Whether you’re into EDM, rock, pop, or the latest indie bands, there is a music festival for you in the US. Below, we’ll present the best ones to visit, with a wide range of locations spread across every corner of the country.
1. Coachella
Line-up (2020): Rage Against the Machine, Frank Ocean, Calvin Harris, Flume, Lana Del Rey, FKA Twigs. (1)
Time and Location: Indio, California, April 10-12, 17-19, 2020
Coachella is by now an iconic music festival that attracts bands and visitors not just from the US, but from around the world. It’s among the top choices on everyone’s bucket list because of the incredible and varied line-ups available each year.
2. Lollapalooza
Line-up (2019): Childish Gambino, Tame Impala, Ariana Grande, The Strokes (2)
Time and Location: Grant Park, Chicago, 30 July – 2 August 2020
Lollapalooza offers not just excellent music shows, but also many booths with crafts, comedy, and dance. This festival is another important event in most people’s musical calendars and one where many historic moments have occurred for a large number of musicians and fans alike.
3. South by South West
Line-up (2020): Soccer Mommy, Steam Down, HMLTD, Margot Price (3)
Time and Location: Austin, Texas, 16-27 March 2020
SXSW is an annual music festival that every year takes over Austin and showcases new and emerging artists, giving them a chance to launch and further their careers. Visitors to this multi-day event can also watch films and interactive highlights, attend various screenings and talks, and enjoy incredible food.
4. Pitchfork Music Festival
Line-up (2020): The National, Kim Gordon, Run the Jewels, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Deafheaven, Phoebe Bridgers. (4)
Time and Location: Union Park, Chicago, 17-19 July 2020
Pitchfork Media is the driving force behind this popular music festival that focuses on independent music acts and bands. Those who attend can enjoy a mix of rock, jazz, punk, hip-hop, and electronic music, a variety of other genres and subgenres, and an incredible selection of drinks and food.
5. Electric Daisy Carnival Las Vegas
Line-up (2020): Alison Wonderland, David Guetta, Richie Hawting, Sven Vath, Paul Van Dyk (5)
Time and Location: Las Vegas, Nevada, 15-17 May 2020
Apart from hosting two events in the US, EDC has also been to Mexico, the UK, and Puerto Rico. This 3-day EDM extravaganza is filled with fireworks, big stages and incredible lights that break records each year and attract thousands of electronic music lovers.
6. Austin City Limits Music Festival
Line up (2019): Gary Clark Jr., Thom York, James Blake, Childish Gambino, Guns n Roses, Cardi B, Billie Eilish (6)
Time and Location: Zilker Park, Austin, 2-4, 9-11 October 2020
The Austin City Limits music festival offers eight different stages that not only bring attendees a wide variety of top musical artists, but also offer delicious food and beverages, family areas, art markets, and more. At first, the festival was held for just one weekend, but a successful expansion has seen it offer two weekends packed with entertainment since 2012.
7. Ultra Music Festival
Line-up (2020): Martin Garrix, Amelie Lens, Major Lazer, Armin Van Buuren, Flume (7)
Time and Location: Miami, Florida, 27-28 March 2020 (date moved due to COVID-19)
The streets of Miami turn into an all-out party when world-class DJs take to the stage at the Ultra Music Festival, which attracts party-goers and fans of electronic music from around the world. Keep in mind that this year, the date of the festival has been moved due to the coronavirus.
8. The Governors Ball Music Festival
Line-up (2020): Missy Elliot, Vampire Weekend, Stevie Nicks, Tame Impala, Miley Cyrus (8)
Time and Location: Randall’s Island, New York, 29-31 May 2020
If it wasn’t for this music festival, many people wouldn’t know about Randal’s Island potential to be an excellent destination for concerts and parties. Among acts in the line-up, you’ll find rock music, electronic, folk, pop, and hip-hop, offering a variety few people can resist.
9. New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
Line-up (2020): Foo Fighters, The Who, Lionel Richie, Erykah Badu, Lenny Kravitz (9)
Time and Location: New Orleans, USA – 23 April, 3 May 2020
Starting in 1970, this festival provides visitors with a complete New Orleans music and cultural experience. The festival has also expanded over the years and now includes popular rock and pop acts as well.
10. Burning Man
Line-up: There’s no official line-up for Burning Man. Instead, those who visit create the culture, art, and music this festival is famous for. (10)
Time and Location: Black Rock Desert, Nevada – 30 August – 7 September 2020
Starting in 1986, Burning Man has become a world-renowned festival and a phenomenon of culture, which is held every year in the Black Rock Desert in Nevada.
REFERENCES:
- https://www.coachella.com/lineup
- https://www.lollapalooza.com/lineup/
- https://www.sxsw.com/festivals/music/
- https://pitchforkmusicfestival.com/
- https://lasvegas.electricdaisycarnival.com/lineup/
- https://www.aclfestival.com/lineup/
- https://ultramusicfestival.com/official-notice
- https://www.governorsballmusicfestival.com/lineup/
- https://www.nojazzfest.com/music/
- https://burningman.org/event/brc/