As we plan ahead for 2020, I'm having fun finding these great lists of events throughout the year to share with you. Which of these popular music festivals below would you build a trip around? If you're a classical music lover, I personally and highly recommend these two in the Berkshires (my "happy place"): Bang on a Can's LOUD Weekend returns to Mass MoCA in North Adams, MA from July 31-August 2 and the ever-popular Tanglewood festival in Lenox, MA, summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, runs June 19-August 30.
Article below by Vanessa Lotz posted January 16, 2020 on Events365
Music festivals have evolved in recent years and now feature art and technology installations, luxury amenities, gourmet food options, and craft adult beverages to guarantee that attendees won’t have a shortage of ways to stay entertained. Whether for an extended weekend, birthday celebration or just because, hitting the road to see some shows is a guaranteed good time. Keep on reading for a sneak peek at what some of the most popular US festivals are offering this year.
Coachella Music and Arts Festival • Empire Polo Fields, Indio, CA • April 10-12, April 17-19
Coachella is the most popular music festival in the US, so popular in fact that it takes place on two weekends in April. Located in the heart of southern California’s Coachella desert valley, this festival maintains a history of surprise performances and is heavy attended by celebrities. This festival goes beyond the music, offering massive art installations, interactive experiences, plus great food and drink.
Stagecoach Country Music Festival • Empire Polo Fields, Indio • CA April 24 – 26
Taking place after Coachella, Stagecoach offers the same high-quality music festival experience, but caters to country music fans. Like Coachella, Stagecoach goes beyond the music and features a BBQ contest, a record shop, and karaoke.
New Orleans Jazz Festival • New Orleans, LA • April 23 – May 3
Officially named the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, this 10-day event gathers musicians, cooks, and crafty folks to celebrate Louisiana heritage from indigenous music and culture all the way to contemporary jazz and R&B.
Rolling Loud • Miami, FL • May 8 -10
The Rolling Loud Festival began in 2015 and has grown to additional shows in California, Asia and Australia. Rolling Loud’s lineup shines bright with hip hop heavy weights like A$AP Rocky, Travis Scott and Post Malone leading the way for three unforgettable performances at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium.
Boston Calling • Boston, MA • May 22 – 24
Boston’s version of the three-day Memorial Day weekend bash, Boston Calling is held on the prestigious Harvard Athletic Complex and features a selection of artists that span across all genres.
Movement Electronic Music Festival • Detroit, MI • May 23 – 25
Movement Festival is the US mecca for die-hard techno and electronic music fanatics. Held in Detroit, MI, attendees are there strictly to catch sets and dance their faces off.
2020 CMA Festival • Nashville, TN • June 4 – 7
CMA Music Festival is Nashville’s music event of the summer! Established in 1972 as a Fan Fair, the event features over 400 artists and celebrities - far more than your standard music festival. The event runs for four days, and artists are not paid to participate in the festival.
Governor’s Ball • New York, NY • June 5 – 7
New York’s original music festival, Governor’s ball has continued to grow in popularity year after year. Part of the appeal lies in the fact that the organizers go beyond the music and provide entertainment in the form of games, interactive activities, and plenty of instagrammable photo ops for festival goers.
Bonnaroo Music Festival • Manchester, TN • June 11 – 14
Tennessee’s Bonnaroo Music Festival has earned the loyalty and adoration of fans that rivals that of the Coachella festival-goers of Southern California. The selection of artists spans genres, so there’s a set during every hour of the festival. Bonnaroo Bonus! Lineups also feature comedy sets to keep the entire experience light-hearted and well-rounded.
Essence Festival • New Orleans, LA • July 2- 6
Coming in at the top of the most in-demand festivals, Essence festival takes over New Orleans’s Superdome to showcase the most influential African-American artists and entertainers for a weekend of unity and empowerment.
Lollapalooza Chicago • Chicago, IL • July 30 – August 2
Boasting eight stages and nearly 200 bands from around the world, Chicago’s Lollapalooza is one of the top “destination festivals” for music-lovers. Genres of music include alt rock, heavy metal, hip hop, electronic, and more! And beyond the music you will find dance and comedy performances.
Outside Lands • San Francisco, CA • August 7 – 9
Nothing like a music festival in the heart of San Francisco! Outside Lands is held each year in the lush northern California’s Golden Gate Park, where music, the finest wine, and art intersect for three days of unforgettable music festival experience.
Bumbershoot • Seattle Center Seattle, WA • September 4 – 6
Pacific Northwest music hub, Seattle, is another champion in the art of mixing music with arts and interactive experiences to make on epic festival experience. In addition to witnessing performances by the hottest artists, attendees of last year’s mega-festival were able to enjoy comedy, spoken word, dance, theatre, and more. The festival has taken place every Labor Day weekend since 1971.
Made In America • Philadelphia, PA • September 5 – 6
Made in America is the brainchild of legendary New York City rapper, Jay-Z. As a result of Jay-Z’s hop influences, the MIA festival is hip hop heavy, but also showcases popular artists of other genres.
Austin City Limits • Austin, TX • October 2 – 4 & 9 – 11
Held in the “Live Music Capital of the World,” Austin City Limits followed in the steps of Coachella and expanded to two weekends in 2017. The three-day all-music festival is conveniently located near the heart of downtown Austin, which gives festival-goers plenty of time to rub elbows with artists at local bars, or catch intimate surprise shows at any of the many venues around town.
Voodoo Festival • New Orleans City Park, New Orleans, LA • October 30 – November 1
Just imagine celebrating Halloween weekend in New Orleans, on top of a three-day music festival weekend. The Voodoo Music & Arts Experience is held in City Park and continues to showcase both local and popular artists of all genres.
Contact me to dial your next musical travel experience up to 11!