In the last few weeks, some of our favorite music festivals in the United States have been announcing their absolutely STELLAR line-ups.
Governors Ball spread the word that icons Lizzo, Odeza, and Kendrick Lamar would be headlining their well-loved fest this year. Just before this announcement came to the forefront, Coachella announced that they would be featuring stars Bad Bunny, BLACKPINK, and Frank Ocean in the headlining slots. Even aside from those boasted about in the top line, the other featured acts are also exceptional. These festivals are sure to be a place filled with exciting sound and soul catching music.
Wherever you go, music festivals are a great time. They are a time of joy and celebration, each one capturing a different sound and vibe. Music festivals are huge in the United States. There are several major ones that take place all throughout the country. Regardless of the type of music that is your favorite, there is certainly a music festival that is out there for you.
Now comes the most difficult part: deciding which music festival to go to. There are many options, and each comes with an exciting upside. In the long run, it doesn't matter where you decide to go. You will have a great time at whatever festival you end up at!
However, when really trying to ensure that you get a triumphant ticket, it is important to know what you are getting into. We are here to help you decide. Here is a list of some of the most popular music festivals in the United States (in no particular order!) to help you plan your upcoming musical concert adventures.
1. Coachella
Coachella is without a doubt one of the most well known music festivals in the country, and it is a celebration of just that: music. The festival features acts from all different genres. The spirit of art and creativity bursts from every corner of the electric fest. This makes sense for the festival was founded with this very spirit in mind. The band Pearl Jam started the festival after getting mad at TicketMaster for exploiting fans (some things never change, right?) Now the California set festival celebrates not only music but all different kinds of art. Coachella is held over two weekends in April. This year, it will be held on April 14-16 and April 21-23.
2. Governors Ball
Governors Ball, affectionately nicknamed Gov Ball, is a New York City based music festival that annually showcases sensational artists and brings people together with the power of music. The festival started back in 2011 and, for the past 12 years, has brought in incredible, crowd capturing talents from across limitless genres. Not only is there a diversity of music, but there is a delicious and unparalleled selection of amazing food available at Gov Ball. When you have all of NYC to pull from, you can be sure the food is out of this world. This year, the festival will take place in Flushing Meadows Park. It will take place from June 9th to June 11th.
3. Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival
Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival, is a thrilling and celebratory time in Tennessee. Of course, the festival sports brilliant musical artists. At this year's festival, those attending can plan to jam out to iconic headliners including Zeds Dead, Liquid Stranger, Kendrick Lamar, Odesza, and Foo Fighters. Aside from the musical, this festival is known for its ACTIVITIES! At Bonnaroo, participants can check out the camp ground, parades, yoga, rides, markets, and more. If you are looking for an all-encompassing experience, Bonnaroo may be the festival for you. This year, it will be held from June 15th to 18th.
4. Lollapallooza
A Chicago based music festival, Lollapallooza has been bringing joy and music to audiences since 1991. After 32 years, music lovers can be sure that this festival knows how to hit that euphoric energy that only an excellent music festival can truly capture. While the festival covers an expansive range of genres, its focus is more pointedly on alternative rock, heavy metal, punk rock, hip hop, and electronic dance music. It started as a touring festival but has since found it's home at Grant Park in the wonderful windy city. However, it still maintains a traveling component. The festival is traveling to India this year in just a few short weeks on January 28th and 29th. This overseas experience will feature acts such as Imagine Dragons and The Strokes. While we do not yet know who is headlining the Chicago Lollapallooza, we know it will be held from August 3rd to August 6th.
5. Ultra Music Festival
Ultra Music Festival is one of the most quickly approaching events of 2023. This music festival will be held at the end of March in Miami, Florida. While the other festivals tend to showcase a more expansive range of different genres, Ultra Music Festival specifically celebrates Electronic music. If EDM is your thing, this might just be the number one festival choice for you. It has been one of the top Electronic Music Festivals since its festival launch in 1999. This year's festivities will feature Adam Beyer & Cirez D, Afrojack, David Guetta, and more. This year's Ultra Music Festival will take place on March 24th, 25th, and 26th of this year.
6. Pitchfork Music Festival
Pitchfork Music Festival is yet another Chicago set reason to gather, celebrate, and dance. This is yet another music festival that features a range of different musical styles. If you live near Chicago, it is surely a summer filled with music. Pitchfork Music Festival takes place in July, While the official 2023 dates have not yet been set, a rough guestimation suggests that this year's festival will take place from July 14th to July 16th. The festival began back in 2011, and it has featured incredible headliners such as The National, Mitski, and The Roots. We are sure that this year's festival will bring the same thrilling excitement.
7. Austin City Limits Music Festival
The Austin City Limits Music Festival takes place in, you guessed it, Austin, Texas. This multi-weekend event consistently pulls in an exceptional line-up, making it an unforgettable weekend for all who can attend. The 2023 line-up has not yet been announced, but 2022 featured acts from Paramore, Lil Nas X, Flume, Sza, and more. While most of the music festivals on this list seem to take place in the earlier parts of the year or the summer, the Austin City Limits Music Festival is a fall activity. It covers multiple weekends in October. The 2023 festival will be held on the weekends of October 6th-8th and October 13th-15th.
8. New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is another that has been so named after where it takes place. This New Orleans set festival celebrates the town through ten days of crafts, food, and, of course, music. While it is deemed the Jazz festival, it actually features an array of music from different artists. The upcoming 2023 festival will feature Dead & Company, Ed Sheeran, Lizzo, Mumford & Sons, The Lumineers, Santana, Jon Batiste, Jill Scott, and many others. This year's New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival will take place from April 28th-30th and from May 4th - May 7th.
We hope you find your way to any or all of the music festivals that you are able to. Regardless of where you end up, we hope that your year is filled with music, art, and joy. Happy listening!
