Music festivals continue to expand in number and size in the US. That's a great deal for music fans. The opportunity to choose from over 100 artists on multiple stages in the larger festivals is a bargain and unique opportunity to explore performances you might not choose on your own. There are certainly many more worthwhile festivals to attend than simply these 10, but these will get you started with some of the biggest and best for pop music fans. If you are a rock fan, don't miss the list of Top 10 Rock Festivals.
1. Coachella
Courtesy Coachella Music and Arts Festival
The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival is a 3-day annual music festival held in Indio, California. The festival first took place in 1999, was shut down for 2000, and was given a new lease on life in 2001. Since that point the event has grown in both size and acclaim currently reigning as the king of US music festivals. If a style could be identified it would be rock with an alternative edge. However, the dance tents also present cutting edge dance music artists. For 2009 the festival shifted to slightly earlier than normal taking place April 17-19, 2009.
2. Lollapalooza
Courtesy Lollapalooza
Lollapalooza began as a touring festival, much like Warped Tour. Organized in 1991 by Perry Farrell, lead singer for Jane's Addiction, the first incarnation of Lollapalooza leaned to alternative music but deliberately included a wide range of musical styles. The festival tour folded in 1997, but it was revived in 2003 with only moderate success. It rose a 3rd time in 2005 as a 2 day event on the Chicago lakefront. The festival was successful enough it expanded to 3 days in 2006 and signed a 5-year contract with the City of Chicago beginning in 2007.
Photos from Lollapalooza 2007.
3. All Points West Festival
Courtesy All Points West Festival
All Points West was kicked off in 2008 in New Jersey by the promoters that host Coachella. It is seen somewhat as an attempt to create a Coachella for the east coast. 2009's event will take place July 31 - August 2 and feature Coldplay, Tool, and the Beastie Boys.
4. The Bamboozle
Courtesy The Bamboozle
The Bamboozle kicked off in 2005 as a 2-day music festival held in New Jersey. It continues in that form May 2-3, 2009 with the return of No Doubt as headlining act. However, the Bamboozle franchise has expanded to include the California Bamboozle Left festival as well as the Bamboozle Roadshow tour and the Hoodwink, a day long festival before Bamboozle that features artists covering material by other artists.
5. Warped Tour
Courtesy Vans Warped Tour
Warped Tour is a touring festival setting up shop often in parking lots or fields to entertain crowds ranging from 10,000 to 30,000. Sponsored by skateboard shoe manufacturer Vans, the Warped Tour has given national exposure for a wide range of rising pop punk, emo, and hardcore bands. The tour has operated each year since 1994 and most concerts take place in June, July, and August. A sister tour, A Taste of Chaos, was launched in 2004 and operates in the winter. Among the Warped Tour alumni are Fall Out Boy, Good Charlotte, and My Chemical Romance.
Review of 2009 Warped Tour Lineup
6. Summerfest
Courtesy Summerfest
Summerfest is also known by the nickname "The Big Gig." The event runs for 11 days along the Milwaukee, Wisconsin lakefront and attracts approximately 1,000,000 people. The Guinness Book of World Records lists Summerfest as the world's biggest music festival. The event had its beginnings in 1968 and has been held in the same location each year since 1970. Performances take place on 11 different stages and include over 700 bands. Summerfest takes place every year in late June and early July always covering the 4th of July weekend.
7. South By Southwest
Courtesy South By Southwest
South By Southwest is both a film and music festival held in Austin, Texas for a week in March of each year. The event has taken place each year since 1987 and has grown to become the premiere annual festival for new and rising recording acts. Members of the music industry looking for the next big thing crowd the streets and clubs of Austin. The sheer number of performers is phenomenal. This year the festival boasted more than 1,800 musical acts.
8. Bonnaroo
Courtesy Bonnaroo
Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival is a 4 day event held 60 miles outside of Nashville, Tennessee. It began in 2002 and has quickly grown to be one of the country's premier festivals. Traditionally the focus has been jam bands with a fair sprinkling of bluegrass, folk, alternative rock and pop. However, 2009's Bonnaroo festival, held June 11-14 will feature Bruce Springsteen and Nine Inch Nails among the headlining acts.
9. Austin City Limits
Courtesy Austin City Limits Festival
An outgrowth of the venerated PBS television program Austin City Limits, the Austin City Limits Festival first began in 2002, and, in a very short period of time, has become one of the country's top annual music events. Like its namesake show, the festival embraces a wide range of musical styles with the primary focus being rock. The 2009 event will take place over 3 days from October 2-4. A primary complaint about the festival in the past when it was traditionally held in September was scorching, unpleasant heat. Perhaps the move to October will make Austin City Limits more pleasant for all involved.
10. Mile High Music Festival
Courtesy Mile High Music Festival
The Mile High Music Festival kicked off its first year outside of Denver, Colorado in 2008. The event drew a total crowd of almost 100,000 over two days. The 2009 festival will be held July 18-19, 2009 and include the rock band Tool and local pop stars The Fray.
