Photo by Matt Benton
It’s 2016 which means yet another year of music festivals all over the country. There are more festivals than just Coachella that you should be looking out for, so we made this guide to help you explore some of the nation’s best festivals and lineups.
Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival
Photo courtesy of Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival
When: April 15-17 and April 22-24
Where: Indio, California
Lineup Highlights: Guns N’ Roses, Calvin Harris, Ellie Goulding, M83, Disclosure, Ice Cube, Sia, Flume, Beach House, CHVRCHES, The 1975, Sufjan Stevens, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
Passes Sold Out www.coachella.com
Hangout Music Fest
Photo courtesy of Hangout Music Fest
When: May 20-22
Where: Gulf Shores, Alabama
Lineup Highlights: The Weeknd, Calvin Harris, Florence + The Machine, Alabama Shakes, HAIM, Cage The Elephant, Walk The Moon, The Neighborhood
GA Passes $249 www.hangoutmusicfest.com
Lightning in a Bottle Festival (Editor’s Pick)
Photo courtesy of Lightning in a Bottle Festival
When: May 25-30
Where: Bradley, California
Lineup Highlights: Chet Faker, Grimes, Jamie xx, Big Gigantic, Cashmere Cate, Mija, Tokimonsta, Four Tet
Lightning In A Bottle is quickly becoming one of the bigger and better music festivals of California and possibly the West Coast, make sure to check it out!
GA Passes $270 / 2 Day Only $215 lightninginabottle.org
Sasquatch! Music Festival
Photo courtesy of Sasquatch! Music Festival
When: May 27-30
Where: The Gorge, Washington
Lineup Highlights: The Cure, Disclosure, Florence + The Machine, A$AP Rocky, Major Lazer, Purity Ring, Sufjan Stevens
Also, the Gorge is one of the most beautiful outdoor venues in North America, combining natural beauty with some of the best in entertainment.
GA Passes $350 www.sasquatchfestival.com
Bottlerock Music Festival
Photo courtesy of Bottleneck Music Festival
When: May 27-29
Where: Napa Valley, California
Lineup Highlights: Stevie Wonder, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Florence + The Machine, The Lumineers, Walk The Moon, Grouplove, Death Cab for Cutie
GA Passes Sold Out* www.bottlerocknapavalley.com
The Governors Ball Music Festival
Photo courtesy of The Governors Ball Music Festival
When: June 3-5
Where: Randall’s Island Park, New York City, New York
Lineup Highlights: Kanye West, The Strokes, The Killers, Beck, Robyn, Death Cab for Cutie, M83, HAIM, Of Monsters and Men, Two Door Cinema Club
GA Passes $290 governorsballmusicfestival.com
Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival (Editor’s Pick)
Photo courtesy of Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival
When: June 9-12
Where: Manchester, Tennessee
Lineup Highlights: Pearl Jam, Dead & Company, LCD Soundsystem, J. Cole, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Tame Impala, Halsey
Bonnaroo can be far for those on the West Coast, but this festival is placed highly amongst the world’s best festivals for it’s great crowd energy and positive vibes.
GA Passes $350 www.bonnaroo.com
Photo by Matt Benton
Kendrick Lamar performing last year on Bonnaroo’s main stage.
Firefly Music Festival
Photo courtesy of Firefly Music Festival
When: June 16-19
Where: Dover, Delaware
Lineup Highlights: Mumford & Sons, Kings of Leon, Florence + The Machine, Deadmau5, Disclosure, Blink-182, Ellie Goulding, Grouplove, Tame Impala
GA Passes $299 fireflyfestival.com
Electric Forest Music Festival
Photo courtesy of Electric Forest Music Festival
When: June 23-26
Where: Rothbury, Michigan
Lineup Highlights: Major Lazer, Fetty Wap, The String Cheese Incident, Bassnectar, Porter Robinson, Gorgon City (LIVE) and more TBA!
GA Passes Sold Out* www.electricforestfestival.com
Lollapalooza Music Festival
Photo courtesy of Lollapalooza Music Festival
When: July 28-31
Where: Chicago, Illinois
Lineup TBA
Past Highlights: Paul McCartney, Metallica, Sam Smith, Eminem, Outkast, Arctic Monkeys, Lorde, The Killers, Vampire Weekend, Phoenix
GA Passes $335 www.lollapalooza.com
Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival (Editor’s Pick)
Photo by Matt Benton
When: Aug. 5-7
Where: San Francisco, California
Lineup TBA
Past Highlights: Elton John, The Black Keys, Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar, St. Vincent, Porter Robinson, The Flaming Lips, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The National, Young the Giant
Tucked in the heart of San Francisco, Outside Lands might very well be the best festival for those who don’t want to be in the heat of the Coachella desert.
GA Passes TBA www.sfoutsidelands.com
Bumbershoot Music Festival
Photo courtesy of Bumbershoot Music Festival
When: Sept. 2-4
Where: Seattle, Washington
Lineup TBA
Past Highlights: The Weeknd, Hozier, Foster The People, Chance The Rapper, Wu-Tang Clan, Fitz & The Tantrums, The Head and the Heart, Alt-J
GA Passes $165 www.bumbershoot.com
KABOO Music Festival
Photo courtesy of KABOO Music Festival
When: Sept. 16-18
Where: Del Mar, California
Lineup Highlights: Jack Johnson, The Avett Brothers, Goo Goo Dolls and more TBA!
In it’s second year, Kaboo will be sure to have a stacked lineup with the bonus of being located right next to the beach.
GA Passes $229 www.kaaboodelmar.com
Austin City Limits Music Festival
Photo courtesy of Austin City Limits Music Festival
When: Sept. 30-Oct. 2 and Oct. 7-9
Where: Austin, Texas
Lineup TBA
Past Highlights: Foo Fighters, The Strokes, Muse, Drake, Alt-J, Hozier, Lana Del Rey, Lorde, Outkast, Skrillex, Pearl Jam
GA Passes TBA www.aclfestival.com
Voodoo Music and Arts Experience
Photo courtesy of Voodoo Music and Arts Experience
When: Oct. 28-30
Where: New Orleans, Louisiana
Lineup TBA
Past Highlights: Rage Against the Machine, Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Foo Fighters, Drake, REM, Eminem, Muse, The White Stripes
GA Passes TBD worshipthemusic.com
No matter where you are in the country, there are many music festivals that are a short road trip away. Music festivals are the greatest events to see all of your favorite bands and musicians, as well as discover new, up and coming ones. Hope to see you at one of these festivals happening all across the country!
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Follow Matt Benton on Twitter: @mattjohnbenton
