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Every April, Coachella kicks off festival season with its unique blend of music, art, food, and digital culture. While Coachella will always be a bucket list item, this year's sales are lagging and hype is limited, giving curious music lovers an opportunity to explore other music festivals the world has to offer. Luckily, there are plenty of events throughout the country that celebrate music and the arts, including these five festivals that rival even the cultural juggernaut Coachella.
Lollapalooza
Hosting an estimated 400,000 people at Grant Park in Chicago, Lollapalooza is a massive festival even by Coachella standards, and it has a talent budget to match. Previous lineups have included huge names like Nine Inch Nails, The Flaming Lips, and Kendrick Lamar. This year's lineup is just as impressive featuring 170 bands like Tyler the Creator, SZA, Hozier, and The Killers spread across four days in early August. Aside from the music, the festival is also famous for its food court, Chow Town, which features food trucks operated by Chi Town's finest restaurants offering everything from the iconic lobster corndogs of years past to donuts, barbecue, pizza, and almost anything else you can imagine.
Austin City Limits
Austin City Limits is known for chill vibes and stacked lineups, with previous alumni including Kendrick Lamar, M83, Arctic Monkeys, and Paramore. Although this year's lineup hasn't been released, it's sure to be on point with a variety of genres to appeal to every listener. Spanning two weekends in early October, ACL attracts chill people who are there primarily to listen to music, making this a music lover’s paradise. Between sets, you can enjoy food and drinks, check out the photo ops, or explore Zilker Park. If your music tastes lean a bit more psychedelic, Austin is also home to Levitation and Austin Psych Festival, two music festivals that feature all the fuzzy reverb your ears could ever want.
Bonnaroo
Located on a massive 700-acre farm in Tennessee, Bonnaroo is a four-day festival in June with a stacked line-up that covers a range of genres. This year's headliners include Pretty Lights, Post Malone, Fred Again.., and Red Hot Chili Peppers along with plenty of indie favorites and up-and-comers. Head to the Centeroo to see music on 10 different stages or queue up in a pit line to get front and center for your favorite act. Between music sets, explore the Outeroo for late-night karaoke, mid-morning brunch, and experiences like daily yoga, art installations, and a Zen lounge.
Desert Daze
If you're craving jam sessions in the California desert but can't stomach the thought of rubbing shoulders with influencers, Desert Daze might be the festival for you. Located just an hour from Los Angeles on the shores of Lake Perris, the festival has hosted a variety of acts including alt darlings Tame Impala and Beach House with mind-benders like Fuzz or King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard. The 2024 lineup hasn't dropped yet, but its legendary alumni practically guarantee that the October festival will be bopping. Alternatively, SoCal is home to Just Like Heaven, a single-day festival in Los Angeles that is headlined this year by classic indie acts including The Postal Service, Phoenix, Death Cab, and Passion Pit.
Shakey Knees
If you're looking for something relaxed, Shakey Knees in Atlanta, Georgia is a laid-back festival option with major listening opportunities. Previous years have featured acts like The Killers, The Strokes, and Cage the Elephant. This year, the festival is headlined by Noah Kahan, Weezer, and the Foo Fighters with indie bands Interpol, Portugal. The Man, and Miike Snow. Hosted in early May at Central Park in Downtown Atlanta, the city’s sound ordinances ensure that headliners finish by 11 p.m., making this an ideal festival for music lovers who prefer hotels to camping and love getting to bed at a reasonable hour. Plus, the central location means festival-goers can visit local restaurants and stores throughout the day.
