The USA is a country full of diversity, which is reflected in its music and festival scene. Whether you’re a celebrity-spotting fashionista, into your hard-core punk or like to keep things pretty chill, you’re guaranteed to find it on the USA festival circuit. 

The obvious choices… 

Coachella 

Where: Indio, California
When: 9 – 18 April 2021
2021 lineup: TBC, but 2019 featured the likes of Childish Gambino, Tame Impala, Ariana Grande and Khalid. 

Taking place in the middle of the desert, Coachella is one of the first to kick off the summer festival season. If you truly believe fashion and music go hand in hand, then this is the festival for you. Basically, anyone who is anyone will be there. 

Bonnaroo

Where: Manchester, Tennessee
When: 17 – 20 June 2021
2021 lineup: TBC, but 2019 included Post Malone, Cardi B, The Lumineers, Phish and Kacey Musgraves

Bonnaroo is hard-core! Don’t say we didn’t warn you. It’s known to be one of the greatest camping experiences in the world and the lineup never disappoints. Be careful of that Tennessee heat though! 

Lollapalooza

Where: Chicago, Illinois
When: 29 Jul 1 Aug 2021 
2021 lineup: TBC, but 2019 included Ariana Grande, Lil Wayne, The Strokes, and The Chainsmokers 

One of our fav festivals in the U.S. Plus, you don’t have to get all dressed up for this one. Lollapalooza is known to be chilled out, yet at the same time, super organized. When a storm shut down the festival over one of the days, sets were quickly rescheduled and the show went on. Nice work Lollapalooza crew! 

South By Southwest (SXSW) 

Where: Austin, Texas 
When: 12 –20 March 2021
2021 lineup: TBC, but 2019 included the likes of Billie Eilish, Khalid and Virgil Abloh 

This is THE festival for discovering new talent. Hop around bars and venues around Austin and rub shoulders with music industry folk as they look for the next big act to sign. It’s not just future stars though, you’ll also catch big names gracing the stages. 

The less obvious choices… 

The Governors Ball Festival 

Where: Randall’s Island Park, New York City 
When: 29 Apr – 2 May 2021
2021 lineup: TBC, but 2019 included Florence + The Machine, Tyler, The Creator, Major Lazer 

Governors Ball is one of the coolest festivals out there. So cool in fact, that you might find yourself stood next to a celeb while waiting for the next band to perform! The benefit of The Governors Ball (or negative, however you look at it) is that there’s no camping involved, everyone stays in hostels and hotels.  

Hangout Music Festival

Where: Gulf Shores, Alabama
When: 21 – 22 May 2021
2021 lineup: TBC, but 2019 included Arizona, Bazzi, Bebe Rexha, Bishop Briggs and Travis Scott 

The beautiful beaches of the Gulf Shores should be enough to sway it for you. It’s not your typical setting for a festival, but it still manages to bring in the big names to the lineup. It’s a super chilled atmosphere too – Hangout by name, hangout by nature! 

Country Thunder 

Where: Florence, AZ (also locations in Wisconsin, Iowa, Florida Alberta, Saskatchewan) 
When: 8 – 11 April 2021
2021 lineup: Luke Combs, Dustin Lynch, Morgan Wallen and Eric Church 

Line dancing lessons, cowboy boots and tent camping. Grab your besties, your best patriotic gear, and head out to the boondocks to crack a cold one with some of the biggest names in country music. Yee haw my friends.  

Boston Calling 

Where: As the name suggests, Boston
When: May 28 – May 30 2021
2021 lineup: TBC, but 2019 highlights included Twenty One Pilots, Odesza, Logic and Greta Van Fleet. 

Look at the 2019 highlights above, so diverse! Boston Calling has something for everyone. It’s a relatively new festival, debuting in 2013, so the lineup is bound to keep on getting stronger and stronger. 

 Pitchfork Festival – Chicago, Illinois 

Where: Chicago, Illinois 
When: July 17 – July 19 2021
2021 lineup: TBC, but 2019 highlights included Robyn, the Isley Brothers, Charli XCX, and Mavis Staples 

If you don’t manage to get tickets to Lollapalooza then Pitchfork Festival is a good back up if you’re heading to Chicago. The line-up is always diverse, showcasing acts from alternative rock to hard-core punk. 

We’re liking the sound of Country Thunder –  tent camping, cowboy boots and dance lessons! What’s your festival pick? If you want to discover more highlights across the US of A, check out more info here.