The United States is a continent rich in music. Fortunately, as more and more people become interested in attending live shows, more venues are opening up to host festivals. Music festivals are a great way to enjoy your favorite artists at the same time as many others. Festivals usually have multiple stages playing different genres of music, along with food vendors, artisans selling their wares, and activities for kids such as face painting or petting zoos. Some of the biggest festivals can attract tens of thousands of visitors each year!
Here are the 5 largest music festivals in the United States
Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival
Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival has been held in Indio, California since 2002. The festival occupies a two-week period in mid-April and is attended by 175,000 to 300,000 people. It is among the highest-grossing festivals in the world, with Coachella’s net profits for 2014 being US $94.4 million. The festival is renowned for the large number of popular musicians who have appeared on its stages, including Beyonce, The Cure, Radiohead, The Weeknd, Arcade Fire, Jack White, Daft Punk, and Bruno Mars. Coachella has also been responsible for a number of notable firsts in the world of music festivals.
The first-ever mobile app to stream live performances was used by festival attendees. The first-ever app to allow other users to vote on which artists should play next was also used. Coachella has also pioneered the “no dress code” policy, which allows attendees to enter the festival in whatever attire they wish. Coachella offers numerous activities for attendees of all ages, including yoga sessions, climbing walls, art exhibits and workshops.
Bonnaroo
Bonnaroo is an American outdoor music and arts festival that takes place every June in the city of Manchester, Tennessee, United States. The festival is organized by Superfly, a company owned by AC Entertainment, which also organizes the festival. The festival began in 2002 and features a diverse lineup of rock, pop, and hip-hop artists. In 2011, Bonnaroo launched its new festival in the Rockies and Great Northwest regions, dubbed “Bonnaroo Northwest.” The festival takes place in late August in Ridgefield, Washington, and is hosted by Pearl Jam and Eddie Vedder. The festival has been noted for its high accessibility and acceptance level, something that’s particularly noteworthy in the context of American festivals, where many women are concerned about being groped or worse by male attendees.
Outside Lands Music and Food Festival
The Outside Lands Music and Food Festival is held in San Francisco every August. Organized by Superfly, the festival typically features the city’s biggest names in music and culinary artistry. The festival has experienced a high level of growth, expanding to two weekends in 2013, and returning to one weekend in 2014. Outside Lands is notable for being one of the few festivals in the country that does not require a wristband for admission. In addition to the music, the festival’s offerings include a food court, beer garden, children’s activities and an art marketplace. Outside Lands is also known for its wide range of performers, from established artists to up-and-coming talent.
SXSW Music Festival and Conference
SXSW Music Festival and Conference is the largest music festival in the world. The festival, held annually in Austin, Texas since 1987, attracts more than 100,000 attendees to its diverse lineup of performances. In addition to music, the festival includes film and interactive events. SXSW has a variety of programs and activities designed to appeal to a variety of audiences, including a business conference, a technology conference, and a leadership conference. The festival also hosts a variety of music-related events, including concerts, conferences and festivals. SXSW has grown to become a major fixture in the American music scene. It has become an international event, with events held in Australia, South Africa, Brazil, and throughout Europe.
Lollapalooza
Lollapalooza is an annual music festival held in Chicago. The festival has been held annually since 1991 and is one of the largest North American music festivals. It features a diverse array of musical genres and is regarded as a forum for new artists. Lollapalooza has also been credited with popularizing eclectic music and arts events in urban cities across the world. Lollapalooza has been characterized as a music protest festival. In 2017, the festival will take place from August 2 to 4, 2017. Lollapalooza has been held in various locations in Chicago since its inception, most recently at the Near West Side’s Petrillo Music Shell in 1995.
