With the latest guidelines from the CDC optimistically pointing towards the return of music festivals this year in the United States, we are finally letting ourselves get stoked for the prospects of festing this season. Delays, schedule shifts, postponements, have turned September into a festival free-for all with with an absolute slew of announced lineups all vying for attention. Let’s take a look at some of our favorites and their confirmed lineups.
Bonnaroo Music Festival 2021
When: September 2-5, 2021
Where: Manchester, TN
The Scene: Over the last decade, no other US music festival has captured the spirit of large greenfield gatherings like the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival. Bonnaroo burst onto the scene grabbing headlines along with our hearts as we watched it grow from scrappy newcomer to a full fledged anchor of the summer. It may not be the oldest or the largest, but Bonnaroo is the spirit of the quintessential American music festival. Long live The Roo.
The Lineup: Deftones, Foo Fighters, Glass Animals, Grace Potter, LIZZO, Megan Thee Stallion, Primus, Run The Jewels, The Disco Biscuits, Tyler the Creator, Waxahatchee, Young Thug
Tickets: Buy tickets here
More Info: Bonnaroo Music Festival 2021 Guide
Summerfest 2021
When: September 2-18, 2021
Where: Milwaukee, WI
The Scene: Officially billed in the Guinness Book of World Records as The World's Largest Music Festival, this lakeside festival lasts for a staggering 11-day stretch and entertains nearly a million fans. Taking place along the shores of Lake Michigan right in downtown Milwaukee, this massive festival is also one of the most budget friendly music events of the summer.
The Lineup: Bleachers, Chance The Rapper, Chris Stapleton, Cold War Kids, Dave Matthews Band, Diplo, Fall Out Boy, Future Islands, G-Eazy, Galactic, Goo Goo Dolls, Green Day, Greensky Bluegrass, Jai Wolf, JAKE OWEN, Luke Bryan, Pixies, Rise Against, Run The Jewels, Sheryl Crow, Tank and the Bangas, Weezer, Wilco, ZZ Top
Tickets: Buy tickets here
More Info: Summerfest 2021 Guide
Bottlerock Napa Valley 2021
When: September 3-5, 2021
Where: Napa, CA
The Scene: Wine meets music when artists from around the world descend on Napa Valley just north of San Francisco. The internationally renown wine region lets it all hang out during this Memorial Day Weekend Festival, putting out one of the best West Coast lineups of the season.
The Lineup: Big Freedia, Brandi Carlile, Cage the Elephant, Chromeo, Foo Fighters, Future Islands, G-Eazy, Jimmy Eat World, Milky Chance, Portugal. the Man, Run The Jewels, Young the Giant
Tickets: Buy tickets here
More Info: Bottlerock Napa Valley 2021 Guide
North Coast Music Festival 2021
When: September 3-5, 2021
Where: Chicago, IL
The Scene: North Coast Music Festival is a collaboration of independent promoters in Chicago that have presented everything from small shows to selling out large scale concerts. Summer's Last Stand descends upon Union Park during Labor Day Weekend with the world's electronic, house, jam-band, indie, and hip-hop communities.
Tickets: Buy tickets here
More Info: North Coast Music Festival 2021 Guide
ARC Music Festival 2021
When: September 3-5, 2021
Where: Chicago, IL
The Scene: This new fest promises to bring the global scene to the birthplace of house music.
The Lineup: Eric Prydz, Seth Troxler, The Martinez Brothers
Tickets: Buy tickets here
More Info: ARC Music Festival 2021 Guide
Electric Zoo 2021
When: September 3-5, 2021
Where: New York City, NY
The Scene: Electric Zoo is New York City’s premier electronic music festival every Labor Day weekend. With stacked artists ranging from bass to techno and everything in between, Electric Zoo promises to not disappoint attendees. As the largest and longest-running electronic festival in the city, the park transforms into an electronic playground for a three-day jammed pack festival.
The Lineup: Adventure Club, Alesso, Duke Dumont, Galantis, Illenium, Kaskade, Rezz, Steve Aoki, Tiesto, Zeds Dead
Tickets: Buy tickets here
More Info: Electric Zoo 2021 Guide
Blue Ridge Rock Fest 2021
When: September 9-12, 2021
Where: Danville, VA
The Scene: With 180 bands across 6 stages, there is no shortage of rock at the Blue Ridge Rock Festival in Virginia.
The Lineup: Anthrax, Asking Alexandria, Atreyu, Body Count, Clutch, Cypress Hill, Five Finger Death Punch, Gojira, Killswitch Engage, Lamb of God, Limp Bizkit, Megadeth, Motionless in White, Rise Against, Rob Zombie, Shinedown, Skillet, Tech N9ne, Testament
More Info: Blue Ridge Rock Fest 2021 Guide
Same Same But Different 2021
When: September 9-12, 2021
Where: Perris, CA
The Scene: SSBD caters to those that embrace unique and diverse music spanning multiple genres over a multi-day experience. Late night electronic, funky day-time beach parties, early morning acoustic, secret jam spots and lot’s more.
The Lineup: Big Gigantic, STS9, The Polish Ambassador
Tickets: Buy tickets here
More Info: Same Same But Different 2021 Guide
Elements Lakewood Festival 2021
When: September 3-6, 2021
Where: Lakewood, PA
The Scene: After 10 years of throwing wildly successful ragers in the big city, BangOn!NYC brings their style to the woods for a three day summer camp style party. This festival features seven stages, massive art installations, and plenty of fun camp games. Grab a cabin or bring a tent to the bucolic hills of Northeastern Pennsylvania and be ready to dance.
Tickets: Buy tickets here
More Info: Elements Lakewood Festival 2021 Guide
Inkcarceration Festival 2021
When: September 10-12, 2021
Where: Mansfield, OH
The Scene: 'One of the most unique rock festivals in the country, INKCARCERATION is truly a festival to be experienced. Featuring some of the top names in rock, alternative and metal music on two outdoor stages along with tattoo artists from all over the country, Reformatory tours, gourmet food, camping, and lots more.'
The Lineup: A Day To Remember, Asking Alexandria, Chevelle, Halestorm, Killswitch Engage, Mastodon, Motionless in White, Rob Zombie, Slipknot, Steel Panther
Tickets: Buy tickets here
More Info: Inkcarceration Festival 2021 Guide
Moon River Festival 2021
When: September 11-12, 2021
Where: Chattanooga, TN
The Scene: Annually held in the scenic Coolidge Park in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Moon River Festival is one of the most successful festivals in the city. Often selling out, the festival features a number of acclaimed artists in folk and indie. Each year they are committed to continually improving the experience for attendees, most recently adding more interactive areas for kids and their parents.
The Lineup: Dawes, Dr. Dog, Lord Huron, Old Crow Medicine Show, Rebirth Brass Band, Wilco
Tickets: Buy tickets here
More Info: Moon River Festival 2021 Guide
Pitchfork Festival 2021
When: September 10-12, 2021
Where: Chicago, IL
The Scene: As one of the leading voices in the musical landscape, you would guess right that Pitchfork knows how to throw an outstanding festival. The Chicago based festival takes place in Union Park. You may not recognize most of the names on the lineup poster, but if it's curated by Pitchfork, then these artists are definitely worth checking out.
The Lineup: Animal Collective, black midi, Cat Power, Danny Brown, Erykah Badu, Flying Lotus, St. Vincent, Thundercat, Waxahatchee
More Info: Pitchfork Festival 2021 Guide
Dancefestopia 2021
When: September 9-12, 2021
Where: Kansas City, MO
The Scene: A high energy music and camping festival, Dancefestopia takes place in the rolling hills just south of Kansas City. For three days and four nights, festies can party to nonstop music and one of the strongest dance music lineups in the region.
The Lineup: Adventure Club, Griz, Jai Wolf, Rezz, Zeds Dead
Tickets: Buy tickets here
More Info: Dancefestopia 2021 Guide
Bristol Rhythm and Roots 2021
When: September 10-12, 2021
Where: Bristol, TN/VA
The Scene: 'Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion isn’t just a music festival. It’s an infectious, three-day music experience, bursting with creative passion, electricity, and soul. Every third weekend in September, State Street in historic Downtown Bristol, TN/VA is amped to the beat of Appalachia’s past, present, and future.'
The Lineup: Dr. Dog, JASON ISBELL AND THE 400 UNIT
More Info: Bristol Rhythm and Roots 2021 Guide
ROMP Fest 2021
When: September 15-18, 2021
Where: Owensboro, KY
The Scene: 'Celebrating its 17th year, ROMP Festival will return to Owensboro’s Yellow Creek Park, a 150-acre facility famous for its nature trails, winding creek and fishing lake, and sweeping tree-lines, plays host to ROMP each year. A full line-up of artist-led instrument workshops takes place throughout the day, as ROMP artists interact with fans and players of all ages and skill levels. Other workshops and forums include songwriting, clogging and flat-foot dancing, yoga (all levels), and bluegrass jamming 101.'
More Info: ROMP Fest 2021 Guide
Riot Fest Chicago 2021
When: September 16-19, 2021
Where: Chicago, IL
The Scene: For fans of punk, alt rock, and artists you won’t see on other festival lineups, Riot Fest should be on your bucket list. Started as a showcase festival in Chicago in 2005, Riot Fest has transformed into a multi-day outdoor festival and has spawned editions in Toronto and Denver. The original in Chicago’s Humbolt Park remains the best and most solid lineup of the bunch.
The Lineup: Best Coast, Big Freedia, Coheed and Cambria, Dinosaur Jr., Faith No More, Fucked Up, Gogol Bordello, Nine Inch Nails, NoFx, Pixies, Run The Jewels, Sublime with Rome, The Smashing Pumpkins, Toots and the Maytals
Tickets: Buy tickets here
More Info: Riot Fest Chicago 2021 Guide
Life is Beautiful Festival 2021
When: September 17-19, 2021
Where: Las Vegas, NV
The Scene: Taking place in the year-long adult party capital of the United States, Life Is Beautiful returns to Downtown Las Vegas each year. With acclaimed artists taking residency in various resorts and playing home to one of the biggest festivals in the world, the city has become a mecca for traveling music fans. Life Is Beautiful emerged in 2012 as a festival of electronic mashups and has continued to hold its own in the crowded Vegas market space.
The Lineup: A$AP Rocky, Billie Eilish, Cash Cash, Dillon Francis, Glass Animals, Gorgon City, Green Day, Haim, Illenium, Lost Frequencies, Modest Mouse, Purity Ring, San Holo, St. Vincent, Tame Impala, Young Thug
Tickets: Buy tickets here
More Info: Life is Beautiful Festival 2021 Guide
ILLFest 2021
When: September 17, 2021
Where: Austin, TX
The Scene: ILLfest brings some of the world's best electronic musicians to the Travis County Expo Center in Austin. Art installations and trippy sights are around every corner at this two-day festival.
The Lineup: Phantogram, Rezz, RL Grime, Snakehips
Tickets: Buy tickets here
More Info: ILLFest 2021 Guide
Imagine Festival 2021
When: September 17-19, 2021
Where: Atlanta, GA
The Scene: 'Starting as a smaller two-day downtown event, Imagine Festival has become Atlanta's largest EDM camping festival. Six stages host a wealth of electronic royalty at the Atlanta Motor Speedway each fall. Proudly independent, organizers call Imagine Festival a living and breathing representation of our guests wishes and imagination.'
The Lineup: Adventure Club, Excision, Griz, Illenium, Kaskade
Tickets: Buy tickets here
More Info: Imagine Festival 2021 Guide
XPoNential Festival 2021
When: September 17-19, 2021
Where: Camden, NJ
The Scene: 'The XPoNential Music Festival offers an unparalleled experience for music discovery. With a lineup of established and up-and-coming artists heard on WXPN 88.5FM, the award-winning Philadelphia public radio station, along with a variety of family-friendly activities, the XPoNential Music Festival has been pleasing audiences of all ages for more than a decade on the Camden Waterfront.'
More Info: XPoNential Festival 2021 Guide
Sea.Hear.Now Festival 2021
When: September 18-19, 2021
Where: Asbury Park, NJ
The Scene: A new festival is washing up on the Jersey shore this autumn. The debut Sea.Hear.Now Festival will bring 25+ bands to three stages three stages at North Beach Asbury Park and Bradley Park. Catch all this music along with a bunch of surfers and art in September.
The Lineup: Billy Idol, Dr. Dog, Grouplove, Lord Huron, Pearl Jam, The Avett Brothers, The Growlers
Tickets: Buy tickets here
More Info: Sea.Hear.Now Festival 2021 Guide
Treefort Music Festival 2021
When: September 22-26, 2021
Where: Boise, ID
The Scene: Boise in Idaho may sound like an odd city choice for an epic festival, but the Treefort Festival continues to impress us year after year. Treefort typically takes place the week after SXSW to take advantage of artists heading back to the Northwest. Short lines and a welcoming city continually keeps Treefort at the top of our list. Since their inception, the festival has grown in size to include film, yoga, beer, and comedy.
The Lineup: Built To Spill, Calexico
Tickets: Buy tickets here
More Info: Treefort Music Festival 2021 Guide
Louder Than Life 2021
When: September 23-26, 2021
Where: Louisville, KY
The Scene: Taking place in the heart of America in Louisville, Kentucky, Louder Than Life proclaims to be the 'World’s Largest Rock ‘N’ Roll Whiskey Festival.' This three-day festival highlights hard rock, punk, heavy metal and alternative headliners only a few miles away from downtown Louisville. Over the span of the weekend, the festival features over 50 artists and continually brings in over 120,000 fans each year.
The Lineup: Anthrax, Asking Alexandria, Cypress Hill, Gojira, Judas Priest, Killswitch Engage, Korn, Machine Gun Kelly, Metallica, Nine Inch Nails, Pennywise, Red Fang, Rise Against, Seether, Skillet, Snoop Dogg
Tickets: Buy tickets here
More Info: Louder Than Life 2021 Guide
Firefly Music Festival 2021
When: September 23-26, 2021
Where: Dover, DE
The Scene: In only a few short years, the Firefly Music Festival has become a solid addition to the East Coast summer calendar. Set in the forested landscape of The Woodlands of Dover International Speedway in Delaware, Firefly boasts seven stages and over a 100 performers each year.
The Lineup: Band of Horses, Billie Eilish, Cage the Elephant, Diplo, Glass Animals, Lost Frequencies, Machine Gun Kelly, Portugal. the Man, Rezz, Sofi Tukker, Tame Impala, The Killers, Wiz Khalifa
Tickets: Buy tickets here
More Info: Firefly Music Festival 2021 Guide
FreshGrass Festival 2021
When: September 24-26, 2021
Where: North Adams, MA
The Scene: 'FreshGrass is a wonderland of traditional and cutting-edge bluegrass, tucked appropriately into a 19th-century factory turned 21st-century museum in the Berkshire mountains of northwestern Massachusetts. An opportunity for enthusiasts to both appreciate and participate, FreshGrass is family-friendly and brimming with the brightest talent not just on our four stages, but also in our galleries, brick-lined courtyards, and grassy fields.'
The Lineup: Sam Bush, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue
More Info: FreshGrass Festival 2021 Guide
Governors Ball Music Festival 2021
When: September 24-26, 2021
Where: New York City, NY
The Scene: The Governors Ball is back! This year, New York City's mega-fest takes the party to Citi Field in Queens.
The Lineup: A$AP Rocky, Billie Eilish, Bleachers, Ellie Goulding, Future Islands, Jamie xx, Portugal. the Man, Post Malone, Princess Nokia, Rufus Du Sol, Young Thug
Tickets: Buy tickets here
More Info: Governors Ball Music Festival 2021 Guide
Furnace Fest 2021
When: September 24-26, 2021
Where: Birmingham, AL
The Scene: Furnace Fest returns for its 20th anniversary! All the punk/emo/hardcore that you have been missing is coming to the Sloss Furnaces in Birmingham, Alabama for this three-day event.
The Lineup: Hatebreed
More Info: Furnace Fest 2021 Guide
Ohana Festival 2021
When: September 24-26, 2021
Where: Dana Point, CA
The Scene: Taking place at Dana Point, California, Ohana Festival thrives off pairing good music with good vibes. Half of the proceeds earned at Ohana each year benefit a local non-profit that aims to preserve and maintain the magic of California’s coastal parks. Keeping in tune with Ohana’s premise, the lineup showcases the best of indie, surfer rock, and alternative music.
The Lineup: Brandi Carlile, Broken Social Scene, Kings of Leon, Mac DeMarco, My Morning Jacket, Pearl Jam, Real Estate
Tickets: Buy tickets here
More Info: Ohana Festival 2021 Guide
Punk Rock Bowling 2021
When: September 24-26, 2021
Where: Las Vegas, NV
The Scene: Combining mankind's three greatest creations (punk rock, bowling, and Las Vegas), this annual festival has grown popular enough to spin off editions across the country. But nothing compares to the flagship festival of Punk Rock Bowling in its downtown Las Vegas home over Memorial Day Weekend. 100 bands, 1000 bowlers, poker tournaments, movie screenings, and plenty of booze -- sounds like the perfect weekend.
The Lineup: NoFx
More Info: Punk Rock Bowling 2021 Guide
Pilgrimage Music Festival 2021
When: September 25-26, 2021
Where: Franklin, TN
The Scene: 'Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival was inspired by friendship, history, experience and the desire to create an authentic music festival. The festival has grown in its three years to double down on the music programming, with six stages and heralded lineups year after year, and has expanded its cultural focus by showcasing hundreds of local artisans, restaurants, food trucks and makers that give context and authenticity to the Pilgrimage experience.'
The Lineup: Cage the Elephant, Dave Matthews Band, Tank and the Bangas, The Black Keys
Tickets: Buy tickets here
More Info: Pilgrimage Music Festival 2021 Guide