15 noteworthy music festivals coming back in 2021
Music lovers are rejoicing! Live festivals are returning, bringing the sounds of music to the ears and hearts of fans who have had to rely on playlists and earbuds to bring music into their lives over the past year. The Stacker team agrees with Billy Joel when he said, "I think music in itself is healing. It's an explosive expression of humanity. It's something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we're from, everyone loves music."
Stacker chose 15 major upcoming festivals to create a list including their dates, highlights of headliners, and lineups. Are you a music fan who has been longing for Lollapalooza or vying for Voodoo Fest to return? While many iconic festivals had to cancel their 2020 events, our curated list illuminates that live events are coming back to life across America.
Be sure to visit the websites of the festivals to check for new protocols. In the meantime, put on your favorite playlist and scroll through our slideshow to find out if your favorite festival is one of the 15 featured. As Marilyn Manson notes, “Music is the strongest form of magic.” Isn’t it great to have live magic back in our lives?
Rolling Loud Miami
Rolling Loud Miami is slated for July 23-25 at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. A$AP Rocky, Travis Scott, and Post Malone will headline this year's event, and all passes from the canceled 2020 festival will be honored.
Lollapalooza
Grant Park in Chicago will be hopping on July 29-Aug. 1 with the sounds of Lollapalooza. The illustrious lineup of headliners includes Foo Fighters, Post Malone, Miley Cyrus, and Tyler, The Creator. Dababy, Marshmello, Illenium, Journey, Megan Thee Stallion, Alison Wonderland, Roddy Rich, Kaytranada, and Young Thug will also be performing, along with other major talent.
Summerfest
Summerfest will be held at Henry Maier Festival Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin over three consecutive weekends: Sept. 2-4, 9-11, and 16-18. Live music will rock 11 stages with 800 acts including the Jonas Brothers, Chance the Rapper, Miley Cyrus, and 100 more headliners.
Bonnaroo
Bonnaroovians will flock to Manchester, Tennessee, on Sept. 2-5, to celebrate the 20th anniversary Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival. Opening night features headliner the Grand Ole Opry and British jazz sax star Nubya Garcia. Foo Fighters, Megan Thee Stallion, Lizzo, Tame Impala, Lana Del Rey, and Tyler, The Creator join the lineup of over 150 musicians.
BottleRock
Napa Valley will be rocking Sept. 3-5 when Bottlerock blazes to life at the Napa Valley Expo. The festival, rescheduled from last May, features an impressive lineup, including Guns N’ Roses, Stevie Nicks, Foo Fighters, Miley Cyrus, and Megan Thee Stallion. According to the official website, the festival is already sold out.
Pitchfork Music Festival
Pitchfork Music Festival will take place Sept. 10-12 in Chicago’s Union Park. Headliners include Phoebe Bridgers, St. Vincent, Big Thief, Flying Lotus, and other top artists.
Life Is Beautiful
Downtown Las Vegas will host the Life is Beautiful festival from Sept. 17 to Sept. 19. The festival “exists to build a more beautiful world’ and features music, comedy, food, and art. Musical headliners include Billie Eilish, Jonas Blue, Green Day, A$AP Rocky, Megan Thee Stallion, and Chance the Rapper. Comedians include Desus and Mero, Jonathan Van Ness, and Pod Save America.
Sea.Hear.Now
Pearl Jam, The Smashing Pumpkins, and The Avett Brothers will join other industry icons at Ashbury Park in New Jersey on Sept. 18-19 to perform at Sea.Hear.Now. Featured artists include Billy Idol, Lord Huron, Dirty Heads, Dr. Dog, and many more.
Treefort Music Fest
Treefort Music Fest is set to take over multiple venues in downtown Boise, Idaho on Sept. 22-26. The festival will feature 150 bands as well as 369 celebrated indie artists including Japanese Breakfast, The Marías, Andy Shauf, and more.
Firefly
Firefly ignites Sept. 23-26 at the Woodlands of Dover International Speedway in Dover, Delaware. More than 120 bands will play across seven stages. Headliners include Billie Eilish, The Killers, Tame Impala, Lizzo, Megan Thee Stallion, Cage The Elephant, Roddy Ricch, Wiz Khalifa, Machine Gun Kelly, and more. The 105-acre festival grounds feature a myriad of experiences including a beach club, roller rink, and pride parade.
Louder Than Life
Louder than Life will rock the Kentucky Expo Center's Highland Festival Grounds in Louisville Sept. 23-26. The four-day festival will feature some of the industry’s leading talent, including Metallica, Snoop Dogg, Nine Inch Nails, Korn, Judas Priest, Jane's Addiction, Staind, Rise Against, Mudvayne, Cypress Hill, Machine Gun Kelly, Gojira, and more.
The Governor's Ball
The Governor’s Ball is a three-day experience featuring music, art, and food, and this year it's scheduled for Sept. 24-26 at Citi Field in New York City. The lineup features over 750 acts, including Billie Eilish, A$AP Rocky, Megan Thee Stallion, Post Malone, 21 Savage, and Young Thug.
Austin City Limits
Over 130 bands will perform on eight stages at Austin City Limits Music Festival on Oct. 1-3 and 8-10 at Zilker Park in Austin, Texas. Headliners include George Strait, Stevie Nicks, Billie Eilish, Miley Cyrus, and DaBaby.
Outside Lands
Outside Lands has been rescheduled to Oct. 29-31 at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. Headliners include Boy Pablo, Dr. Dog, Glass Animals, Kaytranada, Lizzo, Lord Huron, Rüfüs Du Sol, Sofi Tukker, Tame Impala, The Strokes, Vampire Weekend, and Young Thug.
Voodoo Fest
Voodoo Music + Arts Experience will return to City Park in New Orleans on Oct. 29-31 for guests to enjoy art, cuisine, and music. The event has been rocking the community since 1999, with 2,000 performances from icons like Pearl Jam, KISS, Rage Against the Machine, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Eminem. This year’s lineup is still being confirmed.
