North America welcomes festivals from the first days of January to the last day of December – and QRO’s got them all in our massive, constantly-updated year-round guide. See last year’s Festival Guide
Total festivals with full line-ups: 344
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: Holy Ship 8.0
Where: Port Canaveral, FL to Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas to Nassau, Bahamas
When: January 6-10
Who: DJ Snake, Tchami, Duke Dumont, Boys Noize, A-Trak, Marshmello, Big Gigantic, Rudimental, Kill the Noise, Destructo, Justin Martin, Snails, Rufus Du Sol, Bob Moses, Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs, and more
Why: Holy ship that’s a lot of DJs!
Web: holyship.com
What: Ecstatic
Where: New York, NY
When: January 9 – May 13
Who: Sleigh Bells, San Fermin, Kronos Quartet, Nick Zammuto and more
Why: The burgeoning indie-classical genre gets Ecstatic with the latest series of events at Merkin Concert Hall.
Web: www.ecstaticmusicfestival.com
What: Holy Ship 9.0
Where: Port Canaveral, FL to Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas to Nassau, Bahamas
When: January 10-14
Who: Fatboy Slim, GRiZ, Claude Von Stroke, Jauz, Maya Jane Coles, Hot Since 82, GTA, Gorgon City, Destructo, Justin Martin, Felix da Housecat, AC Slater, Slow Magic, Soul Clap, Wolf + Lam, and more
Why: Holy ship that’s a lot of DJs!
Web: holyship.com
What: Shiprocked
Where: Miami, FL to Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos
When: January 16-20
Who: Breaking Benjamin, Papa Roach, Alter Bridge, Sevendust, Pop Evil, The Stowaways, Crobot, Letters From the Fire, Wilson, and more
Why: A hard rock cruise.
Web: www.shiprocked.com
What: Shivering Songs
Where: Fredericton, NB, Canada
When: January 19-22
Who: Basia Bulat, Bad People, Donovan Woods, Jim Bruson, The Olympic Symphonium, The Wooden Sky, and more
Why: The Olympic Symphonium’s hometown festival returns.
Web: shiveringsongs.com
What: Voices On the Hudson
Where: New York, NY
When: January 24 – March 29
Who: Michelle Shocked, Bobby Bare Jr., Elvis Perkins, Teddy Thompson, Amy Helm, Diane Birch, Lucy Wainwright Roche, Joseph Arthur, Jill Sobule, Melissa Ferrick, Bob Schneider, and more
Why: City Winery (QRO venue review) sister venue City Vineyard brings Voices to the Hudson.
Web: www.cityvineyardnyc.com
What: Timbrrr Winter
Where: Leavenworth, WA
When: January 27-28
Who: The Thermals, Lucy Dacus, Wimps, and more
Why: Timbrr!
Web: www.timbermusicfest.com
What: Megaphono
Where: Ottawa, ON, Canada
When: February 1-3
Who: New Swears, Bry Webb, Steve Adamyk Band, and more
Why: The Canadian capital gets a Megaphono.
Web: www.megaphono.tv
What: American Songbook
Where: Lincoln Center, New York, NY
When: February 1 – May 13
Who: Okkervil River, Five For Fighting, Laura Mvula, Jamie Lidell, India.Arie, Buffy Saint-Marie, Tanya Tagaq, José González, Rhiannon Giddens, and more
Why: Pretty much the classiest venue out there, Lincoln Center celebrates American songwriting at Appel Room (and Alice Tully Hall). See our venue review & photos of Lincoln Center’s Appel Room here
Web: www.americansongbook.org
What: Tuscon Gem & Jam
Where: Tuscon, AZ
When: February 2-5
Who: Gramatik, Mike Gordon, The Floozies, Lotus, EOTO, The Infamous Stringdusters, Com Truise, The Motet, The New Deal, and more
Why: Spin some beats & groove some james while you look at some gems.
Web: gemandjamfestival.com
What: Noise Pop
Where: San Francisco, CA and Oakland, CA
When: February 17-27
Who: Vince Staples, Ty Segall, Deafheaven, MSTRKRFT, Grandaddy, BADBADNOTGOOD, Dawes, Radical Face, Cloud Nothings, The Radio Dept., Los Campesinos!, Rogue Wave, Clipping., The Joy Formidable, This Will Destroy You, Hanni El Khatib, Julia Holter, Tennis, Crocodiles, Moon Duo, The Rural Alberta Advantage, Tacocat, PWR BTTM, White Fence, Matt Pond PA, The Mother Hips, Mothers, Diet Cig, Adia Victoria, and more
Why: Venues across San Francisco (and now Oakland!) have a nice line-up of acts from the hottest in today’s indie-rock to ultra-vets & in between.
Web: noisepop.com/2017
What: Soulquarius
Where: Orange County, CA
When: February 18
Who: R Kelly, Erykah Badu, JA Rule & Ashanti, Jhene Aiko, Brandy, The Internet, The Dream, DMX, Kelis, Willow Smith, The Pharcyde, Ying Yang Twins, BJ the Chicago Kid, and more
Why: Head to Los Angeles to grab some air – and some style. See more in our 2015 photo gallery here
Web: soulquarius.com
What: Air + Style L.A.
Where: Los Angeles, CA
When: February 18-19
Who: Major Lazer, Flume, ZHU, Chromeo, Atmosphere, YG, TV On the Radio, Vince Staples, Vic Mensa, St. Lucia, XYLO, and more
Why: Head to Los Angeles to grab some air – and some style. See more in our 2015 photo gallery here
Web: airandstyle.com/los-angeles-2
What: Red Bull Sound Select: 3 Days In Miami
Where: Miami, FL
When: February 23-25
Who: Angel Olsen, GoldLink, Kelela, and more
Why: Red Bull Sound Select comes to the Hangar in downtown Miami for three days.
Web: 3days.redbullsoundselect.com/2017/miami#
What: Wanderlust Oahu
Where: Oahu, HI
When: February 23-26
Who: Allen Stone, GRiZ, Son Little, and more
Why: Yoga + music fest Wanderlust wanders all the way to Hawaii. See more in our photo gallery of 2017 Wanderlust Squaw Valley here
Web: wanderlust.com/festivals/oahu/
What: Winter Wondergrass Colorado
Where: Steamboat Springs, CO
When: February 24-26
Who: Railroad Earth, Leftover Salmon, Elephant Revival, The Infamous Stringdusters, Sam Bush Band, Steep Canyon Rangers, Fruition, The California Honeydrops, and more
Why: Embrace the Wonderful bluegrass sounds in Colorado.
Web: www.winterwondergrass.com/co-landing
March
What: Ecstatic
Where: New York, NY
When: January 9 – May 13
Who: Sleigh Bells, San Fermin, Kronos Quartet, Nick Zammuto and more
Why: The burgeoning indie-classical genre gets Ecstatic with the latest series of events at Merkin Concert Hall.
Web: www.ecstaticmusicfestival.com
What: Voices On the Hudson
Where: New York, NY
When: January 24 – March 29
Who: Michelle Shocked, Bobby Bare Jr., Elvis Perkins, Teddy Thompson, Amy Helm, Diane Birch, Lucy Wainwright Roche, Joseph Arthur, Jill Sobule, Melissa Ferrick, Bob Schneider, and more
Why: City Winery (QRO venue review) sister venue City Vineyard brings Voices to the Hudson.
Web: www.cityvineyardnyc.com
What: American Songbook
Where: Lincoln Center, New York, NY
When: February 1 – May 13
Who: Okkervil River, Five For Fighting, Laura Mvula, Jamie Lidell, India.Arie, Buffy Saint-Marie, Tanya Tagaq, José González, Rhiannon Giddens, and more
Why: Pretty much the classiest venue out there, Lincoln Center celebrates American songwriting at Appel Room (and Alice Tully Hall). See our venue review & photos of Lincoln Center’s Appel Room here
Web: www.americansongbook.org
What: Okeechobee
Where: Okeechobee, FL
When: March 2-5
Who: Kings of Leon, Usher & The Roots, Bassnectar, The Lumineers, Flume, Wiz Khalifa, Pretty Lights, Solange, Rae Sremmurd, Young the Giant, Porter Robinson, Anderson .Paak, GRiZ, Cold War Kids, Blood Orange, Mike Posner, Bleachers, Soja, The Revivalists, D.R.A.M., Mac DeMarco, Waka Flocka Flame, Sleigh Bells, Gallant, The Growlers, Moon Taxi, The Knocks, BADBADNOTGOOD, Joywave, Allen Stone, George Clinton, Galactic, The Japanese House, Lewis Del Mar, Nightmares On Wax, Futurebirds, and more
Why: A new, popular, and diverse festival down in warm Florida.
Web: okeechobeefest.com
What: McDowell Mountain
Where: Phoenix, AZ
When: March 3-5
Who: Flume, The Shins, Chromeo, Grouplove, Gov’t Mule, Lettuce, Emancipator, Bob Moses, Railroad Earth, and more
Why: Phoenix gets a better jam-band festival.
Web: mmmf.com
What: CRSSD – Spring
Where: San Diego, CA
When: March 3-5
Who: Flume, Duke Dumont, Blood Orange, Bob Moses, Alunageorge, Snakehips, Giraffage, Justin Martin, 2manydjs, Skream, Seth Troxler, Eats Everything, and more
Why: Spinning up a strong electronic festival at San Diego’s Waterfront Park. Read much more in our recap here
Web: crssdfest.com
What: Savannah Stopover
Where: Savannah, GA
When: March 9-11
Who: Kishi Bashi, Lee Fields & The Expressions, Ezra Furman, JEFF The Brotherhood, Crocodiles, The Dig, Muddy Magnolias, Allison Crutchfield, Walker Lukens, A Tribe Called Red, and more
Why: Before heading to SXSW (see below), stopover in Savannah. Read & see much more in our 2014 recap here
Web: www.savannahstopover.com
What: The Buku Project
Where: New Orleans, LA
When: March 10-11
Who: deadmau5, Travi$ Scott, Grizmatik, Run the Jewels, Zeds Dead, Tycho, Young Thug, ZHU, Sleigh Bells, Vince Staples, Washed Out, Cashmere Cat, Thundercat, Car Seat Headrest, Caddywhompus, and more
Why: The Buku Project brings electronica & more to the Big Easy. Read & see much more in our 2015 recap here
Web: thebukuproject.com
What: Gasparilla
Where: Tampa, FL
When: March 11-12
Who: Cage the Elephant, Ryan Adams, Ghostface Killah, Chronixx, Moon Taxi, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, The New Mastersounds, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, and more
Why: Southern Florida gets a nice early fest.
Web: gasparillamusic.com
What: Nrmal
Where: Mexico City, Mexico
When: March 11-12
Who: The Brian Jonestown Massacre, Tortoise, Psychic TV, Clubz, Porches, Moon Duo, Holy Wave, and more
Why: Head down Mexico way for Festival Nrmal.
Web: www.festivalnrmal.net
What: South-by-Southwest
Where: Austin, TX
When: March 13-19
Who: More than you count
Why: Still the bar by which all other of the multiplying music industry expos are judged by – and still the best. Read & see much, much more in our big recap here
Web: sxsw.com
What: Pot of Gold
Where: Chandler, AZ
When: March 17-18
Who: G-Eazy, Flogging Molly, Death Cab for Cutie, Sublime with Rome, Rae Sremmurd, NOFX, 311, Fitz & The Tantrums, X Ambassadors, Action Bronson, Matisyahu, Less Than Jake, WOlf Parade, Desiigner, Bouncing Souls, and more
Why: Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Arizona.
Web: www.potofgoldaz.com
What: Musink
Where: Costa Mesa, CA
When: March 17-19
Who: NOFX, The Used, Pennywise, Bad Religion, The Vandals, Swingin’ Utters, Glassjaw, Lagwagon, A Wilhelm Scream, Story of the Year, and more
Why: Blink 182’s Travis Barker brings music together with a tattoo convention.
Web: musinkfest.com
What: Starry Nites
Where: Santa Barbara, CA
When: March 18-19
Who: Alan Parsons Project, The Kills, Cat Power, The Dandy Warhols, She Wants Revenge, Black Mountain, Teenage Fanclub, Strawberry Alarm Clock, Lumerians, Asteroid No. 4, Immigrant Union, and more
Why: Starry Nites under the California sky.
Web: www.starrynitesfestival.com
What: Treefort
Where: Boise, ID
When: March 22-26
Who: Mac DeMarco, The Growlers, STRFKR, The Bouncing Souls, Deafheaven, Touché Amoré, WHY?, Alvvays, The Infamous Stringdusters, Dead Meadow, Lower Dens, Coathangers, Kate Tempest, Lizzo, The Album Leaf, Kishi Bashi, Grouper, Meat Puppets, Jonathan Richman, Delicate Steve, Marco Benevento, Open Mike Eagle, Andy Shauf, This Will Destroy You, 65daysofstatic, The Dig, Psychic Twin, ALex Cameron, Dressy Bessy, Aldous Harding, The Werks, Happyness, and more
Why: Go to your own private Idaho for Treefort.
Web: treefortmusicfest.com
What: Big Ears
Where: Knoxville, TN
When: March 23-26
Who: Wilco, The Magnetic Fields, My Brightest Diamond, Tortoise, Blonde Redhead, Colin Stetson, Xiu Xiu, Glenn Kotche, Johann Johannson, Matmos, Deerhoof, Dave Harrington, Jeremy Gara, 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: So What?
Where: Grand Prairie, TX
When: March 24-26
Who: After the Burial, Envy On the Coast, Forever the Sickest Kids, Dance Gavin Dance, Escape the Fate, Every Time I Die, Mayday Parade, We the Kings, Set Your Goals, THe Story So Far, and more
Why: If you like emo instead of indie, go to Grand Prairie instead of Austin.
Web: www.southbysowhat.com
What: Ultra
Where: Miami, FL
When: March 24-26
Who: Ice Cube, Justice, Major Lazer, The Prodigy, Underworld, Above & Beyond, Afrojack, Alesso, Armin Van Buuren, Axwell Ingrosso, Carl Cox, David Guetta, Hardwell, Martin Garrix, Steve Aoki, Tiësto, 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: Drill – Los Angeles
Where: Los Angels, CA
When: March 31 – April 2
Who: Wire, Bob Mould, Julia Holter, Mikal Cronin, Mild High Club, WAND, and more
Why: Post-punks Wire throws a festival.
Web: drillfestival.com/los-angeles
What: Hogs For a Cause
Where: New Orleans, LA
When: March 31 – April 1
Who: Chris Robinson Brotherhood, Railroad Earth, Shovels & Rope, The London Souls, Fruit Bats, and more
Why: Some hogs (and music) for a cause.
Web: www.hogsforthecause.org
What: March Madness
Where: Houston, TX
When: March 31 – April 2
Who: Aerosmith, Keith Urban, The Chainsmokers, Justin Moore, Grouplove, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, The Head and The Heart, Leon Bridges, Nathaniel Rateliff, Capital Cities, and more
Why: Celebrate March Madness – into April – with music.
Web: www.ncaa.com/marchmadness/musicfest
What: Winter Wondergrass California
Where: Lake Tahoe, CA
When: March 31 – April 2
Who: Greensky Bluegrass, Yonder Mountain String Band, Leftover Salmon, The Infamous Stringdusters, Fruition, Dead Winter Carpenters, Mandolin Orange, and more
Why: Embrace the Wonderful bluegrass sounds on Lake Tahoe.
Web: www.winterwondergrasstahoe.com
April
What: Ecstatic
Where: New York, NY
When: January 9 – May 13
Who: Sleigh Bells, San Fermin, Kronos Quartet, Nick Zammuto and more
Why: The burgeoning indie-classical genre gets Ecstatic with the latest series of events at Merkin Concert Hall.
Web: www.ecstaticmusicfestival.com
What: American Songbook
Where: Lincoln Center, New York, NY
When: February 1 – May 13
Who: Okkervil River, Five For Fighting, Laura Mvula, Jamie Lidell, India.Arie, Buffy Saint-Marie, Tanya Tagaq, José González, Rhiannon Giddens, and more
Why: Pretty much the classiest venue out there, Lincoln Center celebrates American songwriting at Appel Room (and Alice Tully Hall). See our venue review & photos of Lincoln Center’s Appel Room here
Web: www.americansongbook.org
What: Drill – Los Angeles
Where: Los Angels, CA
When: March 31 – April 2
Who: Wire, Bob Mould, Julia Holter, Mikal Cronin, Mild High Club, WAND, and more
Why: Post-punks Wire throws a festival.
Web: drillfestival.com/los-angeles
What: March Madness
Where: Houston, TX
When: March 31 – April 2
Who: Aerosmith, Keith Urban, The Chainsmokers, Justin Moore, Grouplove, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, The Head and The Heart, Leon Bridges, Nathaniel Rateliff, Capital Cities, and more
Why: Celebrate March Madness – into April – with music.
Web: www.ncaa.com/marchmadness/musicfest
What: Hogs For a Cause
Where: New Orleans, LA
When: March 31 – April 1
Who: Chris Robinson Brotherhood, Railroad Earth, Shovels & Rope, The London Souls, Fruit Bats, and more
Why: Some hogs (and music) for a cause.
Web: www.hogsforthecause.org
What: Winter Wondergrass California
Where: Lake Tahoe, CA
When: March 31 – April 2
Who: Greensky Bluegrass, Yonder Mountain String Band, Leftover Salmon, The Infamous Stringdusters, Fruition, Dead Winter Carpenters, Mandolin Orange, and more
Why: Embrace the Wonderful bluegrass sounds on Lake Tahoe.
Web: www.winterwondergrasstahoe.com
What: Safety Harbor Song
Where: Safety Harbor, FL
When: April 1-2
Who: The Wood Brothers, Fantastic Negrito, Magic Giant, and more
Why: Singers find Safe Harbor.
Web: www.safetyharborsongfest.com
What: Mission Creek
Where: Iowa City, IA
When: April 4-9
Who: Andrew Bird, Margaret Cho, Rufus Wainwright, Ghostface Killah, Kishi Bashi, DIIV, The Cool Kids, Mykki Blanco, Tennis, Floating Points, My Brightest Diamond, Cloud Nothings, The Bad Plus, Preoccupations, and more
Why: Iowa City kicks if off early with some interesting names.
Web: missioncreekfestival.com
What: Euphoria
Where: Austin, TX
When: April 6-9
Who: Alesso, Chromeo, Pretty Lights, Wiz Khalifa, Young Thug, Zeds Dead, The Disco Biscuits, The Floozies, Knife Party, Moby, Oliver Heldens, Post Malone, BADBADNOTGOOD, Bob Moses, The Knocks, and more
Why: EDM comes to TEX. See much more in our 2015 photo gallery here
Web: www.euphoriafest.com
What: French Quarter
Where: New Orleans, LA
When: April 6-9
Who: Aaron Neville, Irma Thomas, Hot Stuff, Leroy Jones, Kermit Ruffins, Lost Bayou Ramblers, Soul Rebels, and more
Why: Nobody does music or festivals like the French Quarter. Read & see more in our 2016 recap here
Web: fqfi.org/frenchquarter
What: Maverick
Where: San Antonio, TX
When: April 7-8
Who: Young the Giant, B∆stille, De La Soul, Naked and Famous, Minus the Bear, Book of Love, Generationals, Small Black, and more
Why: Some more mavericks of the Lone Star State. See much more in our 2015 photo gallery here
Web: maverickmusicfestival.com
What: Tortuga
Where: Ft. Lauderdale, FL
When: April 7-9
Who: Kenny Chesney, Luke Bryan, Chris Stapleton, Darius Rucker, Slightly Stoopid, Nelly, G. Love & Special Sauce, Delta Rae, and more
Why: For spring break, go country in Ft. Lauderdale. Read & see much more in our 2013 recap here
Web: www.tortugamusicfestival.com
What: Telus
Where: Whistler, BC, Canada
When: April 7-16
Who: Virginia To Vegas, Walk Off the Earth, Busty & The Bass, Grandson, Northern Ignition, Keys N Krates, Busta Rhymes, Alpha Omega, Ozomatli, and more
Why: In addition to the snow, come for the sounds at Telus World Ski & Snowboard Festival.
Web: wssf.com
What: Sabroso
Where: Dana Point, CA
When: April 8
Who: The Offspring, Sum 41, Rival Sons, Lit, Unwritten Law, and more
Why: KLOS brings beer, tacos, and music.
Web: sabrosotacofest.com
What: When We Were Young
Where: Santa Ana, CA
When: April 8-9
Who: Morrissey, Descendents, AFI, Cage the Elephant, Taking Back Sunday, FIDLAR, Alkaline Trio, Silversun Pickups, Dr. Dog, Streetlight Manifesto, Foxygen, Joyce Manor, The Get Up Kids, Saves the Day, Beach Fossils, Mount Eerie, Balance and Composure, Pinback, Sheer Mag, Sunflower Bean, and more
Why: An indie mix reminds us of When We Were Young.
Web: www.whenwewereyoung.net
What: Coachella
Where: Indio, CA
When: April 14-16 & 21-23
Who: Radiohead, Kendrick Lamar, Lady Gaga, The xx, Travi$ Scott, Father John Misty, Empire of the Sun, Dillon Francis, Bon Iver, Future, DJ Snake, Martin Garrix, ScHoolboy Q, Gucci Mane, Lorde, Justice, New Order, Porter Robinson, Madeon, Future Islands, Hans Zimmer, DJ Khaled, Marshmello, Galantis, Kehlani, Grouplove, Kaytranada, The Head & The Heart, Two Door Cinema Club, Nicolas Jaar, B∆stille, Tycho, Tory Lanez, Röyksopp, Mac Miller, Steve Angello, Glass Animals, Phantogram, Mac DeMarco, Little Dragon, BANKS, Bonobo, Richie Hawtin, DJ Shadow, Capital Cities, Big Gigantic, Crystal Castles, SOHN, Local Natives, Four Tet, Róison Murphy, Moderat, The Avalanches, Toots & The Maytals, Devendra Banhart, Tove Lo, Jack Garratt, Real Estate, Maya Jane Coles, What So Not, Lee Fields, GoldLink, Allah-Las, Warpaint, Banks & Steelz, Classixx, Car Seat Headrest, Jagwar Ma, BROODS, Guided By Voices, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Oh Wonder, Stormzy, Zipper Club, Tennis, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, Brodinski, Floating Points, Thundercat, Arkells, Bishop Briggs, King Sunny Adé, Whitney, Twin Peaks, Preoccupations, HINDS, Ezra Furman, Pond, Caveman, Blossoms, Denzel Curry, The Lemon Twigs, Tacocat, and many, many more
Why: The biggest & best festival has grown so big as to have a second weekend, repeating it’s once again amazing line-up. See much more in our 2012 photo gallery here
Web: www.coachella.com
What: Brufest
Where: Phoenix, AZ
When: April 15
Who: The Offspring, Pennywise, Atreyu, All That Remains, and more
Why: Sabroso & 98 KUPD bring music & beer.
Web: brufest.com
What: Canadian Music Week
Where: Toronto, ON, Canada
When: April 18-23
Who: Big Sean, Earl Sweatshirt, The Strumbellas, Explosions In the Sky, Wolf Parade, Melissa Etheridge, Good Charlotte, Charlotte Day Wilson, Japanese Breakfast, Hollerado, Dan Mangan, Bob Mould, and more
Why: Toronto has it’s own multi-venue music industry fest (not to be confused with North-by-Northeast – see below). See more in our 2014 photo gallery here
Web: canadianmusicfest.com
What: Wanee
Where: Live Oak, FL
When: April 20-22
Who: Widespread Panic, Bob Weir, Trey Anastasio, Gov’t Mule, Dark Star Orchestra, Dr. John & The Nite Trippers, JJ Grey & Mofro, Blackberry Smoke, Leftover Salmon, Matisyahu, Keller Williams, Papadosio, Turkuaz, and more
Why: Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Florida hosts a jam-band festival.
Web: www.waneefestival.com
What: Old Settler’s
Where: Driftwood, TX
When: April 20-23
Who: Shakey Graves, Del McCoury, Los Lobos, Sam Bush, Old 97’s, Sarah Jarosz, Elephant Revival, The Lone Bellow, Anders Osborne, Nikki Lane, The Travelin’ McCourys, Mandolin Orange, The California Honeydrops, The Last Bandoleros, and more
Why: As American as the Old Settler’s.
Web: oldsettlersmusicfest.org
What: Las Rageous
Where: Las Vegas, NV
When: April 21-22
Who: Godsmack, Avenged Sevenfold, Coheed and Cambria, Breaking Benjamin, Anthrax, Mastodon, Killswitch Engage, Eagles of Death Metal, Of Mice and Men, All That Remains, The Devil Wears Prada, Escape the Fate, and more
Why: Rage in Vegas with this strong, heavy line-up. Read & see much more in our recap here
Web: www.lasrageous.com
What: Rites of Spring
Where: Nashville, TN
When: April 21-22
Who: The Shins, Rae Sremmurd, St. Lucia, Ty Dolla $ign, and more
Why: Vanderbilt University knows how to book ’em for its Rites of Spring (fling).
Web: www.vanderbilt.edu/ros
What: Something Wonderful
Where: Fort Worth, TX
When: April 21-22
Who: Porter Robinson, DJ Snake, 3Lau, Cash Cash, Borgore, Flux Pavilion, Zomboy, Claude Vonstroke, Gareth Emery, Audien, Justin Martin, Giraffage, and more
Why: Something Wonderful comes to Texas Motor Speedway.
Web: somethingwonderful.com
What: Move
Where: Albany, NY
When: April 27-29
Who: July Talk, Jocelyn & Chris Arndt, Shinobi Ninja, The Energy, and more
Why: Be like Andrew Cuomo and Move up to the town’s that played host to David Patterson, Elliott Spitzer, and late papa Cuomo.
Web: www.movemusicfest.com
What: Norman
Where: Norman, OK
When: April 27-29
Who: Thee Oh Sees, Israel Nash, Oddisee & Good Company, White Reaper, Low Cut Connie, Ringo Deathstarr, and more
Why: Norman Oklahoma’s own free festival & QRO favorite stays sweet. Read & see more in 2010 our recap here
Web: normanmusicfestival.com
What: MerleFest
Where: Wilkesboro, NC
When: April 27-30
Who: The Avett Brothers, Zac Brown Band, Marty Stuart, Del McCourty, Leftover Salmon, Sam Bush Band, Steep Canyon Rangers, Mandolin Orange, Sarah Jarosz, Tift Merritt, and more
Why: Wilkes Community College welcomes MerleFest.
Web: merlefest.org
What: Double Decker
Where: Oxford, MS
When: April 28-29
Who: Jim ‘Duck’ Holmes, Muddy Magnolias, The Mississippians Jazz Ensemble, Seratones, Dr. John & The Nite Trippers, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, and more
Why: Take the Double Decker to Oxford – Mississippi.
Web: www.doubledeckerfestival.com
What: Rock Into Spring
Where: Lax Vegas, NV
When: April 28-29
Who: Art of Anarchy, Sick Puppies, Buckcherry, Alien Ant Farm, DJ Lethaland more
Why: M Resort Spa and Casino hosts a hard rock festival.
Web: rockintospring.com
What: Fyre
Where: Fyre Cay, Bahamas
When: April 28-30 & May 5-7
Who: Pusha T, Tyga, Desiigner, Blink-182, Major Lazer, Disclosure, Migos, Kaytranada, Lil Yachty, Matoma, Skepta, and more
Why: Held on a private island in the Bahamas, this is the kind of festival whose line-up announcements come through Kendall Jenner’s social media… UPDATE: The whole thing was a poorly-managed disaster, stranding those who’d paid thousands of dollars with little food & not enough tents, before being cancelled.
Web: www.fyrefestival.com
What: New Orleans Jazz & Heritage
Where: New Orleans, LA
When: April 28 – May 7
Who: Stevie Wonder, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Maroon 5, Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds, Kings of Leon, Usher & The Roots, Harry Connick Jr., Meghan Trainor, Lorde, Snoop Dogg, Alabama Shakes, Pitbull, Widespread Panic, Trey Anastasio, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Earth, Wind & Fire, Wilco, Darius Rucker, Patti LaBelle, NAS with Soul Rebels, Buddy Guy, Aaron Neville, Corinne Bailey Rae, Irma Thomas, Elle King, Dr. John, Jon Batiste & Stay Human, Amos Lee, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Big Freedia, Maze, The Revivalists, Leon Bridges, Dawes, Galactic, Blues Traveler, Rhiannon Giddens, The Lone Bellow, Margo Price, Lake Street Dive, Kermit Ruffins, Anders Osborne, and many, many more
Why: The Big Easy’s big festival gets some big names.
Web: www.nojazzfest.com
What: Fort Rock
Where: Fort Myers, FL
When: April 29-30
Who: Def Leppard, Soundgarden, A Perfect Circle, The Offspring, Mastodon, Chevelle, Papa Roach, Seether, Three Days Grace, Alter Bridge, The Pretty Reckless, Eagles of Death Metal, Highly Suspect, In This Moment, Motionless In White, All That Remains, Dinosaur Pile Up, and more
Why: Fort Myers Fort Rocks.
Web: www.fortrockfestival.com
What: Fortress
Where: Ft. Worth, TX
When: April 29-30
Who: Run the Jewels, Purity Ring, Flying Lotus, Slowdive, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Peter Hook & The Light, Houndmouth, Wolf Parade, Alvvays, Whitney, Dengue Fever, and more
Why: Fort Myers Fort Rocks.
Web: fortressfestival.com
What: Rockville
Where: Jacksonville, FL
When: April 29-30
Who: Def Leppard, Soundgarden, A Perfect Circle, The Offspring, Mastodon, Chevelle, Papa Roach, Seether, Three Days Grace, Alter Bridge, The Pretty Reckless, Eagles of Death Metal, Highly Suspect, In This Moment, Motionless In White, All That Remains, Rival Sons, Every Time I Die, Dinosaur Pile Up, and more
Why: Unfortunately, the festival named ‘Rockville’ is just about what you’d expect from that name (and not the R.E.M. song…).
Web: www.welcometorockvillefestival.com
What: Texas Crawfish
Where: Spring, TX
When: April 29-30
Who: Reckless Kelly, Asleep At the Wheel, and more
Why: Celebrate the southern crawfish & more at this festival.
Web: texascrawfishfestival.com
What: Red Bull Music Academy
Where: New York, NY
When: April 29 – May 21
Who: Alvin Lucier, Moodymann, Werner Herzog, Patrick Adams, Elza Soares, and more
Why: Red Bull’s Music Academy returns to NYC. See more in event photo gallery here
Web: www.redbullmusicacademy.com
May
What: Ecstatic
Where: New York, NY
When: January 9 – May 13
Who: Sleigh Bells, San Fermin, Kronos Quartet, Nick Zammuto and more
Why: The burgeoning indie-classical genre gets Ecstatic with the latest series of events at Merkin Concert Hall.
Web: www.ecstaticmusicfestival.com
What: American Songbook
Where: Lincoln Center, New York, NY
When: February 1 – May 13
Who: Okkervil River, Five For Fighting, Laura Mvula, Jamie Lidell, India.Arie, Buffy Saint-Marie, Tanya Tagaq, José González, Rhiannon Giddens, and more
Why: Pretty much the classiest venue out there, Lincoln Center celebrates American songwriting at Appel Room (and Alice Tully Hall). See our venue review & photos of Lincoln Center’s Appel Room here
Web: www.americansongbook.org
What: Fyre
Where: Fyre Cay, Bahamas
When: April 28-30 & May 5-7
Who: Pusha T, Tyga, Desiigner, Blink-182, Major Lazer, Disclosure, Migos, Kaytranada, Lil Yachty, Matoma, Skepta, and more
Why: Held on a private island in the Bahamas, this is the kind of festival whose line-up announcements come through Kendall Jenner’s social media… UPDATE: The whole thing was a poorly-managed disaster, stranding those who’d paid thousands of dollars with little food & not enough tents, before being cancelled.
Web: www.fyrefestival.com
What: New Orleans Jazz & Heritage
Where: New Orleans, LA
When: April 28 – May 7
Who: Stevie Wonder, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Maroon 5, Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds, Kings of Leon, Usher & The Roots, Harry Connick Jr., Meghan Trainor, Lorde, Snoop Dogg, Alabama Shakes, Pitbull, Widespread Panic, Trey Anastasio, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Earth, Wind & Fire, Wilco, Darius Rucker, Patti LaBelle, NAS with Soul Rebels, Buddy Guy, Aaron Neville, Corinne Bailey Rae, Irma Thomas, Elle King, Dr. John, Jon Batiste & Stay Human, Amos Lee, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Big Freedia, Maze, The Revivalists, Leon Bridges, Dawes, Galactic, Blues Traveler, Rhiannon Giddens, The Lone Bellow, Margo Price, Lake Street Dive, Kermit Ruffins, Anders Osborne, and many, many more
Why: The Big Easy’s big festival gets some big names.
Web: www.nojazzfest.com
What: Red Bull Music Academy
Where: New York, NY
When: April 29 – May 21
Who: Alvin Lucier, Moodymann, Werner Herzog, Patrick Adams, Elza Soares, and more
Why: Red Bull’s Music Academy returns to NYC. See more in event photo gallery here
Web: www.redbullmusicacademy.com
What: SunFest
Where: West Palm Beach, FL
When: May 3-7
Who: Blink-182, Weezer, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Widespread Panic, Marshmello, Snoop Dogg, Dirty Heads, Ziggy Marley, Tori Kelly, Flo Rida, Steve Winwood, Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals, Breaking Benjamin, 3 Doors Down, X Ambassadords, Fetty Wap, Rachel Platten, Jon Bellion, Tinashe, Kaleo, St. Paul & The Broken Bones, The Strumbellas, The Naked and Famous, Loverboy, Christopher Cross, Wavves, Night Ranger, Filter, and more
Why: The sun always shines on Palm Beach with this diverse festival. Read & see much more in our 2010 recap here
Web: www.sunfest.com
What: Middle of the Map
Where: Kansas City, MO
When: May 4-6
Who: De La Soul, Jason Isbell, Talib Kweli, Lewis Del Mar, Strand of Oaks, Run River North, WHY?, William Elliott Whitmore, Har Mar Superstar, Mothers, Zipper Club, Arkells, and more
Why: Head to the middle of the Google Map. See more in our 2015 photo gallery here
Web: middleofthemapfest.com
What: Beale Street
Where: Memphis, TN
When: May 5-7
Who: Kings of Leon, Soundgarden, Widespread Panic, Snoop Dogg, Sturgill Simpson, Death Cab for Cutie, Wiz Khalifa, MGMT, Jill Scott, Ben Harper, Tori Kelly, Ludacris, Grouplove, X Ambassadors, Ziggy Marley, Jimmy Eat World, GRiZ, Bush, The Revivalists, Silversun Pickups, Midnight Oil, The Strumbellas, Taking Back Sunday, Alter Bridge, Sum 41, Drive-By Truckers, Greensky Bluegrass, Machine Gun Kelly, Highly Suspect, Ani DiFranco, MUTEMATH, Mayer Hawthorne, Dawes, Charles Bradley, Deer Tick, Peter Wolf, and more
Why: Beale Street is alive with music.
Web: www.memphisinmay.org/beale-street-music-festival
What: Carolina Rebellion
Where: Rockingham, SC
When: May 5-7
Who: Soundgarden, Def Leppard, Avenged Sevenfold, The Offspring, Korn, A Perfect Circle, Mastodon, The Cult, Pierce the Veil, Chevelle, Alter Bridge, The Pretty Reckless, Volbeat, Papa Roach, Seether, Three Days Grace, Skillett, Coheed & Cambria, Taking Back Sunday, Falling In Reverse, Sum 41, Dillinger Escape Plan, Highly Suspect, Eagles of Death Metal, Starset, Radkey, Machine Gun Kelly, The Amity Affliction, All That Remains, Rival Sons, Motionless In White, Royal Republic, Dinosaur Pile-Up, Citizen Zero, and more
Why: Carolina rebels with hard rock.
Web: www.carolinarebellion.com
What: Middlelands
Where: Todd Mission, TX
When: May 5-7
Who: 12th Planet, AC Slater, Alison Wonderland, Bassnectar, Big Gigantic, Bonobo, Crizzly, Crystal Castles, Danny Brown, Datsik, Flatbush Zombies, Friction, Gramatik, GRiZ, Jurassic 5, Major Lazer, Paper Diamond, Phantogram, Rae Sremmurd, and more
Why: A new festival smack in the middle of a active Renaissance Faire – huzzah! Read more in our recap here
Web: www.middlelands.com
What: Rolling Loud
Where: Miami, FL
When: May 5-7
Who: Kendrick Lamar, Future, Lil Wayne, A$AP Rocky, Travi$ Scott, Young Thug, Mac Miller, Kevin Gates, Tyler the Creator, Post Malone, Migos, Joey Bada$$, Action Bronson, Flatbush Zombies, Curren$y, Denzel Curry, and more
Why: Miami is Rolling Loud.
Web: www.rollingloud.com
What: Shaky Beats
Where: Atlanta, GA
When: May 5-7
Who: The Chainsmokers, Kaskade, GRiZ, Flosstradamus, Zeds Dead, Galantis, RL Grime, Girl Talk, Gramatik, Bonobo, Alison Wonderland, Flatbush Zombies, Little Dragon, Claude Von Stroke, MUTEMATH, and more
Why: Just before Shaky Knees (see below), it’s Beats that Shake Atlanta.
Web: www.shakybeatsfestival.com
What: Waking Windows – Vermont
Where: Winooski, VT
When: May 5-7
Who: Real Estate, Dan Deacon, !!!, Pond, Frankie Cosmos, Big Thief, Screaming Females, Ed Scharader, and more
Why: Bands head to Vermont to wake up some windows. See much more in our 2016 photo gallery here
Web: www.wakingwindows.com/winooski
What: KIWR Rockfest
Where: Council Bluffs, IA
When: May 12
Who: Soundgarden, Papa Roach, The Pretty Reckless, Pierce the Veil, Sum 41, Dillinger Escape Plan, Biffy Clyro, and more
Why: KIWR brings the rock to Iowa.
Web: www.897theriver.com/page.asp?int=10
What: Form
Where: Arcosanti, AZ
When: May 12-14
Who: Hundred Waters, Skrillex, Bonobo, Four Tet, Tortoise, Thundercat, Perfume Genius, Julia Holter, Bill Callahan, Saul Williams, Dan Deacon, Julianna Barwick, Empress Of, BRAIDS, Ryan Hemsworth, Son Lux, The Range, Tyondai Braxton, LNZNDRF, Autre Ne Veut, Big & Ruth, and more
Why: Hundred Waters holds a festival in the Arizona desert.
Web: formarcosanti.com
What: Shaky Knees
Where: Atlanta, GA
When: May 12-14
Who: The xx, LCD Soundsystem, Phoenix, Cage the Elephant, Pixies, The Shins, Nick Murphy, X Ambassadors, Third Eye Blind, Portugal. The Man, Moon Taxi, Sylvan Esso, Dr. Dog, Catfish & The Bottlemen, Bleachers, Shovels & Rope, Highly Suspect, The Revivalists, FIDLAR, Wolf Parade, The Growlers, J. Roddy Walston & The Business, Warpaint, Car Seat Headrest, Anderson East, Hamilton Leithauser, Cloud Nothings, Bishop Briggs, Whitney, Lewis Del Mar, Twin Peaks, Temples, Pond, Run River North, Preoccupations, Fruit Bats, The London Souls, Mariachi El Bronx, Cymbals Eat Guitars, Arkells, Zipper Club, Public Access TV, and more
Why: Limbs quake for what looks to be another amazing year. Read & see more in our 2016 recap here
Web: shakykneesfestival.com
What: Homegrown
Where: Dallas, TX
When: May 13
Who: Tripping Daisy, MUTEMATH, White Denim, Lower Dens, Porches, Still Corners, and more
Why: A nice little fest in Dallas for cheap.
Web: homegrownfest.com
What: Index – Austin
Where: Austin, TX
When: May 13
Who: Local Natives, Calliope Musicals, and more
Why: Indie music & beer comes to Austin.
Web: www.indexfest.com/austin
What: Northern Invasion
Where: Somerset, WI
When: May 13-14
Who: Kid Rock, Soundgarden, The Offspring, Godsmack, Bush, Papa Roach, Alter Bridge, The Pretty Reckless, Pierce the Veil, Sum 41, The Struts, Motionless In White, Dillinger Escape Plan, The Story So Far, Every Time I Die, Rival Sons, Dinosaur Pile-Up, Citizen Zero, and more
Why: Hard rock Invades the North.
Web: northerninvasion.com
What: Tokyo x Brooklyn
Where: Brooklyn, NY
When: May 13-14
Who: Miyavi, Blonde Redhead, Antibalas, Anamanaguchi, Pimps of Joytime, New optimism, Mother Feather, and more
Why: Tokyo comes to Brooklyn.
Web: www.tokyoxbrooklyn.com
What: Together
Where: Boston, MA
When: May 15-21
Who: Alessandro Cortini, Com Truise, Dâm-Funk, Leon Vynehall, Mount Kimbie, Pangaea, Pantha Du Prince, Simian Mobile Disco, and more
Why: The Together New England Electronic Music Festival goes into its eighth year.
Web: togetherboston.com
What: SummerStage
Where: New York, NY
When: May 17 – September 13
Who: Elvis Costello & The Imposters, PJ Harvey, Regina Spektor, Gov’t Mule, All Time Low, Young the Giant, Umphrey’s McGee, The Revivalists, Mavis Staples, Yo La Tengo, George Clinton & Parliament/Funkadelic, Ginuwine, They Might Be Giants, Digable Planets, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Margaret Glaspy, Khalid, TajMo, The Budos Band, GZA, Valerie June, UCB All Stars, Just Blaze, Slick Rick, Denzel Curry, Jadakiss, KRS-One, Laura Mvula, Bob Moses, Wax Tailor, Cold War Kids, Joywave, Chris Robinson Brotherhood, White Denim, Chicano Batman, A Tribe Called Red, 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 – as well as other parks in all five boroughs! See our venue review & photos of Central Park SummerStage here
Web: www.summerstage.org
What: Moogfest
Where: Durham, NC
When: May 18-21
Who: Flying Lotus, Michael Stipe, Animal Collective, Talib Kweli, Mykki Blanco, Gotye, Omar Souleyman, Jessy Lanza, Simian Mobile Disco, Zola Jesus, Peanut Butter Wolf, JDH & Dave P, Jana Hunter, Marisa Anderson, Nick Zinner, Pharmakon, and more
Why: Moogest returns to celebrate Bob Moog and his wonderful instrument. See much more in our 2011 photo gallery here
Web: www.moogfest.com
What: Vans House Parties
Where: Brooklyn, NY
When: May 18 – August 3
Who: Descendents, Digable Planets, Beach Fossils, The Drums, Royal Headache, Sheer Mag, and more
Why: Vans hosts a great series of free Brooklyn house parties at the House of Vans. See our venue review & photos of House of Vans here
Web: http://www.vans.com/house-of-vans.html
What: The Hangout
Where: Gulf Shores, AL
When: May 19-21
Who: Mumford & Sons, Twenty One Pilots, Phoenix, Chance the Rapper, Major Lazer, Weezer, DJ Snake, MGMT, Sigur Rós, Marshmello, Dillon Grancis, Band of Horses, The Head & The Heart, Tory Lanez, A$AP Ferg, Young the Giant, Franz Ferdinand, Charli XCX, Lukas Graham, Mac DeMarco, Local Natives, Rüfüs Du Sol, Warpaint, Snakehips, Shaggy, Cheat Codes, Bob Moses, Andrew McMahon In the Wilderness, MUTEMATH, Bishop Briggs, Lewis Del Mar, Joseph, LP, Barns Courtney, Frances, White Reaper, and more
Why: Hangout on the Shores with a very strong line-up. Read much more in our recap here
Web: www.hangoutmusicfest.com
What: Pouzza
Where: Montreal, PQ, Canada
When: May 19-21
Who: Lagwagon, Pup, The Flatliners, Rvivr, The Slackers, Tim Barry, Mustard Plug, Off With Their Heads, and more
Why: Have some punk with your poutine.
Web: www.pouzzafest.com
What: Rock On the Range
Where: Columbus, OH
When: May 19-21
Who: Metallica, Soundgarden, Korn, The Offspring, Volbeat, Primus, Bush, Live, Chevelle, Papa Roach, Seether, Coheed & Cambria, Alter Bridge, The Pretty Reckless, Taking Back Sunday, Of Mice & Men, Thrice, Pierce the Veil, Skillet, Sum 41, Dillinger Escape Plan, Biffy Clyro, Motionless In White, Starset, Every Time I Die, The Story So Far, Deafheaven, Rival Sons, The Amity Affliction, Dinosaur Pile-Up, Red Fang, Radkey, and more
Why: How is Columbus, Ohio “where rock lives” (or a “range”, for that matter?)? Thought that was Cleveland’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame…
Web: www.rockontherange.com
What: Project Pabst – Denver
Where: Denver, CO
When: May 20
Who: Ice Cube, Phantogram, Danny Brown, Kurt Vile & The Violators, STRFKR, Twin Peaks, Deap Vally, Summer Cannibals, and more
Why: The beer of choice for hipsters (and Dennis Hopper in Blue Velvet) throws festivals across the country. See more in our Portland gallery here
Web: denver.projectpabst.com
What: Vulture
Where: New York, NY
When: May 20-21
Who: Sarah Jessica Parker, Aziz Ansari, Chelsea Handler, Stephen Colbert, Connie Britton, Michael Shannon, Kevin bacon, Amber Tamblyn, Shameless, Comedy Bang! Bang!, Allison Crutchfield, Katie Crutchfield, Vince Vaughn, and more
Why: Entertainment website Vulture throws it’s own festival.
Web: vulturefestival.com
What: Hop Jam
Where: Tulsa, OK
When: May 21
Who: Hanson, Mayer Hawthorne, KONGOS, and more
Why: Hanson + beer – mmm… Hop.
Web: www.thehopjam.com
What: Love Street
Where: Houston, TX
When: May 21
Who: Jr Jr, Lewis Del Mar, Run River North, and more
Why: Karbach Brewing throws a street fest.
Web: karbachbrewing.com/lovestreetmusicfest
What: Lightning In a Bottle
Where: Bradley, CA
When: May 24-29
Who: Bassnectar, Bonobo, Rüfüs Du Sol, Kaytranada, Bob Moses, Jhene Aiko, Bomba Estereo, Thao & The Get Down Stay Down, Richie Hawtin, Leon Vynehall, Paper Diamond, Machinedrum, Elephant Revival, The California Honeydrops, and more
Why: Trance/electronica captures lightning in a bottle on Lake Skinner. See much more in our 2013 photo gallery here
Web: lightninginabottle.org
What: Soul Beach
Where: Aruba
When: May 24-29
Who: Usher, Mary J. Blige, The Roots, Faith Evans, Cedric the Entertainer, Big Sean, DJ Jazzy Jeff, and more
Why: Sweet soul comes to the beaches of Aruba.
Web: soulbeach.net/2017
What: Blackest of the Black
Where: Silverado, CA
When: May 26-27
Who: Danzig, Ministry, Suicidal Tendencies, Atreyu, Corrosion of Conformity, Marudk, and more
Why: KLOS & Danzig bring the blackest metal fest ever.
Web: blackestfest.com
What: Boston Calling
Where: Boston, MA
When: May 26-28
Who: Tool, Mumford & Sons, Chance the Rapper, Bon Iver, The xx, Major Lazer, Weezer, The 1975, Sigur Rós, Solange, Cage the Elephant, Run the Jewels, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Tegan & Sara, Brandi Carlile, Sylvan Esso, Flatbush Zombies, Oh Wonder, Mac DeMarco, Wolf Parade, Danny Brown, Frightened Rabbit, Car Seat Headrest, Buffalo Tom, Deerhoof, Whitney, Stand of Oaks, Kevin Morby, and more
Why: Boston is seriously Calling – wicked pissah! Read much more in our recap here
Web: bostoncalling.com
What: BottleRock
Where: Napa Valley, CA
When: May 26-28
Who: Maroon 5, Tom Petty, Foo Fighters, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Ben Harper, The Roots, Band of Horses, Live, The Back & Famous, Dirty Heads, Modest Mouse, Silversun Pickups, Fitz & The Tantrums, Bob Moses, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Gavin Degraw, St. Lucia, The Strumbellas, The Devil Makes Three, Catfish & The Bottlemen, Saint Motel, Frightened Rabbit, House of Pain, Alunageorge, Charles Bradley, Lewis Del Mar, Andra Day, Mavis Staples, Galactic, The Staves, Ani DiFranco, Bishop Briggs, Highly Suspect, Elephant Revival, Barns Courtney, Bad Suns, Giraffage, The California Honeydrops, Day Wave, and more
Why: The Napa Valley welcomes another year of a great new festival (to go with its great old wine). See much more in our inaugural year 2013 photo gallery here
Web: bottlerocknapavalley.com
What: California Roots
Where: Monterey, CA
When: May 26-28
Who: Rebelution, Nas, Dirty Heads, Soja, Iration, Thievery Corporation, Jurassic 5, Matisyahu, Nahko & Medicine For the People, Collie Buddz, Roots of Creation, and more
Why: Get in touch with your Cali Roots. See more in our 2015 photo gallery here
Web: californiarootsfestival.com
What: Elements Lakewood
Where: Northeast PA
When: May 26-28
Who: Tipper, Claude Von Stroke, Baauser, Lee Burridge, Claptone, Keys N Krates, and more
Why: Dance on a campground somewhere in northeastern Pennsylvania.
Web: www.elementsfest.us
What: Rocklahoma
Where: Pryor, OK
When: May 26-28
Who: Def Leppard, Live, The Offspring, Stone Sour, Seether, Three Days Grace, The Cult, Pierce the Veil, The Pretty Reckless, Ratt, Skillet, Taking Back Sunday, Buckcherry, Fuel, Suicidal Tendencies, Black Stone Cherry, Rival Sons, Starset, Dinosaur Pile-Up, Royal Republic, 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: Sasquatch!
Where: George, WA
When: May 26-28
Who: Twenty One Pilots, LCD Soundsystem, Chance the Rapper, The Head & The Heart, The Shins, MGMT, Phantogram, Mac Miller, Bonobo, Rüfüs Du Sol, Kaytranada, Big Gigantic, Bleachers, Bomba Estereo, Bob Moses, Aesop Rock, Charles Bradley, Car Seat Headrest, Catfish & The Bottlemen, American Football, Mount Kimbie, Thee Oh Sees, Foxygen, Jagwar Ma, The Strumbellas, The Radio Dept., Moses Sumney, White Lung, Arkells, July Talk, Fred Armisen, and many more
Why: Bring it on Memorial Day Weekend for this top-tier festival. Read much more in our 2013 recap here
Web: www.sasquatchfestival.com
What: Summer Camp
Where: Chillicothe, IL
When: May 26-28
Who: moe., Umphrey’s McGee, Trey Anastasio, Zeds Dead, Pretty Lights, Primus, Gov’t Mule, Run the Jewels, The Disco Biscuits, Gramatik, Mike Gordon, The Claypool Lennon Delirium, Destructo, EOTO, The Floozies, GTA, The Infamous Stringdusters, Kwahtro, Nahko & The Medicine For the People, Railroad Earth, Waka Flocka, The Wood Brothers, Yonder Mountain String Band, Escort, Lukas Nelson, A Tribe Called Red, The Werks, White Denim, Amasa Hines, and more
Why: Summer Camp usually mixes a little something more into its jam.
Web: summercampfestival.com
What: Punk Rock Bowling – Las Vegas
Where: Las Vegas, NV
When: May 26-29
Who: Iggy Pop, Bad Religion, Cock Sparrer, Pennywise, FIDLAR, Me First & The Gimme Gimmes, OFF!, Bouncing Souls, and more
Why: Las Vegas takes the punks bowling.
Web: www.punkrockbowling.com
What: Hoagie Nation
Where: Philadelphia, PA
When: May 27
Who: Hall & Oates, Tears For Fears, G. Love & Special Sauce, Son Little, Allen Stone, and more
Why: Hall & Oates celebrate all things Philly – including hoagies.
Web: hoagienation.com
What: River City Rockfest
Where: San Antonio, TX
When: May 27
Who: Def Leppard, Godsmack, The Offspring, Papa Roach, Three Days Grace, The Pretty Reckless, Taking Back Sunday, Buckcherry, Black Stone Cherry, Rival Sons, and more
Why: The River City rocks. See more in our 2014 photo gallery here
Web: www.rivercityrockfest.com
What: Neon Desert
Where: El Paso, TX
When: May 27-28
Who: Hardwell, Foster the People, J Balvin, Alesso, Logic, Migos, Ghostland Observatory, Nelly, Baauer, Thomas Jack, Khalid, Mija, Ty Segall, Marc E. Bassy, Trae Tha Truth, and more
Why: The Desert glows in Neon.
Web: www.neondesertmusicfestival.com
What: Movement
Where: Detroit, MI
When: May 27-29
Who: Richie Hawtin, Toliptset, Carl Cox, Carl Craig, Danny Brown, Earl Sweatshirt, Factory Floor, The Gaslamp Killer, Juicy J, Mount Kimbie, Thundercat, and more
Why: Electronic music returns to the city where techno (and much more in music) was born.
Web: www.movement.us
June
What: SummerStage
Where: New York, NY
When: May 17 – September 13
Who: Elvis Costello & The Imposters, PJ Harvey, Regina Spektor, Gov’t Mule, All Time Low, Young the Giant, Umphrey’s McGee, The Revivalists, Mavis Staples, Yo La Tengo, George Clinton & Parliament/Funkadelic, Ginuwine, They Might Be Giants, Digable Planets, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Margaret Glaspy, Khalid, TajMo, The Budos Band, GZA, Valerie June, UCB All Stars, Just Blaze, Slick Rick, Denzel Curry, Jadakiss, KRS-One, Laura Mvula, Bob Moses, Wax Tailor, Cold War Kids, Joywave, Chris Robinson Brotherhood, White Denim, Chicano Batman, A Tribe Called Red, 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 – as well as other parks in all five boroughs! See our venue review & photos of Central Park SummerStage here
Web: www.summerstage.org
What: Vans House Parties
Where: Brooklyn, NY
When: May 18 – August 3
Who: Descendents, Digable Planets, Beach Fossils, The Drums, Royal Headache, Sheer Mag, and more
Why: Vans hosts a great series of free Brooklyn house parties at the House of Vans. See our venue review & photos of House of Vans here
Web: http://www.vans.com/house-of-vans.html
What: Nelsonville
Where: Nelsonville, OH
When: June 1-4
Who: Ween, Emmylou Harris, Conor Oberst, Rodriguez, Cloud Nothings, Son Volt, Parquet Courts, Twin Peaks, Sara Watkins, Big Thief, Sallie Ford, Mothers, Aaron Lee Tasjan, and more
Why: Ohio needs more music – especially southeastern Ohio.
Web: www.nelsonvillefest.org
What: Riverfest
Where: Little Rock, AZ
When: June 1-4
Who: Wiz Khalifa, Justin Moore, Cage the Elephant, Billy Currington, Grouplove, Cold War Kids, Moon Taxi, Jon Bellion, The Joy Formidable, and more
Why: Festival on the river in Little Rock.
Web: www.riverfestarkansas.com
What: Colossal Cluster
Where: San Francisco, CA
When: June 2-4
Who: Jerry Seinfeld, Kevin Hart, Bill Burr, Sarah Silverman, Ice Cube, Tegan & Sara, Chromeo, Hannibal Buress, Broad City, Bob Odenkirk, Chris Hardwick, Fred Armisen, Princess, Vince Staples, Reggie Watts, Tig Notaro, Pete Davidson, Lizzo, Natasha Leggero, Moshe Kasher, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Anna Faris, Rachel Bloom, Kyle Kinane, Ron Funches, Ty Segall, Roy Wood Jr., Joe Derosa, Rory Scovel, Beth Stelling, Escort, Great Good Fine OK, and more
Why: Comedy Central brings a cluster of comedians & musicians to San Francisco.
Web: www.clusterfest.com
What: Governors Ball
Where: New York, NY
When: June 2-4
Who: Tool, Chance the Rapper, Phoenix, Childish Gambino, Lorde, Flume, Wu-Tang Clan, Wiz Khalifa, Logic, Cage the Elephant, ScHoolboy Q, Marshmello, Beach House, Air, The Avalanches, Rae Sremmurd, The Head & The Heart, Tove Lo, Phantogram, Franz Ferdinand, Banks, A$AP Ferg, Local Natives, Mac DeMarco, Rüfüs Du Sol, YG, Parquet Courts, Charli XCX, Bleachers, Royal Blood, Charles Bradley, Danny Brown, Kehlani, Michael Kiwanuka, Warpaint, Car Seat Headrest, Skepta, Stormzy, The Strumbellas, Saint Motel, The Range, The Orwells, Roosevelt, Barns Courtney, Blossoms, and many, many more
Why: Only a few years old, Governors Ball has already become one of the country’s biggest music festivals – and it’s in New York City! Read & see much more in our 2015 recap here
Web: governorsballmusicfestival.com
What: Index – Fort Worth
Where: Fort Worth, TX
When: June 3
Who: Dawes, Johnnyswim, and more
Why: Indie music & beer comes to Fort Worth.
Web: www.indexfest.com/fortworth
What: Do-Division
Where: Chicago, IL
When: June 3-4
Who: The Ponys, Girlpool, Boss Hog, Protomartyr, Shannon & The Clams, Boogarins, Christopher Paul Stelling, She-Devils, and more
Why: Held on ten blocks of Chicago’s Division Street, Ashland to Leavitt, the Do-Division Street Fest and Sidewalk Sale features Chicago indie rock thanks to local music clubs The Empty Bottle & Subterranean.
Web: do-divisionstreetfest.com
What: Field Trip
Where: Toronto, ON, Canada
When: June 3-4
Who: Broken Social Scene, Phoenix, Feist, A Tribe Called Red, Portugal. The Man, BADBADNOTGOOD, The Pharcyde, Cloud Nothings, Thundercat, James Vincent McMorrow, Joseph, Tei Shi, Timber Timbre, LP, Royal Canoe, Hannah Georgas, and more
Why: Toronto takes a Field Trip. See much more in our 2014 photo gallery here
Web: fieldtriplife.com
What: Free Press Summer
Where: Houston, TX
When: June 3-4
Who: Lorde, Flume, G-Eazy, Cage the Elephant, Solange, The Shins, Tove Lo, Carnage, Post Malone, Jon Bellion, Grouplove, Milky Chance, Portugal. The Man, St. Paul & the Broken Bones, Rüfüs Du Sol, Charli XCX, The Strumbellas, Cashmere Cat, Bishop Briggs, The Struts, Frightened Rabbit, Cheat Codes, Bad Suns, Hurray For the Riff Raff, Hippo Campus, Cherry Glazerr, Zipper Club, Coast Modern, and more
Why: Check this cheap & winning festival.
Web: www.fpsf.com
What: Roots Picnic
Where: Philadelphia, PA
When: June 3
Who: The Roots, Pharrell, Lil Wayne, Solange, Kimbra, Thundercat, Michael Kiwanuka, Pete Rock, James Vincent McMorrow, Khalid, and more
Why: Tonight Show band (and more) brings their annual picnic to Penns Landing.
Web: rootspicnic.com
What: UNTZ
Where: Mariposa, CA
When: June 3-4
Who: Liquid Stranger, Space Jesus, Truth, and more
Why: Party right near Yosemite.
Web: www.theuntzfestival.com
What: Twangfest
Where: St. Louis, MO
When: June 7-10
Who: James McMurtry, Hurray For the Riff Raff, JD McPherson, Alejandro Escovedo, The Waco Brothers, Nikki Lane, and more
Why: 88.1 KDHX brings some twang to Middle America.
Web: twangfest.com
What: Northside
Where: Brooklyn, NY
When: June 7-11
Who: Dirty Projectors, Miguel, Kamasi Washington, Thursday, Aldous Harding, Big Thief, Girlpool, Happyness, Julia Holter, Lower Dens, Mary Timony, Mild High Club, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, Timber Timbre, and more
Why: Northside Festival returns for a sixth year, taking place in venues across the Williamsburg & Greenpoint neighborhoods, with showcases curated by all sorts of New York City music industry players. Read & see much more in our big recap here
Web: www.northsidefestival.com
What: BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn!
Where: Brooklyn, NY
When: June 7 – August 12
Who: The Shins, Fleet Foxes, Planetarium, Conor Oberst, Sylvan Esso, Lake Street Dive, Andrew Bird, Yeasayer, Whitney, Amadou & Mariam, Lisa Loeb, The Soul Rebels with Talbi Kweli, Nels Cline, Béla Fleck & The Flecktones, Chronixx, Robert Randolph, Quantic, Hop Along, Sam Amidon, Weyes Blood, Nellie McKay, Tei Shi, Big Thief, Poliça, Cymbals Eat Guitars, Moses Sumney, and more
Why: Once again, Prospect Park Bandshell’s BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! delivers all summer long. See our venue review & photos of Prospect Park Bandshell here
Web: www.bricartsmedia.org/performing-arts/bric-celebrate-brooklyn
What: Blue Ox
Where: Eau Claire, WI
When: June 8-10
Who: Punch Brothers, Greensky Bluegrass, Drive-By Truckers, Railroad Earth, Sam Bush Band, The Infamous Stringdusters, Son Volt, Pert Near Sandstone, Travelin’ McCourys and more
Why: Country jam comes to Wisconsin. Read more in our 2015 recap here
Web: blueoxmusicfestival.com
What: Bonnaroo
Where: Manchester, TN
When: June 8-11
Who: U2, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Weeknd, Chance the Rapper, Major Lazer, Flume, Lorde, The xx, Travi$ Scott, Cage the Elephant, Marshmello, The Head & The Heart, Big Gigantic, Glass Animals, Future Islands, Tory Lanez, Tove Lo, Crystal Castles, Umphrey’s McGee, Portugal. The Man, Tegan & Sara, Milky Chance, Cold War Kids, Kaleo, Royal Blood, The Strumbellas, Car Seat Headrest, Michael Kiwanuka, Gallant, D.R.A.M., Borgore, James Vincent McMorrow, Joseph, Flatbush Zombies, Claude Von Stroke, Margo Price, BADBADNOTGOOD, The Front Bottoms, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Greensky Bluegrass, Bad Suns, Mandolin Orange, Kevin Morby, Angelique Kidjo, Deap Vally, The Orwells, Turkuaz, White Reaper, Lukas Nelson, and many, many more
Why: The granddaddy of indie-meets-jam & more music festivals celebrates another genre-crossing year.
Web: www.bonnaroo.com
What: R&B at Metrotech
Where: Brooklyn, NY
When: June 8 – August 10
Who: Sinkane, The Suffers, John Hammond, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Liv Warfield, and more
Why: R&B Festival through Brooklyn Academy of Music at the corner of Flatbush and Myrtle Avenues.
Web: www.bam.org/music/2017/r-and-b-festival-at-metrotech
What: Huichica
Where: Sonoma, CA
When: June 9-10
Who: Allah Las, Beachwood Sparks, Dean Wareham, Avey Tare, Robyn Hitchcock, Heron Oblivion, Cave Singers, Britta Phillips, Mattson 2, Joe Pug, Tim Cohen, Boogarins, William Tyler, and more
Why: Gundlach Bundschu Winery gives you some music to go with you wine-tasting. See much more in our 2013 photo gallery here
Web: huichica.com
What: Spring Awakening
Where: Chicago, IL
When: June 9-11
Who: Afrojack, Alesso, Armin Van Buuren, Axwell Ingrosso, Diplo, Marhsmello, Martin Garrix, Datsik, Die Antwoord, Duke Dumont, Excision, Galantis, GRiZ, Krewella, Keys N Krates, What So Not, and more
Why: Spring awakens (in June?) in Chicago with electrodance at Addams-Medill Park.
Web: springawakeningfestival.com
What: Wanderlust Snowshoe
Where: Snowshoe, WV
When: June 9-11
Who: Little Dragon, Bonobo, St. Paul & The Broken Bones, Lettuce, Quixotic and more
Why: Yoga + music fest Wanderlust wanders into West Virginia. See more in our photo gallery of 2017 Wanderlust Squaw Valley here
Web: wanderlust.com/festivals/snowshoe
What: Ann Arbor Summer
Where: Ann Arbor, MI
When: June 9 – July 2
Who: Diana Krall, Pink Martini, Rhiannon Giddens, Ira Glass, and more
Why: Home of the University of Michigan (and The Dharma Initiative…), all those kind of guys who are hailing from Ann Arbor get a much-needed reason to smile with this three-week Summer Fest.
Web: www.annarborsummerfestival.org
What: Vans House Parties – Chicago
Where: Chicago, IL
When: June 9 – July 26
Who: Cap’n Jazz, Denzel Curry, Charles Bradley, The Internet, The Lawrence Arms, Dillinger Four, Hop Along, Seun Kuti & Egypt 80, and more
Why: Vans’ great series of free house parties now comes to Chicago’s House of Vans. See our venue review & photos of Brooklyn House of Vans here
Web: http://www.vans.com/house-of-vans.html
What: Punk Rock Bowling – Asbury Park
Where: Asbury Park, NJ
When: June 10-11
Who: Specials, NOFX, Buzzcocks, Charles Bradley, Lifetime, Dillinger Four, Leftover Crack, Pup, Pietasters, and more
Why: Asbury Park takes the punks bowling.
Web: www.punkrockbowling.com
What: Hot 97 Summer Jam
Where: East Rutherford, NJ
When: June 11
Who: Chris Brown, Fat Joe & Remy Ma, Migos, DJ Khaled, Trey Songz, French Montana, Tory Lanez, Joey Bada$$, Desiigner, Young M.A., Lil Yachty, and more
Why: Radio station Hot 87 puts on a hip-hop Summer Jam at MetLife Stadium.
Web: www.hot97.com/summerjam
What: G Fest
Where: Muskogee, OK
When: June 15-17
Who: NEEDTOBREATHE, Creedence Clearwater Revisited, Blackberry Smoke, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, The Mavericks, J.J. Grey & Mofro, California Honeydrops, and more
Why: Okies from Muskogee welcome country.
Web: gfestmuskogee.com
What: Burlington Steamboat Days
Where: Burlington, IA
When: June 15-18
Who: Skillet, Locash, Brantley Gilbert, Gary Allan, and more
Why: Burlington Steamboat Days is past fifty years old – and so are its acts.
Web: www.steamboatdays.com
What: Firefly
Where: Dover, DE
When: June 15-18
Who: The Weeknd, Muse, Twenty One Pilots, Chance the Rapper, Bob Dylan, Flume, Weezer, The Shins, 30 Seconds To Mars, Dillon Francis, Miike Snow, Ke$ha, Franz Ferdinand, Galantis, Glass Animals, Tory Lanez, Phantogram, AFI, Capital Cities, OK Go, Naked and Famous, Kaleo, Busta Rhymes, Banks, O.A.R., Bleachers, Benny Benassi, Misterwives, T-Pain, Snakehips, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Wale, Bob Moses, Cashmere Cat, The Strumbellas, Nahko & Medicine For the People, NF, Bishop Briggs, Hamilton Leithauser, Judah & The Lion, K.Flay, Barns Courtney, Blossoms, Sunflower Bean, Sir the Baptist, Kevin Garrett, Dreamers, Savoir Adore, New Madrid, and many, many more
Why: A relatively recent entry into the festival game was a strong one in Firefly – and it’s in Delaware?!?! Read much more in our recap here
Web: fireflyfestival.com
What: Mad Tea Party Jam
Where: Hedgesville, WV
When: June 15-18
Who: Papdosio, TAUK, BIG Something, and more
Why: Make your Jam a Mad Tea Party.
Web: www.themadteapartyjam.com
What: Telluride Bluegrass
Where: Telluride, CO
When: June 15-18
Who: Sam Bush Band, Jason Mraz, Brandi Carlile, Dispatch, Dierks Bentley, The Travelin’ McCourys, Dispatch, Margo Price, Yonder Mountain String Band, Greensky Bluegrass, Béla Fleck & Chris Thile, Elephant Revival, Punch Brothers, Sarah Jarosz, Fruition, 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: Eaux Claires
Where: Eau Claire, WI
When: June 16-17
Who: Bon Iver, Paul Simon, Wilco, Feist, Chance the Rapper, The Autumn Defense, Danny Brown, Perfume Genius, S. Carey & Glenn Kotche, Spank Rock, Sylvan Esso, Tweedy, and more
Why: Justin Vernon of Bon Iver (and much more) gets his friends together for a hometown fest. See more in our photo gallery here
Web: eauxclaires.com
What: Country Summer
Where: Santa Rosa, CA
When: June 16-18
Who: Thomas Rhett, Darius Rucker, Justin Moore, Randy Hauser, Maddie & Tae, and more
Why: Have some Country in a warm northern California Summer. See much more in our photo gallery here
Web: countrysummer.com
What: Electric Daisy Carnival
Where: Las Vegas, NV
When: June 16-18
Who: Above & Beyond, Afrojack, Armin Van Buuren, Calvin Harris, Carnage, Dillon Francis, Duke Dumont, Flosstradamus, Flux Pavilion, Galantis, GTA, Kaskade, Marshmello, Martin Garrix, Matoma, Paul Van Dyk, RL Grime, Steve Aoki, Tiësto, Tommy Trash, Zedd, and 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: Monterey International Pop
Where: Monterey, CA
When: June 16-18
Who: ALO, Booker T, Charles Bradley, Dr. Dog, Eric Burdon, Father John Misty, Gary Clark Jr., The Head and The Heart, Hiss Golden Messenger, Jack Johnson, Jackie Greene, Frankenreiter & G. Love, Jim James, Kurt Vile, Langhorne Slim, Leon Bridges, Nathaniel Rateliff, Nicki Bluhm & Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Norah Jones, North Mississippi Allstars, Phil Lesh, Regina Spektor, Sara Watkins, and more
Why: The Monterey International Pop Festival celebrates its fiftieth anniversary.
Web: montereypopfestival50.com
What: Mountain Jam
Where: Hunter Mountain, NY
When: June 16-18
Who: Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Steve Miller Band, Peter Frampton, Gary Clark Jr., Michael Franti & Spearhead, St. Paul & The Broken Bones, The Strumbellas, Shovels & Rope, The Revivalists, The Infamous Stringdusters, White Denim, Elephant Revival, Lukas Nelson, and more
Why: Despite the name, the festival at Hunter Mountain is more than just another jam-fest.
Web: mountainjam.com
What: What The
Where: Dufur, OR
When: June 16-19
Who: Zhu, Cut Copy, Gramatik, Classixx, Giraffage, Paper Diamond, and more
Why: Head to the Wolf Run Ranch to ask, “What The?”
Web: whatthefestival.com
What: Phono del Sol
Where: San Francisco, CA
When: June 17
Who: Thee Oh Sees, The Coathangers, Jay Som, Sean Hayes, and more
Why: Festival in San Francisco’s famed Mission District.
Web: www.phonodelsol.com
What: KCRW’s World Festival
Where: Hollywood, CA
When: June 18 – September 24
Who: Ziggy Marley, Blondie, Solange, Pink Martini, Seu Jorge, Belle & Sebastian, Garbage, Spoon, The Specials, Blood Orange, Sky Ferreira, Moses Sumney, and more
Why: Celebrate the best of world music at the famed Hollywood Bowl. See more in our photo galleries from Hollywood Bowl here
Web: www.hollywoodbowl.com
What: Sled Island
Where: Calgary, AB, Canada
When: June 21-25
Who: Flying Lotus, Converge, Cloud Nothings, MONO, Low, Shonen Knife, Wolves In the Throne Room, Mike Watt, Weyes Blood, Daughters, Land of Talk, Mothers, Waxhatchee, Converge, DIANA, and more
Why: The mammoth & varied Sled Island returns to Calgary.
Web: www.sledisland.com
What: Amnesia Rock
Where: Montebello, PQ, Canada
When: June 22-25
Who: Rammstein, Queens of the Stone Age, Iggy Pop, Alexisonfire, The Offspring, Wu-Tang Clan, Megadeth, Bullet For My Valentine, At the Drive In, AFI, 311, Bad Religion, Pennywise, Good Charlotte, Eagles of Death Metal, The Specials, Thursday, Parkway Drive, Meshuggah, Killswitch Engage, Goldfinger, Reel Big Fish, Less Than Jake, Anti-Flag, August Burns Red, Dee Snider, Soulfly, All That Remains, P.O.D., Protest the Hero, Jello Biafra, Sham 69, Discharge, Reverend Horton Heat, Agent Orange, Converge, Lucero, Pup, A Wilhelm Scream, Teenage Bottlerocket, The Living End, Down By Law, The Birthday Massacre, and many more
Why: Canada’s biggest rock fest.
Web: www.amnesiarockfest.com
What: Kate Wolf
Where: Laytonville, CA
When: June 22-25
Who: John Prine, Bruce Cockburn, Blind Pilot, Brandi Carlile, Dar Williams, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, Dar Williams, Sarah Lee Guthrie, and more
Why: Ladies & gents are welcome at Kate Wolf.
Web: katewolfmusicfestival.com
What: Wanderlust Stratton
Where: Bondville, VT
When: June 22-25
Who: Little Dragon, Bonobo, St. Paul & The Broken Bones, Lettuce, Quixotic and more
Why: Yoga + music fest Wanderlust wanders into Vermont. See more in our photo gallery of 2017 Wanderlust Squaw Valley here
Web: wanderlust.com/festivals/stratton
What: Electric Forest
Where: Rothbury, MI
When: June 22-25 & June 29 – July 2
Who: The String Cheese Incident, Bassnectar, Odesza, Flume, DJ Snake, My Morning Jacket, Above & Beyond, Dillon Francis, Big Gigantic, RL Grime, Nero, Thievery Corporation, Lotus, Claude Vonstroke, A-Trak, 12th Planet, Banks, Bob Moses, Brazilian Girls, Cashmere Cat, Giraffage, GTA, Lettuce, Matisyahu, Papadosio, The Infamous Stringdusters, The London Souls, The Motet, Waka Flocka Flame, Vince Staples, and more
Why: Nature meets technology as Electric Forest expands to a second weekend. Read much more in our recap here
Web: www.electricforestfestival.com
What: Saskatchewan Jazz
Where: Saskatoon, SK, Canada
When: June 22 – July 2
Who: Blind Boys of Alabama, Low, The Harpoonist and the Axe Murderer, and more
Why: (Sa)Skat it up, jazz-cat.
Web: saskjazz.com
What: Twilight Concerts
Where: Santa Monica, CA
When: June 22 – August 17
Who: Khalid, Eric Burdon & The Animals, Miami Horror, Warpaint, and more
Why: Enjoy the Twilight on the famed Santa Monica Pier – for free. See more in our photo galleries from Santa Monica Pier here
Web: santamonicapier.org/twilightconcerts
What: Bonanza
Where: Heber, UT
When: June 23-25
Who: Odesza, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Nas, Nick Murphy, Cut Copy, The Airborne Toxic Event, Duke Dumont, Kongos, MUTEMATH, Bob Moses, Method Man & Redman, LANY, Cherub, Waka Flocka Flame, The Knocks, Robert Delong, and more
Why: Of course a festival in Utah would be named “Bonanza”.
Web: bonanzacampout.com
What: North by Northeast
Where: Toronto, ON, Canada
When: June 23-25
Who: Passion Pit, Tyler the Creator, Post Malone, Bleachers, Sleigh Bells, The Soul Rebels with Talib Kweli, Twin Peaks, Cold Specks, Muna, Son Little, and more
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: Rockland-Bergen
Where: Tappan, NY
When: June 23-25
Who: Jake Clemons, Hollis Brown, and more
Why: Rockland & Bergen are crossing county (and state) lines.
Web: www.rocklandmusicfestival.com
What: Solid Sound
Where: North Adams, MA
When: June 23-25
Who: Wilco, Television, Kurt Vile & The Violators, Robert Glasper Experiment, Dawn of Midi, Kevin Morby, Big Thief, Peter Wolf & The Midnight Travelers, Deep Sea Diver, Andy Shauf, Tweedy, The Autumn Defense, The Nels Cline Four, John Hodgman, and more
Why: Wilco’s off-year Solid Sound Festival returns to MASS MoCA. See more in our photo gallery here
Web: solidsoundfestival.com
What: Tall Tree
Where: Port Renfrew, BC, Canada
When: June 23-26
Who: Tokyo Police Club, Beat , and more
Why: Enjoy Canadian music among the Tall Trees of British Columbia.
Web: www.talltreemusicfestival.com
What: Arroyo Seco Weekend
Where: Pasadena, CA
When: June 24-25
Who: Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Mumford & Sons, Weezer, Alabama Shakes, The Shins, The Meters, Fitz & The Tantrums, Dawes, Andrew Bird, Live, Broken Social Scene, Lukas Nelson, Charles Bradley, Galactic, The Revivalist, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Andy Grammer, ZZ Ward, Jeff Goldblum, Lettuce, The Mowgli’s, and more
Why: Have a weekend next to the Rose Bowl. Read much more in our recap here
Web: www.arroyosecoweekend.com
What: ID10T
Where: Mountain View, CA
When: June 24-25
Who: Chris Hardwick, Weezer, Girl Talk, Demetri Martin, Michael Che, Madeon, Zeds Dead, OK Go, Animal Collective, Nikki Glaser, Garfunkel & Oates, Lord Huron, Crystal Castles, Michael Ian Black, Brian Posehn, Car Seat Headrest, The Mowgli’s, Robert Delong, and more
Why: Chris Hardwick of @midnight & Talking Dead hosts his own music & comedy festival. See much more in our photo gallery here
Web: id10tfest.com
What: Mamby On the Beach
Where: Chicago, IL
When: June 24-25
Who: MGMT, Walk the Moon, Local Natives, Flying Lotus, Misterwives, Miike Snow, Cut Copy, Marian Hill, Todd Terje, Thundercat, MUTEMATH, Phoebe Ryan, STRFKR, Muna, BJ the Chicago Kid, Sire the Baptist, and more
Why: Go to the Beach in Chicago.
Web: www.mambybeach.com
What: Stern Grove
Where: San Francisco, CA
When: June 25 – August 27
Who: Kool & The Gang, Nicki Bluhm & The Gramblers, San Francisco Symphony, Eric Burdon & The Animals, Amadou & Mariam, War, Brazilian Girls, Mavis Staples, Moon Hooch, The Stone Foxes, and more
Why: The oldest free-admission festival of its kind in America is of course in San Francisco.
Web: www.sterngrove.org
What: Summerfest
Where: Milwaukee, WI
When: June 28 – July 2 & July 4-9
Who: Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Willie Nelson, Sheryl Crow, Pink, Chris Stapleton, The Chainsmokers, Dierks Bentley, Jason Isbell, Future, Deerhoof, Luke Bryan, MIGOS, Nathaniel Rateliff, Lukas Nelson, Flume, Alessia Cara, The Shins, Steve Miller Band, Peter Frampton, The Moody Blues, DNCE, Atmosphere, Shinedown, Walk the Moon, Huey Lewis & The News, Miike Snow, Steve Aoki, The Revivalists, Slightly Stoopid, AWOLNATION, The Band Perry, Third Eye Blind, Dispatch, Ziggy Marley, Tegan & Sara, Bleachers, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Jon Bellion, Brian Setzer, NEEDTOBREATHE, Girl Talk, Toto, Collective Soul, Walk Off the Earth, Joss Stone, Hanson, REO Speedwagon, Andrew McMahone In the Wilderness, T-Pain, The Naked & Famous, Misterwives, BJ the Chicago Kid, Death From Above 1979, Blues Traveler, Peter Wolf, Guster, House of Pain, Allen Stone, Car Seat Headrest, Aesop Rock, Spin Doctors, JJ Grey & Mofro, Michelle Branch, Black Joe Lewis, San Fermin, Soul Asylum, Fishbone, Pokey LaFarge, Lee Fields, Hippo Campus, Barns Courtney, Chicano Batman, The Last Bandleros, The Bright Light Social Hour, 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: www.summerfest.com
What: Essence
Where: New Orleans, LA
When: June 29 – July 2
Who: Diana Ross, John Legend, Mary J. Blige, Chance the Rapper, Solange, Chaka Khan, Jill Scott, Master P, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, India.Arie, BJ the Chicago Kid, Gallant, Yuna, Lizzo, Shaggy, Sir the Baptist, and more
Why: Essence Magazine throws a festival in New Orleans.
Web: www.essence.com/festival-2017
What: Frendly Gathering
Where: Windham, VT
When: June 29 – July 1
Who: Twiddle, Yonder Mountain String Band, Charles Bradley, Turkuaz, Moon Hooch, and more
Why: Gather some frends for a Frendly Gathering. See much more in our photo gallery here
Web: frendlygathering.com
What: High Sierra
Where: Quincy, CA
When: June 29 – July 2
Who: Trey Anastasio, Ween, STS9, Gov’t Mule, Andrew Bird, Snarky Puppy, Galactic, Mike Gordon, Hard Working Americans, Deer Tick, The Travelin’ McCourys, Keller Williams, White Denim, Fruition, Grupo Fantasma, The Suffers, Dopapod, The Werks, El Ten Eleven, and more
Why: California’s High Sierra Music Festival, up in the mountains, is stocked with festival staples. See much more in our photo gallery here
Web: www.highsierramusic.com
What: Montreal Jazz Fest
Where: Montreal, QC, Canada
When: June 29 – July 8
Who: Bob Dylan, Feist, Robert Glasper, Rodrigo Amarante, Wax Tailor, Pink Martini, The Strumbellas, Arturo Sandoval, The Bad Plus, The Barr Brothers, Bill Frisell, Buddy Guy, Charles Bradley, Charlie Musselwhite, Colin Stetson, Joey Bada$$, Joss Stone, Kevin Garrett, King Crismon, Melissa Etheridge, Men Without Hats, The O’Jays, Ron Sexsmith, San Fermin, Songhoy Blues, Thievery Corporation, Vijay Iyer, Wax Tailor, and more
Why: Of course Montreal has a big, classy jazz festival.
Web: www.montrealjazzfest.com/en-CA
What: Waterfront Blues
Where: Portland, OR
When: June 30 – July 4
Who: Chris Isaak, Fantastic Negrito, Galactic, JD McPherson, Joss Stone, and more
Why: Head to Tom McCall Waterfront Park for some Blues.
Web: www.waterfrontbluesfest.com
July
What: SummerStage
Where: New York, NY
When: May 17 – September 13
Who: Elvis Costello & The Imposters, PJ Harvey, Regina Spektor, Gov’t Mule, All Time Low, Young the Giant, Umphrey’s McGee, The Revivalists, Mavis Staples, Yo La Tengo, George Clinton & Parliament/Funkadelic, Ginuwine, They Might Be Giants, Digable Planets, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Margaret Glaspy, Khalid, TajMo, The Budos Band, GZA, Valerie June, UCB All Stars, Just Blaze, Slick Rick, Denzel Curry, Jadakiss, KRS-One, Laura Mvula, Bob Moses, Wax Tailor, Cold War Kids, Joywave, Chris Robinson Brotherhood, White Denim, Chicano Batman, A Tribe Called Red, 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 – as well as other parks in all five boroughs! See our venue review & photos of Central Park SummerStage here
Web: www.summerstage.org
What: Vans House Parties
Where: Brooklyn, NY
When: May 18 – August 3
Who: Descendents, Digable Planets, Beach Fossils, The Drums, Royal Headache, Sheer Mag, and more
Why: Vans hosts a great series of free Brooklyn house parties at the House of Vans. See our venue review & photos of House of Vans here
Web: http://www.vans.com/house-of-vans.html
What: BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn!
Where: Brooklyn, NY
When: June 7 – August 12
Who: The Shins, Fleet Foxes, Planetarium, Conor Oberst, Sylvan Esso, Lake Street Dive, Andrew Bird, Yeasayer, Whitney, Amadou & Mariam, Lisa Loeb, The Soul Rebels with Talbi Kweli, Nels Cline, Béla Fleck & The Flecktones, Chronixx, Robert Randolph, Quantic, Hop Along, Sam Amidon, Weyes Blood, Nellie McKay, Tei Shi, Big Thief, Poliça, Cymbals Eat Guitars, Moses Sumney, and more
Why: Once again, Prospect Park Bandshell’s BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! delivers all summer long. See our venue review & photos of Prospect Park Bandshell here
Web: www.bricartsmedia.org/performing-arts/bric-celebrate-brooklyn
What: R&B at Metrotech
Where: Brooklyn, NY
When: June 8 – August 10
Who: Sinkane, The Suffers, John Hammond, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Liv Warfield, and more
Why: R&B Festival through Brooklyn Academy of Music at the corner of Flatbush and Myrtle Avenues.
Web: www.bam.org/music/2017/r-and-b-festival-at-metrotech
What: Ann Arbor Summer
Where: Ann Arbor, MI
When: June 9 – July 2
Who: Diana Krall, Pink Martini, Rhiannon Giddens, Ira Glass, and more
Why: Home of the University of Michigan (and The Dharma Initiative…), all those kind of guys who are hailing from Ann Arbor get a much-needed reason to smile with this three-week Summer Fest.
Web: www.annarborsummerfestival.org
What: Vans House Parties – Chicago
Where: Chicago, IL
When: June 9 – July 26
Who: Cap’n Jazz, Denzel Curry, Charles Bradley, The Internet, The Lawrence Arms, Dillinger Four, Hop Along, Seun Kuti & Egypt 80, and more
Why: Vans’ great series of free house parties now comes to Chicago’s House of Vans. See our venue review & photos of Brooklyn House of Vans here
Web: http://www.vans.com/house-of-vans.html
What: KCRW’s World Festival
Where: Hollywood, CA
When: June 18 – September 24
Who: Ziggy Marley, Blondie, Solange, Pink Martini, Seu Jorge, Belle & Sebastian, Garbage, Spoon, The Specials, Blood Orange, Sky Ferreira, Moses Sumney, and more
Why: Celebrate the best of world music at the famed Hollywood Bowl. See more in our photo galleries from Hollywood Bowl here
Web: www.hollywoodbowl.com
What: Electric Forest
Where: Rothbury, MI
When: June 22-25 & June 29 – July 2
Who: The String Cheese Incident, Bassnectar, Odesza, Flume, DJ Snake, My Morning Jacket, Above & Beyond, Dillon Francis, Big Gigantic, RL Grime, Nero, Thievery Corporation, Lotus, Claude Vonstroke, A-Trak, 12th Planet, Banks, Bob Moses, Brazilian Girls, Cashmere Cat, Giraffage, GTA, Lettuce, Matisyahu, Papadosio, The Infamous Stringdusters, The London Souls, The Motet, Waka Flocka Flame, Vince Staples, and more
Why: Nature meets technology as Electric Forest expands to a second weekend. Read much more in our recap here
Web: www.electricforestfestival.com
What: Saskatchewan Jazz
Where: Saskatoon, SK, Canada
When: June 22 – July 2
Who: Blind Boys of Alabama, Low, The Harpoonist and the Axe Murderer, and more
Why: (Sa)Skat it up, jazz-cat.
Web: saskjazz.com
What: Twilight Concerts
Where: Santa Monica, CA
When: June 22 – August 17
Who: Khalid, Eric Burdon & The Animals, Miami Horror, Warpaint, and more
Why: Enjoy the Twilight on the famed Santa Monica Pier – for free. See more in our photo galleries from Santa Monica Pier here
Web: santamonicapier.org/twilightconcerts
What: Stern Grove
Where: San Francisco, CA
When: June 25 – August 27
Who: Kool & The Gang, Nicki Bluhm & The Gramblers, San Francisco Symphony, Eric Burdon & The Animals, Amadou & Mariam, War, Brazilian Girls, Mavis Staples, Moon Hooch, The Stone Foxes, and more
Why: The oldest free-admission festival of its kind in America is of course in San Francisco.
Web: www.sterngrove.org
What: Summerfest
Where: Milwaukee, WI
When: June 28 – July 2 & July 4-9
Who: Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Willie Nelson, Sheryl Crow, Pink, Chris Stapleton, The Chainsmokers, Dierks Bentley, Jason Isbell, Future, Deerhoof, Luke Bryan, MIGOS, Nathaniel Rateliff, Lukas Nelson, Flume, Alessia Cara, The Shins, Steve Miller Band, Peter Frampton, The Moody Blues, DNCE, Atmosphere, Shinedown, Walk the Moon, Huey Lewis & The News, Miike Snow, Steve Aoki, The Revivalists, Slightly Stoopid, AWOLNATION, The Band Perry, Third Eye Blind, Dispatch, Ziggy Marley, Tegan & Sara, Bleachers, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Jon Bellion, Brian Setzer, NEEDTOBREATHE, Girl Talk, Toto, Collective Soul, Walk Off the Earth, Joss Stone, Hanson, REO Speedwagon, Andrew McMahone In the Wilderness, T-Pain, The Naked & Famous, Misterwives, BJ the Chicago Kid, Death From Above 1979, Blues Traveler, Peter Wolf, Guster, House of Pain, Allen Stone, Car Seat Headrest, Aesop Rock, Spin Doctors, JJ Grey & Mofro, Michelle Branch, Black Joe Lewis, San Fermin, Soul Asylum, Fishbone, Pokey LaFarge, Lee Fields, Hippo Campus, Barns Courtney, Chicano Batman, The Last Bandleros, The Bright Light Social Hour, 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: www.summerfest.com
What: Frendly Gathering
Where: Windham, VT
When: June 29 – July 1
Who: Twiddle, Yonder Mountain String Band, Charles Bradley, Turkuaz, Moon Hooch, and more
Why: Gather some frends for a Frendly Gathering. See much more in our photo gallery here
Web: frendlygathering.com
What: High Sierra
Where: Quincy, CA
When: June 29 – July 2
Who: Trey Anastasio, Ween, STS9, Gov’t Mule, Andrew Bird, Snarky Puppy, Galactic, Mike Gordon, Hard Working Americans, Deer Tick, The Travelin’ McCourys, Keller Williams, White Denim, Fruition, Grupo Fantasma, The Suffers, Dopapod, The Werks, El Ten Eleven, and 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: Montreal Jazz Fest
Where: Montreal, QC, Canada
When: June 29 – July 8
Who: Bob Dylan, Feist, Robert Glasper, Rodrigo Amarante, Wax Tailor, Pink Martini, The Strumbellas, Arturo Sandoval, The Bad Plus, The Barr Brothers, Bill Frisell, Buddy Guy, Charles Bradley, Charlie Musselwhite, Colin Stetson, Joey Bada$$, Joss Stone, Kevin Garrett, King Crismon, Melissa Etheridge, Men Without Hats, The O’Jays, Ron Sexsmith, San Fermin, Songhoy Blues, Thievery Corporation, Vijay Iyer, Wax Tailor, and more
Why: Of course Montreal has a big, classy jazz festival.
Web: www.montrealjazzfest.com/en-CA
What: Waterfront Blues
Where: Portland, OR
When: June 30 – July 4
Who: Chris Isaak, Fantastic Negrito, Galactic, JD McPherson, Joss Stone, and more
Why: Head to Tom McCall Waterfront Park for some Blues.
Web: www.waterfrontbluesfest.com
What: Burger Boogaloo
Where: Oakland, CA
When: July 1-2
Who: Iggy Pop, John Waters, Buzzcocks, X, Redd Kross, Shannon & The Clams, Nobunny, and more
Why: Burger Records holds a Boogaloo.
Web: www.burgerboogaloo.com
What: Bunbury
Where: Cincinnati, OH
When: July 2-4
Who: Muse, Wiz Khalifa, G-Eazy, Bassnectar, Pretty Lights, The 1975, Thirty Seconds To Mars, Death Cab for Cutie, The Shins, AFI, Jon Bellion, D.R.A.M., Flogging Molly, MUTEMATH, Moon Taxi, Rev. Horton Heat, NF, Kevin Garrett, Arkells, Civil Twilight, San Fermin, July Talk, and more
Why: Nice mix of mainstream & alternative – and no bees!
Web: bunburyfestival.com
What: Common Ground
Where: Lansing, MI
When: July 6-9
Who: Big Sean, Toby Keith, Alessia Cara, Fetty Wap, LOCASH, AJR, Phoebe Ryan, and more
Why: At this lengthy festival, find some Common Ground.
Web: www.commongroundfest.com
What: Winnipeg Folk
Where: Winnipeg, MB, Canada
When: July 6-9
Who: Feist, The Shins, Barenaked Ladies, Brandi Carlile, Cracker, Bruce Cockburn, Camper Van Beethoven, The Felice Brothers, Foy Vance, Damien Jurado, Daniel Lanois, Chali 2na, Christopher Paul Stelling, City and Colour, Murder by Death, Old Man Luedecke, 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: Ottawa Blues
Where: Ottawa, ON, Canada
When: July 6-16
Who: Toby Keith, DJ Mustard, 50 Cent, Eric Lindell, Fetty Wap, LCD Soundsystem, Lil Yacht, The Campbell Brothers, Bob Moses, Peter Wolf, Xavier Rudd, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Foy Vance, Migos, The Shins, Phantogram, Gary Clark Jr., Anderson East, The Zombies, RL Grime, July Talk, Brandi Carlile, Tegan & Sara, Melissa Etheridge, Sam Roberts Band, Death From Above 1979, Pokey LaRage, 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: Québec City Summer
Where: Québec City, QC, Canada
When: July 6-16
Who: Kendrick Lamar, The Who, Gorillaz, Muse, Pink, Lady Antebellum, Backstreet Boys, Metallica, Fetty Wap, Nick Jonas, Flume, Melissa Etheridge, The Zombies, Death From Above 1979, Wolf Parade, Of Mice & Men, Phantogram, DJ Shadow, Foy Vance, Pierce the Veil, Men Without Hats, DNCE, Amadou et Mariam, The Devil Wears Prada, Migos, A Tribe Called Red, Tei Shi, Mondo Cozmo, The Strumbellas, Andy Shauf, Arkells, and many 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.infofestival.com/?lang=en-CA
What: Surf Lodge Summer Concert Series
Where: Montauk, NY
When: July 6 – September 11
Who: Lucius, Sunflower Bean, G. Love, Saint Motel, Hurray For the Riff Raff, Brett Dennen, Porches, Bombino, Brazilian Girls, Donavon Frankenreiter, Trombone Short & Orleans Avenue, Miss Velvet & The Blue Wolf, Bob Moses, The London Souls, Hiatus Kaiyote, Lewis Del Mar, The Arcs, Chairlift, Gallant, Wild Belle, Beach Slang, Gary Clark Jr., Talib Kweli, and more
Why: Get out of the city and head to the Surf at Montauk.
Web: thesurflodge.com/concert-series
What: 80/35
Where: Des Moines, IA
When: July 7-8
Who: The Shins, MGMT, Action Bronson, Elephant Revival, The Motet, Chicano Batman, Diarrhea Planet, and more
Why: Better known for corn & presidential primaries, Iowa has also been holding hold a sweet & diverse 80/35 festival. Read & see much more in our recap here
Web: www.80-35.com
What: Northern Lights Festival Boréal
Where: Sudbury, ON, Canada
When: July 7-9
Who: Yukon Blonde, Whitehorse 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: Full Moon
Where: Governors Island, NY
When: July 8
Who: Vic Mensa, Larry Heard, Kelela, DJ Harvey, Connan Mockasin, TOPS, and more
Why: A full moon shines in New York. See much more in our photo gallery here
Web: fullmoonfest.com
What: Ride
Where: Telluride, CO
When: July 8-9
Who: Beck, Ben Harper, John Butler Trio, Kaleo, Rival Sons, The Temperance Movement, Jackie Greene, and more
Why: Ride into Telluride.
Web: www.ridefestival.com
What: Camp Bisco
Where: Scranton, PA
When: July 13-15
Who: The Disco Biscuits, Bassnectar, Pretty Lights, GRiZ, Lotus, Gramatik, Action Bronson, Shpongle, 12th Planet, Beats Antique, Break Science, Classixx, Emancipator, Escort, The Floozies, The Knocks, Nightmares On Wax, Paper Diamond, Turkuaz, Twiddle, The Werks, and more
Why: Electro-jam festival regulars The Disco Biscuits revive Camp Bisco, now in Scranton. Read & see more in our 2013 recap here
Web: campbisco.com
What: Rock Fest
Where: Cadott, WI
When: July 13-15
Who: Avenged Sevenfold, Rob Zombie, Slayer, Korn, Shinedown, Volbeat, Stone Sour, Megadeth, Lamb of God, Anthrax, Clutch, Insane Clown Posse, Sevendust, Ratt, Lita Ford, Lit, and more
Why: Hard rock comes to Wisconsin.
Web: www.rock-fest.com
What: Evolve
Where: Moncton, NB, Canada
When: July 13-16
Who: Sam Roberts Band, Arrested Development, Xavier Rudd, Coleman Hell, Black Tiger Sex Machine, and more
Why: Evolve moves from Nova Scotia to New Brunswick, eh?
Web: www.evolvefestival.com
What: Great South Bay
Where: Patchogue, NY
When: July 13-16
Who: 311, Taking Back Sunday, Gov’t Mule, The Zombies, New Found Glory, Eddie Money, G. Love & Special Sauce, Rusted Root, New Politics, Saves the Day, and more
Why: Jam fest on Long Island.
Web: www.greatsouthbaymusicfestival.com
What: Grey Fox Bluegrass
Where: Oak Hill, NY
When: July 13-16
Who: The Del McCoury Band, The Infamous Stringdusters, The Steep Canyon Rangers, The Travelin’ McCourys, Sarah Jarosz, and more
Why: Blue or Grey is welcome in the Catskills.
Web: www.greyfoxbluegrass.com
What: Chicago Open Air
Where: Bridgeview, IL
When: July 14-16
Who: KISS, Korn, Ozzy Osbourne, Rob Zombie, Godsmack, Slayer, Megadeth, Seether, Stone Sour, Anthrax, Clutch, Lamb of God, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Body Count, and more
Why: Breathe in the Open Air of Chicago (well, Bridgeview…).
Web: www.chicagoopenair.com
What: Folk On the Rocks
Where: Yellowknife, NT, Canada
When: July 14-16
Who: City and Colour, SHAD, Jason Collett, Operators, The Pack A.D., Elephant Stone, and more
Why: Head all the way up to the Northwest Territories to get your Folk On the Rocks.
Web: folkontherocks.com
What: Forecastle
Where: Louisville, KY
When: July 14-16
Who: LCD Soundsystem, Weezer, Odesza, Sturgill Simpson, Cage the Elephant, PJ Harvey, Run the Jewels, Nathaniel Rateliff, Phantogram, GRiZ, Spoon, Capital Cities, X Ambassadors, Vince Staples, NEEDTOBREATHE, Tycho, Conor Oberst, Charles Bradley, Real Estate, Cashmere Cat, STRFKR, Judah & The Lion, Foxygen, K.Flay, What So Not, Waka Flocka Flame, Whitney, Classixx, Twin Limb, Joseph, LANY, Rayland Baxter, Giraffage, JD McPherson, Chicano Batman, Beach Slang, Mandolin Orange, Adia Victoria, The Shelters, Aaron Lee Tasjan, and many more
Why: Forecastle comes with a vengeance and a top-tier line-up. Read much more in our recap here
Web: forecastlefest.com
What: Green River
Where: Greenfield, MA
When: July 14-16
Who: The Mavericks, Lake Street Dive, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, Houndmouth, Pokey LaFarge, The Infamous Stringdusters, Amadou & Mariam, Mandolin Orange, Chicano Batman, San Fermin, John Brown’s Body, and more
Why: This lighter jam-folk fest has hot air balloon rides.
Web: www.greenriverfestival.com
What: Hillside
Where: Guelph, ON, Canada
When: July 14-16
Who: Xavier Rudd, The Barr Brothers, Billy Bragg, Sarah Harmer, The Luyas, Mbongwana Star, and more
Why: While many Canadian festivals have flamed out, Hillside has passed its quarter century mark and is still going strong.
Web: www.hillsidefestival.ca
What: Home County
Where: London, ON, Canada
When: July 14-16
Who: Molly Roach, Sarah Smith, Pat Maloney, Madison Violet, Carly Thomas, and more
Why: Victoria Park in London, Canada, has its own festival.
Web: www.homecounty.ca
What: Northern Nights
Where: Piercy, CA
When: July 14-16
Who: Living Legends, Jai Wolf, Cherub, Big Wild, and more
Why: Take In the Northern Nights along the Humboldt/Mendocino County Line.
Web: www.northernnights.org
What: Pitchfork
Where: Chicago, IL
When: July 14-16
Who: LCD Soundsystem, A Tribe Called Quest, Solange, PJ Harvey, Dirty Projectors, Angel Olsen, Nicolas Jaar, Danny Brown, The Feelies, George Clinton & Parliament/Funkadelic, Ride, Thurston Moore, Vince Staples, Kamaiyah, American Football, Hamilton Leithauser, Cherry Glazerr, Hiss Golden Messenger, Frankie Cosmos, 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 more in our 2016 recap here
Web: pitchforkmusicfestival.com
What: Classic West
Where: Los Angeles, CA
When: July 15-16
Who: Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, Steely Dan, Journey, The Doobie Brothers, and Earth, Wind & Fire
Why: ‘Oldchella’ has now morphed into two different coastal versions, ‘Classic’.
Web: theclassiceast.com
What: Greatest Day Ever
Where: The Bronx, NY
When: July 15-16
Who: Diplo, Dillon Francis, Bro Safari, Goldlink, Post Malone, The Internet, What So Not, and more
Why: The Bronx promises the Greatest Day Ever.
Web: www.thegreatestdayever.com
What: Out In the Streets
Where: Queens, NY
When: July 15-16
Who: Caveman, A Place To Bury Strangers, Tall Juan, What Cheer? Brigade, Psychic Twin, and more
Why: Head Out In the Streets of Queens.
Web: outinthestreets.com
What: Sloss
Where: Birmingham, AL
When: July 15-16
Who: Alabama Shakes, Widespread Panic, Odesza, Sturgill Simpson, Run the Jewels, Nathaniel Rateliff, Spoon, NEEDTOBREATHE, Phantogram, Tycho, Judah & The Lion, Cherub, Conor Oberst, Vince Staples, Cashmere Cat, Charles Bradley, K.Flay, Waka Flocka Flame, Beach Slang, Vulture Whale, and more
Why: A new festival in Birmingham.
Web: slossfest.com
What: Lowdown Hudson Blues
Where: Downtown Manhattan, NY
When: July 18-19
Who: Common, OK Go, and more
Why: The Blues comes down the Hudson to downtown Manhattan. See more in our photo gallery here
Web: www.artsbrookfield.com/event/lowdown
What: Wanderlust Squaw Valley
Where: North Lake Tahoe, CA
When: July 20-23
Who: Little Dragon, Bonobo, St. Paul & The Broken Bones, Lettuce, Quixotic and more
Why: Yoga + music fest Wanderlust wanders into Lake Tahoe. See more in our photo gallery of 2017 Wanderlust Squaw Valley here
Web: wanderlust.com/festivals/squaw-valley
What: Waking Windows – Detroit
Where: Detroit, MI
When: July 21-22
Who: Car Seat Headrest, Whitney, Dam-Funk, Mount Eerie, Low Cut Connie, Deradoorian, and more
Why: Waking Windows spreads to Detroit. See much more in our 2016 Waking Windows Vermont photo gallery here
Web: www.wakingwindows.com
What: Capitol Hill Block Party
Where: Seattle, WA
When: July 21-23
Who: Diplo, Run The Jewels, Lord Huron, Jai Wolf, Angel Olsen, Wolf Parade, Snakehips, Thundercat, Mura Masa, Danny Brown, Lizzo, Whitney, Perfume Genius, Austra, Mykki Blanco, Cloud Nothings, Cherry Glazerr, and more
Why: Seattle throws a block party.
Web: capitolhillblockparty.com
What: FYF Fest
Where: Los Angeles, CA
When: July 21-23
Who: Björk, Frank Ocean, Nine Inch Nails, Missy Elliott, A Tribe Called Quest, Erykah Badu, Iggy Pop, Solange, Run the Jewels, Flying Lotus, Anderson .Paak, MGMT, Nicolas Jaar, Hannibal Buress, Slowdive, Angel Olsen, Little Dragon, Kehlani, Thundercat, Blonde Redhead, The Drums, Grandaddy, Ty Segall, The Faint, Cap’n Jazz, BADBADNOTGOOD, Beach Fossils, Perfume Genius, Temples, Thee Oh Sees, Jonathan Richman, Whitney, Hundred Waters, Andy Shauf, Cherry Glazerr, and more
Why: Another great year for this great fest – fuck yeah! Read much more in our big recap here
Web: fyffest.com
What: PDX Pop Now!
Where: Portland, OR
When: July 21-23
Who: Boone Howard, Honey Bucket, Mini Blinds, Piss Test, and more
Why: Portland celebrates its music scene with this free event.
Web: www.pdxpopnow.com
What: Burger Beach Bash
Where: Coney Island, NY
When: July 22
Who: The Zeros, Sunflower Bean, Nobunny, Habibi, Jonathan Toubin, and more
Why: Burger Records returns to Coney Island to throw a Beach Bash. Read & see much more in our recap here
Web: burgerbeachbashnyc.com
What: Ozy Fest
Where: New York, NY
When: July 22
Who: Jason Derulo, Samantha Bee, Van Jones, Malcolm Gladwell, Katie Couric, Eddie Huang, Zara Larsson, Gov. Jeb Bush, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, RuPaul, Talib Kweli, Mark Cuban, Yuna, Dr. Jill Biden, and more
Why: Ozy tries to mash up TED Talks & music festival with some big-name speakers (and some music).
Web: www.ozy.com/ozyfest
What: Float
Where: San Marcos, TX
When: July 22-23
Who: Zedd, Weezer, Cage the Elephant, MGMT, Passion Pit, Mac Miller, Girl Talk, Snakehips, Neon Indian, Moon Taxi, Wild Child, Ume, and more
Why: Totally tubular. Read & see much more in our recap here
Web: floatfest.net
What: Rise Above
Where: Bangor, ME
When: July 22-23
Who: Korn, Shinedown, Stone Sour, Seether, Halestorm, and more
Why: A benefit for Suicide Awareness.
Web: riseabovefest.com
What: FloydFest
Where: Floyd, VA
When: July 26-30
Who: Thievery Corporation, Michael Franti & Spearhead, St. Paul & The Broken Bones, Leftover Salmon, Steel Pulse, Railroad Earth, Shovels & Rope, Xavier Rudd, White Denim, Turkuaz, Fruition, Keller Williams, and more
Why: Americana-jam at FloydFest.
Web: www.floydfest.com
What: Lincoln Center Out of Doors
Where: New York, NY
When: July 26 – August 13
Who: Dionne Warwick, Bonnie Raitt, The Jayhawks, Rumer, Angélique Kidjo, Nick Lowe, Los Straitjackets, Amanda Shires, and more
Why: The famed venue heads Out of Doors at Damrosch Park Bandshell.
Web: lcoutofdoors.org
What: Calgary Folk
Where: Calgary, AB, Canada
When: July 27-30
Who: Barenaked Ladies, Billy Bragg & Joe Henry, Michael Kiwanuka, Langhorne Slim, Dawes, Holy Fuck, Basia Bulat, City and Colour, Jason Collett, Coeur De Pirate, Tanya Tagaq, Foy Vance, Son Little, BADBADNOTGOOD, and more
Why: Another Canadian folk festival, this time in the country’s prairie heartland with some surprisingly big acts.
Web: www.calgaryfolkfest.com
What: Underground Music Showcase
Where: Denver, CO
When: July 27-30
Who: Aldous Harding, Benjamin Booker, Ex-Cult, Foxxes, Nothing, Red Fang, Sleepy Sun, and more
Why: Go underground in the Mile High City.
Web: www.theums.com
What: Newport Folk
Where: Newport, RI
When: July 28-30
Who: Fleet Foxes, The Avett Brothers, John Prine, The Head and the Heart, Drive-By Truckers, American Acoustic, Shovels & Rope, Billy Bragg & Joe Henry, Dr. Dog, Regina Spektor, Angel Olsen, Rhiannon Giddens, Ben Gibbard, Nikki Lane, Michael Kiwanuka, Hurray For the Riff Raff, Mandolin OrangeSeratones, Margaret Glaspy, Nancy and Beth, Joseph, Aaron Lee Tasjan, Chicano Batman, Seratones, Big Thief, and more
Why: The festival where Bob Dylan was called “Judas” for going electric is still going strong. See much more in our photo gallery here
Web: www.newportfolk.org
What: Panorama
Where: Randall’s Island, New York
When: July 28-30
Who: Frank Ocean, Tame Impala, Nine Inch Nails, A Tribe Called Quest, alt-J, Solange, MGMT, Nick Murphy, Justice, Glass Animals, Nicolas Jaar, Future Islands, Tuler the Creator, Belle & Sebastian, Cashmere Cat, Angel Olsen, Spoon, Girl Talk, Vince Staples, Andrew McMahon, Snakehips, Jagwar Ma, DJ Shadow, Vance Joy, MØ, Mura Masa, Cloud Nothings, Foxygen, Cherry Glazerr, Bleached, Preoccupations, Dhani Harrison, Bishop Briggs, and more
Why: The people behind Coachella & more bring a big festival to the Big Apple. Read much more in our recap here
Web: www.panorama.nyc
What: WayHome
Where: Oro-Medonte, ON, Canada
When: July 28-30
Who: Imagine Dragons, Frank Ocean, Flume, Justice, Soalnge, Marshmello, Vance Joy, Schoolboy Q, Tegan & Sara, The Shins, Banks, Car Seat Headrest, Charles Bradley, Constantines, Danny Brown, Dashboard Confessional, Death From Above 1979, Hundred Waters, Jagwar Ma, Jazz Cartier, Margaret Glaspy, Mura Masa, Phantogram, Poliça, Pup, Rag’n’Bone Man, Royal Blood, Tanya Tagaq, The Drums, The Naked and Famous, and more
Why: Find you Way Home to Canada and this impressive new festival.
Web: wayhome.com
What: XPoNential
Where: Camden, NJ
When: July 28-30
Who: Wilco, Conor Oberst, Hop Along, Amos Lee, Spoon, The Suffers, Chicano Batman, Drive-By Truckers, Charles Bradley, Angel Olsen, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Strand of Oaks, Foxygen, Joseph, Dave Hause, Arkells, Brownout, Adia Victoria, and more
Why: WXPN 88.5 holds an Americana alt-country fest at Camden’s Waterfront.
Web: xpnfest.org
What: Classic East
Where: New York, NY
When: July 29-30
Who: Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, Steely Dan, Journey, The Doobie Brothers, and Earth, Wind & Fire
Why: ‘Oldchella’ has now morphed into two different coastal versions, ‘Classic’.
Web: theclassiceast.com
What: Wicker Park Fest
Where: Chicago, IL
When: July 29-30
Who: Guided by Voices, Piebald, JEFF The Brotherhood, Slim Cessna’s Auto Club, Pokey LaFarge, Charly Bliss, and more
Why: Way better than the crappy movie of the same name (though it did have a good soundtrack)… See more in our 2011 photo gallery here
Web: www.wickerparkfest.com
August
What: SummerStage
Where: New York, NY
When: May 17 – September 13
Who: Elvis Costello & The Imposters, PJ Harvey, Regina Spektor, Gov’t Mule, All Time Low, Young the Giant, Umphrey’s McGee, The Revivalists, Mavis Staples, Yo La Tengo, George Clinton & Parliament/Funkadelic, Ginuwine, They Might Be Giants, Digable Planets, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Margaret Glaspy, Khalid, TajMo, The Budos Band, GZA, Valerie June, UCB All Stars, Just Blaze, Slick Rick, Denzel Curry, Jadakiss, KRS-One, Laura Mvula, Bob Moses, Wax Tailor, Cold War Kids, Joywave, Chris Robinson Brotherhood, White Denim, Chicano Batman, A Tribe Called Red, 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 – as well as other parks in all five boroughs! See our venue review & photos of Central Park SummerStage here
Web: www.summerstage.org
What: Vans House Parties
Where: Brooklyn, NY
When: May 18 – August 3
Who: Descendents, Digable Planets, Beach Fossils, The Drums, Royal Headache, Sheer Mag, and more
Why: Vans hosts a great series of free Brooklyn house parties at the House of Vans. See our venue review & photos of House of Vans here
Web: http://www.vans.com/house-of-vans.html
What: BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn!
Where: Brooklyn, NY
When: June 7 – August 12
Who: The Shins, Fleet Foxes, Planetarium, Conor Oberst, Sylvan Esso, Lake Street Dive, Andrew Bird, Yeasayer, Whitney, Amadou & Mariam, Lisa Loeb, The Soul Rebels with Talbi Kweli, Nels Cline, Béla Fleck & The Flecktones, Chronixx, Robert Randolph, Quantic, Hop Along, Sam Amidon, Weyes Blood, Nellie McKay, Tei Shi, Big Thief, Poliça, Cymbals Eat Guitars, Moses Sumney, and more
Why: Once again, Prospect Park Bandshell’s BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! delivers all summer long. See our venue review & photos of Prospect Park Bandshell here
Web: www.bricartsmedia.org/performing-arts/bric-celebrate-brooklyn
What: R&B at Metrotech
Where: Brooklyn, NY
When: June 8 – August 10
Who: Sinkane, The Suffers, John Hammond, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Liv Warfield, and more
Why: R&B Festival through Brooklyn Academy of Music at the corner of Flatbush and Myrtle Avenues.
Web: www.bam.org/music/2017/r-and-b-festival-at-metrotech
What: KCRW’s World Festival
Where: Hollywood, CA
When: June 18 – September 24
Who: Ziggy Marley, Blondie, Solange, Pink Martini, Seu Jorge, Belle & Sebastian, Garbage, Spoon, The Specials, Blood Orange, Sky Ferreira, Moses Sumney, and more
Why: Celebrate the best of world music at the famed Hollywood Bowl. See more in our photo galleries from Hollywood Bowl here
Web: www.hollywoodbowl.com
What: Twilight Concerts
Where: Santa Monica, CA
When: June 22 – August 17
Who: Khalid, Eric Burdon & The Animals, Miami Horror, Warpaint, and more
Why: Enjoy the Twilight on the famed Santa Monica Pier – for free. See more in our photo galleries from Santa Monica Pier here
Web: santamonicapier.org/twilightconcerts
What: Stern Grove
Where: San Francisco, CA
When: June 25 – August 27
Who: Kool & The Gang, Nicki Bluhm & The Gramblers, San Francisco Symphony, Eric Burdon & The Animals, Amadou & Mariam, War, Brazilian Girls, Mavis Staples, Moon Hooch, The Stone Foxes, and more
Why: The oldest free-admission festival of its kind in America is of course in San Francisco.
Web: www.sterngrove.org
What: Surf Lodge Summer Concert Series
Where: Montauk, NY
When: July 6 – September 11
Who: Lucius, Sunflower Bean, G. Love, Saint Motel, Hurray For the Riff Raff, Brett Dennen, Nancy Atlas, Porches, Bombino, Brazilian Girls, Donavon Frankenreiter, Trombone Short & Orleans Avenue, Miss Velvet & The Blue Wolf, Bob Moses, The London Souls, Hiatus Kaiyote, Lewis Del Mar, The Arcs, Chairlift, Gallant, Wild Belle, Beach Slang, Gary Clark Jr., Talib Kweli, and more
Why: Get out of the city and head to the Surf at Montauk.
Web: thesurflodge.com/concert-series
What: Lincoln Center Out of Doors
Where: New York, NY
When: July 26 – August 13
Who: Dionne Warwick, Bonnie Raitt, The Jayhawks, Rumer, Angélique Kidjo, Nick Lowe, Los Straitjackets, Amanda Shires, and more
Why: The famed venue heads Out of Doors at Damrosch Park Bandshell.
Web: lcoutofdoors.org
What: Lollapalooza
Where: Chicago, IL
When: August 3-6
Who: Chance the Rapper, The Killers, Muse, Arcade Fire, The xx, Lorde, Blink-182, DJ Snake, Justice, alt-J, Run the Jewels, Cage the Elephant, Wiz Khalifa, Big Sean, The Head and the Heart, Foster the People, The Shins, Ryan Adams, Kaskade, Porter Robinson, Zeds Dead, Liam Gallagher, Rae Sremmurd, Glass Animals, Gramatik, Migos, Phantogram, Tove Lo, Spoon, Milky Chance, Vance Joy, Tegan & Sara, Grouplove, Crystal Castles, Little Dragon, Mac DeMarco, Banks, Borgore, Sylvan Esso, Live, Whitney, Capital Cities, Royal Blood, London Grammar, Andrew McMahon In the Wilderness, Joey Bada$$, Charli XCX, Car Seat Headrest, Machine Gun Kelly, The Pretty Reckless, Warpaint, Baauer, Highly Suspect, The Drums, A-Trak, Cloud Nothings, Alvvays, and many, many more
Why: The granddaddy of today’s indie fests still brings a hell of a line-up right to Chicago’s Grant Park. Read & see much more in our big recap here
Web: www.lollapalooza.com
What: Mile of Music
Where: Appleton, WI
When: August 3-6
Who: San Fermin, Terra Lightfoot, Diane Coffee, Dylan LeBlanc, Ron Gallo, JC Brooks, Kristin Diable & The City, Liz Cooper & The Stampede, 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 3-6
Who: Charles Bradley, Dinosaur Jr, Drive-By Truckers, Deer Tick, Ty Segall, Jonathan Richman, Andy Shauf, Mandolin Orange, J Mascis, Dungen, Robyn Hitchcock, Sunflower Bean, Y La Bamba, Wolf People, Jonathan Toubin, and more
Why: Pick an instrument at Pickathon. Read & see much more in our 2016 recap here
Web: pickathon.com
What: Satchmo
Where: New Orleans, LA
When: August 3-6
Who: James Andrews, Hot 8 Brass Band, and more
Why: Satchmo – comin’ through with the music.
Web: fqfi.org/satchmo
What: Hinterland
Where: St. Charles, IA
When: August 4-5
Who: alt-J, Ryan Adams, Gary Clark Jr., The Head and The Heart, Dwight Yoakam, Shakey Graves, Foxygen, Nikki Lane, JD McPherson, Max Jury, and more
Why: Head to America’s Hinterland for this nice new festival. See much more in our photo gallery here
Web: hinterlandiowa.com
What: Pretty Lights Live
Where: George, WA
When: August 4-5
Who: Pretty Lights, Atmosphere, STS9, Lettuce, Cherub, and more
Why: Pretty Lights brings his massive (and beautiful lit) show to a two-day event in the massive & beautiful Gorge Amphitheatre. See more in our photo gallery here
Web: prettylightsmusic.com/gorge-amphitheatre
What: Secret Stages
Where: Birmingham, AL
When: August 4-5
Who: Della Ray, Dumb Waiter, Sarah Shook & The Disarmers, and more
Why: A mostly free event in Birmingham’s Historic Loft District.
Web: www.secretstages.net
What: Arise
Where: Loveland, CO
When: August 4-6
Who: Atmosphere, Tipper, Lettuce, Beats Antique, Ani DiFranco, Brother Ali, Dopapod, The Travelin’ McCourys, and more
Why: Arise in Loveland.
Web: arisefestival.com
What: Newport Jazz
Where: Newport, RI
When: August 4-6
Who: The Roots, Bela Fleck, Snarky Puppy, Branford Marsalis, ANdra Day, Maceo Parker, Rhiannon Giddens, Vijay Iyer, and more
Why: While best known for its storied folk festival (see above), 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 4-6
Who: The Weeknd, Muse, Lorde, Major Lazer, Alabama Shakes, Justice, Solange, Vance Joy, Cage the Elephant, Foster the People, MGMT, Nicolas Jaar, Father John Misty, Die Antwoord, The Shins, Milky Chance, Belle and Sebastian, Zeds Dead, Run the Jewels, Liam Gallagher, Broken Social Scene, Glass Animals, London Grammar, Crystal Castles, Jon Bellion, Tove Lo, De La Soul, Tegan & Sara, Flatbush Zombies, George Ezra, Death From Above 1979, Local Natives, Arkells, Danny Brown, GRiZ, Rag’n’Bone Man, Sampha, Phantogram, Foxygen, Angel Olsen, Matoma, Little Dragon, Car Seat Headrest, Dawes, Strand of Oaks, Plants and Animals, SOHN, Temples, BADBADNOTGOOD, Barns Courtney, Whitney, Joseph, Hamilton Leithauser, Denzel Curry, Cloud Nothings, Muna, Bishop Briggs, Cherry Glazerr, Blaenavon, Beach Slang, The Districts, and more
Why: Osheaga will stay in the top-tier with another killer line-up. Read & see much more in our 2013 recap here
Web: www.osheaga.com
What: Petaluma
Where: Petaluma, CA
When: August 5
Who: Chris Robinson Brotherhood, Moonalice, T Sisters, and more
Why: Get down in Petaluma. See more in our 2014 photo gallery here
Web: www.petalumamusicfestival.org
What: Area 506
Where: St. Johns, NB, Canada
When: August 5-6
Who: Tegan & Sara, The Strumbellas, Matt Mays, Stars, Bahamas, and more
Why: Celebrate all things New Brunswick (Canada).
Web: area506.ca
What: HARD SUMMER
Where: Fontana, CA
When: August 5-6
Who: Snoop Dogg, DJ Snake, Justice, Dog Blood, Rae Sremmurd, Bassnectar, Zeds Dead, Migos, Tchami, Snakehips, Cashmere Cat, Claude Vonstroke, Skepta, What So Not, Ty Dolla $ign, Baauer, A-Trak, Kill the Noise, Mobb Deep, Mike Will Made It, Charli XCX, Destructo, 12th Planet, AC Slater, Wax Motif, Soul Clap, Giraffage, Jackmaster, Nancy Whang, and more
Why: HARD returns this SUMMER with some hard beats. See more in our 2014 photo gallery here
Web: hardfest.com
What: High & Mighty
Where: Silverado, CA
When: August 5-6
Who: Sublime with Rome, Dirty Heads, Soja, Jurassic 5, Tribal Seeds, Method Man & Redman, Ghostface Killah, and more
Why: Get High & Mighty, brah.
Web: highandmightyfest.com
What: Athens Popfest
Where: Silverado, CA
When: August 9-12
Who: The Apples In Stereo, ESG, Superchunk, Elf Power, Waxahatchee, Laetitia Sadier, and more
Why: Athens (GA) goes Pop.
Web: athenspopfest.com
What: Peach
Where: Scranton, PA
When: August 11-14
Who: Widespread Panic, My Morning Jacket, Gov’t Mule, Joe Bonamassa, Umphrey’s McGee, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, Lettuce featuring Chaka Khan, Mike Gordon, Dark Star Orchestra, God Street Wine, Rusted Root, Papadosio, The Soul Rebels, The New Mastersounds, Fruition, The Werks, and more
Why: Bringing the jam to the home of Joe Biden & Dunder-Mifflin.
Web: www.thepeachmusicfestival.com
What: Outside Lands
Where: San Francisco, CA
When: August 11-13
Who: Metallica, The Who, Gorillaz, Lorde, A Tribe Called Quest, alt-J, Queens of the Stone Age, Above & Beyond, Fleet Foxes, Empire of the Sun, The Avett Brothers, Belle and Sebastian, Solange, Future Islands, Vance Joy, Kaytranada, Bleachers, Tove Lo, Action Bronson, Sleigh Bells, Royal Blood, Shovels & Rope, Thundercat, Dawes, Warpaint, Real Estate, Temples, K.Flay, Hamilton Leithauser, Foxygen, How To Dress Well, Electric Guest, Hundred Waters, San Fermin, Joseph, Lee Fields, Porches, and many, 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 recap here
Web: www.sfoutsidelands.com
What: Summer Set
Where: Somerset, WI
When: August 11-13
Who: Zeds Dead, Zedd, GRiZ, Run the Jewels, Die Antwoord, RL Grime, Datsik, Post Malone, Audien, Destructo, Keys N Krates, and more
Why: More than just another electro-jam festival.
Web: www.summersetfestival.com
What: Beloved
Where: Tidewater, OR
When: August 11-14
Who: Amadou & Mariam, Las Cafeteras, Everyone Orchestra, and more
Why: The globe comes to Oregon to celebrate The Beloved with sacred music.
Web: belovedfestival.com
What: Shambhala
Where: Salmo, BC, Canada
When: August 11-14
Who: A-Trak, Adventure Club, AraabMUZIK, Beats Antique, Black Tiger Sex Machine, Chali 2na, Crizzly, Datsik, Destructo, Dilated Peoples, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Excision, Illenium, Jai Wolf, Justin Martin, Kill the Noise, Liquid Stranger, LTJ Bukem, NGHTMRE, Pendulum, Rob Garza, Slushii, The Orb, Z-Trip, and more
Why: Electro-DJs come to Canada – Shambhala!
Web: www.shambhalamusicfestival.com
What: Beer X
Where: San Diego, CA
When: August 12-13
Who: Iration, J Boog, Chicano Batman, and more
Why: 91X has a beer festival.
Web: www.beerxsandiego.com
What: Moonrise
Where: Baltimore, MD
When: August 12-13
Who: Afrojack, Big Gigantic, Carnage, Dillstradamus, Excision, Flux Pavilion, Gramatik, Kaskade, Madeon, Migos, Porter Robinson, Pretty Lights, RL Grime, Run the Jewels, Zeds Dead, and more
Why: The moon rises over Baltimore. Read much more in our 2014 recap here
Web: www.moonrisefestival.com
What: Travelers’ Rest
Where: Missoula, MT
When: August 12-13
Who: The Decemberists, Belle & Sebastian, The Head and The Heart, Sylvan Esso, Shakey Graves, Charles Bradley, Real Estate, Julien Baker, and more
Why: The Decemberists let Travelers Rest in Big Sky Country.
Web: travelersrestfest.com
What: Fashion Meets Music
Where: Columbus, OH
When: August 18-19
Who: Third Eye Blind, DNCE, Fetty Wap, Tegan & Sara, T-Pain, St. Lucia, Michelle Branch, Cobi, Hank & Cupcakes, and more
Why: Fashion Meets Music – in Ohio? Read & see more in our 2014 inaugural year recap here
Web: fmmf.us
What: Psycho Vegas
Where: Las Vegas, NV
When: August 18-20
Who: King Diamond, Mastodon, The Brian Jonestown Massacre, Gojira, Neurosis, Swans, Carcass, Murder City Devils, Sleep, Ace Frehley, Corrosion of Conformity, Chelsea Wolfe, Melvs, Wolves In the Throne Room, Earthless, Cult of Luna, Psychic TV, and more
Why: Vegas goes Psycho.
Web: www.vivapsycho.com
What: Riverfest Elora
Where: Elora, ON, Canada
When: August 18-20
Who: MGMT, Gogol Bordello, Monster Truck, Mother Mother, K. Flay, Sloan, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Hollerado, Austra, Hannah Georgas, Little Scream, and more
Why: Yet another great festival north of the border.
Web: riverfestelora.com
What: Rocky Mt Folks
Where: Lyons, CO
When: August 18-20
Who: Dave Rawlings Machine, Gregory Alan Isakov, The Revivalists, Josh Ritter, Lake Street Dive, Rhiannon Giddens, Ben Sollee, Loudon Wainwright III, Elephant Revival, and more
Why: Folks go up in the Rocky Mt.
Web: www.bluegrass.com/folks
What: Salmon Arm Roots & Blues
Where: Salmon Arm, BC, Canada
When: August 18-20
Who: Frazey Ford, John Primer, Booker T, Toubab Krewe, and more
Why: British Columbia opens its Salmon Arms for artists from around the world.
Web: www.rootsandblues.ca
What: Hot August
Where: Cockeysville, MD
When: August 19
Who: Old Crow Medicine Show, The Infamous Stringdusters, Lettuce, Turkuaz, and more
Why: It’s hot in August.
Web: www.hotaugustmusicfestival.com
What: Billboard Hot 100
Where: Wantagh, NY
When: August 22-23
Who: Big Sean, Major Lazor, Zedd, marshmello, Demi Lovato, Bebe Rexha, DJ Kahled, Echosmith, Gucci Mane, Capital Cities, Cash Cash, Cherub, Lil Yachty, Phoebe Ryan, Rick Ross, T-Pain, Ty Dolla $ign, Waka Flocka Flame, Young Thug, Elliot & The Ghost, French Horn Rebellion, Great Good Fine OK, Handsome Ghost, Spirit Animal, Surf Rock Is Dead, and more
Why: The hottest acts on the Billboard Hot 100 play Long Island. See much more in our photo gallery here
Web: www.billboard.com/hot-100-music-festival
What: Mutek – Montréal
Where: Montréal, QC, Canada
When: August 23-27
Who: Bambooman, Beatrice Dillon, Harvey Sutherland, Max Cooper, Daphni, and more
Why: Montréal gets even more artsy with Mutek.
Web: www.mutek.org
What: Lockn’
Where: Arrington, VA
When: August 24-27
Who: Phil Lesh, Keller Williams, John Butler Trio, The Revivalists, Widespread Panic, Gov’t Mule, Umphrey’s McGee, The Avett Brothers, moe., Joe Russo, Greensky Bluegrass, Brandi Carlile, JJ Grey & Mofro, The String Cheese Incident, Margo Price, The Suffers, and more
Why: Lockn’ the jam. Read & see much more in our recap here
Web: www.locknfestival.com
What: Wanderlust Tremblant
Where: Mont Tremblant, QC, Canada
When: August 24-27
Who: Little Dragon, Bonobo, St. Paul & The Broken Bones, Lettuce, Quixotic and more
Why: Yoga + music fest Wanderlust wanders into Quebec. See more in our photo gallery of 2017 Wanderlust Squaw Valley here
Web: wanderlust.com/festivals/tremblant
What: Breakaway – Michigan
Where: Grand Rapids, MI
When: August 25-26
Who: Travi$ Scott, Zedd, Jon Bellion, R.L. Grime, Cheat Codes, 24HRS, Waka Flocka Flame, and more
Why: After a successful year in Columbus, Breakaway expands to two more cities.
Web: www.breakawayfestival.com
What: Huichica East
Where: Pine Plains, NY
When: August 25-26
Who: Real Estate, Charles Bradley, Cass McCombs, Marissa Nadler, and more
Why: Huichica Festival (see above) comes East. See much more in our 2013 Huichica photo gallery here
Web: huichica.com/#huichica-east-home
What: It’s Not Dead
Where: San Bernadino, CA
When: August 26
Who: Rancid, Dropkick Murphys, Buck O Nine, Buzzcocks, Down By Law, The Exploited, The Flatliners, GBH, Kevin Seconds, Murphy’s Law, OFF!, The Selecter, The Toaters, Voodoo Glow Skulls, A Wilhelm Scream, and more
Why: Punk’s not dead!
Web: www.itsnotdeadfestival.com
What: Moontower
Where: Lexington, KY
When: August 26
Who: Umphrey’s McGee, Benjamin Booker, Cherub, Todd Snider, The Record Company, The Travelin’ McCourys, and more
Why: Music comes to Moontower. See much more in our 2015 photo gallery here
Web: www.moontowermusicfestival.com
What: Afropunk
Where: Brooklyn, NY
When: August 26-27
Who: Solange, Raphael Saadiq, Anderson .Paak, Kaytranada, Gary Clark Jr., Michael Kiwanuka, Nao, Willow Smith, Sampha, Sinkane, Macy Gray, Son Little, Dizzee Rascal, Thundercat, The Cool Kids, The Skins, and more
Why: Commodore Barry Park is the site for Afropunk. See more in our 2015 photo gallery here
Web: afropunkfest.com
What: Project Pabst – Portland
Where: Portland, OR
When: August 26-27
Who: Iggy Pop, Beck, Die Antwoord, Nas, Spoon, Father John Misty, FIDLAR, Whitney, Lizzo, Noname, San Fermin, Frankie Cosmos, White Reaper, and more
Why: The beer of choice for hipsters (and Dennis Hopper in Blue Velvet) throws festivals across the country. Read & see more in our photo gallery here
Web: projectpabst.com
September
What: SummerStage
Where: New York, NY
When: May 17 – September 13
Who: Elvis Costello & The Imposters, PJ Harvey, Regina Spektor, Gov’t Mule, All Time Low, Young the Giant, Umphrey’s McGee, The Revivalists, Mavis Staples, Yo La Tengo, George Clinton & Parliament/Funkadelic, Ginuwine, They Might Be Giants, Digable Planets, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Margaret Glaspy, Khalid, TajMo, The Budos Band, GZA, Valerie June, UCB All Stars, Just Blaze, Slick Rick, Denzel Curry, Jadakiss, KRS-One, Laura Mvula, Bob Moses, Wax Tailor, Cold War Kids, Joywave, Chris Robinson Brotherhood, White Denim, Chicano Batman, A Tribe Called Red, 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 – as well as other parks in all five boroughs! See our venue review & photos of Central Park SummerStage here
Web: www.summerstage.org
What: KCRW’s World Festival
Where: Hollywood, CA
When: June 18 – September 24
Who: Ziggy Marley, Blondie, Solange, Pink Martini, Seu Jorge, Belle & Sebastian, Garbage, Spoon, The Specials, Blood Orange, Sky Ferreira, Moses Sumney, and more
Why: Celebrate the best of world music at the famed Hollywood Bowl. See more in our photo galleries from Hollywood Bowl here
Web: www.hollywoodbowl.com
What: Surf Lodge Summer Concert Series
Where: Montauk, NY
When: July 6 – September 11
Who: Lucius, Sunflower Bean, G. Love, Saint Motel, Hurray For the Riff Raff, Brett Dennen, Nancy Atlas, Porches, Bombino, Brazilian Girls, Donavon Frankenreiter, Trombone Short & Orleans Avenue, Miss Velvet & The Blue Wolf, Bob Moses, The London Souls, Hiatus Kaiyote, Lewis Del Mar, The Arcs, Chairlift, Gallant, Wild Belle, Beach Slang, Gary Clark Jr., Talib Kweli, and more
Why: Get out of the city and head to the Surf at Montauk.
Web: thesurflodge.com/concert-series
What: Breakaway – Columbus
Where: Columbus, OH
When: September 1-2
Who: Travi$ Scott, Diplo, Lil Yachty, Galantis, Cashmere Cat, Goldlink, Oliver Heldens, and more
Why: After a successful year in Columbus, Breakaway expands to two more cities.
Web: www.breakawayfestival.com
What: Bumbershoot
Where: Seattle, WA
When: September 1-3
Who: Flume, Lorde, ODESZA, Weezer, Big Sean, Dillon Francis, Die Antwoord, HAIM, Solange, The Roots, Spoon, Gucci Mane, Kaleo, Flo Rida, Jauz, X Ambassadors, Vince Staples, Conor Oberst, Lil Yachty, Cash Cash, Broods, LANY, ZZ Ward, Highly Suspect, Tacocat, Joseph, Chicano Batman, LÉON, Sofi Tukker, Deap Vally, Bibi Bourelly, White Reaper, Moon Duo, and many more Read more in our preview here
Why: Seattle welcomes the impressive Bumbershoot. See more in our 2013 photo gallery here
Web: www.bumbershoot.com
What: Electric Zoo
Where: Randall’s Island, NY
When: September 1-3
Who: deadmau5, Above & Beyond, DJ Snake, Eric Prydz, Armin Van Buuren, Zedd, Galantis, Audien, The Black Madonna, Claude Von Stroke, Dada Life, Excision, Martin Solvieg, Oliver Heldens, Sasha & John Digweed, Sub Focus, Thomas Jack, Wax Motif, Bad Royale, Elphante, and many more
Why: Electric Zoo is managing to bring European-style electronic craziness on New York City’s Randall’s Island for another year.
Web: electriczoofestival.com
What: North Coast
Where: Chicago, IL
When: September 1-3
Who: deadmau5, Damian Marley, Ween, Primus, Eric Prydz, STS9, Gucci Mane, Carnage, Bonobo, Big Boi, Skepta, Lettuce, Joe Russo, Post Malone, BADBADNOTGOOD, Destructo, A Tribe Called Red, Elephante, Cool Kids, Electric Guest, and more
Why: ‘Summer’s last stand’ returns to Chicago’s Union Park. Read & see much more in our recap of the inaugural 2010 edition here
Web: www.northcoastfestival.com
What: Made In America
Where: Philadelphia, PA
When: September 2-3
Who: Jay-Z, J. Cole, The Chainsmokers, Kaskade, Marshmello, Migos, Solange, Run the Jewels, Little Dragon, Sampha, Cash Cash, R3HAB, Pusha T, Vic Mensa, DMX, DJ Mustard, Marian Hill, Stormzy, Broods, Kelela, Francis & The Lights, Beach Slang, and more
Why: Jay-Z’s doing everything from sports agenting to festivals, such as Philadelphia’s Made In America.
Web: www.madeinamericafest.com
What: Dancefestopia
Where: Kansas City, MO
When: September 7-10
Who: Zeds Dead, Dillon Francis, Bassnectar, Tiësto, Datsik, Netsky, 12th Planet, Crizzly, and more
Why: Get your dance on in the middle of the country.
Web: www.dancefestopia.com
What: Hopscotch
Where: Raleigh, NC
When: September 7-10
Who: Solange, Future Islands, Run the Jewels, Big Boi, Angel Olsen, The Brian Jonestown Massacre, The Afghan Whigs, Margo Price, The Make-Up, Thee Oh Sees, Oddisee, Machinedrum, Hurray for the Riff Raff, PWR BTTM, Mount Eerie, Preoccupations, Mary Timony, Helium, Cloud Nothings, Protomartyr, Torche, Big Thief, METZ, Cass McCombs, Pallbearer, Cherry Glazerr, Kevin Morby, Sunflower Bean, Tei Shi, Sir the Baptist, Buke and Gase, Har Mar Superstar, and more
Why: The Independent Weekly throws a great fest at venues across Raleigh.
Web: hopscotchmusicfest.com
What: Seaport Music
Where: New York, NY
When: September 7-10
Who: Ted Leo & The Pharmacists, The Make-Up, Martin Rev, James Chance, Jean Grae, and more Read more in our preview here
Why: Seaport Music Festival returns to South Street Seaport! See our venue review & photos of South Street Seaport here
Web: www.seaportmusicfestival.com
What: One Music Fest
Where: Atlanta, GA
When: September 8-9
Who: Jill Scott, Migos, Kaytranada, Ro James, Sean Paul, Tank & The Bangas, Thundercat, Yasiin Bey, Damian Marley, Jidenna, Noname, and more
Why: One big Fest at Atlanta’s Lakewood Amphitheatre.
Web: www.onemusicfest.com
What: Prog Power USA
Where: Atlanta, GA
When: September 8-9
Who: Katatonia, Mike Portnoy’s Shattered Fortress, Amaranthe, Angel Dust, Between the Buried and Me, and more
Why: Progressive & metal meet in Atlanta, USA.
Web: progpowerusa.com
What: Ohana
Where: Dana Point, CA
When: September 8-10
Who: Social Distortion, Eddie Vedder, Jack Johnson, Pixies, HAIM, Ray LaMontagne, Fiona Apple, Glen Hansard, TV On the Radio, The Naked and Famous, Dr. Dog, The Orwells, Cameron Avery, Conner Youngblood, Liam Finn, and more
Why: Doheny State Beach welcomes some nice sounds to the shore.
Web: www.theohanafest.com
What: High & Low
Where: San Bernadino, CA
When: September 9
Who: Death Cab for Cutie, Tegan & Sara, Andrew McMahon, Best Coast, Brand New, Charly Bliss, Cloud Nothings, Kevin Devine, Alex G, and more
Why: KROQ brings High & Low.
Web: www.highandlowfest.com
What: Octfest
Where: Brooklyn, NY
When: September 9
Who: Guided by Voices, Charles Bradley, Kilo Kish, Okkervil River, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, and more
Why: Beer meets indie music in – where else? – Brooklyn (in a September festival named “Oct”…). See much more in our photo gallery here
Web: www.octfest.co
What: Revolution Rock
Where: Mashantucket, CT
When: September 9
Who: Five Finger Death Punch, Shinedown, A Day To Remember, Halestorm, Steel Panther, Pop Evil, Starset, and more
Why: Revolution Rock comes to Foxwoods.
Web: revolutionrockfestival.com
What: LouFest
Where: St. Louis, MO
When: September 9-10
Who: Weezer, Snoop Dogg, Cage the Elephant, Run the Jewels, Nathaniel Rateliff, Spoon, Huey Lewis & The News, Marian Hill, Lizzo, Houndmouth, Robert Randolph, Hippo Campus, The Record Company, ZZ Ward, Mondo Cozmo, Noname, Ron Gallo, Harts, and more
Why: LouFest celebrates the spirit of St. Louis. Read and see much more in our 2012 recap here
Web: www.loufest.com
What: Shadow of the City
Where: Asbury Park, NJ
When: June 18
Who: Bleachers, Brian Fallon, Khalid, Titus Andronicus, Nicole Atkins, and more
Why: Jack Antonoff of Bleachers & fun. brings a festival to the Stone Pony in Jersey – in the Shadow of the City.
Web: shadowofthe.city
What: Harvest Jazz & Blues
Where: Fredericton, NB, Canada
When: September 12-17
Who: Trey Anastasio, Colin James, Bruce Cockburn, Steve Earle & The Dukes, Sloan, The Revivalists, Martha Wainwright, Lettuce, Chali 2na, The Hip Abduction, Hollerado, 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: Pop Montréal
Where: Montréal, QC, Canada
When: September 13-17
Who: Royal Trux, Juana Molina, Elza Soares, Austra, RZA, Hurray For the Riff Raff, Mount Eerie, Weyes Blood, The Besnard Lakes, Thee Oh Sees, Bing & Ruth, Jessy Lanza, Jay Som, Aldous Harding, Royal Canoe, and more
Why: The artistic alt-SXSW showcases acts based on artistic style, not commercial viability, in the snowy but beautifully European Montreal.
Web: www.popmontreal.com
What: Rifflandia
Where: Victoria, BC, Canada
When: September 14-17
Who: Moby, Zeds Dead, Bonobo, July Talk, A Tribe Called Red, Hot Chip, Z-Trip, Yukon Blonde, Said the Whale, Black Tiger Sex Machine, Hannah Georgas, and more
Why: Rifflandia returns to the Garden City at Royal Athletic Park for a more electronic time this year.
Web: www.rifflandia.com
What: Prime
Where: Lansing, MI
When: September 15-16
Who: Marshmello, Migos, Machine Gun Kelly, Cheat Codes, Waka Flocka Flame, and more
Why: Even Lansing’s got an EDM fest these days.
Web: www.primemusicfest.com
What: Basilica SoundScape
Where: Hudson, NY
When: September 15-17
Who: Zola Jesus, Bing & Ruth, Blanck Mass, Protomartyr, Priests, and more
Why: Head up the Hudson for a SoundScape. See more in our 2013 photo gallery here
Web: basilicasoundscape.com
What: Kaaboo
Where: Del Mar, CA
When: September 15-17
Who: Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pink, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Muse, Weezer, Jane’s Addiction, David Guetta, Ice Cube, Jason Derulo, Logic, Alanis Morissette, Jackson Brown, Andy Grammer, Ke$ha, Live, X Ambassadors, Garbage, Milky Chance, T-Pain, The Wallflowers, DJ Diesel, Machine Gun Kelly, Pepper, Timeflies, Pete Yorn, Smashmouth, The Knocks, Toad the Wet Sprocket, LANY, Eric Burdon, Fishbone, The Motet, The Stone Foxes, The Last Internationale, and more
Why: Kaaboom! Read much more in our recap here
Web: www.kaaboodelmar.com
What: Meadows
Where: Queens, NY
When: September 15-17
Who: Jay Z, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Gorillaz, Future, Nas, Bassnectar, Weezer, Run the Jewels, LL Cool J, M.I.A., Erykah Badu, Foster the People, Migos, Action Bronson, Big Gigantic, TV On the Radio, Two Door Cinema Club, Milky Chance, Blood Orange, Broken Social Scene, De La Soul, Joey Bada$$, Tegan & Sara, Tory Lanez, St. Paul & The Broken Bones, Ghostface Killah, Flatbush Zombies, Sleigh Bells, Big Boi, Marian Hill, Sky Ferreira, A-Trak, BADBADNOTGOOD, Broods, Antibalas, GTA, Lizzo, Wild Belle, Kamaiyah, Léon, Dams of the West, Arkells, and many more
Why: The folks behind Governors Ball (see above) head to Citi Field.
Web: themeadowsnyc.com
What: Riot Fest
Where: Chicago, IL
When: September 15-17
Who: Nine Inch Nails, Queens of the Stone Age, Jawbreaker, New Order, Paramore, Prophets of Rage, M.I.A., Wu-Tang Clan, Mike D, A Day To Remember, Gogol Bordello, Taking Back Sunday, Vic Mensa, Dirty Heads, TV On the Radio, Ministry, Dinosaur Jr, New Found Glory, FIDLAR, Bad Brains, Death From Above 1979, Action Bronson, Pennywise, Built To Spill, X, Peaches, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, The Orwells, Bayside, Mayday Parade, Minus the Bear, The Menzingers, Liars, GWAR, Buzzcocks, Shabazz Palaces, Andrew W.K., Fishbone, State Champs, Beach Slang, The Cribs, That Dog, Slaves, The Flatliners, Saul Williams, Tobacco, and more
Why: Riot Fest collects punks & more, old & young. Read and see much more in our big recap here
Web: www.riotfest.org
What: Telluride Blues & Brew
Where: Telluride, CO
When: September 15-17
Who: Bonnie Raitt, Steve Winwood, TajMo, Anders Osborne, Benjamin Booker, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Delbert McClinton, Chicano Batman, Samantha Fish, and more
Why: Have some blues – and some brews.
Web: www.tellurideblues.com
What: Project Pabst – Philadelphia
Where: Philadelphia, PA
When: September 16
Who: Peaches, Action Bronson, The Menzingers, Big Thief, Nothing, Speedy Ortiz, The Coathangers, and more
Why: The beer of choice for hipsters (and Dennis Hopper in Blue Velvet) throws festivals across the country. See more in our Portland photo gallery here
Web: projectpabst.com
What: Music Midtown
Where: Atlanta, GA
When: September 16-17
Who: Bruno Mars, Mumford & Sons, Future, Blink-182, Wiz Khalifa, Weezer, Big Sean, HAIM, Young the Giant, B∆stille, Two Door Cinema CLub, Tove Lo, Russ, Milky Chance, Collective Soul, The Strumbellas, Oh Wonder, Judah & The Lion, The Naked and Famous, Zara Larsson, Dua Lipa, Broods, PVRIS, Vintage Trouble, Lizzo, Joywave, Bibi Nourelly, Missio, Hiss Golden Messenger, and more
Why: Music comes to Midtown Atlanta.
Web: www.musicmidtown.com
What: Grand Point North
Where: Burlington, VT
When: September 16-17
Who: Grace Potter, Trey Anastasio, Dawes, Mondo Cozmo, Joseph, Hurray For the Riff Raff, Low Cut Connie, Son Little, Tank & The Bangas, and more
Why: Vermont & Grace Potter do the jam right. See much more in our photo gallery here
Web: www.grandpointnorth.com
What: Spaceland Block Party
Where: Los Angeles, CA
When: September 16-17
Who: Joey Bada$$, Vic Mensa, Highly Suspect, The Horrors, Bishop Briggs, Black Kids, Wavves, Betty Who, Preoccupations, Porches, Tijuana Panthers, Slothrust, Seratones, Bayonne, Alex Cameron, and more
Why: Vermont & Grace Potter do the jam right. See much more in our big 2015 photo gallery here
Web: spacelandblockparty.com
What: Pygmalion
Where: Champaign-Urbana, IL
When: September 20-24
Who: Animal Collective, Thundercat, BADBADNOTGOOD, Julien Baker, Noname, Shlohmo, Big Thief, Wild Belle, El Ten Eleven, Charly Bliss, and more
Why: Central Illinois’s Pygmalion Music Festival returns for another year.
Web: www.thepygmalionfestival.com
What: Laid Back – New Jersey
Where: Holmdel, NJ
When: September 21
Who: Jackson Brown, Little Steven, Peter Wolf, and more
Why: The spirit of the late, great Gregg Allman gets Laid Back across three states.
Web: laidbackfestival.com
What: Audiotree
Where: Kalamazzo, MI
When: September 22-23
Who: King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, SuperDuperKule, Twin Peaks, Noname, BADBADNOTGOOD, Bayonne, Pinegrove, Charly Bliss, Active Bird Community, Liz Cooper & The Stampede, and more
Why: X Ambassadors & This Fiction bring a festival to Ithaca.
Web: www.audiotreemusicfestival.com
What: Cayuga Sound
Where: Ithaca, NY
When: September 22-23
Who: X Ambassadors, The Roots, K.Flay, The Knocks, Tei Shi, Margaret Glaspy, Jukebox the Ghost, Savoir Adoire, and more
Why: X Ambassadors & This Fiction bring a festival to Ithaca.
Web: www.cayugasoundfestival.com
What: High Elevation
Where: Denver, CO
When: September 22-23
Who: Korn, Five Finger Death Punch, A Day To Remember, Stone Sour, Halestorm, In This Moment, Steel Panther, Asking Alexandria, Starset, All That Remains, Beartooth, Radkey, and more
Why: Get High (Elevation) in Denver with hard rock.
Web: highelevationfestival.com
What: Desert Stars
Where: Pioneertown, CA
When: September 22-24
Who: The Raveonettes, Psychic TV, Mild High Club, Ryley Walker, Tijuana Panthers, and more
Why: Be a Pioneer under Desert Stars.
Web: www.desertstarsfestival.com
What: Imagine
Where: Atlanta, GA
When: September 22-24
Who: Above & Beyond, deadmau5, Tiësto, Pretty Lights, Gorgon City, Datsik, Flux Pavilion, Zomboy, 12th Planet, Ying Yang Twins, Pretty Lights, Rob Garza, and more
Why: Imagine all the DJs…
Web: www.imaginefestival.com
What: Life Is Beautiful
Where: Las Vegas, NV
When: September 22-24
Who: Chance the Rapper, Muse, Gorillaz, Lorde, Blink-182, The xx, Kaskade, Wiz Khalifa, Pretty Lights, MGMT, Cage the Elephant, HAIM, ScHoolboy Q, 2 Chainz, Zeds Dead, ZHU, Slightly Stoopid, Milky Chance, Pusha T, Two Door Cinema Club, De La Soul, Tycho, Dreamcar, Capital Cities, Big Gigantic, Local Natives, Vince Staples, Dua Lipa, Kiesza, Mura Masa, The Revivalists, Broods, Goldroom, Hippo Campus, Tokimonsta, Circa Waves, San Fermin, and many more
Why: Life Is Beautiful in Las Vegas. Read much more in our recap here
Web: lifeisbeautifulfestival.com
What: Utopia
Where: Utopia, TX
When: September 22-24
Who: Dr. John & The Nite Trippers, Lettuce, Antibalas, Toubab Krewe, Wheeler Brothers, Elephant Revival, Brownout!, The Barr Brothers, Baskery, Matthew Logan Vasquez, and more
Why: Head to Utopia (TX). Read & see much more in our recap here
Web: www.utopiafest.com
What: Laid Back – Connecticut
Where: Hartford, CT
When: September 23
Who: Jackson Brown, Steve Winwood, Peter Wolf, and more
Why: The spirit of the late, great Gregg Allman gets Laid Back across three states.
Web: laidbackfestival.com
What: Modern Sky – Los Angeles
Where: Los Angeles
When: September 23
Who: Ma Di, Crowd Lu, A Si, Cotillon, The Molochs, Re-TROS, and more
Why: China’s Modern Sky Festival comes to Los Angeles.
Web: modernskyfestivalnyc.com
What: ‘Stackstock
Where: Cannon Beach, OR
When: September 23
Who: Colin Meloy, Pure Bathing Culture, Ages and Ages, and more
Why: Head to the Oregon coast.
Web: www.stackstockfest.com
What: Bourbon & Beyond
Where: Louisville, KY
When: September 23-24
Who: Stevie Nicks, Eddie Vedder, Steve Miller Band, Band of Horses, Joe Bonamassa, Gary Clark Jr., Amos Lee, Buddy Guy, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, G Love & Special Sauce, Chris Robinson Brotherhood, ZZ Ward, Nikki Lane, Kiefer Sutherland, and more
Why: Bourbon, bands & Beyond.
Web: bourbonandbeyond.com
What: Brooklyn Comes Alive
Where: Brooklyn, NY
When: September 23-24
Who: John Scofield, Eric Krasno, George Porter Jr., Al Schnier, Mike Greenfield, Cyril Neville, and more
Why: Brooklyn Comes Alive.
Web: www.brooklyncomesalive.com
What: Pilgrimage
Where: Franklin, TN
When: September 23-24
Who: Justin Timberlake, Eddie Vedder, Ryan Adams, The Avett Brothers, Mavis Staples, Gary Clark Jr., Walk the Moon, Fitz & The Tantrums, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, The Revivalists, Better Than Ezra, Shovels & Rope, Valerie June, Langhorne Slim, Nikki Lane, Joseph, Pokey LaFarge, Amanda Shires, Larkin Poe, and more
Why: Make a Pilgrimage to Tennessee.
Web: pilgrimagefestival.com
What: Santa Cruz Mountain Sol
Where: Santa Cruz, CA
When: September 23-24
Who: Nahko & Medicine For the People, Michael Franti, The Wailers, California Honeydrops, Elephant Revival, and more
Why: Head up into the Mountains of Santa Cruz.
Web: www.santacruzmountainsol.com
What: Laid Back – New York
Where: Wantagh, NY
When: September 24
Who: Jackson Brown, Steve Winwood, Peter Wolf, and more
Why: The spirit of the late, great Gregg Allman gets Laid Back across three states.
Web: laidbackfestival.com
What: Lincoln Calling
Where: Lincoln, NE
When: September 28-30
Who: Charli XCX, Best Coast, Angel Olsen, Charles Bradley, Frankie Cosmos, PUP, (Sandy) Alex G, John Moreland, El Ten Eleven, Julie Byrne, Flint Eastwood, and more
Why: Lincoln, Nebraska is Calling.
Web: www.lincolncalling.com
What: Thrival
Where: Pittsburgh, PA
When: September 29-30
Who: Logic, Wiz Khalifa, Carnage, GRiZ, Two Door Cinema Club, Tokimonsta, Kiiara, Circa Waves, Missio, and more
Why: A thrilling festival in Pittsburgh.
Web: www.thrivalfestival.com
What: Waking Windows – Portland
Where: Portland, ME
When: September 29-30
Who: O’Death, Xenia Rubinoss, Open Mike Eagle, Marissa Nadler, Olga Bell, Ava Luna, Arc Iris, arms and sleepers, and more
Why: Waking Windows spreads to Portland, Maine. See much more in our 2016 Waking Windows Vermont photo gallery here
Web: www.wakingwindows.com
What: Modern Sky – New York
Where: New York, NY
When: September 30
Who: Edison Chen, A Si, Re-TROS, Calvin Love, Brian Hill, Re-TROS, and more
Why: China’s Modern Sky Festival comes back to Central Park SummerStage.
Web: modernskyfestivalnyc.com
What: Revival
Where: Savannah, GA
When: September 30
Who: Blitzen Trapper, Big Sam’s Funky Nation, Cale Tyson, and more
Why: Have a Revival to benefit Savannah Children’s Museum.
Web: www.revivalfest.org
What: Trans Pecos
Where: Marfa, TX
When: September 28 – October 1
Who: Lee Ann Womack, Wilco, Sergio Mendoza, Robert Ellis, Jenny Lewis, Nina Diaz, Erika Wennerstrom, Hurray For the Riff Raff, Meshell Ndegeocello, Tift Merritt, Los Coast, Ron Gallo, Golden Dawn Arkestra, and more
Why: Spinning up a strong electronic festival at San Diego’s Waterfront Park. Read much more in our Spring recap here
Web: elcosmico.com/stay/happenings/trans-pecos-festival
What: CRSSD – Fall
Where: San Diego, CA
When: September 30 – October 1
Who: Rüfüs Du Sol, Chromeo, Cut Copy, Mura Masa, Broods, FKJ, Breakbot, SOHN, Hot Since 82, The Black Madonna, Emancipator, Destructo, Richie Hawtin, and more
Why: Spinning up a strong electronic festival at San Diego’s Waterfront Park. Read much more in our Spring recap here
Web: crssdfest.com
What: Louder Than Life
Where: Louisville, KY
When: September 30 – October 1
Who: Ozzy Osbourne, Prophets of Rage, Five Finger Death Punch, Rob Zombie, Incubus, Halestorm, Gojira, The Pretty Reckless, Eagles of Death Metal, Thrice, Of Mice & Men, Steel Panther, Starset, Radkey, and more
Why: Music + bourbon + ‘gourmet man food’.
Web: louderthanlifefestival.com
October
What: Trans Pecos
Where: Marfa, TX
When: September 28 – October 1
Who: Lee Ann Womack, Wilco, Sergio Mendoza, Robert Ellis, Jenny Lewis, Nina Diaz, Erika Wennerstrom, Hurray For the Riff Raff, Meshell Ndegeocello, Tift Merritt, Los Coast, Ron Gallo, Golden Dawn Arkestra, and more
Why: Spinning up a strong electronic festival at San Diego’s Waterfront Park. Read much more in our Spring recap here
Web: elcosmico.com/stay/happenings/trans-pecos-festival
What: CRSSD – Fall
Where: San Diego, CA
When: September 30 – October 1
Who: Rüfüs Du Sol, Chromeo, Cut Copy, Mura Masa, Broods, FKJ, Breakbot, SOHN, Hot Since 82, The Black Madonna, Emancipator, Destructo, Richie Hawtin, and more
Why: Spinning up a strong electronic festival at San Diego’s Waterfront Park. Read much more in our Spring recap here
Web: crssdfest.com
What: Louder Than Life
Where: Louisville, KY
When: September 30 – October 1
Who: Ozzy Osbourne, Prophets of Rage, Five Finger Death Punch, Rob Zombie, Incubus, Halestorm, Gojira, The Pretty Reckless, Eagles of Death Metal, Thrice, Of Mice & Men, Steel Panther, Starset, Radkey, and more
Why: Music + bourbon + ‘gourmet man food’.
Web: louderthanlifefestival.com
What: Mondo
Where: New York, NY
When: October 4-8
Who: Hundreds
Why: From the creators of CMJ (QRO 2015 recap) comes this latest NYC multi-venue fest. Read & see much more in our big 2016 inaugural recap here
Web: www.mondo.nyc
What: The Festy Experience
Where: Arrington, VA
When: October 5-8
Who: The Infamous Stringdusters, Ani DiFranco, Drive-By Truckers, Elephant Revival, Sam Bush, Beats Antique, The Travelin’ McCourys and more
Why: Have The Festy Experience. Read & see much more in our recap here
Web: www.thefesty.com
What: All Things Go Fall Classic
Where: Washington, D.C.
When: October 6-8
Who: Foster the People, Young Thug, Galantis, Vince Staples, Bleachers, The Knocks, Betty Who, Cashmere Cat, and more
Why: All Things Go holds its Fall Classic at D.C.’s Union Market.
Web: www.allthingsgofallclassic.com
What: Hardly Strictly Bluegrass
Where: San Francisco, CA
When: October 6-8
Who: Conor Oberst, Brandi Carlile, T Bone Burnett, Dan Auerbach, Steve Earle, Sturgill Simpson, Robert Earl Keen, Robyn Hitchcock, Henry Rollins, Emmylou Harris, Junior Brown, Cheap Trick, Lucinda Williams, Shelby Lynne & Allison Moorer, Hello Biafra, Courtney Barnett & Kurt Vile, Bob Mould, John Prine, Patty Griffin, Gilllian Welch, Foy Vance, Seun Kuti & Egypt 80, First Aid Kit, Billy Bragg, The Felice Brothers, Ozomatli, The Flatlanders, Lukas Nelson, Weyes Blood, Randy Newman, Moonalice, Justin Townes Earle, and many more
Why: Golden Gate Park welcomes big names that may not be strictly bluegrass, but is free!
Web: www.hardlystrictlybluegrass.com
What: Up and Downtown
Where: Edmonton, AB, Canada
When: October 6-8
Who: Wintersleep, DIIV, Dan Deacon, Reverend Horton Heat, U.S. Girls, Leif Vollebekk, Holy Fuck, Tei Shi, and more
Why: Golden Gate Park welcomes big names that may not be strictly bluegrass, but is free!
Web: updt.ca
What: Austin City Limits
Where: Austin, TX
When: October 6-8 & 13-15
Who: Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jay-Z, Chance the Rapper, The Killers, Gorillaz, Martin Garrix, The xx, Ice Cube, Ryan Adams, Solange, The Head and the Heart, Run the Jewels, Foster the People, Spoon, Vance Joy, ZHU, Glass Animals, Tove Lo, Milky Chance, Portugal. The Man, Bonobo, Cut Copy, Crystal Castles, A$AP Ferg, First Aid Kit, Rüfüs Du Sol, Skepta, Louis the Child, Royal Blood, Alison Wonderland, The Revivalists, Live, The Black Angels, Angel Olsen, O.A.R., Danny Brown, James Vincent McMorrow, Eagles of Death Metal, BADBADNOTGOOD, MUTEMATH, Car Seat Headrest, Broods, Joseph, Hamilton Leithauser, Dreamcar, Benjamin Booker, Whitney, Thundercat, Andrew McMahon, Bibi Bourelly, Valerie June, Lukas Nelson, Deap Vally, Alex G, Asleep At the Wheel, Nick Hakim, 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 recap here
Web: www.aclfestival.com
What: Cal Jam ’17
Where: San Bernadino, CA
When: October 7
Who: Foo Fighters, Queens of the Stone Age, Cage the Elephant, Liam Gallagher, The Kills, Royal Blood, Japandroids, Wolf Alice, Bob Mould, The Struts, Bully, Circa Waves, Babes In Toyland, and more
Why: Foo Fighters throw their own festival.
Web: www.caljamfest.com
What: Camellia City Smooth Jazz
Where: Camelia City, LA
When: October 7
Who: Gerald Albright, Alex Bugnon, Chiele Minucci, and more
Why: Enjoy some smooth jazz.
Web: www.camcityjazzfest.com
What: Project Pabst – Atlanta
Where: Atlanta, GA
When: October 7
Who: Iggy Pop, Dinosaur Jr, Peaches, The Internet, The Coathangers, and more
Why: The beer of choice for hipsters (and Dennis Hopper in Blue Velvet) throws festivals across the country. Read & see more in our recap here
Web: projectpabst.com
What: Rock Allegiance
Where: Camden, NJ
When: October 7
Who: Rob Zombie, Five Finger Death Punch, Marilyn Manson, Halestorm, Mastodon, Gojira, In This Moment, Steel Panther, August Burns Red, Beartooth, Starset, Radkey, and more
Why: Pledge Allegiance to the Rock.
Web: rockallegiance.com
What: Mutek – Mexico City
Where: Mexico City, Mexico
When: October 11-15
Who: The Orb, Kelly Lee Owens, Nina Kraviz, and more
Why: Mexico City gets even more artsy with Mutek.
Web: www.mutek.org
What: Desert Daze
Where: Joshua Tree, CA
When: October 12-15
Who: Iggy Pop, Spiritualized, Courtney Barnett & Kurt Vile, Sleep, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Panda Bear, Hope Sandoval, John Cale, Ty Segall, Eagles of Death Metal, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, Thurston Moore, The Make-Up, Ariel Pink, Liars, Tortoise, Boris, Allah-Las, Emily Haines, Atlas Sound, La Femme, Black Moth Super Rainbow, Twin Peaks, The Budos Band, Lee Fields, Avey Tare, Ian Svenonius, Deap Vally, Sunflower Bean, Aldous Harding, Weyes Blood, and more
Why: Head into the Desert for Daze. Read more in our recap here
Web: desertdaze.org
What: Hillberry
Where: Eureka Springs, AR
When: October 12-15
Who: Yonder Mountain String Band, The Infamous Stringdusters, and more
Why: Railroad Earth brings a harvest festival to Arkansas.
Web: hillberryfestival.com
What: III Points
Where: Miami, FL
When: October 13-15
Who: The xx, Gorillaz, Nicolas Jaar, Richie Hawtin, The Ship, Bonobo, Kaytranada, Skepta, Rüfüs Du Sol, Danny Brown, Melody’s Echo Chamber, Thundercat, BADBADNOTGOOD, Willow Smith, John Talabot, SOHN, Daniel Avery, Barclay Crenshaw, Hundred Waters, Mr Twin Sister, Actress, and more
Why: Miami covers all the Points.
Web: iiipoints.com
What: Breakaway – Charlotte
Where: Charlotte, NC
When: October 14
Who: Zedd, Lil Dicky, and more
Why: After a successful year in Columbus, Breakaway expands to two more cities.
Web: www.breakawayfestival.com
What: Afropunk Atlanta
Where: Atlanta, GA
When: October 14-15
Who: Danny Brown, Young Fathers, Moses Sumney, Flatbush Zombies, Princess Nokia, and more
Why: Afropunk (see above) heads down south. See more in our 2015 Afropunk photo gallery here
Web: afropunkfest.com/atlanta
What: David Lynch’s Festival of Disruption
Where: Los Angeles, CA
When: October 14-15
Who: Bon Iver, The Kills, TV On the Radio, Sharon Van Etten, Laura Marlin, Reggie Watts, and more
Why: David Lynch Disrupts Ace Hotel in L.A.
Web: festivalofdisruption.com/#festival
What: Houston Open Air
Where: The Woodlands, TX
When: October 14-15
Who: Avenged Sevenfold, Five Finger Death Punch, Prophets of Rage, Marilyn Manson, Stone Sour, Halestorm, Mastodon, Gojira, Suicidal Tendencies, Of Mice & Men, Steel Panther, Starset, August Burns Red, Radkey, and more
Why: Enjoy the open air of Houston.
Web: www.houstonopenair.com
What: Lost Lake
Where: Phoenix, AZ
When: October 20-22
Who: The Killers, Chance the Rapper, Major Lazer, ODESZA, The Roots, Run the Jewels, Pixies, HAIM, Ludacris, Huey Lewis & The News, Big Gigantic, Lil Jon, Crystal Castles, KONGOS, Snakehips, Danny Brown, Highly Suspect, Calexico, Broods, Real Estate, A Tribe Called Red, Muna, Jr Jr, and more
Why: Phoenix has Lost its Lakes, but has this new festival.
Web: www.lostlakefestival.com
What: Live Out
Where: Monterrey, Mexico
When: October 21
Who: Phoenix, Paramore, Portugal. The Man, Bob Moses, Glass Animals, The Cribs, The xx, Interpol, Missio, Public Access TV, and more
Why: Head down to Monterrey – Mexico – to Live Out.
Web: liveoutoficial.com.mx
What: Aftershock
Where: Sacramento, CA
When: October 21-22
Who: Nine Inch Nails, Ozzy Osbourne, Five Finger Death Punch, A Perfect Circle, Run the Jewels, Marilyn Manson, Stone Sour, Mastodon, Eagles of Death Metal, August Burns Red, Of Mice & Men, Anti-Flag, Suicidal Tendencies, Steel Panther, Starset, Deap Vally, and more
Why: Today’s hard rock comes to the capitol of the Bear Republic.
Web: www.aftershockconcert.com
What: Fest 16
Where: Gainesville, FL
When: October 27-29
Who: Against Me!, Hot Water Music, Hum, Rainer Maria, Snapcase, Smoking Popes, Teenage Bottlerocket, Beach Slang, Mustard Plug, Off With Their Heads, Tim Barry, The Flatliners, Screaming Females, and more
Why: Punk of all stripes returns to north Florida over Halloween.
Web: www.thefestfl.com
What: Voodoo Experience
Where: New Orleans, LA
When: October 27-29
Who: Kendrick Lamar, Foo Fighters, The Killers, LCD Soundsystem, DJ Snake, Dillon Francis, Galantis, Brand New, The Head and The Heart, Kehlani, RL Grime, Post Malone, Prophets of Rage, Crystal Castles, The Afghan Whigs, LÏVE, Miguel, Andrew McMahon, K.Flay, Cold War Kids, Marian Hill, Whitney, Louis the Child, The Black Angels, Aminé, NGHTMRE, Vintage Trouble, Strand of Oaks, Bibi Bourelly, The Record Company, La Femme, Benjamin Booker, Chicano Batman, Mondo Cozmo, Colony House, Ron Gallo, Tokimonsta, Boombox Cartel, Mannequin Pussy, Black Pistol Fire, Flint Eastwood, Public Access T.V., Bleached, and more
Why: Expect sights & sounds that you won’t/can’t forget in the Big Easy just before All Hallow’s Eve. Read & see much more in our recap here
Web: www.voodoofestival.com
What: Camp Flog Gnaw
Where: Los Angeles, CA
When: October 28-29
Who: Tyler the Creator, Lana Del Rey, A$AP Rocky, Solange, Kid Cudi, Migos, Justice, Mac Miller, Earl Sweatshirt, Lil Yachty, 2 Chainz, Vince Staples, The Internet, Willow & Jaden Smith, Trash Talk, Kelis, Kehlani, and more
Why: Tyler, the Creator goes to Camp.
Web: www.campfloggnaw.com
What: The Growlers Six
Where: Los Angeles, CA
When: October 28-29
Who: The Growlers, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Modest Mouse, Dan Auerbach, Butthole Surfers, Beth Ditto, Danny Brown, The B-52s, Girl Talk, Bad Brains, Guided By Voices, Steel Pulse, Fear, Alice Glass, Nice as Fuck, Beach Fossils, Tinariwen, Frankie Cosmos, Rostam, Amber Coffman, Girlpool, Jonathan Richman, Antibalas, Delicate Steve, Mike Watt, and more
Why: The Growlers ditch the ‘Beach Goth’ name and hold their sixth festival.
Web: thegrowlers.com/six
What: Metal Maya
Where: Cancun, Mexico
When: October 29 – November 2
Who: Antrax, Hatebreed, Overkill, Metal Allegiance, and more
Why: The Mayans get Metal.
Web: www.metalmaya.com
November & December
What: Metal Maya
Where: Cancun, Mexico
When: October 29 – November 2
Who: Antrax, Overkill, and more
Why: The Mayans get Metal.
Web: www.metalmaya.com
What: Ozzfest Meets Knotfest
Where: San Bernadino, CA
When: November 4-5
Who: Ozzy Osbourne, Rob Zombie, Marilyn Manson, Prophets of Rage, Deftones, Stone Sour, Baroness, High On Fire, and more
Why: Ozzy Osbourne’s Ozzfest meets Slipknot’s Knotfest again.
Web: www.ozzfestmeetsknotfest.com
What: EDC Orlando
Where: Orlando, FL
When: November 10-11
Who: Diplo, A-Trak, Kaskade, and more
Why: Electric Daisy Carnival is made for South Florida.
Web: orlando.electricdaisycarnival.com
What: Index – Dallas
Where: Dallas, TX
When: November 11
Who: Big Boi, Cherub, J Roddy Walston & The Business, Langhorne Slim & The Law, and more
Why: Indie music & beer comes to Dallas.
Web: www.indexfest.com/dallas
What: Driftwood
Where: Dana Point, CA
When: November 11-12
Who: Chase Rise, Kip Moore, Frankie Ballard, A Thousand Horses, Maddie & Tae and more
Why: Country music + craft beer at Doheny State Beach.
Web: www.driftwoodfest.com
What: Welcome To Jam Rock
Where: Ft. Lauderdale, FL to Montego Bay, Jamaica
When: November 13-18
Who: Damian Marley, Stephen Marley, Toots & The Maytals, Steel Pulse, Sean Paul, Tarrus Riley, Bounty Killer, Mavado, Mr. Vegas, Junior Reid, Collie Buddz, Chaka Demus & Pliers, Romain Virgo, J Boog and Kabaka Pyramid, and more
Why: Go on the high seas.
Web: welcometojamrockreggaecruise.com
What: M Is For Montreal
Where: Montreal, PQ, Canada
When: November 15-18
Who: The Darcys, Del the Funky Homosapien, Deradoorian, Kevin Nash, ODESZA, The Courtneys, Yonatan Gat, and more
Why: ‘M’ doesn’t just stand for ‘murder’.
Web: www.mformontreal.com
What: Emerge
Where: Las Vegas, NV
When: November 16-18
Who: Imagine Dragons, Kaskade, Gerard Way, Jill Sobule, Matt Pienfield, Beach Slang, K. Flay, Harts, Mondo Cozmo, Sir the Baptist, and more
Why: A “music + impact” conference on the Las Vegas Strip.
Web: www.emergelv.com
What: Corona Capital
Where: Mexico City, Mexico
When: November 18-19
Who: Green Day, Foo Fighters, Phoenix, The xx, PJ Harvey, alt-J, Elbow, The Shins, Cage the Elephant, Grizzly Bear, Maxïmo Park, Boys Noize, Cold War Kids, Metronomy, The Drums, Banks & Steelz, Gorgon City, Mogwai, Crystal Fighters, Grouplove, Daughter, Kehlai, Japandroids, Mystery Jets, Andrew W.K., The Sounds, You Me At Six, Wild Belle, Whitney, Angel Olsen, Cherry Glazerr, LANY, and more
Why: Your favorite beer from south of the border gives you a very good reason to go down Mexico way.
Web: www.coronacapital.com.mx
What: Dominican Holidaze
Where: Punta Cana, Dominican Repubic
When: December 1-5
Who: The Disco Biscuits, STS9, Umphrey’s McGee, GRiZ, LOTUS, The Motet, Tauk, and more
Why: Jam in the Dominican Republic.
Web: www.dominicanholidaze.com
What: Strings & Sol
Where: Puerto Moreles, Mexico
When: December 8-12
Who: Yonder Mountain String Band, Greensky Bluegrass, Railroad Earth, Leftover Salmon, The Infamous Stringdusters, Fruition, and more
Why: Jam on the Strings in the Sol down Mexico way.
Web: www.stringsandsol.com
What: Day For Night
Where: Houston, TX
When: December 15-17
Who: Nine Inch Nails, Thom Yorke, Solange, Justice, St. Vincent, Tyler the Creator, James Blake, and more
Why: Art and music meet in December at Day For Night. See more in our photo gallery here
Web: dayfornight.io
