Photo Credit: Alex Peters @thewaywardwalrus
It’s that time of year again for oddly unsexy costumes, radio DJs shouting “here comes a Rocktober rock block“, and motherfucking decorative gourds. Here you are settling in for a long winter nap with your disgusting Starbucks Pumpkin Latte, content with another season of festivalling. Well, we’re here to tell you the summer isn’t over yet, and October has come alive with a full slate of music festivals.
Foo Fighters, Gorillaz, Tyler the Creator, and Claude VonStroke are all hosting festivals in California. You’ve got festival conferences for hip-hop in Atlanta, electronic music in Amsterdam, and indie rock/pop in Spain. For those celebrating the pagan spirit of Halloween, you’ll want to check out The Voodoo Experience, Freaky Deaky, and Suwannee Hulaween to exorcise those demons. And then of course, you’ve got the mega of late season mega-festivals, Austin City Limits, with back to back weekends of music. There’s plenty more to check out below so dust off those costumes and let’s see what’s happening this October.
CalJam 2018
When: October 6, 2018
Where: San Bernardino, CA
The Scene: One of the biggest bands in the world, Foo Fighters, has put together a solid 12 hours of rock and roll in southern California. CalJam features camping, free carnival rides, a water park for campers, comedy, special kick-off events, and 15+ kick-ass artists.
The Lineup: Billy Idol, Foo Fighters, Garbage, Iggy Pop, Silversun Pickups, Slaves, Tenacious D
More Info: CalJam 2018 Guide
A3C Hip Hop Festival 2018
When: October 3-7, 2018
Where: Atlanta, GA
The Scene: Since its founding in 2005, Atlanta's A3C Festival has become one of the most important hip-hop events of the year. During the day, industry professionals mix it up at the A3C conference with panels, live interviews, and special speakers, while at night the three stages at the festival grounds are lit up with talent.
More Info: A3C Hip Hop Festival 2018 Guide
Dirtybird Campout West Coast 2018
When: October 5-7, 2018
Where: Waterford, CA
The Scene: It's summer camp for adults at the annual Dirtybird Campout! Hosted by the folks at the Dirtybird label, this electronic-themed campout is all about non-stop entertainment. Wood carving, knot tying, tug-of-war, dodgeball, talent shows, and of course, tons of music. This southern California experience has even been adapted for a spring-time east coast version.
More Info: Dirtybird Campout West Coast 2018 Guide
Treasure Island 2018
When: October 13-14, 2018
Where: Oakland, CA
The Scene: Treausre Island may have moved from its namesake venue to a new one in Oakland, but the spirit of the festival remains intact, putting together one of the most diverse lineups of the autumn season. Even better, there's no overlapping sets so you're guaranteed to see every artist on your wishlist.
The Lineup: Cigarettes After Sex, Courtney Barnett, Lord Huron, Pond, Pusha T, Santigold, Tame Impala
More Info: Treasure Island 2018 Guide
Austin City Limits 2018
When: October 5-14, 2018
Where: Austin, TX
The Scene: Named after the venerable PBS series, the Austin City Limits Festival heads into its second decade stronger than ever. The traditional lineup announcement leads to a flurry of praise and criticism from the hip kids, but the love for this festival is so strong that ACL added a second weekend and continues to sell out.
The Lineup: Arctic Monkeys, Arkells, BØRNS, Brandi Carlile, Childish Gambino, CHVRCHES, Deftones, Father John Misty, Hozier, Justice, Metallica, Odesza, Parquet Courts, St. Vincent, The National, Trampled By Turtles
More Info: Austin City Limits 2018 Guide
Ultra Mexico 2018
When: October 13-14, 2018
Where: Mexico City, Mexico
The Scene: Ultra heads over the border to Mexico City for the mid-October installment of their popular festival. The two-day festival features the top talent of the EDM scene at the spacious Foro Pegaso venue.
The Lineup: Afrojack, Armin Van Buuren, Carl Cox, Galantis, Jamie Jones, Marshmello, Seth Troxler, Steve Angello, Tale of Us
More Info: Ultra Mexico 2018 Guide
Aftershock Festival 2018
When: October 13-14, 2018
Where: Sacramento, CA
The Scene: California's biggest rock festival storms into Sacramento with a powerful lineup of rock and metal favorites. With alumni like Megadeth, Korn, Ozzy Osbourne, Nine Inch Nails, Godsmack, Alice in Chains, and System of a Down, this is the place to see genre legends in the western United States along with up-and-comers to the scene.
The Lineup: Alice in Chains, At The Drive-In, Bullet For My Valentine, Deftones, Godsmack, Incubus, Seether, System of a Down
More Info: Aftershock Festival 2018 Guide
Desert Daze 2018
When: October 12-14, 2018
Where: Riverside, CA
The Scene: Desert Daze continues to impress with one of the best lineups in the world. With Lake Perris in southern California as its backdrop, Desert Daze aims to be epic yet intimate, esoteric yet accessible, catering to weirdos, but embracing to all, and to facilitate the ever expanding growth of the human spirit.
The Lineup: Chelsea Wolfe, Death Grips, Pond, Tame Impala, Warpaint
More Info: Desert Daze 2018 Guide
Demon Dayz Festival 2018
When: October 20, 2018
Where: Los Angeles, CA
The Scene: Gorillaz returns to the United States and are bringing along their Demon Dayz Festival with them. The latest edition is set to go down in Los Angeles at the Pico Rivera Fairgrounds with a full day of music curated by Gorillaz.
The Lineup: Erykah Badu, Gorillaz
More Info: Demon Dayz Festival 2018 Guide
Amsterdam Dance Event 2018
When: October 17-21, 2018
Where: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
The Scene: The Dutch capital of Amsterdam goes off in mid-October when ADE comes to town. 300 parties, 80 venues, and 2000 DJs makes this the electronic event of the season. Amsterdam Dance Event began life as a conference back in 1996 and the daytime events are stuffed with industry professionals and panels. At night, the showcase festival moves into the wild clubs and stages of Amsterdam for non-stop entertainment.
The Lineup: Bonobo, David Guetta, Jon Hopkins, Martin Garrix, Nina Kraviz, Richie Hawtin
More Info: Amsterdam Dance Event 2018 Guide
BIME Live Festival 2018
When: October 26-27, 2018
Where: Bilbao, Spain
The Scene: The multi-genre BIME Live festival is a two-day festival that brings some of the biggest names in rock, pop, and elctronic to the Bilbao Exhibition Center, It may be a younger festival, but its alumni already include The Chemical Brothers, Basement Jaxx, Placebo, Suede, Manic Street Preachers, Passenger, Imagine Dragons, Stereophonics, Crystal Fighters, and PJ Harvey.
The Lineup: Aphex Twin, Editors, Jon Hopkins, Kurt Vile & The Violators, MGMT, Nina Kraviz, Unknown Mortal Orchestra
More Info: BIME Live Festival 2018 Guide
Suwannee Hulaween 2018
When: October 26-28, 2018
Where: Live Oak, FL
The Scene: Halloween's jammiest music festival, Suwanee Hulaween, takes place annually at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park. Hosted by The String Cheese Incident (who play two sets every evening), the jam band filled lineup features multiple stages filled with fans dressed up for the event.
The Lineup: Action Bronson, Dr. Dog, EOTO, Galactic, Gramatik, Jamiroquai, Lettuce, Odesza, Papadosio, Rebirth Brass Band, STS9, The Infamous Stringdusters, The String Cheese Incident, Tory Lanex, Trampled By Turtles, Yonder Mountain String Band
More Info: Suwannee Hulaween 2018 Guide
Voodoo Experience 2018
When: October 26-28, 2018
Where: New Orleans, LA
The Scene: Worship the music this Halloween in New Orleans. Every year the faithful gather for another edition of The Voodoo Music + Arts Experience. Boasting one of the epic lineups of the fall, the three day festival takes place right in downtown New Orleans. Delicious food, mind blowing art, and the costumed attendees all make this an experience not to forget.
The Lineup: Arctic Monkeys, Childish Gambino, Lettuce, Marilyn Manson, Martin Garrix, Modest Mouse, Mumford & Sons, Odesza, Zeds Dead
More Info: Voodoo Experience 2018 Guide
Freaky Deaky Texas 2018
When: October 27-28, 2018
Where: Houston, TX
The Scene: It's Texas meets Halloween meets dance party when Freaky Deaky lands in Houston. The wildest costume party in the south gets spooky at the Sam Houston Race Park with some of the hottest names in the EDM scene.
The Lineup: Excision, Kaskade, Porter Robinson, Yellow Claw
More Info: Freaky Deaky Texas 2018 Guide
Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival 2018
When: November 10-11, 2018
Where: Los Angeles, CA
The Scene: Multi-talented Tyler, the Creator presents this Los Angeles weekend festival which goes down at Dodger Stadium. In between the stacked hip-hop lineup, festival goers can participate in a number of carnival games and rides -- all curated by Tyler himself.
The Lineup: A$AP Rocky, Little Dragon
More Info: Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival 2018 Guide