Hell, this year might be the last year for America, so see some of the continent’s festivals while you still can. See last year’s Festival Guide
Updated continuously throughout the year with new acts, dates, festivals & coverage
| January & February |
March | April | May | June |
| July | August | September | October | November & December |
January & February
What: Girls Just Wanna Weekend
Where: Riviera Maya, Mexico
When: January 8-12
Who: Brandi Carlile, Janelle Monáe, Sarah McLachlan, Lucius, Allison Russsell, Celisse, KT Tunstall, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Brandy Clark, Kim Richey, and more
Why: Alt-country star Brandi Carlile throws her own weekend party in Mexico for the girls who just wanna.
Web: girlsjustwannaweekend.com
What: Crash My Playa
Where: Riviera Cancun, Mexico
When: January 17-20
Who: Luke Bryan, Dierks Bentley, Eddie Montgomery, Jelly Roll, Jon Pardi, and more
Why: Luke Bryan Crashes My Playa down Mexico way.
Web: crashmyplaya.com
What: RokIsland
Where: Key West, FL
When: January 17-20
Who: Night Ranger, Bret Michaels, Stone Temple Pilots, Tom Keifer, Don Felder, Buckcherry, Dee Snider, Mr. Big, Lit, Winger, Jefferson Starship, L.A. Guns, Bowling For Soup, and more
Why: Start your year by Rokking in Key West.
Web: www.rokislandfest.com
What: Wintersong
Where: Stouffville, ON, Canada
When: January 19-20
Who: Wintersleep, Mother Tongues, Pony Girl, and more
Why: Enjoy a Wintersong in the Great White North.
Web: wintersong.ca
What: Groove Cruise
Where: Miami, FL to Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas
When: January 24-28
Who: Tiësto, Diplo, John Summit, and more
Why: Take a Cruise, enjoy the Groove.
Web: www.groovecruise.com
What: The Rock Boat
Where: Miami, FL to Great Stirrup Bay, Bahamas to Costa Maya, Mexico
When: January 30 – February 4
Who: Young the Giant, The Struts, Bowling For Soup, Lit, KT Tunstall, Jon Foreman, Red Wanting Blue, Susto, Drivin’ n Cryin’, and more
Why: Do Rock the Boat.
Web: www.therockboat.com
What: GroundUP
Where: Miami Beach, FL
When: February 2-4
Who: Snarky Puppy, Grupo Afrocuba, Los Muñequitos de Matanzas, and more
Why: Hit Miami Beach from the Ground UP.
Web: www.groundupmusicfestival.com
What: Homesick
Where: San Francisco, CA
When: February 2-3
Who: Superchunk, julie, SPELLLING, Fucked Up, and more
Why: Regency Ballroom gets Homesick.
Web: www.axs.com/series/20628/6th-annual-homesick-festival-featuring-julie-spellling-and-superchunk-tickets?skin=goldenvoice
What: Tucson Gem & Jam
Where: Tucson, AZ
When: February 2-4
Who: Of the Trees, The Disco Biscuits, Lettuce, Andy Frasco & The U.N., Boogie T, Spafford, Daily Bread, LP Giobbi, The Main Squeeze, and more
Why: Spin some beats & groove some jams while you look at some gems.
Web: gemandjamfestival.com
What: Mardi Gras at Universal
Where: Orlando, FL
When: February 3 – April 7
Who: Walker Hayes, The All-American Rejects, Nesa Barrett, KC & The Sunshine Band, Barenaked Ladies, DJ Khaled, Ava Max, Queen Latifah, Zedd, and more
Why: Celebrate Mardi Gras at Universal Studios Florida.
Web: www.universalorlando.com/mardigras
What: Outlaw Country Cruise
Where: Miami, FL to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic to San Juan, PR
When: February 4-10
Who: Blackberry Smoke, Lucinda Williams, Steve Earle, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Nikki Lane, 49 Winchester, Shinyribs, Drivin’ n Cryin’, Los Straijackets, Jim Lauderdale, Dale Watson, and more
Why: Outlaw Country heads to the high seas.
Web: www.outlawcountrycruise.com
What: Shiprocked
Where: Miami, FL to Bimini, Bahamas to Ocho Rios, Jamaica to Grand Cayman
When: February 4-10
Who: I Prevail, Killswitch Engage, Beartooth, Highly Suspect, Code Orange, Badflower, Black Stone Cherry, Dorothy, and more
Why: Rock hard. Vacation harder.
Web: www.shiprocked.com
What: Cali Vibes
Where: Long Beach, CA
When: February 16-18
Who: Gwen Stefani, Stick Figure, Slightly Stoopid, Rebelution, Damian & Stephen Marley, Sublime with Rome, Ice Cub, Iration, Wiz Khalifa, The Roots, Shaggy, Sean Paul, Soja, The Interrupters, Tribal Seeds, The Pharcyde, Skip Marley, and more
Why: The Vibes are so Cali.
Web: www.calivibesfest.com
What: Gasparilla
Where: Tampa, FL
When: February 16-18
Who: Louis the Child, Young the Giant, Lake Street Dive, Christone ‘Kingfish’ Ingram, Coin, Surf Mesa, Digable Planets, Yonder Mountain String Band, and more
Why: Southern Florida gets a nice early fest (that’s never canceled). Read & see more in QRO’s 2022 recap here
Web: gasparillamusic.com
What: Vibra Urbana
Where: Miami, FL
When: February 17-18
Who: Anuel AA, Rauw Alejandro, Ivy Queen, Young Miko, and more
Why: America’s biggest reggaeton festival.
Web: vibraurbanafest.com
What: Noise Pop
Where: San Francisco, CA
When: February 22 – March 3
Who: Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Snail Mail, The Mountain Goats, Black Belt Eagle Scout, Cherry Glazerr, Alessandro Cortini, Cherry Glazerr, Dehd, Califone, Snail Mail, The Mountain Goats, Ultra Q, Narrow Head, Cadence Weapon, Alice Glass, Jacqures Greene b2b Nosaj Thing, Laetitia Sadier, Mark Sultan BBQ, The Reds, Pinks & Purples, Mount Eerie, and more
Why: Venues across San Francisco have a nice line-up of acts from the hottest in today’s indie-rock to ultra-vets & in between.
Web: noisepopfest.com
What: Innings
Where: Tempe, AZ
When: February 23-24
Who: Red Hot Chili Peppers, Hozier, Macklemore, Greta Van Fleet, Jimmy Eat World, Third Eye Blind, Young the Giant, 311, Phantogram, Cautious Clay, Miya Folick, Matt & Kim, Bully, The Beaches, Taipei Houston, and more
Why: Spring Training in Arizona gets its own music festival.
Web: www.inningsfestival.com/arizona
What: Palm Tree – Aspen
Where: Aspen, CO
When: February 23-24
Who: David Guetta, The Chainsmokers, Kygo, Harry Hudson, and more
Why: Palm Tree – in Aspen?
Web: www.palmtreemusicfestival.com/festival/ptc-aspen
What: Skyline
Where: Los Angeles, CA
When: February 24-25
Who: Adam Ten, Camelphat, Carl Cox, Chris Lake, LP Giobbi, and more
Why: DJs play to the Skyline.
Web: skylinefest.com
What: Emo’s Not Dead Cruise
Where: Miami, FL to Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas
When: February 26 – March 1
Who: Yellowcard, Sleeping With Sirens, Mayday Parade, Story of the Year, August Burns Red, Senses Fail, The Devil Wears Parada, Charlotte Sands, and more
Why: Emo takes to the high seas.
Web: www.emosnotdeadcruise.com
What: Houston Livestock
Where: Houston, TX
When: February 27 – March 17
Who: Blake Shelton, Carly Pearce, For King & Country, 50 Cent, Hardy, Ivan Cornejo, Hank Williams Jr., Jelly Roll, Luke Bryan, Major Lazer, Whiskey Myers, Bun B, Nickelback, Zac Brown Band, Jonas Brothers, Brad Paisley, Eric Church, and more
Why: Have some music with your steers.
Web: www.rodeohouston.com
What: Florida Strawberry
Where: Plant City, FL
When: February 28 – March 10
Who: The Oak Ridge Boys, Oliver Anthony, The Beach Boys, Jordan Davis, Black Eyed Peas, Parker McCollum, The Bellamy Brothers, ZZ Top, Mark Lowry, Zach Williams, Craig Morgan, Riley Green, Gene Watson, Kirk Franklin, The Commodores, Foreigner, Jo Dee Messina, Flo Rida, Cody Johnson, and more
Why: Enjoy the sweet taste – and sound – of Florida’s strawberries.
Web: flstrawberryfestival.com
March
What: Mardi Gras at Universal
Where: Orlando, FL
When: February 3 – April 7
Who: Walker Hayes, The All-American Rejects, Nesa Barrett, KC & The Sunshine Band, Barenaked Ladies, DJ Khaled, Ava Max, Queen Latifah, Zedd, and more
Why: Celebrate Mardi Gras at Universal Studios Florida.
Web: www.universalorlando.com/mardigras
What: Noise Pop
Where: San Francisco, CA
When: February 22 – March 3
Who: Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Snail Mail, The Mountain Goats, Black Belt Eagle Scout, Cherry Glazerr, Alessandro Cortini, Cherry Glazerr, Dehd, Califone, Snail Mail, The Mountain Goats, Ultra Q, Narrow Head, Cadence Weapon, Alice Glass, Jacqures Greene b2b Nosaj Thing, Laetitia Sadier, Mark Sultan BBQ, The Reds, Pinks & Purples, Mount Eerie, and more
Why: Venues across San Francisco have a nice line-up of acts from the hottest in today’s indie-rock to ultra-vets & in between.
Web: noisepopfest.com
What: Emo’s Not Dead Cruise
Where: Miami, FL to Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas
When: February 26 – March 1
Who: Yellowcard, Sleeping With Sirens, Mayday Parade, Story of the Year, August Burns Red, Senses Fail, The Devil Wears Parada, Charlotte Sands, and more
Why: Emo takes to the high seas.
Web: www.emosnotdeadcruise.com
What: Houston Livestock
Where: Houston, TX
When: February 27 – March 17
Who: Blake Shelton, Carly Pearce, For King & Country, 50 Cent, Hardy, Ivan Cornejo, Hank Williams Jr., Jelly Roll, Luke Bryan, Major Lazer, Whiskey Myers, Bun B, Nickelback, Zac Brown Band, Jonas Brothers, Brad Paisley, Eric Church, and more
Why: Have some music with your steers.
Web: www.rodeohouston.com
What: Florida Strawberry
Where: Plant City, FL
When: February 28 – March 10
Who: The Oak Ridge Boys, Oliver Anthony, The Beach Boys, Jordan Davis, Black Eyed Peas, Parker McCollum, The Bellamy Brothers, ZZ Top, Mark Lowry, Zach Williams, Craig Morgan, Riley Green, Gene Watson, Kirk Franklin, The Commodores, Foreigner, Jo Dee Messina, Flo Rida, Cody Johnson, and more
Why: Enjoy the sweet taste – and sound – of Florida’s strawberries.
Web: flstrawberryfestival.com
What: Cayamo
Where: Miami, FL to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic to Oranjestad, Aruba
When: March 1-8
Who: Lyle Lovett, Lake Street Dive, The Mavericks, Billy Bragg, Rodney Crowell, Shawn Colvin, Lucius, Buddy Miller, The Lone Bellow, KT Tunstall, Nikki Lane, Langhorne Slim, Hiss Golden Messenger, Shawn Mullins, The War and Treaty, Mipso, Jenny Owen Youngs, and more
Why: A journey through song (and water).
Web: www.cayamo.com
What: Extra Innings
Where: Tempe, AZ
When: March 1
Who: Chris Stapleton, Dave Matthews Band, Noah Kahan, Turnpike Troubadours, Ryan Bingham, Sheryl Crow, Morgan Wade, Elle King, Gin Blossoms, Larkin Poe, Charley Crockett, Shane Smith, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Larkin Poe, Donavon Frankenreiter, Kaitlin Butts, and more
Why: Spring Training in Arizona gets its own, second music festival. See much more in photo gallery here
Web: www.inningsfestival.com/extra
What: M3F
Where: Phoenix, AZ
When: March 1-2
Who: Lane 8, Gorgon City, Elderbrook, Dominic Fike, SG Lewis, Duke Dumont, Dayglow, Hippo Campus, Arlo Parks, and more
Why: Phoenix gets an early festival – all for charity.
Web: www.m3ffest.com
What: Winter Wondergrass Colorado
Where: Steamboat Springs, CO
When: March 1-3
Who: The Dead South, The Infamous Stringdusters, Paul Cauthen, Sierra Ferrell, Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, Kitchen Dwellers, Andy Frasco & The U.N., and more
Why: Embrace the Wonderful bluegrass sounds in Colorado.
Web: winterwondergrass.com/steamboat
What: CRSSD – Spring
Where: San Diego, CA
When: March 2-3
Who: Armand Van Helden, Black Coffee, Richie Hawtin, and more
Why: Spinning up a strong electronic festival at San Diego’s Waterfront Park. Read much more in our 2017 recap here
Web: crssdfest.com
What: Freakout
Where: Seattle, WA
When: March 2-3
Who: Fuzz, Boogarins, Nick Waterhouse, Plague Vendor, Levitation Room, and more
Why: Freakout in Seattle.
Web: www.the-freakout.com
What: Monsters of Rock Cruise
Where: Miami, FL to Jamaica to Bahamas
When: March 2-7
Who: Joe Satriani, Ace Frehley, The Darkness, Winger, Queensrÿche, Quiet Riot, and more
Why: Aging Rock Monsters take a Cruise.
Web: monstersofrockcruise.com
What: New Colossus
Where: New York, NY
When: March 6-10
Who: Big Bliss, CHAII, Ducks Ltd., FRANKIIE, Moon Walker, Phantom Wave, POSTDATA, RIP Dunes, Ultra Q, and more
Why: For all the up-and-comers looking to be found who are in NYC the weekend before SXSW (see below). Read & see much more in our big recap here
Web: www.newcolossusfestival.com
What: Pitchfork Mexico
Where: Mexico City, Mexico
When: March 6-9
Who: The Smile, Big Thief, Bon Iver, Kelela, Weyes Blood, Alvvays, Perfume Genius, King Krule, Koffee, Killer Mike, Snail Mail, Leikel47, Nation of Language, Panda Bear, JPEGMafia, Hurray For the Riff Raff, Sonic Boom, Julia Jacklin, Youth Lagoon, Charlotte Adigery & Bolis Pupul, Mdou Moctar, illuminati hotties, Black Belt Eagle Scout, and more
Why: The mother of all online indie music magazines heads down Mexico way. See much more in our photo gallery of this year’s Pitchfork America here
Web: pitchforkmusicfestival.com
What: Illfest
Where: Austin, TX
When: March 9-10
Who: Rezz, Black Tiger Sex Machine, Sidepiece, Dab the Sky, Dr. Fresch, Bonnie x Clyde, Canabliss, and more
Why: Get Ill in Austin.
Web: www.illfest.com
What: Jazz In the Gardens
Where: Miami Gardens, FL
When: March 9-10
Who: Summer Walker, Maxwell, Davido, Jazmine Sullivan, Babyface, Jeezy, and more
Why: The largest black city in Florida goes big with its latest Jazz In the Gardens. See much more in our photo gallery of last year here
Web: www.jazzinthegardens.com
What: Slide Away – Philadelphia
Where: Philadelphia, PA
When: March 9
Who: Nothing, Swirlies, and more
Why: Shoegaze comes to Philly.
Web: www.slideaway.co
What: South-by-Southwest
Where: Austin, TX
When: March 11-16
Who: More than you count
Why: Still the bar by which all other of the other music industry expos are judged by – and still the best, finally returning. Read more in our recap here
Web: sxsw.com
What: SXM
Where: St. Martin
When: March 11-18
Who: Adam Ten, Doc Martin, Eli & Fur, Loco Dice, Sebastien Roche, Vintage Culture, and more
Why: Electronic music in the Caribbean.
Web: www.sxmfestival.com
What: American Songbook
Where: Lincoln Center, New York, NY
When: March 12 – April 12
Who: Nona Hendryx, Justin Vivian Bond, Indigo Girls, and more
Why: Pretty much the classiest venue out there, Lincoln Center celebrates American songwriting at Appel Room (as well as Alice Tully Hall). See our venue review & photos of Lincoln Center’s Appel Room here
Web: www.americansongbook.org
What: Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea
Where: Miami, FL to Cozumel, Mexico
When: March 13-18
Who: Joe Bonamassa, Grace Potter, The Marshall Tucker Band, John Oates, Jimmy Vivino, Jackie Venson, and more
Why: Keeping the Blues Alive – at Sea.
Web: www.bluesaliveatsea.com
What: Reggae Rise Up – Florida
Where: St. Petersburg, FL
When: March 14-17
Who: Rebelution, Slightly Stoopid, Damian Marley, Stephen Marley, Dirty Heads, SOJA, Iration, Lupe Fiasco, and more
Why: Reggae Rises Up in Florida.
Web: reggaeriseup.com/florida
What: Rolling Loud California
Where: Inglewood, CA
When: March 15-17
Who: ¥$ (Ye + Ty Dolla $ign), Nicki Minaj, Post Malone, Future x Metro Boomin, Don Toliver, $uicideboy$, YG & Tyga, Party Next Door, Summer Walker, Bryson Tiller, Ski Mask the Slump God, Big Sean, Ty Dolla $ign, Rae Sremmurd, Lil Tecca, Chief Keef, NLE Choppa, and many more
Why: Hollywood Park is Rolling Loud with this stacked hip-hop line-up.
Web: www.rollingloud.com
What: Shamrock Rebellion – California
Where: Silverado, CA
When: March 16
Who: Flogging Molly, Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls, Buzzcocks, Face To Face, and more
Why: Flogging Molly throw their own Rebellion.
Web: www.shamrockrebellion.com
What: Shamrock Rebellion – Las Vegas
Where: Las Vegas, NV
When: March 17
Who: Flogging Molly, Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls, Buzzcocks, Face To Face, and more
Why: Flogging Molly throw their own Rebellion.
Web: www.shamrockrebellion.com
What: Treefort
Where: Boise, ID
When: March 20-24
Who: Marc Maron, Channel Tres, Briston Maroney, Ty Segall, K.Flay, Neko Case, Dawes & Lucius, Devendra Banhart, Dehd, Built To Spill, Armand Hammer, Patrick Watson, A Place To Bury Stranges, Shamir, Miya Folick, The National Parks, The Moss, Madi Diaz, Pokey LaFarge, Deap Vally, San Cisco, CMAT, Marnie Stern, Delicate Steve, San Fermin, Mary Timony, Ducks Ltd., Torres, El Perro Del Mar, Rosie Tucker, Liza Anne, and more
Why: Go to your own private Idaho for Treefort.
Web: treefortmusicfest.com
What: Big Ears
Where: Knoxville, TN
When: March 21-24
Who: Herbie Hancock, André 3000, Jon Batiste, Rhiannon Giddens, Laurie Anderson, Digable Planets, Mavi, Jon Medeski, Joe Russo, Marc Ribot, Aoife O’Donovan, Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, Kurt Vile & The Violators, Beth Orton, Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy, Kronos Quartet, Steve Keene, and more
Why: Knoxville’s super-classy high art music festival returns. Read & see more in our 2015 recap here
Web: www.bigearsfestival.com
What: Estereo Picnic
Where: Bogota, Columbia
When: March 21-24
Who: Paramore, SZA, Feid, blink-182, Arcade Fire, Placebo, Sam Smith, Limp Bizkit, Hozier, Greta Van Fleet, M.I.A., The Offspring, Grupo Frontera, Phoenix, Thirty Seconds To Mars, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, Black Coffee, James Blake, Rina Sawayama, ZHU, Arca, The Blessed Madonna, Jaden, Yves Tumor, Poolside, Four Tet, Floating Points, Future Islands, Omar Apollo, Nothing But Thieves, and more
Why: A killer line-up down in Columbia.
Web: www.festivalestereopicnic.com
What: Beyond Wonderland
Where: San Bernadino, CA
When: March 22-23
Who: A-Trak, Afrojack, Alesso, Andy C, Benny Benassi, Black Tiger Sex Machine, Chris Lorenzo, Diesel, Dillon Francis, Infected Mushroom, J. Worra, Joyryde, Kill the Noise, Madeon, Slander, Subtronics, Sullivan King, The Chainsmokers, Wax Motif, Whethan, Zeds Dead, and more
Why: Can’t we get Beyond Wonderland?
Web: socal.beyondwonderland.com
What: On the Mountain
Where: Hunter Mountain, NY
When: March 22-24
Who: Local Natives, Gus Dapperton, Rubblebucket, Salt Cathedral, Fat Tony, Toledo, and more
Why: Wild Honey Pie heads up On the Mountain.
Web: www.eventbrite.com/e/on-the-mountain-4-tickets-801666284437
What: Ultra
Where: Miami, FL
When: March 22-24
Who: Adam Beyer, Afrojack, Armin Van Buuren, Black Tiger Sex Machine, Calvin Harris, Camelphat, Chase and Status, David Guetta, Dubfire, Elderbrook, Eric Prydz, Excision, Gryffin, Fisher, Chris Lake, Hardwell, San Holo, Martin Garrix, Nin Kraviz, Nore En Pure, Oliver Heldens, John Digweed, Seven Lions, Slander, Steve Aoki, Tiësto, Vintage Culture, Zeds Dead, Andy C, ARMNHMR, Eli & Fur, Orbital, Sub Focus, and more
Why: Downtown Miami throws down the beats with America’s best electro-dance festival. See more in our 2012 photo gallery here
Web: www.ultramusicfestival.com
What: Savannah Music
Where: Savannah, GA
When: March 28 – April 13
Who: Rosanne Cash, Ricky Skaggs, Amy Helm, Tony Trischka, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys, Madison Cunningham, Tinsley Ellis, Samara Joy, Oumou Sangaré, Futurebirds, Juana Molina, T. Hardy Morris, and more
Why: Head down to the Trustees’ Garden in Savannah.
Web: www.savannahmusicfestival.org
What: Tecate Pa’l Norte
Where: Monterrey, Mexico
When: March 29-31
Who: Kendrick Lamar, Peso Pluma, Keane, Alemán, Bad Religion, Belanova, Bomba Estéreo, Infected Mushroom, The Vaccines, Young the Giant, Cimafunk, Highly Suspect, and more
Why: Rock Fundidora Park in Monterrey, Mexico (and have beer…).
Web: www.palnorte.com.mx
What: Slide Away – Los Angeles
Where: Philadelphia, PA
When: March 30
Who: Nothing, Tanukichan, Film School, and more
Why: Shoegaze comes to Los Angeles.
Web: www.slideaway.co
What: Psalm City – Texas
Where: Sugarland, TX
When: March 31
Who: Nathaniel Bassey, Moses Bliss, Limo Blaze, and more
Why: Do you like gospel music?
Web: www.dukeconcept.com/psalmcityfest
April
What: Mardi Gras at Universal
Where: Orlando, FL
When: February 3 – April 7
Who: Walker Hayes, The All-American Rejects, Nesa Barrett, KC & The Sunshine Band, Barenaked Ladies, DJ Khaled, Ava Max, Queen Latifah, Zedd, and more
Why: Celebrate Mardi Gras at Universal Studios Florida.
Web: www.universalorlando.com/mardigras
What: American Songbook
Where: Lincoln Center, New York, NY
When: March 12 – April 12
Who: Nona Hendryx, Justin Vivian Bond, Indigo Girls, and more
Why: Pretty much the classiest venue out there, Lincoln Center celebrates American songwriting at Appel Room (as well as Alice Tully Hall). See our venue review & photos of Lincoln Center’s Appel Room here
Web: www.americansongbook.org
What: Savannah Music
Where: Savannah, GA
When: March 28 – April 13
Who: Rosanne Cash, Ricky Skaggs, Amy Helm, Tony Trischka, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys, Madison Cunningham, Tinsley Ellis, Samara Joy, Oumou Sangaré, Futurebirds, Juana Molina, T. Hardy Morris, and more
Why: Head down to the Trustees’ Garden in Savannah.
Web: www.savannahmusicfestival.org
What: Midland: The Last Resort Cruise
Where: Miami, FL to Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas
When: April 1-5
Who: Midland, Orville Peck, Hayes Carll, Madeline Edwards, Jaime Wyatt, and more
Why: Midland has their own non-land cruise.
Web: www.midlandcruise.com
What: Mission Creek
Where: Iowa City, IA
When: April 4-6
Who: Neko Case, Hanie Abdurraoir, Osees, Indigo de Souza, George Clanton, SG Goodman, Armand Hammer, Sunny War, and more
Why: Iowa City kicks if off early with some interesting names.
Web: missioncreekfestival.com
What: One Big Holiday
Where: Riviera Maya, Mexico
When: April 4-8
Who: My Morning Jacket, The War On Drugs, Courtney Barnett, The Walkmen, Alvvays, Angel Olsen, Poolside, Futurebirds, Shabazz Palaces, and more
Why: My Morning Jacket throws it’s own One Big Holiday.
Web: mmjonebigholiday.com
What: Eclipse Utopia
Where: Burnet, TX
When: April 5-9
Who: Ghostland Observatory, The Texas Gentlemen, Sir Woman, Matthew Logan Vasquez, Toubab Krewe, Son Little, Mixer Rogers, and more
Why: Head to catch the Eclipse in Utopia. Read & see much more in our recap here
Web: www.utopiafest.com
What: Hogs For a Cause
Where: New Orleans, LA
When: April 5-6
Who: Band of Horses, Shane Smith & The Saints, The Record Company, and more
Why: Some hogs (and music) for a cause.
Web: hogsfest.org
What: On the Blue Cruise
Where: Miami, FL to Puerto Plata, Mexico to Costa Maya, Mexico
When: April 5-10
Who: Justin Hayward, The Zombies, Alan Parson, Starship, Uriah Heep, and more
Why: A Cruise On the Blue.
Web: onthebluecruise.com
What: Rendezvous
Where: Jackson Hole, WI
When: April 5-6
Who: The Head and The Heart, Mt. Joy, and more
Why: Free concerts Rendezvous in Jackson Hole.
Web: www.jacksonhole.com/rendezvous
What: Springing the Blues
Where: Jacksonville Beach, FL
When: April 5-7
Who: Tab Benoit, Vanessa Collier, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Robert Jon & The Wreck, Bywater Call, JP Soars Gypsy Blue Revue, and more
Why: Springing the Blues in Jacksonville.
Web: www.springingtheblues.com
What: Texas Eclipse
Where: Burnet, TX
When: April 5-9
Who: Big Gigantic, Boogie T, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, Oteil and Friends, STS9, Sunsquabi, The Disco Biscuits, The Floozies, The String Cheese Incident, Tycho, Vulfpeck, Barclay Crenshaw, Subtronics, Tipper, Zeds Dead, LP Giobbi, and more
Why: Catch the Eclipse over Texas.
Web: seetexaseclipse.com
What: Tortuga
Where: Ft. Lauderdale, FL
When: April 5-7
Who: Lainey Wilson, Hardy, Jason Aldean, Old Dominion, Bailey Zimmerman, Ashley McBryde, Turnpike Troubadours, Bret Michaels, Teddy Swims, Boyz II Men, TLC, Michael Franti & Spearhead, and more
Why: For spring break, go country & more in Ft. Lauderdale. See much more in our photo gallery here
Web: www.tortugamusicfestival.com
What: Winter Wondergrass Tahoe
Where: Tahoe, CA
When: April 5-7
Who: Sierra Ferrell, The Devil Makes Three, Paul Cauthen, The Infamous Stringdusters, Kitchen Dwellers, Andy Frasco & The U.N., Sierra Hull, The Lil Smokies, and more
Why: Enjoy a Wonder(grass)ful Winter in Tahoe.
Web: winterwondergrass.com/tahoe
What: Dreamville
Where: Raleigh, NC
When: April 6-7
Who: SZA, Christ Brown, J. Cole, Nicki Minaj, Rema, J.I.D., Lil Yachty, Jeezy, Schoolboy Q, Rae Sremurd, Earthgang, Teezo Touchdown, and more
Why: Dream(ing) in Raleigh(ville).
Web: www.dreamvillefest.com
What: Ravinia
Where: Highland Park, IL
When: April 6 – November 16
Who: Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, James Taylor, O.A.R., Indigo Girls, Melissa Etheridge, Gipsy Kings, Hauser, Fitz & The Tantrums, Kronos Quartet, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Violent Femmes, Little Feat, Los Lobos, Roger Daltrey, Clint Black, Lyle Lovett, Daryl Hall, Elvis Costello & The Imposters, The Beach Boys, John Stamos, Norah Jones, Mavis Staples, Victor Wooten, Robert Glasper, The Roots, Samara Joy, ZZ Top, Lynyrd Skynyrd, TLC, Shaggy, Tom Jones, Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit, Crowded House, and many more
Why: Ravinia Park welcomes great outdoor shows all summer long.
Web: www.ravinia.org
What: Psalm City – Washington
Where: Washington, D.C.
When: April 6
Who: Nathaniel Bassey, Moses Bliss, Limo Blaze, and more
Why: Do you like gospel music?
Web: www.dukeconcept.com/psalmcityfest
What: Scenario
Where: Los Angeles, CA
When: April 9-11
Who: Carlos Niño, R.A.P. Ferreira, Daddy Kev, and more
Why: DIY music conference in L.A.
Web: scenario24.com
What: French Quarter
Where: New Orleans, LA
When: April 11-14
Who: Ivan Neville, Big Freedia, Irma Thomas, Teedra Moses, John Boutté, and more
Why: Nobody does music or festivals like the French Quarter. Read & see more in our 2016 recap here
Web: frenchquarterfest.org
What: Coachella
Where: Indio, CA
When: April 12-14 & 19-21
Who: Lana Del Rey, Tyler the Creator, Doja Cat, No Doubt, J Balvin, Blur, Pseo Pluma, Lil Uzi Vert, Ice Spice, Jhené Aiko, Khruangbin, Desaffelstein, Lil Uzi Vert, Justice, Sublime, Lil Yachty, John Summit, Jungle, Deftones, Grimes, Jon Batiste, The Rose, AP Dhillon, Charlotte de Witte, Sabrina Carpenter, Steve Angello, The Drums, Reneé Rapp, Bebe Rexha, Skream & Benga, Skepta, Faye Webster, Orbital, Coi Leray, Tacking Back Sunday, Gorgon City, L’Impétraice, The Aquabats, Boy Harsher, The Blessed Madonna, Brittany Howard, The Japanese House, BLOND:ISH, Oneohtrix Point Never, Mdou Moctar, Young Fathers, The Beths, Neil Frances, The Last Dinner Party, and many, many more
Why: The biggest & best festival has grown so big as to have a second weekend. See much more in our 2012 photo gallery here
Web: www.coachella.com
What: Decibel Metal & Beer
Where: Philadelphia, PA
When: April 12-13
Who: Biohazard, Deicide, Dying Fetus, Crowbar, and more
Why: Turn it up to eleven for this metal fest at The Fillmore Philadelphia.
Web: www.decibelmagazine.com/events/metalandbeerfest
What: Moon Crush
Where: Miramar Beach, FL
When: April 18-21
Who: Lake Street Dive, Marcus King, The Revivalists, Noah Kahan, The Head and The Heart, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Charley Crockett, Dawes, Red Clay Strays, Larkin Poe, The Wood Brothers, Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors, and more
Why: Livestream platform Topeka launches a safely connected music festival that we all need right now.
Web: www.mooncrush.live
What: Dark Force
Where: Parsippany, NJ
When: April 19-21
Who: Stabbing Westward, Nitzer Ebb, and more
Why: Goth-industrial in the most industrial goth state in the union.
Web: darkforcefest.com
What: High Water
Where: North Charleston, SC
When: April 20-21
Who: Noah Kahan, Hozier, The Flaming Lips, Fleet Foxes, Shovels & Rope, Grace Potter, The Wallflowers, Courtney Barnett, The Walkmen, Briston Maroney, Houndmouth, Olivia Jean, The Linda Lindas, Kevin Morby, The Heavy Heavy, and more
Why: Wash ashore the high waters of Charleston. See much more in our photo gallery here
Web: www.highwaterfest.com
What: Sweetwater 420
Where: Atlanta, GA
When: April 20-21
Who: Beck, Slightly Stoopid, Big Gigantic, Black Pumas, Gov’t Mule, Trombone Shorty, Cory Wong, Grace Potter, moe., St. Paul & The Broken Bones, Larkin Poe, Houndmouth, Ripe, Andy Frasco & The U.N., Hayes & The Heathens, Little Stranger, Papadosio, and more
Why: 4-20 (and more) – Sweet! See much more in our 2022 photo gallery here
Web: www.sweetwater420fest.com
What: Two Step Inn
Where: Georgetown, TX
When: April 20-21
Who: Cody Johnson, Turnpike Troubadours, Hank Williams Jr., Ryan Bingham, Colter Wall, Martina McBride, Clint Black, Charley Crockett, Lee Ann Womack, Megan Moroney, Ludacris, Sierra Ferrell, 49 Winchester, and more
Why: Do the Texas Two Step (Inn).
Web: www.twostepinn.com
What: Live In the Vineyard
Where: Napa, CA
When: April 23-25
Who: Scott McCreery, Sara Evans, Rodney Atkins, Locash, and more
Why: Country comes to the Napa Valley.
Web: www.liveinthevineyard.com/litvgc
What: Launch
Where: Lancaster, PA
When: April 25-28
Who: The After Hours, Maggie Miles, Makena Tate, Juliana Hale, and more
Why: Music conference & festival in Lancaster, PA.
Web: www.launchmusicconference.com
What: Lauren Diagle’s Kaleidoscope Beach Weekend
Where: Miramar Beach, FL
When: April 25-27
Who: Lauren Diagle, Jon Batiste, Natalie Hemby, Kari Jobe, Ellie Holcomb, and more
Why: Lauren Diagle has her own Beach Weekend.
Web: www.tixr.com/groups/topeka/events/lauren-daigle-s-kaleidoscope-beach-weekend-81576
What: MerleFest
Where: Wilkesboro, NC
When: April 25-28
Who: Old Crow Medicine Show, Turnpike Troubadours, The Teskey Brothers, Nickel Creek, Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, Larkin Poe, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, Steep Canyon Rangers, Béla Fleck, Sam Bush, Sierra Hull, Shinyribs, Donna the Buffalo, Jim Lauderdale, S.G. Goodman, and more
Why: Wilkes Community College welcomes MerleFest. See much more in our photo gallery here
Web: merlefest.org
What: New Orleans Jazz & Heritage
Where: New Orleans, LA
When: April 25 – May 5
Who: The Rolling Stones, Foo Fighters, Chris Stapleton, Neil Young Crazy Horse, The Killers, Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals, HOZIER, Jon Batiste, Queen Latifah, Vampire Weekend, Greta Van Fleet, Heart, Widespread Panic, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Bonnie Raitt, Earth, Wind & Fire, Fantasia, The Revivalists, The Beach Boys, Big Freedia, Kem, Juvenile with Mannie Fresh, Irma Thomas, Joe Bonamassa, Steel Pulse, Cyril Neville, George Thorogood & The Destroyers, Jeffrey Osborne, Rhiannon Giddens, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Galactic feat. Anjelika Jelly Joseph, Terence Blanchard: FLOW, Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, The Wallflowers, Béla Fleck, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Samara Joy, Allison Russell, The Allman Betts Band, Dumpstaphunk, Stephen Marley, Anders Osborne, The Soul Rebels, Bomba Estéreo, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Tower of Power, Samantha Fish, Nickel Creek, and many, many more
Why: The Big Easy’s big festival gets some big names.
Web: www.nojazzfest.com
What: Norman
Where: Norman, OK
When: April 25-27
Who: Husbands, Rocket, Moor Mother, Radkey, and more
Why: Norman Oklahoma’s own free festival & QRO favorite stays sweet. Read & see more in our 2010 recap here
Web: normanmusicfestival.com
What: Austin Psych Fest
Where: Austin, TX
When: April 26-28
Who: Courtney Barnett, The Black Angels, Alvvays, Kurt Vile & The Violators, All Them Witches, Chicano Batman, Psychedelic Porn Crumpets, Witch, Dehd, Still Corners, Frankie & The Witch Fingers, Levitation Room, L.A. Witch, Blondshell, and more
Why: Austin Psych Fest returns to Far Out Lounge, thanks to The Black Angels (QRO spotlight on). Read & see more in our big 2023 recap here
Web: levitation-austin.com
What: Double Decker
Where: Oxford, MS
When: April 26-27
Who: Brittany Howard, Flatland Cavalry, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Neal Francis, Bass Drum of Death, Jamie Wyatt, and more
Why: Take the Double Decker to Oxford – Mississippi.
Web: www.doubledeckerfestival.com
What: Holo Holo
Where: Las Vegas, NV
When: April 26-28
Who: J Boog, Common Kings, and more
Why: The good vibes come to Las Vegas.
Web: www.holoholofestival.com
What: Stagecoach
Where: Indio, CA
When: April 26-28
Who: Eric Church, Miranda Lambert, Morgan Wallen, Hardy, Post Malone, Jelly Roll, Elle King, Willie Nelson, Bailey Zimmerman, Nickelback, Diplo, Wiz Khalifa, Guy Fieri, The Beach Boys, Leon Bridges, Dwight Yoakam, Paul Cauthen, Charley Crockett, Megan Moroney, Clint Black, The War and Treaty, Maddie & Tae, Shane Smith, Tramped by Turtles, Tenille Townes, Katie Pruitt, Asleep at the Wheel, and more
Why: California’s premiere country music festival.
Web: stagecoachfestival.com
What: We Bridge
Where: Las Vegas, NV
When: April 26-28
Who: Ampers&one, Cravity, Kard, and more
Why: Festival & expo at Mandalay Bay.
Web: webridgeexpo.com
What: Brightside
Where: Orlando, FL
When: April 27
Who: Sublime, 311, Goldfinger, Story of the Year, Face To Face, Save Ferris, and more
Why: Look on the Brightside.
Web: www.brightsidefest.com
What: Sick New World
Where: Las Vegas, NV
When: April 27
Who: System of a Down, Slipknot, A Perfect Circle, Alice In Chains, Bring Me the Horizon, Danny Elfman, Primus, Slowdive, Ice Nine Kills, Motionless In White, Swans, Black Veil Brides, Helmet, Sevendust, Bad Omens, Killing Joke, Code Orange, Nitzer Ebb, Front Line Assembly, Front 242, Combichrist, Knocked Loose, Skindred, and more
Why: It’s a Sick New World with nü-metal & more. See much more in our photo gallery here
Web: www.sicknewworldfest.com
What: Daze Between New Orleans
Where: New Orleans, LA
When: April 30 – May 1
Who: Lettuce with John Scofield, Gov’t Mule, Dirty Dozen Brass band, Galactic with Jelly Joseph, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, Krasno/Moore Project, and more
Why: Faubourg Brewery welcomes a Daze or two.
Web: dazebetweennola.com
May
What: Ravinia
Where: Highland Park, IL
When: April 6 – November 16
Who: Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, James Taylor, O.A.R., Indigo Girls, Melissa Etheridge, Gipsy Kings, Hauser, Fitz & The Tantrums, Kronos Quartet, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Violent Femmes, Little Feat, Los Lobos, Roger Daltrey, Clint Black, Lyle Lovett, Daryl Hall, Elvis Costello & The Imposters, The Beach Boys, John Stamos, Norah Jones, Mavis Staples, Victor Wooten, Robert Glasper, The Roots, Samara Joy, ZZ Top, Lynyrd Skynyrd, TLC, Shaggy, Tom Jones, Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit, Crowded House, and many more
Why: Ravinia Park welcomes great outdoor shows all summer long.
Web: www.ravinia.org
What: New Orleans Jazz & Heritage
Where: New Orleans, LA
When: April 25 – May 5
Who: The Rolling Stones, Foo Fighters, Chris Stapleton, Neil Young Crazy Horse, The Killers, Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals, HOZIER, Jon Batiste, Queen Latifah, Vampire Weekend, Greta Van Fleet, Heart, Widespread Panic, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Bonnie Raitt, Earth, Wind & Fire, Fantasia, The Revivalists, The Beach Boys, Big Freedia, Kem, Juvenile with Mannie Fresh, Irma Thomas, Joe Bonamassa, Steel Pulse, Cyril Neville, George Thorogood & The Destroyers, Jeffrey Osborne, Rhiannon Giddens, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Galactic feat. Anjelika Jelly Joseph, Terence Blanchard: FLOW, Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, The Wallflowers, Béla Fleck, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Samara Joy, Allison Russell, The Allman Betts Band, Dumpstaphunk, Stephen Marley, Anders Osborne, The Soul Rebels, Bomba Estéreo, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Tower of Power, Samantha Fish, Nickel Creek, and many, many more
Why: The Big Easy’s big festival gets some big names.
Web: www.nojazzfest.com
What: Daze Between New Orleans
Where: New Orleans, LA
When: April 30 – May 1
Who: Lettuce with John Scofield, Gov’t Mule, Dirty Dozen Brass band, Galactic with Jelly Joseph, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, Krasno/Moore Project, and more
Why: Faubourg Brewery welcomes a Daze or two.
Web: dazebetweennola.com
What: Sol Fest
Where: Ponce de Leon, FL
When: May 2-5
Who: Rezz, Clozee, LSDream, Big Gigantic, Barclay Crenshaw, Bob Moses, Dr. Fresch, Elderbrook, G Jones, Lettuce, NGHTMRE, Of the Trees, Break Science, Emancipator, Manic Focus, Netsky, Opiuo, Papadosio, The Glitch Mob, Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs, and more
Why: Celebrate our sun Sol with DJs.
Web: solfestfl.com
What: Sun, Sand and Soul
Where: Miramar Beach, FL
When: May 2-4
Who: Tedeschi Trucks Band, JJ Grey & Mofro, The Teskey Brothers, St. Paul & The Broken Bones, Blackberry Smoke, Maggie Rose, and more
Why: Tedeschi Trucks Band enjoys Sun, Sand and Soul.
Web: www.tixr.com/groups/topeka/events/tedeschi-trucks-band-sun-sand-and-soul-beach-wknd-82179
What: BeachLife
Where: Redondo Beach, CA
When: May 3-5
Who: Sting, Incubus, My Morning Jacket, Trey Anastasio, DEVO, Dirty Heads, Seal, Local Natives, Fleet Foxes, ZZ Top, Santigold, City and Colour, G. Love & Donavon Frankenreiter, Pepper, Steel Pulse, Chevy Metal, Courtney Barnett, Margo Price, Sugar Ray, St. Paul & The Broken Bones, The Samples, Jordana, Surfer Blood, Abraham Alexander, Kevin Seconds, Atlas Genius, Gaby Moreno, and more
Why: Enjoy the Redondo BeachLife.
Web: www.beachlifefestival.com
What: BirdFest
Where: Pinewood, SC
When: May 3-4
Who: Steep Canyon Rangers, Jon Stickley Trio, and more
Why: Bluegrass & wildlife.
Web: birdfestmusic.com
What: Landlock
Where: Waco, TX
When: May 3-5
Who: Young the Giant, Midland, Shakey Graves, Cory Wong, Arcy Drive, Cannons, Colony House, Jupiter & Okwess, Matthew Logan Vasquez, The Nude Party, Pachyman, S.G. Goodman, and more
Why: Surf’s up in Landlocked Texas.
Web: www.landlockfest.com
What: Long Play
Where: Brooklyn, NY
When: May 3-5
Who: Arone Dyer, Bang On a Can All-Stars, Claire Chase, David Lang, Deerhoof, Hannah Kendall, JACK Quartet, Jeff Mills, Julia Wolfe, Laurel Halo, Laurie Spiegel, Matmos, Patti Smith, Philip Glass, Ryuichi Sakamato, Sam Prekop & John McEntire, So Percussion, Soundwalk Collective, Steve Reich, and more
Why: Bang On a Can throws classy concerts around Brooklyn.
Web: bangonacan.org/long-play-2024
What: Lovin’ Life
Where: Charlotte, NC
When: May 3-5
Who: Post Malone, Stevie Nicks, Noah Kahan, Maggie Rogers, The Chainsmokers, Mt. Joy, Young the Giant, Quinn XCII, Dababy, Dominic Fike, The Struts, Dashboard Confessional, and more
Why: Charlotte is Lovin’ Life.
Web: lovinlifemusicfest.com
What: RiverBeat
Where: Memphis, TN
When: May 3-5
Who: The Fugees, ODESZA, Jelly Roll, Mt. Joy, Black Pumas, Tobe Nwigwe, The Band Camino, Yung Gravy, Big Boi, Killer Mike, Jessie Murph, Morgan Wade, Matt & Kim, Jai Wolf, Robert Randolph, Durand Jones, Del Water Gap, Charlie Musselwhite, The Aces, Coco & Breezy, The Heavy Heavy, S.G. Goodman, and more
Why: Memphis moves to its own RiverBeat.
Web: riverbeat.com
What: Shaky Knees
Where: Atlanta, GA
When: May 3-5
Who: Noah Kahan, Weezer, Foo Fighters, Queens of the Stone Age, Arcade Fire, The Offspring, Billy Idol, Portugal. The Man, Girl In Red, Young the Giant, Interpol, Miike Snow, Men I Trust, Dinosaur Jr, Royal Blood, The Revivalists, Yves Tumor, Sunny Day Real Estate, Waxahatchee, Matt & Kim, Metric, All Them Witches, Holly Humberstone, The Struts, Kevin Morby, Chicano Batman, Switchfoot, Del Water Gap, Pond, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Arcy Drive, and more
Why: Limbs quake for another amazing year. Read & see much more in our big recap here
Web: shakykneesfestival.com
What: Sing Us Home
Where: Philadelphia, PA
When: May 3-5
Who: The Jayhawks, The Loved Ones, Dave Hause, Langhorne Slim, Tim barry, Sarah Shook & The Disarmers, Fire In the Radio and more
Why: Dave Hause throws his own festival on Venice Island.
Web: singushomefestival.com
What: SunFest
Where: West Palm Beach, FL
When: May 3-5
Who: Nelly, Cole Swindell, Rebelution, Third Eye Blind, Yung Gravy, Billy Idol, Shaggy, The Revivalists, Dashboard Confessional, Matisyahu, Elle King, The Aces, Boys Like Girls, and more
Why: The sun always shines on Palm Beach with this festival. Read & see much more in our 2010 recap here
Web: www.sunfest.com
What: iHeart Country
Where: Austin, TX
When: May 4
Who: Jason Aldean, Jelly Roll, Old Dominion, Lady A, Ashley McBryde, Brothers Osborne, Walker Hayes, and more
Why: iHeartRadio hearts Country.
Web: www.iheart.com/iheartcountry-festival
What: Lovers & Friends
Where: Las Vegas, NV
When: May 4
Who: Janet Jackson, Usher, Mary J. Blige, Backstreet Boys, Snoop Dogg, Gwen Stefani, Lil Wayne, Alicia Keys, Nelly Furtado, Nas, Ludacris, Ja Rule, Nelly, TLC, M.I.A., T-Pain, Akon, Ne-Yo, Timbaland, Brandy, Monica, Eve, Kelly Rowland, Sean Paul, 6LACK, Jodeci, Jason Derulo, Robin Thicke, 98 Degrees, Majid Jordan, Method Man & Redman, Rick Ross, Jeezy, Fat Joe, T.I., Ginuwine, Lupe Fiasco, Cam’Ron, Ying Yang Twins, and more
Why: Goldenvoice & Snoop Dogg put on this new festival.
Web: loversandfriendsfest.com
What: M3 Rock
Where: Columbia, MD
When: May 4-5
Who: Queensrÿche, Bret Michaels, Dee Snider, Stephen Pearcy, Night Ranger, Quiet Riot, Stryper, and more
Why: Rock out at Merriweather Post Pavilion.
Web: m3rockfest.com
What: Punk in the Park
Where: Orange County, CA
When: May 4
Who: Descendents, The Vandals, Dead Kennedys, Black Flag, The Exploited, T.S.O.L., and more
Why: Bring some punk to Oak Canyon Park.
Web: www.punkinthepark.com
What: Welcome To Rockville
Where: Daytona Beach, FL
When: May 9-12
Who: Mötley Crüe, Limp Bizkit, Foo Fighters, Slipknot, Breaking Benjamin, Greta Van Fleet, Falling In Reverse, Judas Priest, Anthrax, In This Moment, Primus, Architechts, Mammoth WVH, Starset, Dirty Honey, Amigo the Devil, Nonpoint, Reignwolf, P.O.D., Jehnny Beth, Powerman 5000, Disturbed, Jelly Roll, Queens of the Stone Age, Evanescence, Bad Omens, A Day To Remember, The Offspring, Mudvayne, Skillet, Stone Temple Pilots, Theory of a Deadman, Sebastian Bach, Royal Blood, Living Colour, Flyleaf, The Struts, Drowning Pool, Taipei Houston, Nita Strauss, Alien Ant Farm, Machine Head, Mr. Bungle, Cypress Hill, Sum 41, Atreyu, L7, Biohazard, Bitzer Ebb, Helmet, Frank Carter, Lacuna Coil, In Flames, Clutch, Black Veil Brides, Baroness, August Burns Red, All That Remains, All Them Witches, Enter Shikari, Soulfly, Red Fang, Insane Clown Posse, Tech N9ne, Code Orange, The Amity Affliction, Of Mice & Men, Miss May I, and many more
Why: Do go back to Rockville.
Web: www.welcometorockvillefestival.com
What: Kilby Block Party
Where: Salt Lake City, UT
When: May 10-12
Who: LCD Soundsystem, The Postal Service, Vampire Weekend, Wu-Tang Clan, Death Cab for Cutie, Interpol, Jai Paul, Joanna Newsom, Belle and Sebastian, 100 gecs, Dayglow, Courtney Barnett, TV Girl, Alvvays, Dinosaur Jr, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Guided by Voices, Yves Tumor, Beach Fossils, Cautious Clay, Bombay Bicycle Club, Ty Segall, Pond, Yoke Lore, Andy Shauf, Slow Pulp, CSS, Ekkstacy, Blondshell, Arcy Drive, and more
Why: Even Salt Lake City gets in on the festival Party.
Web: www.kilbyblockparty.com
What: Mothership Weekend
Where: Miramar Beach, FL
When: May 10-12
Who: Brandi Carlile, Sara Bareilles, Nickel Creek, Bonnie Raitt, Black Pumas, S.G. Goodman, and more
Why: Brandi Carlile welcomes you to the Mothership.
Web: mothership.topeka.live
What: Seismic Spring Lite
Where: Austin, TX
When: May 10-11
Who: Armin Van Buuren, Medvza, James Hype, and more
Why: Austin rocks to a Seismic Dance Event.
Web: seismicdanceevent.com
What: Strength of a Woman
Where: Brooklyn, NY
When: May 10-12
Who: Mary J. Blige, Jill Scott, The Clark Singers, Jadakiss, Fat Joe, and more
Why: For Mother’s Day Weekend, celebrate the Strength of a Woman. See much more in our photo gallery here
Web: www.soawfestival.com
What: UNTZ
Where: Mariposa, CA
When: May 10-12
Who: G Jones, Eazybaked, Halogenix, and more
Why: Party right near Yosemite.
Web: www.theuntzfestival.com
What: Wonderfront
Where: San Diego, CA
When: May 10-12
Who: Kaytranada, Weezer, Beck, Mt. Joy, Dominic Fike, JID, T-Pain, Carly Rae Jepsen, The Roots, Marcus King, Milky Chance, Joey Bada$$, Dayglow, Chennel Tres, Phony PPL, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Natasha Bedingfield, Fruit Bats, BADBADNOTGOOD, Sudan Archives, Poolside, Rayland Baxter, Alice Phoebe Lou, IDKHOW, Action Bronson, and more
Why: San Diego’s waterfront is a Wonder.
Web: wonderfrontfestival.com
What: Cruel World
Where: Carson, CA
When: May 11
Who: Duran Duran, Interpol, Blondie, Simple Minds, Placebo, Soft Cell, Adam Ant, Ministry, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Gary Numan, TR/ST, The Faint, The Stranglers, and more
Why: Eighties New Wave comes to The Rose Bowl.
Web: www.cruelworldfest.com
What: Head In the Clouds
Where: Queens, NY
When: May 11-12
Who: (G)I-DLES, Joji, Illenium, Bibi, and more
Why: Asian pop comes to Forest Hill Stadium. Read & see more in our recap here
Web: ny.hitcfestival.com
What: Mill Valley
Where: Mill Valley, CA
When: May 11-12
Who: Fleet Foxes, Greensky Bluegrass, Thee Sacred Souls, Margo Price, St. Paul & The Broken Bones, Fruit Bats, and more
Why: More than mill about in Mill Valley.
Web: www.millvalleymusicfest.com
What: iNDIESUMMER
Where: New York, NY
When: May 15-29
Who: Breanna Barbara, JW Francis, and more
Why: Indie imprint Rough Trade brings indie to the Rockefeller Center Rink.
Web: www.rockefellercenter.com/events/indiesummer-at-the-rink-presented-by-rough-trade-and-rockefeller-center
What: Milwaukee MetalFest
Where: Milwaukee, WI
When: May 16-19
Who: Mr. Bungle, Blind Guardian, Slaughter To Death, Testament, Hatebreed, Avatar, In Flames, Lacuna Coil, and more
Why: As Wayne, Garth, and Alice have long known, Milwaukee is Metal.
Web: www.milwaukeemetalfestival.com
What: Sonic Temple
Where: Columbus, OH
When: May 16-19
Who: Disturbed, The Misfits, Pantera, Slipknot, Limp Bizkit, Staind, Falling In Reverse, Evanescence, Mudvayne, Seether, Breaking Benjamin, A Day To Remember, Royal Blood, Starset, Anthrax, Theory of a Deadman, P.O.D., Dirty Honey, Living Colour, Bad Religion, Nonpoint, Drowning Pool, Nita Strauss, Judas Priest, Rise Against, 311, In This Moment, Sum 41, Black Veil Brides, Flyleaf, Of Mice & Men, Movements, Taipei Houston, Reignwolf, Cypress Hill, Mr. Bungle, Clutch, Baroness, The Amity Affliction, Code Orange, Enter Shikari, Helmet, Red Fang, Jehnny Beth, Tech N9ne, L7, Atreyu, August Burns Red, Frank Carter, Soulfly, Apocalyptica, All That Remains, Lacuna Coil, New Years Day, Miss May I, and many more
Why: Making MAPFRE Stadium a Sonic Temple.
Web: sonictemplefestival.com
What: Electric Daisy Carnival
Where: Las Vegas, NV
When: May 17-19
Who: 12th Planet, A Hundred Drums, Above & Beyond, Acraze, Afrojack, Alison Wonderland, Armin Van Buuren, ARMNHMR, Black Tiger Sex Machine, Boogie T, Borgore, Chris Lake, Chris Lorenzo, David Guetta, Dom Dolla, Duke Dumont, Ellen Allien, Emo Nite, Excision, Fisher, Galantis, Gareth Emery, Griz, J. Worra, Kaskade, Kaytranada, Kream, Lane 8, Loud Luxury, marshmello, Martin Garrix, Matroda, Netsky, Nostalgix, Peekaboo, Riot Ten, Said the Sky, Ship Wrek, Slander, Subtronics, Sullivan King, Tchami, Tiësto, Wax Motif, Yellow Claw, Zedd, Zeds Dead, and many more
Why: Electric Daisy Carnival comes to Vegas for three days. See much more in our photo gallery of 2013 EDC NY here
Web: lasvegas.electricdaisycarnival.com
What: Fresh Grass – Bentonville
Where: Bentonville, AR
When: May 17-18
Who: Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit, Trampled by Turtles, Aoife O’Donovan, S.G. Goodman, and more
Why: Celebrate bluegrass & more in Arkansas – and later Massachussetts (see below).
Web: freshgrass.com/bentonville
What: Hangout
Where: Gulf Shores, AL
When: May 17-19
Who: Zach Bryan, Lana Del Rey, ODESZA, The Chainsmokers, Cage the Elephant, Dominic Fike, Reneé Rapp, Jessie Murph, Alison Wonderland, Nelly, Dom Dolla, Subtronics, NLE Choppa, A Day To Remember, All Time Low, Chromeo, Matt Maeson, The Beaches, Del Water Gap, and many more
Why: Hangout on the Shores with a very strong line-up. Read & see much more in our big 2023 recap here
Web: www.hangoutmusicfest.com
What: Lost Highway
Where: Bushkill, PA
When: May 17-19
Who: Oliver Anthony, Tim Montana, Nikki Lane, and more
Why: Get Lost on a Highway on your motorcycle.
Web: losthighwayshow.com
What: Pure Imagination
Where: Prescott, AZ
When: May 17-18
Who: The Flaming Lips, Sylvan Esso, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Tanya Tucker, The Pharcyde, The National Parks, Sarah Shook & The Disarmers, and more
Why: Eco-forward in Arizona.
Web: pureimagination.frontgatetickets.com
What: SummerStage
Where: New York, NY
When: May 17 – October 20
Who: Above & Beyond, The Gaslight Anthem, James Arthur, Masego, Counting Crows, T-Pain, Brittany Howard, Andra Day, Kim Gordon, Sun Ra Arkestra, Robert Glasper, Galactic, Ghostface Killah, David Cross, Bob Odenkirk, Snail Mail, Sarah Silverman, Michael Kiwanuka, Tim Heidecker, Fred Armisen, Slick Rick, Corrine Bailey Rae, Ethel Cain, Caifanes, Arooj Aftab, Doug E. Fresh, Joyce Manor, Madison Cunningham, Café Tacvba, and more
Why: A mixture of paid benefit shows and free shows receiving those benefits are a staple every summer in the Big Apple at the iconic Central Park See our venue review & photos of Central Park SummerStage here
Web: www.summerstage.org
What: Wildflower
Where: Richardsoon, TX
When: May 17-19
Who: Randy Rogers Band, Nile Rodgers & CHIC, Sister Sledge, Grouplove, AWOLNATION, Saint Motel, KC & The Sunshine Band, STRANGELOVE, The Struts, and more
Why: Eco-forward in Arizona.
Web: wildflowerfestival.com
What: Gazebo
Where: Louisville, KY
When: May 18
Who: SZA, Jack Harlow, James Blake, Omar Apollo, PinkPantheress, Vince Staples, Amaarae, Channel Tres, and more
Why: Jack Harlow puts on his own hometown festival. See much more in our photo gallery here
Web: www.gazebofest.com
What: Just Like Heaven
Where: Pasadena, CA
When: May 18
Who: The Postal Service, Phoenix, Death Cab for Cutie, The War On Drugs, Miike Snow, Passion Pit, Alvvays, Two Door Cinema Club, Phantogram, Metric, Tegan & Sara, Washed Out, Broken Social Scene, Sleigh Bells, Warpaint, CSS, Be Your Own Pet, The Go! Team, Gossip, and more
Why: Now this is the nostalgia fest for the young Gen X/geriatric millenial set. See much more in our 2022 photo gallery here
Web: justlikeheavenfest.com
What: Sound Mind
Where: Brooklyn, NY
When: May 21
Who: MisterWives, Kevin Morby, SHAED, and more
Why: A music festival for mental health.
Web: www.soundmindlive.org/festival-2024
What: Mountain Music
Where: Oak Hill, WV
When: May 21 – June 1
Who: Beats Antique, Monophonics, Big Something, Moon Hooch, and more
Why: Head up into the mountains at ACE Adventure Resort. See more in our 2021 photo gallery here here
Web: mountainmusicfestwv.com
What: Lightning In a Bottle
Where: Bradley, CA
When: May 22-27
Who: Skrillex, Labrinth, Lane 8, James Blake, M.I.A., Tipper, Fatboy Slim, Clozee, Nora En Pure, Bob Moses, Bomba Estéreo, Honey Dijon, Mura Masa, Of the Trees, Floating Points, Justin Martin, Aluna, Skream, Tycho, and more
Why: Trance/electronica captures lightning in a bottle on Lake Skinner. See much more in our 2013 photo gallery here
Web: libfestival.org
What: Delfest
Where: Cumberland, MD
When: May 23-26
Who: Del McCoury Band, The Travelin’ McCourys, Lukas Nelson, Greensky Bluegrass, Old Crow Medicine Show, Sierra Ferrell, Leftover Salmon, Yonder Mountain String Band, Shinyribs, and more
Why: Del McCoury rolls out the bluegrass red carpet.
Web: delfest.com
What: Hot Luck
Where: Austin, TX
When: May 23-26
Who: Calexico, Lightning Bolt, Big Business, The Ugly Beats, and more
Why: Food & music in a town that’s known for both. Read & see much more in our 2019 recap here
Web: www.hotluckfest.com
What: Rock the Ruins
Where: Indianapolis, IN
When: May 23 – September 20
Who: The Decemberists, Greensky Bluegrass, Orville Peck, Amos Lee, Band of Horses, Elle King, Hippo Campus, moe., Andrew Bird, Switchfoot, The Struts, The Mavericks, , Charlety Crockett, Manchester Orchestra, Blue October, Amadou & Mariam, and more
Why: Rock the Ruins in Holiday Park. See more in our photo galleries here
Web: www.rocktheruins.com
What: Boston Calling
Where: Boston, MA
When: May 24-26
Who: Ed Sheeran, Tyler Childers, The Killers, Hozier, Trey Anastasio, Leon Bridges, Reneé Rapp, Khruangbin, Megan Thee Stallion, The Revivalists, Frank Turner, Young the Giant, Beach Weather, d4vd, Blondshell, The Red Clay Strays, The Heavy Heavy, Madi Diaz, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Bad Rabbits, and many more
Why: Boston is seriously Calling – wicked pissah! Read much more in our 2022 recap here
Web: bostoncalling.com
What: BottleRock
Where: Napa Valley, CA
When: May 24-26
Who: Ed Sheeran, Pearl Jam, Stevie Nicks, Megan Thee Stallion, Queens of the Stone Age, Dominic Fike, Kali Uchis, St. Vincent, Nelly, The Kid Laroi, Norah Jones, The Offspring, My Morning Jacket, Miike Snow, Bebe Rexha, All Time Low, T-Pain, Stephen Sanchez, Action Bronson, Oliver Tree, Gogol Bordello, Cold War Kids, Chevy Metal, Holly Humberstone, The Beaches, Stephen Marley, Colony House, The Record Company, Pete Yorn, Say She She, Deep Sea Diver, Mondo Cozmo, The Soul Rebels with Talib Kweli, Dehd, and many more
Why: The Napa Valley welcomes another year of a great new festival (to go with its great old wine). Read much more in our 2018 recap here
Web: bottlerocknapavalley.com
What: California Roots
Where: Monterey, CA
When: May 24-26
Who: Collie Buddz, Damian Marley, Ice Cube, J Boog, Lupe Fiasco, Pepper, Rebelution, Stephen Marley, Tribal Seeds, Xavier Rudd, and more
Why: Get in touch with your Cali Roots. See more in our 2015 photo gallery here
Web: californiarootsfestival.com
What: Cave Jam
Where: Pelham, TN
When: May 24-26
Who: The String Cheese Incident, Devon Gillfillian, Dopapod, LP Giobbi, Dumpstaphunk, and more
Why: The Caverns holds its own jam.
Web: www.tixr.com/groups/thecavernsamphitheater/events/cavejam-at-the-caverns-2024-87014
What: Solshine Reverie
Where: Chillicothe, IL
When: May 24-26
Who: Goose, John Summit, The String Cheese Incident, The Disco Biscuits, moe., STS9, Umphrey’s McGee, Big Gigantic, deadmau5, Slander, Barclay Crenshaw, LP Giobbi, Keller Williams, Big Something, Sunsquabi, Manic Focus, Wreckno, The Werks, A Hundred Drums, and more
Why: Summer Camp becomes Solshine Reverie.
Web: solshinereverie.com
What: Movement
Where: Detroit, MI
When: May 25-27
Who: Avalon Emerson, Barclay Crenshaw, The Blessed Madonna, Boys Noize, Carl Craig, Channel Tres, Chris Lake, Coco & Breezy, Ellen Allien, Fatboy Slim, Floating Points, Goldie, Gorgon City, Honey Dijon, Honeyluv, James Blake, LP Giobbi, LTJ Bukem, Ludacris, Mount Kimbie, Richie Hawtin, Seth Troxler, Skream, Tiga, and more
Why: Electronic music returns to the city where techno (and much more in music) was born. Read much more in our 2018 recap here
Web: www.movement.us
What: Sueños
Where: Chicago, IL
When: May 25-26
Who: Rauw Alejandro, Peso Pluma, Ivan Cornejo, Maluma, and more
Why: Chicago welcomes a massive Latin Reggaeton festival.
Web: www.suenosmusicfestival.com
What: Ubbi Dubbi
Where: Ennis, TX
When: May 25-26
Who: Alison Wonderland, Bear Grillz, Elderbrook, RL Grime, Troyboi, Afrojack, Audien, Blossom, Galantis, GG Magree, Matroda, Said the Sky, Svdden Death, and more
Why: Camp out and get down.
Web: ubbidubbifestival.com
What: Schellraiser
Where: McGill, NV
When: May 30 – June 1
Who: We Are Scientists, Ladytron, Mercury Rev, Man Man, The Raveonettes, No Joy, The Besnard Lakes, Sinkane, The Paranoyds, The Jins, Wild Pink, DAIISTAR, Megafauna, and more
Why: Some killer indie-rock – in Nevada.
Web: schellraiser.com
June
What: Ravinia
Where: Highland Park, IL
When: April 6 – November 16
Who: Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, James Taylor, O.A.R., Indigo Girls, Melissa Etheridge, Gipsy Kings, Hauser, Fitz & The Tantrums, Kronos Quartet, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Violent Femmes, Little Feat, Los Lobos, Roger Daltrey, Clint Black, Lyle Lovett, Daryl Hall, Elvis Costello & The Imposters, The Beach Boys, John Stamos, Norah Jones, Mavis Staples, Victor Wooten, Robert Glasper, The Roots, Samara Joy, ZZ Top, Lynyrd Skynyrd, TLC, Shaggy, Tom Jones, Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit, Crowded House, and many more
Why: Ravinia Park welcomes great outdoor shows all summer long.
Web: www.ravinia.org
What: SummerStage
Where: New York, NY
When: May 17 – October 20
Who: Above & Beyond, The Gaslight Anthem, James Arthur, Masego, Counting Crows, T-Pain, Brittany Howard, Andra Day, Kim Gordon, Sun Ra Arkestra, Robert Glasper, Galactic, Ghostface Killah, David Cross, Bob Odenkirk, Snail Mail, Sarah Silverman, Michael Kiwanuka, Tim Heidecker, Fred Armisen, Slick Rick, Corrine Bailey Rae, Ethel Cain, Caifanes, Arooj Aftab, Doug E. Fresh, Joyce Manor, Madison Cunningham, Café Tacvba, and more
Why: A mixture of paid benefit shows and free shows receiving those benefits are a staple every summer in the Big Apple at the iconic Central Park See our venue review & photos of Central Park SummerStage here
Web: www.summerstage.org
What: Mountain Music
Where: Oak Hill, WV
When: May 21 – June 1
Who: Monophonics, Moon Hooch, Big Something, Moon Hooch, and more
Why: Head up into the mountains at ACE Adventure Resort. See more in our 2021 photo gallery here here
Web: mountainmusicfestwv.com
What: Rock the Ruins
Where: Indianapolis, IN
When: May 23 – September 20
Who: The Decemberists, Greensky Bluegrass, Orville Peck, Amos Lee, Band of Horses, Elle King, Hippo Campus, moe., Andrew Bird, Switchfoot, The Struts, The Mavericks, , Charlety Crockett, Manchester Orchestra, Blue October, Amadou & Mariam, and more
Why: Rock the Ruins in Holiday Park. See more in our photo galleries here
Web: www.rocktheruins.com
What: Schellraiser
Where: McGill, NV
When: May 30 – June 1
Who: We Are Scientists, Ladytron, Mercury Rev, Man Man, The Raveonettes, No Joy, The Besnard Lakes, Sinkane, The Paranoyds, The Jins, Wild Pink, DAIISTAR, Megafauna, and more
Why: Some killer indie-rock – in Nevada.
Web: schellraiser.com
What: Blue Note Jazz NYC
Where: New York, NY
When: June 1 – July 1
Who: Andra Day, Wynton Marsalis, Corinne Bailey Rae, Stanley Clarke, Victor Wooten, Soulive, Ms. Lisa Fischer, Rita Moreno, The Soul Rebels with Ghostface Killah, Sun Ra Arkestra & Yo La Tengo, Antibalas & Hailu Mergia, Bombino, Paula Cole, Dino Vannelli, Ozomatli, Os Mutantes, and more
Why: Legendary jazz club Blue Note heads out this summer. See more in our photo galleries here
Web: bluenotejazzfestival.com
What: Outloud
Where: Los Angeles, CA
When: June 1-2
Who: Kylie Minogue, Janelle Monáe, Diplo, Ashnikko, Noah Cyrus, Trixie Mattel, Keke Palmer, Channel Tres, Yaeji, Big Freedia, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, and more
Why: West Hollywood Pride.
Web: weareoutloud.com
What: Railbird
Where: Lexington, KY
When: June 1-2
Who: Noah Kahan, Chris Stapleton, Hozier, Turnpike Troubadours, Counting Crows, Lord Huron, Dwight Yoakam, Wynonna Judd, Marcus King, Elle King, Red Clay Strays, Trampled By Turtles, Allison Russell, The Infamous Stringdusters, Katie Pruitt, Brent Cobb, and more
Why: Music. Bourbon. Equine.
Web: www.railbirdfest.com
What: Roots Picnic
Where: Philadelphia, PA
When: June 1-2
Who: Lil Wayne & The Roots, Jill Scott, André 3000, Nas, Gunna, Victoria Monét, Babyface, Robert Glasper & Yebba, J.Period, Smino, Cam’ron, Wale, Tyla, and more
Why: Tonight Show band (and more) brings their annual picnic, in their hometown. See much more in our photo gallery here
Web: www.therootspicnic.com
What: So What?!
Where: Dallas, TX
When: June 1-2
Who: Underoath, Skillet, Asking Alexandria, Boys Like Girls, Mayday Parade, P.O.D., Switchfoot, Relient K, Silverstein, The Devil Wears Prada, The Amity Affliction, Saosin, 3OH!3, Knuckle Puck, and more
Why: Texas asks – So What?!?
Web: sowhatmusicfestival.com
What: Hot 97 Summer Jam
Where: New York, NY
When: June 2
Who: Doja Cat, Offset, Sexyy Red, Method & Red, Davido, and more
Why: Radio station Hot 87 puts on a hip-hop Summer Jam, now at UBS Arena.
Web: www.hot97.com/summerjam
What: CMA
Where: Nashville, TN
When: June 6-9
Who: 49 Winchester, Ashley McBryde, Breland, Brothers Osborne, Carly Pearce, Chase Matthew, Colbie Caillat, Eli Young Band, Gavin Degraw, Ingrid Andress, Jelly Roll, Jon Pardi, Keith Urban, Kelsea Ballerini, Lainey Wilson, Luke Bryan, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Tenille Arts, The War and Treaty, Thomas Rhett, and more
Why: The Country Music Association has its own celebration, fifty-plus years on.
Web: cmafest.com
What: Throwdown at the Campground
Where: Soperton, GA
When: June 6-9
Who: Buckcherry, Nonpoint, Taproot, Butcher Babies, Widow7, and more
Why: Throwdown some hard rock at the Campground.
Web: www.campthrowdown.com
What: Governors Ball
Where: New York, NY
When: June 7-9
Who: Post Malone, The Killers, SZA, Peso Pluma, 21 Savage, Rauw Alejandro, Dominic Fike, Carly Rae Jepsen, Reneé Rapp, Don Toliver, Sabrina Carpenter, Labrinth, Alex G, TV Girl, Faye Webster, Goth Babe, Yung Gravy, Jessie Murph, Chappell Roan, Stephen Sanchez, Teezo Touchdown, Hippo Campus, Beach Fossils, d4vd, Arcy Drive, Blondshell, Claire Rosinkranz, Geese, G Flip, and many more
Why: Governors Ball has become one of the country’s biggest music festivals – and it’s in New York City! Read & see much more in our recap here
Web: governorsballmusicfestival.com
What: Gridlife Midwest
Where: South Haven, MI
When: June 7-9
Who: Zeds Dead, Mersiv, A Hundred Drums, and more
Why: Motorsports + music.
Web: www.gridlifemidwest.com
What: BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn!
Where: Brooklyn, NY
When: June 8 – August 24
Who: Michael Brun, Ana Tijoux, Thee Sacred Souls, Fishbone, Seun Kuti & Egypt 80, Watchhouse, Meshell Ndegeocello, Charlotte Adigéry & Bolis Pupul, Sinkane, Black Belt Eagle Scout, and more
Why: Once again, Prospect Park Bandshell’s BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! delivers. See our venue review & photos of Prospect Park Bandshell here
Web: www.bricartsmedia.org/performing-arts/bric-celebrate-brooklyn
What: No Values
Where: Pomona, CA
When: June 8
Who: The Misfits, Social Distortion, Iggy Pop, Turnstile, Bad Religion, Sublime, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Power Trip, The Damned, Suicidal Tendencies, Joyce Manor, Vandals, Black Flag, L7, TSOL, Viagra Boys, Ceremony, The Jesus Lizard, FIDLAR, The Exploited, FEAR, The Dickies, Agent Orange, Adolescents, The Dead Milkmen, Steve Ignorant, Lawrence Arms, Soul Glo, The Bronx, Cro-Mags, Fishbone, The Aquabats, The Selecter, Jello Biafra, and more
Why: No Values – but a lot of punks – at Pomona Fairplex.
Web: www.novalues.com
What: North To Shore – Asbury Park
Where: Asbury Park, NJ
When: June 10-16
Who: Gary Clark Jr., Band of Horses, Lake Street Dive, Bleachers, Dramarama, and more
Why: A new festival stretching back across the Garden State.
Web: northtoshore.com
What: North by Northeast
Where: Toronto, ON, Canada
When: June 12-16
Who: More than you can count, eh
Why: Canada’s North-by-Northeast shifts to a traditional weekend festival arrangement, with acts from both sides of the border & more. See much more in our 2014 photo gallery here
Web: www.nxne.com
What: Bonnaroo
Where: Manchester, TN
When: June 13-16
Who: Red Hot Chili Peppers, Post Malone, fred again.., Pretty Lights, Fisher, Megan Thee Stallion, Cage the Elephant, Maggie Rogers, Geese, Khruangbin, Melanie Martinez, Jason Isbell, Carly Rae Jepsen, Cigarettes After Sex, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, GWAR, The Heavy Heavy, Diplo, Jon Batiste, Joey Bada$$, Reneé Rapp, Dominic Fike, Matt Maltese, Lizzy McAlpine, Parcels, Goth Babe, Galantis, IDLES, Interpol, Michigander, T-Pain, Brittany Howard, Taking Back Sunday, Ashikko, Sean Paul, Svdden Death, Michigander, TV Girl, Ethel Cain, Four Tet, Gary Clark Jr., Nation of Language, Milky Chance, Gregory Alan Isakov, The Mars Volta, Neal Frncis, Faye Webster, The Teskey Brothers, Greensky Bluegrass, BADBADNOTGOOD, Thundercat, Oliver Heldens, Grouplove, Yves Tumor, d4vd, The Japanese House, Róisín Murphy, 49 Winchester, The Maine, The Beaches, Jake Wesley Rogers, S.G. Goodman, Neil Frances, Larkin Poe, Say She She, Mdou Moctar, Half Moon Run, Pretty Lights, and many, many more
Why: The granddaddy of indie-meets-jam & more music festivals celebrates another genre-crossing year.
Web: www.bonnaroo.com
What: Blavity House Party
Where: Nashville, TN
When: June 14-15
Who: Lil Wayne, Monica, Victoria Monét, Blxst, Big Freedia, Afrofuture, and more
Why: Have some Country in a warm northern California Summer.
Web: blavity.com/events/houseparty
What: Country Summer
Where: Santa Rosa, CA
When: June 14-16
Who: Old Dominion, Jordan Davis, Walker Hayes, Jo Dee Messina, Maddie & Tae, Lily Rose, and more
Why: Have some Country in a warm northern California Summer. See much more in our photo gallery from 2019 here
Web: countrysummer.com
What: Funk Fest Orlando
Where: Orlando, FL
When: June 14-15
Who: T.I., Charlie Wilson, Jeezy, The Dream, and more
Why: Get Funky in Orlando.
Web: funkfesttour.com
What: Lincoln Center Summer For the City
Where: New York, NY
When: June 14 – August 12
Who: Electric Fields, Rosanne Cash, Emily King, George Clinton & Parliament/Funkadelic, Terry Riley’s In C, Pharoahe Monch, Aasif Mandvi, Hari Kondabolu, Aparna Nancherla, Gilsons, Steel Pulse, and more
Why: The famed venue has a Summer For the City at Damrosch Park Bandshell.
Web: www.lincolncenter.org/series/summer-for-the-city
What: Summer Smash
Where: Bridgeview, IL
When: June 14-16
Who: Cactus Jack, Playboi Carti, Chief Keef, Denzel Curry, Kodak Black, Big Sean, Destroy Lonely, Lil Tecca, J.I.D, Lil Yachty, Ski Mask the Slump God, Flo Milli, Waka Flocka Flame, Babytron, Lil Skies, and more
Why: Get Funky in Orlando.
Web: www.thesummersmash.com
What: Winnetka
Where: Winnetka, IL
When: June 14-15
Who: Band of Horses, Milky Chance, Half Moon Run, Yola, Rayland Baxter, Heartless Bastards, Mikaela Davis, Michigander, Ax & The Hatchetmen, Elizabeth Moen, and more
Why: It’s the latest year of the Winnetka Music Fest.
Web: www.winnetkamusicfestival.com
What: Hollywood Bowl Jazz
Where: Hollywood, CA
When: June 15-16
Who: Jodeci, Kamasi Washington, Robert Glasper, Andra Day, Alex Isley, Arsenio Hall, and more
Why: The iconic Hollywood Bowl throws a jazz festival.
Web: www.hollywoodbowl.com/concerts-and-events/hollywood-bowl-jazz-festival
What: North To Shore – Atlantic City
Where: Atlantic City, NJ
When: June 17-23
Who: Kurt Vile & The Violators, The Turtles, Badfinger, Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, The B-52s, Barenaked Ladies, and more
Why: A new festival stretching back across the Garden State.
Web: northtoshore.com
What: Sled Island
Where: Calgary, AB, Canada
When: June 19-23
Who: Show Me the Body, Mick Jenkins, Cherry Glazerr, W.I.T.C.H., Laurel Halo, and more
Why: The mammoth & varied Sled Island returns to Calgary.
Web: www.sledisland.com
What: Barefoot Country
Where: Wildwood, NJ
When: June 20-23
Who: Luke Bryan, Keith Urban, Kane Brown, Old Dominion, Bret Michaels, and more
Why: Country music comes to the Garden State.
Web: barefootcountrymusicfest.com
What: Electric Forest
Where: Rothbury, MI
When: June 20-23
Who: Everything Always, Pretty Lights, Subtronics, Excision, Charlotte de Witte, John Summit, Ludacris, Nelly Furtado, The Disco Biscuits, Black Tiger Sex Machine, Gigantic Nghtmre, Psyryn, Umphrey’s McGee, The String Cheese Incident, Atliens, Chase & Status, Green Velvet, Lettuce, LP Giobbi, Matroda, Neil Frances, and more
Why: Nature meets technology as Electric Forest. Read much more in our 2017 recap here
Web: www.electricforestfestival.com
What: 4 Peaks
Where: Bend, OR
When: June 20-23
Who: Neal Francis, ALO, Daniel Donato, and more
Why: Reach all 4 Peaks.
Web: 4peaksmusic.com
What: Summerfest
Where: Milwaukee, WI
When: June 20-22, June 27-29, July 4-6
Who: Kane Brown, Mötley Crüe, Keith Urban, AJR, Tyler Childers, ILLENIUM, Maroon 5, Lil Uzi Vert, Seether, Buckcherry, Carly Rae Jepsen, NEEDTOBREATHE, S.G. Goodman, Lil Yachty, JID, Rico Naty, Goo Goo Dolls, Black Pumas, Chelsea Cutler, Toosii, Taking Back Sunday, Brittany Howard, MUNA, Jessie Murph, FLETCHER, Alison Wonderland, Hippo Campus, Sleater-Kinney, Ethel Cain, Ivan Cornejo, Bryson Tiller, Mt. Joy, Lil Tecca, Chase Rice, Local Natives, Cold War Kids, Mariah the Scientist, jxdn, Sleeping With Sirens, COIN, The Wallflowers, Paul Cauthen, Brian Kelley, Amy Grant, REO Speedwagon, Boys Like Girls, Charles Wesley Gowin, St. Paul & The Broken Bones, Amos Lee, Briston Maroney, O.A.R., Umphrey’s McGee, Dawes, En Vogue, Three Dog Night, Gin Blossoms, The War & Treaty, Jamila Woods, Allen Stone, The 502s, Better Than Ezra, Lil Rose, Metric, flipturn, The Church, The Afghan Whigs, Hawthorne Heights, The Hod Steady, Del Water Gap, Sueco, Colony House, Nikki Lane, Living Colour, Cracker, BigXThaPlug, Anberlin, Brent Cobb, The Dandy Warhols, Chance Pena, Shovels & Rope, Citizen, Drowning Pool, Little Stranger, Charlotte Cardin, Maude Latour, Cherry Glazerr, Donavon Frankenreiter, , Anne Wilson, Say She She, The Baseball Project, Samaria, Almost Mondy, Briscoe, Abraham Alexander, Jesus Jones, Modern English, Cedric Burnside, and more
Why: The biggest music festival in the world is also the most mainstream, but there’s so many bands over so many days, bound to be someone you want to see.
Web: summerfest.com
What: Telluride Bluegrass
Where: Telluride, CO
When: June 20-23
Who: Sam Bush Band, Lyle Lovett, Charley Crockett, Sierra Ferrell, Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, Madison Cunningham, The Infamous Stringdusters, Leftover Salmon, The Lil Smokies, Chris Thile, and more
Why: The ski resort of Telluride’s bluegrass festival always brings some big names in along with the jam.
Web: www.bluegrass.com/telluride
What: Elsewhere
Where: Wichita, KS
When: June 21-22
Who: Killer Mike, Lane 8, Vince Staples, Steve Aoki, Snow Tha Product, BADBADNOTGOOD, Tokimonsta, Blu DeTiger, Pup, Sudan Archives, A Place To Bury Strangers, The Motet, and more
Why: Music fest & conference comes to venues across the middle of America.
Web: elsewherefest.com
What: Green River
Where: Greenfield, MA
When: June 21-23
Who: CAKE, Fleet Foxes, Gregory Alan Isakov, Lawrence, Joy Oladokun, Bonny Light Horseman, Cimafunk, Mdou Moctar, Joseph, S.G. Goodman, The Nude Party, Speedy Ortiz, and more
Why: This lighter jam-folk fest has hot air balloon rides.
Web: www.greenriverfestival.com
What: Reggae Rise Up – Maryland
Where: Baltimore, MD
When: June 21-23
Who: Iration, Soja, The Roots, Dispatch, Shaggy, Xavier Rudd, Steel Pulse, Collie Buddz, Fortunate Youth, and more
Why: Reggae Rises Up in Maryland.
Web: reggaeriseup.com/maryland
What: Toronto Jazz
Where: Toronto, ON, Canada
When: June 21-30
Who: Lake Street Dive, Hiatus Kaiyote, Cory Henry, André 3000, Colin Stetson, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, and more
Why: Jazzy Toronto.
Web: torontojazz.com
What: Four Chords
Where: Pittsburgh, PA
When: June 22-23
Who: A Day To Remember, The All-American Rejects, Something Corporate, The Story So Far, Senses Fail, Motion City Soundtrack, The Get Up Kids, State Champs, Relient K, Four Year Strong, Microwave, Hunny, and more
Why: Four Chords ring out in Pittsburgh.
Web: www.fourchordmusicfestival.com
What: Funk Fest Louisville
Where: Louisville, KY
When: June 22-23
Who: Jeezy, Charlie Wilson, Boosie, and more
Why: Get Funky in Louisville.
Web: funkfesttour.com
What: Is For Lovers – Lake Tahoe
Where: Stateline, NV
When: June 22
Who: The All-American Rejects, Movements, Hawthorne Heights and more
Why: Hawthorne Heights throws a bunch of festivals For Lovers, like in Nevada. See more in our photo gallery of Is For Lovers – Outer Banks here
Web: www.isforloversfestival.com
What: Beyond Wonderland at The Gorge
Where: Quincy, WA
When: June 23-24
Who: AC Slater, Adventure Club, Alison Wonderland, ADMNHMR, Audience, Boogie T, Diesel, Dillon Francis, Dimension, mellodeath, Matroda, Rezz, Riot Ten, Sullivan King, TroyBoi, Zedd, and more
Why: Go Beyond Wonderland at The Gorge.
Web: pnw.beyondwonderland.com
What: North To Shore – Newark
Where: Newark, NJ
When: June 24-30
Who: Samara Joy, Matchbox Twenty, Brothers Osborne, Jeezy, Scarface, Stephen Colbert, Kevin Hart, Andy Grammer, and more
Why: A new festival stretching across the Garden State.
Web: northtoshore.com
What: Blue Ox
Where: Eau Claire, WI
When: June 27-29
Who: Pert Near Standstone, Band of Horses, Sierra Ferrell, Watchhouse, Sam Bush Band, Leftover Salmon, Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, Del McCoury Band, and more
Why: Country jam comes to Wisconsin. Read more in our 2015 recap here
Web: blueoxmusicfestival.com
What: Montreal Jazz Fest
Where: Montreal, QC, Canada
When: June 27 – July 6
Who: André 3000, Norah Jones, Laufey, Killer Mike, Hiatus Kaiyote, Freddie Gibbs, Pink Martini, Cory Wong, Future Islands, Robert Glasper, Thee Sacred Souls, Orville Peck, Charlotte Day Wilson, Kurt Vile & The Violators, Helena Deland, Dustin O’Halloran, Future Islands, and more
Why: Of course Montreal has a big, classy jazz festival.
Web: www.montrealjazzfest.com/en-CA
What: Back Home
Where: New Martinsville, WV
When: June 28-30
Who: The Wailers, Keller Williams, Sierra Hull, and more
Why: Jam out in West Virginia.
Web: www.backhomefestival.com
What: Blues From the Top
Where: Winter Park, CO
When: June 28-30
Who: Big Head Todd & The Monsters, Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals, Eric Gales, Charlie Musselwhite, Canned Heat, and more
Why: Blues From the Top of the Rockies.
Web: grandblues.org/bluesfromthetop
What: Emerging Music
Where: New York, NY
When: June 28-29
Who: Horsegirl, Chanel Beads, and more
Why: Catch Emerging Music in Bryant Park.
Web: bryantpark.org/activities/picnic-performances
What: LadyLand
Where: Brooklyn, NY
When: June 28-29
Who: A.G Cook, Amber Valentine, Arca, Baby Tate, Cakes Da Killa, Horsegirl, Rahim C Redcar, Slayyyter, and more
Why: Pride is every day. See more in our 2023 photo gallery here
Web: www.ladylandfestival.com
What: Rock, Ribs and Ridges
Where: Augusta, NJ
When: June 28-30
Who: Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes, Blackberry Smoke, Larkin Poe, Molly Hatchet, and more
Why: Rock AND Ribs?!?
Web: www.rockribsandridges.com
What: Rose Arts
Where: Norwich, CT
When: June 28-29
Who: Neal Francis, Doom Flamingo, and more
Why: Roses bloom in Connecticut.
Web: www.roseartsfestival.com
What: Solid Sound
Where: North Adams, MA
When: June 28-30
Who: Wilco, Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit, Nick Lowe & Los Straightjackets, John Hodgman, Dry Cleaning, Jeff Tweedy, Horsegirl, Ratboys, Wednesday, Young Fresh Fellows, Courtney Marie Andrews, Horse Lords, Joanna Sternberg, Soul Glo, Mikaela Davis, The Autumn Defense, Sylvan Esso, and more
Why: Wilco’s even-year Solid Sound Festival returns to MASS MoCA. See more in our photo gallery here
Web: solidsoundfestival.com
What: Capitol Groove
Where: Hartford, CT
When: June 29-30
Who: My Morning Jacket, Dispatch, The Revivalists, The Head and The Heart, Guster, Shakey Graves, Trampled by Turtles, Tank & The Bangas, Ozomatli, Say She She, The Suffers, and more
Why: One Capitol, under the Groove.
Web: www.thecapitolgroove.com
What: Sips and Sounds
Where: Austin, TX
When: June 29-30
Who: Kelsea Ballerini, Jon Pardi, Maren Morris, Marcus King, Paul Cauthen, Charles Wesley Godwin, The War and Treaty, and more
Why: Sips AND Sounds?!?
Web: www.sipssoundsfest.com
July
What: Ravinia
Where: Highland Park, IL
When: April 6 – November 16
Who: Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, James Taylor, O.A.R., Indigo Girls, Melissa Etheridge, Gipsy Kings, Hauser, Fitz & The Tantrums, Kronos Quartet, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Violent Femmes, Little Feat, Los Lobos, Roger Daltrey, Clint Black, Lyle Lovett, Daryl Hall, Elvis Costello & The Imposters, The Beach Boys, John Stamos, Norah Jones, Mavis Staples, Victor Wooten, Robert Glasper, The Roots, Samara Joy, ZZ Top, Lynyrd Skynyrd, TLC, Shaggy, Tom Jones, Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit, Crowded House, and many more
Why: Ravinia Park welcomes great outdoor shows all summer long.
Web: www.ravinia.org
What: SummerStage
Where: New York, NY
When: May 17 – October 20
Who: Above & Beyond, The Gaslight Anthem, James Arthur, Masego, Counting Crows, T-Pain, Brittany Howard, Andra Day, Kim Gordon, Sun Ra Arkestra, Robert Glasper, Galactic, Ghostface Killah, David Cross, Bob Odenkirk, Snail Mail, Sarah Silverman, Michael Kiwanuka, Tim Heidecker, Fred Armisen, Slick Rick, Corrine Bailey Rae, Ethel Cain, Caifanes, Arooj Aftab, Doug E. Fresh, Joyce Manor, Madison Cunningham, Café Tacvba, and more
Why: A mixture of paid benefit shows and free shows receiving those benefits are a staple every summer in the Big Apple at the iconic Central Park See our venue review & photos of Central Park SummerStage here
Web: www.summerstage.org
What: Rock the Ruins
Where: Indianapolis, IN
When: May 23 – September 20
Who: The Decemberists, Greensky Bluegrass, Orville Peck, Amos Lee, Band of Horses, Elle King, Hippo Campus, moe., Andrew Bird, Switchfoot, The Struts, The Mavericks, , Charlety Crockett, Manchester Orchestra, Blue October, Amadou & Mariam, and more
Why: Rock the Ruins in Holiday Park. See more in our photo galleries here
Web: www.rocktheruins.com
What: Blue Note Jazz NYC
Where: New York, NY
When: June 1 – July 1
Who: Andra Day, Wynton Marsalis, Corinne Bailey Rae, Stanley Clarke, Victor Wooten, Soulive, Ms. Lisa Fischer, Rita Moreno, The Soul Rebels with Ghostface Killah, Sun Ra Arkestra & Yo La Tengo, Antibalas & Hailu Mergia, Bombino, Paula Cole, Dino Vannelli, Ozomatli, Os Mutantes, and more
Why: Legendary jazz club Blue Note heads out this summer. See more in our photo galleries here
Web: bluenotejazzfestival.com
What: BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn!
Where: Brooklyn, NY
When: June 8 – August 24
Who: Michael Brun, Ana Tijoux, Thee Sacred Souls, Fishbone, Seun Kuti & Egypt 80, Watchhouse, Meshell Ndegeocello, Charlotte Adigéry & Bolis Pupul, Sinkane, Black Belt Eagle Scout, and more
Why: Once again, Prospect Park Bandshell’s BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! delivers. See our venue review & photos of Prospect Park Bandshell here
Web: www.bricartsmedia.org/performing-arts/bric-celebrate-brooklyn
What: Lincoln Center Summer For the City
Where: New York, NY
When: June 14 – August 12
Who: Electric Fields, Rosanne Cash, Emily King, George Clinton & Parliament/Funkadelic, Terry Riley’s In C, Pharoahe Monch, Aasif Mandvi, Hari Kondabolu, Aparna Nancherla, Gilsons, Steel Pulse, and more
Why: The famed venue has a Summer For the City at Damrosch Park Bandshell.
Web: www.lincolncenter.org/series/summer-for-the-city
What: Summerfest
Where: Milwaukee, WI
When: June 20-22, June 27-29, July 4-6
Who: Kane Brown, Mötley Crüe, Keith Urban, AJR, Tyler Childers, ILLENIUM, Maroon 5, Lil Uzi Vert, Seether, Buckcherry, Carly Rae Jepsen, NEEDTOBREATHE, S.G. Goodman, Lil Yachty, JID, Rico Naty, Goo Goo Dolls, Black Pumas, Chelsea Cutler, Toosii, Taking Back Sunday, Brittany Howard, MUNA, Jessie Murph, FLETCHER, Alison Wonderland, Hippo Campus, Sleater-Kinney, Ethel Cain, Ivan Cornejo, Bryson Tiller, Mt. Joy, Lil Tecca, Chase Rice, Local Natives, Cold War Kids, Mariah the Scientist, jxdn, Sleeping With Sirens, COIN, The Wallflowers, Paul Cauthen, Brian Kelley, Amy Grant, REO Speedwagon, Boys Like Girls, Charles Wesley Gowin, St. Paul & The Broken Bones, Amos Lee, Briston Maroney, O.A.R., Umphrey’s McGee, Dawes, En Vogue, Three Dog Night, Gin Blossoms, The War & Treaty, Jamila Woods, Allen Stone, The 502s, Better Than Ezra, Lil Rose, Metric, flipturn, The Church, The Afghan Whigs, Hawthorne Heights, The Hod Steady, Del Water Gap, Sueco, Colony House, Nikki Lane, Living Colour, Cracker, BigXThaPlug, Anberlin, Brent Cobb, The Dandy Warhols, Chance Pena, Shovels & Rope, Citizen, Drowning Pool, Little Stranger, Charlotte Cardin, Maude Latour, Cherry Glazerr, Donavon Frankenreiter, , Anne Wilson, Say She She, The Baseball Project, Samaria, Almost Mondy, Briscoe, Abraham Alexander, Jesus Jones, Modern English, Cedric Burnside, and more
Why: The biggest music festival in the world is also the most mainstream, but there’s so many bands over so many days, bound to be someone you want to see.
Web: summerfest.com
What: Montreal Jazz Fest
Where: Montreal, QC, Canada
When: June 27 – July 6
Who: André 3000, Norah Jones, Laufey, Killer Mike, Hiatus Kaiyote, Freddie Gibbs, Pink Martini, Cory Wong, Future Islands, Robert Glasper, Thee Sacred Souls, Orville Peck, Charlotte Day Wilson, Kurt Vile & The Violators, Helena Deland, Dustin O’Halloran, Future Islands, and more
Why: Of course Montreal has a big, classy jazz festival.
Web: www.montrealjazzfest.com/en-CA
What: Desert Hearts
Where: Flagstaff, AZ
When: July 4-8
Who: Coco & Breezy, Justin Campbell, SHADED, VNSSA, and more
Why: Desert Hearts bloom in Flagstaff.
Web: desertheartsfestival.us
What: Festival d’été de Québec
Where: Québec City, QC, Canada
When: July 4-14
Who: Jonas Brothers, 50 Cent, Nickelback, Mötley Crüe, J Balvin, The Offspring, Post Malone, Zac Brown Band, Loud Luxury, Alan Walker, Fleet Foxes, Rise Against, Tokyo Police Club, Seether, Ivan Cornejo, Carly Rae Jepsen, Killer Mike, Arkells, Charley Crockett, Kansas, Ben Howard, Nas, Ava Max, Killswitch Engage, Mt. Joy, Jessie Murph, Morgan Wade, Meet Me @ The Altar, La Force, Future Islands, Martha Wainwright, Bombino, Rich Aucoin, Ibibio Sound Machine, Hurray For the Riff Raff, La Sécurité, Helena Deland, Georgia Harmer, Honeyluv, and more
Why: The capital of Francophone America hosts a wide but odd collection of acts, from old to young, mainstream to indie, jazz to metal, folk to electronica.
Web: www.feq.ca/en
What: High Sierra
Where: Quincy, CA
When: July 4-7
Who: Primus, Ziggy Marley, Greensky Bluegrass, Jerry Harrison & Adrian Belew, The Allman Betts Band, Larkin Poe, The California Honeydrops, The Floozies, Say She She, Shinyribs, Bombino, Steve Poltz, and many more
Why: California’s High Sierra Music Festival, up in the mountains, is stocked with festival staples. See much more in our 2014 photo gallery here
Web: www.highsierramusic.com
What: Northern Lights Festival Boréal
Where: Sudbury, ON, Canada
When: July 4-7
Who: Fembots, Martha Wainwright, Sloan, The Strumbellas, Zachary Richard, and more
Why: Sudbury’s Northern Lights Festival Boréal is basically a few Canadian heavy-hitters and others only Canadians have ever even heard of.
Web: nlfb.ca
What: Ottawa Blues
Where: Ottawa, ON, Canada
When: July 4-14
Who: 50 Cent, Bahamas, Ben Howard, Bombino, Charley Crockett, Chelsea Cutler, Future Islands, Josh Ross, Killer Mike, Maroon 5, Mother Mother, Mötley Crüe, Mt. Joy, Nas, Neil Young & Crazy Horse, Nickelback, Noah Cyrus, Orville Peck, Pokey Lafarge, Tokyo Police Club, Tyler Childers, Zac Brown Band, and many more
Why: Cisco Systems & RBC Royal Bank treat the capital of Canada to a wide span of acts over a wide span of days at a wide span of stages.
Web: www.ottawabluesfest.ca
What: Rose On the River
Where: Chicago, IL
When: July 4-7
Who: My Morning Jacket, Tash Sultana, Thundercat, Vulfpeck, BADBADNOTGOOD, Flying Lotus, Neal Francis, Andy Frasco & The U.M., Tank & The Bangas, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, and more
Why: The Salt Shed brings Rose On the River.
Web: deepcutpresents.com
What: Camp Punksylvania
Where: Gilbert, PA
When: July 5-7
Who: Less Than Jake, The Bronx, 7 Seconds, Big D & The Kids Table, The Dirty Nil, Diesel Boy, Bad Cop Bad Cop, We Are the Union, Skating Polly, and more
Why: Punks camp out in Pennsylvania.
Web: www.camppunksylvania.com
What: Levitate
Where: Marshfield, MA
When: July 5-7
Who: Sublime, Lake Street Dive, Mt. Joy, Tash Sultana, Dirty Heads, Charley Crockett, Cory Wong, Iration, The Elovaters, Neal Francis, G. Love & Special Sauce, The Hip Abduction, The Moss, Oliver Anthony, and more
Why: Levitate to the jam.
Web: www.levitatemusicfestival.com
What: Mariposa Folk
Where: Orillia, ON, Canada
When: July 5-7
Who: Old Crow Medicine Show, Bahamas, Band of Horses, Noah Cyrus, William Prince, Bruce Cockburn, Amigo the Devil, Donovan Woods, Joseph, Balaklava Blues, Okkervil River, Old Man Luedecke, Sarah Shook & The Disarmers, Shad, and more
Why: Another great Canadian folk festival.
Web: mariposafolk.com
What: Mosswood Meltdown
Where: Oakland, CA
When: July 6-7
Who: John Waters, The B-52s, Hunx & His Punx, Big Freedia, Redd Kross, Gibby Haynes, Bush Tetras, Pansy Division, and more
Why: The former Burger Boogaloo is now a Mosswood (Park) Meltdown.
Web: mosswoodmeltdown.com
What: Tribeville
Where: Houston, TX
When: July 5
Who: Davido, Wande Cool, Young John, and more
Why: Duke Concept welcomes you to Tribeville.
Web: www.tribeville.com
What: Rock the Park
Where: London, ON, Canada
When: July 10-13
Who: Neil Young with Crazy Horse, Nickelback, Tyler Childers, NAS, NE-YO, Lil Jon, Charles Wesley Godwin, The Glorious Sons, Sean Kingston, The Sheepdogs, and more
Why: 20 years of rocking the park.
Web: rockthepark.ca
What: Tremblant International Blues
Where: Tremblant, QC, Canada
When: July 10-14
Who: Lulu Hughes & Friends, Marc Broussard, North Mississippi Allstars, and more
Why: Duke Concept welcomes you to Tribeville.
Web: blues.tremblant.ca/en
What: River & Blues
Where: New York, NY
When: July 11 – August 1
Who: Abraham Alexander, Los Lobos, Hurray For the Riff Raff, Leela James, and more
Why: Free shows return to Battery Park.
Web: bpca.ny.gov/news/events/special-events/river-and-blues
What: Winnipeg Folk
Where: Winnipeg, MB, Canada
When: July 11-14
Who: Band of Horses, Bendigo Fletcher, Bonny Light Horseman, Cowboy Junkies, Grace Potter, Helena Deland, Joy Oladokun, Leith Ross, Lucinda Williams, Mt. Joy, Neal Francis, Noah Cyrus, Orville Peck, Shakey Graves, SYML, Tall Tall Trees, The Tallest Man On Earth, The War & Treaty, and more
Why: Every city in the Great White North has a folk festival – this one’s at Winnipeg’s Birds Hill Park, and is pretty damn good.
Web: www.winnipegfolkfestival.ca
What: Day In Day Out
Where: Seattle, WA
When: July 12-14
Who: The Head and The Heart, Bleachers, Carly Rae Jepsen, Men I Trust, Suki Waterhouse, Peach Pit, Hippo Campus, The Walkmen, Amyl & THe Sniffers, Washed Out, Beach Fossils, Sir Chloe, Sudan Archives, Mannequin Pussy, Les Savy Fav, Blondshell, Illuminati Hotties, Miya Folick, and more
Why: A great fest in Seattle that you can watch Day In, Day Out.
Web: www.dayindayoutfest.com
What: 80/35
Where: Des Moines, IA
When: July 12-13
Who: The War On Drugs, Big Boi, Sudan Archives, Cautious Clay, Deerhoof, Blu DeTiger, Ric Wilson, William Elliott Whitmore, Elizabeth Moen, Ax & The Hatchetmen, and more
Why: Better known for corn & presidential primaries, Iowa has also been holding hold a sweet & diverse 80/35 festival. See much more in our big 2023 photo gallery here
Web: www.80-35.com
What: HyVee IndyCar Racing Weekend
Where: Des Moines, IA
When: July 12-13
Who: Luke Combs, Post Malone, and more
Why: Big name music + indy car racing in the heart of the country.
Web: www.hyveeindycarweekend.com
What: Square Roots
Where: Chicago, IL
When: July 12-13
Who: X, The New Pornographers, The Big Star Quintet, The Nude Party, Jon Spencer, Lydia Loveless, Waco Brothers, Sinkane, and more
Why: Square Roots in Lincoln Square.
Web: squareroots.org
What: Under the Big Sky
Where: Whitefish, MT
When: July 12-14
Who: Miranda Lambert, Billy Strings, Turnpike Troubadours, Brothers Osborne, Mt. Joy, The Revivalists, Tanya Tucker, Sierra Ferrell, Paul Cauthen, City and Colour, Shovels & Rope, The Lil Smokies, Madeline Edwards, and more
Why: Experience country Under the Big Sky.
Web: www.underthebigskyfest.com
What: Is For Lovers – West Virginia
Where: Charleston, WV
When: July 12
Who: Underoath, Hawthorne Heights, Thursday, Anberlin, and more
Why: Hawthorne Heights throws a bunch of festivals For Lovers, like in West Virginia. See more in our photo gallery of Is For Lovers – Outer Banks here
Web: www.isforloversfestival.com
What: Pleasantville
Where: Pleasantville, NY
When: July 13
Who: Better Than Ezra, The Record Company, The Wailers, Margaret Glaspy, Jill Sobule, and more
Why: Making Pleasantville even more pleasant.
Web: www.pleasantvillemusicfestival.com
What: Sound & Fury
Where: Los Angeles, CA
When: July 13-14
Who: Nothing, Sunami, Volcano, Fleshwater, Fiddlehead, Zulu, and more
Why: Sound & Fury comes to Exposition Park.
Web: soundandfury.la
What: Festival of the Lakes
Where: Hammond, IN
When: July 17-21
Who: Shinedown, Dababy, marshmello, and more
Why: Celebrate the lakes.
Web: www.festivalofthelakes.com
What: Grey Fox Bluegrass
Where: Oak Hill, NY
When: July 17-21
Who: Del McCoury Band, Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, Yonder Mountain String Band, The Steeldrivers, The Travelin’ McCourys, and more
Why: Blue or Grey is welcome in the Catskills.
Web: www.greyfoxbluegrass.com
What: 4848
Where: Snowshoe, WV
When: July 18-20
Who: Greensky Bluegrass, The Flaming Lips, St. Paul & The Broken Bones, Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, The California Honeydrops, The Greyboy Allstars, The Hip Abduction, and more
Why: Three nights of bluegrass & skiing in West Virginia.
Web: www.4848festival.com
What: Great South Bay
Where: Patchogue, NY
When: July 18-21
Who: Yes, Dark Star Orchestra, Joe Bonamassa, Pepper, The Disco Biscuits, Streetlight Manifesto, Badfish, Dopapod, and more
Why: Jam fest on Long Island.
Web: www.greatsouthbaymusicfestival.com
What: Capitol Hill Block Party
Where: Seattle, WA
When: July 19-21
Who: Kaytranada, Kim Petras, Still Woozy, Cannons, Elderbrook, Chappell Roan, Girl Talk, Becky Hill, Cobrah, The Beaches, Slow Pulp, Flyana Boss, Joey Valence & Brae, Tkay Maidza, Show Me the Body, Nourished By Time, and more
Why: Seattle throws a block party.
Web: capitolhillblockparty.com
What: Cheyenne Frontier Days
Where: Cheyenne, WY
When: July 19-27
Who: Turnpike Troubadours, Jason Aldean, Jelly Roll, Machine Gun Kelly, T-Pain, Ludacris, Lainey Wilson, Thomas Rhett, Chase Matthew, Red Clay Strays, and more
Why: Go to the West for rodeo & country music.
Web: cfdrodeo.com
What: Fairwell
Where: Deschutes, OR
When: July 19-21
Who: Brandi Carlile, CAAMP, Billy Strings, Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit, Ryan Bingham, Whiskey Myers, Black Pumas, Leann Rimes, Colter Wall, The War and Treaty, Shakey Graves, The Revivalists, The Red Clay Strays, Sierra Hull, Katie Pruitt, S.G. Goodman, Sarah Jarosz, Madison Cunningham, Black Belt Eagle Scout, Mipso, Madeline Edwards, and more
Why: Fair (thee) Well in Deschutes County.
Web: www.fairwellfestival.com
What: Folk On the Rocks
Where: Yellowknife, NT, Canada
When: July 19-21
Who: Mo Kenney, Thomas Thomas, Ammoye, Glam on the Rocks, and more
Why: Head all the way up to the Northwest Territories to get your Folk On the Rocks.
Web: folkontherocks.com
What: Inkcarceration
Where: Mansfield, OH
When: July 19-21
Who: Shinedown, Godsmack, Breaking Benjamin, The Offspring, Bad Omens, Halestorm, I Prevail, Chevelle, Parkway Drive, Dropkick Murphys, Killswitch Engage, Hollywood Undead, Sevendust, Sleeping with Sirens, Skillet, Machine Head, The HU, Filter, Poison The Well, As I Lay Dying, Biohazard, Shadows Fall, From Ashes to New, Bad Wolves, Stabbing Westward, Blessthefall, Fit For a King, Devour the Day, Veil Of Maya, The Acacia Strain, Mushroomhead, and more
Why: Music + Tattoo.
Web: inkcarceration.com
What: Minnesota Yacht Club
Where: St. Paul, MN
When: July 19-20
Who: Gwen Stefani, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Alanis Morissette, The Black Crowes, The Offspring, Hippo Campus, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, Gary Clark Jr., The Hold Steady, The Head and The Heart, Soul Asylum, Morgan Wade, Trombone Short & Orleans Ave., Michigander, Wilderado, and more
Why: The Land of a 1000 Lakes has yachts, too.
Web: www.minnesotayachtclubfestival.com
What: Northern Nights
Where: Mansfield, OH
When: July 19-21
Who: Blacklizt, Diplo, LSDream, Barclay Crenshaw, Maya Jane Coles, Machinedrum, and more
Why: Art. Wellness. Glamping.
Web: northernnights.org
What: Pitchfork
Where: Chicago, IL
When: July 19-21
Who: Black Pumas, Jamie xx, Alanis Morissette, Brittany Howard, Carly Rae Jepsen, Jai Paul, 100 gecs, Jessie Ware, MUNA, Jeff Rosenstock, De La Soul, Grandmaster Flash, Les Savy Fav, Yaeji, Sudan Archives, Wednesday, Jessica Pratt, Amen Dunes, Mannequin Pussy, Water From Your Eyes, Tkay Maidza, and more
Why: The mother of all online indie music magazines returns for another festival with all the bands they’ve been telling you that you have to hear. Read & see much more in our recap here
Web: pitchforkmusicfestival.com
What: Is For Lovers – Outer Banks
Where: Roanoke, NC
When: July 20
Who: Hawthorne Heights, Less Than Jake, Thursday, and more
Why: Hawthorne Heights throws a bunch of festivals For Lovers, like on the Outer Banks. See more in our photo gallery here
Web: www.isforloversfestival.com
What: FloydFest
Where: Floyd, VA
When: July 24-28
Who: Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, Black Pumas, Charley Crockett, Sierra Ferrell, Allen Stone, The Record Company, Sierra Hull, Circles Around the Sun, Leftover Salmon, Kellergrass, The Heavy Heavy, Maggie Rose, Jupiter & Okwess, The Nude Party, S.G. Goodman, The Hip Abduction, and more
Why: Americana-jam at FloydFest.
Web: www.floydfest.com
What: Merge 35
Where: Carrboro, NC
When: July 24-27
Who: A Giant Dog, Eric Machmann, The Clientele, Destroyer, Fruit Bats, Fucked Up, Hiss Golden Messenger, Imperial Teen, David Kilgour, Lambchop, M(h)aol, The Mountain Goats, The New Pornographers, Redd Kross, Superchunk, Mary Timony, Titus Andronicus, TORRES, M. Ward, William Tyler, Wye Oak, and more
Why: Those slack motherfuckers at Merge Records celebrate the indie imprint’s 35th anniversary.
Web: www.mergerecords.com
What: Timber
Where: Leavenworth, WA
When: July 25-27
Who: Ty Segall, Deer Tick, Y La Bamba, Kimya Dawson, and more
Why: Timber!
Web: www.timbermusicfest.com
What: Gateway
Where: Bengough, SK, Canada
When: July 26-28
Who: Matthew Good & His Band, Emerson Drive, The Pursuit of Happiness, and more
Why: Fair (thee) Well in Deschutes County.
Web: www.gatewayfestival.com
What: Nelsonville
Where: Nelsonville, OH
When: July 26-28
Who: Killer Mike, Courtney Barnett, Thee Sacred Souls, Indigo De Souza, Amyl & The Sniffers, Bonnie Prince Billy, Seun Kuti & Egypt 80, The Nude Party, The Felice Brothers, Frankie & The Witch Fingers, The Heavy Heavy, Bob Mould, Sheer Mag, Snooper, and more
Why: Ohio needs more music – especially southeastern Ohio.
Web: www.nelsonvillefest.org
What: Newport Folk
Where: Newport, RI
When: July 26-28
Who: Allison Russell, Billy Bragg, Brittany Howard, Conan O’Brien, Black Pumas, Craigie & Slim, Cory Wong, Elle King, Cunningham/Bird, Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, Dropkick Murphys, Guster, Hermanos Gutierrez, Hozier, Medicine Singers, Joan Baez, Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, MUNA, Killer Mike, Sir Woman, Sierra Ferrell, Shovels & Rope, Steve Poltz, The Breeders, Orville Peck, Wednesday, Rhiannon Giddens, Tinariwen, The War On Drugs, Tré Burt, and more
Why: The festival where Bob Dylan was called “Judas” for going electric is still going strong. Read & see much more in our 2023 recap here
Web: www.newportfolk.org
What: Bass Camp
Where: Reno, NV
When: July 27-28
Who: Gigantic NGHTMRE, Zeds Dead, Bear Grillz, Joyryde, San Holo, Wax Motif, Manic Focus, Justin Jay, Moon Boots, and more
Why: Go up Truckee River because Reno is calling.
Web: basscampfest.com
What: Is For Lovers – Pop’s
Where: Sauget, IL
When: July 27
Who: Hawthorne Heights, Thursday, Anberlin, and more
Why: Hawthorne Heights throws a bunch of festivals For Lovers, like in Illinois. See more in our photo gallery of Is For Lovers – Outer Banks here
Web: www.isforloversfestival.com
What: Project Pabst
Where: Portland, OR
When: July 27-28
Who: Billy Idol, Big Thief, Denze Curry, T-Pain, Violent Femmes, Manchester Orchestra, Jeff Rosenstrock, Gossip, STRFKR, Soccer Mommy, Miya Folick, Shannon & The Clams, DEHD, La Luz, and more
Why: The beer of choice for hipsters (and Dennis Hopper in Blue Velvet) returns to its Project. Read & see more in our photo gallery from the last Project Pabst here
Web: projectpabst.com
August
What: Ravinia
Where: Highland Park, IL
When: April 6 – November 16
Who: Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, James Taylor, O.A.R., Indigo Girls, Melissa Etheridge, Gipsy Kings, Hauser, Fitz & The Tantrums, Kronos Quartet, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Violent Femmes, Little Feat, Los Lobos, Roger Daltrey, Clint Black, Lyle Lovett, Daryl Hall, Elvis Costello & The Imposters, The Beach Boys, John Stamos, Norah Jones, Mavis Staples, Victor Wooten, Robert Glasper, The Roots, Samara Joy, ZZ Top, Lynyrd Skynyrd, TLC, Shaggy, Tom Jones, Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit, Crowded House, and many more
Why: Ravinia Park welcomes great outdoor shows all summer long.
Web: www.ravinia.org
What: SummerStage
Where: New York, NY
When: May 17 – October 20
Who: Above & Beyond, The Gaslight Anthem, James Arthur, Masego, Counting Crows, T-Pain, Brittany Howard, Andra Day, Kim Gordon, Sun Ra Arkestra, Robert Glasper, Galactic, Ghostface Killah, David Cross, Bob Odenkirk, Snail Mail, Sarah Silverman, Michael Kiwanuka, Tim Heidecker, Fred Armisen, Slick Rick, Corrine Bailey Rae, Ethel Cain, Caifanes, Arooj Aftab, Doug E. Fresh, Joyce Manor, Madison Cunningham, Café Tacvba, and more
Why: A mixture of paid benefit shows and free shows receiving those benefits are a staple every summer in the Big Apple at the iconic Central Park See our venue review & photos of Central Park SummerStage here
Web: www.summerstage.org
What: Rock the Ruins
Where: Indianapolis, IN
When: May 23 – September 20
Who: The Decemberists, Greensky Bluegrass, Orville Peck, Amos Lee, Band of Horses, Elle King, Hippo Campus, moe., Andrew Bird, Switchfoot, The Struts, The Mavericks, , Charlety Crockett, Manchester Orchestra, Blue October, Amadou & Mariam, and more
Why: Rock the Ruins in Holiday Park. See more in our photo galleries here
Web: www.rocktheruins.com
What: BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn!
Where: Brooklyn, NY
When: June 8 – August 24
Who: Michael Brun, Ana Tijoux, Thee Sacred Souls, Fishbone, Seun Kuti & Egypt 80, Watchhouse, Meshell Ndegeocello, Charlotte Adigéry & Bolis Pupul, Sinkane, Black Belt Eagle Scout, and more
Why: Once again, Prospect Park Bandshell’s BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! delivers. See our venue review & photos of Prospect Park Bandshell here
Web: www.bricartsmedia.org/performing-arts/bric-celebrate-brooklyn
What: Lincoln Center Summer For the City
Where: New York, NY
When: June 14 – August 12
Who: Electric Fields, Rosanne Cash, Emily King, George Clinton & Parliament/Funkadelic, Terry Riley’s In C, Pharoahe Monch, Aasif Mandvi, Hari Kondabolu, Aparna Nancherla, Gilsons, Steel Pulse, and more
Why: The famed venue has a Summer For the City at Damrosch Park Bandshell.
Web: www.lincolncenter.org/series/summer-for-the-city
What: River & Blues
Where: New York, NY
When: July 11 – August 1
Who: Abraham Alexander, Los Lobos, Hurray For the Riff Raff, Leela James, and more
Why: Free shows return to Battery Park.
Web: bpca.ny.gov/news/events/special-events/river-and-blues
What: Lollapalooza
Where: Chicago, IL
When: August 1-4
Who: SZA, Megan Thee Stallion, Blink0182, The Killers, Future x Metro Boomin, Hozier, Stray Kids, Melanie Martinez, Skrillex, Deftones, Tate McRae, Laufey, Conan Gray, Reneé Rapp, Lizzy McAlpine, Zedd, Fisher, Zeds Dead, Dominic Fike, Labrinth, Pierce the Veil, Faye Webster, Victoria Monét, Teddy Swims, Benson Boone, Jungle, Two Door Cinema Club, Killer Mike, Vince Staples, Kesha, TV Girl, Galantis, Black Tiger Sex Machine, Hippo Campus, Four Tet, Loud Luxury, Ethel Cain, Skream & Benga, Chappell Roan, Raye, Megan Moroney, Cannons, Teezo Touchdown, Don Diablo, The Last Dinner Party, d4vd, The Japanese House, Briston Maroney, Waterparks, Cults, Bigxthaplug, Wilderado, Josiah & The Bonnevilles, Ryan Beatty, Destroy Boys, Slow Pulp, Nia Archives, Geese, Briscoe, Blu Detiger, Nico Vega, Natalie Jane, Blondshell, Tiny Habits, The National Parks, and many, many more
Why: The granddaddy of today’s indie fests returns to bring a hell of a line-up right to Chicago’s Grant Park to save your summer. Read & see much more in our big recap here
Web: www.lollapalooza.com
What: Mile of Music
Where: Appleton, WI
When: August 1-4
Who: Anna Rose, Buffalo Rose, Cody James, Cory Chisel, Crys Matthews, Hello June, Joshua Ray Walker, Kiss the Tiger, Making Movies, Motherfolk, Newski, Palm Ghosts, Steve Poltz, The Heavy Heavy, Welshly Arms, and more
Why: A Mile of Music comes to Appleton. Read & see much more in our 2014 recap here
Web: mileofmusic.com
What: Pickathon
Where: Happy Valley, OR
When: August 1-4
Who: Hozier, Vampire Weekend, Noah Kahan, Lizzy McAlpine, Mt. Joy, Orville Peck, Hippo Campus, Charley Crockett, Ethel Cain, Charppell Roan, The Japanese House, Red Clay Strays, The Last Dinner Party, Madison Cunningham, Richy Mitch & The Coal Miners, Blondshell, Palehound, and more
Why: Pick an instrument at Pickathon. Read & see much more in our 2016 recap here
Web: pickathon.com
What: Hinterland
Where: St. Charles, IA
When: August 2-4
Who: Hozier, Vampire Weekend, Noah Kahan, Lizzy McAlpine, Mt. Joy, Orville Peck, Hippo Campus, Charley Crockett, Ethel Cain, Chappell Roan, The Japanese House, Red Clay Strays, Flipturn, The Last Dinner Party, Josiah & The Bonnevilles, Madison Cunningham, Richy Mitch & The Coal Miners, Blondshell, Palehound, and more Read more in our preview here
Why: Head to America’s Hinterland for this nice festival. See much more in 2022 our photo gallery here
Web: hinterlandiowa.com
What: Newport Jazz
Where: Newport, RI
When: August 2-4
Who: André 3000, Dinner Party, Nile Rodgers & Chic, Laufey, Elvis Costello, Kamasi Washington, Brittany Howard, Cory Wong, Robert Glasper, Noname, Christian McBride, Thievery Corporation, Galactic, Moonchild, Samara Joy, Meshell Noegeocello, Cimafunk, Lianne La Havas, Bill Frisell, Sun Ra Arkestra, and more
Why: While best known for its storied folk festival, little Newport in little Rhode Island has a jazz fest the following weekend to boot!
Web: www.newportjazz.org
What: Osheaga
Where: Montréal, QC, Canada
When: August 2-4
Who: Green Day, SZA, Noah Kahan, Melanie Martinez, The Smashing Pumpkins, Hozier, Justice, Martin Garrix, Dominic Fike, Lil Tjay, Reneé Rapp, Jungle, Still Woozy, Alvvays, Skepta, Teddy Swims, Labrinth, Stephen Sanchez, Raye, T-Pain, Two Door Cinema Club, Sleater-Kinney, Rancid, Gryffin, Elderbrook, Denzel Curry, Kevin Abstract, Briston Maroney, Chappell Roan, Mariah the Scientist, Teezo Touchdown, Brittany Howard, Amyl & The Sniffers, Michael Brün, Blonde Redhead, Arlo Parks, The Linda Lindas, Ash, DIIV, The Japanese House, Avalon Emerson, Mannequin Pussy, Soul Clap, Cadence Weapon, and many, many more
Why: Osheaga stays in the top-tier with another killer line-up. Read & see much more in our 2013 recap here
Web: www.osheaga.com
What: Sweet Pea
Where: Bozeman, MT
When: August 2-4
Who: John Craigie, Po’ Ramblin Boys, and more
Why: Some Sweet Pea in Montana.
Web: sweetpeafestival.org
What: This Is Hardcore
Where: Philadelphia, PA
When: August 2-4
Who: Bane, Gorilla Biscuits, Integrity, Earth Crisis, and more
Why: Philadelphia Is Hardcore.
Web: www.thisishardcorefest.com
What: Veld
Where: Toronto, ON, Canada
When: August 2-4
Who: Audien, Black Tiger Sex Machine, ARMNHMR, Alan Walker, Alesso, Boys Noize, Green Velvet, Kream, Eric Prydz, Fisher, Gryffin, Kaskade, Marshmello, Martin Garrix, Slander, Subtronics, Oliver Heldens, Wax Motif, and more
Why: EDM at Downsview Park.
Web: veldmusicfestival.com
What: Wildlands
Where: Big Sky, MT
When: August 2-3
Who: Dierks Bentley, Maren Morris, Lukas Nelson, and more
Why: Big Sky Country welcomes modern country.
Web: www.wildlandsfestival.com
What: HARD SUMMER
Where: Inglewood, CA
When: August 3-4
Who: Disclosure, Nelly Furtado, Fisher, Chase & Status, Reezmau5, Chris Lake, Jamie xx, Major Lazer, Zeds Dead, Subtronics, Channel Tres, Tchami, Malaa, Wax Motif, Sofi Tukker, Boys Noize, Kenny Beats, Sub Focus, Dillon Francis, Seth Troxler, Matroda, Elderbrook, Troyboi, ARMNHMR, and more
Why: HARD returns this SUMMER (and moves to Hollywood Park) with some hard beats. See more in our 2014 photo gallery here
Web: www.hardsummer.com
What: Lake Tahoe Reggae
Where: Lake Tahoe, NV
When: August 3-4
Who: Shaggy, Rebelution, Cypress Hill, Atmosphere, Collie Buddz, Tribal Seeds, Protoje, Mike Love, and more
Why: Pass the reggae to the Lake Tahoe side, mon.
Web: www.laketahoereggaefest.com
What: Braun Brothers Reunion
Where: Challis, ID
When: August 8-10
Who: Steve Earle, Wade Bowen, Josh Abbott Band, Reckless Kelly, and more
Why: Braun Brothers & more reunite in Idaho
Web: braunbrothersreunion.com
What: Baja Beach
Where: Rosarita Beach, Mexico
When: August 9-11
Who: Rauw Alejandro, Peso Pluma, Fuerza Regida, Kali Uchis, Becky G, and more
Why: Get down in Mexico’s Baja California.
Web: bajabeachfest.com
What: Elements
Where: Long Pond, PA
When: August 9-11
Who: Chris Lake, Cloonee, Excision, Illenium, Kaskade, Slander, CloZee, Liquid Stranger, LSDREAM, Bob Moses, Sullivan King, Kayzo, Of The Trees, Barclay Crenshaw, BLOND:ISH, Sub Focus, TroyBoi, and more
Why: Dance on a campground somewhere in northeastern Pennsylvania.
Web: www.elementsfest.us
What: On the Ocean
Where: Portland, ME
When: August 9-11
Who: Guster, Grace Potter, Kevin Morby, Toad the Wet Sprocket, and more
Why: Guster sets sail On the Ocean.
Web: ontheoceanfest.com
What: Outside Lands
Where: San Francisco, CA
When: August 9-11
Who: Sabrina Carpenter, The Killers, Sturgill Simpson, The Postal Service, Grace Jones, Kaytranada, JUNGLE, Chris Lake, Gryffin, Post Malone, Young the Giant, ScHoolboy Q, Teddy Swims, Reneé Rapp, Slowdive, Killer Mike, FLETCHER, TV Girl, Tyla, Chappell Roan, Channel Tres, Charley Crockett, Men I Trust, Ben Howard, Amy & The Sniffers, Paul Cauthen, The Japanese House, The Last Dinner Party, BADBADNOTGOOD, STRFKR, Real Estate, K.Flay, Corinne Bailey Rae, Amen Runes, Roosevelt, Allen Stone, Ryan Beatty, Chance Peña, The Lemon Twigs, Katie Pruitt, AG Club, and many more
Why: San Francisco’s gorgeous Golden Gate Park plays host to another year of Outside Lands, with three days of an incredible line-up. Read much more in our 2018 recap here
Web: www.sfoutsidelands.com
What: Rocky Mountain Folks
Where: Lyons, CO
When: August 9-11
Who: The Wood Brothers, Bonny Light Horseman, Pokey LaFarge, Brittany Howard, Jamestown Revival, The Watson Twins, Willi Carlisle, and more
Why: Folks go up in the Rocky Mt.
Web: www.bluegrass.com/folks
What: Thing
Where: Carnation, WA
When: August 9-11
Who: St. Vincent, Toro y Moi, Black Pumas, Spoon, Killer Mike Ethel Cain, Stephen Sanchez, Earl Sweatshirt, Blind Pilot, Arlo Parks, Shakey Graves, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Vacation, Tim Heidecker, Say She She, ratboys, CMAT, and more
Why: Sasquatch! founder (QRO 2013 recap) returns to the fest game with this Thing.
Web: thingnw.org
What: The Best Day Ever
Where: Portland, OR
When: August 10-11
Who: Aminé, Kaytranada, BADBADNOTGOOD, Karrahboo, Ravyn Lenae, Toro y Moi, and more
Why: It’s the Best Day Ever.
Web: thebestdayeverfest.com
What: Îesoniq
Where: Montreal, QC, Canada
When: August 10-11
Who: Tiësto, DJ Snake, Audien x Jason Ross, Boogie T b2b Dirt Monkey, Cloonee, Green Velvet, Idris Elba, J. Worra, Loud Luxury, NGHTMRE, Jauz, Seth Troxler, Sub Focus, Subtronics, Timmy Trumpet, Zedd, and more
Why: Soniq EDM in Montreal.
Web: www.ilesoniq.com/en
What: Gathering of the Juggalos
Where: Thornville, OH
When: August 14-17
Who: Insane Clown Posse and more
Why: Gathering of the Juggalos is back.
Web: juggalogathering.com
What: Park City Song Summit
Where: Park City, UT
When: August 15-17
Who: Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, My Morning Jacket, Mavis Staples, Larkin Poe, Eric Krasno, Cimafunk, ivan Neville, Anders Osborne & Jackie Greene, Tanka & The Bangas, Steve Poltz, Nikki Glaspie, and more
Why: Labs & performances by songwriters galore.
Web: parkcitysongsummit.com
What: Deep Tropics
Where: Nashville, TN
When: August 16-17
Who: Kaskade, Soffi Tukker, RL Grime, Peekaboo, Elderbrook, and more
Why: Experience the Deep Tropics – in Nashville. Read & see much more in QRO’s recap of last year here
Web: www.deeptropics.org
What: Lasso Montreal
Where: Montreal, QC, Canada
When: August 16-17
Who: Sam Hunt, Eric Church, Brett Young, Dustin Lynch, Kip Moore, Josh Ross, Meran Moroney, The War and Treaty, and more
Why: Country music heads northeast all the way to French Canada.
Web: www.lassomontreal.com
What: Riverfest Elora
Where: Elora, ON, Canada
When: August 16-18
Who: Violent Femmes, Fleet Foxes, Josh Ross, Wild Rivers, Sudan Archives, Bully, Chali 2na & Cut Chemist, Sarah Shook & The Disarmers, Willi Carlisle, and more
Why: Yet another great festival north of the border.
Web: riverfestelora.com
What: Afro Nation
Where: Detroit, MI
When: August 17-18
Who: Rema, Lil Wayne, Asake, PartyNextDoor, Adekunle Gold, Amaare, and more
Why: The world’s biggest afrobeats festival.
Web: detroit.afronation.com
What: The Mountain
Where: Gatlinburg, TN
When: August 23-25
Who: Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, Tesla, Great White, Night Ranger, 38 Special, Jackyl, Foghat, Mac Sabbath, Quiet Riot, and more
Why: Hard rock on The Mountain.
Web: www.themountainusa.com
What: Is For Lovers – Iowa
Where: Council Bluffs, IA
When: August 24
Who: Yellowcard, State Champs, Hawthorne Heights, and more
Why: Hawthorne Heights throws a bunch of festivals For Lovers, like in Iowa. See more in our photo gallery of Is For Lovers – Outer Banks here
Web: www.isforloversfestival.com
What: Loneliest Place On Earth
Where: Philadelphia, PA
When: August 24
Who: Hot Mulligan, Aaron West & The Roaring Twenties, Future Teens, and more
Why: Franklin Music Hall in Philly is the Loneliest Place On Earth.
Web: loneliestplaceonearth.com/pages/lpoe-fest
What: Arc
Where: Chicago, IL
When: August 30 – September 1
Who: Armand Van Helden, Avalon Emerson, Carl Cox, Carl Craig, Charlotte De Witte, Disclosure, Dom Dolla, Eats Everything, Gorgon City, Green Velvet, Honey Dijon, Honeyluv, Idris Elba, J. Worra, LP Giobbi, Purple Disco Machine, Skepta, and more
Why: DJs Arc over Union Park.
Web: arcmusicfestival.com
What: Muddy Roots
Where: Cookesville, TN
When: August 30 – September 1
Who: All Them Witches, Gogol Bordello, High On Fire, Negative Approach, Possessed by Paul James, Sunny War, and more
Why: Hard rock on Muddy Roots.
Web: www.muddyroots.com
What: North Coast
Where: Chicago, IL
When: August 30 – September 1
Who: Above & Beyond, Alan Walker, Chase and Status, Dab the Sky, DJ Diesel, Illenium, LSDream, Clozee, Seven Lions, Slander, Subtronics, Sullivan King, Tchami, Malaa, AC Slater, Boogie T, Dr. Fresch, G Jones, San Holo, Netsky, Ship Wrek, and more
Why: ‘Summer’s last stand’ returns to Chicago. Read & see much more in our recap of the inaugural 2010 edition here
Web: www.northcoastfestival.com
What: Rocklahoma
Where: Pryor, OK
When: August 30 – September 1
Who: Avenged Sevenfold, Disturbed, Slipknot, Evanescence, A Day To Remember, Lamb of God, Halestorm, Skillet, Mastodon, Anthrax, Clutch, Nothing More, Kerry King, Coal Chamber, Badflower, Pop Evil, Bad Wolves, Tom Keifer, Winger, Set It Off, The Warning, Oxymorrons, Any Given Sin, and more
Why: A bunch of hard rock acts? At least the name’s good (though it doesn’t pronounce right…).
Web: www.rocklahoma.com
What: RPM
Where: Montague, MA
When: August 30 – September 1
Who: Prong, Bongzilla, Misery Index, and more
Why: Millers Fall Rod and Gun Club gets heavy.
Web: www.rpmfest.org
What: Bumbershoot
Where: Seattle, WA
When: August 31 – September 1
Who: Pavement, James Blake, Cypress Hill, Marc Rebillet, Carl Cox, Thee Sacred Souls, Freddie Gibbs, Courtney Barnett, Cunningham/Bird, Kurt Vile & The Violators, Aly & AJ, BADBADNOTGOOD, Kim Gordon, St. Paul & The Broken Bones, K.Flay, Ladytron, Me First & The Gimme Gimmes, All Them Witches, Lee Fields, I Don’t Know How Byt They Found Me, Helado Negro, Neal Francis, Lauren Mayberry, Hurray For the Riff Raff, Mercury Rev, George Clanton, Ted Leo & The Pharmacists, The Polyphonic Spree, BALTHVS, Black Belt Eagle Scout, Pom Pom Squad, Squirrel Flower, Pure Bathing Culture, Rocket, and more
Why: Seattle welcomes the return of the impressive Bumbershoot. See more in our 2017 photo gallery here
Web: www.bumbershoot.com
What: Fool In Love
Where: Los Angeles, CA
When: August 31
Who: Lionel Richie, Smokey Robinson, George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic, Diana Ross, Durand Jones & The Indications, Zapp, Nile Rodgers & Chic, Thee Sacred Souls, Kool & The Gang, Al Green, Mayer Hawthorne, Stevie B, Santana, Charlie Wilson, Morris Day & The Time, Gladys Knight, The Isley Brothers, Chaka Khan, Los Lobos, Eric Burdon & The Animals, The O’Jays, WAR, Dionna Warwick, The Commodores, The Pointer Sisters, and more
Why: Be a Fool In Love.
Web: www.foolinlove.com
What: Is For Lovers – California
Where: Los Angeles, CA
When: August 31
Who: Hawthorne Heights, Saosin, Finch, Anberlin, and more
Why: Hawthorne Heights throws a bunch of festivals For Lovers, like in California. See more in our photo gallery of Is For Lovers – Outer Banks here
Web: www.isforloversfestival.com
What: She Rises
Where: Taos, NM
When: August 31
Who: Yola, KT Tunstall, Jade Bird, Andrea Magee, and more
Why: She Rises in Kit Carson Park.
Web: sherisesfest.com
What: S20
Where: Brooklyn, NY
When: August 31 – September 1
Who: marshmello, Subtronics, Alan Walker, Said the Sky, ARMNHMR, and more
Why: S20 comes from Asia to Brooklyn Mirage.
Web: www.s2o.nyc
September
What: Ravinia
Where: Highland Park, IL
When: April 6 – November 16
Who: Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, James Taylor, O.A.R., Indigo Girls, Melissa Etheridge, Gipsy Kings, Hauser, Fitz & The Tantrums, Kronos Quartet, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Violent Femmes, Little Feat, Los Lobos, Roger Daltrey, Clint Black, Lyle Lovett, Daryl Hall, Elvis Costello & The Imposters, The Beach Boys, John Stamos, Norah Jones, Mavis Staples, Victor Wooten, Robert Glasper, The Roots, Samara Joy, ZZ Top, Lynyrd Skynyrd, TLC, Shaggy, Tom Jones, Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit, Crowded House, and many more
Why: Ravinia Park welcomes great outdoor shows all summer long.
Web: www.ravinia.org
What: SummerStage
Where: New York, NY
When: May 17 – October 20
Who: Above & Beyond, The Gaslight Anthem, James Arthur, Masego, Counting Crows, T-Pain, Brittany Howard, Andra Day, Kim Gordon, Sun Ra Arkestra, Robert Glasper, Galactic, Ghostface Killah, David Cross, Bob Odenkirk, Snail Mail, Sarah Silverman, Michael Kiwanuka, Tim Heidecker, Fred Armisen, Slick Rick, Corrine Bailey Rae, Ethel Cain, Caifanes, Arooj Aftab, Doug E. Fresh, Joyce Manor, Madison Cunningham, Café Tacvba, and more
Why: A mixture of paid benefit shows and free shows receiving those benefits are a staple every summer in the Big Apple at the iconic Central Park See our venue review & photos of Central Park SummerStage here
Web: www.summerstage.org
What: Rock the Ruins
Where: Indianapolis, IN
When: May 23 – September 20
Who: The Decemberists, Greensky Bluegrass, Orville Peck, Amos Lee, Band of Horses, Elle King, Hippo Campus, moe., Andrew Bird, Switchfoot, The Struts, The Mavericks, , Charlety Crockett, Manchester Orchestra, Blue October, Amadou & Mariam, and more
Why: Rock the Ruins in Holiday Park. See more in our photo galleries here
Web: www.rocktheruins.com
What: Arc
Where: Chicago, IL
When: August 30 – September 1
Who: Armand Van Helden, Avalon Emerson, Carl Cox, Carl Craig, Charlotte De Witte, Disclosure, Dom Dolla, Eats Everything, Gorgon City, Green Velvet, Honey Dijon, Honeyluv, Idris Elba, J. Worra, LP Giobbi, Purple Disco Machine, Skepta, and more
Why: DJs Arc over Union Park.
Web: arcmusicfestival.com
What: Muddy Roots
Where: Cookesville, TN
When: August 30 – September 1
Who: All Them Witches, Gogol Bordello, High On Fire, Negative Approach, Possessed by Paul James, Sunny War, and more
Why: Hard rock on Muddy Roots.
Web: www.muddyroots.com
What: North Coast
Where: Chicago, IL
When: August 30 – September 1
Who: Above & Beyond, Alan Walker, DJ Diesel, Illenium, LSDream, Clozee, Seven Lions, Slander, Subtronics, Sullivan King, Chase and Status, ARMNHMR, Boogie T, G Jones, and more
Why: ‘Summer’s last stand’ returns to Chicago. Read & see much more in our recap of the inaugural 2010 edition here
Web: www.northcoastfestival.com
What: Rocklahoma
Where: Pryor, OK
When: August 30 – September 1
Who: Avenged Sevenfold, Disturbed, Slipknot, Evanescence, A Day To Remember, Lamb of God, Halestorm, Skillet, Mastodon, Anthrax, Clutch, Nothing More, Kerry King, Coal Chamber, Badflower, Pop Evil, Bad Wolves, Tom Keifer, Winger, Set It Off, The Warning, Oxymorrons, Any Given Sin, and more
Why: A bunch of hard rock acts? At least the name’s good (though it doesn’t pronounce right…).
Web: www.rocklahoma.com
What: RPM
Where: Montague, MA
When: August 30 – September 1
Who: Prong, Bongzilla, Misery Index, and more
Why: Millers Fall Rod and Gun Club gets heavy.
Web: www.rpmfest.org
What: Bumbershoot
Where: Seattle, WA
When: August 31 – September 1
Who: Pavement, James Blake, Cypress Hill, Marc Rebillet, Carl Cox, Thee Sacred Souls, Freddie Gibbs, Courtney Barnett, Cunningham/Bird, Kurt Vile & The Violators, Aly & AJ, BADBADNOTGOOD, Kim Gordon, St. Paul & The Broken Bones, K.Flay, Ladytron, Me First & The Gimme Gimmes, All Them Witches, Lee Fields, I Don’t Know How Byt They Found Me, Helado Negro, Neal Francis, Lauren Mayberry, Hurray For the Riff Raff, Mercury Rev, George Clanton, Ted Leo & The Pharmacists, The Polyphonic Spree, BALTHVS, Black Belt Eagle Scout, Pom Pom Squad, Squirrel Flower, Pure Bathing Culture, Rocket, and more
Why: Seattle welcomes the return of the impressive Bumbershoot. See more in our 2017 photo gallery here
Web: www.bumbershoot.com
What: S20
Where: Brooklyn, NY
When: August 31 – September 1
Who: marshmello, Subtronics, Alan Walker, Said the Sky, ARMNHMR, and more
Why: S20 comes from Asia to Brooklyn Mirage.
Web: www.s2o.nyc
What: Dancefestopia
Where: Kansas City, MO
When: September 2-8
Who: Ganja White Night, Black Tiger Sex Machine, Rezz, Sullivan King, Adventure Club, Flux Pavilon, Infected Mushroom, Wolli, and more
Why: Get your dance on in the middle of the country.
Web: www.dancefestopia.com
What: Prog Power USA
Where: Atlanta, GA
When: September 4-7
Who: Winger, Amphoris, Angra, and more
Why: Progressive & metal meet in Atlanta, USA.
Web: progpowerusa.com
What: Hopscotch
Where: Raleigh, NC
When: September 5-7
Who: St. Vincent, Faye Webster, Waxahatchee, The Jesus Lizard, BADBADNOTGOOD, JPEGmafia, Amen Dunes, Chicano Batman, Ducks Ltd., Durand Jones, Guided by Voices, Hovvdy, Indigo de Souza, Peter One, Snail Mail, Tim Heidecker, Ty Segall, Wednesday, W.I.T.C.H., and more
Why: The Independent Weekly throws a great fest at venues across Raleigh.
Web: hopscotchmusicfest.com
What: Is For Lovers – Ohio
Where: Cincinnati, OH
When: September 7
Who: Hawthorne Heights, Hot Mulligan, Silverstein, Senses Fail, The Devil Wears Prada, Anberlin, and more
Why: Hawthorne Heights throws a bunch of festivals For Lovers, like in Ohio. See more in our photo gallery of Is For Lovers – Outer Banks here
Web: www.isforloversfestival.com
What: iNDIEPLAZA
Where: New York, NY
When: September 9
Who: Nation of Language, Narrow Head, Video Age, Death Valley Girls, and more
Why: Rough Trade NYC in Rockefeller Plaza holds its own free fest.
Web: www.rockefellercenter.com/events/indieplaza-at-rockefeller-center
What: Harvest Jazz & Blues
Where: Fredericton, NB, Canada
When: September 10-15
Who: Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit, Spoon, Feist, Warren Haynes Band, Broken Social Scene, July Talk, Half Moon Run, Alejandro Escovedo, Maggie Rose, Julie Doiron, and more
Why: New Brunswick’s Harvest mixes the folk festivals of Canada with the jazz & blues of Acadia’s lineal descendants, Cajun country.
Web: www.harvestjazzandblues.com
What: Desertfest
Where: New York, NY
When: September 12-14
Who: Russian Circles, Acid King, Hippie Death Cult, and more
Why: The desert of New York embrace the metal.
Web: www.desertfestnewyork.com
What: Blossoms & Bones
Where: Abiquiu, NM
When: September 13-14
Who: Vance Joy, Mavis Staples, Lucinda Williams, Courtney Barnett, Ethel Cain, The California Honeydrops, and more
Why: Georgia O’Keeffe’s summer home & studio hosts its own inspiring music.
Web: ghostranchmusicfest.com
What: Borderland
Where: East Aurora, NY
When: September 13-15
Who: The Black Crowes, CAAMP, Marcus King, Dark Star Orhcestra, Cory Wong, The Wood Brothers, The Wailers, Houndmouth, The Sheepdogs, Sierra Hull, The Dip, Wilderado, and more Read more in our preview here
Why: Reach the Borderland of New York State.
Web: borderlandfestival.com
What: Born & Raised
Where: Pryor, OK
When: September 13-15
Who: Cody Johnston, Hank Williams Jr., Koe Wetzel, Dwight Yoakam, Midland, The Red Clay Strays, Shane Smith & The Saints, Paul Cauthen, and more
Why: Born & Raised in Oklahoma!
Web: www.bornandraisedfestival.com
What: Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion
Where: Bristol, TN
When: September 13-15
Who: 49 Winchester, Ashley McBryde, The Wallflowers, The Red Clay Strays, Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, Sam Bush, Wilderado, Jaime Wyatt, Bella White, Dale Watson, Tommy Prine, Wyatt Ellis
Why: Bristol can bring both the rhytm and the roots. See more in our 2022 photo gallery here
Web: www.birthplaceofcountrymusic.org/festival
What: Meadowlark
Where: Hudson Valley, NY
When: September 13-15
Who: Blonde Redhead, Fruit Bats, Deer Tick, Slaughter Beach, Dog, Laura Stevenson, Jeffrey Lewis, and more
Why: Supporting Hudson Valley farmers through music.
Web: meadowlarkfest.org
What: Sommo
Where: Cavendish, PE, Canada
When: September 13-14
Who: Noah Kahan, Greta Van Fleet, Maren Morris, The Beachs, Half Moon Run, and more
Why: Canadian alt-stars come to Prince Edward Island.
Web: sommofest.com
What: Super Nova
Where: Hampton, VA
When: September 13-15
Who: The Selecter, Inspector, The Slackers, Skavoovie & The Epitones, The Pietasters, Laura Jane Grace, The Planet Smashers, Mephiskapheles, and more
Why: Skank it up-up-up!
Web: supernovaska.com
What: Telluride Blues & Brews
Where: Telluride, CO
When: September 13-15
Who: Gary Clark Jr., Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals, Joe Bonamassa, JJ Grey & Mofro, Neal Francis, Tab Benoit, Samantha Fish, Marc Broussard, Eric Gales, Hiss Golden Messsenger, and more
Why: Have some blues – and some brews.
Web: www.tellurideblues.com
What: Punk in the Park – Orlando
Where: Orlando, FL
When: September 14
Who: Alkaline Trio, The Vandals, Dead Kennedys, Black Flag, The Bronx, TSOL, The Casualties, Swingin Utters, Teenage Bottlerocket, and more
Why: Bring some punk to Central Florida Fairgrounds.
Web: www.punkinthepark.com
What: Sea.Hear.Now
Where: Asbury Park, NJ
When: September 14-15
Who: Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band, Noah Kahan, The Black Crowes, The Gaslight Anthem, Trey Anastasio, 311, The Revivalists, Norah Jones, Kool & The Gang, The Hives, Grace Potter, Action Bronson, Gogol Bordello, Sierra Ferrell, Peaches, Guster, Larkin Poe, Joy Oladokun, Robert Randolph Band, The Aces, and more
Why: Rock Asbury Park. See much more in our 2021 photo gallery here
Web: www.seahearnowfestival.com
What: AmericanaFest
Where: Nashville, TN
When: September 17-21
Who: John Oates, Dale Dalvin & Jimmie Dale Gilmore, The Bones of J.R. Jones, The Cactus Blossoms, Gaby Moreno, Hiss Golden Messenger, Paula Cole, Sarah Shook & The Disarmers, Shane Smith & The Saints, Shemekia Copeland, The Steel Wheels, Tony Trischka, Uncle Lucius, Vincent Neil Emerson, Willie Watson, Calder Allen, Crys Matthews, Dale Hollow, and more
Why: Music festival in Nashville couldn’t be more American(a). Read much more in our 2023 recap here
Web: americanamusic.org/americanafest
What: Bourbon & Beyond
Where: Louisville, KY
When: September 19-22
Who: Zach Bryan, Dave Matthews Band, Tyler Childers, Neil Young, Beck, Matchbox Twenty, The National, My Morning Jacket, The War On Drugs, Whiskey Myers, Cody Jinks, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Black Pumas, The Beach Boys, Mt. Joy, Fleet Foxes, Young the Giant, Maren Morris, The Head and the Heart, Melissa Etheridge, Teddy Swims, Milky Chance, Chris Isaak, Lyle Lovett, KALEO, Sierra Ferrell, Charles Wesley Godwin, The Wallflowers, Cory Wong, X Ambassadors, Sunny Day Real Estate, Dinosaur Jr, Larkin Poe, Bruce Hornsby & the Noisemakers, Lucius, JJ Grey & Mofro, Beth Hart, Allen Stone, Wilder Woods, Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, The War and Treaty, Josh Ritter & The Royal City Band, Mat Kearney, Arlo Parks, Hiss Golden Messenger, BRELAND, Futurebirds, The Bacon Brothers, M. Ward, Soul Asylum, Son Volt, Jade Bird, Neal Francis, Suzanne Vega, Wild Rivers, KT Tunstall, Meg Myers, Samantha Fish, Amigo the Devil, The Record Company, The Sam Bush Band, The Jerry Douglas Band, Yonder Mountain String Band, Devon Gilfillian, Robert Finley, Abraham Alexander, Vincent Neil Emerson, Andy Frasco & The U.N., Madi Diaz, Motherfolk, and many more
Why: Bourbon, bands & Beyond. Read more in our 2022 recap here
Web: bourbonandbeyond.com
What: Healing Appalachia
Where: Lewisburg, WV
When: September 19-21
Who: Tyler Childers, My Morning Jacket, Sierra Ferrell, Shooter Jennings, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, SG Goodman, Hiss Golden Messenger, Sierra Hull, and more
Why: Hope In the Hills throws a fest to benefit addiction prevention, recovery and wellness programs around Appalachia and beyond.
Web: healingappalachia.org
What: Pygmalion
Where: Champaign-Urbana, IL
When: September 19-21
Who: Royel Otis, X Ambassadors, Bob Mould, Militarie Gun, Friko, Six Organs of Admittance, Rosie Tucker, Dena Warham, and more
Why: Central Illinois’s Pygmalion Music Festival returns.
Web: thisispygmalion.com
What: Cascade Equinox
Where: Redmond, OR
When: September 20-22
Who: JUNGLE, Clozee, STS9, Liquid Stranger, Marc Rebillet, Barclay Crenshaw, Deltron 3000, The Floozies, Justin Jay, Kitchen Dwellers, The Motet, Neil Frances, Poolside, Assembly of Dust, and more
Why: Cross-genre festival & camping.
Web: cascadeequinox.com
What: Fresh Grass – North Adams
Where: North Adams, MA
When: September 20-22
Who: Shakey Graves, Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, The Devil Makes Three, Drive-By Truckers, Bela Fleck, Steel Pulse, Hurray For the Riff Raff, Adia Victoria, The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys, and more
Why: Celebrate bluegrass & more in Massachussetts.
Web: freshgrass.com/north-adams
What: Lost Lands
Where: Legend Valley, OH
When: September 20-22
Who: Atliens, Boogie T, Caspa, Dieselyboy, Dr. Fresch, Excision, Flosstradamus, Ganja White Night, Infected Mushroom, Rusko, Ship Wrek, Troyboi, Zeds Dead, and more
Why: Excision brings the DJs to Ohio.
Web: www.lostlandsfestival.com
What: Riot Fest
Where: Bridgeview, IL
When: September 20-22
Who: Slayer, Beck, Fall Out Boy, Pavement, St. Vincent, The Offspring, Rob Zombie, Public Enemy, Bright Eyes, Sublime, Dr. Dog, The Marley Brothers, Spoon, Manchester Orchestra, Oliver Tree, Sum 41, Cypress Hill, Waxahatchee, New Found Glory, Something Corporate, Tierra Whack, Taking Back Sunday, Lamb of God, Mastodon, Hot Mulligan, Beach Bunny, The Hives, Suicidal Tendencies, L.S. Dunes, Basement, State Champs, Poison the Well, GWAR, Clutch, Rival Sons, HEALTH, NOFX, Descendents, Circle Jerks, The Lawrence Arms, Face to Face, Buzzcocks, Laura Jane Grace, Dillinger Four, Lagwagon, The Vandals, All, Strung Out, Dead Milkmen, D.O.A., The Dickies, Cobra Skulls, Swingin’ Utters, The Exploited, Cursive, Sir Chloe, The Aces, Princess Goes, Verböten, Winona Fighter, and many, many more Read more in our preview here
Why: Riot Fest collects punks & more, old & young, with a top-tier line-up. Read and see much more in our big 2023 recap here
Web: www.riotfest.org
What: XPoNential
Where: Camden, NJ
When: September 20-22
Who: The Walkmen, Rosanne Cash, Guster, Tramped by Trutles, Greensky Bluegrass, Pete Yorn, Phosphorescent, Jade Bird, Blondshell, Bully, The Heavy Heavy, Cedric Burnside, and more
Why: WXPN 88.5 holds an Americana alt-country fest at Camden’s Waterfront.
Web: xpnfest.org
What: Farm Aid
Where: Noblesville, IN
When: September 21
Who: Willie Nelson & Family, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds, Mavis Staples, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Lukas Nelson with The Travelin’ McCourys, Charley Crockett, Joy Oladokun, and more
Why: The Red-Headed Stranger’s iconic benefit festival to end benefit festivals.
Web: www.farmaid.org/festival
What: HFStival
Where: Washington, D.C.
When: September 21
Who: The Postal Service, Death Cab for Cutie, Incubus, Bush, Garbage, Jimmy Eat World, Girl Talk, Violent Femmes, Filter, and more
Why: Iconic indie radio festival HFStival returns, to Nationals Park.
Web: impconcerts.com/event/hfstival
What: Iron Blossom
Where: Richmond, VA
When: September 21-22
Who: CAAMP, Mt. Joy, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Turnpike Troubadours, Trampled by Turtles, Hippo Campus, Indigo de Souza, Royel Otis, Chance Peña, Say She She, Susto, S.G. Goodman, Julia Pratt, Sarah Shook & The Disarmers, and more
Why: Iron Blossoms in Virginia.
Web: ironblossomfestival.com
What: Knotfest
Where: Des Moines, IA
When: September 21
Who: Slipknot, Lindemann, Knocked Loose, Hatebreed, Poison the Well, GWAR, and more
Why: Slipknot celebrates the 25th anniversary of their debut.
Web: knotfest.com
What: New England Metal & Hardcore
Where: Worcester, MA
When: September 21-22
Who: Killswitch Engage, Suicidal Tendencies, Machine Head, Slaughter To Prevail, Converge, Bane, As I Lay Dying, Incendiary, and more
Why: New England embraces The Metal and The Hardcore.
Web: metalandhardcorefest.com
What: Queens United International Party
Where: Queens, NY
When: September 21
Who: Yacouba Sissoko, Alea, Malini Srinivasan, Fogo Azul, LiftOff Brass Band, and more
Why: The Queens United International Party throws a party at Sunnyside Gardens Park.
Web: quipmusic.com
What: Woodsist
Where: Accord, NY
When: September 21-22
Who: Yo La Tengo, Real Estate, Jessica Pratt, Hailu Mergia, Woods, Bonnie “Prince” Billy, and more
Why: Woodsist Records throws their party at Arrowood Farms.
Web: www.woodsist.com
What: Pop Montréal
Where: Montréal, QC, Canada
When: September 25-29
Who: Beverly Glenn-Copeland, Bob Vylan, Calexico, Cassandra Jenkins, Iris DeMent, Jigsaw Youth, Juana Molina, La Sécurité, Land of Talk, Los Bitchos, Marnie Stern, NOBRO, Spencer Krug, Stars, Sunset Rubdown, The Barr Brothers, The Dears, and more
Why: The artistic alt-SXSW showcases acts based on artistic style, not commercial viability, in the snowy but beautifully European Montreal, with a mix of socially distant in-person shows & online (they can pull this off in Canada…).
Web: popmontreal.com
What: Goner
Where: Memphis, TN
When: September 26-29
Who: The Rip Offs, Oneida, Jon Spencer, Angel Face, and more
Why: Goner Fest brings a weekend of rock ‘n’ roll to Memphis.
Web: goner-records.com/pages/gonerfest
What: Louder Than Life
Where: Louisville, KY
When: September 26-29
Who: Slayer, Mötley Crüe, Slipknot, Korn, Disturbed, Judas Priest, Five Finger Death Punch, Evanescence, Falling in Reverse, Breaking Benjamin, The Offspring, Staind, In This Moment, Chevelle, Dropkick Murphys, Halestorm, Gojira, Sum 41, Seether, Tom Morello, Anthrax, Mastodon, Architects, Skillet, Clutch, Highly Suspect, Body Count, Spiritbox, Grandson, Nothing More, Sevendust, Jinjer, Poppy, Badflower, Starset, Sleeping With Sirens, Filter, Eagles of Death Metal, Juliette Lewis & The Licks, Marky Ramone, Black Stone Cherry, PUP, Three 6 Mafia, P.O.D., Saosin, L.S. Dunes, Biohazard, LIT, Show Me The Body, Joey Valence & Braen, The Armed, The Warning, New Years Day, Drowning Pool, Helmet, Alien Ant Farm, Nonpoint, Powerman 5000, Local H, Trapta, D.R.U.G.S., Ho99o9, Veil of Maya, Kneecap, Touché Amoré, and many, many more
Why: Louisville is Louder Than Life. Read more in our 2022 recap here
Web: louderthanlifefestival.com
What: Basilica SoundScape
Where: Hudson, NY
When: September 27-29
Who: Tobe announced
Why: Head up the Hudson for a SoundScape. See more in our 2013 photo gallery here
Web: basilicahudson.org/soundscape
What: Cold Waves
Where: Chicago, IL
When: September 27-29
Who: Drab Majeasty, A-Split-Second, Clan of Xymox, and more
Why: A Cold Wave of goth passes over the Windy City. See much more in our 2018 photo gallery here
Web: www.coldwaves.net
What: Life Is Beautiful Block Party
Where: Las Vegas, NV
When: September 27-28
Who: Justice, Peggy Gou, LCD Soundsystem, Jamie xx, JUNGLE, James Blake, Thundercat, Toro y Moi, BADBADNOTGOOD, Neil Frances, LP Giobbi, Empress Of, and more
Why: Life Is Beautiful takes a pause on its big festival, but still throws a block party in Las Vegas. Read much more in our 2018 Life Is Beautiful recap here
Web: lifeisbeautifulfestival.com
What: Monterey Jazz
Where: Monterey, CA
When: September 27-29
Who: Stanley Clarke, Mavis Staples, Samara Joy, Robert Glasper, Joshua Redman, Lila Downs, Somi, Cory Henry, The Soul Rebels, Jackie Venson, Monophonics, and more
Why: It’s the 67th (!) anniversary of Monterey Jazz.
Web: montereyjazzfestival.org
What: Oceans Calling
Where: Ocean City, MD
When: September 27-29
Who: Blink-182, The Killers, Dave Matthews Band, Mt. Joy, The Offspring, Cage the Elephant, Sublime, Rebelution, Counting Crows, Boyz II Men, The Beach Boys, 311, O.A.R., Young the Giant, Barenaked Ladies, Blues Traveler, The All-American Rejects, The Revivalists, The Darkness, The Hives, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Guster, Grouplove, Sugar Ray, Larkin Poe, Switchfoot, The Beaches, Tom Odell, Big Head Todd & The Monsters, Lisa Loeb, Jade Bird, and more
Why: Oceans (City) is Calling.
Web: www.oceanscallingfestival.com
What: Ohana
Where: Dana Point, CA
When: September 27-29
Who: Pearl Jam, Neil Young & Crazy Horse, Garbage, Turnpike Troubadours, Alanis Morissette, IDLES, Black Pumas, Maren Morris, Crowded House, Jenny Lewis, The Breeders, Kim Gordon, Glen Hansard, Dogstar, Cat Power, Jaime Wyatt, Pillow Queens, and more
Why: Doheny State Beach welcomes some nice sounds to the shore.
Web: www.ohanafest.com
What: Same Same But Different
Where: Perris, CA
When: September 27-29
Who: Big Gigantic, Ganja White Night, LSDream, A Hundred Drums, Andy Frasco & The U.N., Justin Jay, Kyle Walker, Wreckno, and more
Why: Lake Perris welcomes the Same Same But Different.
Web: www.ssbdfest.com
What: All Things Go – D.C.
Where: Washington, D.C.
When: September 28-29
Who: Laufey, Hozier, Reneé Rapp, Bleachers, Janelle Monáe, Conan Gray, Remi Wolf, Chappell Roan, Ethel Cain, Maren Morris, Julien Baker, Michael Kiwanuka, The Japanese House, Holly Humberstone, Maisie Peters, Briston Maroney, David Kushner, Sammy Rae & Friends, Del Water Gap, Soccer Mommy, Mannequin Pussy, Idigo de Souza, Blondshell, and more
Why: All women (and men) Go to Merriweather Post Pavilion. See more in our 2022 photo gallery here
Web: allthingsgofestival.com
What: All Things Go – NYC
Where: New York, NY
When: September 28-29
Who: Reneé Rapp, Janelle Monáe, Ethel Cain, MUNA, Julien Baker, Chappell Roan, Holly Humberstone, Maisie Peters, Del Water Gap, Mannequin Pussy, Soccer Mommy, Indigo de Souza, and more
Why: All women (and men) Go to Forest Hills Stadium. See more in our 2022 All Things Go D.C. photo gallery here
Web: allthingsgofestival.com
What: CRSSD – Fall
Where: San Diego, CA
When: September 28-29
Who: Disclosure, BLOND:ISH, 99999999, Adam Beyer, Four Tet, Gesaffelstein, Gorgon City, Idris Elba, Skream, Neil Frances, and more
Why: Spinning up a strong electronic festival at San Diego’s Waterfront Park. Read much more in our 2017 recap here
Web: crssdfest.com
What: Evolution
Where: St. Louis, MO
When: September 28-29
Who: The Killers, Beck, Jane’s Addiction, Blondie, Nile Rodgers & Chic, Killer Mike, Elle King, Todd Rundgren, Pete Yorn, Son Volt, Robert Finley, S.G. Goodman, Tre Burt, The Asteroid No. 4, and more
Why: St. Louis experiences Evolution.
Web: www.evolutionfestival.com
What: Global Citizen
Where: New York, NY
When: September 28
Who: Post Malone, Doja Cat, Rauw Alejandro, Jelly Roll, Hugh Jackman, Chris Martin, and more
Why: Need to be a Global Citizen.
Web: www.globalcitizen.org/en/festival/nyc/2024
What: Hyde Park Jazz
Where: Chicago, IL
When: September 28-29
Who: Ambrose Akinmusire, Brandon Younger & Courtney Bryan, Immanual Wilkins, and more
Why: Jazz comes to Hyde Park (in Chicago).
Web: www.hydeparkjazzfestival.org
What: Portola
Where: San Francisco, CA
When: September 28-29
Who: Disclosure, Fisher, Justice, Honey Dijon, Chase & Status, Ben Böhmer, Sammy Virji, DJ Pee.Wee, Barry Can’t Swim, Horsegirl, Shygirl, Rebecca Black, LP Giobbi, Mount Kimbie, and more
Why: Alt-dance returns to the Bay Area. See much more in our 2024 photo gallery here
Web: www.portolamusicfestival.com
What: Soundside
Where: Bridgeport, CT
When: September 28-29
Who: Noah Kahan, Foo Fighters, Queens of the Stone Age, Goo Goo Dolls, Fleet Foxes, Norah Jones, Bleachers, Teddy Swims, Boyz II Men, Grace Potter, Gregory Alan Isakov, The Kills, Thee Sacred Souls, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors, The War and Treaty, Lisa Loeb, Madi Diaz, Hurray For the Riff Raff, and more
Why: Connecticut’s Sound on Sound has become Soundside. Read & see more in our 2023 Sound on Sound recap here
Web: soundonsoundct.com
What: South Star
Where: Huntsville, AL
When: September 28-29
Who: Blink-182, Gwen Stefani, Shinedown, Beck, Sublime, Jane’s Addiction, Goo Goo Dolls, Jimmy Eat World, Ludacris, Big Boi, TLC, Juvenile, Pete Yorn, Vanessa Carlton, Gin Blossoms, Candelbox, Bully, and more
Why: The nineties comes down to Huntsville.
Web: www.southstarfestival.com
October
What: Ravinia
Where: Highland Park, IL
When: April 6 – November 16
Who: Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, James Taylor, O.A.R., Indigo Girls, Melissa Etheridge, Gipsy Kings, Hauser, Fitz & The Tantrums, Kronos Quartet, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Violent Femmes, Little Feat, Los Lobos, Roger Daltrey, Clint Black, Lyle Lovett, Daryl Hall, Elvis Costello & The Imposters, The Beach Boys, John Stamos, Norah Jones, Mavis Staples, Victor Wooten, Robert Glasper, The Roots, Samara Joy, ZZ Top, Lynyrd Skynyrd, TLC, Shaggy, Tom Jones, Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit, Crowded House, and many more
Why: Ravinia Park welcomes great outdoor shows all summer long.
Web: www.ravinia.org
What: SummerStage
Where: New York, NY
When: May 17 – October 20
Who: Above & Beyond, The Gaslight Anthem, James Arthur, Masego, Counting Crows, T-Pain, Brittany Howard, Andra Day, Kim Gordon, Sun Ra Arkestra, Robert Glasper, Galactic, Ghostface Killah, David Cross, Bob Odenkirk, Snail Mail, Sarah Silverman, Michael Kiwanuka, Tim Heidecker, Fred Armisen, Slick Rick, Corrine Bailey Rae, Ethel Cain, Caifanes, Arooj Aftab, Doug E. Fresh, Joyce Manor, Madison Cunningham, Café Tacvba, and more
Why: A mixture of paid benefit shows and free shows receiving those benefits are a staple every summer in the Big Apple at the iconic Central Park See our venue review & photos of Central Park SummerStage here
Web: www.summerstage.org
What: Hillberry
Where: Eureka Springs, AR
When: October 2-6
Who: Paul Cauthen, Fruition, Elephant Revival, Lindsay Lou, Infamous Stringdusters, Jerry Douglas Band, Railroad Earth, and more
Why: Railroad Earth brings a harvest festival to Arkansas.
Web: hillberryfestival.com
What: Austin City Limits
Where: Austin, TX
When: October 4-6 & 11-13
Who: Dua Lipa, Tyler the Creator, Chris Stapleton, blink-182, Sturgill Simpson, Pretty Lights, Khruangbin, Leon Bridges, Norah Jones, Renée Rapp, Foster the People, Kehlani, Teddy Swims, Benson Boone, CAAMP, Dominic Fike, The Marías, JUNGLE, Dom Dolla, Chappell Roan, Porter Robinson, FLETCHER, The Red Clay Strays, Orville Peck, Still Woozy, Vince Staples, Cannons, Remi Wolf, Something Corporate, Jeezy, San Holo, Kevin Abstract, Stephen Sanchez, Elderbrook, Tyla, Catfish & the Bottlemen, Santigold, Kenny Beats, The Beaches, David Shaw, Royel Otis, Bakar, Say She She, MisterWives, Grank Funk Railroad, Mannequin Pussy, Penny & Sparrow, Chance Peña, Sir Chloe, Dexter & The Moonrocks, The Paper Kites, Joe P, ADKHOW, Bob Schneider, Asleep At the Wheel, Katie Pruitt, Nico Vega, Kalu & The Electric Joint, and many, many more Read much more in our preview here
Why: ‘The Live Music Capital of the World’ & America’s longest-running live music show bring their festival back to Zilker Park with another ridiculously stocked line-up of both old & new, mainstream & not – for two weekends! Read & see much more in our big recap of 2023 Weekend One here – Read & see much more in our big recap of 2023 Weekend Two here
Web: www.aclfestival.com
What: Country Calling
Where: Ocean City, MD
When: October 4-5
Who: Eric Church, Tyler Childers, Lainey Wilson, Jelly Roll, Riley Green, Bailey Zimerman, Brothers Osborne, Warren Zeiders, Clint Black, Dwight Yoakam, Martina McBride, The Red Clay Strays, Tanya Tucker, Paul Cauthen, NEEDTOBREATHE, Ingrid Andress, Priscilla Block, Nikki Lane, and more
Why: Country music is Calling Ocean City.
Web: www.countrycallingfestival.com
What: Form
Where: Arcosanti, AZ
When: October 4-6
Who: Angel Olsen, Bonobo, Empress Of, Fcukers, Floating Points, Four Tet, James Blake, Jamie xx, Jessica Pratt, Julianna Barwick, Julie Byrne, Kevin Morby, Kim Gordon, Lonnie Holley, Noname, Nick Hakim, Oneohtrix Point Never, Pink Pantheress, Sir Chloe, Skrillex, Thundercat, and more
Why: Hundred Waters holds a festival in the Arizona desert.
Web: experienceform.com
What: Furnace
Where: Birmingham, AL
When: October 4-6
Who: August Burns Red, Coheed and Cambria, Underoath, Coalesce, Poison the Well, Trapped Under Ice, The Devil Wears Prada, Saosin, Show Be the Body, and more
Why: Heating up in Alabama.
Web: www.furnacefest.us
What: Hardly Strictly Bluegrass
Where: San Francisco, CA
When: October 4-6
Who: Greensky Bluegrass, Sleater-Kinney, Cat Power, Robyn Hitchcock, Emmylou Harris, Cunningham/Bird, Big Star’s Radio City 50th Anniversary, Jobi Riccio, Mavis Staples, The Wood Brothers, Fruition, Steve Earle, Tony Trishka, Glen Hansard, Jessica Pratt, Devendra Banhart, and more to be announced
Why: Golden Gate Park welcomes big names that may not be strictly bluegrass, but is free!
Web: www.hardlystrictlybluegrass.com
What: Mempho
Where: Memphis, TN
When: October 4-6
Who: Jack White, Trey Anastasio, Cody Jinks, Goose, The Roots, Sublime with Rome, Marcus King, Charles Wesley Godwin, Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors, Cory Wong, Warren Haynes Band, The Kills, All Them Witches, Digable Planets, Brent Cobb, and more
Why: Rock out in the Memphis Botanic Garden.
Web: www.memphofest.com
What: Aftershock
Where: Sacramento, CA
When: October 10-13
Who: Iron Maiden, Slayer, Mötley Crüe, Slipknot, Disturbed, Pantera, Judas Priest, Five Finger Death Punch, Evanescence, Breaking Benjamin, Till Lindemann, Falling in Reverse, Rise Against, Staind, Halestorm, Seether, Dropkick Murphys, Flogging Molly, Mastodon, Anthrax, Architects, Tom Morello, Cypress Hill, Ministr, Skillet, Sevendust, Tech N9ne, Insane Clown Posse, Static X, Clutch, Body Count, Highly Suspect, Poppy, Grandson, Nothing More, P.O.D., Filter, Eagles of Death Metal, Code Orange, Jinjer, Bad Wolves, Shadows Fall, Fear Factory, Sleeping With Sirens, Juliette Lewis and the Licks, Marky Ramone, Saosin, L.S. Dunes, PUP, Rival Sons, Hawthorne Heights, Bayside, Show Me The Body, Whitechapel, From Ashes to New, The Warning, Biohazard, Joey Valence & Brae, The Armed, Soul Glo, High Vis, Narrow Head, Touché Amoré, New Years Day, Drowning Pool, Alien Ant Farm, Powerman 5000, Local H, CKY, Brutus, Oxymorrons, Veil of Maya, D.R.U.G.S., Ho99o9, Slothrust, Any Given Sin, and many, many more
Why: Today’s hard rock comes to the capitol of the Bear Republic.
Web: www.aftershockconcert.com
What: Bootleggers Bonfire
Where: Miramar Beach, FL
When: October 10-12
Who: Luke Combs, The Wildcards, and more
Why: Luke Combs has his own Bonfire on Miramar Beach.
Web: www.topeka.live/bootleggersbonfire24
What: Joshua Tree
Where: Joshua Tree, CA
When: October 10-13
Who: Polyrhythmics, Dakhabrakha, Lowdown Brass Band, and more
Why: Of course you should head to Joshua Tree for music.
Web: joshuatreemusicfestival.com
What: Suwannee Roots Revival
Where: Live Oak, FL
When: October 10-13
Who: Old Crow Medicine Show, Yonder Mountain String Band, Donna the Buffalo, and more
Why: Jam out at the Spirit of the Suwannee.
Web: www.suwanneerootsrevival.com
What: Best Friends Forever
Where: Las Vegas, NV
When: October 11-13
Who: Bright Eyes, Sunny Day Real Estate, Cap’n Jazz, The Jesus Lizard, Unwound, The Dismemberment Plan, Built To Spill, American Football, The Get Up Kids, Jawbox, Pinback, The Murder City Devils, Braid, Piebald, Mannequin Pussy, Foxing, and more
Why: In Las Vegas, we’re Best Friends Forever.
Web: www.bestfriendsforeverfest.com
What: The Ramble
Where: Darlington, MD
When: October 11-13
Who: Trombone Shorty, The Devil Makes Three, moe., Andy Frasco & The U.N., Big Something, and more
Why: Ramble over to Ramblewood.
Web: www.ramblefestival.com
What: Mondo
Where: New York, NY
When: October 15-18
Who: Beauty Queen, Forest, Sasha Atlas, and more to be announced
Why: From the creators of the late CMJ (QRO recap of its final year) comes this latest NYC multi-venue fest. Read & see much more in our big 2016 inaugural recap here
Web: www.mondo.nyc
What: Golden Sky
Where: Sacramento, CA
When: October 18-20
Who: Keith Urban, Thomas Rhett, Luke Bryan, Bailey Zimmerman, Riley Green, Turnpike Troubadours, Elle King, Ashley McBryde, Paul Cauthen, Colbie Caillat, Locash, Shane Smith, Shaboozey, and more
Why: A Golden Sky in the Golden State.
Web: goldenskyfestival.com
What: III Points
Where: Miami, FL
When: October 18-19
Who: A-Track, Arca, Bad Gyal, Blond:ish, Channel Tres, Cloonee, Disclosure, Elderbrook, Jamie xx, JUNGLE, Justice, Kaytranada, Massive Attack, Parliament/Funkadelic featuring George Clinton, PinkPantheress, Raekwon, Rezz, Rick Ross, Thee Sacred Souls, Toro y Moi, Seth Troxler, Vintage Culture, Yung Lean, and more
Why: Miami covers all the Points.
Web: iiipoints.com
What: When We Were Young
Where: Las Vegas, NV
When: October 19-20
Who: My Chemical Romance, Fall Out Boy, A Day To Remember, Jimmy Eat World, Dashboard Confessional, Taking Back Sunday, Simple Plan, Pierce the Veil, Coheed and Cambria, The Used, Underoath, The All-American Rejects, The Distillers, New Found Glory, Mayday Parade, Dance Gavin Dance, Motion City Soundtrack, Movements, Bayside, The Maine, Saves the Day, Neck Deep, The Wonder Years, Cobra Starship, Story of the Year, August Burns Red, Say Anything, Thursday, State Champs, Senses Fail, Hawthorne Heights, 3OH!3, Anberlin, Saosin, The Devil Wears Prada, We the Kings, Escape the Fate, Nada Surf, and more
Why: Celebrate your younger days like you’re out on the Warped Tour. See much more in our big 2023 photo gallery here
Web: www.whenwewereyoungfestival.com
What: Suwannee Hulaween
Where: Live Oak, FL
When: October 24-27
Who: Black Pumas, Chase & Status, Chris Lake, CloZee, Greensky Bluegrass, Killer Mike, Liquid Stranger, Nora En Pure, Sublime, Tasha Sultana, Bob Weir, The String Cheese Incident, Tipper, Umphrey’s McGee, A Hundred Drums, Andy Frasco & The U.N., DUmpstaphunk, J. Worra, Lettuce, LP Giobbi, Manic Focus, Say She She, and more
Why: A strong combination of jam & EDM on Hulaween.
Web: suwanneehulaween.com
What: Escape Halloween
Where: San Bernadino, CA
When: October 25-26
Who: Afrojack, Steve Aoki, Alison Wonderland, Adventure Club, Cloonee, deadmau5, Don Diablo, Fatboy Slim, Ludacris, Illenium, Martin Garrix, Nina Kraviz, Seven Lions, and more to be announced
Why: Punk of all stripes returns to north Florida before Halloween.
Web: escapehalloween.com
What: Fest 22
Where: Gainesville, FL
When: October 25-27
Who: Hot Water Music, The Bouncing Souls, Streetlight Manifesto, Matt & Kim, Superchunk, Joyce Manor, Ted Leo & The Pharmacists, Touché Amoré, Cloud Nothings, Cursive, The Flatliners, Cobra Skulls, Mustard Plug, Scream, A Wilhelm Scream, Riverboat Gamblers, The Planet Smashers, and more
Why: Punk of all stripes returns to north Florida before Halloween.
Web: www.thefestfl.com
What: Freaky Deaky
Where: Austin, TX
When: October 26-27
Who: Andy C, Chase & Status, Coco & Breezy, deadmau5, Kream, Liquid Stranger, Louis the Child, Subtronics, Sullivan King, and more
Why: Get Freaky Deaky before Halloween.
Web: freakydeaky.com
What: Headbangers Boat
Where: Miami, FL to Nassau, Bahamas
When: October 28 – November 1
Who: Lamb of God, Dethklok, At the Gates, Soulfly, Corrosion of Conformity, and more
Why: Headbang on the high seas.
Web: www.headbangersboat.com
What: Art of the Wild
Where: Las Vegas, NV
When: October 31 – November 3
Who: Adam Ten, Blond:Ish, Eric Prydz, Fatboy Slim, The Martinez Brothers, and more
Why: XS Nightclub at Wynn Las Vegas has its own Halloween.
Web: www.wynnsocial.com/art-of-the-wild-2024/
What: Hocus Pocus
Where: Miami, FL
When: October 31 – November 2
Who: Carl Craig, Charlotte de Witte, Coco S Breezy, The Martinez Brothers, and more
Why: Magical DJs over Halloween weekend.
Web: www.insomniac.com/events/hocus-pocus-2024-10-31-miami-fl/
What: Levitation
Where: Austin, TX
When: October 31 – November 3
Who: OSEES, The Black Angels, The Jesus Lizard, Tycho, Slowdive, The Sword, Washed Out, Soccer Mommy, Mdou Moctar, The Drums, Boris, Gang of Four, Destroy Boys, Nilüfer Yanya, Illuminati Hotties, William Basinski, Dry Cleaning, A Place To Bury Strangers, Bitzer Ebb, Starcrawler, Death Valley Girls, Ringo Deathstarr, The Well, Boogarins, Acid Mothers Temple, Pissed Jeans, and more to be announced
Why: Levitation comes to Austin, to play host to a mixture of indie & psych, thanks to The Black Angels (QRO spotlight on). Read & see more in 2022 our recap here
Web: levitation-austin.com
November & December
What: Ravinia
Where: Highland Park, IL
When: April 6 – November 16
Who: Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, James Taylor, O.A.R., Indigo Girls, Melissa Etheridge, Gipsy Kings, Hauser, Fitz & The Tantrums, Kronos Quartet, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Violent Femmes, Little Feat, Los Lobos, Roger Daltrey, Clint Black, Lyle Lovett, Daryl Hall, Elvis Costello & The Imposters, The Beach Boys, John Stamos, Norah Jones, Mavis Staples, Victor Wooten, Robert Glasper, The Roots, Samara Joy, ZZ Top, Lynyrd Skynyrd, TLC, Shaggy, Tom Jones, Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit, Crowded House, and many more
Why: Ravinia Park welcomes great outdoor shows all summer long.
Web: www.ravinia.org
What: Art of the Wild
Where: Las Vegas, NV
When: October 31 – November 3
Who: Adam Ten, Blond:Ish, Eric Prydz, Fatboy Slim, The Martinez Brothers, and more
Why: XS Nightclub at Wynn Las Vegas has its own Halloween.
Web: www.wynnsocial.com/art-of-the-wild-2024/
What: Hocus Pocus
Where: Miami, FL
When: October 31 – November 2
Who: Carl Craig, Charlotte de Witte, Coco S Breezy, The Martinez Brothers, and more
Why: Magical DJs over Halloween weekend.
Web: www.insomniac.com/events/hocus-pocus-2024-10-31-miami-fl/
What: Levitation
Where: Austin, TX
When: October 31 – November 3
Who: OSEES, The Black Angels, The Jesus Lizard, Tycho, Slowdive, The Sword, Washed Out, Soccer Mommy, Mdou Moctar, The Drums, Boris, Gang of Four, Destroy Boys, Nilüfer Yanya, Illuminati Hotties, William Basinski, Dry Cleaning, A Place To Bury Strangers, Bitzer Ebb, Starcrawler, Death Valley Girls, Ringo Deathstarr, The Well, Boogarins, Acid Mothers Temple, Pissed Jeans, and more to be announced
Why: Levitation comes to Austin, to play host to a mixture of indie & psych, thanks to The Black Angels (QRO spotlight on). Read & see more in 2022 our recap here
Web: levitation-austin.com
What: Headbangers Boat
Where: Miami, FL to Nassau, Bahamas
When: October 28 – November 1
Who: Lamb of God, Dethklok, At the Gates, Soulfly, Corrosion of Conformity, and more
Why: Headbang on the high seas.
Web: www.headbangersboat.com
What: Cowboy Moon
Where: Miramar Beach, FL
When: November 1-3
Who: Lyle Lovett & His Large Band, Little Feat, Jason Isbell, The Mavericks, Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, Hayes Carll, Nikki Lane, and more
Why: Lyle Lovett (and His Large Band) bring Country down to Miramar Beach.
Web: www.topeka.live/cowboymoon24
What: EDSea
Where: Miami, FL to Bimini, Bahamas
When: November 2-6
Who: ARMNHMR, Coco & Breezy, Dillon Francis, Emo Nite, Gryffin, Matroda, Slander, Subtronics, Sullivan King, Tchami, Walker & Royce, Wax Motif, Wreckno, and more
Why: Electric Daisy heads to the high seas.
Web: www.edsea.com
What: Freakout
Where: Seattle, WA
When: November 7-10
Who: The Black Angels, Shabazza Palaces, Black Lips, A Place To Bury Strangers, Martin Rev, BODEGA, Pip Blom, The Mystery Lights, JJUUJJUU, Daiistar, Winona Forever, The Asteroid No. 4, Ron Gallo, Reignwolf, and more
Why: Freakout in Seattle.
Web: www.the-freakout.com
What: Launch
Where: Dallas, TX
When: November 7-10
Who: To be announced
Why: Music conference & festival in Dallas, TX.
Web: www.launchmusicconference.com
What: Avett Moon
Where: Miramar Beach, FL
When: November 8-10
Who: The Avett Brothers, Greensky Bluegrass, Grace Potter, Band of Horses, Shakey Graves, and more
Why: The Avett Brothers bring their own festival to Miramar Beach.
Web: topeka.live/avettmoon24
What: EDC Orlando
Where: Orlando, FL
When: November 8-10
Who: Alesso, Black Tiger Sex Machine, Boogie T, Carl Cox, Vintage Culture, Timmy Trumpet, Dillon Francis, Dimitri Vegas, Steve Aoki, Diplo, Eric Prydz, Fisher, AC Slater, Chris Lorenzo, Galantis, Ganja White Night, Gareth Emery, Illenium, Kaskade, Alison Wonderland, Matroda, Oliver Heldens, Benny Benassi, Slander, Sullivan King, Tiësto, Troyboi, Wax Motif, Sub Focus, Zeds Dead, and more
Why: Electric Daisy Carnival is made for South Florida.
Web: orlando.electricdaisycarnival.com
What: SEMA
Where: Las Vegas, NV
When: November 8
Who: Cage the Elephant, Sublime, Fitz & The Tantrums, and more
Why: Auto meets music.
Web: www.semafest.com
What: Country Bay
Where: Miami, FL
When: November 9-10
Who: Zac Brown Band, Carrie Underwood, Dustin Lynch, Diplo, Chase Rice, Chase Matthew, and more
Why: Miami goes Country.
Web: countrybaymusicfestival.com
What: Holiday From Real
Where: Miami, FL to Great Stirrup Cay and Nassau, Bahamas
When: November 9-13
Who: Andrew McMahon In the Wilderness, Jack’s Mannequin, Something Corporate, The Academy Is…, MisterWives, Jukebox the Ghost, Augustana, and more
Why: Andrew McMahon throws a Holiday From Real.
Web: www.holidayfromrealcruise.com
What: Bull City Summit
Where: Durham, NC
When: November 12-17
Who: To be announced
Why: A musical Summit in Bull City.
Web: www.bullcitysummit.com
What: Rock the Bells Cruise
Where: Miami, FL to Great Stirrup Cay & Nassau, Bahamas
When: November 13-17
Who: Busta Rhymes, Method Man & Redman, Jadakiss, E-40, Scarface, Rakim, Talib Kweli, Digable Planets, DJ Jazzy Jeff, DJ Scratch, The Soul Rebels, and more
Why: Hip-hop goes from the islands of New York City to the islands of the Caribbean.
Web: www.rockthebellscruise.com
What: Desert Air
Where: Palm Springs, CA
When: November 15-16
Who: Kaytranada, Jamie xx, Avalon Emerson, Shygirl, Tove Lo, SG Lewis, and more
Why: Take in Palm Springs’ Desert Air.
Web: www.desertairfest.com
What: Seismic Dance Event
Where: Austin, TX
When: November 15-17
Who: Carl Cox, Eric Prydz, Gesaffelstein, Orbital, Waxtroda, and more
Why: Austin rocks to a Seismic Dance Event.
Web: seismicdanceevent.com
What: Camp Flog Gnaw
Where: Los Angeles, CA
When: November 16-17
Who: To be announced
Why: Tyler, the Creator goes back to Camp.
Web: www.campfloggnaw.com
What: Mates
Where: Los Angeles, CA
When: November 16
Who: Vacations, Puma Blue, Claud, and more
Why: Vacations brings their Mates from Australia to The Bellwether.
Web: thebellwetherla.com/events/mates-fest-241116
What: Punk in the Park – San Diego
Where: Orlando, FL
When: November 16
Who: The Offspring, Pennywise, Streetlight Manifesto, Voodoo Glowskulls, Buck O Nine, and more
Why: Bring some punk to Thrive Park.
Web: www.punkinthepark.com
What: M For Montreal
Where: Montreal, PQ, Canada
When: November 20-23
Who: To be announced
Why: ‘M’ doesn’t just stand for ‘murder’.
Web: www.mformontreal.com/en
What: The Mexico Incident
Where: Puerto Morelos, Mexico
When: December 7-11
Who: The String Cheese Incident, moe., Chromeo, Daniel Donato, and more
Why: The String Cheese Incident goes down Mexico way.
Web: stringcheesemexico.com
What: Welcome To Jam Rock
Where: Miami, FL to Montego Bay & Ocho Rios, Jamaica
When: December 9-14
Who: To be announced
Why: Go on the high seas.
Web: welcometojamrockreggaecruise.com
What: Closer To the Sun
Where: Riviera Maya, Mexico
When: December 11-15
Who: Slightly Stoopid, Stick Figure, Sublime, Cypress Hill, Iration, G. Love, Donavon Frankenreiter, and more
Why: Slightly Stoopid goes south to Hard Rock Hotel to get Closer To the Sun.
Web: closertothesun.com
What: Rolling Loud Miami
Where: Miami, FL
When: December 13-15
Who: Future, Travis Scott, Playboi Carti, Lil Baby, Don Toliver, Metro Boomin, Lil Yachty, Kodak Black, Bryson Tiller, Ken Carson, Sexyy Red, Trippie Redd, Tyga, Ski Mask the Slump God, Polo G, Denzel Curry, Rick Ross, BigXThaPlug, NLE Choppa, Shaboozey, Rich the Kid, Homixide Gang, and more
Why: Miami is Rolling Loud with this stacked hip-hop line-up.
Web: www.rollingloud.com/miami2024
