The US music festival season has started with a bang, Coachella, Ultra and South by Southwest have already opened up the year while Shaky Knees, Sweetwater 420 and the New Orleans Jazz Festival are taking place at the end of this month.
All of these were and will be incredible festivals with lineups, a who’s who of great performing artists — but it’s a bit short notice. Getting tickets and getting there might be a bit of a stretch. It is the end of April after all.
Burning Man and Bonnaroo are set to be big this year, but all of us know to attend these if we can make it.
So, DDW has a look at our favourite US summer festivals when the days are long and the music plays all night — here are a couple of big festivals you might have missed.
Electric Forest – Rothbury, Michigan
Electric Forest, this iconic festival in the Great White North of Michigan means the days are exceptionally long and jam-packed with music and art.
If you like electronic music, this is the festival for you. Heavy hitters like The Disco Biscuits, Griz and Big Gigantic headline the festival, backed up by dozens of other artists.
What we like about Electric Forest, however, is the location. Set surrounding, and in, the Sherwood Forest, this festival sees trees lit up every colour of neon imaginable, lighting up the sky and the forest in a spectacular light show. Think of a paint party in the forest.
The festival will run from June 23 to 26, eschewing its traditional two weekend set up. Tickets start at around $400 for a four-day pass, going VIP will set you back more, of course.
Hangout Festival – Gulf Shores, Alabama
This one is a bit short notice, taking place in May, however, there are still limited GA and VIP tickets available for this music festival turned beach party.
Right on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico, Hangout Festival is packed with heavy hitters like Post Malone, Fall Out Boy, Halsey and Doja Cat. These are just a taste; the list goes on.
Beyond this, the festival is one giant beach party with beach volleyball, all-day beach clubs, a Ferris wheel and even a roller rink. It gives Hangout a unique vibe not found at other venues.
The festival will take place the weekend of May 20. Tickets are around $350 for General Admission and $1,250 for VIP passes.
Summerfest – Milwaukee, Wisconsin
This three-weekend festival in Wisconsin features hundreds of artists including The Breeders, Death Cab for Cutie, Halsey, Rod Stewart and Wu-Tang Clan — to name a few.
Summerfest’s 12 stages are hardly ever empty and, because of how the festival operates, partygoers can buy individual tickets to the main concerts or multi-day and single-day passes.
This festival is known for its range, from indie to pop, from rock’n’roll to country — there is something for everyone.
Sign up to become a camp counsellor for free entry and beer as you become a party ambassador for the other music lovers.
Due to the festival’s nature, tickets range from $60 to much, much more.
As festival season is upon us, hundreds of American music festivals will be taking place across the country. Book your tickets now for some of the best festivals this season.