Our Music Festival Bucket List: United States Edition

OUR MUSIC FESTIVAL BUCKET LIST:
UNITED STATES EDITION

Summer is coming in hot in the northern hemisphere and that means festival season is right around the corner!

As the summer sun sets here in Aus, we're celebrating the passing of the torch by checking out what's-hot about summer in the United States... and let me tell you, serious FOMO. If you find yourself scouring the music festival scene for new territory, look no further than the good ole' U S of A.

Break out your statement sunnies, because this breakdown of our top ten festivals will have you booking flights and snagging tix. And, for you stateside locals, keep reading to see if your state, hometown or fave-fest made our list! If not, we might have found your next festival season headliner!


WEST COAST

Washington: The Paradiso Music Festival
Genre- Electric

Paradiso is nestled at one of the most stunning natural concert venues in the world, The Gorge Amphitheater. Paradiso transcends conventional festival experiences by living their motto: where digital meets nature; incorporating massive stages, theatrical performers, full amusement park, trampoline and aerial acrobats, art installations, and more! The sun-soaked and pastel hued panoramic view (alone) will take your breath away.


California: The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival
Genre- Diverse

Topping most festival bucket lists is the world-famous, Coachella. Selling out fast every year, the Indio desert becomes a fashionable hive of high profile artists, trendy people and celebrities. Coachella defines the SoCal festival scene, with three days of frolic, and the wake of iconic Insta posts. The lineup is a always a source of heated annual anticipation but there's always the large-scale art installations to look forwards to.


California: The Stagecoach Country Music Festival
Genre- family-friendly, Country

Country folk rejoice! Right after Coachella wraps up, one of the top festivals for country music fans opens its gates. Stagecoach is when America's hottest country music stars descend on the Indio desert, for a festival that's country, through and through. Don your bandannas and prepare to cowboy-boot up, for big names like Luke Bryan, Sam Hunt and Jason Aldean.


Nevada: The Electric Daisy Festival (EDC)
Genre- Electric

Conveniently located a short trip off the Las Vegas strip, EDC is a world famous behemoth that is not for the faint of heart. Boasting eight massive stages, as well as hundreds of additional theatrically roaming performers, there are plenty of things to do and see. From the moment you step foot onto EDC'S enchanted fields, you're in store for one of the craziest productions in the history of live entertainment.


Colorado: The Sonic Bloom Music and Arts Festival
Genre- Family-friendly, Electric

Hummingbird Ranch hosts Sonic Bloom, poised in the crisp mountain air of the Colorado high desert. This family-friendly fest offers everything from yoga, painting, hiking; leading to the main event. Sonic Bloom utilizes their isolated locale to go big or go home in the lighting department. Absorbing the melodies of your fave artists, among the dazzling colors of their famous "glowing garden," is a truly spellbinding experience.


East Coast

New York: The Electric Zoo Music and Culture Festival
Genre- Electric

Based in New York City, Electric Zoo takes the iconic NYC nickname, "the city that never sleeps," to new heights. Each year brings bigger and brighter artists, special effects, and light displays that elevate the annual zoo's theme to the next level. A backdrop of the New York City’s impressive skyline can be found over the horizon, which at night becomes a stunning light-up display of the concrete jungle.


Alabama: The Hangout Music Festival (Hang Fest)
Genre- Diverse

Sugary white sand, emerald green waters, A-list performances and fish tacos, it doesn't get better! Hangout Fest, is a luxurious, beach-side music festival, located on the gulf coast of Mexico. The first of its kind in the U.S, Hang fest is in the top ten beach festivals worldwide! With stages just a hop, skip and a jump from the ocean, swimmer-clad festival goers have full beach access and may enjoy the tropical tunes from their own cabanas.


Louisiana: The Voodoo Music and Arts Experience (Voodoo)
Genre- Diverse

Nestled in the hotbed of superstition and ghostly activity, The VooDoo Music and Arts Experience is hosted by New Orleans. While not technically a summer festival (October 31st) count on Louisiana bringing the heat and call this your season finale. And come on... Voodoo is where you need to be for Halloween. A perfect mixture of music, mystery, and macabre; Voodoo is everything Halloween weekend in New Orleans should be.


Florida : The Ultra Music Festival (Ultra Miami)
Genre- Electric

The Ultra Miami Music Festival's home-base in Florida provides festival goers with a beachy paradise, drenched in Miami music history, and while Ultra Worldwide is fast becoming an international empire - nothing beats the OG. Ultra Miami is such a big deal that the days leading to it are packed with events to celebrate its arrival. Miami Music Week attracts thousands of people, where fans enjoy exclusive sets before the main event itself.


Florida – The Holy Ship Music Cruise
Genre- Electric

Holy ship is a music festival and a cruiship vacation all in one! You get to experience the amazing musical events while getting a full cruise vacation, sailing to and from a private island in the Bahamas. Time is never wasted on board, as each ship is equipped with cruise amenities and seven epic stages, steps away from your cabin. Holy Ship combines the powerful vibe of a music festival with the personal touch of a luxury atmosphere.


Posted by Haley Jack on