Arts & Entertainment
Your Ultimate Guide To 2019 Music Festivals
Festival season is just around the corner! Here are the once-in-a-lifetime music experiences you won't want to miss.
We’re currently living in the Golden Age of music festivals, which bring hundreds of bands and hundreds of thousands of music lovers to iconic venues all around the country. Each season, music legends, up-and-coming bands, DJs, street artists, celebrity chefs and brands come together to create can’t-miss experiences and collaborations you’ll have to see live to fully appreciate.
And gone are the days of muddy tents and living exclusively off pizza and beer (although that’s always an option for nostalgic festival-goers) — today you can expect extensive culinary lineups, Instagram-worthy accommodations and luxurious perks for those looking for a touch of comfort between sets.
So whether you’re a country music lover, a hip-hop fan, a festival veteran or a live-music newbie, there are plenty of unforgettable festivals happening all over the country in the coming months. Check out some of our favorites below!
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New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival
April 25-28 and May 2-5
Featured Acts: Katy Perry, Jimmy Buffet & The Coral Reefer Band, Dave Matthews Band, Chris Stapleton, Santana, Diana Ross, Al Green, Earth, Wind & Fire, Tom Jones, Logic, Alanis Morissette, Leon Bridges, Chaka Khan, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue with Nevilles, John Fogerty
Find out what's happening in Across Americafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
This epic 10-day celebration of Louisiana culture and heritage brings more to the table than just world-class Jazz — it spotlights all kinds of music associated with the Bayou state including blues, R&B, gospel, Cajun, Afro-Caribbean, folk, Latin, rock, rap, country, bluegrass and more. Jazz Fest also features local chefs, makers and artists alongside major musical acts which take place across multiple stages throughout the city. Attendees can jam to Jimmy Buffet, chow on jambalaya and cochon de lait, and catch a jazz show or two as they enjoy one of the most vibrant cities in the world.
Beale Street Music Festival
May 3-5
Featured Acts: Dave Matthews Band, Khalid, OneRepublic, The Killers, G-Eazy, Cardi B, Shinedown, Chvrches, Charlie Wilson, Gary Clark Jr., Good Charlotte, Big Boi, Lord Huron, Flogging Molly
Dubbed “one of the largest parties in the United States” by the Wall Street Journal, Beale Street, the crowning jewel of the Memphis in May International Festival, draws massive national and international audiences each year. This veteran music celebration, now in its 43rd year, brings together one of the most diverse lineups of the season, including notable rap, alternative, punk rock, and country heavy-hitters alongside local acts to celebrate the heritage of the Memphis music scene.
Click here to get Beale Street Tickets
BottleRock Napa Valley
May 24 - 26
Featured Acts: Imagine Dragons, Neil Young, Pharrell Williams, Mumford & Sons, Santana, Logic, OneRepublic, Sylvan Esso, Jenny Lewis, Shannon & the Clams, Lord Huron
Festival eats have improved significantly over the years, but few events give food and wine as much of a spotlight as Napa Valley’s BottleRock. While this spring festival features some of the best established and independent names in music, it also celebrates the world of gastronomy. Its famous Williams Sonoma Culinary Stage will showcase celebrity chef demonstrations by the likes of Giada De Laurentiis, Masaharu Morimoto, and Graham Elliot. The festival also brings together vintners, sommeliers and micro brewers, amounting to a truly perfect wine-country experience.
Click here to get BottleRock Tickets
Boston Calling
May 24-26
Featured Acts: Twenty One Pilots, Travis Scott, Tame Impala, Odesza, Logic, Big Red Machine, Anderson.Paak, Hozier, Brandi Carlile, Sheck Wes, Fred Armisen, Jenny Slate, Michael Che
Comedy lovers rejoice! Boston Calling’s 10th edition is coming to Harvard Athletic Complex May 24-26, featuring top-caliber comedy acts like Fred Armisen and Jenny Slate alongside music powerhouses and up-and-coming talent. The New England Festival features a solid roster of more than 55 performances from the likes of Travis Scott and Twenty One Pilots, with one of the strongest supporting lineups of the season, including Hozier, Big Red Machine, Brandi Carlile, Logic and more.
CMA Music Festival
June 6-9
Featured Acts: Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Brothers Osborne, Kane Brown, Luke Bryan, Luke Combs, Dan + Shay, Florida Georgia Line, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Tim McGraw, Maren Morris, Old Dominion, Pistol Annies, Rascal Flatts, Thomas Rhett, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban
Arguably one of the most relevant Country Music festivals anywhere, CMA Fest features some of the biggest names in the industry and hundreds of artists performing on multiple stages throughout downtown Nashville. This iconic four-day event also happens to be the longest-running festival of its kind, with this year marking its 48th to date. While CMA Fest will be filmed for national television, nothing rivals the feeling of seeing your favorite country artists live. Festival proceeds benefit music education around the country through the CMA Foundation.
Click here to get CMA Fest Tickets
Austin City Limits
October 4-6 + 11-13
Featured Acts: Paul McCartney, Metallica, Travis Scott, Arctic Monkeys, Odesza, Justice, The National, Janelle Monáe, St. Vincent, Sylvan Esso, Chvrches, Khalid, Shawn Mendes, Hozier, Camila Cabello, David Byrne, Phoenix
Austin City Limits has long been a darling of the international festival scene and a beloved showcase of the best that rock, indie, folk, electronic, hip hop and more have to offer. This festival takes place over two weekends in the fall and features hundreds of performances across eight stages, delicious local food and drink, an art market and more. Unlike many of its counterparts, ACL Fest takes place in October, giving attendees some breathing room from the sometimes-saturated music festival season.
