendors and visual artists are also celebrated. Outside Lands is a green-conscious event which directly benefits the Parks and Recreation deparment of the city of San Fransisco.
Van's Warped Tour
Notable headliners: 3OH!3, Mayday Parade, SUM41, The Maine, Good Charlotte, Waka Flaka Flame, The Story So Far, The Summer Set, State Champs, Sleeping with Sirens, and many more.
Basic info: This year's Warped Tour caters to a lot of pop punk bands, as well some heavier artists. This is a traveling rock music festival produced by Vans Off The Wall that has been gaining heavy traction since 1995. It doesn't look like it's going anywhere any time soon, either.
FYF Fest (Exposition Park, LA, CA)
Dates: August 27th-28th.
Notable headliners: Kendrick Lamar, Tame Impala, AIR, Grimes, Explosions in the Sky, Peter Bjorn and John, LCD Soundsystem, Beach House, Blood Orange, Father John Misty, Young Thug, and more.
Basic info: There are payment plans available on the website hyper linked above for the passes to this festival. FYF was founded in 2004 and has thrived because of its electrifying atmosphere.
Honorable mention to all of the following festivals that are really great, but would have been far too redundant and long-winded for me to mention previously. Please check all of these out if you're interested in more music festivals throughout the nation:
Pitchfork Festival, Rocklahoma, Fort Rock Music Festival, Eaux Claires Music Festival, Carolina Rebellion Music Festival, Free Pass Music Festival, Neon Desert, Good Vibes Music Fest, Northern Invasion Music Festival, Summerset Music Festival, Capitol Hill Block Party, Mysteryland USA, Country 500, Soundset Music Festival.
