America is where many of the world's most innovative musicians hail from, and so it's no surprise that its many states host a wide variety of great music festivals. From city-based affairs held in New Orleans and Brooklyn, to wild events held in some of the country's most spectacular countryside, you're sure to find a festival to suit you, and maybe one you'll want to return to every year. Get ready to discover your favourite new band, or to finally see your favourite artist live - choose from the many offerings to find the music festival that best suits you.
Sasquatch!
Every May, over Memorial Day weekend, a remote part of Washington fills with an epic line-up of musicians, particularly indie rock artists, for the renowned Sasquatch! Music festival. 2018 saw headliners like Bon Iver, Modest Mouse and the National perform, and the festival is famous for having musicians return year on year, like dark country songstress Neko Case, who has performed here nine times, and Modest Mouse, who have taken to the stage at Sasquatch! six times.
Lollapalooza
August 1-4, 2019 · Grant Park, Chicago. Beloved multi-genre festival Lollapalooza (in photo) is well worth visiting once in your lifetime. From music to comedy, dance to crafts, the picturesque Grant Park in Chicago fills with over 160, 000 revellers every August. It also provides a vital platform for political organizations, with rows of non-profit information tables to raise awareness of social and environmental issues. Previous headliners have included Arctic Monkeys, Bjork and Kanye West, and genres that play here range all the way from heavy metal to hip hop and pop.
AFROPUNK Fest Brooklyn
The home of one of the world's most iconic cultural movements, AFROPUNK and its unique blend of activism, art and music is a festival you can't miss. With headliners like Erykah Badu and Tyler, the Creator, the New York based festival attracts more than 60, 000 people and has grown from a DIY movement to a country-wide cultural sensation.
South By Southwest (SXSW)
South By Southwest is a music festival famous for launching the careers of many an indie musician, and as a favourite for journalists and media types. You'll be enjoying a showcase of the most creative and potentially ground-breaking new music and film through performances, talks and screenings. Hip Austin becomes even cooler during this yearly introduction of new international talent.
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
When you think of hubs for music and creativity in America, the beautiful city of New Orleans no doubt comes to mind. Now with a broader range of genres than the jazz it began with, recent headliners at this festival have included The Rolling Stones, Katy Perry and Van Morrison. Since it began in 1970, every late April and early May has brought two weekends of vibrant music and culture which spreads across this lively and historic southern city.
Electric Forest
For electronic music fans, this is one of the best events in the USA to travel to. Electric Forest is held every June or July in the state of Michigan, near the quaint rural town of Rothbury. Past line ups have included top artists like Bassnectar and Tycho, but the biggest draw here is the location. Befitting its name, performances take place among an atmospheric, lush forest, that's beautifully illuminated by colourful lights.
Pitchfork Music Festival
Every year, the best new indie and underground musicians come to Chicago, where an award-winning festival curated by Pitchfork Media takes place. You can expect hip artists like Tame Impala and Fleet Foxes to perform, as well as highly-rated iconic musicians like Lauryn Hill. One for true music nerds, you can explore the crates of vinyl for sale between performances, or feast on some of the fantastic street food on offer.
Coachella
Arguably America's most famous music festival, Coachella is often lauded as the Glastonbury of the USA. Tickets sell out in record time for this atmospheric event held annually in the Indio Desert in northern California. Expect to see some of Hollywood's finest also attending this iconic event, joining more than 99, 000 punters who line up to see the coolest international musicians. Recent performers have included Childish Gambino and Ariana Grande, so make sure you're ready to buy tickets for this stalwart event, which takes place every April.