Music
10 of This Year’s Best Summer Music Events You Need to Attend
Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival kicked off the festival season and set the tone for a music-filled summer that’s packed with many incredible, once in a lifetime opportunities. From rock festivals to bucket list concerts, to kid-friendly events, there’s something for everyone’s musical taste. Check out our list of some of the best summer music events happening throughout the U.S. this year.
Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival
When: June 13-16, 2019
The ultra-popular festival is set to return to The Farm in Manchester, Tennessee, with an impressive lineup of artists, activities, and a more fluid set schedule than before.
The 2019 lineup features performances by Cardi B, The Avett Brothers, Childish Gambino, Hozier, Post Malone, Gucci Mane, The Lumineers, Solange, and many more.
Phish, one of the headlining acts, will play multiple sets throughout the four-day event, while other performances will be spaced out to provide more opportunity for attendees to see their favorite artist.
According to Nashville Scene, “For fans of country, Kacey Musgraves, Ruston Kelly, and Maren Morris’ sets are spaced far enough apart on Saturday that you can definitely see all of them, and they could even guest on each others’ sets should they choose.”
Bonnaroo 2019 will also feature Plazas or public spaces with activities and access to amenities. Altogether, the event plans to provide more than 70 different activities and experiences for attendees, including a sex therapy booth by Durex, glitter, and hair dye stations, a pride parade, food and more.
Elton John: Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour
When: September 2018-December 2020
Elton John is, undoubtedly, one of the greatest musicians of our time. His final tour offers fans a chance to experience the multi-award winning artist, and his greatest hits, one last time before he retires from the road. This is not just one of the best summer music events of this year, it’s possibly one of the best summer music events of all time.
The tour is nominated for the Top Rock Tour at the 2019 Billboard Music Awards. But even if it doesn’t win, “Farewell Yellow Brick Road” will go down as one of the greatest tours in modern history. The concert series is set to include more than 300 performances in cities throughout the world. Each show features a 24 song setlist, reports Rolling Stone.
The first leg of the tour just ended in March, there’s still a chance to see it when it returns again to the U.S. in September, or before it concludes in London in December 2020.
Flo Rida, Nelly, TLC Amphitheatre Tour
When: July 23-August 31, 2019
The festival season brings music lovers plenty of opportunities to experience their favorite modern artists in one place, but not many gather the hitmakers we grew up listening too… until now. Flo Rida, Nelly and TLC will join forces for an epic North America summer tour that’s scheduled to hit amphitheaters in 21 cities nationwide.
The tour launches on July 23 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama before it wraps up in Irvine on August 31.
Hootie and the Blowfish “Group Therapy” Tour
When: May 30-Oct 16, 2019
The summer, Hootie & The Blowfish and the Barenaked Ladies will launch their much anticipated Group Therapy tour. As one of the most talked about concert series of the year, it’s sure to rise to the top of any music-lovers’ (and 90s kids) bucket lists.
The North American leg of the tour is set to hit 47 cities in the U.S. and Canada — including Cleveland, Nashville, Atlanta, and Los Angeles — before heading to the U.K and Ireland later this year.
The concert series is the first full tour in more than a decade for Hootie and the Blowfish, and is accompanied by new music, reports Music Mayhem Magazine.
The Governors Ball Music Festival
When: May 31-June 2, 2019
Dubbed a “festival with a New York Heart,” the ninth annual, multi-stage music event will take place on Randall’s Island Park in New York City.
The contemporary music festival will host performances on four stages from more than 60 different artists. Aside from the music, attendees can expect food, urban art, and activities including life-sized board games and interactive photo booths, according to the event’s website.
The 2019 Governors Ball lineup includes Tyler the Creator, Lil Wayne, Major Lazer, Florence + The Machine, Saba, and more.
Lollapalooza
When: August 1-4, 2019
With more than 170 scheduled acts spread throughout eight stages, it’s easy to see why Lollapalooza is one of the nation’s most popular festivals. The Chicago-based event will be held lakeside at Grant Park, and feature a massive mix of rock, pop, country, hip-hop, and EDM artists throughout four days.
Headlining acts include The Chainsmokers, Janelle Monae, 21 Pilots, Tenacious D, and Ariana Grande, who is set to perform on the final day.
Kids under the age of 10 get in free with adult ticket holders and have access to Kidzapalooza, an enclosed, family-friendly area of the park with music, activities like skateboarding demos, and a music video tent.
Seven Peaks Music Festival
When: August 31-September 1, 2019
The Seven Peaks Music Festival is heading back to the Colorado mountain ranges for the second annual event, created by country star Dierks Bentley and LiveNation. The music, camping, and adventure focused festival will take place on Labor Day weekend in Buena Vista, Colorado.
This year’s lineup is so far set to feature Travis Tritt, Luke Bryan, Aydamn, Tenille Townes, and more. Bentley, who is also set to perform, told the Taste of Country the region was an inspiration for his latest album, “The Mountain.”
Aside from musical entertainment, attendees can expect to fill their days with the natural sights, and activities like water rafting, zip lining, and ATV tours.
Sonic Temple Arts and Music Festival
When: May 17-19, 2019
Some of the biggest names in hard rock and heavy metal will come together for the first annual Sonic Temple Arts and Music Festival, located at Mapfre Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.
System of Down, Disturbed, and Foo Fighters are just of a few of the multi-platinum artists scheduled to hit the stage during the three day event. Other headlining acts include Ghost, Papa Roach, Lamb of God, Chevelle, Action Bronson, Killswitch Engage, Pussy Riot and more.
In addition to performances, there will be food and beverages that celebrate the local Columbus flavor, and an art section with live murals, screen printing, and more.
Wiz Khalifa: Decent Exposure Tour
When: July 9-Aug 15, 2019
Wiz Khalifa hyped his North American summer tour for fans while performing at Coachella this April. Tickets just went on sale for the Decent Exposure tour, which features special guest, French Montana. The rapper will also be joined by Palyboi Carti, Moneybagg Yo, Chevy Woods and DJ Drama.
The concert series will kick off July 9 at the Cellairis Amphitheatre in Atlanta. The tour is scheduled to hit 29 cities including Boston, Denver, Detroit, Chicago, Toronto, San Diego, and more before it wraps up at the Ford Idaho Center Amphitheatre in Boise on August 15.
The announcement comes fresh after the release of rapper’s latest album, a mixed tape with 14 new songs, titled “Fly Times Vol. 1: The Good Fly Young” released on 4/20.
Woodstock 50
When: August 16-18, 2019
The 50th-anniversary festival is going back to its roots, bringing back legacy artists, and some of the biggest names in music today. Woodstock 50’s lineup features a dynamic blend of more than 40 pop, rock, and hip-hop acts, who will perform on three stages throughout the weekend of August 16-18th.
The three-day festival is located at Watkins Glen in New York. John Fogerty, Miley Cyrus, The Killers, and Run the Jewels are just a few of the artists slated to perform on Woodstock 50’s opening day. Chance the Rapper, Dead and Company, The Black Keys, will perform on day two, while the third and final day will close with performances from Jay-Z, Halsey, Imagine Dragons, The Zombies and more.
The festival’s organizers are also planning a tribute to original Woodstock performers, Jefferson Airplane, Janis Joplin and Joe Crocker.
