Best music festivals in the U.S.
When: March 10–19, 2023
Where: Austin, Texas
The first SXSW was held in 1987 and since then the festival has grown both in terms of attendance—by some counts, 280,000 people attended the 10-day festival in 2019—and in terms of influence: SXSW is Austin’s biggest revenue-producing event and one of the most important gatherings on the nation's entertainment calendar. The event is broken down into SXSW Music (with 2,000-plus acts performing across the city); SXSW Film (with screenings of anticipated movies, panels and workshops); SXSW Comedy (a week of laugh-out-loud lineups including established and emerging talent), and the increasingly popular SXSW Interactive, which features speakers, panels and a pitch competition, SXSW Accelerator.
When: March 30–April 2, 2023
Where: Knoxville, Tennessee
Named for the open-minded approach to listening it asks attendees to have, Big Ears regularly hosts contemporary classical music performances along with adventurous indie-rock, jazz, metal and electronic music. To list genres is almost antithetical to the spirit of the festival, which recognizes no such distinction in its omnivorous bookings. For four days, Big Ears transforms the city into a paradise for music of all kinds, taking over regal music halls, intimate clubs and hushed churches, all of which are centrally located and within walking distance.
When: April 14–16 and 21–23, 2023
Where: Indio, California
More than 100,000 music lovers make a pilgrimage to the Empire Polo Club during each identical weekend of Coachella, whether bound for campgrounds or shuttling over from golf resorts and mid-century modern homes. Though its bespoke dining experiences and hotel party scene may try to steal headlines, Coachella remains about the relaxed desert air euphoria of a well-curated music festival.
When: April 28–30, 2023
Where: Austin, Texas
There seems to be some confusion over branding on this one. Levitation, formally known as Austin Psych Fest, appears to have shifted its date forward by six months to April and once again started calling itself Austin Psych Fest. Regardless of its actual name, this festival has become a big name on the Austin festival scene, celebrating the psychedelic sounds of the ’60s and the evolution of experimental rock. This weekend-long bacchanal is all about boundary-pushing and musical expression. Acts for 2023 include Oro Y Moi, Cuco, Yves Tumor, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, The Black Angels, Melody’s Echo Chamber, Crumb and more.
When: April 28–May 7, 2023
Where: New Orleans, Louisiana
One of the country’s longest-running music festivals, held annually since 1970, Jazz Fest is also one of the biggest. Nearly half-a-million people show up to take in a massive bill of jazz, blues, rock and roots music. While most festivals are content to book the same handful of reunited alt-rock bands making the rounds, Jazz Fest always boasts hall-of-fame caliber headliners. This year’s lineup goes well beyond jazz with names like Jon Batiste, Jill Scott, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, Kane Brown, H.E.R., Steve Miller Band, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Gary Clark Jr., Leon Bridges and Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue.
When: May 5–7, 2023
Where: Atlanta, Georgia
Rock enthusiasts flock to Atlanta’s Central Park to enjoy more than 60 bands across four stages, and they're greeted with a rather eclectic range of up-and-coming, trending, and world-renowned musicians. This year presents The Killers, Yeah, Yeah Yeahs, Tenacious D, Placebo and a whole host of some of the biggest names in modern music.
When: May 19–21, 2023
Where: Gulf Shores, Alabama
One of the more unlikely success stories in the festival business, this fest right on the beach of the Gulf of Mexico had the bad luck to launch in the midst of 2010's Deepwater Horizon oil spill—but it hung in there and grew big enough to get bought up by the company that puts on Coachella. The Hangout lineup leans heavy on energetic indie, electronic and pop acts that fit the beach-party vibe. Confirmed acts for this year include the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Flume, SZA and Calvin Harris.
When: May 26–28, 2023
Where: Napa, California
It wouldn’t be a true Wine Country event without an abundance of vino, gourmet food, and a mid-fest massage (seriously). But BottleRock really sets itself apart by satiating both your flavor and sonic palettes—and the range of attractions doesn’t disappoint. Confirmed acts include The Smashing Pumpkins, Duran Duran, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Lizzo, Lil Nas X, Post Malone and lots more.
When: May 27–29, 2023
Where: Detroit, Michigan
Detroit’s Movement is the antithesis of the sprawling, sense-assaulting EDM mega-raves like Electric Daisy Carnival that come to mind when you hear the phrase 'electronic music festival.' Launched in 2000 as the Detroit Electronic Music Festival, and held downtown in the city that gave the world techno, the focus here is on music over spectacle, with a lineup that mixes pioneers with next-generation innovators.
When: June 9–11, 2023
Where: Governors Island, New York
What began as a few tents among abandoned buildings and military barracks is now a staple festival, occupying a unique place among summer concerts in NYC. All stages will be nestled in the center of an astroturf-lined Citi Field, with a 360-degree layout to prevent sound bleed between stages and eliminate long walks for festgoers. It’s the one local fest where you can catch hip-hop chart-toppers, tastemaker-approved buzz bands, left-field pop heroes and, yes, dance-commanding EDM overlords. This year’s lineup includes Lizzo, Lil Uzi Vert, Finneas, Odesza, Lil Baby, Lil, Nas X and lots of other music acts that you've definitely heard of.
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