Best US Music Festivals

Frustrated when you can’t get tickets for your favourite US artist’s UK tour? Why not hop on a plane and catch them – along with many more – at one of the USA’s best music festivals. Nowhere does music festivals like the States and they’re a great way to combine music with a city break or road trip holiday.

Some of the consistently best over the years include:

Tortuga Music Festival

If you want Florida beaches and music, this event in Fort Lauderdale is your festival. The weather will be perfect. Headliners have included Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson, Luke Bryan and Chris Stapleton. Last year over 90,000 attended the three-day event.

More Information: www.tortugamusicfestival.com

Coachella

One of the best of California’s many music festivals, Coachella has expanded to run over two consecutive weekends at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, which is about two hours east of Los Angeles. It’s also in the Colorado Desert so at this time of year you could freeze or fry. Since 1999 this festival has attracted artists such as Florence and the Machine, AC/DC, Ellie Goulding, Pet Shop Boys and one year an unannounced appearance by Madonna.

More Information: https://coachella.com/

Tucson Folk Festival

One of the oldest and biggest free folk festivals in the USA, this usually takes place on the last weekend in April, usually in beautiful Arizona sunshine. Dozens of acts both national and local play constantly on five different stages around the old town area of Tucson.

More Information: www.tucsonfolkfest.org

Boston Calling

Taking place at the Harvard Athletic Complex in Allston, just outside Boston, past stars have included Beck, Pixies, Christine and the Queens, Janelle Monáe and Alabama Shakes.

More Information: www.bostoncalling.com

Sasquatch!

In the terrific setting of the Gorge Amphitheatre in George, Washington (yes, there is such a place) over the Memorial Day weekend, past years have seen Fleet Foxes, Nine Inch Nails, Wilco, Coldplay, Robert Plant, and Ryan Adams.

More Information: www.sasquatchfestival.com

The Governor’s Ball

New York naturally has a choice of festivals, and Panorama is also worth checking out, but The Governor’s Ball in Randall Island Park is always hard to beat. Past names have included Drake, Florence and the Machine, Jack White, Phoenix, and Noel Gallagher.

More Information: www.governorsballmusicfestival.com

Bonnaroo

Held over four days on a 700-acre farm in Manchester, Tennessee, Bonnaroo is always one of the year’s biggies. Past years have seen an eclectic mix of rock acts from The Beach Boys and Paul McCartney to Kanye West, Jay Z, and the White Stripes.

More Information: www.bonnaroo.com

Telluride Bluegrass Festival

The Telluride Bluegrass Festival is held annually on the weekend closest to the Summer Solstice which officially marks the start of Colorado’s summer. It has a broad definition of bluegrass and has attracted stars like Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Emmylou Harris, John Fogerty, Robert Plant, The Dixie Chicks, and Elvis Costello.

More Information: www.bluegrass.com, www.visittelluride.com, www.colorado.com

Summerfest in Milwaukee

This has been the world’s largest music festival since 1999, and with over 800 acts last year, who can argue? They spread over 11 stages and 11 days and headliners of the calibre of Kacey Musgrave, Bon Jovi, Stevie Wonder, Prince, Paul Simon, Paul McCartney, and Bob Dylan have all headlined.

More Information: https://summerfest.com

Lollapalooza

Chicago’s annual Lollapalooza is held in Grant Park and combines music, politics and the arts with a mix of heavy metal, punk, hip-hop and rock musicians on several stages. Stars have included Lana del Rey, Radiohead, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Ellie Goulding.

More Information: www.lollapalooza.com

Vail Jazz Party

The Vail Jazz Party features over 35 headliners that join together to play in group performances, multi-artist jam sessions, and performing tributes to jazz legends.

More Information: www.vailjazz.org, www.visitvailvalley.com, www.colorado.com

Telluride Blues and Brews Festival

The Telluride Blues and Brews Festival is a three-day celebration of live music and microbrews held at Telluride Town Park, in the valley of stunning 13,000-foot mountain peaks. The festival offers an eclectic mix of live blues, funk, jam, rock, gospel and soul performances, as well as some of the best microbreweries in the country.

More Information: www.tellurideblues.com, www.visittelluride.com, www.colorado.com

Southern Ground Music and Food Festival

Southern music and southern food? What’s not to like. Organized by the Zac Brown Band and held in Charleston, South Carolina.

More Information: https://charleston.southerngroundfestival.com