As the annual New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival came to another close, and Stagecoach and Coachella had their earlier spring runs, summer and fall is still brimming with more music festivals across the U.S. in 2023.
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Lauryn Hill is celebrating the 25th anniversary of her iconic debut The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. Foo Fighters are continuing on with headlining shows and in the festival circuit more than a year after losing drummer Taylor Hawkins. Punk and post-punk icon Siouxsie Sioux has returned to the stage after more than a decade. Love and Rockets also reunited, and Ozzy Osbourne is giving a rare concert performance.
This year in festivals is sure to capture more once-in-a-lifetime moments, from reunions and returns, and anniversaries, seeing musical legends and capturing a number of the brightest new stars during some of their most towering moments.
Here’s a look at 10 festivals worth catching in 2023.
1. Cruel World Festival
After its debut in 2022 with a freshly reunited Bauhaus, along with other headliners like Blondie, Morrissey, Echo and the Bunnymen, and The Psychedelic Furs, along with a carefully curated collection of other acts within the post-punk sphere, Cruel World Fest has returned to the Rose Bowl for a second run.
This year Cruel World will mark the return of Siouxsie Sioux along with Love and Rockets and more performances by Iggy Pop, Modern English, Billy Idol, and Adam Ant, among others.
When: May 20
Where: Brookside at the Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California
Headliners: Siouxsie Sioux, Iggy Pop, Adam Ant, Billy Idol, The Human League, Echo & The Bunnymen, Love & Rockets
Tickets: https://cruelworldfest.com/
Experience the legends live! Purchase your Cruel World Festival tickets and enjoy iconic music acts.
2. Roots Picnic
Celebrating black culture, comedy, music, and more over three days, the Roots Picnic, presented by The Roots and Live Nation Urban, will launch on June 2 with a stand-up comedy show and concert by Dave Chappelle and The Roots.
Other performers include Ari Lennox, Lucky Daye, Syd, GloRilla, Kindred the Family Soul, City Girls, Maverick City, and DJ Drama, along with a State Property reunion, and a “live mixtape” featuring Black Thought, Busta Rhymes, and Eve.
When: June 2-4
Where: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Headliners: Ms. Lauryn Hill, Diddy & The Roots, Lil Uzi Vert, Dave Chappelle
Tickets: https://www.therootspicnic.com/tickets
3. Governors Ball
Governors Ball 2023 has moved to Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens, New York—home of the iconic World’s Fair and the annual U.S. Open Tennis Championship. The new location follows its previous space at Citi Field (Mets Stadium), where the fest was held since 2021 after moving from Randall’s Island in Manhattan, where it took place from 2012 through 2019. When it first launched in 2011 Governors Ball was a one-day festival on Governors Island in Manhattan.
The move to Corona Park will accommodate more than 100,000 festival goers over three days coming to see headliners Lizzo, Kendrick Lamar, and Odesza, in addition to more than 60 acts set to perform, including HAIM, Finneas, Diplo, Lil Baby, Lil Nas X, Giveon, Pusha T, Girls in Red, Snail Mail, Suki Waterhouse, among dozens of others.
When: June 9-11
Where: Flushing Meadows Corona Park, New York City
Headliners: Lizzo, Kendrick Lamar, Odesza
Tickets: https://www.governorsballmusicfestival.com/
4. Bonnaroo
Foo Fighters, Kendrick Lamar, Odesza, Zeds Dead, and Liquid Stranger are all set to headline the 2023 Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival.
Held at the Bonnaroo Farm in Manchester, Tennessee, located 60 miles southeast of Nashville, the 2023 edition of the fest will feature dozens of performances across more than 10 different stages, including Paramore, Fleet Foxes, Pixies, Lil Nas X, Tyler Childers, Vulfpeck, Marcus Mumford, My Morning Jacket, Portugal. The Man, Korn, The Revivalists, Girl In Red, and many more.
This year, Hulu will return as the official streaming destination of the festival with select performances exclusive to subscribers at no additional cost.
When: June 15-18
Where: Bonnaroo Farm, Manchester, Tennessee
Headliners: Zeds Dead, Liquid Stranger, Kendrick Lamar Odesza, Foo Fighters
Tickets: https://www.bonnaroo.com/
5. Summerfest
Eric Church, Zach Bryan, Imagine Dragons, and Zac Brown Band are among the headliners for Summerfest 2023, the three-weekend fest is scheduled for June 22-24, June 29-July1, and July 6-8. The event will be spread out over a variety of venues.
When: June 22-25; June 29-July 1; July 6-8
Where: American Family Insurance Amphitheater, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Headliners: June 22-25: Eric Church, Zac Brown Band, James Taylor & His All-Star Band; June 29-July 1: Dave Matthews Band, Odesza; July 6-8: Zach Bryan, Imagine Dragons; more to be announced
Tickets: https://www.summerfest.com/lineup/
6. Lollapalooza
When Lollapalooza debuted in Chicago in 1991, the festival’s founder Perry Farrell was saying adieu to his band Jane’s Addiction, and Siouxsie Sioux, Nine Inch Nails, and Violent Femmes were some of the main acts. Now, more than 30 years later, Lollapalooza is stronger than ever—and is now held in seven countries.
This year, headliners include rapper Kendrick Lamar, Billie Eilish, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Lana Del Rey, Odesza, The 1975, Karol G, and K-Pop group Tomorrow x Together, along with dozens of other performers over the four-day fest.
When: August 3-6
Where: Grant Park, Chicago, IL
Headliners: Kendrick Lamar, Billie Eilish, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Odesza, Lana Del Rey, Karol G, The 1975, Tomorrow X Together
Tickets: https://www.lollapalooza.com/
7. Outside Lands Music & Arts Festivals
The San Francisco festival is celebrating 15 years in 2023 with headliners Foo Fighters, Kendrick Lamar, and Odesza.
Other performers include Lana Del Rey, Interpol, The 1975, Megan Thee Stallion, Janelle Monáe, Maggie Rogers, Lil Yachty, Orville Peck, Willow, beabadoobee, Father Johny Misty, Soccer Mommy, Diesel (Shaquille O’Neal), Holly Humberstone, and Joy Oladokun, among many others.
When: Aug. 11-13
Where: Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA
Headliners: Kendrick Lamar, Foo Fighters, Odesza
Tickets: https://outsidelands.frontgatetickets.com/
8. Louder Than Life
Billed as “America’s Biggest Rock Festival,” this year the four-day festival will boast headliners Foo Fighters, Tool, Avenged Sevenfold, and Green Day, along with other performances by Weezer, Rancid, Godsmack, Limp Bizkit, and Queens of the Stone Age, Turnstile, and more.
When: Sept. 21-24
Where: Kentucky Expo Center, 937 Phillips Ln., Louisville, Kentucky
Headliners: Foo Fighters, Tool, Green Day, Avenged Sevenfold
Tickets: https://louderthanlifefestival.com/
9. Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival
Celebrating its 9th year, the two-day Pilgrimage festival welcomes headliners Zach Bryan and The Lumineers, along with performances by The Black Crowes, The Heard and The Heart, Yola, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, The War and Treaty, Margo Price, Luke Grimes, Tommy Prine, and many more on the two main stages.
Outside of the music, Pilgrimage will also feature a craft beer hall, food from more than 40 local and regional cafes and restaurants, a Lil’ Pilgrims Family Stage for younger festival goers, the Americana Music Triangle, featuring stories of the origins of some of the most musical cities in the south, and a Makers Village, showcasing goods crafted by local artisans.
When: September 23-24
Where: The Park at Harlinsdale, Franklin, Tennessee
Headliners: The Lumineers, Zach Bryan
Tickets: https://pilgrimagefestival.com/tickets
10. Ohana Festival
In 2022, Stevie Nicks graced the stage at the Ohana Festival, performing her 1981 Tom Petty and Mike Campbell-penned hit “Stop Dragging My Heart Around” as a duet with Eddie Vedder.
This year, Vedder and surfer Kelly Slater’s annual festival returns with The Killers, Pretenders, The Chicks, Foo Fighters, and more. Other performers include Father John Misty, Japanese Breakfast, The War on Drugs, Goose, Charley Crockett, Lucius, The Backseat Lovers, Suki Waterhouse, and more.
When: September 29-October 1
Where: Doheny State Beach, Dana Point, California
Headliners: Eddie Vedder, The Killers, HAIM, The Chicks, Foo Fighters, Pretenders
Tickets: https://www.ohanafest.com/tickets
11. Sound on Sound
For the second annual year, Sound On Sound returns to the banks of the Long Island Sound with headliners Alanis Morissette, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and John Mayer, along with more performances by Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals, Mt. Joy, Steel Pulse, Joy Oladokun, Margo Price, Trey Anastasio Band, Hozier, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Lord Huron, Dispatch, and more.
This year, Sound On Sound has expanded its festival space, including delineated walkways for ease of navigation within the grounds, upgraded restroom facilities, more food and beverage vendors, and improved lighting and directional signage enhancements throughout the grounds and parking areas, along with increased mobile connectivity.
When: September 30 – October 1
Where: Seaside Park, Bridgeport, Connecticut
Headliners: Red Hot Chili Peppers, Alanis Morissette, John Mayer
Tickets: https://soundonsoundct.com/tickets/
12. PowerTrip
This year marks the second run for the PowerTrip festival, which will take place Oct. 6-8 at the Empire Polo Club grounds in Indio, California, where Coachella and Stagecoach are also held.
In its inaugural phase as the Desert Trip Festival in 2016, featured headliners included The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, Roger Waters, The Who, and Neil Young. The 2016 ‘Trip” festival was focused on rock acts from the 1960s and ’70s, while the 2023 version will focus on harder rock and metal artists from the 1970s and ’80s, including Ozzy Osbourne, AC/DC, Iron Maiden, Guns N’ Roses, Metallica, and Tool.
When: October 6 – 8
Where: Empire Polo Club, Indio, California
Headliners: Guns N’ Roses, Ozzy Osbourne, Iron Maiden, Metallica, AC/DC, Tool
Tickets: https://powertrip.live/tickets/
Photo: Roger Ho / Courtesy of C3 Presents
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