The Best Summer Music Festivals in the World
From Coachella to Lollapalooza, this is a list of the must-see music festivals happening in 2015. Below, you will find lineups, locations, dates, and all of the information you need. As you look, you will discover all different genres and styles to find your perfect music festival.
1. Coachella – A Must See For Any Music Festival Goer
2015 Lineup Highlights: AC/DC, Jack White, Drake, Steely Dan, Alabama Shakes
Set in the desert of California, the Coachella Music and Arts Festival brings together artists of many different genres for two consecutive weekends. Coachella is one of the largest music festivals in the United States, attracting more than 500,000 people annually. If you are looking for a weekend filled with some of the biggest artists around mixed with some very cool art and a very unique experience, then this is the festival for you.
2. Lollapalooza – One of the Most Recognizable Festivals in the United States
2015 Lineup Highlights: Paul McCartney, Metallica, Florence + the Machine, Bassnectar, Kid Cudi
Started in 1991 as a touring festival and resurrected in 2003, the annual Lollapalooza Music festival attracts more than 160,000 people over a 3 day period to Chicago’s historic Grant Park. If you like to see a diverse range of acts and are looking for a truly unique experience, then this is the festival for you.
3. Bonnaroo – Great Music, Camping, and Friends, What Else Do You Need?
2015 Lineup Highlights: Billy Joel, Mumford & Sons, Kendrick Lamar, Florence + the Machine, Robert Plant, Alabama Shakes
Set on a rural farm in Manchester, Tennessee, the annual Bonnaroo Music festival is known for featuring a diverse lineup of acts with genres ranging from classic rock to reggae to hip hop. If you’re the type of person who likes to camp out, get away from it all and see a great lineup of acts, then this is the festival for you.
4. Ultra Music Festival – EDM Takes Miami
2015 Lineup Highlights: Tiesto, Avicii, Afrojack, Skrillex, David Guetta
Set in the scenic Bayfront Park in downtown Miami. Ultra started as a one day festival and has evolved into a three day festival that attracts more than 150,000 people annually in March who come out to see some of the top electronic dance music artists in the country. If you are a fan of EDM and like to spend time in a big city setting, then this is the festival for you.
5. Tomorrowland – Probably the Best Festival on This List
2015 Lineup Highlights: Avicii, Harwell, Armin Van Buren, Alesso
Held annually in Belgium, Tomorrowland is the largest electronic music festival in the world. As one of the most iconic music festivals, it brings the top electronic acts in the world to its stage, which helps it attract more than 400,000 people from all over the world every year. If you are looking to attend one of the most iconic festivals in the world and have an experience unlike any other, then this is the festival for you.
6. Isle of Wight – Historic, Classic, and English
2015 Lineup Highlights: Fleetwood Mac, The Black Keys, Pharrell Williams, Counting Crows
Set in Seaclose Park in the Isle of Wight, what was once one of the biggest festivals in the world in the late 60’s and early 70’s, the Isle of Wight Festival was revived in 2002 and once a year brings together the best mix of classic rock and popular music. If you like a wide range of musical acts and want to get away for a weekend, then this is the festival for you.
7. Electric Forest – The Most Visually Appealing Festival
2015 Lineup Highlights: The String Cheese Incident, Bassnectar, Skrillex
Set in the deep forest in Michigan, Electric Forest is one of the coolest looking festivals around. During the day the concert is full of life and fun activities, and at night the forest lights up unlike anything you’ve ever seen before. Attracting big artists focusing on both EDM and jam bands, Electric Forest is a vital festival for anyone looking for a truly unique experience.
8. Summerfest – The World’s Largest Music Festival
2015 Lineup Highlights: The Rolling Stones, Linkin Park, Zac Brown Band, Stevie Wonder
Officially claiming the title as the world’s largest music festival certified by the Guinness Book of World Records, Sumerfest is held annually in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and attracts some of the biggest musical and comedy acts around. The wide variety of music along with various options for activities make this the ideal music festival for anyone looking to get the full music festival experience.
9. Firefly – The Rookie of Great Music Festivals
2015 Lineup Highlights: Kings of Leon, The Killers, Paul McCartney
Taking place for the first time in 2012, the Firefly Music Festival is one of the newest festivals on this list. It is, however, also one of the most exciting festivals of the year. This festival offers a wide variety of popular acts as well as a variety of activities to keep you occupied during the day. If you love camping out at a well-run music festival with many recognizable artists, then this is the festival for you.
10. Montreux Jazz Festival – Jazzy, Iconic, and Classy
2015 Lineup Highlights: John Legend, Jackson Brown, the Chemical Brothers, Tony Bennett
One of the oldest and most iconic festivals in the world, the Montreux Jazz Festival started as a pure jazz festival. It has developed over the years into a festival featuring many different genres including blues, soul, and rock. If you are looking for a classic sound with a relaxing atmosphere, then this is the festival for you.
11. Electric Daisy Carnival – The Festival to Keep Your Eye on in the future
2015 Lineup Highlights: Calvin Harris, Avicii, Tiesto, Martin Garrix
What started as a one day electronic music concert in California, Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) has since spread to over 9 different shows in different locations. This festival has all the elements of an upbeat electronic music festival, and is definitely on the list of festivals any EDM lover should check out. If you are looking for an exciting and unforgettable experience and are a fan of electronic music, then this is the festival for you.
12. Warped Tour – The Largest Traveling Music Festival
2015 Lineup Highlights: Black Veil Brides, Asking Alexandria, Never Shout Never
Vans Warped Tour, the largest traveling music festival in the United States, brings together the best alternative and punk rock artists in the country. Recently, the tour has started to feature a more diverse lineup of genres, but this is still the festival to go to if you are a fan of alternative and punk music. Now offering free admission for parents accompanying their kids, this is the ideal festival for people of all ages.
13. Electric Zoo – Great Production Means A Great Show
2015 Lineup Highlights: The Chemical Brothers, Above & Beyond, Alesso
Taking place annually throughout Labor Day weekend, Electric Zoo attracts over 100,000 fans due to its signature big stages, big light shows, and its excellent production. This festival is sure to bring you some of the best EDM acts in the world while putting on a great show.
14. South by Southwest (SXSW) – Much More Than a Music Festival
2015 Lineup Highlights: A wide array of upcoming acts from all around the world
SXSW is a combination of film, interactive, and music festivals, all of which offer their own unique, one-of-a-kind experience. The music portion of the festival lasts for 6 days and brings popular and small time acts from all over the world. Many small artists are recognized at this event and often get signed to a big contract after being discovered at this event. If you enjoy discovering new acts and like being at a festival that has much more to offer than just music, then a trip to SXSW might be exactly what you are looking for.
15. The Governers Ball – Big City, Good Food, Great Music
2015 Lineup Highlights: Drake, Florence + the Machine, My Morning Jacket, Vance Joy
Set on the historic Randall’s Island in New York City, The Governers Ball Music Festival developed from a one day event in 2011 featuring many up and coming artists to a three day festival headlined by some of the most popular performers in the world. If you are looking for a festival with a wide range of genres and a variety of other activities and unique NYC food, then this is a festival worth checking out.
Didn’t find the perfect music festival for you? click here to see a complete list of music festivals throughout the world.
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